Property Type Guide   It's sometimes difficult to quantify just why you like or dislike a particular property. Home seekers generally have a few top items that they absolutely want-parking, number of bedrooms-but the rest may be up to how you actually feel when you're in a particular home. Nothing can substitute visiting neighborhoods and open houses to get a sense for the right property fit. After you narrow your search to a few neighborhoods, take the time to visit those areas at various times of day. Sometimes a given neighborhood can look vastly different at night. It's also a good idea to decide what type of living situation you want. Here are the most common options: Single-Family Homes The classic choice for families, single-family homes offer privacy, as they are detached and don't involve shared walls. There will commonly be a backyard and garage, extending the space. Ongoing maintenance (repairing rooftops, attending to plumbing problems, leaking windows, yard work) is required in order to maintain the value of your home and make it a pleasant place to live. If you don't mind the responsibility and plan on needing extra space for a growing family, a single-family home may be right for you. Condominiums Condos can be great dwellings for active singles or couples. Homeowners' association dues (HOAs) paid on a monthly basis contribute toward building maintenance, insurance, and other items. There are typically house rules that concern pets, window coverings, and other potential restrictions. A downside to condos is that you share walls with your neighbors, which means you may experience certain levels of noise, depending on who lives next to you. Smaller condo buildings (2-3 units) tend to develop more personal relationships among neighbors, and parking may be an issue if there is only a one-car garage. Larger buildings (3+ units) may sometimes feel like hotels, but there is usually at least one parking space for each resident. Multi-Unit Buildings There are usually three types of buyers for multi-unit buildings. In all cases, it's best to consult a real estate attorney regarding the most current, ever-evolving laws that apply to landlords, tenants, and owner move-in evictions. TICs: This arrangement is also known as a tenancy-in-common. All residents share a mortgage and are tied financially. You can potentially convert your TICs to condos, which is a process best guided by a real estate attorney. Condos have a higher resale value than do TICs. Investors who want to rent out units: The key is location; even in a soft rental market, popular neighborhoods that have close proximity to shops, public transportation and restaurants can still command substantial rents. Owners who move into the building and rent out the other units: You can certainly move into a unit if you purchase a multi-unit building, but you have to accept the current rent your tenants are paying. Also, keep in mind that being a landlord means handling certain maintenance problems that can arise, as well as keeping your apartments rented. At times, being a landlord is a second job. Lofts Popularized during the dot-com boom, loft spaces proliferated in neighborhoods such as South of Market, Inner Mission, and South Beach. Lofts typically have soaring ceilings, exposed pipes, high-tech amenities, and granite kitchen counters. Many owners use lofts as live-work spaces, and there are usually sleeping alcoves. For those who work downtown, commute via 280/101, and like nearby clubs and restaurants, loft spaces are a great fit. High-rises The key to high-rise condos is that you can potentially get a city or water view of some sort. High rises generally provide doorperson service and sometimes have pools and other amenities. However, such services are the reason homeowners' dues are usually in the neighborhood of $700. High rises tend to be dated with respect to furnishings (for example, sliding glass closet doors with metal trim and older carpeting), but if you are dead-set on having a view, you may be happy with a high-rise unit. Keep in mind that such buildings really do feel like hotels, so if you're looking for charm and character, high-rise living is probably not for you.