Stratas are a ripoff everywhere (including in the North)

There are a few interesting condo options available for sale in Whitehorse. From townhouses to one-bedroom apartments downtown, they all are fairly nice and affordable.

EXCEPT

The evil lurking beneath the nice layer of affordable, decent mortgage payments, electricity...is the STRATA fee. Even townhouses that share no walls, roofs, landscaping or interior walls are subject to these unnecessary evils. A townhouse (older) up on Lewes Bvld was gorgeous, newly redone and a nice price. The downside? Electricity would be average $200 and the strata would be $200 a month.

For what, exactly?

Oh, strata handles snow removal, garbage removal, bullshit removal (actually no, made that last one up)

Utility items you must pay the city for ALREADY and trust me, they don't cost $200/month, they cost $285 for 4 months. Love that funny 'math' eh.

Does strata handle repairs? Nope. Is strata considered a sort of outdoor handy-man?

Nope, gotta jack up those strata fees to hire a handyman, in case of repairs.

Strata gets to tell what to do. Isn't that wonderful? Shouldn't we all be reaching into our pockets to hand cash out to people to tell us

"You must pay $50 every time a new tenant moves into your place, a 'move-in fee"

"No pets allowed in YOUR house/apt."

"Not allowed renting to others if you move and keep the place"

"We want to update the fire alarms systems. Give us an extra $500 on top of your exorbitant fees." (wait, aren't they banking the cash to handle these things already?)

"We voted and strata fees are going up again." No, it really doesn't end. From $140 in the beginning, to $162, to $182 and now, oh joy, $213. A cool avg. $20 rise per year. Wish my job was that sweet. That last one is a 'kick them while the economy is in a recession' move.

Warning, strata fees will never GO DOWN. EVER.

They will only rise.

Interestingly, I looked at a little house on Falcon, the nest-type 'green' buildings, independently built so no townhouse-styles. They have a strata starting at $150/month, to rise when the 'clubhouse' is built. 'Cause you know, they need your money.

Run screaming for the hills, potential buyers. They will only screw you over.

Sorry if this blog is rather tinfoil-hat wearing. Better wise than broke~