Apartment, Estate, or House: Which Home Will You Call Yours?

One of the first real questions you have to answer when you've decided to buy a home is what kind of home will be right for you! Is apartment living, with its lock-up-and-go benefits the best solution? What about the security advantages of a home ensconced in an estate or complex? Or do you want the freedom that comes with owning a freestanding home? Jawitz Properties has the real answers you need.

Everything you need to know about apartment living

The advantages that come with living in an apartment or a small sectional title property are vast. For starters, your monthly levies are used to take care of most external maintenance, so you'll never have to paint your home's exterior or cover the cost of building structure repairs. Your levy will also cover the costs of general property security as well as cleaning and maintenance of common areas. 

Depending on the location and size of your apartment, it's likely to be more affordable than a home in an estate or a freestanding house - and since many apartment blocks and complexes offer an array of amenities like pools, gyms and communal spaces, it's a great way to get maximum value for your investment. Given that you live close to your neighbours, apartment living makes it easy to meet people and become part of a community.

The main challenge that may come with apartment living is the need to follow a set of rules. With so many people living in close proximity, rules are a must. Complex rules are likely to relate to various factors including noise levels, number of occupants and what is permissible in common areas. Many complexes and apartment blocks don't allow pets, which may dissuade you from buying this type of property.

The real lowdown on estate living

Estate living in South Africa offers an idyllic way of life. These are typically environments in which your children can ride their bikes to their friends' houses and there are walking and jogging trails to encourage you to reach your daily step count. There is an array of different types of estates, from golf estates and equestrian estates to coastal estates, so there are plenty of options to choose from depending on what you and your family are passionate about. Many of these estates offer a blend of luxury apartments, townhouses and standalone homes, giving would-be residents various options to consider. 

Other advantages of estate living include advanced safety measures and property values that are virtually guaranteed to grow over time.

Potential challenges related to estate living could include financial factors, as these homes tend to be more expensive than standalone homes or sectional titles. As is the case with apartment buildings and complexes, estate residents will be obliged to follow certain rules to maintain harmony among residents.

The freedom of freestanding homes

One of the factors that many people love most about their freestanding homes is the freedom and flexibility that they offer. While you'll always be bound by municipal bylaws, freestanding home ownership means that you're free to make many choices about your home without anybody's input. In complexes and estates, there are typically rules governing how the outside of a building must look, but in a freestanding home, the only limit is your imagination. 

On the flip side of the coin, independence means that you're solely responsible for security and maintaining your property. As a homeowner, you're unlikely to have to pay a monthly levy or homeowners' association fee, but you'll be responsible for everything from mowing the lawn to securing your property.

No matter what kind of property you're looking for, the Jawitz Properties team has the knowledge and experience to make a real difference in your decision-making process. Get in touch and let us help you find the ideal apartment, estate or freestanding home for you.