Robb Leece : Calgary Real Estate : : page 3

I have sold a property at 104 STERLING SPRINGS CRESCENT in Rural Rocky View County

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Rural Rocky View MD, Rural Rocky View County Real Estate

I have sold a property at 104 STERLING SPRINGS CRESCENT in Rural Rocky View County.

Incredible bungalow boasting 4500 total square feet of executive living in this extraordinary, former Knightsbridge showhome. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces, main floor den and fully developed basement with in-floor heating. Located on a West backing 2 acre (pie shaped lot) in Sterling Springs, one of Springbank's many prestigious subdivisions. Quiet and private, but less than 10 minutes to all the schools, shopping and amenities of Aspen and the Westhills areas. Easy access to Highway 1 or the new Stoney Trail Ring Road off Highway 8. As you enter the home, you'll be greeted with soaring 17 foot vaulted ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, and a sense of spaciousness. This home boasts an attention to detail in millwork, tile work, stonework evident at every angle. The magnificent large, rock fireplace is the focal point of the main floor, along with the unobstructed, sunsets and views of the mountains outside your many large windows. The kitchen, family room and nook are perfect for large family gatherings. Timeless cream coloured kitchen cabinetry with contrasting, dark granite is offset by the warm, travertine backsplash. Wolf and Sub Zero brand appliance package. A separate butler's pantry provides storage close by for extra appliances and food storage. All hardwood and carpeting (upstairs and down) were replaced just prior to listing. Painting and professional cleaning mean this home is ready for IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! The walkout basement has a huge family room with wood burning fireplace, 3 more bedrooms (one wired for home theatre), a full bathroom and a gym, all ready for your family. Car enthusiasts will love the triple garage with its epoxy floor, gas heater, high ceiling and utility sink. Come walk the lot and you will love the private setting, firepit area, play structure for kids and sprinkler system that covers the entire acreage. More impressive is the huge back area where you can play football, soccer or build yourself a tennis court, larger basketball court or even a hockey rink! Less than 10 minute drive to the 69 street C-train station. Enjoy the privacy and quiet of the country with the close proximity of the city! Call your favorite realtor or book a showing TODAY.

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I have sold a property at 1014 Nanton Avenue in Crossfield

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Crossfield, Crossfield Real Estate

I have sold a property at 1014 Nanton Avenue in Crossfield.

See details here

Looking for a beautifully renovated bungalow on a huge lot in the heart of Crossfield? This property makes a great family home or an awesome location for a business (WBD - West Downtown Business District Zoning). This 1960 built home was moved onto on a brand new foundation in 2017. 1442 SF on the main flr w/upgrades/renos done in 2017-18. These include a new furnace, hot water tank, upgraded plumbing & electrical, paint & new kitchen counters & cabinets. The home has a large master bedrm with 4 pc ensuite & 2 more bedrms. 2 beautiful barn doors separate the kitchen from an open concept living room & dining room as well as a 4 pc bathrm to complete the main flr. Basement has an additional 1441 SF ready for development. Plenty of parking on the street, in the dbl detached garage & a 2 parking stall pad suitable for RV parking. It has a back alley & a side alley. Both the garage & home have metal roofs. Enjoy the morning & evening sun from your south facing front porch. View this great property today!

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Historical Buildings in Calgary

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in History, Real Estate

Welcome to Calgary! We are so glad you decided to make our beautiful city your home. Calgary has many things to offer, including a wide variety of historical buildings. This post includes a quick guide to help you get started. Have fun exploring!

If you are looking for a character home in Calgary, try our Calgary Historic Home Search. It will show you all homes available for sale in Calgary built between 1850 and 1940.

