Hilda Gonzalez
Realty Executives Midwest
When it comes to looking for a home to buy, there are many things to consider beyond size and curb appeal. The type of housing itself is important and sometimes confusing: take a townhouse vs condo. When you live in a condo, you own everything from the walls in. When you own a townhouse, you own not only the structure but also the land it sits on. Townhouses are usually smaller and more affordable than single-family homes and are typically part of a homeowners association.
Usually Townhouses and Condos come with an extra fee for maintenance called HOA Fees. What are HOA Fees?
In your search for a home, you might have considered whether you want to live in a community with a homeowners' association (HOA). Making that decision comes down to fully understanding what differentiates a mandatory HOA from a voluntary HOA, and what kinds of rules an HOA can make and enforce.
“HOAs serve an excellent purpose in helping all homeowners have a fair understanding of what they need to do to protect property values for the good of all members,” says Murray Davis, a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes. “They will vary to some extent by HOA or subdivision, but they are typically very reasonable and fair.”
Structure of an HOA
Chris Gooch, an attorney with Fennemore Law, explains that HOAs are legal entities, usually created by the developer of a subdivision to “monitor and enforce certain covenants, conditions, and restrictions [CC&Rs] that apply to real property.”
“HOAs must adhere to all federal, state, and local laws, and cannot create rules that contradict them,” says Mark Buskuhl, founder and CEO at Ninebird Properties. “For example, an HOA cannot prohibit a resident from installing solar panels on their property if it is allowed by state law. Additionally, there may be legal limitations to the scope of rules an HOA can enforce, such as regulating indoor noise levels or restricting political speech on private property.”
HOAs are specific to each neighborhood or subdivision they oversee, and the rules only apply to those living in the community. They also don’t rise to the level of laws or local government ordinances. Still, living in an HOA community typically means that joining the HOA is mandatory.
The purpose of an HOA is to create a set of CC&Rs that enhance the quality of life of its residents. Some HOAs also work to improve this standard of living by offering shared amenities that those living outside the community might not otherwise be able to enjoy.
“Some common rules on maintenance and appearance include approved roofing and exterior siding colors/materials, fencing guidelines, landscaping guidelines, not parking vehicles on the street overnight or in yards, and limiting how long recreational vehicles may occupy a driveway,” Davis says.
HOAs are run by a board with members who live in the community. They are typically chosen through a type of election process. Each HOA member pays fees to live in the community. In exchange, those fees are used to improve and maintain the community.
How an HOA Rule Is Created
Establishing a CC&R in an HOA community follows a specific order, like many other governing bodies.
“Homeowners association rules are established by the HOA board. When written correctly, they are drafted and revised over time, reviewed internally among the board members, circulated to the entire HOA membership for input, and then ultimately voted upon by the HOA board as required in the HOA’s bylaws,” says Christa Kenin, a real estate agent at Douglas Elliman.
These rules usually pass with a majority or two-thirds vote, which Kenin says is standard.
There are multiple opportunities for members of an HOA community to learn about the rules and voice opinions about them. In addition to creating new rules, the board is likely to tweak existing ones. Kenin says these rules are typically revised either because they’re considered antiquated or because members of an HOA have raised issues that need to be addressed through a change.
To do so, the HOA follows the process outlined for rule creation and revision outlined in its community bylaws, Kenin says.
“There are no federal, state, or local legal standards that govern this process,” she says. “However, HOA rules must be consistent with and cannot run contrary to existing federal, state, or local laws.”
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TOWNHOUSE AND CONDO OWNERSHIP -
When it comes to looking for a home to buy, there are many things to consider beyond size and curb appeal. The type of housing itself is
important and sometimes confusing: take a townhouse vs condo. When you live in a condo, you own everything from the walls in.
When you own a townhouse, you own not only the structure but also the land it sits on. Townhouses are usually smaller and more affordable than single-family homes and are typically part of a homeowners association.
Townhouses and condos are different for several reasons, but the biggest is the ownership structure.
“Homebuyers are often confused by the term condo,” Benach says. “Condominium is actually a form of ownership or deed rather than a building type.”
A townhome can operate under two types of ownership, he explains. It can have a condominium ownership arrangement or fee-simple ownership, like a single-family home. In the first type, you own just the unit itself from the walls in. In the latter, you own both the townhome and the land it’s on. "Fee simple" refers to a complete type of ownership, where you pay to purchase a property outright and don’t share common areas or portions of the property with other owners.
