What Condo Should I Buy: Pre-Sale Vs Re-Sale
That's it, you've decided. You're getting out of the rental game, and you're buying a condo. Amazing news! But now you're not sure whether to go with pre-construction or a condo which is already built.
There are pros and cons to both, and ultimately the decision comes down to what's right for you and what helps you reach your goal. To make your life a little easier, we've come up with a pros and cons list for both!
Pre-Sale Pros
You buy a pre-construction condo at a fixed price
Buying a pre-construction condo means you're buying a condo at a fixed price, which is set by the developer. These prices aren't subject to the fluctuations of the real estate market. This means you're buying a condo in the future at today's price (#winning). Which, in a buyers market, is a huge advantage.
Pre-construction Condos are new
You are the first owner; therefore, you're the first person to live in the condo. That means everything is in mint condition when you move in. Nobody has used your toilet or left your oven with a layer of grease. Plus, new condo buildings are under warranty, meaning many issues are covered, so fixes won't leave you out of pocket. In Battistella buildings, general workmanship is covered for the first year. Plumbing and electrical are covered for two years; the building envelope is covered for five years, and the overall structure of the buildings is covered for ten years. Learn more here.
Pre-construction Condos give you more time to get your sh*t together
Some Developers can offer flexible deposit solutions as they are yet to be built, and because of this, you have more time to save for a downpayment. You also have more time to shop around for mortgages and to think about how you'll furnish your new home. Unsure of the difference between a deposit and a downpayment? You can find out here.
Pre-Sale Cons
You're buying a condo without seeing it
Typically when you're purchasing a pre-sale condo, you'll be shown a show suite. Still, limited space constricts developers to only being able to have one maybe two replica condos in their sales centers. At Battistella, we're lucky with today's technology that we're able to create virtual tours that allow us to walk through each condo and to check out the fantastic views. Plus, as a Calgary based company, we have previous developments that we can tour customers through to get a feel of the design and quality they should expect at NUDE.
You have to pay sales tax on any new build
Paying GST is a fact of life for us Canadians, and buying a new home is no different. BUT all is not lost. You might be eligible for a rebate on some of that GST. The New Housing Rebate allows homebuyers to recover some of the GST on new/pre-sale condos as long as you intend to use it as your primary residence. The full rebate applies to condos priced at $350,000 or less. However, keep in mind that you can still get a partial rebate for condos up to $450,000. For more information, you can check out our Sales Lead Renée's blog!
It's a waiting game
If you're buying pre-construction, you have to wait. If you're looking to move in straight away, then pre-construction isn't for you. However, waiting does have its perks. It allows you extra time to get your sh*t together. It gives you more time to save, more time to acquire the furniture you want instead of forking out for it all at once. And it allows you time to adjust your spending, so when you do move in, you're used to the monthly payments. But timing is everything if you can't wait, then don't buy pre-construction.
Resale Pros
What you see is what you get
Unlike pre-construction condos, you're able to see the resale condos which are currently on the market in real life. You can walk through them for a closer look and feel of all the features. Plus, you're able to see the building and check out the amenities. If you're feeling brave, you can also try talking to some of the neighbors to see how they like living in the building!
You can move in right away
Part of the negotiations when purchasing an already built condo is agreeing on a move-in date, and once you've signed the deal, your move-in date is set in stone. As the condo already exists, your moving in date can be sooner rather than later.
You don't pay GST on a resale condo
Due to the building not being new, you don't pay GST. The original purchaser would have already paid this, so the next time it's sold, there are no taxes levied.
Resale Cons
Resale condos usually have higher condo fees
It makes sense. Older buildings tend to need more maintenance and repairs, and part of your condo fees pay for these. The more repairs, the higher the fees. You can learn more about condo fees here.
Renovations aren't cheap
You'll probably have to or want to do some sort of renovations. Resale condos have been lived in, and maybe their taste in finishes doesn't match yours. (Popcorn ceilings or shag carpet anyone?) So, whether it's just a bit of TLC or a whole renovation, you'll have to budget time and money for the changes.
No warranty!
