Moving into a new home can be frustrating, but it is also an exciting time. You are about to embark on a great adventure and hopefully make friends with new neighbors and come to call a new part of the city, state, or country home. Whether the move comes from

necessity (e.g. a job transfer) or from a desire to start a new life, you have so many housing options that it may take some time to decide which is right for you. For instance, is buying a house or a condo the best move for you right now?

Each has advantages – comfortable living, specific amenities and

space, but condo living can differ greatly from owning a house. Let’s take a look at some of the more obvious comparisons:

Property: When you buy a house, it’s yours. You are free to paint a wall any color you choose, knock it down to make a room bigger, or have an addition built on the property. When you buy a condo, you are typically bound to a covenant which may restrict what can and cannot be done to your home. If you live in a complex you might be

able to paint walls, but additions would be out of the question. Major changes to your condo, too, could be subject to approval by your condo board.

Fees: Homeowners usually have a mortgage payment to look forward to each month. Condo owners will make payments on their homes, plus any additional monthly fees that cover on-site amenities and maintenance. If your condo community undergoes an assessment for overall repairs, too, you may have to cover more

expenses.

Recreation: If you own a home and want to have a swimming pool installed, it’s up to you to have it done. You will hire the builders and buy all the equipment. If you live in a condominium community with a swimming pool, you have access when it’s open. Your condo fee will cover its maintenance.

Proximity: Home ownership may offer you distance from your neighbors and privacy. You can put up a fence around your yard if you wish. Condo living, however, tends to keep people rather close together. Even if you live in a community with detached homes, you may not have much of a lot line as far as outdoor property is concerned.

Should you buy a home or a co

ndo? Only you can make this decision, and you will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both before you make a commitment to buy. Think about your needs, the size of your family, and the conveniences you feel are necessary for you where living in a home is concerned. Whichever you choose, you can truly make a house or a condo your real home.

Kathryn Lively is a freelan

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writer specializing in articles on downtown Norfolk condos and Virginia Beach condos.