Living Safely: The Benefits of Living in an Apartment

There are many factors to consider when choosing the type of property to live in, and apartments have proven to be the fastest-growing choice among the Brazilian population. The benefits of living in an apartment are many, with practicality, savings and safe living being among the main ones.

This type of housing has increased mainly in urban areas, where around 85% of Brazilians live. The constant growth of the population and, consequently, of cities, also creates the need to increase the supply of housing.

Apartments contribute to increasing urban density and reduce the need for public sector investment in infrastructure, in addition to facilitating access to public services, reasons that attract more investment in the construction of these developments.

More apartments than houses

The city of São Paulo, for example, registered in 2021, for the first time, more residences in buildings than in houses, according to a survey by the Center for Metropolitan Studies (CEM) , of the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Cepid-Fapesp).

The study considered data obtained between 2000 and 2020 and used information used by the Finance Department of the City Hall of São Paulo to launch the Urban Territorial Property Tax (IPTU), reaching more than 60 million residential properties.

The survey showed that, in the last 20 years, vertical residential properties, apartments, jumped from 767 thousand units, in 2000, to 1.38 million, in 2020. An increase of almost 40% if the number of residential areas is considered.

Another piece of data, from the Union of Commercial and Residential Property Purchase, Sale, Leasing and Management Companies of São Paulo (Secovi-SP), showed that the share of apartments of up to 45m² in the total number of apartments sold in the city of São Paulo rose from 11% to 57% between 2011 and 2019.

The increase in this demand reflects economic, behavioral and sociodemographic factors, which resulted in this growth in demand for vertical residential properties and which promise to continue defining the scenario of the Brazilian real estate market.

Why live in an apartment?

Economy : Whether buying or renting, an apartment is often a more economical option, not only financially, but also in terms of cost-benefit.

Values ​​vary according to location, property size and building infrastructure, of course, but they are still usually worth the investment.

Compared to a house, for example, expenses are lower and the resident does not have as many costs for services that every property requires, such as cleaning and maintenance, since the condominium expenses are divided between the residents.

Furthermore, these costs are generally paid with the funds raised through the payment of the condominium fee, without any additional charges.

In a house, it is up to the resident to pay the cost of the service regardless of the cost and amount charged by the provider, for example.

Residents of a house may also be caught off guard by unexpected maintenance expenses. This is less likely to happen in a condominium, which already has the resources to cover this type of expense.

Another example is that living in an apartment there are also no individual expenses with gardeners and cleaners for the external area, these services are also included in the condominium fee, divided proportionally to the number of condominium owners.

Security : With violence increasing, especially in urban areas, living safely is one of the most sought-after criteria when choosing a home and an apartment is one of the types of property that can best guarantee this.

A study carried out by the market and consumption research and monitoring company Hibou, in 2021, indicated that security is an important issue for 75% of those interviewed regarding their desires for their future homes.

Many of the condominiums are protected by high walls, electric fences, electronic gates and a security camera system that ensures monitoring of the internal and external areas of the site.

In addition, many are equipped with a 24-hour gatehouse, which controls vehicle access to the site and access by people, preventing the entry of vendors and strangers, allowing each resident to live safely.

Visitors can only enter the condominium premises with the resident's permission, which can also prevent unwanted visitors.

Another positive aspect of the apartment is that if the resident spends a lot of time away from home or travels frequently, they don't need to worry about a home invasion.

This security is also comfortable for those who live alone and are afraid that someone might break into their property, for example.

Practicality : In addition to living safely, living in an apartment is very practical. This is for several reasons, including ease of organization, maintenance and cleaning. These aspects are directly linked to the size of the property.

Generally smaller than a house, an apartment is more practical to furnish and organize, in addition to, of course, being easy to clean, demanding less time from the resident.

Regarding furniture , for example, the objective is not just to decorate and fill spaces, but to make practical use of these spaces, so that they can be used in the best way possible on a daily basis.

A house requires more time to clean due to the external areas, which in an apartment are the responsibility of the condominium.

In apartments there are also fewer problems with plumbing and wiring. And often, if they do arise, these problems are resolved by the condominium itself.

Another positive point is, once again, the 24-hour concierge service, because it also receives packages and correspondence from residents, which can be of great help when one of them requires a signature for delivery and the resident is away from home for a long time or is traveling. In these cases, the concierge can receive and deliver the package to the resident later.

Amenities : Many condominiums have amenities, leisure options, such as sports courts, swimming pool, playground, meeting and event spaces equipped with the necessary utilities, such as tables, chairs, freezer and barbecue.

Some even have video rooms, gyms, supermarkets, shops, beauty salons and even spas, making residents' lives more economical and practical.

Residents do not need to worry about cleaning or maintaining these areas , which are the responsibility of the condominium and are already included in the condominium fee.

In the events area, residents can hold parties and get-togethers, saving on the cost of renting external venues.

In addition to convenience, the space for children also provides security, because many parents do not feel safe letting their children play outside the house, but in a condominium they can play and interact with other children who live there.

And the best part: with the certainty that the spaces used by the children are being looked after, with cleaning and maintenance up to date, which is one of the condominium's responsibilities.

The pool, compared to one at home, also represents, in addition to convenience, savings, because in this case the resident shares the maintenance and cleaning costs with the other residents of the condominium.

Many residents also take advantage of the safe space within the condominium to practice physical exercise, such as walking and running.

Living with neighbors : Living in an apartment can provide a closer relationship with other residents. This has its positive side, such as when someone needs help or to achieve common goals related to the condominium, for example.

This is because residents may have suggestions and/or complaints about the condominium and want to propose them to others. Having one or more allies who share your point of view can help you get what you want.

For those who have children, we have already mentioned the possibility of the child being able to play with others who live in the condominium. This can also result in a friendship between the parents, who can help each other in a time of need, such as taking care of the neighbor's child while they are out, for example.

Sometimes, neighbors have similar destinations for work, school, or college and can arrange carpooling. If you have to travel, if you have plants and/or pets at home, you can ask your neighbor to take care of your plants and/or pet while you are away.

Coexistence rules : This proximity to neighbors can often be seen as a nuisance. People tend to think that living in condominiums is noisy due to the number of residents sharing the same space, but that is why condominiums have rules to ensure that everyone lives in a pleasant way, without disturbing others.

In homes, for example, differences between neighbors can end in long disagreements and, in more serious cases, even in legal proceedings.

Something less likely to occur in a condominium, where residents must follow the rules of coexistence already stipulated.

To manage all the dynamics of the condominium and ensure that the rules are followed, there is the role of the condominium manager, who can act as a mediator between residents, ensuring that they understand each other in accordance with the stipulated rules of coexistence.

In the event of non-compliance with the rules, there are a series of measures, such as fines, that can be adopted by the condominium manager to ensure that the conduct determined by the condominium is followed.

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