Depending on the age of the building, the warranty period may be over. This means that if there are major repairs to be done, you'll have to dive into your pockets. In these cases, you're often asked for the money in a lump sum, so keep that in mind.
If you're leaning towards pre-construction and would like to talk to a member of our team, register here and we'll be in touch!
Get To Know: The New Home, GST Rebate
Paying the goods and services tax (GST) on stuff we buy is just a fact of life for us Canadians. And, if you’re purchasing a newly built home, you’ll need to pay GST on top of the purchase price just like almost everything else you buy.
But did you know you might be eligible for a rebate on some of the GST?
The New Housing Rebate (NHR) allows a home-buyer to recover some of the GST paid on a brand new condo, as long as you intend to use it as your primary residence (or if a family member will live there).
The full rebate applies to new homes priced at $350,000 or less - but even if you’re buying a place priced up to $450,000, there’s still a partial rebate you can claim.
How do you calculate the GST New Housing Rebate, you ask? If your new home is in Alberta where we don’t have PST/HST, the rebate is calculated as 36% of the GST on properties valued $350,000 or less – which means you only have to pay 3.2% tax instead of the full 5%.
For properties valued between $350,000 and $450,000, the partial rebate is calculated on a sliding scale - so you’ll pay somewhere between 3.2% and 5%.
(Sorry, there is no GST rebate available if your new place is priced at more than $450,000)
So, how do you get your hard-earned money back? Well, there’s a tax form you’ll need to complete and submit along with your personal income taxes – and it has to be completed within two years of your closing date.
However, when you buy with Battistella, we take the hassle out of submitting your own claim. We calculate the rebate at the time of your purchase, you pay only the net GST, and we take care of the rest. It couldn’t be easier!
What Questions Should I ask When Buying A Condo
When you're shopping for a pre-construction condo, there are some obvious questions to ask. Questions such as; how much, what amenities, is parking included, is parking titled, when will the building be finished?
But what about those questions that you might not think to ask? Our Sales Associate Stephanie has come up with a handy list of questions you should be asking when you're shopping for a pre-construction condo.
1) Do I need a mortgage pre-approval right now?
2) Does my mortgage start right away?
3) How much do I need to put down for a deposit?
4) What's the difference between a deposit and a downpayment?
5) Does my deposit go towards my total purchase price?
6) Is my deposit protected? What happens to it if the building doesn't get built?
7) What do condo fees cover, and how much are they?
8) Is there warranty?
9) Is there a competition?
10) Is the building pet-friendly?
Now, we can't speak for every developer, but if you're looking for answers about NUDE, keep on reading!
1) Do I need a mortgage pre-approval right now? No. We don't require pre-approval as we're pre-construction, but it might be sensible to get a general idea of what you might qualify for, and you can do this easily with a pre-qualification.
2) Does my mortgage start right away? Nope! Your mortgage won't start until the building is complete, and you have title for your unit. Which is great news as it allows you extra time to save more for your down payment bringing down the amount of your mortgage and even your CMHC fees.
3) How much do I need to put down for a deposit? At NUDE, we require that you put down 5% at signing and then a further 5% in the first quarter of 2020. We do, however, have flexible deposit structures, including a bond program, which can be a real help to first-time buyers.
4) What's the difference between a deposit and a downpayment? Although the two are used interchangeably sometimes, a deposit and a downpayment are two separate things. A deposit is the money you submit during the offer process to secure your property. A downpayment is any other money you personally pay towards your condo to be eligible for financing.
5) Does my deposit go towards my total purchase price? Yes absolutely. When you close on your condo, the deposit is combined with the money you have personally paid toward a downpayment. Then, the rest of the purchase price is typically covered by a mortgage.
6) Is my deposit protected? What happens to it if the building doesn't get built? All buyers are protected under the Condo Act of Alberta. Plus, all deposits are held in a trust with a law firm and are insured. So, yes, you are protected in the unlikely case of the building not being built, and you will get your deposit back.
7) What do condo fees cover, and how much are they? Condo fees at NUDE are 0.50 cents per square foot, and they cover things such as; water, heat, AC, natural gas, building maintenance, property management, and general insurance. And a portion goes towards a reserve fund as well. You can learn more about the ins and outs of Condo Fees here.
