Condo properties must surely be the investment of the future. Condo living is like having your own place but without the maintenance. It's like swimming in the pool without having to worry  about the Ph balance.

It's like being able to walk around lovely, large grounds without having to worry about when you are going to cut the lawn. It's about having your screen door get stuck without having to get down on your hands and knees to fix it.

And all these reasons are linked to the reason why  it may be the investment buy of the future. It has to do with 'ease of living' - which has to do with the large numbers of baby boomers who are coming up to retirement age. They may not be into condos yet ..... Many of them may initially want to lead a more active life while  they still have a surplus of energy.

However,  perhaps by the time they are into their late seventies or eighties they may be looking for the easier life! A life with someone to help with the upkeep: a life in a condo!

The sort of pampering that you can expect in a condo complex will largely depend on the type of service that is offered when you buy the place. The term full service is often quoted, but some full service tariffs are fuller than others! 

Before you purchase a condo, check the full service list. Does it have a limit on the yearly number of maintenance calls you are entitled to? Are there routine maintenance checks  included in the contract? Is there a shopping shuttle and could you have any input into the choice of shop?

Are there any  rules in the prospectus that you would not like to concur with? For instance, are outdoor barbeques allowed on your balcony or patio? Is there limit time for noise at night?

Ask to have the full service list in writing and dated. When you draw up a purchase agreement, have the full service list attached to it as an appendix and have the terms of it signed into the contract.

Make sure that you do not only look into the lay-out of the unit and the facilities offered. There are other important factors. What is outside the resort wall? Anything? It has long been a complaint of condo-buyers that there is no nearby town to stroll to.

How private is the beach, if there is one.  If you are considering buying a condo as an investment for possible  future sale to a baby boomer, bear in mind that you will be opting for the facilities required by an older person.

Finally,  when the sale time  comes perhaps you will be too fond of your odd trips to the condo to want to sell it - maybe you should buy two while you're at it?

This article was written of behalf of Brett Meade. Brett can help you in your search for a Queen Anne  condo; he is experienced in  all  areas of Seattle, including the most notable districts. His specialty is helping people who are selling or buying  Seattle condos.