condos versus buying a home in wisconsin?
968175
it depends on where in wi you want to buy from. if you are in a bigger city i would say condo but if your in one of the many small towns house.
181960
You need to do some math. What are you spending now on rent for a similar place? Now figure out how much the mortgage, homeowner's dues, and property taxes are. Then factor in the tax deduction for the mortgage interest and property taxes. You may qualify for a first time home buyer's tax credit, check with your county. Then compare what you're spending on rent versus what you would be spending on the condo. If they are close, then yes it is a good time.
970852
I don't think there is a generic answer that satisfies your question.  If you overpay for either a house or condo, you will get a lousy return on your investment.  Also, note that the supply of condos in NYC is relatively low also as most of the apartments for sale are co-op units.  If you buy a condo, I would recommend buying at least a two bedroom apartment.  1BR and studio apartments aren't as good for resale.
485661
Well, it depends- if you are buying on top of a real estate bubble, where you have to really stretch your budget to buy a place, you might be better off to get an apartment and wait until you can better afford to buy.  In a normal market, where you are not having to stretch your budget, you are better off to buy.  First reason is that the interest you pay is tax deductible, rent is not.  Also, you then own an asset on which you can make leveraged gains (meaning that you make a gain against your equity, and also the money that the bank loaned you to buy the place).  It also gives you some security from the standpoint that you know that as long as you pay your mortgage and your taxes, you can never be evicted from your home.
333126
I am not sure whether you are asking which is the better purchase option for you, or if you are asking whether you should purchase a home at all. If your question is the second one, yes, you should purchase one or the other, as you will be building equity of your own, rather than paying rent, which is building equity for someone else.  If you are asking which to purchase, there are a number of things you should consider.  While a house may appreciate faster, thus allowing equity to build faster, it requires a lot more maintenance, repairs, and yard work.  Are you equipped to do these yourself, or have the resources to pay someone else to do them?  Talk over everything with a real estate professional you can trust.  Look at every consideration you can think of, and decide which would be best for you.  Only then should you start to look at potential properties.  Good Luck!
1087323
I own a condo, and i totally wish i had bought a house now! \n\nCondo fees, condo association complaints, ASKING FOR PERMISSION to do things in your OWN house, Dealing with jerks on the board, and feeling like you don't have a say. SO NOT WORTH IT!\n\nBuying a house is great, its yours and you basically only have 2 more bills than with the condo ~~ Water and trash removal.\n\nMost condo fees range from great (250 a month) to scary (500+ a month) we pay the mid range 350 and for what we get i'd much rather be paying for a house. \n\nOnly my opinion :-)
72496
BUYIN HOME IN ALBANY IS A GOOD OPTION.THE HOUSE OVER THERE ARE STILL LESS EXPENSIVE AS COMPARED TO REST OF THE STATE AND THEY ARE CATCHIN UP PRETTY FAST.SO IF YOU BUY A HOUSE NOW YOU CAN BUILD UP SOME EQUITY REALLY FAST AND CASH IT LATER IF YOU WANT TO.I'M SAYIN THIS FROM EXPERINCE SINCE I'M A REAL ESTATE AGENT IN NY.
402698
How much time do you really want to spend on the weekends mowing the lawn, edging, weed eating, fertilizing, etc?\n\nI own a condo so that I can have more time to do what I want to do.  I own the building from the walls in.  Therefore, I can do whatever I want inside as long as I do not tear out a structural or load bearing wall.\n\nThere are many styles of condos and houses available.  Some look and feel like apartments and some look and feel like regular homes (patio homes).  Talk to a real estate agent to go look at both condos and houses.  You may be able to get a better deal on a condo depending on where you live.
