Tips to remember when moving into a Surfers Paradise apartment

There are all sorts of people who move into real estate in Surfers Paradise. Some could be shifting from Main Beach real estate, while others could be coming out from another part of the city to get a more intimate view of the beach.

Many, are from beyond the Gold Coast altogether, be it from other states or internationally. These people could be in for a change of scenery when they realise that the majority of properties in the area are apartments. According to the 2011 Census, more than 74.7 per cent of dwellings were flats, units or apartments.

On the other hand, many people who are coming from another part of the country might have never even lived in an apartment before. The 2011 Census shows that nationally, more than 75 per cent of homes are separate houses – a clearly overwhelming majority. With this in mind, there are a few key differences in the way you would manage and handle your apartment compared to your house. Taking a look at these will make your adjustment into a Surfers Paradise apartment far smoother.

Renovations

One of the main differences about living in an apartment is that under a strata title, you don't own or manage the structure beneath the coverings of your walls and flooring. This means that in most cases, you won't be able to make any dramatic renovations.

The Queensland government states that improvements can be made if it is approved by the committee and costs less than $3,000, among other criteria. This might be a bit of a downer for DIY fanatics, but that doesn't mean there aren't interesting ways to spice up your home. See this as an opportunity to apply some creative methods to give your apartment more personality.

Body corporate fees

As mentioned, you don't have much control over the actual structure of your Surfers Paradise apartment. This obviously includes shared spaces as well. However, this can also serve as a perk of convenience.

The body corporate is the committee that manages the maintenance of these communal areas and facilities. These include gardens, lobbies, elevators, stairwells, corridors and hallways. With more luxurious Surfers Paradise property, this could also account for swimming pools, gyms, entertainment rooms and more.

You'll have to pay body corporate fees for these areas to be kept clean and running. Take this into account when budgeting for expenses. The plus side to this is that if you're not a huge fan of cleaning, you won't have to lift a finger to enjoy these facilities and areas in spick and span condition.

Parking lots

When living in a house, having your own garage or driveway is easy to take for granted. At the very least, you'll have some kind of free and easily-accessible street parking. With an apartment, having your own parking lot isn't always guaranteed, nor is it always free. Discuss this with your agent when viewing real estate in Surfers Paradise to see what your options are.

Fortunately, this should be much less of an issue than it would be living in a suburban house. Surfers Paradise has been rated the city's second most walkable location. This means that you'll be able to easily access most nearby amenities, shopping areas, the beach and more by foot. So put on a pair of sneakers and see just how much you can do without relying on your car.

Buying a Surfers Paradise apartment

People moving into an apartment for the first time might have to make a few adjustments to what they're used to. Get in touch with Ray White Surfers Paradise, and we'll work help you every step of the way to make sure you find a home settle in comfortably.