Why Are Strata Fees So High at The Strand? (Video)

Short answer: Strand strata fees look high because they include the bills you’d normally pay on your own: heating and cooling, natural gas, water, sewer and garbage, plus the beach, marina docks, pool and hot tub. Once you add up those separate bills, the real difference is much smaller.

The sticker shock

Almost every buyer asks me this. You see a strata fee of several hundred dollars a month on a Strand listing and it’s easy to flinch. In a typical condo in town, the fee covers the bare minimum: hallway lights, lawn care and building insurance. Then the gas, water, sewer and garbage bills start showing up on top.

What’s bundled in at The Strand

• Major utilities: heating and air conditioning, natural gas for your indoor and patio fireplaces and BBQ hookup, water, sewer and garbage.
• Resort amenities: more than 280 feet of private sandy beach, marina docks, a heated courtyard pool and a year-round hot tub.
• Lock-and-leave upkeep: heated underground parking, a caretaker, snow removal and landscaping.

You still pay your own hydro, cable TV and internet.

The bottom line

Once you subtract the $200 to $250 or more a month you’d otherwise pay for separate utilities and memberships, the net difference is surprisingly small. You’re buying into an all-inclusive lakefront lifestyle.

Current monthly fees run about $450 to $1,250 depending on unit size. See what’s for sale on my Strand condos for sale page.

Questions? Ask me

I’m Sean Phillips, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Executives Realty, and I live at The Strand in Okanagan Landing. Call or text me at 778-363-0542, or subscribe on YouTube for more local videos.