Which condo to buy?

[Winsor_Pilates]

I know we've had tons of condo threads, but CP seems to have some good advice and I want my share of it.

2 Key questions:
1) From an investment point of view, would you buy a condo in Calgary or Vancouver?
It would likely be in downtown or the west end of downtown for Calgary, and Kitsilano in Vancouver.

In either place, we're looking to spend about $400 000 - $460 000 and are looking at 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom places.
If we buy in Van, I will live in it. If we buy in Cal, we will rent it out and I will rent in Van.

2)We're leaning towards buying a developing condo in Calgary, and just renting it out once it's ready.
The most likely choices are
a)Nuera by Cove Properties
b)Keynote by Keynote Developements
c)Colours by Battistella

Does anyone know much about these developers or have any concerns about them?
I overheard some guys at the nuera presnetation center saying that Battistella is a bad developer and Colours may not be a good choice, even though it is priced really well.

This is our first condo purchase, so any help and general red flags we should watch for would be great.

Thanks

[FireFly]

You'll get more for your money in Calgary and I think prices are going up faster so you'll get a better return when you decide to sell it. That's just speculation though.

[jonesy]

the skeptic in me wonders if you really want advice, or are just horn blowing.

if the former, i don't know. If the latter, you stink.

[Barnes]

a) Cove tried to cash my deposit cheque before giving any price information on the unit we had reserved. Told them to go pound sand and we bought a house.
b) Haven't heard anything bad about Keynote but I didn't like their floorplans.
c) Haven't heard anything good about the Colours project.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by jonesy

the skeptic in me wonders if you really want advice, or are just horn blowing.

if the former, i don't know. If the latter, you stink.

What?

[Canada 02]

this doesn't necessarily fit your criteria, but it does sound like an interesting opportunity

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...ry/RealEstate/

[Shazam]

Which is the one with the hottest chicks? That's how I base all my decisions.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Which is the one with the hottest chicks? That's how I base all my decisions.

That would be Kitsilano in Vancouver. By far.

[jam26]

I would be more comfortable living in the place I own.

[RedDeerFan]

I believe you will have to pay capital gains tax on your home that is not your principal residence.

Therefore, Vancouver if you're going to live there.