One of the ways Barrie will work to control sprawl and protect neighbouring greenspace is through vertical development in the form of multi-family condo and townhome developments, offering current and future residents a range of housing options.

These developments can work within existing Barrie neighbourhoods by working with the natural features of the area, unique planning needs based on roads and current home designs and maximizing lifestyle features.  Many residents and new comers to Barrie want a maintenance free lifestyle, natural lighting, green construction and quality amenities found in new home designs – but want them in smaller open-concept living spaces.  Buyers of Barrie condos and townhomes want easy access to the downtown, shopping, cultural events and dining.  Therefore it will be easy to understand that the downtown and waterfront areas of Barrie will be where most of the vertical development will be focused.

Several condos have been developed along the Barrie waterfront in recent years, including Nautica condos, Waterview and Grand Harbour condos on Toronto Street,  Regatta and Marina Bay condos on Ellen Street.  Townhomes where added to the Nautica condo development to take advantage of urban living with the proximity to the waterfront.

An excellent example of an urban townhome development that has fit perfectly into the natural landscape of the area and neighbouring homes is on White Oaks Rd.  At the Minets Point and Lakeshore Dr. area of Barrie, located at the end of the waterfront walking/bike path, you will find a row of Barrie towhomes designed for urban living.

Future developments in the downtown area include a development called Blue Sails. Situated between the Toronto Street (Grand Harbour & Waterview) condos and the Nautica condo towers along Lakeshore Dr., the Blue Sails development will include two 24 floor condo towers. And feature a restaurant on the top floor and with townhomes and commercial space on Bradford St.

There is another downtown Barrie condo project on schedule for development called “Maple Condo Towers” by Auburn Developments Inc. Located directly across from the bus terminal at Mary St. and Simcoe St., this project will be 15 stories high and will feature easy access to downtown restaurants, marina and include lake views.

The Allandale Village / Train Station development will also be a mixed-use condo development.  The proposed plans state that the development will include: a hotel, condo development, loft-style work office spaces, retail, and GO station.

A recent Barrie Examiner article titled “Barrie Condo owners living the high life” recently highlighted a Pratt Homes condo development, called the Manhattan, in south Barrie that works well with the Places to Grow formula.  It is set into a unique area of Barrie where the units back onto an eco-park, forest and will have a “central park” like area and boardwalk.

Mason Homes is building a townhome project called Townhomes 4U in the south end of Barrie. These open concept townhomes are being built for the first-time home buyers or people looking for a condo lifestyle with upscale kitchen and bathroom amenities.  The layouts look good and the project layout with the landscape drawings look clean and modern.

The Barrie Condo Team focuses on condo and townhome real estate in Barrie.  The time is right in Barrie to have an experienced real estate team focus on a specific need.  Stephanie Adams, Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie(First Contact Realty Brokerage) is part of the Barrie Condo Team – her energy and focus has already produced positive feedback from customers.  Stephanie’s willingness to provide education around condos and townhomes has lead to publishing a Barrie condo guide and Barrie towhome guide.  Both are found online at our web site – www.barrieCondoTeam.com.  In the spring 2010, the Barrie Condo Team will begin offering seminars that will focus around condo buying and selling, mortgages, insurance, rules and regulations and inspections.  As Stephanie states “we want our clients to feel comfortable and informed during their entire condo real estate transaction”.

Supplemental: Barrie Waterfront Condo Developments Overview

Nautica Condos, Barrie Waterfront

Designed by Ian S. Malcolm, one of Barrie’s finest Architects, Nautica’s unique, full-glass design is a show-stopper and provides each suite with exquisite year-round panoramic views of beautiful Kempenfelt Bay and Barrie’s Waterfront.

Nautica’s stunning two-storey centerpiece, the Garden Terrace Lounge, anchors the two residential towers, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of Kempenfelt Bay. The Lounge provides a resort-style getaway from the daily grind, with an indoor pool, whirlpool, saunas, and opulent banquet room.
Location: 37 Ellen Street, Barrie, Ontario

Regatta & Marina Bay Condos, Waterfront

One of Barrie’s first waterfront condominium projects, Regatta Condos are still one of the most popular choices for would-be residents due to its’ convenient central location, oversized terraces, and soaring views of Kempenfelt Bay.

