Melissa Harmel - LESS HOME, MORE LIVING

walkways, and other landscaping issues.

Third, if you rent, whether it’s a condo or an apartment, you won’t need to worry about common maintenance issues. Property owners are responsible for taking care of their tenants, so most of them will pay to fix leaky sinks, handle plumbing issues, replace broken appliances, and repair a malfunctioning furnace or air conditioning system, among other issues.

2. These homes offer increased accessibility.

Condo or apartment living, particularly if you’re centrally located, can offer more accessible living, as you’ll be closer to amenities and services (groceries, doctor’s offices), as well as entertainment and social activities (dining, concerts). It will be easier to walk to these places, or, if it’s something you enjoy, cycle. There’s also better access to public transportation so you don’t have to worry about driving as much.

3. You’ll have even lower monthly utility bills.

A second and important benefit of downsizing into a condo or apartment is that you’ll be able to save even more on utilities and reduce your monthly bills — more than by purchasing a smaller house or townhouse. Most condos and apartments take up less square footage than a single-family home or townhome, and considerably more than the larger family home you’re leaving behind, so you’ll pay much less to heat and cool your space, especially if you can find a good deal. “You’ll use less electricity, heat and water in an apartment, and some monthly bills may be eliminated altogether,” reports Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. “For instance, the monthly cost to rent a water softener to manage hard water is unlikely inside an apartment. Some of your utility costs may be included in your rent, too, such as your waste management or

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