oliver on the park

condobuyer · 17-08-2010, 01:22 PM

I'm thinking of buying a condo in this building.
Does anyone know anything about this building and whether buying a unit would be a good idea?

Marcel Petrin · 17-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Is that the 30-40 suite building? If so, it was built by the Challenge Group about 10 years ago, same company that built Spirit Ridge, River Grande and Wolf Willow Manor. They're a good builder and as far as I know their projects are typically pretty problem free (there's always something), and they employ good subtrades. And I'm not just saying that because Petrin Mechanical was one of them

. I worked there during rough in for a couple weeks I believe.

As usual do your due diligence, check the condo documents and financials, review the reserve fund study, and if you see an owner while viewing the suite do your best to pump them for information, but take it with a grain of salt as many people are stunningly ignorant about the operations of their own building.

wisteria · 17-08-2010, 02:00 PM

I live just two blocks from that place.

I don't know anyone that is living there though, and I don't know anything about the building itself.

I always notice they keep the grounds really nice. Of course you would expect that of a condo but you would be surprized sometimes. That one stands out because the lawn is always kept up, a beautiful green, leaves raked in the autumn, etc.

You're only one block away from Safeway! *food is good, yes*

But sadly the whole area is now over-densified. You may have to deal with a lot of local traffic.

buildings · 17-08-2010, 04:14 PM

I have friends in that building. I'm told that the board is efficient and fiscally conservative and has really worked hard to have a good reserve fund, a well maintained building and good services while at the same time keeping condo fees as low as possible. The building is in excellent shape and has no major problems, I'm told. It always looks good, I think, because it is a +30yo building, has very few renters and the owners (the majority are +45) really feel that the common areas and landscaping are part of their home. I'm thinking about moving into the building myself as soon as one of the smaller units comes on the market.

OilTastic/BigCityDude · 17-08-2010, 06:42 PM

anyone have a photo of said building?

condobuyer · 17-08-2010, 09:50 PM

Sorry no photo but thanks everybody for the info.
It helps with my decision making.

MikeK · 18-08-2010, 01:28 AM

@Condobuyer - check out this link below , as it's got a clickable pic of the condo building you might have in mind. It's actually part of a realtor's website, and although the suite in the link's already apparently sold, it may at least give you an idea what it's like inside one of the suites.
http://www.paulblais.ca/listing-deta...bedroom-condo/

This is just a couple of blocks north of the Shopper Drug Mart on Jasper and 114 St.

condobuyer · 18-08-2010, 10:02 AM

Thanks for the photo. I have been in a few suites and really liked them. I'm just hedging because I don't know if the price being asked is fair. Probably is (just spending all that money makes me jittery) and the feedback certainly has been good.
Buying a place is always a big decision.

OilTastic/BigCityDude · 18-08-2010, 05:18 PM

ah, i've seen that b4

murphys · 18-08-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by condobuyer

I'm thinking of buying a condo in this building.
Does anyone know anything about this building and whether buying a unit would be a good idea?

I have been living in Oliver on the Park for 4 and half years. What do you want to know!!!

OilTastic/BigCityDude · 18-08-2010, 08:11 PM

@murphys.....is it quiet there? no paper walls and floors? loud parties? car thefts?

murphys · 18-08-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilTastic/BigCityDude

@murphys.....is it quiet there? no paper walls and floors? loud parties? car thefts?

¸

Well that depends. I live on second floor facing courtyard and I am close to the main back door, so I get the sound of the door shutting firmly, I also have to listen to the big garbage trucks on Mondays and Thursdays, but I work so it isn`t too often I am home on these days. There has been an apartment getting renovated into condos across the street that has a big dumpster that been bit bothersome because of dumpster divers, but it is just about finished and will be removed. So in other words it depends on which way you face. Best to face the front or the Kinnard Park. The builiding itself is very quiet and is very well maintained. I live in the smallest unit 733 sq. ft., but I have everything I want, hardwood floors, air conditioning (not all units have this),gas fireplace, garburetor. I like being so close to Oliver Square and I walk to work downtown. Anything else you want to know!!! Very friendly people live here too!!!

murphys · 18-08-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilTastic/BigCityDude

@murphys.....is it quiet there? no paper walls and floors? loud parties? car thefts?