8) Is there warranty? In all our buildings, we have a 1, 2, 5, and 10-year warranty program. All general workmanship, for example, cabinets, flooring, drywall, etc. are covered for the first year. Plumbing, heating, and electrical are covered for 2 years; the seal of the building is covered for 5 years, and the overall structure of the buildings is covered for 10 years.
9) How much will my property increase in value? We don't have a crystal ball, so it's hard to know for sure, but if no other buildings are being built in the same area, then market trends tend to show that there will be demand in the future. And just FYI, NUDE is the only building delivering condos in the Beltline in 2022.
10) Is the building pet-friendly? Pet-friendly buildings can make or break a decision for some people. NUDE welcomes everyone, including furry family members; it will even have a pet washing station on the main floor. Plus, our polished concrete floors are a great bonus feature because they are easy to clean and maintain even if you have a Great Dane as a roommate.
If you have more questions about NUDE, then why not get in touch? You can register here, or you can send us an email on info@battistella.ca.
Condo Fees: What Are They And What Am I Paying For?
Condo Fees are a misunderstood necessity. If you own a condo, you pay condo fees, but when you've never paid condo fees before, it's essential to know what you're actually paying for, so we've broken them down for you!
Generally speaking, the condo fees you pay cover the cost of building maintenance, building insurance, amenities, and utilities. But it differs from building to building. In NUDE, the condo fees cover;
- Maintenance & Repairs
- Building Insurance
- Utilities: natural gas, water, sewer, garbage, recycling, compost
- Condominium management services
- Contracted services
- Reserve fund contributions
- Misc. expenses, e.g., pest control, supplies, and equipment
We get asked about condo fees a lot and quite rightly so! If you're a first-time buyer, you wouldn't have paid condo fees before, and it can feel like an unnecessary expense. Whereas in reality, no matter what type of property you own, you're going to have these expenses...they're just called something different. We've chosen the most frequently asked questions we get and answered them for you.
What is a condo management company? Condo management companies are chosen and hired by the condo board. The management company appoints a building manager who takes care of day to day tasks associated with running a condominium building. They collect your condo fees, and they organize everything your money covers. They take direction from the board and hire contractors to take care of the building (ie, snow removal, cleaning, security, elevator maintenance, window washing, etc.)
What is a condo board? A condo board is a group of individual volunteers that are responsible for the decisions made in regards to the running of the building. The Board of Directors is made up of 3-7 owners in the building, and they are tasked with giving direction to the management company, reviewing financial statements, and enforcing condo bylaws. Every year the board of directors steps down, and the owners re-elect a new board (which can include previous members) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Will my fees go up? Like everything, costs can rise. At Battistella, we do everything we can to help keep costs moderate, such as low maintenance amenities, building a quality development, and volunteering for the board. It's not wholly unselfish; we own in our buildings, which means we pay condo fees too. The perks of moving into a new build are that the building is covered by a warranty, which helps avoid any unexpected rises.
I don't have to pay condo fees in a house. That's true, you don't pay condo fees in a house, but you still have to pay for the majority of things that condo fees cover. Plus, you have to spend time either fixing issues yourself or finding someone to do it for you. In reality, the bills you pay for a house are much of the same as you would pay for your condo.
Why do I need insurance if it's covered within my condo fees? Required by law, the insurance you pay for in your condo fees is to protect the building, common areas, and condo units against damage or destruction. You, as an owner, are not required to have condo insurance, but when you buy a home, it's crucial to protect your assets if you can. It would be best if you looked for protection that covers any renovations you have made or plan on making. It should include your contents, and you should think about things such as loss assessment coverage, contingency coverage, third party liability insurance, and additional living expenses coverage. The monthly cost of condo insurance is probably cheaper than you think and pays for itself in peace of mind.
So do I pay property tax if I own a condo? If you own property, you have to pay property tax, whether it is a single-family house, a townhome, or a condo, and each province and city is different. In Calgary, property tax is calculated using the property's assessed value, which you can look up here. We won't go into the ins and outs of property tax, but you can find out more information about where your tax dollars go, here.
