condominium

Gift Your Halifax Condo These 10 Products for the Holidays!

Gifts for Mom, Dad, the kids, and the dog: when the holidays come around each year, we have a chance to show our loved ones how much they mean to us through gift-giving. 

 

But what about our homes? The spaces where we gather each holiday season, visit family and friends, make memories and share laughs deserve some holiday love too!

 

The holiday season is a great time of year to show your condo a little appreciation. There are usually many sales around the holiday season, and not to mention, you will benefit from these gifts to your condo too. 

 

And with extra visitors over the holidays, these upgrades will go a long way!

 

We’ve compiled a list of 10 products you can gift your condo this holiday season to upgrade your space!

 

*Disclaimer: we are not endorsed by any of these products, and do not receive compensation for any purchases through these links. These are simply products we love and want to share!*

1. Smart Security

 

There are a ton of smart security options to choose from that can upgrade the safety of your condo for a relatively cheap price. From doorbell cameras to video surveillance, you are sure to find a smart security system that fits your budget. Here are a few examples below!

 

The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera

 

The EZVIZ Video Doorbell Camera

 

The Simplisafe Home Security System

2. Motion Sensor Lighting

 

When most think of motion sensor lighting, they picture the outdoor light that illuminates their yard if a trespasser enters during the night. There are, however, many other ways you can use motion sensor lighting to upgrade your space. They can light up your closet upon opening your closet door, light up your counters when you grab a glass of water in the middle of the night or even light up your cupboards when searching through them for a snack. The opportunities are endless!

 

LED Closet Light

 

AMIR Motion Sensor Light

 

EZVALO Under Cabinet Lights

3. Motorized Blinds

 

Our team lead Andrew can attest to this: Motorized Blinds are worth every penny. Not only can you pair them to your smart devices to rise and fall at set times during the day, but you will never have to worry about the sun coming in through the crack of a curtain, or obstructing the view of your tv screen again. Budget Blinds is a locally owned company that you can use for all of your motorized blinds needs!

 

Budget Blinds

 

Zebra Blinds

 

Select Blinds Canada

4. New Bedding

 

We spend most of our time at home asleep in our beds. If you are going to splurge on anything, comfortable bedding is key. Our rest is so important to our health, and to how we feel during the rest of the day. Our licensed assistant Jordan swears by Sleep Country’s Bio-Soy Pillows, Camelus Eucalyptus-Fibre duvet covers and Camel Wool duvets to keep you in a deep sleep all hours of the night!

 

Bio-Soy Pillow

 

Camelus Bedding

 

Amazon Basics Cooling Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

5. A Water Filter for your Kitchen Tap

 

The taste of tap water cannot compare to the taste of water from an electric dispenser. But, what if you could make your tap taste as good as dispensed water? There's a way! Install a water filter on your kitchen tap to filter out all of the minerals, metals and impurities that alter the taste!

 

Waterdrop WD-FC-01 NSF Certified 320-Gallon Life Water Filter

 

Brita Tap Water Filter System

 

DuPont WFFM100XCH Premier Faucet Mount Drinking Water Filter

6. Re-caulk your bathtubs and showers

 

There's nothing more relaxing than getting in the bathtub or shower after a long day of work. Something that can ruin your relaxation in a matter of seconds is staring at mould or mildew build-up on the caulking around your tub. Re-caulking your tub or shower is a quick and easy diy that can make your bathroom feel like new!

 

 

Gorilla Waterproof Caulk and Seal

 

Dap 18304 Dynaflex 230 Clear Sealant

 

Red Devil 826 100-Percent Silicone Sealant Clear

7. Add Carbon Monoxide Detectors

 

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that when inhaled, can cause serious tissue damage and death. Carbon monoxide poisoning is especially dangerous in homes that burn gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Maintain your peace of mind by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your condo so that if exposure were to ever occur, you would have sufficient time to leave your condo and protect your health.

