5833 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

Thats some brutal strata fees for a townhouse with not much for amenities!

The strata fees for my 2 bedroom/1 bath 900 square foot condo are $367/month. $479 for nearly double the square footage doesn't seem too bad.

[Redd42]

Just because YOU don't want two bathrooms in a two bedroom condo, doesn't mean most purchasers do. Its much easier to swing the modern equivalent of 'boarders', aka roommates, if each gets their own bathroom. Thats what I started with, got a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo and rented out one bedroom/bath to a roommate. 

 

Developers go where the demand is; clearly lots of demand for 2b/2b.

 

Good point. 

Edited by Redd42, 16 September 2022 - 01:30 PM.

[lanforod]

The strata fees for my 2 bedroom/1 bath 900 square foot condo are $367/month. $479 for nearly double the square footage doesn't seem too bad.

 

Condos are always more. They have to deal with elevators, hallways etc.

[dasmo]

17% on $100,000 pushing affordability is a much better setup than 5% on $1,500,000. Especially if you consider that median earnings of Canadians employed on a full-time basis in 1980 was $41,348....

Median earnings is roughly 3X since 1980. Maybe even less. House prices are more than 10X since 1980. This is my point about the setup being different.

[Nparker]

Condos are always more. They have to deal with elevators, hallways etc.

At my strata, the townhouses are responsible for elevator costs too since it is the primary way to access the underground parking for all units.

[Victoria Watcher]

Townhouses have more grounds maintenance and more exterior surface upkeep (walls and roofs and decks) that they need to have a contingency for.

And I think 850 Parkland is getting up there, maybe close to 40 years old now.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 September 2022 - 01:37 PM.

[Redd42]

At my strata, the townhouses are responsible for elevator costs too since it is the primary way to access the underground parking for all units.

 

I loved in my last condo where people who were not on the top floor tried to argue they shouldn't have to contribute to replace the roof. 

[Redd42]

Also, consider how much more “home” you get for today's money. A brand new $1.1 million townhome is going to be stellar, compared to a townhome from 1980.

 

How many damn bathrooms? 

[dasmo]

I once saw a listing for a 3 bedroom house with 6 bathrooms.... 

[lanforod]

Phew, thanks for the reminder of why i hate strata living.

[Redd42]

Just because YOU don't want two bathrooms in a two bedroom condo, doesn't mean most purchasers do. Its much easier to swing the modern equivalent of 'boarders', aka roommates, if each gets their own bathroom. Thats what I started with, got a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo and rented out one bedroom/bath to a roommate. 

 

Developers go where the demand is; clearly lots of demand for 2b/2b.

 

I still think that is excessive and your situation was unusual. I wish that housing arrangement was used more often for what you did. But I think more often it is either a single or a couple. And one more damn bathroom to clean!

 

And I wholly disagree that developers go where demand is. I feel it is totally the other way around. I do not want or need 2 bath rooms. But I did want that storage closet which no modern condos have. I was sold on my last condo because the storage unit was a few doors down on the same floor. So it was almost like being in my unit. People want storage but end up with excess bathrooms. Do any modern condos even have storage units?

[Nparker]

...in my last condo...people who were not on the top floor tried to argue they shouldn't have to contribute to replace the roof. 

[Redd42]

Phew, thanks for the reminder of why i hate strata living.

 

Me too. I, like a lot of people, never wanted to live in a strata. But it was all I could afford. I actually much prefer being a renter at the moment. One eccentric landlady is easier to deal with than a condo council. And I would be much further ahead financially if I kept that last condo. I think about that once in a while. But since I gave the skip guy $10 to go up 2 flights of stairs earlier today, I'm ok.

 

As I've mentioned before, partner and I have been house shopping for quite a while. Almost all new builds are strata so the developer can squeeze one or 2 more houses on a piece of land. I'm not willing to plunk down 1. whatever and have to deal with a strata.

[lanforod]

You are by far in the minority when it comes to complaining about availability of units with 2 bedrooms and exactly 1 bathroom.

[Redd42]

You are by far in the minority when it comes to complaining about availability of units with 2 bedrooms and exactly 1 bathroom.

 

Nope. I don't agree. 2 FULL bathrooms in a 2 bedroom condo. Nope totally not necessary and WAY first world problems. When 3 boarders and an owner managed very well with one.

 

I don't even use my extra bathroom so I don't have to clean it. 

[Victoria Watcher]

The extra bathroom is nice for guests. Not overnight guests, but day visitors. You keep it nice for them. Meanwhile in your bathroom your toothpaste is out with the cap off. And you haven’t wiped down the mirror in a week.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 September 2022 - 03:45 PM.

[Nparker]

I have to admit, I wish I had a half bath for guests.

[dasmo]

I built our place with 2.5. Family of four and I can always find one to go.... 

[Matt R.]

Thats some brutal strata fees for a townhouse with not much for amenities!

Insurance and hot water included?

[Redd42]

The extra bathroom is nice for guests. Not overnight guests, but day visitors. You keep it nice for them. Meanwhile in your bathroom your toothpaste is out with the cap off. And you haven’t wiped down the mirror in a week.

 

A week? Try a few months.  Yes, the half bath for guests is nice to have. But absolutely a waste of space for most people, other than lanforod. to have 2 FULL baths in a 2 bedroom condo.