Regatta Condos is a crowd-pleaser, offering entry-level pricing and low monthly fees. A must-see for the condo enthusiast!

Location: 65 & 75 Ellen Street, Barrie, Ontario

Grand Harbour & Waterview Condos, Lakefront – Toronto Street

One of Barrie’s luxury condo developments, Grand Harbour’s sophisticated elegance includes two-storey front suites overlooking Barrie’s marina and yacht club. All suites provide sparkling panoramic views of the City and the Waterfront through floor-to-ceiling windows and glass-enclosed balconies.

Grand Harbour’s luxe amenities extend to the games room, banquet hall and lounge featuring a cappuccino bar with full kitchen.

Location: 2 & 6 Toronto Street

Bayshore Landing, Downtown Barrie

One of the most sought-after condominiums in Barrie, Bayshore Landing is conveniently located in Barrie’s historical downtown, just steps to restaurants, fine shops, Talk Is Free Theatre, MacLaren Art Centre, City Hall, and more. Open-concept suites provide panoramic views of the City and the Bay, and the marble and leather-appointed lobby welcomes guests with a luxurious touch.

Location: 140 Dunlop St. East, Barrie, Ontario

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos, Barrie Waterfront Condosand Barrie townhomes sales.

Your condo status certificate ensures all your questions are answered, and all your expectations are met. It’s a document that maps out all the operational, legal and financial details of your would-be condominium corporation.

“Most importantly, an up-to-date status certificate can help give a prospective purchaser
the peace of mind of knowing the corporations financial affairs are in good order,” said Colin Hassey, of Hassey Property Management.

Once you have it, your lawyer needs to review it to ensure that you don’t need to be concerned with any aspect of the document, and ensure that all key parts of the agreement show up in the status certificate.

“He or she will advise you to either waive or not waive that condition. Like other conditions such as home inspection, financing or sale of the buyer’s property, the status certificate condition is provided for the benefit of the buyer,” said Cesia Green, of Wall-Armstrong and Associate.

The status certificate gives you crucial information about:

Your Barrie Condo Fees: It outlines the amount payable, by unit, for common expenses. It should also tell you about any recent increases to the fees, as well as the reason for that increase.

Your Barrie Condo Corporation: You will also be warned about the status of any legal action currently being taken against the condo corporation. The certificate should also list information about any applications of amendments to the declaration or outstanding judgments.

Your Barrie Condo Culture: Your status certificate gives you a copy of declaration by-laws and rules. It should also list information about any proposed additions or improvements to the common elements.
You will also be given information like the number of leased units for the fiscal year, as well as a certificate of insurance policies.

A buyer normally asks for the certificate during an offer. Your condo corporation in Barrie is required to prepare a status certificate within 10 days of the request and at a cost of no more than $100.00. Again, the status certificate’s purpose is to protect, you, the buyer. First-time Barrie condo buyers dislike surprises. Your status certificate is the best way to eliminate any surprises, and give you an idea of exactly what you can expect, and what’s expected of you.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos,Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales.

Price – This is a major point that will affect the sale of your townhome. If your townhome is priced competitively according to the local market, your days on the market should be relatively short. Your real estate professional is your industry resource, and they know the local market best, so it’s a good idea to follow their advice about where to price your townhome.

Effective Lighting – Good use of lighting will help make a dark or small room seem larger, and help open up the space. Using light strategically throughout your townhome for photos and showings will not only ensure the unit is well-lit, but that it’s showcased it at its most appealing.

Bust the Clutter – Knickknacks, pictures, magazines, and other items you like and live with may be scattered throughout your townhome, but by reducing or removing the clutter entirely it will help prospective buyers see more of the home and not your stuff. Tuck extraneous ‘extras’ into drawers, or get your packing started early with items you don’t need that may help de-clutter your townhome’s appearance.

