New Condo Features and Extras
By on Mar 28, 2008
When it comes to shopping for a new condo, there's a real art in getting the most for your money. I often see purchasers use size as their sole basis for comparison, but remember that the level of appointments included can make a huge difference in price. This becomes an issue in particular when people approach the purchase convinced that they have to have "the real thing" in features and finishes. Natural products cost more, and frankly today's manufactured finishes can provide outstanding aesthetics and increased durability within a much more reasonable budget.
Working from the outside in, take a look at precast concrete as an example. This substance is less porous than stone and brick. It stands up longer, which means the exterior maintenance is less expensive for the condominium corporation. Today's precast is also more versatile than you might imagine. It can be formed into blocks, bricks or more ornate shapes with casts and moulds, and is available in a number of colours and textures ? paving the way for an awesome scope of possible architectural effects. You'll notice that some of the highest-priced buildings have precast incorporated in their designs because of the possibilities.
Moving inside, purchasers sometimes insist on real hardwood flooring and ignore the new flooring options such as pre-finished engineered and laminates. Engineered floors, which consist of a wood veneer over a durable composite, can withstand a lot more wear and tear than solid hardwood with less maintenance. Laminate flooring does not scratch as easily as hardwood and can be produced to look like wood. In fact, some laminate flooring has bevelled edges to achieve a more genuine wood appearance.
If marble is on your must-have list, remember that it is more porous and more easily scratched than cultured marble or porcelain. It's also more expensive. Cultured marble can be cleaned with a much wider range of products, and is often used for windowsills because it is not susceptible to water damage from things like over-watered houseplants. Porcelain is also a less expensive choice that offers the look of natural stone. Again, it is non-absorbent, non-porous and easier to maintain.
Another product that purchasers tend to reject is the electric fireplace. For a number of good reasons, electric fireplaces are becoming a preferred choice in many condos. Years ago, it used to be that wood-burning was the only option; then gas became the norm. Modern electric units have come a long way from the primitive ones of a decade ago. Electric fireplaces provide an option in buildings without gas lines, and they offer a cosy ambience without venting issues or the safety issues of real flame. Because there is less infrastructure required in the way of venting and sprinkler systems, they are also cost effective.
Keeping an open mind can help you keep a tighter rein on your pocketbook. Before you make the decisions on your new condo, do some homework. Balance the cost of natural finishes with the space you may have to sacrifice to have them. Look objectively at the benefits of today's man-made products, which are manufactured to higher standards than ever before. And if you're a busy person (and who isn't these days?), aren't durability and ease of maintenance more important than having the genuine article?
Linda Mitchell is Vice-President of Marketing, High-Rise for Monarch Developments, a company that offers condominiums at many of Toronto's best locations. In 2003, she received the Riley Brethour Award acknowledging outstanding and consistent professional achievement in residential sales and marketing.