Do you have more questions about condo fees or buying a property? Get in touch with our team! You can register here, or you can send us an email on info@battistella.ca.
Why I Love YYC: Discover The Best of Beltline
There were many reasons for choosing to build NUDE in the West Beltline, and you can find just some of them listed below.
The Beltline is one of Calgary's most dynamic neighborhoods. It's filled with local shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and attractions. Each week, as she gets to know our fantastic city, our social media gal, Faith, documents her journey over on Instagram in a feature she likes to call Best of Beltline.
Keep on reading to see where she's been so far!
GRETA Bar YYC - 213 10 Ave SW
GRETA is every gamer and big kid's dream, especially on Sundays. On Sundays, at GRETA, they offer unlimited play for an hour for only $5 PLUS; most of their drinks are $5 too.
BLANCO Cantina - 723 17 Ave SW
Every day from 3-5 pm and 9 pm-close BLANCO Cantina offers 1/2 price Tacos and Nachos, $6 Margaritas and Beer and 1/2 Tequila with their #HalfyHour. If you go, you gotta try the Brisket Tacos. OH, and they're very generous with their guac portions...just sayin'.
Pomp & Circumstance - 1204 12 Street SW
Pomp & Circumstance offers a carefully handpicked collection of beautiful homewares and furniture. It's the place to go if you're looking to take your interiors to the next level.
Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro - 1301 10 Ave SW
For intimate brunch dates with your S/O, Monki is the place to go, and if you like hot sauce, you have to go. Make sure to book, though, because it gets super busy!
Société Coffee Lounge - 1223 11 Ave SW
Société feels like an unsung hero in the coffee scene in the Beltline. The industrial styling gives it a fresh, modern vibe. The coffee is good, the food is good, and the sofa is super comfortable. If you’re looking for a calm place to have a coffee or get some work done, check out Société.
Lougheed House - 707 13 Ave SW
Lougheed House is like going back in time. Built in 1891 by Senator James Alexander Lougheed, the Victorian Mansion is a national historic site. For years it sat empty until the year 2000 when restoration began. Now it's conserved by a group of volunteers devoted to keeping the history (and the beautiful gardens) alive. Every holiday season, Lougheed House is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with the help of local designers. You can also have breakfast with Santa! Or if you want to give Santa a miss but would still like breakfast, iconic local chef, Judy Wood, is currently hosting a french inspired pop-up restaurant in the mansion's dining room.
Chilitos Taberna - 1309 17 Ave SW
If you're looking for the cheesiest Nachos and Margaritas with a side of gold (like actual sparkly gold) sugar, then Chilitos Taberna is the place for you. In the winter, it's the cosiest place with intimate seating and beautiful murals. In the summer, the whole place opens up, making room for one of YYC's best patios. They have daily specials (except Wednesdays when they're closed) and are open 'til late on Fridays and Saturdays, so you have plenty of time to enjoy their selection of tequila.
The Beltliner - 234 12 Ave SW
Aptly named, The Beltliner is a modern diner that offers a carefully curated menu, good coffee, and generous portions. Everything about this place is Instagrammable, even the washrooms! It's always nice when someone tells you 'you look great' even if it is a mirror... But I digress. If you're looking for good food, a great atmosphere, and you don't mind waiting a lil' bit (it's worth it), then The Beltliner is for you.
BUMP - Various Locations
The Beltline Urban Murals Project is an initiative by the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association to showcase art, promote tourism and local businesses, improve the public realm and build community spirit in Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhoods. Each year BUMP invites local and international artists to create stunning murals throughout the Beltline. If you have a couple of hours spare. A fun and free thing to do is wander around, discovering all the murals from the past three years. We can't wait for this year's festival.
Tokyo Smoke - 1205 1 St SW
Tokyo Smoke was founded in 2015 in Toronto, in 2017 they expanded into Calgary and chose 1st Street as their home. Now, we don't have much authority on the cannabis side of things; you'll have to chat with the awesome people that work there, but we can say that we thoroughly enjoyed the coffee and the surroundings. If you're looking for aesthetically pleasing, functional accessories or simply just a good cup of coffee, then Tokyo Smoke is the place.
