Converted warehouses can offer potential home buyers a wonderful opportunity to purchase a condo that's truly unique. If you are considering this type of property for your next home, there are a few features you'll want to think about, as you begin your search for a warehouse condo. Use this guide to determine which features are important to you.

Floor Plans

Warehouse condos can have a range of floor plans, but loft-style, open concept designs are often a desirable feature for potential buyers. Loft-style apartments create an open, airy feel, and they provide lots of flexibility for decorating and customizing the space to reflect your personality. However, one drawback is the lack of walled-off rooms, which may make loft living a difficult option for people with children. In some cases, loft-style condos may have separate bedroom and bathrooms and an open floor plan throughout the rest of the condo.

Parking

When buying a condo in what used to be a true warehouse district, you may find that parking is limited. This is particularly true for large, urban cities, where the warehouses were built next to each other in the expectation that employees would take public transportation to work. Be sure to check out the parking situation to ensure you'll have somewhere to keep your vehicle. Some converted warehouse district condos feature underground parking, while others may have a lot close to the property. If street parking is the only option, drive through the neighborhood on the weekend to see how crowded the streets are with parked cars. This can help you to determine if the building will fit your parking needs.

Elevator Access

Unless you plan to purchase a unit on the first or second floor, you'll want to see if the building offers elevator access. Some smaller warehouses may only have stairs, while others might have a bank of elevators for residents. If there is an elevator, determine if it opens onto a hallway or directly into your condo. You may find that the building is using an old converted freight elevator, which means that the elevator doors open onto each apartment. While this may seem like a convenient option for easy access to your home, you'll also want to think about exit strategies in case of a fire. With no hallway, you'll be limited to exiting through a fire escape.

Talk to your real estate agent about what you want out of your warehouse district condo, and narrow down your available choices based on this criteria. With the perfect warehouse condo, you can enjoy a unique home, in a building that's been repurposed for modern use.

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