Where are the cheapest condos in Kitchener Waterloo? Part One.

KW CondosWhere are the cheapest condos in Kitchener Waterloo?

That is a great question.

On this blog, I’ve written about the best place to buy a house. I’ve written about crime and schools and neighbourhoods. I’ve written about Uptown Waterloo condos. But what if you just want a cheap place to live where you don’t have to do anything. You could rent, of course but that’s money for nothing. Why make your landlord rich, right? If you are here for a while it’s always better to buy. But where can you buy a cheap place to call home in Kitchener Waterloo? Where are the cheapest condos in Kitchener Waterloo?

 

 

avalon30 Avalon- Business in the front. Party in the back.
Close to a everything, but not too close. Park your car and stroll throughout Meinzinger Park or get in your car and take a short drive to shopping along Ottawa Street South.

What you get:
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
600 square feet
Amenities include exercise room, games room, on-site superintendent.

Selling for: $100,000-$120,000

Condo fee: $250-$300/month

Scores:
Walk score: 62
Transit score: 49

Pros:
Backs onto a large green space – great for walking your dog.
Close to expressway and shopping, though you have to drive.

Cons:
South side of building fronts onto Conestoga Parkway – noisy

Outlook:
3 Stars. It is what it is. This neighbourhood has established itself. It is not going to change.

Fatal Flaw: Expressway

Highlight: Low condo fee

The Marshall Test: Pass
The Parkland behind the building is its saving grace.

The Marshall Score: 65
Benton

 

64 Benton – The cheapest condo for sale in downtown Kitchener
Live in the heart of downtown Kitchener within walking distance to Victoria Park, the school of Pharmacy, the Central Library and Centre in the Square. Everything is within walking distance (if you have enough time).

What you get:
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
600 – 630 square feet
Amenities include party room with library, computer and exercise room, and underground parking.

Selling for: $100,000~$120,000

Condo fee: $520-$540/month

Scores:
Walk score: 95
Transit score: 64

Pros:
Stunning views,
Heat, hydro and water are included

Cons:
High condo fees. Over $500/month
The building is more than 30 years old
Heat source: electric baseboard

Outlook:
5 Stars. It’s location gives it a five star rating for appreciation. With the LRT and the intensification of downtown Kitchener, 64 Benton will have a better than average appreciation in the coming 5 -10 years.

Fatal Flaw:
Utilities being included in condo fees + electric baseboard heating = high condo fees

Highlight:
Location, location, location.

The Marshall Test: Pass
Would I let someone named Marshall (i.e.. daughter, mother) live here? Yes.

The Marshall Score: 79

 

Chandler279 Chandler – Towering above strip malls and roadways
Within this ignominious little pocket of land, slammed between Westmount Road East, Ottawa Street South and the Conestoga Parkway you’ll find 279 Chandler.

What you get:
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
800-900 square feet
Amenities include sauna, sunroom on the 8th floor. Exercise, laundry and party room on the main floor. Large balconies.

Selling for: $100,000-110,000

Condo fee: $480 – $500/month

Scores:
Walk score: 63
Transit score: 49

Pros:
Heat, hydro and water are included
Close to grocery shopping

Cons:
Neighbourhood crime.
The building was built in 1973. It is getting old.

Outlook:
2 Stars. It’s location close to grocery stores and other shopping make it an OK choice. The busy intersection and petty crime pull it down.

Fatal Flaw: crime

Highlight: Close to shopping

The Marshall Test: Fail
I would not live here.

The Marshall Score: 57

Listing: Unit 640
ellen

 

10 Ellen Street East – In the heart of the Civic District.
Walk to the Kitchener Market, Centre in the Square, the Central Library, the GoTrain and all of the coffee shops and downtown nightlife

What you get:
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
600 square feet
Amenities include fitness room, community room and BBQ area and underground parking.

Selling for: $110,000~$130,000

Condo Fee: $370-$420/month

Scores:
Walk score: 93
Transit score: 57

Pros:
Location – In residential area, near parks and amenities.
Built in 1990.
Water included

Cons:
Electric forced air heating system

Outlook:
5 Stars. With the newly updated Kitchener Central Library, the new regional courthouse, the vibrant Farmer’s Market the upcoming LRT and transit hub, this urban/residential location will be in high demand.

Fatal Flaw:
Heat source

Highlight:
Location.

The Marshall Test: Pass.
This is one of the best places to buy a small but inexpensive condo.

The Marshall Score: 80
vanier

 

71 Vanier – Close to shopping
Live in a neighbourhood on it’s way back up. This well established neighbourhood will be positively impacted with the upcoming LRT. Get in on the ground floor now.

What you get:
2 bedroom
2 bathroom
800-1100 square feet
Amenities include on-site superintendent, controlled entry, bicycle storage and party room.

Selling for: $110,000-150,000

Condo fee: $430-470/month

Scores:
Walk score: 55
Transit score: 51

Pros: Heat, hydro and water included.
Proximity to Blockline LRT station

Cons: Crime, electric baseboard heating

Outlook: 3 Stars. This area will improve with the LRT stations at BLockline and at Fairview Park Mall.

Fatal Flaw: Crime.

Highlight: You can walk to the Fairway Park Mall in 30 minutes, and to the Kaufman Family YMCA in 12 minutes.

The Marshall Test: Fail.

The Marshall Score: 59

 

More to consider
There are a lot of other low cost condos around the Kitchener Waterloo. Also check out:
1100 Courtland
119 Cedar
15 Hoffstetter
160 Rittenhouse
175 Elmridge
18 Holborn
255 Harvard
283 Fairway
29 West
Listing: 30 Hugo
320 Traynor
35 Breckenridge
35 Green Valley
375 King
75 Hazelglen

and others…

 

 

 

Call to Action

You can search for and buy a place without the help of a realtor. But why would you? Call or email me now. I always have time for new clients.

 

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