1) Heritage Park Historical Village

Heritage Park is a well known Calgary landmark, and Canada’s largest living history museum. Take a trip back in time to see how the West once was. This park includes five sections, organized by time period. 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment; 1880s Pre-railway Settlement; C.1910 Prairie Railway Town; and 1930s, 1940s and 1950s Gasoline Alley Museum and Heritage Town Square. The park also includes a midway fair ground full of rides and games, and an authentic and fully functioning steamboat the S. S. Moyie that departs several times daily from the dock for trips around the Glenmore Reservoir. For hours and rates, please visit http://www.heritagepark.ca/

2) Mewata Armory

The Mewata Armory is located in Downtown Calgary at 801 11th Street SW and was built between 1915 and 1918 and is home to The King's Own Calgary Regiment and The Calgary Highlanders. Built in the Tudor/Gothic revival style, this grand brick building is reminiscent of a medieval fort or castle complete with buttresses and and a crenelated roofline.

3) Lougheed House

The Lougheed House is a sandstone mansion set on an impressive 2.8 acres of ground. Built in 1891, it was home to Senator James Alexander Lougheed, his wife Lady Isabella Hardisty Lougheed, their six children and a full staff. It is open Wednesday to Friday from 11 am till 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Feeling peckish? Visit Isabella’s Cafe for lunch or afternoon tea. For more information, please visit http://www.lougheedhouse.com/

4) Fort Calgary

This National Historic Site is the birthplace of Calgary, where the North West Mounted Police first laid the roots for this historic city. This impressive 40 acre site is located at the conflux of the Bow and Elbow Rivers and includes a museum as well as an interactive interpretive centre. Fort Calgary is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (closed some holidays). For more information please visit http://www.fortcalgary.com/

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Businesses in the Lake Bonavista area

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Community, Real Estate

Lake Bonavista is a well established and family friendly neighbourhood in South East Calgary. To help you settle into your new neighbourhood, here is a list of local businesses that will help you meet your needs.

Lake Bonavista Businesses - Gordon McDowell

Supermarkets

This area boasts a wide variety of supermarket choices, including Safeway, Calgary Co-op and Sobey's.

1) South Center Safeway is located at 11011 Bonaventure Drive SE, and is open daily from 8am to 11pm. It also has an in-house pharmacy open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

2) Lake Bonavista Safeway is located in the Lake Bonavista Promenade at 755 Lake Bonavista Drive SE. It is open 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, but does not have a pharmacy.

3) Deer Ridge Co-op is located at 95 1221 Canyon Meadows Drive SE in the Deer Ridge Shopping Center. It is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, and does not have a pharmacy.

4) For late night milk-and-bread runs, try the Mac's Convenience Store, located in the Lake Bonavista Promenade, at 755 Lake Bonavista Drive. It is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Salons and Barber Shops

1) Diva Salon and Spa in South Center Mall is open daily from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.

2) The high end Salon Evaline Charles, located in South Center Mall, is open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

3) Studio Hair Design, located in the Lake Bonavista Promenade is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and is closed Sundays and Mondays.

4) For no frills, men's hair cutting try Bonavista Barbers in the Lake Bonavista Promenade. they are open Monday's to Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Department Stores

The Lake Bonavista area boasts two main department stores: The Bay and Sears. Both are located in South Center Mall, found at 100 Anderson Road SE.

Gas Stations

1) The Lake Bonavista Promenade plays host to an Esso station, located at 759 Lake Bonavista Drive SE. It is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

2) If you need a car wash to go with your gas visit the Esso at 31615 Bonaventure Drive SE. This station is open from 5:00 am to midnight daily.

3) Lake Bonavista also hosts a Shell station, located at 700 12445 Lake Fraser Drive.

4) Deer Valley Co-op also boasts a gas station and car wash, and is located at 95 1221 Canyon Meadows Drive SE. It is open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Drugstores

1) The Lake Bonavista Promenade is home to a Shoppers Drug Mart. It is open from8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

2) South Center Mall also hosts a Shoppers Drug mart, which is open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm daily, and is located at 100 Anderson Road SE.

3) The South Center Safeway also has a pharmacy, which is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Local Library

For all your reading needs visit the Fish Creek Public Library and pick up your free Library Card! It is located at 11161 Bonaventure Drive SE, and is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday's from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

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Newcomer Resources in Calgary

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Buyers, Real Estate

Calgary's Centre For Newcomers

Welcome to Calgary! We are so glad you decided to move here to our wonderful city! To help you settle in, here is a list of newcomer resources located here in Calgary.