 

Mini CO2 Detector 

 

First Alert CO400A Battery Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarm

 

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

8. Give your walls a fresh coat of paint

 

Nothing revives a space like a new colour. Painting your walls a light and neutral colour can help open up your space, while a dark and bold colour can add interest and intimacy. Either way, freshening up your space with a new colour is a great way to signal a new year, and a new you!

 

Check out Benjamin Moore’s 2023 colour trend predictions!

9. Treat yourself to an Instant Pot or Air Fryer

 

Our team lead Andrew swears by adding an Air Fryer to your cooking regime, and our assistant Jordan adds an Instant Pot to her recommendations. These two cooking appliances will not only speed up your cooking time but also open the doors to hundreds of new, delicious and easy recipes! They are much easier to clean than multiple pots and pans when cooking dinner too!

 

Instant Pot 

 

Air Fryer

10. Replace your Shower Head

 

A new shower can level up your shower game immensely. From shower heads with multiple pressure options, to waterfall styles, the options are endless. There are many finishes to choose from as well to match your bathroom decor!

 

Moen 26009 Magnetix 2.5 GPM Shower Head

 

NERDON High-pressure Rainfall Shower Head

 

High-Pressure Shower Head - Black Finish

 

If your condo could talk, we know they would ask Santa for all of these things on their Christmas list! 

 

Jordan Gunn
Licensed Real Estate Assistant
Keller Williams Select Realty
902-401-0373

8 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Halifax Condo (#5 is a must!)

Are you planning to buy a Halifax Condo? Request our FREE Halifax Condo Buyer’s Guide for all the information you need to set yourself up for success!

It’s no secret that Halifax Condo living has its perks: less maintenance, added amenities, increased security and more. 

 

More and more we see Halifax residents catching on to these benefits, and broadening their property search to include condos. We expect this to only increase with Halifax’s population growth. 

 

Condominiums are, in our opinion, one of the best types of property to own in Halifax. Now, this doesn’t mean we suggest you buy into just any Halifax Condo building. You should understand that condos run like a corporation, and condo buildings cannot fail.

 

What do we mean by saying, they cannot fail?

 

We mean, if the roof needs replacing, it will be replaced. If a pipe bursts and causes damage, repairs must happen. And in these cases, the money for these repairs can come from two places:

 

  • The reserve fund that you as an owner contribute to monthly (via your condo fees)

  • If there are not enough reserves in the reserve fund, it comes out of owners’ pockets through a special assessment.

 

This is one of the biggest concerns Halifax Condo buyers come to us with. They are worried their condo fees will increase dramatically due to a building repair.

 

While we do not have a crystal ball to predict your building's future repairs, we do understand condo documents thoroughly and know the questions to ask to ensure you are buying into a secure and sound condo corporation. 

 

Buying into a secure and sound corporation = less chance of special assessments, and less chance of dramatic increases in condo fees.

 

Read through to equip yourself with 8 essential questions you must ask before you purchase a Halifax Condo to set yourself up for success.

1. Does the declaration prohibit any particular occupation or use of the units?

 

Common examples are the prohibition of pets and of conducting business from the unit. Time and time again, Halifax buyers come to us interested in purchasing a condo for Airbnb purposes, and we have to break the bad news to them: the majority of condo buildings in Halifax do not allow Airbnb, and the ones that still do are in the process of phasing it out. Condo buildings are typically ok with long-term renters, but most buildings are not comfortable with multiple, new, short-term residents coming and going. 

 

Some condo buildings also have restrictions on what kind (if any) businesses can be run from their units, and what kind of pets owners are allowed to have.

2. Is the project registered as a condominium corporation? If not, when is registration anticipated?

 

This only applies to brand new buildings. Sometimes, there is an interim phase in which the condo building is being registered as a corporation, and owners begin to move in. If a new builder allows for occupation before registration, you may be subject to an interim occupancy fee. The fee can be made up of three parts: interest on the unpaid balance of the purchase price of your condo, an estimate on the municipal taxes for your unit, and a projected common expense contribution to keep the building running. The fee is usually charged monthly and requested in the form of post-dated cheques made out to the developer or vendor. This does not always occur, and new condo buildings are rare nowadays in Halifax, so most buyers will not have to think about this, however, it is worth noting if you are moving into a brand new building before it is registered.