Contemporary Calgary - 701 11 St SW
Some know it as the planetarium, some know it as that Brutalist piece of architecture near the train station. But we now know it as the Art Gallery playing host to the moon (and other amazing installations.) It's places like Contemporary Calgary that make a city a desirable location to visit, and we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon there. Plus, it was only $10 admission! Yes, the gallery still has some work to do, there was a lack of signage, which caused the natural flow to feel a little disjointed, and we actually missed an exhibit because of it. But don't let that put you off. Contemporary Calgary is to be celebrated and supported, and we feel lucky to have it so close to NUDE.
Velour Clothing Exchange - 1022 17 Ave SW
It's only a short walk and a few stairs, and suddenly you're in fashion heaven. Velour Clothing Exchange is Calgary's first dedicated buy/sell/trade clothing store, it's run by mother and daughter, and it's a pleasure to shop there. Not only is there a great mix of sizes, vintage and newer fashions, but Michelle (daughter) is also just about one of the nicest people, and they have amazing accessories. Oh, and their sales are ridiculous! I got a pair of boots (basically new), 60% off, for $34! I'm not sure why you're still reading this...?
Gibson Fine Art - 628 11 Ave SW
Gibson Fine Art is a wonderful local art gallery based in the Beltline. It's a place where art is accessible and everyone is made to feel welcome. Whether you're looking to buy or you're just having a look Gibson Fine Art offers an array of stunning pieces from Albertan and Canadian artists.
Don't forget to keep checking back for more of Faith's Best of Beltline Picks. Got a suggestion? Let us know over on Instagram!
How To Buy A Condo: A Guide Like No Other
There are no two ways about it; becoming a homeowner is a big deal. It's an emotional roller-coaster filled with excitement, stress, arguments, happiness, worry...basically, insert every emotion possible here.
And where do you even start?! Buying a condo is another adulting milestone that we don't get taught in school, and it can feel like we're left high and dry to navigate one of the most important purchases of our lives. We've spent years navigating the property market in Calgary, as developers, and as buyers. Based on our experience, we've written a handy guide on how to begin your journey to homeownership.
How much can you afford? - This step isn't required, but it sure is a good idea. There's nothing worse than starting the shopping phase, finding something you love, and discovering you can't afford it. It's like a punch to the gut and can derail your whole journey.
Figuring out how much you can afford is not an exact science that will require you having to spend hours getting documents ready and meeting with 'professionals.' In fact, you don't even have to talk to anyone yet. You just need to work the numbers in a couple of ways.
- How much will the bank lend me? To do this, use an online affordability calculator to crunch the numbers. This is NOT a credit check, and most banks have this tool readily available. RBC has a great, user-friendly one. As long as the data you've entered is accurate, then the answer you'll get will be close to the maximum amount a bank will lend you. P.S. That doesn't mean you have to spend that much.
- How much do you want to spend per month? To do this, start with how much you currently spend. Then think about out how much more you would be comfortable paying per month. Once you have a monthly number, you can use a mortgage calculator to work backward to come up with an approximate amount you should spend.
Don't stress about getting this perfect. You'll probably end up with a figure somewhere between the 2 numbers that will help keep your search on track.
Set a goal - If you look up #goals on Instagram, you'll find it's been used in more than 80 million posts. But this isn't about having the most Instagrammable condo. Before you come up with a 'Must Have' (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) or a 'Wishlist' (pool, gym, etc.), consider why you want to buy in the first place. Ask yourself:
- What are you trying to change about your current situation?
- What will your new life, in your new place, enable you to do?
Think about how you live, how you want to live, and what that means. Do you travel a lot? Then you don't need the stress of a high maintenance yard. Do you go out a lot? Your life will be a lot easier if you're closer to your usual haunts. Do you cook or order in? You get the gist...Once you start shopping, your 'Must Have' and 'Wish List' will begin to materialize. If your search is centered around your goal, then it will help keep your mind open to more options. Looking for your future home should be a journey, not a checklist.