“It’s for this reason that in any multi-unit building, whether it is two stories tall or a 75-floor high-rise, it has to be deeded as a condominium if the units are owned by different people or entities,” Benach explains. When multiple units are built vertically, you have to share the land and rights with other individuals.
TIP: When you live in a townhouse, you own the building and the land; maintenance of both is your responsibility.
Townhouses are homes built in rows or clusters, often with shared walls. “Townhouses share walls with neighboring properties unless situated on a corner lot. Corner lots are as they offer more windows and sometimes side yards,” Fabbri says.
“For a townhouse, if something goes wrong, the maintenance cost falls squarely on the shoulders of the owner of that townhouse,” says agent David Harris of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “So, when the roof goes or a pipe bursts in the basement, it’s solely the owner’s responsibility. If the roof of a condo building needs repair, it’s a shared cost among all of the owners of units within the building.”
“Townhouses provide more privacy and space than apartments and are generally easier to maintain than detached single-family homes,” Fabbri adds.
Townhouses are typically part of a homeowners association, much like condos. Single-family homes can be part of an HOA, but it’s not a requirement for that type of property.
TIP: Townhouses tend to be more expensive than condos but less expensive than single-family homes due to their size.
What Is a Condo?
Condos are individual units that often have shared walls in part of a larger building. They can be large and encompass entire floors or grouped tightly, like apartments.
“A condominium, or condo, is a unit within a building or a community owned by an individual or an entity,” Fabbri says. “This ownership structure is more common in cities and urban areas but can also be found in the suburbs. Amenities and all common areas, such as lobbies, elevators, fitness centers, and hallways, are owned collectively by the condo owners and are governed by the association, which enforces rules and regulations.”
When you live in a condo, you own the property from the walls in. The property the condo sits on is owned by the HOA, which oversees landscaping and maintenance of shared amenities.
“Monthly or annual fees are paid to the association for the maintenance of the common areas and building exterior,” Fabbri adds. “Association rules vary widely and must be carefully reviewed before purchasing as they impact your activities and mandate certain upkeep.”
TIP: Condos tend to be less expensive than townhomes, given they are a bit smaller in general, but fees for associated HOAs can vary greatly.
“In addition to the purchase cost and monthly payments, there are special assessments that can come up at any given time—and cost a pretty penny depending on the project that needs the funds,” Patchen says. “From special exterior renovations to interior upgrades, condo owners need funds available in order to be prepared for assessments.”
Condos are usually part of an HOA or managed by a condo board or property management company, much like townhomes, meaning there are rules you must follow.
TIP: “HOA rules and restrictions can be a major disadvantage because they govern lifestyle choices, including pet ownership, entertaining abilities, and noise restrictions.”
Living in a condo lets you enjoy the best of both single-family living and apartment living in that you have a more stable living arrangement in terms of your monthly payments, but you still benefit from shared amenities such as a pool or gym but at a reduced cost. There are also tons of service-related perks you might not think of in condo settings.
If you’re looking for more control over your property or want a little more privacy, a condo might not be the best choice for you.
According to Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, your dishwasher is the dirtiest appliance in your home. Are you surprised?
It might be a surprise that one of the dirtiest spots in your home could be your dishwasher—particularly the filter. As your dishwasher cleans your plates and silverware, the filter catches all those little bits of food and grease so they don't end up back on your dishes. Once you know how to clean a dishwasher filter, you won't have to worry about whether your dishes are getting clean.
Old vs. New Dishwashers
Some older dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, which are similar to garbage disposals. However, most modern dishwashers, including the most common models from Whirlpool, GE, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Samsung, Bosch, Kenmore, and LG, have manual dishwasher filters you must remove and clean yourself. If you're unsure of your dishwasher filter type, check your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website.
Cleaning your dishwasher filter is an easy maintenance task to help your appliance's performance. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to complete. Here's everything you need to know about how to clean a dishwasher filter.
Instructions:
Your dishwasher filter is at the bottom of your dishwasher. It's usually round and can often be found in one of the back corners of your dishwasher or near the base of the bottom spray arm.
Roll out the bottom rack of your dishwasher. If there's a screen at the bottom of your dishwasher, remove that as well.
