What condo owners have to be thankful for

As we come to the end of 2018 and round the corner to the new year, most of us look back on the things for which we are grateful. For condominium owners in the Greater Toronto Area, there are many.

We are fortunate to live in a city and region that continually ranks among the world’s finest for livability and quality of life. Our surroundings are safe in comparison to other places around the globe, which is one of the major reasons why so many people choose to immigrate here. We have wonderful post-secondary educational institutions that are the envy of the rest of the world. We have world-class shopping, entertainment and cultural venues. Toronto and the GTA offer great places to live for left-brained techies, right-brain artists and everyone in-between.

Condominiums provide a convenient lifestyle within our areas. In addition to being more financially attainable than lowrise housing, new condos are located near transportation hubs and local amenities, making ownership of a gas-guzzling vehicle an option rather than a necessity. In urban areas, condo-dwellers walk a lot more than their suburban neighbours, which is great for their health.

And speaking of health, condominiums are home to expansive, natural light-filled fitness centres where residents can exercise, stretch, swim and relax to help them cope with their hectic lifestyles. Adding to the appeal of the condo is the fact that these amenities, as well as the building exterior, landscaping and other common areas, are cleaned, maintained and repaired for residents. The time that frees up is priceless, making the monthly maintenance fee worth every penny. While we are on the topic of money, the Toronto Real Estate Board reported that Toronto condo values jumped 11 per cent from Q3 2017 to Q3 2018. Whether you plan to live in a condo or to purchase one as an investment, you can be thankful for your potential return-on-investment.

Of course, buyers today have a vast array of aesthetic sensibilities, and our developers and builders have risen to the challenge of satisfying the spectrum. You will find condos with traditional, transitional, contemporary and modern architectural designs. Landscaping is breathtaking, with internationally renowned landscape architecture firms being enlisted to enhance the exteriors so they harmonize with each developer’s vision.

And let’s talk quality! Our modern condominiums are constructed to a higher standard of excellence than ever before. Owners enjoy lower utilities bills and higher resale values as a result. The Ontario Building Code is continually updated to require stringent standards that keep up with building technologies and advanced materials.

From first-time buyers to urban professionals, families and empty-nesters, there are condo addresses that provide exactly what their lifestyle needs may be. They all appreciate that a condo is a vertical community where neighbours get to know and look out for each other.

If you live in a condominium suite, congratulations on making that purchase decision. If you are thinking about entering the new-condo marketplace, congratulations on taking a positive step in your own life.
You will be thankful you did!