Start Shopping - Armed with a general idea of what you can afford and a clear picture of what your desired future life looks like, hit the pavement and go shopping. But be aware, this isn't an easy process. It isn't like going to the mall and picking out a shirt. This is more like going to the food court in the mall. When you're hangry, and you kinda know what you want to eat, but bae wants to eat somewhere else, and now you have no idea what you want.
To begin with, do some online research, ask your friends of condo buildings they've heard of, walk around some of the blocks you may want to live in, and make a list of sales centers to visit. Then book some appointments, and go to see some condos. At your appointments, ask exactly 1 million questions and be open to new ideas, remember this is about achieving a goal, not checking things off a list. Don't be afraid to open up and share as much information with your salesperson as possible. Nobody can force you to do anything you don't want to do. You are a strong, independent home-searcher, but this information will help them, help you. A good salesperson will understand your goals, not just your checklist.
The shopping part of your journey will be the longest, it will be the most exciting, and it will be the most stressful. But there are some things you can do to ease the pain a little.
- Condense your search time. Give yourself 4-6 weeks to do your shopping and research. Check out different places within a few days of each other. Having everything fresh in your mind will help when evaluating and comparing each option.
- Someone might swoop in and take your perfect condo if you wait too long. Real Estate isn't like buying a car. No two places are the same, and you can't just re-order or wait for it to come back in stock. So if you love it, go for it.
- Decision paralysis is real. If your search seems to be dragging on forever, stop looking for a bit. Re-evaluate your goal and ask yourself if you're really ready to buy.
Remember, there is a point when shopping goes from fun to torture.
JUMP! - Holy shit, this is it. You've done your shopping, and you've found the condo that fits your budget and achieves the goal you set out for yourself. You've validated your choice with your trusted tribe so much so that they're sick of hearing about it. You've talked yourself out of it...and then back into it on an almost hourly basis. Now it's time to take the leap. There's no doubt that this is scary AF, but at some point, you have to let go of the rail and jump. Writing an offer is the next step and is something you do for you, and you alone. To help ease your dissonance, keep this in mind, it's just an offer, and you still have some exits.
- When you buy a new condo, you get 10 days to review all of the documents and fine print. Read it thoroughly, ask another million questions, and have a professional review them for you.
- Take your purchase contract to the bank and get qualified for the mortgage. This is the real qualification, not like the fakey before. At this point, they will verify all of your info and check your credit.
After these 10 days and once you've completed your final review, it's time to high five your salesperson and everyone you see in the street and of course, celebrate. You did it, now it's time to...
Relax - This is it. You've bought a condo, and now it's time to sit back and enjoy. You now have a new home, an end date for your old life, and a start date for your new, improved life.
If you bought pre-construction, there are so many things you could do with the time between purchase and moving in that will help make the transition to homeowner easier. Because it is a transition.
- Set yourself a savings goal. You could find a cheaper rental, maybe get a roommate or dare we say, move back in with your parents (sorry), and start stashing away the cash. Sacrifice is a lot easier when you know there's an end date.
- Learn a new language. You've got so much extra time now you're not obsessing over condos, why not download Duolingo?
- Adjust your spending. This is the most important, particularly if your new Condo bills will be slightly higher than what you're used to paying. Put the difference into a savings account. Adjusting now will mean your lifestyle won't change when you move in.
- Buy some new furniture. Or learn how to make furniture with all that spare time! You know what your new place is going to look like, you know the floorplan off by heart. So instead of spending a bulk sum, as most people are forced to, spread the cost over a few months or years. Buy bits as you can afford to and ask for stuff for Christmas or your birthday.
- RELAX. You did it. Congratulations, homeowner!
If you feel like you're ready to start your journey and would like to book an appointment at NUDE HQ, just head over to our registration page and we'll be in touch.
NUDE: Get to Know Your Future Home a Little Better
From the idea to the execution, it's a long process of research, debates, and careful planning.
When it comes to our buildings, every decision made takes quality, style, functionality, and durability into consideration. Each element plays a huge part in making our buildings unique, and each is as important as the next.
We only build our buildings one at a time (quality over quantity), and we design them from the inside out. We work closely with the architects to carefully craft the condos first, and then we think about the outside.
