No matter whether you're a single person or have a family, it's difficult to find a home that's affordable.
With affordability being such a huge issue, singles and families are increasingly looking at condominiums. In most cases, that affordability is found in wood frame buildings, which don't offer much in the way of sound dampening insulation.
Such buildings also tend to be older -- say of late 1970s or mid-1980s vintage -- and may be in need of upgrades (a.k.a. the dreaded special assessment). Consequently, affordability is often an illusion; it's there, but only until work -- a balcony, roof or siding -- has to be done.
However, some complexes -- ones of concrete and steel construction -- are a better choice. The concrete not only makes for a quieter place to live, but also for buildings that require a minimal amount of maintenance.
One such example is Greenway Gardens, a 102-unit apartment complex that Sunrex Properties is in the process of doing a thorough retrofit on.
"The complex is being totally renovated," said RE/MAX Professionals' Glen Harvey, who along with brother Bruce is marketing the complex, which is located at 224 Greenway Crescent (off Portage Avenue west). "The infrastructure has been done, with new concrete stairs, new steel balcony walkways that have been bolted to the buildings, and the list goes on. Basically, everything has been done."
That list includes important features such as windows (dual argon), storm doors, wiring and plumbing. The roofs, while not new, were recently re-done, and new ground-level patios (with tempered glass railing surrounding them) were also re-done.
The one thing that wasn't touched were the buildings, which remain rock solid.
"I think one of the biggest features of the complex is that you're getting into concrete buildings with concrete walls -- they're far superior to wood frame construction," said Harvey. "Not only that, but everything inside the units is literally brand new. You don't need to do anything other than move in to the unit of your choice and enjoy all it has to offer."
While each unit has it's own personality, they all have one thing in common: the interior space is well-used. For example, the one-bedroom suites have a spacious feel due to the fact that there's little in the way of hallway to waste space; they also have an actual dining area (good-sized at that) adjacent to the functional galley kitchen.
Meanwhile, the two-bedroom units feature a town home-style layout that provides an ideal blend of space and privacy (no one below you while you sleep!), while the three-bedroom suites offer sheer space in the form of a roomy living room, three large bedrooms and a huge storage room. There's also plenty of storage space in the one and two-bedroom units, too, with oversized storage rooms.
Perhaps the best part of Greenway Gardens' re-done units is the fact that they're as stylish as they are functional. While some developers convert apartments into condominiums on the cheap, that's not the case with Sunrex Properties, said Harvey.
"The proof is in what you see right in front of you," he said. "You get new modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances, black laminate counter tops, white subway tile backsplashes and white cabinets, and stunning new bathrooms with soaker tubs, tile surrounds and gorgeous vessel sinks. You also get oak laminate flooring in the main living areas, high-grade vinyl in kitchens and bathrooms and carpeting in bedrooms along with new vertical blinds and mirrored closets."
Sunrex has gone more than the proverbial extra mile to make the Greenway Gardens complex feel even more liveable by putting in several thoughtful exterior touches, added Harvey.
"You not only get beautiful balconies and sunken patios, but you'll also get lush, extensive landscaping that will create a park-like setting where an inviting (fenced in) in-ground pool will be the focal point," he said. "Some units will actually have private yards, and fencing is going to be put up around the complex to make it feel that much more private. It's going to be a great place to call home."
It's also going to be an affordable place to hang your hat, too.
"It really is affordable housing," he said. "A one-bedroom unit will cost you about $920 monthly between the mortgage payment, condominium fees and taxes, the two-bedroom unit about $1,050 and the three-bedroom under $1,200 per month. We're offering a 2.5 per cent (five-year) variable mortgage rate, or a four-year fixed rate of 2.94 per cent. A payment of $2,500 down reserves your unit, with the balance due upon possession."
With phase one of the project virtually complete, Harvey said the first wave of move-ins will happen from mid-July to mid-September. He expects move-ins for phase two to start in late July and conclude in mid-October if all goes well construction-wise.
If you're looking for a solid, affordable -- and well-located place -- to call home, Harvey said to look no further than Greenway Gardens.
"You won't have to go through bidding wars and multiple offers. All you have to do is come in, reserve your unit and you're good to go. When you move in, there's nothing for you to do but enjoy your suite, the great surroundings and a location that's close to shopping, all kinds of services, restaurants and transit routes."
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Location: 224 Greenway Crescent
Complex: Greenway Gardens
Style: Apartment-style condominiums
Bedrooms: 1, 2 or 3
Bathrooms: 1 to 1.5
Taxes: Not yet assessed
Condominium Fees: $125 to $185
Price: $169,900 to $229,900
Contact: Glen Harvey or Bruce Harvey, RE/MAX Professionals @ 477-0500