1) Immigrant Services Calgary offers a variety of resources including (but not limited to) Information and Orientation, Supportive Counselling, Referrals, Employment Support Services, Community Initiatives and Access Programs for Seniors and Civic Education/Citizen Classes. Services are offered in seventy different languages including Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Korean, Oromo, Mandarin, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrigna, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Ukrainian.

For more information, please visit http://www.immigrantservicescalgary.ca/how-can-we-help/newcomer-support or call 403.265.1120. Walk- ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. All services are free and confidential.

2) Center for Newcomers

The Center for Newcomers offers comprehensive 3 year program called "Newcomer Settlement", which covers all of the basics of settling into Canadian culture. It aims to teach newcomers what services are available to them and their families in Canada, covering housing, schools, transportation, banking, employment and health care. It also helps newcomers learn the skill necessary for day-to-day life including dressing for the weather, English language classes, shopping for affordable goods, and getting to know your neighbours. It also covers the rights and responsibilities of new Canadians. A sister program, Children's Settlement, is similar, and geared at New Canadians with children under 12. For more information, please visit www.centerfornewcomers.ca. To book an appointment, please call 403.569.3325 and specify your preferred language for service. Walk ins are welcome, but must wait until individuals with appointments have been served.

3) Calgary Newcomer's Club

The Calgary Newcomer's Club is a volunteer run social club for women. This club aims to help women learn more about the city, and make friends and professional contacts. Membership costs $40 annually. To apply, please visit http://calgarynewcomersclub.com/membership/ and fill out the online application form. Questions can be directed at info@calgrynewcomersclub.com.

4) Welcome Centre for New Immigrants

Located at 3820 - 32nd Street NE, the Welcome Centre for New Immigrants is a community centre geared at new immigrants. This not-for-profit organization is a branch of the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, and helps immigrants develop English language skills, computer skills and job hunting skills. For more information, please visit http://www.welcomeimmigrants-calgary.ca/ or call 403.291.0002.

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A Quick Reference Guide to Viewing a Property

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Here are some quick tips for when you are viewing a Property for Sale. Your Real Estate Professional will also be helping you identify these amenities and possible red flags.

1) Look for signs of water damage, water, mould and/ or signs of bugs or mice. This could manifest as buckled floors, water stains, and spongy walls. Open all the cupboard, and look for mice or insect droppings. Also be wary of any off putting odours, including over use of odour covering sprays or scented candles. The overuse of these products may be to hide something foul.

2) What is the neighbourhood like? Remember, you aren't just buying a house, your are buying into a neighbourhood. If you have school age children you should look and see how close the nearest school is, and check out the community Center for children's activities. How far will you, and your spouse, have to commute? How far is the nearest grocery store? Check with the school board if your children are able to attend the schools. Being near a school doesn't necessarily mean your kids can attend.

3) What are the neighbours like? Are other houses on the street tidy and well maintained? What sort of demographic is the neighbourhood? A family with small children is more likely to want a quiet neighbourhood with other young families, where as a young couple may want something more urban, with better night life.

4) Is the property private? You don't want to buy a house, only to realize your neighbours window looks right into your bathroom!

5) Check the layout, and make sure it is right for your family. A family with small kids is more likely to want all bedrooms on same floor. However, if you have teenagers, or are planning on using a bedroom as a home office, you will likely want those rooms on a different floor.

6) Check out the exterior too! Real estate photos don't often show the entire property, so you want to take a walk around the houses exterior. Check for any signs of trouble, such as cracks in the foundation, water damage or sunken sections of ground.

7) Is the house light and airy? You want a house with nice "flow", an open feeling layout which doesn't feel cramped. Natural light is also a huge bonus! Not only will you feel better, but you will save on electricity by not needing to turn on so many lights.

8) Closets and storage are very important! Most people have at least a few items that need to be stored (holiday decorations, winter coats, etc.) Make sure the house matches your storage needs, and that the closets are large enough. This is especially true for children's rooms, as closets often do double duty as toy chests.

