6O - Friday. February 1 . 1991 ~ North Shore News Know pleasures, pitfalls of condo living THE CONDOMENIUM has become a popular fem of home ownership, an alter- Native to single-family own- ership that allows the owner to hold title. sell or even rent the unit if allowed by strata council rules. {1 is a home. style that reduces maintenance drudg- ery while providing security of tenure and the economic value of equity appreciation. While for some, con- dominiums represent a com- fortable, compact and con- venient lifestyle. it could prove too limiting and lack- ing in many of the freedoms others have always taken tor granted. If you are con- templating the purchase of a condominium, investigate thoroughly both the pleasures and pitfalls and honestly evaluate the restric- tions as well as the conve- Miences inherent in a multiple-unit lifestyle. Some strata title devel- opments offer exceptional recreational and craft areas for use by owners. Somcone who always wanted a swimming pool in his back yard but found it beyond his means, would obviously appreciate having a share in a pool to be used by himself and his co-owners in the building. But potential buyers should remember that pools, saunas, exercise rooms, club and craft rooms are part of the common areas that must be maintained by all owners, andthe & mountain views. . OR maintenance costs will be added to the monthty charges attached to each unit in a proportion based on the size of cach unit as a petcentage of the full com- plex. A potential buyer who hus no interest in using rec- reational or craft areas would be betier advised to seek outa strata title buiid- ine which does not offer such facilities so his/her maintenance fees are not geared to cover upkeep of a frill thar will not be en- joyed. If vou have always lived in a single-family residence, consider fully the more restrictive tifestyle that is part of condominium own- ership. Obviously, vou won't be able te practice your tuba at 3 a.m., nor would your co-owners be overjoyed to hear loud stereo music OF raucous par- ties in the wee small hours. If you're a person who wants to vacuum at mid- night, or run laundry or dishwashing equipment at any hour, a condominium may not be the home style you should choose. No mat- ter how good the construc- tion, sound-proofing alone is not a barrier for this kind of noise and neighbors would be understandably petulant at your lifestyle. If your pet is a friendly St. Bernard, a third floor apartment is probably a bad choice, but if the unit's rules allow pets, a ground wf One of the most peaceful and beautiful Deep Cove settings! Water 6 Lols of parking on this cul-de-sac. Weil] constructed old timer in excelient condition. Open Sun. 2-4. 2507 Caledonia Ave. (cif Deep Cove Rd. to left at Repair Shop.) ASK ABOUT ... NEW WATER VIEW LOT IN COVE! WEST VAN CONDO ‘Rwo bdrm condo in West Vancouver. Avail. in Feb. Gorgeous wzier & sunset view! Close to shopping on level street. Excellent investment property. THORA |. DAKIN 925-1111 926-C067 ‘Answering Service: 645-3622 | YOU WANT THE COVE? oriented patio of a townhouse might give your pet adequate vaercise area, To many people, lecation ts the most important factor in their choice of Hfestyte. Families will drift) towards complexes that provide play areas for children and those Jocated near schools and recreational facilities. Couples without children are more likely to gravitate towards the kind of devel- opment chat is Geser to 2 central city, perhaps c.. that restricts children bux has made provision for more adult pursuits such as hobby and craft, rooms or billiards. Many retirement com- plexes are now focated in suburban locations to offer a variety of recreation such as tennis or golf. Again, unless these activities appeal to you, there is no point considering such a complex, where your monthly pay- ment could include inan- datory ereen fees or ‘ennis court maintenance. Condominium ownership provides title to the par- ticular dwelling unit you choose, together with own- ership of a specified per- centage of interest in those elements termed ‘*cenznon areas’’ —— property whose usage is shared with all unit owners, such as lawns, driveways, parking, laundry tooms, halls, ete. Each owner pays a monthly charge for his share of maintenance costs. Bi Some buildings have one heating plant that) provides heat and hot water to all units, and some have indi- vidual heating and hot water equipment im) gach unit. Potential owners shoul in- vestigate thoroughly just what the unit charge pro- vides; there may be a vast difference in the levy fromm one unit to another because of services supplied. if your heat and hot vater are supplied as part of 8 monthly expense, it » oMturally be higher than if vou sign @ separate con- tract with B.C. Hydro to cover these services — but the two could be equitable if investigated thoroughly, so don't make vour choice simply on the basis of maintenance cost figures. Owners are responsible for their mortgage rayments and also for their ~ unicipal taxes, but they nooy abo be eligible for home esner grants which are levied at the municipal tas level. In every condominium development a strata cor- which consists of atl amit owners, is estah- lished, and a council is elected by owners to con- duct the business of the corporation. If you plan to buy in a building that has been established for some time, a council) will already be operating, but you may be in on the formation of one i yeu buy in a brand new building. poranhon, Every owner can run for a position on the strata council, NEIGHBOURHOOD INDIAN FiVER $259,900 W West Coast living in a planned envionment § Walking paths. greenbelts, open spaces, auiet q streets, new etemientary Schaal, new planned shopping centre and oodles of recreation. Ths B home at 1210 Clegg Place has 4 Hdime , farnity im. 2 Ca! garage, 800 sa ft. of deck with jacuzzi Bas cond and eiectronic air filter 2190 sqtt of A hristed home on a private corner fenced lot Open by appomtment call now to view ED RASMUSSEN 988-2630 Lg ESTATE SALE 1455 QUEENS AVE. WEST VAN ON V2 AN ACRE Ff | Solidty built post and beam home situated on a beautifully iand- § scaped 110'x204’ view lot. This 2 level § bedroom one-owner home requires some remodelting but ti: & “ potential is great. The price of % $375,000 is mostly land vatux. To § view any time call ED RASMUSSEN : | 985-2630 : ey PAS LIT CONRAD SWANSON 986-9321 980-9733 IMAGINE IT’S JUNE ALREADY! You're sit- ting by the pool, cool drink in hand. semething on the ‘barbie, the sailboats are rounding the corner by Cates Park beading up indian Arm. Behind you ‘s a spotless 2-level 4 bdrm. meine. Fully finish- ed 60'x121' maintenance-tee lot at the end of 2 quies street. $258,000. Call to view! IT’S A “10” Perfect alternative for thase whe don't want a tewnhome and would like a yard ter the kids. A sparkling 3 bdrm. rancher with 1'% baths. 2-car garage, new landscaping. fresh decor in and out, fully ienc- ed. large 12’x24' covered deck off xiicnen. See you Sunday 2-4, 3877 Brockton Cr. $229,900. $198,006 TLC INCREASES YOUR EQUITY Excellent revenue hume or mortgage heipe;, deiinitely a smart way to build vour equity and live in a lovely 35 bdrrn home, 3 up, 2 down with concrete deck, hoi tub, 2-car carporl and 50°x132" fenced tat. All this on a quiet street in an excellent neighbourhood. close to schools & iransportation & shopping. Open by appt Call now. 3650 Baird.