Condominiums for Sale & Condo Related Stories
Open House Schedule - November 29 & 30
This Weekend’s upcoming Open Houses:
Saturday November 29, 2008
#14, 10001 Brookpark Blvd SW - $319,900
Beautifully renovated 3 bedroom townhome, attached garage.
[Video Tour] [Map and Directions]
Sunday November 30, 2008
#106, 11642 Valley Ridge Park NW
1300 sq. ft. 2 bed, 2 bath luxury condo backing onto Valley Ridge Golf Course.
[Video Tour] [Map and Directions]
Just Listed - Bow River Terrace $359,900
This one is all about lifestyle
click image to advance slideshow
[map view] [full details]
The first time on the market for this gorgeous 1300 sq.ft 2 bed, 2 bath suite in luxurious Bow River Terrace. Backing onto the Valley Ridge golf course, an easy walk to the club house. Enjoy carefree living and entertaining in this spacious home featuring 9’ ceilings, open concept island plan kitchen and large living area with gas fireplace, large windows and door to the private 450 sq.ft. terrace with gas line for your BBQ. The master bedroom will be your personal retreat with 4-pc ensuite bath, dbl vanities and huge walk-in closet, and enjoy walk-out access to the terrace. Another well sized bedroom or home office, add’l 3 piece bath, in-suite storage and laundry complete the story inside. This exclusive condominium has just 32 suites. This unit includes a two-car indoor titled parking stall, in-suite storage and additional storage locker. The bright, secure parking garage has a car wash for your convenience. This spectacular home is ready when you are, see it today.
Nov 8, 2008 - Scheduled Open House
Saturday, November 8, 2008 I will be hosting an open house from 2-4pm at: #406, 1335, 12 Ave SW. Full details of this home, including a map are available here. See the video tour here and click below to view more photos.
Q&A: Condo Insurance
Q: For my unit insurance, I’ve been advised to use the same broker that insures my condo corporation. That way, if there\’s a claim, the two insurance companies can’t play the “it’s the other guy’s fault” game. I have my doubts, though. Wouldn’t this be a conflict of interest for the insurance company?
A:Insurance needs for condominiums vary so you need to be very clear about what type of insurance you need, and an insurance broker can advise you on that. You need to make sure that anything that isn’t covered by the condominium corporation’s insurance policy is covered under your individual policy. An example of an area that is sometimes unclear is who is responsible for insuring windows and doors?
As far as there being a conflict of interest, whether there is one insurance company for the condominium corporation and your unit or whether you have different companies for each one, you are a beneficiary in each situation. Both insurance policies are for your benefit in one way or another. The unit policy directly benefits you whereas the corporation’s policy benefits the condominium corporation. Remember that as a unit owner you’re also an owner of the condominium corporation.
I hope that clarifies things for you. Insurance is not my area of expertise and if you need more details you can contact the insurance experts at RE/MAX Insurance at 403-252-6595 or speak to your insurance broker.
Attend Condo Board Meetings
These days, everyone is busy and it often seems like there are more things to do than time to do them in. One thing that seems to get pushed aside more often than not is participation in condominium board meetings and votes.
A condo-owning client of mine recently shared with me that fewer than 10% of owners at his condominium had attended a recent annual general meeting of the condominium board. Even with several owners sending their vote by proxy with attendees, there were not enough owners represented for the meeting to achieve a quorum.
This lack of participation forces the board to re-schedule the meeting and try again. This is inconvenient to the owners who attended but also costs all of the owners money to re-schedule and hold a second meeting, not to mention the delay in making important decisions about how to manage the condominium.
Condominium board meetings are the scene of important decision making that effects all of the owners in a condominium. These meetings address everything from the budget, to repairs, maintenance and upgrades to common property as well as dealing with any issues effecting the condominium owners.
Remember, when you buy into a condominium you’re purchasing the unit AND a part of the condominium corporation. These decisions affect you, both financially and by influencing the management of the home you live in. It’s worth your time to attend.
#14, 10001 Brookpark Blvd SW - $329,900
Update: Open House Saturday Sept 27 1-4pm
Click for Map and Directions
Get home tours on your iPod every week
#14, 10001 Brookpark Blvd SW
$329,900
Download M4V Video
Subscribe in iTunes
RSS feed of this channel
Fantastic opportunity! 1300sq.ft. 3 bedroom townhouse that has been completely renovated in Braeside. New hardwood floors & ceramic tile throughout the main floor. The family room is spacious with an impressive floor to ceiling stone fireplace. Beautiful gourmet kitchen with new Legacy cabinets, granite counter tops, & all new stainless steel appliances. The patio doors off the kitchen lead to a cozy park-like backyard with a cedar treated deck. The upper level offers a large master with a 2 piece ensuite, 2 additional oversized bedrooms & a 4 piece bath. There is new carpet throughout, new Hunter Douglas blinds & the bathrooms in this condo have all been renovated with new toilets, vanities, granite tops, tile floors & new fixtures. The lower level has additional developed space with a small rec room, flex room & 3 piece bath. Terrific location, close to transit, Southland Leisure Centre, shopping, schools & parks. This is an amazing opportunity…low condo fees, modern updated condo, priced to sell.
Request information or schedule a private showing:
404, 2140 17A St SW - $159,900
Update: This Property is Sold
Get home tours on your iPod every week
#404, 1740 21A St SW
$159,900
Download M4V Video
Subscribe in iTunes
RSS feed of this channel
Top floor suite, west facing windows and balcony, great view overlooking the trees. Large living room and bedroom areas, renovated bathroom with vessel sink. Affordable condo fees of $215 / month include electricity and heat! Well managed building with recently updated common areas. Convenient location with bus stop right in front of the building. Walk to 17th Avenue and downtown.
Request information or schedule a private showing:
Q&A: Why do I have condo fees and where do they go?
Q: Why do I have condo fees and where do they go?
A: This is a very common question from anyone considering purchasing a condominium unit. Some general background on condominium ownership is helpful in answering this one.
When you purchase condominium property you’re buying two things
- The physical condo unit
- Shares in the condominium corporation
These shares are called ‘Unit Factor’ and every condo in Alberta has a total unit factor of 10,000. For example if your unit has a ‘Unit Factor’ of 2,500 then you own 25% of the shares of the condominium corporation.
Condo fees are paid to this corporation, or commonly to a management company hired by the condominium board to oversee the maintenance and repair of the buildings, ground and facilities. This money is paid to the corporation that is owned by the condominium unit owners for the benefit of the owners. The funds go towards a variety of utility, maintenance, insurance and management items that vary from one condominium to another. Some common items include:
- insurance on common property
- exterior maintenance and repair
- landscaping and snow removal services
- reserve fund contributions
- maintenance and repair of amenities associated with the condominium (exercise facilities, swimming pools etc.)
Many condominium corporations are setup to pay many of the utilities servicing the units from the corporation. This is especially common in apartment style condos where the fees often cover:
- heat
- water/sewer
- electricity
Remember, the condominium fees (or contributions) are paid to a corporation owned by the unit owners and they go towards services that benefit the owners. Every condominium is different, has different fee amounts and covers different items. The setup and financial condition of the condominium corpopration is very important so be sure to investigate these areas on any condo you consider purchasing.
Have a question of your own? Ask it here!
I'm committed to helping my clients buy, sell and enjoy their homes and I strive to provide an added level of value and service at every stage of the Real Estate transaction. 