I sometimes make an odd sort of grimace when talking about real estate, particularly if we are talking about what is most important when buying a property.
It isn’t because I don’t enjoy talking about real estate.
I love talking about real estate. Some days I won’t shut up about real estate!
The grimace is because I am about to say something that I wish I didn’t have to say.
More accurately, I wish I had something better to say, something you hadn’t heard before, something that wasn’t such a cliché.
As it happens, it is absolutely the truth and remains the most important consideration when buying a property, whether for investment or to live in yourself.
Location.
So important, we say it three times.
When you buy a house or a condo, it is the location that determines whether you enjoy your time there and whether you sell at a better than average return than the market.
If the home is convenient to what you need, gives you the ability to easily get to places you have to go and nice surroundings when you are staying home, it is a great purchase.
A fantastic resource to help you assess location is the website for WalkScore. As the name indicates, WalkScore takes a look at what is around a given location and gives you a rating out of 100 for how walkable the area is and how much you can accomplish on foot. What many people don’t know is that they also give a TransitScore and a BikeScore. In essence, the site gives you a sense of whether it is a good location.
Click on the map below to link to the WalkScore website and the results for my latest listing at 1485 Lakeshore Road East, Unit 316 in Mississauga.
With a WalkScore of 77 (Very Walkable), a TransitScore of 75 (Excellent Transit) and a BikeScore of 82 (Very Bikeable), this condo is in a great location. My clients commute to downtown Toronto most days, so the proximity to the Long Branch GO stop is critical. The easy walkability to shops and nearby stores as well as great biking paths nearby both add to the attraction.
When condos at the building go up for sale, one reason they tend to move pretty quickly is this great location. In the case of my client’s home, they have also done substantial renovations over their time there, investing over $40,000 into the kitchen, bathrooms and closets. Click on the image below to walk through the virtual tour so you can get a sense of the place.
With a list of price of $334,900, I am sure this 2+1 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo won’t last long. I would be thrilled to work with you or a relative, friend or colleague of you to buy the unit so please make sure to get in touch with me if you or someone you know might be interested in the unit.
Give me a call at 416-728-9924 and we will set it up! I would love to be responsible for what comes next.
Regards,
Jeff