What`s inside is yours; what`s outside is theirs. That`s the story of living in a condominium.
Buzzing our way from behind the security door into Sunday`s open house at Riviera Condominiums, we were greeted by real estate agent Eileen Negley of Glen Ellyn`s Prudential Preferred Properties.
”This building attracts people who want the space of a home, but the ease of a condo,” she said, pointing out the 1,875 square feet of living area. The 31-unit building is a half block off of Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn.
”Most of the people are pre-retirement age here; there aren`t any age restrictions, but there`s no play yard or pool that attracts young people.”
The only responsibility the condo owners have is the interior of the units: painting, carpeting and decorating. The hallways, elevator, laundry room and yard work are all covered under a monthly $175 assessment, which also pays for soft water and sewer costs.
The fifth-floor unit has a large, attractive entrance with white tile floor and long, mirrored-door closet. The home is well laid out, with the bedrooms all to the right of the entry, and the kitchen, half-bath and living room/dining room combination to the left.
Two bedrooms are 12 by 12 feet, and the master bedroom is almost 12 by 19. A mirrored closet stretches the 12-foot width of the master bedroom, which has a full bathroom attached. A second full bath is in the hallway outside the other two bedrooms.
The three bedrooms have celery-colored carpeting that is showing some wear, while the rest of the condo has newer beige carpeting that is in good condition.
The kitchen is light and spacious, with plenty of room for an eat-in area and a lot of white ceramic counter space. The floor is an attractive black-and-white block pattern, and the listing price of $138,700 includes the dishwasher, refrigerator and electric stove.
”It`s all electric here,” Negley said. ”Their average electric bill is $66 a month and includes the heat and air conditioning.”
19th hole
The living room/dining room is a large 24 by 21 feet. A double sliding glass door leads to a 17-by-5 foot balcony that overlooks Village Links Golf Course, offering a private 19th hole for the lawn-chair links pro.
Bob and Dolores Luecke, who live in a Lombard condo and are looking for more space, walked through the unit Sunday. They cited the size of this condo as a plus, but expressed some concern over the balcony exposure. ”We love to sit out in the afternoon,” Bob said, ”but that west exposure is hot.”
”Condo living is very convenient,” Dolores noted. ”We`re in a two-bedroom, and we`re cramped, and we don`t have a parking garage like they do here.”
The Lueckes are undecided about what kind of larger living space they want to take on. ”My preference is for a townhouse,” Bob said, ”because you get an attached garage, a little yard, maybe a basement. But townhouses are more expensive.”
Although some condos have been known for difficulty of resale, Negley said that isn`t a problem at the Riviera, which even has had a waiting list at times.
”It`s a well-managed, well-maintained building,” she said. ”It`s got a great location, with a bus to the North Western station and walking to two shopping plazas for all the services you need.”
A peek at the community areas bore out Negley`s claim of proper maintenance. Although clothes spread on a drying rack showed that the laundry room had been used recently, its four washers and three dryers were all shiny and dust-free. The fountain basin in the lobby could use a coat of paint, but the lobby itself was clean and attractive.
Condo dwellers usually have some rules to follow, but Negley said the Riviera`s rules were general ones. ”Dogs can visit,” she noted, ”but they can`t live here.” –
