Yeah we'll probably use that as a shelf and put in a real rod.
And as you say, most places have maintenance fees anyway - pretty much anything we look at is going to come with strata, and 150 is considered a cheap maintenance fee, fees varying between 150 and 300. So this is top end, not extravagant, but some places include hot water or heating or something in the fees.
I don't know much about home buying (just figured I'd put that disclaimer in here, lol), but I agree that buying this house if you can afford it makes sense, rather than buying a smaller place and then needing to get a larger place in only a few years.
I don't know much about buying houses in general, let alone a house over there but I think it'd be completely worth it in the end, even if it means tight budgeting at first until the roofs and such get fixed.
It really is a wonderful and spacious place, I love the layout. :D
I really can't comment, the housing market in Vancouver is so entirely different than in Halifax that my head is still hurting over the idea of nearly a quarter-million dollars for a three-hour daily commute and a maintenance fee.
It is a nice place. I can see though why the catch would be giving you pause. In talking to Michael (who works with condo developers all the time) he says that kind of maintenance fee is not unusual, particularly with older developments.
I'm wondering who determines need for the fixups? And is there any way you could see a planning schedule for the renovations? At least then you'd have an idea how long it will be before your unit is addressed.
Yeah, you're just going to have to trust me that the price is right.
Dick, our realtor, is going to try and get the minutes for the Strata council meetings for the last two years. Apparently he knows someone on the council. Hopefully we'll be able to get more details on the situation from there.
Oh, I know the price is good - I just still can't imagine, being out here on the east coast poking berries up my nose. ;)
It seems like your mind is pretty well made up, isn't it? And it is a great place. And the fact that pets are allowed (unlimited birds? yeowza) is a major plus-point.
Our mind will be made up DEPENDING on what Dick finds out. If everything checks out ok, we'll go for it. If we don't/can't take this place, it's going to have to be a condo... and I hate sharing hallways with strangers.
It's nice. Very beige at the moment, but that means that you can decide things when you move in (ie. paint colours). And it has been nicely done - all you'd have to do is paint, and not even that if you liked the beige- I like yellows and red and such, so I'd get get out the brushes immediately ;). In terms of the price I think it's pretty good - and the fees are fairly standard.
Do your budgeting and then make a decision - just make sure that you're ready to stay in any place you buy for the next little bit (so the extra size is a big plus!). Also cehck if the fee will go down in the forseeable future. Good luck!
It probably won't. The strata has probably learned from their mistake, and once these renovations are paid for they'll probably keep the extra money in a contingency fund.
well then remember to factor in if your or Benn's salary will go up...especially if you're thinking about babies in the near future, which it seems like you are. Your salaries will most probably (and SHOULD) go up in the future, just who knows by how much.
His salary or mine probably will go up over, but once I go on maternity leave, my income will be cut down to 55%. For a year. And if I only go back part time after... it'll stay at 50%.
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And as you say, most places have maintenance fees anyway - pretty much anything we look at is going to come with strata, and 150 is considered a cheap maintenance fee, fees varying between 150 and 300. So this is top end, not extravagant, but some places include hot water or heating or something in the fees.
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Congrats on buying a house - sooo exciting!
I don't know much about home buying (just figured I'd put that disclaimer in here, lol), but I agree that buying this house if you can afford it makes sense, rather than buying a smaller place and then needing to get a larger place in only a few years.
ttyl,
Sarah :)
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It really is a wonderful and spacious place, I love the layout. :D
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It is a nice place. I can see though why the catch would be giving you pause. In talking to Michael (who works with condo developers all the time) he says that kind of maintenance fee is not unusual, particularly with older developments.
I'm wondering who determines need for the fixups? And is there any way you could see a planning schedule for the renovations? At least then you'd have an idea how long it will be before your unit is addressed.
Good luck!
~ Hannah
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Dick, our realtor, is going to try and get the minutes for the Strata council meetings for the last two years. Apparently he knows someone on the council. Hopefully we'll be able to get more details on the situation from there.
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It seems like your mind is pretty well made up, isn't it? And it is a great place. And the fact that pets are allowed (unlimited birds? yeowza) is a major plus-point.
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Do your budgeting and then make a decision - just make sure that you're ready to stay in any place you buy for the next little bit (so the extra size is a big plus!). Also cehck if the fee will go down in the forseeable future. Good luck!
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