If you want the pride of ownership without dealing with all of the hassles (and costs) of owning a home, buying a condo is a perfect solution. Condo sales are increasing as more people begin to see the many benefits of condo ownership, versus renting an apartment or being tied to a house. If you're tired of renting, want to reduce your mortgage payments or want to live in an environment with more amenities, consider buying a condo. Here are three of the top reasons to own a condo.

1.You want to get more from your money.

One of the best reasons to buy a condo is to start building equity in property. If you're currently renting an apartment or single family home, your monthly rental payment are going to waste. For a similar price you could be living in a condo and working toward owning a piece of property. Even in a shaky economy, as we're experiencing right now, investing in property is a smart move. When you buy a condo, your monthly expenses may not change but your mortgage payment will actually be going toward helping you build equity and your credit. Why throw your money away on a rental when you could be improving your financial picture with a condo mortgage?

2.You want to save money on your housing costs.

Moving into a condo makes a lot of sense if you are currently making huge mortgage payments for a home. Home owners all over the country are feeling the crunch and for some, moving into a less expensively priced home is the best solution. Overall, condos have a lower selling price than single family homes, which means that you'll be paying considerably less per month for your mortgage. The extra money that you save each month can go toward paying off credit cards and improving your quality of life. Condos also make sense for retirees or empty nesters that do not need as much space as they did earlier in life. Downsizing to a condo with less space and lower payments is a perfect solution for this group of people.

3.You want to save time and have more amenities

Condo complexes offer a lot of benefits that just aren't possible with single family homes. At the very minimum, you'll find a pool or small gym in a condo complex. Some complexes have amenities that rival any five start hotel, with tennis courts, shared park areas, meeting rooms and barbecues. These amenities can really be a convenience for condo owners. In addition, the shared spaces mean no yard work to take care of, which frees your weekends and evenings up for other pursuits. You'll be able to live on beautiful grounds without having to rev up a lawn mower or pull a weed. For some people, this idea alone makes condo living an appealing idea.

These three benefits just scratch the surface of what condo living can bring into your life. If living in a condo sounds appealing, contact your real estate agent today to start viewing properties in your area.