Condos
for Sale in Mississauga: Tips for Buying
Combing through listings of condos for
sale in Mississauga, Ontario shows the wide variety of options available.
Low-rises, high-rises, modern style, loft style, spacious or compact; there are
plenty of possibilities. However, no one should jump into the condo market
before doing some solid research regarding what is involved in condo
living. Having the right real estate
agent to guide you through the process is vital.
There are many woeful tales about condo
purchases that have gone wrong: leaky roofs, paper-thin walls, corrupt boards,
noisy neighbours. The list goes on and on. However, the right condominium
building can be a rewarding place to live. Condos offer an affordable way to
get into the market. They can be located close to restaurants, theatres, and
transit. They also offer owners a lifestyle with less responsibility: no
gardening or snow shovelling. Finding
the right unit that suits your taste and size requirement can be challenging
enough, but there is much more to consider in the process.
Unit
Checklist
- Does the unit come with parking and/or
a storage locker?
- Where is it located within the
building; is it right beside the garbage chute or elevator?
- How much sun does it get throughout the
day? Too much or not enough?
- How sound proof is it?
- What kind of view does it offer?
Building
Checklist
- Location is important. Often condo
listings have a walking score that rates the location on how close it is to
restaurants, transit and parks.
- Check out the amenities: gym,
concierge, pool, patios and party rooms. Make sure you are able to personally view
them, to help you decide if you will actually use them or will just be paying
for them.
- How much are the condo fees? Confirm which
utilities are included.
It’s important to have a REALTOR® with condo sales experience. They should be able to walk you through the
building’s status certificate. According to the Real
Estate Council of Ontario, the status certificate outlines the
condominium’s by-laws and rules, financial records, rental status, parking
details and more. Pay particular attention to how much money the condo budget
has in reserve, for both expected and unexpected repairs.
If you want more information about the
rights and responsibilities of being a condo owner, an excellent place to look
is the Consumer
Protection Ontario website.
How
to Find a Good REALTOR®
Start by asking friends and colleagues
for recommendations. Word of mouth is an excellent way to get referrals,
especially if someone you know has recently purchased a home. A good real
estate agent should listen to your questions and concerns, yet be honest and
open with their advice. Have a list of questions for any potential REALTOR®.
Ask what kind of experience they’ve had with buying and selling condos. Make
sure they are familiar with the area you are interested in.
Don’t always think bigger is better.
Some of the smaller, boutique, family-run firms can offer more personalized
service. When looking for condos for sale in Mississauga, the boutique
brokerage, JN Asensio,
is an excellent option. Condo living can be so rewarding, but it’s wise to be
cautious before signing on the dotted line.