9) Always Check around in the utility room. Marijuana Grow Operations are common in Calgary and many have not ever been identified. Check around the main power panel for signs of power lines being tampered with. Check the water main feed before the meter to see if any changes have been done. Look at the exhaust vents on the furnace and hot water tank to see if they have been altered with. These things may not indicate a former grow operation, but will let you know if the home requires further inspection.

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Quick and easy meals for Moving Day

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Moving Tips

As you prepare for the big move or are already settling into a new home most of your possessions are probably boxed up. This can prove a logistical challenge when it comes to cooking dinner. For those of you who can't don't want to eat Take Out for the next week, here are some easy, one dish recipes to help you during your transition.

Easy Chicken Curry

This is a staple of my grandmothers. All you will need to prepare this dish is two pots (one for rice, on for the curry), a cutting board, a sharp knife and a large spoon for stirring.

Ingredients:

- 1 Jar pre-made curry sauce (Sharwoods is my favourite, easily found in the Indian food isle)
- 1 pre-roasted chicken or 3-4 cooked chicken breasts. Chicken should be cut into bit sizes pieces.
- rice
- chopped vegetables (peas, lentils, cauliflower etc.) (optional)

1) prepare your rice. There is an excellent guide here: http://dish.allrecipes.com/how-to-cook-rice/. If you don't have the time, energy or utensils to cook rice you can also buy microwaveable rice in the rice section of your grocery store.

2) Cook your chicken, then add your vegetables and your sauce. Pre cooked, frozen vegetables can be added right away, but raw vegetables may require being pre-steamed if you like your vegetables quite soft. Lentils must be pre-soaked.

3) Heat the sauce with you chicken and vegetables. Stir regularly, and allow the sauce's flavour to permeate the chicken and vegetables.

4) Serve on a bed of rice. This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables

Beans on Toast

An English classic! Hearty and easy to make. You will need a pot, a can opener, a toaster or frying pan, and possibly a cheese grater. You can also buy pre-shredded cheese, or skip the cheese entirely.

Ingredients:

- can of beans (beans with tomato sauce is the traditional)
- cheddar cheese (grated) (optional)
- bread for toast
- butter (optional)

1) Open the can of beans beans and pour it into the pot. Heat until bubbling. Add cheese if desired.

2) Toast the bread. You can either use a toaster, or if that is packed you can butter the bread and fry it in a frying pan.

3) You can now decide if you want to use our toast to scoop up your beans, or pour the beans on to of the toast and eat it with a knife and fork. Both ways are acceptable, but pouring the beans on the toast can make the toast soggy. This recipe pairs well with raw veggies.

Pan fried Pierogis and Sausage

This easy meal requires only one frying pan and a spoon/flipper for stirring and serving.

Ingredients:

- Pierogis (fresh or frozen). Typical varieties include cheese and potato, bacon and potato etc.
- sausage
- butter

1) First, fry the sausage. You can either cook it whole or cut it into bite sized pieces first. Save the sausage grease in the pan

2) Fry the pierogis in the sausage grease, adding butter if needed. The pierogis should be a pale golden colour and the outside should be crispy. If you don't cook them long enough the inside will still be cold. The butter and/or sausage grease will help to brown them.

3) Serve. This recipe pairs well with either cooked veggies or a green salad.

Vegetable Omelet

Who says you can't have breakfast for dinner? This recipe is perfect for using up the last of the eggs and fresh vegetables before you move! All you need is a frying pan, a mixing bowl, a mixing spoon/spatial and a flipper. You will also need a knife and a cutting board of your vegetables are not pre cut.

Ingredients:

- eggs
- cheese (grated)
- milk (optional)
- assorted chopped vegetables (ie: peppers, onions, spring onions, chives, parsley, tomatoes etc.)
- salt and pepper (optional but recommended)

1) Crack your eggs into the mixing bowl. Add the grated cheese and the chopped veggies. Mix thoroughly. Add one approximately one table spoon of milk or water for each egg. Milk will give you denser eggs, water will give you fluffier eggs.

2) Pre heat the frying pan. Pour in egg mixture once pan is hot. Stir consistently till eggs are entirely cooked.

This dish pairs well with fruit salad or a hearty vegetable or bean salad.

