When searching for a house or condo, we tend to overlook a very practical question: how much time, money, and effort are we prepared to devote to its upkeep? Some homes come with a much heavier workload than others.
Two seemingly identical properties can vary greatly in terms of maintenance requirements.
Condos: Less Maintenance… But Not Maintenance Free
A condo could provide a good option for people wanting to reduce some of their home ownership responsibilities.
Depending on the condo association, common areas are maintained, snow is cleared, the lawn is mowed, and certain outdoor jobs are paid for collectively. This can free up time for the owners.
It’s important to bear in mind, however, that the condominium fees actually help to fund some of these services and shared expenses. In other words, owning a condo doesn’t necessarily mean lower costs!
- Which type of condo requires more maintenance?
Generally speaking, the most maintenance-intensive condominium buildings are, ironically, those with the fewest units: multi-dwelling buildings hire maintenance companies; whereas in smaller buildings (with six units, for example), co-owners usually split the chores.
Houses: More Freedom… And More Responsibility
Owners of single-family homes tend to have more control over their property. They can decide on which renovations to carry out, how to decorate, and how to use their yard.
In return, homeowners have far more things to take care of:
- The lawn
- The landscaping
- The shovelling
- The gutters
- The building’s exterior components
- The patio
- The fence
- The roof
Some jobs are seasonal and predictable. Other issues arise without warning and demand a good deal of time or money to resolve.
Which type of house requires more maintenance?
- One With a Large Yard
A sweeping lawn requires more mowing. A wooded plot may require tree-trimming and clearing. A long driveway usually means more shovelling. A slope can also make certain yard tasks more difficult.
- One With a Pool
A swimming pool can be a wonderful thing, but it does come with extra work. Chores include treating the water, keeping it clean, opening and closing it for the season, monitoring the equipment, and carrying out any necessary repairs.
- One With a Spa and Fireplace
A property with several kinds of equipment will need more maintenance and repair. A spa, a fireplace, a wood-burning stove, a heat pump, an irrigation system, and even an air exchanger all require periodic inspections, cleaning, or servicing.
- One With Lots of Square Footage
A large house doesn’t just mean more household chores. It usually has more windows, bathrooms, types of flooring, doors, light fixtures, and appliances to look after. Additionally, it may have several systems to monitor and a greater number of components to repair over the years.
- One With Multiple Bathrooms
An extra bathroom may seem like an obvious advantage, but it also means more cleaning and more things to maintain, such as plumbing, silicone seals, ventilation, faucets, and water-exposed surfaces.
- One With Lots of Rooms or Storage Spaces
A house with a garage, a shed, a basement, a workshop, or several rooms can offer a great deal of space. But these rooms also need to be cleaned, tidied, heated, and inspected. The more rooms a residence has, the easier it is to put off certain tasks… until they become unavoidable.
- An Older Property
A home’s age can likewise affect the amount of time and money required for maintenance. An older house may necessitate frequent repairs or the gradual replacement of certain components, such as the windows, roof, plumbing, heating, exterior cladding, or appliances.
A Proper Maintenance Level That Fits Your Lifestyle
A property that needs a lot of upkeep isn’t always a bad investment. That said, the level of maintenance you’re happy with at 35 isn’t necessarily the same as you’ll be willing to do at 55 or 70.
For some people, working in their yard, cleaning a swimming pool, or looking after a large garden are all part of what makes home ownership so enjoyable.
Conversely, someone who prefers spending weekends travelling or seeing their family might find a property that requires less maintenance time more appealing.
Think about it carefully!