For us, the kitchen dictates every floorplan; it is the heart of the home, after all. After talking to our residents and renters, we deliberately decided on linear kitchens and no island, in INK and of course, NUDE. In reality, linear kitchens are U or L shaped kitchens which have been stretched along a wall. You have the same amount of storage and the same amount of worktop space. The difference is, with a linear kitchen you are in control of more floor space, which is vital in a smaller condo. And it means you can add an island if that’s what you’d like to do...
Unique to NUDE are the appliances we've selected, and we can tell you now, we spent a very long time choosing them. There was so much going back and forth with these appliances you'd of thought we were naming our firstborn. And it was not an easy decision to use smaller, more compact appliances.
The kitchen may dictate the floorplan, but the floorplans are defined by the space available. So it was either a full-sized fridge and dishwasher or more counter and cabinet space in a sleeker, more practical kitchen. We won't go into the nitty-gritty of it all, but some of the questions we ask people when they're unsure of the appliances are; how long does it take you to fill up your dishwasher? Do you even use your dishwasher? And how often is your fridge completely full?
We also don't have full-sized washers and dryers (shock horror) in NUDE. Still, it's the same as the fridge and dishwasher, you either have these full-sized appliances that you might use to capacity every once in a while, or you have the extra floor space and storage. We asked one of our renters in INK to test out the washer and dryer for us, and they loved it. The feedback? They're quick, reliable and they wash and dry your clothes really well. What more do you need?
As the mechanics of the kitchen come together, we start to think about interior design. We discuss colour palettes, cabinets, the walls, the ceilings, and of course, the floors. Concrete floors in our condos are a given; it's a conscious, stylistic, and practical decision, and we get asked about them a lot.
'Concrete floors are a cheaper option.' We hear that one frequently, and actually, they're not. It would be more straightforward and cheaper to put down laminate or carpet, but how boring would that be? Our concrete floors are handcrafted, which means every floor, in every condo, is unique.
With concrete floors, each imperfection is shown, and once the floors are polished, each imperfection is amplified. That's why our team has to be so careful not to scratch or dent the floors throughout construction! There's a fine line between character and damage. Which on a building site, is tough. In fact, in INK, we finished the floors three times to get the right look!
Not only do concrete floors allow us to offer something unique in a production building, but they have practical advantages too. They are excellent insulators, and they're the kind of floor that wears in, not out. They also offer flexibility, so should you decide to cover the concrete with laminate, it's easy and inexpensive. All you need is a trip to Home Depot, a couple of days, and a bit of patience. Just don't forget the underlay.
When it comes to our exposed ceilings, some people love them, others not so much, and some people love them once they understand them. Like the floors, our ceilings require extra care and attention to detail but we love them. Not only do they add to the overall aesthetic, but they add extra height. By exposing the mechanical elements, you suddenly have an additional 6 inches height making your condo 9 1/2 feet, floor to ceiling, which, in a small space, is incredibly important. An added bonus of the exposed mechanicals is that it allows us to run them along the windows, which pushes hot air down to the concrete, meaning no cold spots by your windows and at NUDE you've got a lot of windows!
We design our buildings with you in mind. We think about how you use your home, and we understand the importance of making it your own. It is an elegant, thoughtfully designed canvas that allows you to make it extraordinary.
Smaller Living: Our Top 5 Books for Small Living Inspiration
Small Space Living can seem daunting, but people are doing it all over the world. There's even TV shows about it, magazines, websites, documentaries and hundreds of books.
We haven't read all of the books on Small Living, we're pretty busy building a building after all, but here are our top 5 picks of inspirational reads:
📕 My Small Space: Starting Out in Style - Anna Ottum
Anna Ottum's book is perfect for first-time buyers and renters looking for inspiration for innovative design ideas. The author, Anna Ottum, is an NYC based photographer. This means that the book includes beautiful photography. But don't be fooled, it's also full to the brim of tips and tricks for small living.
