[Wormius]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

My old condo had fees that covered insurance of the outside/common area, hot water, water, sewage, garbage, elevator, basic security/intercom, landscaping and snow removal on common property, storage spaces etc. Others have gyms, heated garages, extra security, rentable common spaces like rec rooms/rooftop sitting areas, AC etc. Once you pay off the mortgage, it's still cheaper to pay those fees than rent.

It's also a forced savings via reserve fund for future work that may be required. It's not like you get nothing for those fees.

It kinda makes sense for certain common shared spaces and maintenance. For the spaces you don't use, I don't see it as too much worse than owning a larger home and having spaces you underutilize like an undeveloped basement and still kinda pay for the area (electricity, heat loss etc).

I don’t disagree that there are benefits. I look at some condos with limited amenities and compared to other places, Calgary is probably twice what you’d pay if you were considering cities in BC. I don’t know where the discrepancy is from. It doesn’t seem to correlate to price or square footage.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/2...ection=details

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/2...ection=details

vs

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/2...ection=details

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/2...ection=details