What is the Best Name for a Dwelling? Home, of Course!

Regardless of whether you are a tenant or a property owner, everyone wants a place to call home. As the mix of dwelling types becomes more varied, there has never been more to choose from. Where once it was either a free-standing house or a flat, now we have the duplex, the townhouse, apartments, units, flats, and finally from the USA, the condominium.

Renters Just Want the Right Property

Actually, only the word arrived from the USA, as here in Australia, we have had strata title properties for some time. Strata title is another name for a condominium. For renters, this means nothing. They just want a property that suits them, so they will happily call any of these dwelling types their home.

Ownership is the Key for a Landlord or Buyer

The situation is completely different for a landlord or buyer. A landlord is in the property market to invest, earn income, increase equity, and build wealth. A buyer may also be in the market for these reasons, but additionally, to own their own home. For them, it is all about ownership.

Here at Bunbury Real Estate, we do our best to help our clients find whatever type of property they want. Our sales professionals have a wide range of properties to show potential buyers, and our property managers are eager to help renters find their perfect dwelling, whatever type that may be.

An Apartment Block Described

In an apartment block, typically all the dwellings within the building are owned by a single entity or a company, which rents them to tenants. The company has total control over the complex and establishes the rules the tenants live by in their individual apartments. The company employs a property manager who lives in the building and is responsible for the maintenance of the individual units, as well as rubbish collections, security and enforcing the rules.

What is a Condominium?

Condominium blocks, on the other hand, are owned under the strata title system. When a person purchases a unit or apartment within the condominium, they own their individual lot and a part of the common property that everyone uses, such as the stairwells, gardens, common driveways, and recreation areas.

The common property is managed by the body corporate, an entity that is formed by the owners of the individual lots. Owners of a strata title property own and maintain everything inside their apartment and pay an annual fee to the body corporate for the maintenance of the external facilities.

The Difference is Ownership

The question of ownership and not the name of the property type is the key to making the right decision about purchasing property. Potential buyers should do their own research to protect their investment or contact our professional sales staff for assistance.