| Once you recognize that true peace in the home is a | | | | stereos and go to the new place for a listen. If you |
| matter of good soundproofing, shopping for the | | | | don't hear anything, you're on your way. This could |
| condo that will suit you over the long term is easy. | | | | also be great time to meet the people you'll be |
| Read on for a few simple tips on making a sound | | | | sharing the land with. |
| decision when looking for your new home. | | | | 2. If at all possible, ask to see the condo during a |
| We want to love our neighbors, but what if you're | | | | busy time of day. Early evening is usually a good bet. |
| awakened every night at 2 am by the sound of | | | | This is a time when most people are home, clanging |
| babies crying or you can't fall asleep because | | | | around in their kitchens or doing what they do for |
| someone is shaking the walls with their snoring? Sure | | | | entertainment. |
| you love kids, but do you want to hear them driving | | | | 3. Get a building inspection that includes |
| their metal bulldozers up and down the hallway at 7 | | | | soundproofing. Ask to see any documentation |
| am on a Saturday? Probably not. Well if you didn't | | | | regarding the soundproofing in the building and make |
| check the soundproofing in your condo before you | | | | sure it meets the minimum standard that's written |
| bought it, these are issues that could send you back | | | | into the building code. |
| to your real estate agent and looking for a new | | | | If the soundproofing is less than perfect however, |
| home. | | | | you don't have to scratch the building off your list. |
| Likewise, have you considered your own decibel | | | | There are still a number of ways to ensure that you |
| level? If you're a normal family moving into condo, | | | | and your neighbors can peacefully coexist after you |
| studio or conversion surrounded by single folks and | | | | move in. |
| poor soundproofing, you may have a bumpy ride | | | | 1. Location: if you're a noisy family that doesn't want |
| ahead. They will shake their fists on sleepless | | | | to cause a ruckus, look for a ground floor unit that |
| mornings when they awake bug eyed to the sound | | | | allows your kids to be who they are without any |
| of your children playing basketball in the room over | | | | complaints from anyone downstairs. Likewise, if |
| their bedroom, they will curse them when their | | | | you're a quiet couple that doesn't want to be |
| romantic evenings are punctuated by the sounds of | | | | disturbed unnecessarily, look for top level units. |
| rolling marbles and shrieking, they will smolder when | | | | 2. A great condo in a great location is hard to pass |
| quiet moments alone with a cup of tea, a glass of | | | | up so if you find one with thin walls that you |
| scotch or a gripping novel are torn to shreds by the | | | | absolutely love, consider renovating it for acoustic |
| thumping, screeching and clatter of your beautiful | | | | bliss. Sometimes changes can be as simple as installing |
| blameless children. | | | | new windows or a carpet with a thick underlay. It's all |
| Fortunately, there are a number of ways to avoid | | | | about cushioning. If the condo association allows |
| these kinds of conflicts before they even start. The | | | | structural changes, you may also want to consider a |
| first, and easiest place to begin is with the unit itself. | | | | floating floor or a hung ceiling. There are a number of |
| If the unit you're interested in has proper | | | | companies that specialize in sound proofing systems |
| soundproofing, it shouldn't matter that you are a | | | | if you decide to take this route. |
| family of five or that your neighbor just bought a | | | | So best of luck and when you find that nifty condo |
| new guitar. Proper insulation, flooring and windows will | | | | conversion in the fine neighborhood or the flat in the |
| allow everyone to keep their sounds to themselves. | | | | brownstone on the perfect tree-lined street, make |
| Here's how to find out if the prospective unit has the | | | | sure to do a sound check before you buy. |
| right amount of noise control: | | | | Take a tour of the Carmel NY real estate market |
| 1. Ask Around: if you're really serious about buying a | | | | (plus the Putnam & Westchester MLS) with our |
| particular condo unit, take the time to ask the people | | | | comprehensive Mahopac Real Estate Guide. Easy |
| who will be living around you what the soundproofing | | | | home search and great community info from Mike |
| is like. Then ask them to turn on their TVs and | | | | Trinchitella, top NY State REALTOR. |