Garage – removing clutter from your garage and organizing it properly will enhance the appeal of your unit.  People want to know that they have “space” to move in and that they have room for their belongings.

Furniture – If you think you’ve got too much, put some into storage. You may want to reorganize your furniture so that larger items are situated around the outside walls to add space, and guests see the focal point from the room’s entry.

Odours – Plug-in air fresheners and scented candles can add pleasant smells and atmosphere to your townhome. When you’re living in your home while it’s on the market, try odour-neutralizing products to reduce any cooking odours that may linger.

Pets – Send Fluffy to a day spa or take her out while your townhome is being shown, and move any pet dishes, beds, and toys. Additionally, pets can have a distinct odour that can be challenging to remove. Pet stores have specialty products designed to deal with pet odours that will help.

Wall Accessories – When items are proportionate to the room and wall’s size, it further helps to open up the space. Adding mirrors will not only help with this, but will also reflect light to brighten the room.

Organize Closets and Storage – Storage and closets are important to all buyers, and they’re sure to be a place that will be looked at. Organize this space as well as you can, clear out some of your clothes if necessary (again, get a head-start on your packing) to create a neat, uncluttered presentation.

You don’t have to completely reorganize your life to sell your townhome, but incorporating some or all of these tips will help make the process quicker and easier for you. The Barrie Condo Team will work with you to help you prepare your Barrie townhome for sale, including open houses, photos and showings, and can recommend services such as professional cleaners and stagers if needed.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos, Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales.

Size matters – Especially when talking about furniture and wall accessories. If your furniture or accessories are too large, they’ll detract from that open concept condo look, making the room seem smaller. When choosing furniture, select smaller-scale condo furnishings that are now offered by many manufacturers.

Make good use of space – Most condos and townhomes have a smaller living space square footage, presenting you with the challenge of arranging your furniture and lighting that will present that space in the best possible way.  If something doesn’t fit, you can always move it into your storage locker.

Art & Colour – Some design schools of thought recommend you stay with neutral wall colours throughout a condo, and others suggest painting one or two walls a different colour to help highlight and add definition to an area within your condo, like the dining or living area.  Staying with one colour has the advantage of allowing you to use artwork to highlight your walls and space.

Georgian Estates Condos Barrie - Staging

Define the space – Do you have a home office in your living room? This can detract from the overall presentation of your condo, and confuse buyers somewhat as they try to imagine themselves living in your space. A living room home office can be pulled off when kept uncluttered and well presented. Small living spaces should perform double-duty while preserving the overall feeling and appearance of your condo.

Photos – Once you have things organized the way you want them presented, then take pictures for your condo listing in the Barrie MLS. Great photos help to draw people in for showings, open houses and are proven to boost sales.

These are just a few staging considerations when getting your Barrie condo ready to sell and work with your Realtor® for listing in the Barrie MLS. If you don’t have the time, talent or inclination to stage your condo yourself, your Barrie condo real estate Sales Representative will be able to recommend a professional stager to work with you.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos, Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales.

Barrie Condo Team Office

It can be a tough job, since they have many responsibilities to make sure there’s smooth communication between you and the building’s corporation. Building managers are the link for any general correspondence between unit owners and the corporation, and it benefits your building community greatly if they’re outgoing and well liked overall. As the collective group’s representative, they’re your front-line person whenever there’s an emergency or issue that needs resolving.

Condo management also supervises the property’s employees, including maintenance and repair, and any contract labour that may handle landscaping and snow removal.

Building management handles any bookkeeping activities, including payroll and maintaining records of all correspondence between the unit owners and repair personnel. They’re responsible for creating and monitoring the annual budget and any reporting that’s required by the corporation. Management is responsible for arranging tenders on large projects and a competent manager can help keep costs down significantly.  Even a small property can be a lot of work to keep tabs on.

When owners of condos in Barrie, question a certain rule or restriction within the building community, the condo manager is the first contact to initiate an amendment, retraction or further explanation. It’s important that unit owner’s work with their building management to ensure their interests and collective position are well represented to the board of directors.

