Condos - Styles and Amenities

If you know the basics about condominiums, you already know that they come in all shapes, sizes, and styles because condos are not confined to a type of building. Condominiums are actually a cooperative ownership style. Because they come in all types, what are some of the options you have to choose from when it comes to condo building styles and amenities?

Building Style

A common misconception about condos is that they are just apartments that you actually own. But the truth is, that is just one style of condo. What are all the options in our area for condos?

• Apartment (“Garden”) Style - Apartment or Garden-style condos are usually located in a multi-story building. The building probably has a few main entrances and common shared interior spaces (lobbies, hallways, etc). Each unit door is accessed through a hallway shared with others. Parking is probably underground or an outdoor surface lot. Some apartment-style condos do have detached garages.
• Townhouse Style - Townhouse condos usually come in buildings with at least 4 attached units. The most common style of townhouse is the 2-story townhouse. Most townhome style condos have their own entrance directly to the exterior. They often have an attached garage. They may or may not have a basement.
• Duplex - Most people are familiar with duplexes. These properties have 2-units connected by a shared wall between them. Duplexes most often come in ranch, bi-level, tri-level, and 2-story floor plans in our area. They usually have their own entrance and garage. It’s likely they have a basement, but not a guarantee.
• Standalone - Any single family home floor plan you can dream of can also be considered a condo if it’s part of a condo association and governed by condo documentation.

Amenities

Each condo has different amenities available to its owners. Here are some of the more common options for our area.

• Parking - The parking situation at a condo could be an attached garage, detached garage, underground parking lot, or surface/uncovered parking. Parking might be assigned or unassigned. It might also be separately deeded and available to buy/sell outside of a real estate transaction.
• Clubhouse - A common room or building that residents can rent out to host parties or entertain their guests. Usually has a kitchen.
• Laundry - Some condos have in-unit laundry and others have shared laundry. If you’re used to having your own laundry, make sure you put in-unit laundry on your must-haves list.
• Pool - In the South Central Wisconsin area, I’m not aware of any condos that have indoor pools but there are a few with outdoor pools. There is at least one condo that has an indoor hot tub!
• Workout Room - This is a gym for use by all the members. This is a fairly common amenity in area condos.
• Theater Room - A place for residents to gather to host/enjoy movie-watching parties
• Common Greenspace - Shared lawn space for enjoying nature or taking your pets for walks.
• Elevator - Many condos have an elevator if they are multi-story, but others don’t. If you’re downsizing your home for mobility reasons, make sure you find a condo with an elevator, if you’ll need to navigate from underground parking to your unit.
• Garden Space - A shared community garden for condo residents.
• Guest Suite - If you have guests coming from out of town, some condos have a whole condo “guest suite” that you can rent out for your guests to stay in on-site.
• Indoor Common Spaces - Spaces like a library, game room, etc
• Water Access/Boat Slips - Some condos have water access and provide shared or separately deeded piers and boat slips.
• Security System - Your guests may have to buzz your unit and have you let them into a secured building.
• Rooftop Common Area - Some downtown Madison condos have rooftop areas for use by all residents.

Activities

Last but certainly not least, some condos organize activities for residents. If you’re excited about finding a built-in community or set of friends, these condos could be for you! Types of activities include:

• Games
• Potlucks
• Happy hours
• Movie nights

If you’re thinking about condos, definitely connect with your real estate agent to make sure you’re finding a property with all the amenities you need and want.