📗 Minimalism: Essential Essays - The Minimalists
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, better known as The Minimalists, have been writing essays about minimalism on their website for years. This book is a collection of some of those essays and covers topics such as simple living, de-cluttering, finances, and more. You can find a free PDF version of the collection here and don't forget to check out their popular documentary, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, on Netflix.
📘 Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces - Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
This book is written by the co-founder of apartmenttherapy.com, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, so you know he knows what he's talking about! Full of inspiration for decorating your small space, this book focuses on basic concepts that don't feel out of reach either skills-wise or money-wise.
📙 Insta-Style for your Living Space: Inventive ideas and quick fixes to create a stylish home - Joanna Thornhill
After flipping through this book, you'll be dying to live in a small space. It acts as an easy to follow guide on innovative storage, budget-friendly upcycling ideas, and of course, making your home insta friendly. And Joanna knows what she's talking about. Based in London, she's skilled interior design, production, styling and creative direction, and more!
📕 The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well - Meik Wiking
Denmark is known for being one of the happiest nations in the world, and lots of people put this down to hygge. Hygge doesn't have an exact English translation (not sure what that says about us really!), but it has been described as 'the art of creating intimacy,' 'the absence of annoyance,' and more. This book may not exactly be about Small Living, but it is about living your happiest life. Which is the aim, is it not? Plus it was written by a guy who literally studies happiness for a living.
You can buy all these books on Amazon but if you're able to, why not see if your local book store has them? #ShopLocal
NUDE: What a Stupid Name for a Condo Building
You haven't made it until you're trolled on Twitter. That's something people say, right?
To clarify, that 'idiot' on the marketing team was everyone at Battistella, and we can tell you that the decision was not made lightly. We knew to name a building NUDE was risky, that it would open us up to criticism, complaints, and jokes about living in the nude. But we didn't call the building 'NUDE' to be controversial; we've done controversial, and 'NUDE' has nothing to do with being naked.
We chose the name 'NUDE' because it resonates with everything the building represents. Everything about NUDE is a reflection of where we understand urban living to be going — less complex and more simple lives filled with less stuff and more experiences.
NUDE is all about being an enabler. It is a neutral component that encourages the less complicated and more simplistic lifestyle that more and more people are gravitating toward.
NUDE is a brave choice. It's that considered choice to emphasize happiness and experiences over material things, and square footage goes against what we've been conditioned to perceive success and happiness as.
NUDE is sophisticated and elegant. It's minimal and timeless with Condos featuring exposed duct-work, polished concrete floors, smart storage solutions, and floor to ceiling windows, and the tone of the design works seamlessly with the lifestyle NUDE encourages.
We don't think it's a foolish name; we happen to love it. It was carefully selected to represent everything the building stands for. But hey, if you want to walk around in the nude in your NUDE condo, go ahead. You’re an adult!
Nude: More Than a Condo
NUDE isn't just a home; it's an enabler; it's a lifestyle; it's a considered choice.
NUDE is for the first-time buyers, the people sick of driving 2 hours a day to get to work, it's for the downsizers. It's for the people who no longer want their lives to be dictated by their house, their commute, or their landlord.
NUDE was born out of the desire to change people's lives for the better. It was never intended to be the absolute focus of your life. Everything about it was designed to help you live the lifestyle that makes you happy.
The Beltline is your (no maintenance) back yard. Imagine having everything you'll ever need within walking distance! Coffee, cocktails, every cuisine you can think of, groceries, parks, shops, bakeries, and more.
Imagine being able to go home, let your dog out and get back to meet your friend at the Ship and Anchor within 30 minutes! How long would that take in the burbs, an hour? Let's be honest; once your home, you're not coming back into Downtown.
Imagine going home and not feeling overwhelmed. Every inch of Nude has been designed with minimalism at the forefront. It finally allows you to get rid of the dust-covered crap, empty out the garage filled with stuff and organize your closet, which is half full of clothes you never wear.
Imagine minimizing your mortgage and transportation costs. Life feels like it's getting more and more expensive, leaving us with less inclination to spend time doing the things we love. When you downsize your home, you also downsize your costs allowing you to upsize your life.
NUDE isn't magic; it's a condo building; it is, however, an enabler that supports a lifestyle that makes you happy.