 

It’s good to note, that developers cannot force you to move into the building before condo registration. Moving in early can be given as an option, but is not mandatory. If you wish to avoid these fees, you can wait to move in until registration is complete.

3. How many of the units are owner-occupied versus rented?

 

Knowing what percentage of a building is being rented can give you insight into the community atmosphere of the building. Generally, renters take a shorter-term perspective on issues that can affect condo living, versus owners who live in the building, who may see things more long-term. Renters are also less likely to conduct regular maintenance in their units in comparison to owners. 

 

Condo buildings in Halifax that are close to universities typically have large numbers of renters, as opposed to condo buildings in, for example, Bedford. It’s not to say having a building with a lot of renters is always a bad thing: If you are looking for a condo as an investment opportunity, you may want a building that has many renters as it may be easier to find a tenant. 

 

Knowing the percentage of renters in a condo building you are interested in is good knowledge to have to evaluate whether you may want to purchase. Most buildings with professional property management will have this information available, whereas, in smaller buildings that are not professionally managed, it may be harder to find out.

4. If the unit is presently occupied by a tenant, how much notice to quit is required by the Residential Tenancies Act?

 

If you are purchasing a condo that is tenant occupied in Halifax, you have a few options:

 

  • If you are moving into the unit and the tenant is on a periodic lease, then the owner must give the notice to quit with a move-out date no earlier than 2 months after the date the tenant receives the notice.

  • If you are moving into the unit and the tenant is on a fixed-term lease, the seller must give the notice to quit with a move-out date no earlier than the date specified on the lease as the end of tenancy

  • If you are purchasing an investment condo with a tenant that has a periodic lease, you cannot evict the tenant unless they do not adhere to the lease agreement.

  • If you are purchasing an investment condo with a tenant that has a fixed lease, you can choose to not renew the tenant’s lease when the fixed end of tenancy date arrives.

5. Has a reserve fund study been conducted? Is the corporation's budget and financial status in keeping with the recommendations of the study?

 

The financial status and reserve fund are very important factors for owners in a condo building. Essentially, your condo corporation should be taking a percentage of your monthly condo fees and contributing those to a reserve fund for when (not if) repairs need to be made. 

 

If the condo corporation is not following suit with the recommendations of a reserve fund study, and a large repair needs to be made, your condo fees may increase substantially, or a special assessment will need to be done. Either way, it would be unexpected money out of your pocket.

6. Are any major renovations or repairs anticipated?

 

This question coincides with question #5: If there are major repairs anticipated, where is the money coming from for them? Does the building have ample reserve funds to cover the costs? Repairs will inevitably happen at some point in every Halifax Condo building, so it’s crucial to understand how prepared your condo corporation is to handle this.

7. How much are the condo fees? What expenses do they cover?

 

Some condo newbies are shocked to hear that condos require a monthly condo fee on top of their common living expenses. Condo fees typically cover maintenance of the building, landscaping, snow removal, common areas and amenities. Understanding what your condo fees cover can help you budget what you can afford. Some Halifax condo buildings include heat, hot water, or even property taxes in their monthly fees. If these fees are not paid, a lien can be issued against the condo owner.


8. Is the corporation self-managed or managed by a professional management company?

 

Generally speaking, in Halifax, large buildings are almost always professionally managed, whereas small condo buildings may or may not be. It’s always a bonus when a condo building is professionally managed, as the condo board does not get burned out, and the professional management has access to things like full-time superintendents, additional staff and are experts in building laws and regulations. 