1125979
As a native from LA now living in the NYC metro area also in my late 20's, I understand where you're coming from. Real estate here is on par with So Cal, but its the property taxes that really makes things so unaffordable. This is why my boyfriend and I have been looking in Albany as a potential for buying. You can pick up a house for as low as $35k (obviously not in the greatest area) and can find some nice properties for $150k with taxes that won't force you to live on ramen noodles. The downside is trying to find employment there- its primarily govn't work and seems you have to "know" people to get your foot in the door. Nightlife there is pretty good and varied from what I've seen and experienced. My boyfriend went to SUNY Albany and has had good things to say about it. So there's my two cents! All the best in finding something that suits!
86958
Depends on the condo project. Not all condo projects are created equal.\n\nFirst, do a cash flow analysis on each using comps in the area.\n\nSecond, evaluate the condo project itself. Consider the % of investors in the project, health of the condo assoc, age of the development (needing repairs in common areas etc.), and condo developers role (if any) still in the project. It's good to have the homeowners in complete control - especially when some work is left to do.\n\nOnce you get comfortable on the condo project, pick the one with the better cash flow.
153767
Well you didn’t say what state you live in, but I will tell you what I know about the regulations in California.  For starters if you want to live in one of the units a 1-4 unit bldg. is the best.  A 1-4 unit property can be financed thru conventional or FHA financing.  There are several other benefits and perks that come w/ living in an owner occupied 1-4 unit property.  In California if the property is 16 units or large you must have an onsite property manager.  This can be you, but if the tenets find out you’re the owner, God help you, because you will have NO REST!!!\n\nAnyway, your best bet is to meet w/ a real estate attorney from your area because they will know your states laws.\n\nBest of luck to you.
570017
Maybe. It depends upon the local real estate market. It also depends upon your definition of Investment. Are you looking at paying cash for a home there in the hopes of seeing the price go up in order to make a profit? OR are you looking to pay cash for this home to Live in either full or part time? I would hesitate if you are looking at using it as an investment vehicle. Most of the time Real Estate is a Liability with Maintenance, insurance, utilities, Property Taxes, association dues etc... That exceed the annual appreciation of the value of the property. My question to you is Do YOU REALLY NEED 2 houses? If not, put your money elsewhere to grow. Unless you are looking to purchase property in one of the few areas that are involved in states of Hyper-Inflation of property values, your money is better invested elsewhere and you can use it at any time to buy property where you want to live. Examples of these are the Ridiculously overpriced Condominium market in Florida and the WAY overpriced houses in Southern California. I believe that these growth rates are unsustainable and many people are going to lose their shirts there eventually. \n  Point is I would need alot more information to make an educated answer to your question beyond Maybe.
121833
Depends on a lot of things.  Where is this person?  $40K is a lot more in the midwest than it is on the west coast.  Does the person have the lifestyle they want?  Do they own the kind of home they want?  Are they happy?  If yes, than it's a good salary.
50344
You only own about a foot or two out from the building, so whatever trees and bushes are there, don't think about changing them, read your contracts very carefully, ask about "rent a cop" patrols through peak summer hours when all the kids are loose from school, also of special events that are extremely loud, that you may either want to embrace or not.  Do you have "Lake access", how many parking spaces and storage areas are considered yours? And yes location, do you want to climb steps, or hear others as they climb them if you have purchased the lower condo? How much traffic and noise is in the area.
766351
You have to look at the condo as you would any other investment.  Do the condo rules allow you to rent out the property if you needed to relocate for school?  Would such an asset disallow you from any low rate student loan programs for medical school? Can the property be sold in a timely manner if you needed to liquidate?  Are the property values rising at fast enough rate to justify the initial investment?    I realize these are more questions than answers but they are all important to your issue.  The most important one is the last one because real estate is just like any other investment if you are looking on a short term basis.
389235
You might want to contact a local Realtor since they have access to the MLS and sometimes rentals are listed with an agent and not put into traditional rental sites or in the paper.  I am a Realtor in St. Charles and I can help you find an agent in Evanston if you don't know one you can trust.
699190
No, they are overpriced. Trump is selling you the condo at prices that are double or even triple for the area. You are buying a name. The assessments we'll be high as well. Consider what you can get elsewhere. Trump properties are for people who won't leave for a while.