Colin Hassey, from Hassey Property Management in Barrie states that Condo managers are also responsible for working with the building consultant to develop and implement a reserve fund plan.  It is critical the reserve fund study accurately anticipates future major expenditures and that the plan is implemented in accordance with the study.  Having a well-funded reserve fund is something buyers are increasingly focusing on and it can have a big impact on value – something important to every Barrie condo owner.  Buyers want reassurance that there will be enough money to cover future expenses and your property manager is key to ensuring that an adequate funding plan is developed and implemented.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty focusing on Barrie Condo and townhouse sales.
Email: Steph@barriecondoteam.com
Phone: 705.716.0299
Web: www.barriecondoteam.com

Lenders add half of your condo fees into the debt calculation when you apply for a mortgage, in addition to other monthly carrying expenses such as heat, hydro, property taxes, and interest to determine what is referred to as your Total Debt Service.

Lisa Cuff, AMP (Accredited Mortgage Professional) from Dominion Lending Centres in Barrie, states that the most important finance factor when looking at purchasing a condo vs. a freehold home is your monthly condo payment. For example, for every $50 of monthly condo fees, then that would be equivalent to approx. $10,000 in a mortgage. So a $300 monthly condo fee works out to be a $60,000 mortgage, so if your condo purchase is $60,000 less than what your freehold home purchase would have been, then your monthly expenses for principal, interest and condo fees will be approximately the same in either scenario.

While this may play a factor in your condo suite or Barrie condo townhome choices, knowing what your fixed monthly maintenance expenses are makes it much easier for you to budget, taking away any surprises out of the equation.

Remember that your monthly condo fees cover a variety of different items like the building’s operating costs, service and maintenance of common areas, amenities, parking garage, landscaping, snow removal, plus a reserved portion for longer-term capital expenses.

In an article I wrote earlier in the year, I covered how condo fees are determined. To view more articles on Barrie condos and townhomes, please visit our Facebook page by searching for Barrie Condo Team.

Barrie Townhomes

In order to clarify things a bit for those in unfamiliar territory, here are the basic differences.

First, the easy one: ‘townhome’ or ‘townhouse’? These terms are used interchangeably, and mean the same thing, but the term I prefer to use with my clients is ‘townhome’, because it’s not just a building I’m referring to – it’s your potential new home. This building will become your personal space, where you go to escape, raise your family, and live your life.

Now for the main difference between condominium and freehold townhomes: freehold townhomes are those for which you pay no monthly fees, and are responsible for all maintenance like shovelling snow, mowing the lawn, etc. Condominium townhomes include a monthly maintenance fee, but the trade-off is that you don’t need to worry about cleaning the pool, or maintaining your driveway in the winter or lawn in the summer – it’s all looked after for you.

If you’re a professional or retiree who just doesn’t have the time or interest to invest in the upkeep of a house, a condominium townhome might be a good option for you.

Affordable luxury

Whichever you choose, both freehold and condominium townhomes usually offer upgrades and amenities that are often cost-prohibitive when looking at a detached home. Items like ceramic or hardwood floors, upgraded cupboards, granite countertops, and whirlpool tubs are just a few options that generally have a large price tag attached to them in detached homes, but are often more affordable in a townhome. It boils down to value for your money, and the lifestyle you want.

An appreciable investment

Like a detached home, townhomes are an investment that will (or should, depending on the market conditions) appreciate in value. And, again like a detached house, the more amenities and upgrades the townhome has, the higher the resale value.
When it comes right down to it, choosing a freehold or condominium townhome is simply a matter of personal choice based on lifestyle and affordability.

Published in SNAP Barrie Magazine.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty focusing on Barrie Condo and townhome sales.

Determine what building is right for you: As the City of Barrie has grown, so has the number of condominium developments giving us a wide range of buildings to choose from. Having your real estate sales representative take time to show you the suites and amenities in all the buildings will help you decide what building is right for you.

Obtain the Disclosure Statement for new condos or a Status Certificate for existing developments: It’s important to know that when you purchase a condominium you are not just buying a new home you are also purchasing part of a corporation. Have your lawyer review the Disclosure Statement or Status Certificate. These documents will outline all the condo features, the rules and regulations and will also help determine the health of the Corporation.

