Moving From a House to a Condo; Here’s What You Need to Know

There are a ton of perks to living in a condo. So much so, that people around the province have either been selling their large family homes and or opting into moving into smaller, cozier condos that are perfect for two. Though this move is incredibly beneficial, there’s a lot of things that need to be considered before you make the move.

If you’re thinking about downsizing into something a little smaller or even more manageable, here are some of the things you’ll need to consider to prepare, plan, and have an easy transition.

Why Downsize to a Condo

Now you may be thinking, should I really downsize to a condo? Is condo living that great? And for many reasons, no matter your stage of life, the answer is yes! As we mentioned previously, condo living has many benefits. Here are just a few;

• Condos are more affordable than single detached homes
• You’ll feel a great sense of community with your neighbours
• Many condos have top-notch amenities including gyms, party rooms, snow removal, and landscaping
• Can expect more affordable home insurance
• Great locations which are close to shopping districts, malls, business districts, and much more!
• Easier to manage and maintain

What You Need to Know About Condo Living

So you’ve decided that a condo is your next move! That’s wonderful. Before finding the condo of your dreams or the location that fits all your needs, there are some things that you should know beforehand.

1. It’s Possible You’ll Experience Some Noise: Depending on the type of building that you buy into, you will experience noise from your neighbours. We always recommend looking into concrete buildings, as that extra layer of material helps to really quiet down the noise between units. If, however, you find a smaller building that was made with wood (usually buildings 4 floors and lower), try finding something on the top floor to prevent hearing any noise above.
2. You’ll Love Your Concierge: From an extra layer of safety in the building to having someone to sign for all of your packages, having a concierge is truly incredible!
3. Garbage Chutes Make Life Easy: Say goodbye to having to walk outside to take out the trash or having to remember when it’s recycling day. Having a garbage chute and recycling bins makes life a lot easier!
4. Your Utility Bill Will Be Lower: Less space requires less electricity! You can enjoy lower utility bills when moving into a condo.
5. Fire Alarms and Other Maintenance Drills: Condo corporations unfortunately do not work on your schedule. So, it’s important to keep in mind that fire drills and other building maintenance actions will occur when needed. However, this is a small issue, given that now someone else will be focused on ensuring all maintenance items are working properly.

How to Downsize for the Move

Let’s face it - while condos are great, they do provide a lot less space than a home! This will require some serious downsizing and reorganizing before the move. Here are our tips:

1. Go Room By Room: it’s best to tackle this kind of project room by room to really sort through and see what it is you absolutely need, what it is you think you might need, and what you know you can get rid of.
2. Donate or Sell What You Don’t Need: You’ll probably find many items that you no longer use, need, or want. Be sure to either sell them or donate them to help make money for the move or to allow another family to make use of it.
3. Store What You’re Unsure Of: Can’t decide if you really need a chair or are not sure what to do with your special memories? Rent out a storage unit for the time being. This will not only help make the move easier but will allow you to get a lay of the land to see how much space you really have.
4. Invest In Items that Allow for More Storage: To help make things easier for condo living, upgrade your furniture to pieces that have built-in storage. Examples may be getting a couch and bed with built-in storage or purchasing bins or racks to store some of your clothes in your closet.

With these downsizing tips in mind, plus an overview of what to expect with condo living, you’re sure to have a smooth and easy transition. Now that you know you’re ready, it’s time for the fun part of finding the perfect condo building, and unit, to begin! Are you ready?