For many of us, owning a penthouse represents the ultimate in city living. From the luxury amenities to the outstanding views, penthouse living can make you truly feel like you have “arrived.” That said, every living situation comes with its disadvantages — yes, even a penthouse — and there may be some additional factors to consider with top floor living that you must be willing to accept. Before you commit to owning that penthouse, here are some things you need to know.
Roof leaks?
When you live on the top floor, the roof of the building is your roof. That means your penthouse will be the first to know if the roof starts leaking. One of the tradeoffs for having that amazing view and private access is that you have to be willing to deal with the risk for leaks. Also, the top floor of the building is the most vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather (e.g., wind, lightning, cold snaps, etc.). Be prepared to deal with damage if extreme weather strikes, and be prepared for higher heating/cooling bills.
Specialized maintenance
Many penthouses include an outdoor space and/or rooftop access, and with the outdoor space comes increased maintenance issues that other units do not have. Any landscaping must be able to handle the elements of wind and extreme temperatures. Although snow is not frequent in Atlanta, it does occur, and removing snow from an outdoor/rooftop space presents its own set of challenges. Before buying that penthouse, make sure you include money in the budget for outdoor upkeep that you might not expect.
Rooftop access
Depending on how your building is structured, your penthouse may be the only access point for building maintenance and construction workers to get to the roof. If that is the case, the penthouse owner will have to grant this access as needed, which can have an impact on your routine and your privacy — and it can happen more often than you think. Consider that you may need to grant access whenever there is a maintenance issue on the roof, whenever the windows need cleaning, and so on. On occasion (every few years or so), you may have to grant access for more extensive maintenance and construction lasting for days or weeks.
Street access
Remember that living on the highest floor in your building means it takes you the longest to get down to the street. Be prepared for longer waits for the elevators during rush hour, for example. Also bear in mind that in emergency situations like fire, it will take longer for first responders to get to you than to other units in the building.
These issues aside, penthouse living can be glorious and well worth the slight inconveniences that might pop up from time to time. If you are ready to buy, the experts at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty can help you find the perfect penthouse! To learn more, call us today at 404.237.5000.