Shelter is one of the most basic human needs. To protect ourselves from overexposure and the weather elements, we must have a roof over our heads. But a home becomes so much more than just a structure to keep us safe. It also becomes an oasis to which we can retreat from the rest of the world. It becomes the birthplace of so many memories that we share with our closest loved ones.
If you are preparing for a move to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, then you have many decisions to make. One of the most important is what type of home you are going to move into. Off the top of your head, you may only be able to think of two or three primary ideas, but you should know that there are far more options than you realize.
Let’s talk about the types of homes you should consider for your move to King of Prussia, PA.
Apartment
One of the most common living situations is an apartment. This is typically a unit that you rent which is a partition of a larger building. The term “apartment” covers a wide variety of living spaces, from small studios to penthouses. With an apartment, you usually have a landlord who operates or owns the building or complex that the apartment is connected to. You pay monthly rent to occupy the space, often for an agreed-upon period of six months, a year, eighteen months, or more. There may also be additional utility costs such as water or electricity.
Tiny Home
A more recent trend for housing is the tiny home movement. Typically, tiny homes are defined as domiciles that are 400 square feet or less. Often, these homes are designed to be transported and then parked in a place for the long term, though many can be moved again and again. The key to tiny home living is space efficiency. If you are someone who does not need a lot of space or possessions, and you can figure out how to maximize a tiny home kitchen, then this could be a much more affordable housing option in King of Prussia.
Condo
Condos are like a mix between apartments and houses. They are like apartments in that they are usually part of a complex, but they are like houses in that you can buy them instead of renting them. Condos often occupy multiple floors, so they mimic the structure of a single-family home. You have the freedom to make upgrades to the interior, though there may be some restrictions that are upheld for each condo unit in the building. Like a home that you own, you can finance a condo purchase with a loan and then build equity in the property with each monthly payment, eventually making a profit when you sell the condo later on.
Pre-Owned Home
Most people who look forward to homeownership will search for a home that has already been owned by someone else. These types of homes could be five years old or over a hundred years old. The benefits of a pre-owned single-family home are privacy, affordability, and a quicker move-in time. However, the older the home, the more work may have to go into repairing or maintaining it. For example, homes with older siding materials may require stucco remediation or other siding replacement soon after you move in to protect the interiors from water damage and temperature changes.
Modular Home
If you want a brand new home but want to save on costs, then a modular home could be the solution. This is a house made out of prefabricated sections that are built in a factory and then assembled at the construction site. The benefits of a modular home are that it is cheaper than a normal new construction and it comes with new materials that should last a long time. The downside is the cookie-cutter look of it and the limitations on where it can be built.
New Construction
If a pre-owned home is not what you are looking for, then perhaps a brand-new construction is in order. The most expensive of all the housing options on this list, you will need significant savings and a large loan to cover the cost of the land, labor, and materials. Often, new constructions take months or even years to build, so you will be waiting for a while before you can move in. However, the finished product allows for maximum customization to suit your family’s preferences and brand-new systems that should have a focus on efficiency and low maintenance costs.
The Type of Home Will Determine Your Lifestyle
The home you live in is directly related to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. People who prefer renting often enjoy the flexibility of terminating a lease when they find a new place to live without having to deal with the stress of selling a home. Tiny homeowners enjoy the mobility and efficiency of a tiny home, sacrificing space and possessions for sustainability. People who own condos can enjoy the benefits of equity and the amenities of a condominium association or community. As you prepare for your move to King of Prussia, PA, research all the housing options to envision what your lifestyle could look like with each one.