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Green and Budget Friendly Cleaning Tips

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Moving Tips

Did you know that many ordinary items found in your pantry or fridge can also double as cleaning ingredients? To help keep your home spotless try these handy tips that are easy on the environment and your budget.

1) Use Vinegar as a mild disinfectant

Add a half cup of vinegar to a litre of warm water for an easy and gentle cleaning solution. Works well on all wipeable surfaces.

2) Use vinegar as fabric softener

Whether you want something gentler or just discovered you are out of fabric softener in the middle of doing laundry vinegar can help! Add half a cup to your washing machine for gentle softness without the strong scent. Simply pour in a top loader, or pour into the fabric softener compartment of a front loader.

3) Use lemon juice as bleach

Avoid the harshness of bleach by swapping it out for lemon juice. To keep your whites bright simply add lemon juice to your next load of whites. Simply pour in a top loader, or pour into the bleach compartment of a front loader.

4) Baking Soda Scrub

To tackle yellowing grout simply mix up a paste with baking soda. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a table spoon each of water and lemon juice. Using an old tooth brush you can now scrub away those ugly stains. For a more potent mix, substitute a cap full of bleach for the lemon juice.

5) Freshen stinky shoes with baking soda and your freezer

Conquer stinky odour simply and effectively. Place your shoes in a sturdy ziplock bag or Tupperware container and place them in the freezer overnight. This will kill any bacteria that may be causing the odour. If the smell persists then liberally sprinkle the soles with baking soda and allow the shoes to stand for 24 hours. Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to deodorize the sides of the shoes.

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Remodelling your Bathroom

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Real Estate Tips, Renovation

Whether you are fixing up your home before it goes on the market or making your new home your own you don't want to forget about the bathroom. Rarely thought about, this often used space is an important one. Here are some important tips for when you choose to remodel

1) Choose appropriate materials

The bathroom gets a lot of use, and as such the surfaces need to be durable. Porcelain is always a safe bet, and can be found in a variety of colours and textures to suit your style.

2) Choose appropriate colours and lighting

Bathrooms are often small, so you will want to avoid anything that makes them seem cramped. Choosing bright or light colours will help to make the space feel bigger. If you have your heart set on dark, bold colours you can still incorporate them by doing things like tiling the floor or backsplash in that colour, choosing it as your shower curtain or painting a feature wall. For a feature wall, pick one with a window or the shower so it doesn't feel overpowering.

3) Tub, Shower or Both?

You want to create a space that you will actually use. If you aren't really going to use the tub you may consider ditching it in favour of a more spacious shower. Then again, if you have a dog or small children the bathtub may be essential. Base your choice on what you will actually use. If you are looking to sell consider a bathtub/shower combo (room permitting) since you want to appeal to as many people as possible.

4) Lighting

You want the room to be well lit, using both natural lighting sources and artificial ones. Natural light from a discrete window can make the lighting less harsh. Opt for a frosted window, or a window with a curtain light enough to allow light in while still maintaining privacy.

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A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Home for Sale

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Real Estate Tips, Renovation, Sellers

A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Home for Sale

So you have decided to sell your home and you are prepping for your home to go on the market. Here are some handy tips to help entice potential buyers.

1) Half empty closets

The point of an open house is to show off your home's assets and convince potential buyers to become definite buyers. To show your home in its best light avoid any clutter, especially in places people expect it like storage rooms and closets. By keeping these areas tidy (an ideally almost empty) you make the space seem bigger and more enticing.

2) Hide your pets

Not everyone loves animals. To avoid putting off potential buyers ( and reduce clutter) put away any pet related items, especially things like pet food and litter boxes, which smell. Arrange for a pet sitter or animal play date for the day, hide Fluffy's litter box and Fido's ratty tennis ball and be sure to vacuum up any pet hair!

3) Don't overdue the upgrades

Remember, you are planning on leaving and you don't really know what the next family to live in this home is like yet. So while you may want the marble countertops they may not. Doing some touch ups is fine, but don't pour money in unnecessarily. You may not get a good return on the investment, and the new home owners may redo your renos anyways. A general rule of thumb is you will receive most of your investment back on Kitchens and bathrooms. While the other upgrades may not result in a positive net return on your investment, they will enhance the saleability of your property.

