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Condominium neighbours are often on the other side of your walls, and floors or ceiling. You'll hear and see them much more often than house neighbours.

Condo neighbourhoods
To ensure that your experience as a condominium resident is enjoyable, you need to ask questions and check out the condo as a neighbourhood.

What will the condominium be like as a home?
Whether buying new or resale, you might want to up-grade floor finishes, kitchen appliances and more. Also remember to check that your things will fit before you move. You may be able to upgrade your unit, but there might be restrictions on what you can do, or requirements to be met in how you can do it.

What will living there be like?
Is the manager friendly and easy to deal with, and the building and property clean and well maintained?Are the neighbours "your kind of people"? Talk to the people you meet there, ask around, and look for signs.

Can I afford the costs?
How much are the common fees, and is the Reserve Fund sound? Ask more questions, and see how you can get help to interpret the answers.

What will I own outright?
You might own the entire house and the lot on which it is built, or just the inside of the unit you occupy. This is where you find out.

What are my obligations?
As a unit owner, you also own a share in all the common elements that make up the condominium. This likely includes landscape and parking areas or structures, the building structure, its outside walls, windows and roof, any elevators and all other building services, and any recreation facilities, such as common rooms or swimming pools.

Attend the Annual General Meeting to understand how your condominium is being managed, and get to know the members of the Board of Directors, as you'll vote for whoever fills their positions. Best of all, take part in management.