Look For Location, Convenience and Security

There may be no such thing as a perfect condominium, but you can probably come close to your ideal. Check out the following criteria to locate the right condo at an affordable price.

• A condo situated in a neighborhood on the upswing, not the downslide; convenient to shopping, public transportation, cultural and recreational facilities and good schools. (Even if you don't have children, you may someday want to sell your condo to a buyer who does. Good schools and property values go hand in hand.)
• Ample parking areas, as invisible as possible-especially from the front entrance.
• A structure that is soundly built and attractive.
• All public and private areas equipped with double-lock systems; electronic surveillance, where possible.
• Convenient and discretely-placed laundry facilities, community rooms, saunas, locker rooms, game rooms, individual storage spaces and places for trash deposit.
• Sprinkler system/fire extinguishers in halls, lobby and other public areas.

• Well-placed air-conditioning and heating units.
• Soundproof walls, ceilings and floors.
• Well-padded, good-quality carpeting.
• First-rate kitchen and bathroom appliances and facilities; good water pressure.
• A kitchen equipped with an exhaust fan for cooking fumes.