 

Knowing the answers to these questions before deciding if you are going to purchase a condo in a given building will help you form a solid picture of whether this building is for you. As condo experts, we understand condo documents through and through and can help you navigate these and other questions before purchasing. The more informed you are, the greater the chance of a successful purchase.


Ready to purchase a Halifax Condo?

 

Jordan Gunn

Licensed Real Estate Assistant

Keller Williams Select Realty

902-401-0373

How to Combat Buyer's Remorse

So you did your research, you looked at condos, you investigated neighbourhoods and school districts, you made an offer, and—voila!—you’re a condo owner! This should be one of the happiest days of your life…so why do you feel like driving off a cliff ala Thelma and Louise? Did we pay too much? Did somebody pay off the inspector not to disclose some massive underlying damage and faulty wiring? Is this the true right condo for us? How will we ever scrape up enough to pay the mortgage payments? How can I get out of it?

Well, it’s called buyer’s remorse, and it’s as universal as the common cold. So take a deep breath, do a few yoga poses and relax. It’s going to be okay. Everyone goes through it. Statistics are on your side: 74 percent of first-time buyers say they like their new home better than their previous residence, and 67 percent of repeat buyers like theirs better.

And anyway, you legally have three days to change your mind and cancel the contract. Right?

Wrong! No such law exists. Generally, a buyer can cancel only for failure to qualify for mortgage financing after a diligent and good-faith effort, or based on the reasonable disapproval of some aspect of the home. What constitutes “reasonable disapproval of some aspect of the home”? Read on and find out.

Notice of violations of building, zoning, fire or health laws.

  • Flood hazard designation (resulting in the cost of flood hazard insurance).

  • The title commitment report from the title company (which may indicate liens, unpaid taxes and easements restricting the use of the property).

  • The Seller's Property Disclosure Statement.

  • Condo Corporation/Board disclosures (such as the restrictions contained in your community's covenants, conditions and restrictions or other governing documents).

  • Cost to repair any septic or other waste-disposal system.

  • Lead-based paint information (for condo constructed prior to 1978).

  • Wood-infestation reports.

  • Damage to the condo by fire, flood, earthquake or act of God.

  • Information obtained from the condo inspection and investigation (which may reveal adverse property conditions).

If a buyer tries to cancel the contract just because of cold feet, the buyer is in breach of the contract. The seller is then entitled to request mediation, file a lawsuit, keep the buyer's earnest money as damages or ask a court to order the buyer to purchase the condo.

You're less likely to suffer from buyer's remorse if you have a real estate agent you trust who can help you evaluate your housing needs. But the best way to prevent (or at least mitigate) buyer’s remorse is to prepare yourself in advance, long before you ever sign on the dotted line.

First, draw up a pro and con list. We’ve given you one to get you started below.

Advantages of Renting

  • Usually costs less than buying

  • You can usually move more easily

  • Little responsibility for maintenance

  • No responsibility for repairs

Disadvantages of Renting

  • No tax benefit

  • No investment in or from the property

  • No equity is building

  • Rent payment can increase frequently

  • Possibility of eviction

Advantages of Buying

  • Greater stability

  • Usually good investment

  • Your equity builds

  • First property often leads to better one

  • Greater individuality in décor/space arrangement

  • Greater sense of security

Disadvantages of Buying

  • You are responsible for property taxes

  • You are responsible for the maintenance (within your unit for condos)

  • You are responsible for repairs (within your unit for condos)

  • Possibility of foreclosure

  • In foreclosure, loss of equity

  • Monthly housing usually costs more

  • Your cash is tied up

  • You have less mobility

  • Payment on some mortgage types can increase.

After you’ve looked over your list, compile the costs of buying a condo, of which there are two types: upfront costs (down payment and closing costs) and ongoing costs (monthly mortgage payment, condo ownership expenses, taxes, insurance, etc.)

So when buyer’s remorse hits, remind yourself why you wanted to buy a condo in the first place. Now pop open the bubbly and congratulate yourself.

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