Hot New Construction condos walking distance to UF.

New Construction Condos walking distance to UF.

HOW TO FIND A CONDO IN GAINESVILLE, FL

Once you've decided that you are interested in purchasing a condominium in Gainesville, FL, the next step is to find the condo that fits in with your budget, lifestyle and desired location.

Location, Location, Location

Whether your intention with the property is to use as your primary residence, your childs primary residence, a residence to use during UF's seasonal activities, or an investment or rental property, going with a good location can make the difference between a good or bad experience. In todays market more than ever Gainesville is going back to the basics of Real Estate; Location, Location, Location. With thousands of competing condos available with the amount of inventory available, as a buyer you need to be intelligent with the location of your purchase.

The majority of Gainesville's Condominiums are located in the following areas of town;

  • College Park (aka Midtown) - Located just North of UF across University Ave. Condos in this location are walking distance to the majority of UF's Colleges, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium & the entertainment that Midtown offers. Being the most sought after location of Gainesville, these condos come with the highest price tag. Since these residences are considered urban infill, they offer smaller square footages as well.

  • University Heights - Located just East of UF across 13th St (HWY-441). Condos in this location are still walkable to the majority of UF's Colleges, but not as convenient to Ben Hill Griffin and Midtown's entertainment. This location does offer convenience to Sorority Row. Being the 2nd most sought after location of Gainesville, these condos are of the second most expensive location. These residences are also considered urban infill, but they offer slightly larger square footages than College Park.

  • SW 35th Place - Located in Southwest Gainesville along SW 35th Place. Condos in this location are located on the busline (UF's RTS). Condos in this location are cheaper in price than those walking distance to UF and offer much larger square footage.

  • SW 20th Ave - Located in Southwest Gainesville along SW 20th Ave. Condos in this location are located on the busline (UF's RTS). Along with SW 35th Place, condos in this location are cheaper in price than those walking distance to UF and offer much larger square footage.

Finding the Condo Building that works best for you.

Once you've decided on a general desired location in Gainesville, you can start your search for the condo building that meets your needs. As you search for buildings that fit your budget within the location you want, keep in mind that the building will also have to fit your lifestyle. The following are the questions we ask about condo developments when working with Buyers.

    • How many parking spaces come with your residence?
    • What are the association dues for your residence?
    • What amenities are offered with the building?
    • What are the security features of the building?
    • Does the building offer an elevator?
    • What are the conditions of the common areas?
    • Are the majority of the residents Owners or Tenants?
    • What has been the buildings best selling feature?

Finding the Residence that works best for you.

You have found your perfect location and a building that fits your lifestyle; now you need to find the best residence for you in the building you've chosen.

Most of Gainesville's condo buildings have several different floorplans to choose from. These floorplans generally remain the same throughout the different floors of a condo building creating vertical lines of the same floorplan. This means that you can choose a floorplan that is suited for you and then choose what floor your residence is on depending on your preference. There are many variables that you should take into account when choosing a unit in a condo building, especially if you are buying pre-construction. The following is a list of things you should take into consideration when choosing a condo residence.

  • The Floor - If you're located on the 1st floor, make sure that the building offers security features. If you're located on the 4th floor, make sure that you aren't too afraid of heights.
  • The View - Take into consideration where the development is located, what direction your unit is facing (for sunlight) and what floor your unit is on.
  • The Location in the building - Each floorplan can vary in price from 5-8% depending on it's location in the building. Do you prefer a corner unit that will offer more windows, less walls shared with neighbors & often wraparound terraces? Or would you prefer to spend less and live in an interior unit?
  • Finishes - Did the developer/builder or the previous ower have quality upgrades installed in the residence or is the residence in need of upgrades? If the residence will need to be upgraded, make sure that you account for the items in your alotted budget. (ie: appliances, flooring, countertops, molding, etc... can get pretty expensive)
  • Neighbors - Since condominiums are merely seperated by a wall from the next door neighbor, take a few things into account. What type of materials were used to insulate noise? Are your next door neighbors renters or owners? Take the time to introduce yourself to your would be neighbors, this could spare you from having to confront them later.