If you're considering a condo rental as an option, consider the realities of condo living and make sure you're a good fit for the lifestyle before you sign on the dotted line.

When you're looking for condo rentals you want to start by looking at the curbside appeal of the building unit. After all you are looking for condo rentals for a reason and that reason probably includes the fact that you don't want to have to mow a yard, shovel snow or rack leaves. You want your home to look nice on the inside and the outside but you don't have the lifestyle that allows you to have that much free time to do both. So if the outside is not kept up you might want to ask why before you go any further. Most condominiums are individually owned units inside a shared building and to make this concept successful that means a common group goal has to be adhered to in order to keep the building up and maintained. Enter home owner associations and the monthly dues that every owner contributes towards the maintenance pot. If the condo rentals you are looking at don't have a HOA and the outside is looking slack you may want to reconsider moving in. If the tenants are counting on the honor system to clear up the landscaping they may find the few who have the interest in doing so lack the time and commitment to do it and sometimes these informal non HOA units fall to the maintenance wayside and lose value rapidly as a result.

Pay attention to the other common areas inside the building as well such as the lobby and hallways. Are these areas maintained with an air of cleanliness and light to them or are they dark and dirty and obviously self-maintained by the nearby unit owners?

If everything looks good what amenities are the condo rentals offering? Is there a pool, hot tub, exercise room or is it the ideal location that makes the unit a draw to potential renters?

Take your time to tour the whole building including any amenities that are a part of the rental fee and make sure that you feel you will actually utilize these things. If you don't have the time or interest in using them you may want to find a unit where they are not included so you don't waste money paying for services you never use.

And finally when it comes to condo rentals read the rental policy and ask questions about anything you don't understand or agree with. You will be expected to know, understand and agree to all of the terms of your rental agreement and even as a tenant and not a property owner you may have to pay HOA fees and you will have to abide by the home owners association terms as a tenant.

If you are uncomfortable with the concept of living under someone else's rules you may want to consider if you're a good candidate for condo living before you rent because the investment value of these units depends on the group adherence to conformity and up keeping the units to code.