Check out the building’s Rules and Regulations: Each condo is its own little community, and each has their own set of rules and regulations that they expect residents to follow. You need to be clear on these regulations to be sure that the building is going to be right for you. For example, if you have children or pets, you’ll want to ensure that the building you’re looking at isn’t an adults‐only, pet free environment.

As soon as you’ve decided on the condo you wish to purchase, it’s important to start communicating with your lawyer so they have enough time to review all your paperwork. Following these 3 simple steps and working with your Barrie condo Real Estate Sales Representative and real estate lawyer will lead to a smooth and successful transaction.

Published in September’s SNAP Barrie Magazine.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty specializing in Barrie Condos and townhomes.
Email: Steph@barriecondoteam.com
Phone: 705.716.0299

Condo Entry Access: If your condo building or unit has an alarm or access card reader, be sure to follow your building’s or security provider’s rules about sharing the entry code or card, and ensure no one follows you into the building that you don’t know. With townhomes, if you have a security system, change the code regularly, especially if you’ve had to share your code with someone. With Barrie townhome owners, it is important to note that most insurance companies offer a 5% discount on your homeowners’ insurance plan if you have a monitored alarm system.

Lighting Make sure all common areas in your building are well-lit, especially parking lots, hallways, and other areas that are frequently used after-dark. If you find that new lighting is needed or bulbs replaced, let your building/property manager know as quickly as possible.

Barrie Townhouses: Landscaping and shrubs Notify your building management of any safety concerns you may have about the landscaping, trees, or shrubs. Any overgrown foliage should be trimmed back and the property should be landscaped to allow for good visibility in the common areas. If you have a ground-floor unit, ensure any additional entryways such as patio or garden doors are unobscured.

Frank van Amelsvoort, from G.I.T. Security Systems Inc. in Barrie recommends these tips before you go away on vacation:

Before going away, test your system thoroughly and replace batteries if you’re going for longer than 30 days. Systems generally only operate for 12 to 24 hours without utility power so make sure your utilities and communications service providers will continue to provide service to your residence in your absence.

Regular periodic testing is recommended by experts and manufacturers alike to ensure proper system operation even if you’re using the system regularly.

Make certain that you leave your monitoring centre with a forwarding number in the event a serious problem occurs which you need notification of in an emergency.

Consider periodic upgrading of your security system. Advice is always free from reputable Security Companies and some new technologies may even save you money. Also, some older residences do not yet have Carbon Monoxide detectors, which can be easily added to a security system.

For more helpful tips on Barrie condo and townhouse information, visit our facebook page by searching for Barrie Condo Team.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty focusing on Barrie Condo and townhouse sales.
Email: Steph@barriecondoteam.com
Phone: 705.716.0299

barrie-townhomes

Here are some low-cost, easy exterior home improvements you can do to help prepare your townhome to sell – fast!

Tidy the Yard
Eliminate items that may be perceived as clutter in the front of your townhouse.  The backyard is less important, unless you are in an end unit and it can be seen from another street or yard.   You may want to consider these landscaping tips:

Enhance the Exterior

Ensure your townhome appears to be clean and well maintained.  Look at model homes or other desirable neighbourhoods for colour ideas, and carefully choose colours that complement the features of your townhouse.  Also, remember to keep the yard well lit for evening showings, especially walkways.  Don’t forget if your townhome is a condominium, please check with your property manager before doing any work.

You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and presentation is everything.  A well-kept home exterior will not only attract potential buyers, it will also make them feel confident that they aren’t taking a risk on a property.  The higher the perceived value of your townhome, the higher the selling price will be. So take the time to create some curb appeal, and sell your townhome in Barrie for top dollar!

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty specializing in Barrie Condos and townhomes.
Email: Steph@barriecondoteam.com
Phone: 705.716.0299
Web: www.barriecondoteam.com
Royal LePage First Contact Realty - www.rlpbarrie.com
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