I forgot to tell you, we did have a couple of cars broken into in our underground parking about 3 years ago, but that was because someone living here was careless and when leaving the parkade didn`t wait until the door shut before driving away. There are good number of retirees living here and some of them do some maintenance and are on the condo board and from what I hear generally keep an out for anything suspicous that should be reported.

Marcel Petrin · 19-08-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildings

because it is a +30yo building

No, it's somewhere around 10 years old, give or take one or three.

Unfortunately car break-ins can happen in virtually any condo building if someone pulls away from the door before it's closed, has their opener stolen, and so on.

If people living in the building are doing work on it, and this applies to any condo, I certainly hope the board is aware of the legal liabilities involved and is carrying some form of insurance. Even for something like clearing snow it's often not worth it to save a few hundred bucks a month and have suite owners doing it, because there's a one in a million chance that someone will slip, fall, and sue the association which may or may not have sufficient liability insurance.

buildings · 19-08-2010, 02:50 PM

by +30yo build I mean residency is restricted to persons 30yo and up.

Marcel Petrin · 19-08-2010, 03:57 PM

Ah, I misunderstood, thanks.

murphys · 19-08-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildings

because it is a +30yo building

No, it's somewhere around 10 years old, give or take one or three.

Unfortunately car break-ins can happen in virtually any condo building if someone pulls away from the door before it's closed, has their opener stolen, and so on.

If people living in the building are doing work on it, and this applies to any condo, I certainly hope the board is aware of the legal liabilities involved and is carrying some form of insurance. Even for something like clearing snow it's often not worth it to save a few hundred bucks a month and have suite owners doing it, because there's a one in a million chance that someone will slip, fall, and sue the association which may or may not have sufficient liability insurance.

I live in the building and it was built in 2002. Age of occupancy is a restriction of 30 yrs.

bonhommeglenn · 27-08-2010, 09:25 AM

I have been in the building 4.5 years and on the board for nearly 4 years. The board is very responsible and committed, and our reserve fund is healthy and growing.

We have not had a security incident for almost two years, and those in the past were restricted to minor thefts from the parking gagage. We have taken a number of steps to enhance security over the years.

The average age of the residents is dropping as younger people move in. However, the board and management company vigorously enforce the over 30 age provision.

The suite walls are very well insulated, and I never hear sound from adjacent suites. Of course, you can hear footsteps from a neighbor above you if you are not on the top floor, but the extent of noise will depend on your neighbor's flooring materials and personal habits. Exterior noise from occasional sirens and pedestrians is a fact of life in the city. Car traffic is not much of an issue, as we are on a quiet street.

etownboarder · 31-08-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonhommeglenn

However, the board and management company vigorously enforce the over 30 age provision.

And how exactly do you enforce this?

OilTastic/BigCityDude · 01-09-2010, 08:15 AM

^^^ i suppose it's like those over 45 condos on the market....you just have to give proof of age like at the bar if you just turned 18.

etownboarder · 01-09-2010, 10:56 AM

I don't understand how it can be legally enforced. You can't legally stop someone from purchasing real-estate because they are too young/old for your artificially created age threshold, can you?

IanO · 01-09-2010, 10:58 AM

^Can you restrict pets in buildings with certain bylaws?

etownboarder · 01-09-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

^Can you restrict pets in buildings with certain bylaws?

Ownership of pets isn't protected under the Charter. Apple and pineapples.

noodle · 01-09-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etownboarder

I don't understand how it can be legally enforced. You can't legally stop someone from purchasing real-estate because they are too young/old for your artificially created age threshold, can you?

Anyone can own the property. Residing in it (and therefore accessing/using the common property shared by all of the owners of the condo) requires you becoming party to an additional agreement (the condo bylaws). Said agreement will also lay out the consequences of infractions.

etownboarder · 01-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodle

Quote:

Originally Posted by etownboarder

I don't understand how it can be legally enforced. You can't legally stop someone from purchasing real-estate because they are too young/old for your artificially created age threshold, can you?

Anyone can own the property. Residing in it (and therefore accessing/using the common property shared by all of the owners of the condo) requires you becoming party to an additional agreement (the condo bylaws). Said agreement will also lay out the consequences of infractions.