4) Make it neutral

When potential buyers go to an open house they are picturing what it would be like if they lived there instead of you. To help them get into this mind set make your house as neutral as possible. Hide any family photos, take down the mechanical singing fish from the wall and (as mentioned before) hide any evidence of pets. This also helps reduce clutter and make them space feel more spacious.

5) Don't forget the kitchen!

People spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so make sure yours is up to snuff! Dated or unattractive kitchen can drastically reduce the price point of your home. Invest in a coat of fresh paint and make sure your cupboards, light fixtures and counter tops don't look dated.

6) Always be ready for a surprise showing

You never know when a potential buyer may ask to see your home. To avoid a last minute panic keep your home in "open house standby mode". Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink, dirty laundry on the floor or let the bathrooms and kitchen get dirty. Do a quick clean each day in the off chance your realtor calls and asks to show your home on short notice.

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Settling in to your new community

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Buyers, Community, Real Estate

Your new home has been purchased, the keys are in your hand and you have started to unpack. Now it is time to meet your neighbours and get involved in your community. Here are some handy tips to get you started.

1) Check out the community centre

Especially if you want you and your family to get to know other families in the neighbourhood then check out the local community centre. If you have kids consider signing them up for a class or a sports team so they can meet the other kids in their neighbourhood and form new friendships.

2) Host a block party

One thing that always brings people together is food! If space allows, set up the barbecue, buy some hot dogs/hamburgers/veggie burgers etc and print off some invitations. Slip these in your neighbours mailboxes. In order to cut down on your costs and ensure there is enough food for everyone who attends consider hosting your block party as a potluck.

3) Get involved!

Is the local soccer team looking for a new coach? Do you think kids in the neighbourhoods would benefit from an art class? Talk to the staff at the community centre and see about getting involved.

4) Take a class or join a club

Consider signing up for a class or joining a club that matches your interests. Especially if you are in a new city where you don't know anyone this is a great way to meet people and make new friends.

5) Attend a local fair or event

This is a great way to meet people who share your interests. Calgary has lots of events such as the Calgary Children's Festival, Folk Fest, the Sled Island Music Festival, the Calgary Stampede and Adult's Only Night at Telus Spark. For a list of local events and activities try websites like http://www.todocanada.ca/things-to-do-calgary-this-weekend/

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Purchasing a Condo

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Robb Leece

Posted in Buyers, Condo, Real Estate

So you have decided to purchase a condo. Whether you are upgrading from a rented apartment or downsizing from a house there are w few things to consider before you sign the papers.

1) Do your research

Find out if there have been any special assesments in the last few years. If there is something that needs to be fixed or upgraded in the building that affects all the residents then the Condo board will issue a special assessment. This means the cost of repairs will be split between all the residents, and can be very costly. To find out if there have been any recent cash calls review the minutes from the meetings. You’re real estate professional should be offering you guidance and recommending having a professional document review service going over your documents with you.

2) Inspect the entire facility

Don’t just look at the unit you are interested in. Check out the outside of the building and the common areas. Check for any damage (cracks, water damage, rust, mold etc) that could be indicators of larger problems. If these areas are neglected either the board doesn’t have the funds to fix them or they don’t care to. Either way, be wary. Some home inspectors will now only inspect the physical unit and not the common areas. Your real estate professional should be providing you contact information for inspectors that will inspect all of the areas. Many of the common area infrastructure expenses can be estimated from reading the reserve fund study of the condominium corporation.

3) Be clear on all policies

Do you have pets? Or children? You want to make sure they are welcome in the building. Many condos have restrictions. Some only allow residents who are over 18, and sometimes pets are banned or there is a maximum weight for your pet or a maximum number of pets you can have. You should also be clear about any other restrictions. You can review the rules in the condominium corporation bylaws.

4) Talk to your real estate professional.

Your real estate agent will be able to help you with any general condo questions, and will likely be able to answer questions specific to the building.

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