DEAR MISS MANNERS — I am
not habitually late with birthday
and other greeting cards, but on
occasion I have been a day or two
off. I am a career woman and
work six days a week, 10 to 12
hour days, and, as you can imap-
ine, do nol often have time to

replenish my stationery supplies.
Now I have received a baffling
letter from my uncle who received
his card a day late, his birthday be-
ing on a Sunday. I had put it in the
mail that Saturday. I should men-
tion that when he sends cards, they
are always at least four days early,
but then he is a retired Army col-

For many people a condominium is the
best of both worlds: they offer the major
benefits of home ownership, but they don’t
involve many of the costs and concerns of
home maintenance.

Condominiums span the entire price spec-
trum from very affordable to luxury priced.
And in recent years most condominiums
have increased in value, Since 1980 the price
of condominiums in major centres has in-

_ . creased clase to 50 per cent.

Condominiums offer a unique form of
home ownership with special advantages
and disadvantages. A real estate sales
Tepresentative- who specializes in con-
dominiums is an important source of infor-
mation to help you decide if this type of
home sults your lifestyle.

Two. important characteristics set con-
domintums living apart:

1. You have the exclusive use of the in-
terlor of your unit, but you share the “com-
mon” areas with the other owners;

2. You don't have to worry about most
maintenance and repairs. Many chores
associated with home ownership —- cutting
grass, fixing the roof, shoveling snow, and
exterior painting — are done for you.

If you lead an active life, are retired or are
away from home often, the latter fact alone
is reason enough to consider a
condominium.

In a condominium you and your
neighbours jointly own the grounds and the
buildings known as common areas. fn addl-
tion, areas such as backyards, balconies and
parking spaces are techalcally common
elements, but you have the exclusive right
to your own.

Because you share some areas, you have
less privacy than you would in a single family
dwelling. But for many people the advan-
tages of condominium living outweigh this
drawback.

One of the positives, particularly for first-
time buyers, is that condominiums are often
very affordable. In some areas a con-
dominlum costs $30,000 less than a com-

parable single-family home.

First-time buyers can also save hundreds
of dollars on extas by buying a con-
dominium — you don't have to landscape
or buy tools such as a lawn mower, snow
shovel, or extension ladders.

The condominium corporation

When you buy a condominium, you
become a shareholder in the corporation
that oversees the operation of the complex.
As a shareholder you have

a direct voice In the affairs of your
corporation.

This corporation operates much like any
other business. It must be a viable company,

a set of books, elect directors, and res-

pond to the shareholders’ needs.

a
msn:
Condominiums:

The shape of things to come

onel.

His letter states that his card was
late again: ‘‘l find the habit both
irritating and detracting from the
occasion being cele%rated. So,
please remove our names from
your greetings and seasonal pift
lists."*

miss
manners

by Judith Martin

I thought it was the thought that
counts with greeting cards, and
that the intent was to show you are
thinking of someone. He had not
complained in the past, although
fn retrospect, he did say bitterly
that my mother is netoricusty late
with every greeting, and I suppose
I was expected to pick up on that.

et

on

As a potential “investor” in this company,
you should find out everything you can
about how it is run. Often the difference bet:
ween a good condominium and a bad one
depends on the board of directors.

In some provinces potential buyers must
teceive an estoppel certificate when they
make an offer to purchase. ‘This certificate
details many of the corporation's activities.

Make sure you understand the Information
this document provides, including:

1. The amount of the monthly
maintenance fees;

2. “jhe insurance the corporation has on
the jg and property;

3. Whether the maintenance fees are be-
ing incteased or additional repair charges will

be Whether changes are planned for the
common use areas;
5. How much is in the reserve fund
(money for unexpected repairs);
The current budget and financial
statements.

These details will give you an idea of the
fiscal health of the corporation. Also, talk
to a member of the board of directors. He
or she will be a unit owner and can alert you
to the idiosyncracies of living in the complex.
Rules and regulations

All condominiums have by-laws. Typical-
ly, they are common sense rules that in-
dicate what owners can or cannot do,

By-laws differ, but they often prohibit

ing tne keeping livestock, meg

3 to the property without consent an
erecting billboards.

If you're serious about buying a panicular
condominium, review their by-laws, because
they will affect your lifestyle. Some by !svs
restrict pets, while others regulate changes
to a unit’s interlor, particularly if they alter
the structure, such as moving walls.