Find and Remove the Dishwasher Filter –
First, you'll need to locate the dishwasher filter. The filter usually looks like a cylinder with fine mesh around the sides. Removing the dishwasher filter
is simple. Simply twist to unlock the filter (there might be arrows indicating which direction to turn), then gently pull it up and out. Sometimes there's an additional flat filter that also needs to be removed.
All you need is dishwashing soap and a brush - Wash the dishwasher filter by hand in your kitchen sink. It might just need a quick spray with your kitchen faucet if it's pretty clean. If it's caked with food residue, let it soak in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Use a soft brush to gently scrub the inside and outside of the filter to remove all food particles and buildup. Avoid wire brushes or rough scrubbing that could damage delicate dishwasher filters. Once clean, rinse the filter thoroughly with water.
Tip: For stubborn buildup, opt for an additional cleaning with vinegar after the initial soapy soak. With a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar, soak the filter for at least 30 minutes.
Return to Dishwasher
Pop the dishwasher filter back into place and twist it to lock. If there's a screen that needs to be put back on, make sure it's tightened in place. Otherwise, you run the risk of it lifting up and getting hit by the spinning dishwasher spray arm during a cycle.
How Often Should You Clean The Filter?
This is a job you'll want to stay on top of. Otherwise, your dishwasher will start emitting an odor, and dishes can come out gritty or with leftover food residue. Depending on how often you run your dishwasher, once a month is a good frequency to clean a dishwasher filter. Mark your calendar as a reminder or commit to doing it on the first of every month. After a few months, you can tell if you need to adjust the regularity.
Universally Appealing Colors are:
Paint Colors to avoid because it can lower your home’s resale value according to Real Estate Pros:
Bold Reds – may convey the wrong emotions such as anger or danger. It also shrinks a room, and in warm climates, it can make you feel hot all the time and uncomfortable, according to realtor Alexei Morgado, from Florida and founder of Lexawise, a platform that helps aspiring realtors prepare for their real estate exam.
Mossy, Dark Greens can be associated with moisture. That’s not a word anyone likes to hear when looking at a home. Moss green can also be associated with mold and in humid markets, this becomes a sensitive issue.
Forest green is another color that buyers may associate with moisture, and it can also read as dated. Jessia Vance, real estate pro who specializes in home rehabs and mortgages, warns that dark green is not a good color for rooms with limited square footage because it absorbs light and it is darker. It makes spaces feel closed in and smaller.
Brown Tones may be trending in both fashion and interior design right now, according to Corrine Smith, who is a luxury real estate advisor and the owner of Legacy Homes, based in Wahington state. However, browns emit weird color blemishes in listing photos against hard lights, especially if the homeowners painted their ceiling white.
Saturated Beiges, such as light beige with neutral undertones, make the home look dated and heavy. Beige color may look dingy and weigh a space down.
Peachy Off-White in kitchens and bathrooms make the home feel like you’re walking into your grandma’s house. Many older homes used this tone of white. It’s better to go with a brighter white according to Corrine Smith. This color can also clash with white appliances, sinks, bathtubs and toilets.
The choices are many, but you need to know what wears better and lasts better over the years. A little research goes a long way.
First - start with how much maintenance you need to put in to maintain the look of your kitchen countertop.
Second, consider the cost of the material you select.
Third, consider the colors and what wears well over the years. Doing a little homework will save you regrets and costly replacement.
According to Better Homes and Gardens, Diana Viera, the countertop expert and managing partner at ITALKKRAFT in Miami, FL, the countertop material people regret most is marble.
The reasons are many but just to name a few, it stains easily, it can scratch easily, and it can even crack if the scratches are not taken care of. Everyday use like knife chopping, putting hot pans without proper protection. Wine spills or dropping acidic foods can stain the marble. It requires constant care and attention to maintain. Although, marble is ultra-luxurious and it makes for a stunning design feature, it’s also the most high-maintenance countertop material and it’s expensive.
What is a better alternative?
Quartzite countertops are more durable, easy to maintain, and they are as elegant as marble with low maintenance. Quartzite is also heat resistant and is well suited for a kitchen that gets a lot of use. Although, quartzite can be more expensive than marble, it’s a better choice for durability and wearability. In addition, it delivers luxury.
Set aside 30 minutes to talk with your spouse or family about:
It’s important your family knows your wishes when you’re not around to guide them.
Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. Make sure you protect the people you love.
