Hi Jason,

Before you purchase a garden apartment, I would suggest you consider a number of the apartment"s features that will ultimately determine if you can more readily resell the unit. Ceiling heights for a gardens play a big role in resale. When given a choice, a ten foot ceiling garden unit feels a lot less like a garden apartment then one with eight foot ceilings.

The amount of light and the size/ number of windows should also be considered. In addition, where is the entry way? Is it part of the main entrance? And another critical consideration should be the need for a good heating and air conditioning system. Depending on how below grade, the condo could have a problem with humidity in the summer and heat during the winter. I strongly recommend that you have a knoweledgeable inspector who specializes in heating and air conditioning check out the property before you purchase the unit.

Tue Apr 22 2008, 10:11

Hello Jason,
You have to ask yourself the question am I am buying this unit for me to live in or am I buying to resell. Everyone has their own personal opinion and I think it boils down to that. Garden units can be very attractive to the right individual and they sell just as good as any other unit.
The concerns I have seen have been from people who don't want to live on that level because it may be easy to break into. Not to scare you, but I have heard of some peeping-tom nightmare stories... Just another reason why some peple may not choose to be on a garden level.
There are many pros and cons to or not to have a garden level unit.
In my opionion, I would not completely avoid buying a garden unit.
Just use a good relator who can share with you the comps for garden units and non garden units, just remember to also compare the D.O.M. (days on market) time and your good ole common sense.
Hope that helps.
Rob

Tue Apr 22 2008, 09:18

Home buyers often focus on resale value above all else when selecting a property for purchase. Resale is important but you seem to be heading in the right direction when you enumerate the amenities and positive qualities of the garden units you are considering. You must keep in mind that this is the only investment a person also lives in so the buyer must be happy with the space, location, neighborhood and interior layout of the unit. Resale value is a secondary consideration that your agent will keep an eye on so you can focus on selecting the best home in this great buyers market.

A garden unit in a good neighborhood that has ample light will sell when the time comes, if priced correctly and marketed aggressively by a good Realtor. Market time may be longer and the buyer pool smaller, but at the end of the day, garden unit buyers will be attracted to space, location, finishes and of course the right price. Parking will greatly add to the resale value of a garden or ANY unit in the Chicago area. Good luck to you.

Fri Apr 18 2008, 20:33

You have a pretty good sense of what is going on and you are asking the right questions. It's not that garden units don't ever sell, otherwise, all the garden units in Chicago would be vacant. You just have to keep in mind that when you go to sell there will be a good number of people that will just not look at your unit because it is a garden.

Ultimatley the decision is yours. I have several clients who have purchased gardens and have been quite happy. They do realize and have been prepared that while they lived there they got more space but when they go to sell it may take them a little bit longer than a first floor unit or above. Keep asking questions....it's the best way to get an answer. Good Luck!

Thu Apr 17 2008, 16:02

Hi Jason - I think you hit the nail on the head - often times you'll find garden units that are great values relative to other similar units in number of bedrooms etc that are above grade. While garden units may be less desirable due to the lack of light, they may allow you to live in a more expensive neighborhood for a more affordable price.

My suggestion to my clients is - if your heart is set on living in a specific neighborhood and a garden unit is the only affordable alternative, then buy the garden unit. Consider a garden if it meets your needs in terms of space, finishes etc and it is the only alternative to living in a neighborhood you simply have to live in but couldn't afford otherwise, ie getting what you want in the neighborhood you want. In terms of resale, understand that other potential buyers may have similar needs to your's when you made the decision to purchase. While the buyer pool may be smaller, if priced well, a future buyer will see the value - it just may take more time to find the right buyer.

Best of luck!

Tue Apr 15 2008, 19:03

A lot of people don't like the garden units because someone can break in easier than if it was on the second floor. But on the other hand, a lot of people prefer them because you don't have to walk up stairs.
So, really it is just a matter of preference. If you like the condo, and it's in a safe area, I would say go for it. It may take a little longer to sell when you want to sell it, just keep that in mind.
Good luck in your home search!

Tue Apr 15 2008, 08:10