Mortgages & Home Loans First-Time Homebuyers Should Your First Home Be a Condo? Determine whether your first home should be a condo By Jessica Walrack Updated on June 16, 2022 Reviewed by Doretha Clemon In This Article View All In This Article What Is a Condo? Pros and Cons of a Condo How To Shop for a Condo How To Finance a Condo Should Your First Home Be a Condo? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo: monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images Condos are single-unit homes within larger residential complexes that often have shared community areas, similar to apartments. Condos can provide many advantages for homeowners with particular needs, but they also have a few drawbacks to consider in comparison to a single-family home or townhome. Let’s take a closer look at what a condo is, along with the pros and cons of buying one. Key Takeaways Condos are single-unit homes in larger residential communities.When you buy a condo, you own the internal unit and a share of the common areas.Condos can be a great first home for those who want low-maintenance, affordable, smaller living spaces.Condos are not ideal for individuals who value privacy and seclusion or who want to own land for a yard. What Is a Condo? A condo, or condominium, is a single-unit home attached to at least one other unit, and is part of a larger residential community. Similar to apartment complexes, condo developments typically have several units that are inhabited by residents who live in close quarters and share common areas. The shared areas often include gyms, pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, and more. However, unlike apartments that can only be rented, condos can be leased or purchased. Note When you buy a condo, you will typically own the interior walls of the unit. Additionally, you’ll hold joint ownership in all of the property’s facilities and common areas, which may include the hallways, elevators, lobbies, and exterior walls. While condos can be a great first home in some situations, they have also become attractive investment prospects for house flippers. They are often more affordable than single-family homes, cheaper to renovate, and less likely to have unforeseen structural problems. Types of Condos When shopping for condos, you will likely come across a variety of layouts. The main condo types are: Low-rise residential condos: Single-unit buildings with separate entrances for each unitMulti-unit buildings: A complex with two to four units per building regardless of the number of floors, or a complex with five or more units per building with no more than two floorsHigh-rise residential condominiums: Condo complexes with five or more units per building and three or more floors The right type of condo for you will depend on if you prefer a smaller or larger community, multiple floors or just one, and more or fewer units in your building. Pros and Cons of a Condo Pros Security Affordability Desirable location Low maintenance On-site recreational amenities Social benefits of a community Cons Shared walls, floors, and ceilings HOA fees Unaligned values, rules, priorities, and/or management practices No land Limited space Pros Explained Security: Living in a community with security and other residents can grant you more peace of mind than living in a home where security is your responsibility alone. Affordability: The median price of condos is about 25% less than a single-family home, which can make them easier to afford as a first home. They can also be easier to renovate and flip due to the lower costs. Desirable location: Condos are often in urban settings near city centers, which can be great for those who want to be near work, school, shopping, and entertainment. Low maintenance: The property outside of your unit is maintained by the HOA, which creates a low-maintenance living situation for condo owners. On-site recreational amenities: High costs prohibit many homeowners from having on-site amenities such as a pool, gym, or tennis court. As a condo owner, the community-living aspect makes them possible and more affordable. Social benefits of a community: Living in a condo makes you part of a community, which can lead to a new social circle and regular social events. Cons Explained Shared walls, floors, and ceilings: Living close to others can result in some sound disturbances that disrupt daily life. HOA fees: Condos typically have homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to manage and maintain the property, which require owners to pay monthly dues. Unaligned values, rules, priorities, and/or management practices: HOAs put rules in place for condo complexes and their residents. Living in a community can become problematic if you don’t agree with the values, rules, priorities, and management of the complex. No land: Unlike when you buy a single-family house, typically with a condo, you will not own the land. Limited space: Condos are generally smaller than houses, which some people may find too restrictive for their needs. How To Shop for a Condo If you’re in the market for a condo, do your homework before making an offer. One condo complex may be the ideal fit, while another could fall short. For example, you’ll want to look for condos with communities that align with your lifestyle and that don’t have excessive complaints from other owners. Here’s a list of questions to consider when shopping for a condo to ensure you find the right one for you: What area do you want to live in? What is your price range? Do the condos you like qualify for financing (FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac)? What type of condo do you want? Is the community pet friendly, family friendly, etc.? What amenities are important to you? How much are the HOA fees? Will the rules and regulations align with your lifestyle? Is the community one that you will enjoy? Do you share similar interests? Does the complex have more owners or renters occupying the condos? How is the resale value of condos in the complex? Are other owners in the complex happy there? Do they have any complaints? Are the grounds well maintained? What percentage of the units are past due on HOA fees, if any? By vetting condos with questions like these, you can work with your real estate agent to make a shortlist of condos that will make for a suitable first home. Tour your favorite properties on the market to make your final decision. How To Finance a Condo Financing a condo is possible, but it might be a bit more complicated than financing a home. Your condo is just one part of a larger community, and its value depends on the health and stability of the larger condo development. Lenders—or those backing the loans—often want to evaluate the condo project as a whole. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires condos to meet a wide range of requirements to qualify for Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans, including: Projects must be at least 75% residential.At least 51% of the units must be owner-occupied.Developers can’t own more than 49% of the total units at the time of approval.Adequate funding must be available for insurance coverage and deductibles. That said, FHA, Veterans Affairs (VA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and conventional loans can all be used to finance condos as long as the condo developments meet their respective requirements. Note Learn more about financing in our guide to first-time homebuyer programs by state. Should Your First Home Be a Condo? A condo can be an ideal first home if you’re ready to own your home but don’t yet want all the responsibilities that come with owning a house and land. Note A condo will generally be more affordable, secure, easier to take care of, and will often be in a desirable location near city conveniences. A condo can be ideal for people who enjoy an active social life, as shared community spaces can provide space for get-togethers with neighbors. On the other hand, a condo may not be the best fit if you want more privacy and seclusion. For example, if you envision a large private backyard, mowing the lawn, starting a garden, and growing your family in the near future, a detached private house on a lot may be a better first-home option. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How old of a condo should you buy? Age is just one factor to consider when deciding whether to buy a condo. There is no specific age of condo that is right for everyone. Newer condos may need less major maintenance, but look at factors such as the condo’s structural integrity. Check if it qualifies for financing, the resale value, attractive amenities, a lifestyle fit, and reasonable rules and fees. What’s the difference between a condo and a townhouse? When you buy a condo, you own the inside of your unit and share ownership of the common areas with other owners in the complex. When you buy a townhouse, you usually own the entire unit, which includes the land the townhouse sits on as well as the interior and exterior of the home. However, townhouse owners won’t have an ownership stake in the common areas because they’re typically owned by a homeowners’ association. Who is responsible for pipes in condo walls? The responsible party for pipes in condo walls can vary by state and by your condo’s governing documents. Condo owners are often responsible for pipes within their unit and plumbing issues that originate within their units; they will need HO-6 insurance. However, the HOA will often be responsible for pipes outside of the units and issues that arise that are not the fault or responsibility of individual owners. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Census Bureau. “Characteristics of New Housing.” FEMA. “Condominiums.” Page 3 and 4. Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. “Condominium FAQs.” Veterans Authority. “Financing a Condo With a VA Home Loan.” Fannie Mae. “Full Review Process.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Condominium Project Approval and Processing Guide.”