Condo Living - 5 Unique Things to Look For When Purchasing a Condo

Now we all should know the standard items to lookhallways and if it is recycled. If so, then opening up your
into from viewing my "Condo Purchase Checklist", butbalcony door for fresh air a couple of times a week
here are 5 things you may overlook when viewing...would be prudent. But also be careful the area of the
1: STORAGE - Does the suite come with a locker? Iscity you choose in Calgary, as some are known for
the locker titled or assigned? If so, make sure youtheir funky outdoor smells due to their proximity to
measure the locker as you want it to be essential forprocessing plants, dumps, etc.
seasonal items - ie. bike, skis, snow board, hockey4: OWNER OCCUPANCY RATE - This percentage is
gear, baseball equipment, Christmas tree - the list goesavailable through your Condo Management Company.
on and on depending on how active you are inIt is recommended you inquire about the number of
Calgary. Is there a storage space in the suite for linensactual owners occupying the entire complex. Rentals
and such? Storage becomes a big issue once youare very popular now in Calgary ever since our boom
move in so make sure there is enough for you to feelof 2006-2007. Owners occupying their suites have an
comfortable, or else you will have to set aside ainvested interest into the building and typically take
weekend of purging!better care of common areas - lobbies, hallways,
2: CONSTRUCTION - Is the condo a concrete oramenity rooms, garbage rooms, parking garage, etc.
wood frame complex? This makes a huge differenceThe last thing you want as an proprietor is a dip into
in noise and overall fire safety. In addition to generallythe financial to replace something carelessly done by
being safer, concrete buildings have less suite to suitesomeone that is not as invested into the project as
noise, meaning you will rarely to ever hear youryou are.
neighbor. Wood frame construction will make you5: GARBAGE LOCALE - Is there a garbage chute on
susceptible to hearing side to side and up and down.each floor and where is it located? Does the complex
Does the condo have post tension cables? Buildingshave a main level garbage room and/or recycling
built in Calgary in and around the 1970's and 1980'sprogram? These are imperative items to look into as
were commonly built with post tension cables. If so,they will affect your day to day life. How inconvenient
check out the latest Engineer's Report and make surewould it be to not have a chute on your floor and
the Condo Corporation is up to date with it and have ahave to take the garbage downstairs or outside to a
financial plan for any possible repairs.bin every time? Now answer that question while in
3: VENTING - Does the stove hood fan vent outsidewinter conditions too! A recycling program is a great
the complex or does it circulate? Not a fan ofindicator of how up to date and devoted a condo
unidentified aromas? Well this is definitely something toboard is as well. A lot of new construction projects in
check out then. Some older complexes ventilateCalgary have implemented different fire code rules
throughout the complex instead of outside. Think ofregarding garbage chutes, not allowing them in a lot of
when you walk down a hallway and can smell whatcases.
everyone is or has been cooking. All the different mixSo remember, don't get too caught up on the looks
of smells is most likely not a pleasant fragrance, soand cosmetics of a condo. Go back at least twice to
consider checking into this. If the building has airview all the things you may have overlooked or didn't
conditioning, verify if it is regulated in the suites,consider when visiting the first time.