September 15, 2009
Buying a parking space is usually an extra expense at condominiums. Also, there are certain conditions which contribute to the price of the parking spot.
1. The number of people staying in the area versus the available space for parking. This usually brings the price higher.
2. The parking area itself. The spacing and the number of cars the parking lot can accommodate greatly affects the pricing for a parking slot.
3. Security. The kind of security they have definitely contributes to the pricing. After all, you trust them to make sure that it stays where it is.
Posted in Condo Living, Tips by Rene • Comments Off
August 18, 2009
When selecting that residential area, you also need to consider a number of things regarding the neighborhood:
1. The buildings within the area: check the proximity of schools, hospitals and other buildings to your chosen area, so that you know where to go in times of emergency and also so you can estimate whether your area is a passing-thru area for other people who have to go to these places.
2. Traffic situation: The closer you are to business establishments and other major institutions, the greater the chances that your neighborhood will be exposed to noise and to heavy traffic.
3. History. What was the area before they put up your house? It pays to know what was once there.
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July 3, 2009
This is a very rare occurrence in many cities the world over due to the pollution we have from cars and the many industrial plants that may bring more than the normal pollution sources. There is however a lot of products that can not only filter air but kill viruses and bacteria that used to cause the musky smell of old air conditioning units. Old AC units, get them cleaned frequently so they stay efficient and eat less electricity. More
Posted in Health Tip, Information by Rene • Comments Off
June 3, 2009
This is one of the rages that is sweeping the nation of condo dwellers and has many people afraid of heights screaming, glass patios that seemingly has you hanging in mid-air and allowing unimpeded views of the floors and grounds below. There may be some privacy issues but it is indeed a novelty and kids love them. They are normally made up of laminated glasses that has alternating layers of glass and tempered glass that makes them quite tough and shatter proof.
They have been installed on some of the newest properties but your stomach for heights may have to be tested, to the extreme. You may have to change your habits in terms of clothing for your neighbors would surely be looking up to you, for the wrong reasons.
Posted in Condo Living, Designing tips, Information by Rene • Comments Off
May 5, 2009
Condo’s being of height can be quite challenging when it comes to issues regarding the weather such as rain and high winds during stormy weather, warm and hot air when it’s sunny. A simple fix can be to use special window films if the windows are not treated with them to shield you from the hot sun keeping you cool and saving on power with the AC. Wind seeping into your unit can constitute quite a headache for dust and other contaminants can easily get into your unit and even water if the winds are strong enough. They can damage hardwood floors and even furniture so be sure to draft check the unit from time to time. Glass panes on patio’s should be either tempered or strengthened glass which is tougher than normal glass with the addition of several layers of polycarbonate plastic making them similar to bullet-resistant glass used on armored vehicles. More
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April 21, 2009
There is a notion in today’s environmentally conscious world that green is in which is mostly a very good choice yet not always the best for old condos that were built when caring for mother earth wasn’t always the norm of the time. But this doesn’t mean you can’t do your own little part in the greening of your particular unit for the simple act of changing all your lighting with CFL’s or energy saving lamps may be a good start. Old buildings also had a menagerie of appliances that were not too good for the environment, these appliances can be replaced by better newer ones that are more efficient and thus saving you more in terms of electrical consumption. More
Posted in Condo Living, Designing tips by Rene • Comments Off
March 21, 2009
The fad of collapsible furnishings that can be torn-down and re-assembled easily creates a hidden danger in the home for they release VOC’s that are known to have harmful side effects to you and your family’s health. The solvents and glues used on such products eventually begin to leach out of the wood thus exposing you to cancerous compounds that should be avoided considering the small confined spaces in such homes. More
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February 27, 2009
Unlike full blown houses, one of the disadvantages of condos it it’s relatively smaller space. One tip to mange the space is to create a focal point in every room. Focal points make a room feel spacey and homey at the same time, and doesn’t need you to extensively put designs in everything. Keep your space free from clutter, as a messy condo makes it easy for you and any visitor to feel stuffy and cramped. If you have any inner doors you can make do without, try replacing them with curtains for a more open feel. You should also pay particular attention to your windows, as keeping them clean will allow more light to flood into your living space. In cleaning, using smaller vacuums are recommended as they can maneuver around smaller spaces better.
Posted in Information, Tips by editor • Comments Off
January 30, 2009
Most people have heard of housing cooperatives and the utter difficulty of getting into them that even some of the most influential people have been denied access to them. Condominiums operate on the concept that you are buying real estate as if it were a single family home much like a real home on a lot except your property is stacked one on top of the other. This is good for you pay people and the developer who normally owns the property and maintains it. Housing Cooperatives on the other hand owns the building itself as a corporation, with the residents living within it’s walls as tenants/co-owners rather than sole owners. The cooperative owns the unit you live in and you get a lease/rental contract with the building maintained by the cooperative.
This type of housing arrangement is advantageous for it can have the same benefits as a condominium but without the hefty taxes for a cooperative is considered to be a small business entity that falls into a group of non-profit businesses. Tax discounts and other incentives are given by the government for such housing groups allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of communal living that is not only cheaper but more community than business oriented.
Posted in Information by Rene • Comments Off
January 25, 2009
If the pipe of you water service provider’s cut, what do you do? If the electricity’s down, how can you accomplish things? This is one of the major reasons why people prefer living in a condo. First off, condominiums have water tanks. Depending on the size of the condominium but normally, they have large ones enough to accommodate the dwellers. If the water pipe becomes busted, the pre-collected water inside the tank will be the thing that’s going to be distributed. Since these tanks are big and not most of the time the units are occupied, water will suffice the units until the pipe has been fixed.
Second, condominiums have generators. Since generators run on oil, all you have to worry about is the amount of your next month’s association dues (you have to pay for the used oil).
Well at least, you didn’t suffer bit.
Photo taken from http://www.acoustiblok.com & http://www.cartoonstock.com
Posted in Condo Living, Tips by editor and tagged generator, water pipe • Comments Off
