CONDO PRO: Condos a favourite choice for women!

By Barbara Lawlor

The condominium landscape across the GTA gets more beautiful and exciting all the time. And condos continue to be the popular choice for new homebuyers from all walks of life, including more and more women.

This started a few years ago, when the condominium lifestyle began receiving attention from more than just the empty-nester segment of the market. The feeling of community nurtured by gorgeous amenity areas, combined with the privacy of having one’s own suite, offers the best of both worlds. Residents can mix and mingle with neighbours and also enjoy the solitude of their personal surroundings – all under one roof.

Add to that the enhanced security that comes along with condo living, and it is even more attractive for women. With the Concierge providing screening of visitors and “eyes on the street”, suite owners have a secure feeling when entering their buildings. Today’s condo-dwellers also enjoy peace of mind from features such as monitored cameras in the underground parking garage, enter phone or in-suite security systems, etc.

In a condominium, women have plenty of neighbours close by should they need help with anything. Trading favours like watering plants or caring for pets while someone is away is a common occurrence, and seeing the same people day after day in the hallways and elevators and getting to know them over time is comforting.

Another wonderful thing about buying a new condo is the “new” part. I believe that every woman has an interior decorator in her soul, and you cannot beat the feeling of starting with a fresh palette. There is nothing like the smell of a new suite that is completely clean and waiting for you to place your personal stamp on the surroundings. What a joy it is to be able to select your own colours and materials for flooring, countertops and the like. And starting out with brand new appliances is a real luxury.

Even when couples are involved in a condominium purchase, it is usually the woman who makes the primary decisions when it comes to selecting features and finishes, and even sometimes which building they choose. The standards and upgrades offered are important, because of the value they provide, and the opportunity to create surroundings that reflect the buyers’ personalities.

In addition to paying particular attention to the details, women tend to see the overall picture. Take the lobby, for example. This area is like the living room for the entire building, and I think that women, in particular, prefer it to have an upscale, sophisticated feel that reflects the sensibility of the condo’s architecture. 

Day-to-day lifestyle is critically important in the list of reasons why women opt for condos as their first choice. A fantastic sense of freedom comes from being able to travel and just lock the door behind without worrying about lawn maintenance, snow removal, heavy repairs and the like. Plus, today’s condominiums have positively gorgeous amenities that nurture a sense of belonging and make these buildings feel like “home” in the true sense of the word.

And let’s not forget price as a motivating factor in condominium selection. Across the GTA, condo suites are usually less expensive than low-rise homes, which accounts for their popularity with first-time women buyers.

Women benefit from all aspects of condominium living. Buying instead of renting is a wonderful investment in their financial and lifestyle future, and they can enjoy the fruits of this investment every day.

Barbara Lawlor is president of Baker Real Estate Incorporated and an in-demand columnist and speaker. A member of the Baker team since 1993, she oversees the marketing and sales of condominium developments in the GTA and overseas. Keep current with The Baker Blog at blog.bakerrealestate.com