So you're saying the Charter doesn't protect individuals against discrimination by age? My understanding is that the Charter can only be enforced in the public domain, and since ANYONE can OWN real-estate, I would argue that a condo building could be considered public domain and that a condo board/association has no legal grounds to stand on when discriminating by age.

moahunter · 01-09-2010, 11:16 AM

^there is no discrimination by age when you sign an agreement saying that you will respect the wishes of other residents and behave in the manner they have decided to behave.

If you don't want to live in an adult building with an age restriction, then don't live in one. We don't have to discrimnate against those who do want that option though by outlawing their choice.

etownboarder · 01-09-2010, 11:18 AM

But again, would courts enforce these age limitations? I think it would be quite easy to make a case against them if someone had enough time/money on their hands.

sws · 01-09-2010, 12:05 PM

The Charter wouldn't affect this particular case. It only restricts the ability of governments to act in certain ways, i.e. the ability to discriminate based on grounds like age, sex etc. You'd have to check with the local Alberta Human Rights legislation to see if there is a bar against discrimination on age in matters such as housing. Plus you would also need to distinguish between situations of renting and owning. There are probably more restrictions on the ability of a landlord to refuse to rent to someone based on age than there are on the ability of a condo board to enforce sales covenants meant to maintain a certain age bracket within the building.

bonhommeglenn · 08-09-2010, 01:42 PM

On a general note, there are housing complexes all over Canada and the USA that have minimum age restrictions, especially for seniors or near seniors (e.g., 55+).

With respect to Alberta, if you look under the FAQ: Condominium Corporations section of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission website (www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca), you will find the following question and answer:

Q: Can condominium corporations restrict use of facilities based on age?

A: Yes. Age is not a protected ground under Section 4 of the HRCM Act.

17-08-2010, 01:22 PM	#1
condobuyer First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2010	oliver on the park I'm thinking of buying a condo in this building. Does anyone know anything about this building and whether buying a unit would be a good idea?

17-08-2010, 06:42 PM	#5
OilTastic/BigCityDude Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Albert, Alberta	anyone have a photo of said building? __________________ Go A Little Taller Please.

18-08-2010, 01:28 AM	#7
MikeK Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Big E	@Condobuyer - check out this link below , as it's got a clickable pic of the condo building you might have in mind. It's actually part of a realtor's website, and although the suite in the link's already apparently sold, it may at least give you an idea what it's like inside one of the suites. http://www.paulblais.ca/listing-deta...bedroom-condo/ This is just a couple of blocks north of the Shopper Drug Mart on Jasper and 114 St. __________________ Is there hope for Edmonton? Yes!!!

18-08-2010, 05:18 PM	#9
OilTastic/BigCityDude Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Albert, Alberta	ah, i've seen that b4 __________________ Go A Little Taller Please.

18-08-2010, 08:11 PM	#11
OilTastic/BigCityDude Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Albert, Alberta	@murphys.....is it quiet there? no paper walls and floors? loud parties? car thefts? __________________ Go A Little Taller Please.

17-08-2010, 01:49 PM	#2
Marcel Petrin Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Downtown Edmonton	Is that the 30-40 suite building? If so, it was built by the Challenge Group about 10 years ago, same company that built Spirit Ridge, River Grande and Wolf Willow Manor. They're a good builder and as far as I know their projects are typically pretty problem free (there's always something), and they employ good subtrades. And I'm not just saying that because Petrin Mechanical was one of them . I worked there during rough in for a couple weeks I believe. As usual do your due diligence, check the condo documents and financials, review the reserve fund study, and if you see an owner while viewing the suite do your best to pump them for information, but take it with a grain of salt as many people are stunningly ignorant about the operations of their own building.

17-08-2010, 02:00 PM	#3
wisteria First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton	I live just two blocks from that place. I don't know anyone that is living there though, and I don't know anything about the building itself. I always notice they keep the grounds really nice. Of course you would expect that of a condo but you would be surprized sometimes. That one stands out because the lawn is always kept up, a beautiful green, leaves raked in the autumn, etc. You're only one block away from Safeway! food is good, yes But sadly the whole area is now over-densified. You may have to deal with a lot of local traffic.

