4 replies to this topic

[Thatcher Smith]

Pardon the ignorance, but what precisely would be the considerations before one would purchase such a thing? I am thinking of MLS 304818 as an example.

I had ruled out buying a strata title home in it's attached or apartment-style flavours for a number of boring reasons but how would this play out for a detached property?

Is there still some kind of condo board to which one pays monthly fees for common area maintenance, etc? Do one's city taxes result in city water, garbage, etc or are those services not provided by the city once within the strata development?

[Rob Randall]

That type of arrangement sounds similar to the large new SFD development my folks bought into up Island. The residents had to organize and outfit their own volunteer fire department as there were no municipal services. There was concern expressed by some about the developer, who owned and controlled a large portion of the development that he was difficult to deal with. It sounded almost like some sort of kingdom. But they are very happy with their purchase.

[phx]

There would be a strata council that is responsible for maintaining the common areas. The strata council would also enforce the rules on what you can plant in your garden and what colour you paint your house.

[sebberry]

If I was going to drop that kind of coin on a house, I wouldn't want some pack of miserable control freaks telling me what I can and cannot do with my home.

Yes, I have some strata bitterness

[MarkoJ]

Pardon the ignorance, but what precisely would be the considerations before one would purchase such a thing? I am thinking of MLS 304818 as an example.

I had ruled out buying a strata title home in it's attached or apartment-style flavours for a number of boring reasons but how would this play out for a detached property?

Is there still some kind of condo board to which one pays monthly fees for common area maintenance, etc? Do one's city taxes result in city water, garbage, etc or are those services not provided by the city once within the strata development?

Yes, there is still a monthly assessment. On MLS: 304818 it would be $136 per month. On some bare land stratas the water is included. I don't know how garbage is dealt with at Oceanwood Estate to be honest. You have to keep in mind that in some municipalities the city does not pick up garbage even on freehold properties (i.e. Langford).

The one thing the city does not cover on bare land stratas is snow removal; however, not a huge deal in Victoria.

My biggest concern with bare land stratas is what happens in 20 years if a main sewer or storm pipe fails and it is below a common property strata lane? Will the city come and fix it or?