By-laws are designed not to restrict you
but to protect your investment by maintain-
ing a standard for the entire development.
Your condominium is less likely to go down
in value because of misuse of a neighbour's
off beat taste in colour.

Matntenance fees

Condominium owners pay a monthly
maintenance fee to share the cost of pro-
viding maintenance and commen services.

The amount of this fee varies according
to the expenses incurred by the corporation,
where you live and the type of condominium
{high-rise apartments are usually higher).

Fees can range from about $75 to $125
for the average townhouse to many hun-
dreds of doilars for a luxury high-rise.

Chuck Traunwelser is the branch
manager of the Royal LePage office at 121
East 15th Street, North Vancouver,
B.C. For more information, contact Chuck
Traunwelser at 985-9544.

By Chuck Traunweiser,
Royal LePage

Indulge the old man

Is it really so terrible to be late
with a card? 1 was travelling 800
miles, and f apologized in the let-
ter, explaining that I had been iif
with a virus, which is indeed true.

Should I humor his wishes total-
ly, and cease corresponding? Send
only to my aunt, who is my
mother’s sister and the real reason
I correspond at all? Ignore it and
make sure I only send cards at last
four days early?

GENTLE READER — Never
mind all those excuses about work
and viruses. Your circumstances
are not the point.

Bear in mind, it may be this in-
terest that keeps your uncle’s
blood circulating healthily. The
kind thing to do is simply to obey
his whim and send cards early; the
unkind thing, in which you would
technically be justified, is to obey
his wish instead, and stop sending
cards.

Miss Manners would like to
propose a compromise. Instead of
sending greeting cards, write the
man a letter on his birthday or
whatever other day is being cele-
brated, and clearly mark the date.
Then open with, ‘Today, of all
days, I found myself thinking of
you and wishing you happines..”’

— French
— Computers

4685 Keith Road - 926-3241
Welcomes Visitors

February 24 to February 28
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April 21 to April 25

be visiting.

to 3:00 p.m.

and time.

Gym.

b
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WELCOME TO
WEST VANCOUVER
KINDERGARTENS

You are invited to see them in action,

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WE ARE PROUD OF OUR KINDERGARTENS

kek kkk kk tk kak kkk

Following are Open House details. PLEASE PHONE THE
SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS.

CAULFEILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

March 3-March 7, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Please phone for an appointment.

KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM NIGHT
Wednesday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m.

GLENEAGLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
6350 Marine Drive - 921-7421

Meet the Kindergarten teachers and
principal — March 25th at 7:00 p.m.
KINDERGARTEN VISITATION WEEK

8:40 to 11:10 a.m. and 12:10 to 2:40 p.m.
Please call and let us know when you will

ECOLE HOLLYBURN SCHOOL
1329 Duchess Avenue - 922-9348
Kindergarten Visitations will be held March
10 and 11 — 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30

March 12 — 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Please call Mrs. Marshall to arrange a day

INFORMATION MEETING - March 12 at
7:00 p.m. for parents interested in entering
Early French Immersion — Hoilyburn

Grand Opening spring Sale!

Summit Cycles Whistler's first bike shop
is Proud to announce the opening of its second shop
in North Vancouver. Thurs. Sun. 11a. m.- -7p.m.

Tubular Tires 50% off
accessories 30-50% off |< one.witn'n
Ail bikes drastically reduced

SUMMIT CYCLES

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45 - Sunday, February 23, 1986 - North Shore News

987-8997 |

IRWIN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2455 Haywood Avenue - 926-3244
Welcome to our Kindergarten Open House
— April 14 to 18 — 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.
April 16 — 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 to
9:00 p.m.

For appointments and information please

CHARTWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL phone.
1300 Chartwell Drive - 922-3928

Phone now to arrange to meet

the teachers and principal, see the
programmes offered and tour the school.

RIDGEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1250 Mathers Avenue - 922-0125

Welcome to our Kindergarten Open House
March 3, 4, 5, 6 — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Please phone for information

WEST BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
3175 Thompson Place - 926-3248
Welcomes visitors to our Open House
March 10 to March 13 — 9:15 to 10:15
a.m. and 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.

Please call and let us know when you will
be visiting.

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760 Westcot Road - 922-0185
February 24 to February 27 — 9:00 to
10:30 a.m.
Please drop in for a visit with the principal,
observation.of the Kindergarten class and
a school tour.

For information please call the school.

SCHOOL DISTRICT #45
WEST VANCOUVER