17-08-2010, 04:14 PM	#4
buildings First One is Always Free Join Date: Dec 2008	I have friends in that building. I'm told that the board is efficient and fiscally conservative and has really worked hard to have a good reserve fund, a well maintained building and good services while at the same time keeping condo fees as low as possible. The building is in excellent shape and has no major problems, I'm told. It always looks good, I think, because it is a +30yo building, has very few renters and the owners (the majority are +45) really feel that the common areas and landscaping are part of their home. I'm thinking about moving into the building myself as soon as one of the smaller units comes on the market.

17-08-2010, 09:50 PM	#6
condobuyer First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2010	Sorry no photo but thanks everybody for the info. It helps with my decision making.

18-08-2010, 10:02 AM	#8
condobuyer First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2010	Thanks for the photo. I have been in a few suites and really liked them. I'm just hedging because I don't know if the price being asked is fair. Probably is (just spending all that money makes me jittery) and the feedback certainly has been good. Buying a place is always a big decision.

19-08-2010, 02:50 PM	#15
buildings First One is Always Free Join Date: Dec 2008	by +30yo build I mean residency is restricted to persons 30yo and up.

19-08-2010, 03:57 PM	#16
Marcel Petrin Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Downtown Edmonton	Ah, I misunderstood, thanks.

27-08-2010, 09:25 AM	#18
bonhommeglenn First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2010	Oliver on the Park I have been in the building 4.5 years and on the board for nearly 4 years. The board is very responsible and committed, and our reserve fund is healthy and growing. We have not had a security incident for almost two years, and those in the past were restricted to minor thefts from the parking gagage. We have taken a number of steps to enhance security over the years. The average age of the residents is dropping as younger people move in. However, the board and management company vigorously enforce the over 30 age provision. The suite walls are very well insulated, and I never hear sound from adjacent suites. Of course, you can hear footsteps from a neighbor above you if you are not on the top floor, but the extent of noise will depend on your neighbor's flooring materials and personal habits. Exterior noise from occasional sirens and pedestrians is a fact of life in the city. Car traffic is not much of an issue, as we are on a quiet street.

01-09-2010, 08:15 AM	#20
OilTastic/BigCityDude Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Albert, Alberta	^^^ i suppose it's like those over 45 condos on the market....you just have to give proof of age like at the bar if you just turned 18. __________________ Go A Little Taller Please.

01-09-2010, 10:56 AM	#21
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	I don't understand how it can be legally enforced. You can't legally stop someone from purchasing real-estate because they are too young/old for your artificially created age threshold, can you?

01-09-2010, 10:58 AM	#22
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^Can you restrict pets in buildings with certain bylaws? __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

01-09-2010, 11:16 AM	#26
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^there is no discrimination by age when you sign an agreement saying that you will respect the wishes of other residents and behave in the manner they have decided to behave. If you don't want to live in an adult building with an age restriction, then don't live in one. We don't have to discrimnate against those who do want that option though by outlawing their choice.

01-09-2010, 11:18 AM	#27
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	But again, would courts enforce these age limitations? I think it would be quite easy to make a case against them if someone had enough time/money on their hands.

01-09-2010, 12:05 PM	#28
sws First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton	The Charter wouldn't affect this particular case. It only restricts the ability of governments to act in certain ways, i.e. the ability to discriminate based on grounds like age, sex etc. You'd have to check with the local Alberta Human Rights legislation to see if there is a bar against discrimination on age in matters such as housing. Plus you would also need to distinguish between situations of renting and owning. There are probably more restrictions on the ability of a landlord to refuse to rent to someone based on age than there are on the ability of a condo board to enforce sales covenants meant to maintain a certain age bracket within the building.

08-09-2010, 01:42 PM	#29
bonhommeglenn First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2010	Condomium Age Restrictions On a general note, there are housing complexes all over Canada and the USA that have minimum age restrictions, especially for seniors or near seniors (e.g., 55+). With respect to Alberta, if you look under the FAQ: Condominium Corporations section of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission website (www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca), you will find the following question and answer: Q: Can condominium corporations restrict use of facilities based on age? A: Yes. Age is not a protected ground under Section 4 of the HRCM Act.