Home vs. Condo: How to Know Which Housing Type is Right for You

Downtown Sarasota.

Whether you’re looking for something stylish and compact or a spacious home with deep-water access, there’s something for you in the greater Sarasota area. This real estate market is as unique as Sarasota’s population—meaning there’s a little bit of everything when it comes to housing.

So, to really know what kind of housing style is best for you, you have to think about your lifestyle. If convenience and low-maintenance living are important to you, you may want to go the condo route. If you want a lot of space to spread out, a single-family home may be a better option.

To help you in your home search, here are some pros and cons to living in a condo vs. living in a single-family home.

Single-Family Homes in Sarasota

From expansive master-planned communities with the works, to something a little more luxurious with a golf course view, Sarasota has plenty of single-family options to choose from.

Think about your lifestyle and your preferences in a home. Would you be happier in a spacious home with lots of sunlight, a backyard to garden, and a front yard to design as you see fit? Then a single-family home might be the best option for you.

Some Other Benefits to a Standalone Home

A single-family home with a large front yard.

Depending on your specific neighborhood and whether or not it has an HOA, owning a single-family home typically means having more freedom to design and grow your home as you see fit.

If you want to knock down a wall and build an addition to expand your square footage, you can. Plus, having that additional space is great for entertaining and throwing backyard parties.

A Home’s Disadvantages (Compared to a Condo)

  • You’re responsible for exterior and interior maintenance.
  • If your community has amenities, you’ll likely have to travel some distance to access them.
  • You may be further away from Downtown Sarasota.

Condominiums for Sale in Sarasota

Let’s talk about condos. If you’re itching to be in the middle of all the action in Sarasota, close to Downtown’s biggest and most exciting attractions, than a condo may be the best option for you.

Living in a condominium has a number of unique advantages that you can’t find in a traditional single-family home setting. While there may be less space than in a standalone home, the perks, amenities, and low-maintenance features usually make up for it. Then again, it’s all about your lifestyle preferences!

The Benefits to Condo Living

A breakfast nook in a condo with a view of the city below.

The biggest benefit to living in a condominium is that you’re not responsible for the maintenance. You’ll never have to spend a hot Saturday mowing the lawn, pruning the shrubs, or doing any outdoor work. After all—your condo doesn’t come with a yard!

In addition, condo communities are usually jam-packed with awesome amenities. Many of Sarasota’s most popular condominium buildings include Olympic-sized swimming pools, onsite fitness centers, 24/hour concierge and security, and more.

Some of the Disadvantages to Condo Living

When compared with traditional single-family homes, a condominium has a few disadvantages as well. If you want to tear down a wall and build an addition to your home, you can’t. There’s simply no space for it.

Plus, not having a yard means there’s no room to garden or customize your own space. If those two things are important to you in a home, then you may want to opt for a single-family standalone home instead.

How to Find the Perfect Home in Sarasota

Still on the fence about what kind of home is right for you? Allow our team to help. We have resources, expertise, and tools that make finding the right home a walk in the park.

Give the Kotaska Team a call today to learn more.

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