As house prices soar, more and more people turning to cheaper alternatives to get themselves on the property ladder. Apartments are the most popular and cheapest alternative when it comes to property, but are they the best? For the majority of families, they envision their lives with the house in the suburbs and the white picket fences. However, if you cannot afford your dream home just yet, you have to come to a compromise.
Unless you can build your home from scratch, there are not too many choices. So, what’s better? Here are the pros and cons of buying a house or an apartment.
Location
Apartments are usually very centrally situated, which means they are perfectly located for work.
If you work in the city, owning a house in the suburbs will add an extra hour or more to your commute time. Although your family might prefer the peace and quiet of the suburbs, you could spend less time with them as a result of your extra commute. With an apartment in the city, you can set off to work later and get back earlier.
Safer
Safety is a key issue, and one which every person takes seriously when it comes to their property. After all, if you don’t feel safe in your home, where are you going to feel safe? Due to their location, apartments tend to have an element of danger attached.
City centres and town centres are a hub of activity, but that activity is not always positive. There is a higher chance your property could be burgled compared to a home in the suburbs.
Expense
Apartments are cheaper than houses, too. Whether you are renting or buying, you will save a lot of money. The average house can go for hundreds of thousands of pounds, and the average person does not have that sort of cash to splash.
If you want to get on the property ladder but don’t have the money, an apartment might be your only option. Also, apartments are much cheaper for bills. For obvious reasons, they don’t use as much energy to power and heat them, unlike houses.
Resale Value
Houses, however, have amazing resale value. Even if the house is not in tip top shape, you can sell it to buyers who are willing to extract its true potential.
A house is a great investment because you are more than likely to make money from the sale. Apartments are hit and miss as there is not as much demand.
Summary
As a potential property owner, you have to work out what is best for you. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all solution. Both houses and apartments have pros and cons, and you must decide which fit your needs better.
For example, if you have the cash and are looking to raise a family, a house is a great choice. However, if you are a singleton who likes to live near to the action, an apartment in the city will be a better option.