Enrich Your Life with Lock-and-Leave Living
What if your dream house wasn’t actually a house?
More and more homebuyers are discovering the plentiful perks of opting for a condominium over a house. By sacrificing a little bit of square footage, you’re receiving more of everything else—more amenities, more luxury, and the most precious asset of all: more time to spend living your life to the fullest. Condominiums offer lock-and-leave convenience so that you can dedicate less of your busy schedule to maintaining a property and more time to actually enjoying it.
We’re incredibly lucky to have so many amazing turn-key, amenity-rich, stylish condominium offerings in and around Seattle. Whether you’re working in the city and want a shorter commute or you’re retired and want to be closer to top-rated restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, searching for a condo instead of a house opens up so much more choice in the current market. If you’ve been a homeowner for a while now, you’ve probably accumulated a fair amount of “stuff.” Downsizing allows us to purge the unnecessary things we’ve saved and never use and pare our inventory down to merely the items that bring us joy. You’re downsizing to upgrade—trust me, it’s a win.
If it sounds like I’m speaking from firsthand experience, it’s because I am! I recently made the decision to purchase a timeless Graystone condominium. Located in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, I’ll be at the center of the area I grew up in and love. I can walk to the grocery store or my favorite shops and enjoy the vibrancy of this amazing city. I’m moving from a larger house to a smaller home, but I’m ultimately getting so much more. The amenities at Graystone are unbeatable. From the concierge to the rooftop deck (I can’t wait to invite guests over to enjoy the views) to the gym overlooking a park complete with a waterfall, this will open up a whole new world of recreation and relaxation.
If you’re worried about sacrificing a yard, look for a unit with a balcony or patio space. You may be giving up a grassy lawn, but you may just get a killer view of Mount Rainer or the glowing cityscape at night in return. Plus, most condominium buildings have plenty of stylish, inviting communal spaces for you to host guests and level up your entertaining game. These spots are also great ways to meet and mingle with your neighbors, creating a warm sense of community. If you’re concerned about parking, opt for a residence with secured, underground parking to skip the stress of finding street parking. Many garages now provide EV charging stations as well!
Making a big change can sometimes seem overwhelming, perhaps not even worth the trouble, but moving out of a home and lifestyle that no longer serves you and into one better suited to your new chapter is always worth the effort. And for my first-time homebuyers who are looking to make the jump from renting to owning, don’t feel discouraged by the prices of houses. Purchasing a condominium instead could be just the perfect solution for not only your lifestyle needs but also your budget