Hey everyone,
I wanted to do something a bit different today and take you through a deeper breakdown of a property we just listed at 25 Wild Ginger Way in Bathurst Manor.
I wanted to do something a bit different today and take you through a deeper breakdown of a property we just listed at 25 Wild Ginger Way in Bathurst Manor.
It’s a fully renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo townhouse listed at $969,000 – and it’s been getting a lot of attention online.
This morning, someone posted in a local Facebook group looking for a home in the neighbourhood with a budget of around $1M. A lot of people chimed in, and someone even shared this listing. The most common reaction?
This morning, someone posted in a local Facebook group looking for a home in the neighbourhood with a budget of around $1M. A lot of people chimed in, and someone even shared this listing. The most common reaction?
“But… it’s a condo townhouse. That monthly maintenance fee is too high.”
I hear this all the time.
So today, I wanted to dig deeper and show you exactly how that fee impacts affordability – and why this might actually be one of the best-value properties on the market right now.
So today, I wanted to dig deeper and show you exactly how that fee impacts affordability – and why this might actually be one of the best-value properties on the market right now.
A Quick Look at 25 Wild Ginger Way
Before we talk numbers, here’s what you get:
- 3 bedrooms
- 3 bathrooms
- Renovated throughout
- Ensuite bathroom in the primary bedroom
- Large updated kitchen
- Spacious living and dining rooms
- Finished basement
- Direct access from the garage into the house
- Fenced private backyard
- Parking for 3 cars
- Just over 1,330 sq. ft. of living space
You can see all the photos and details at 25wildgingerway.com.
The Comparison: Condo Townhouse vs. Detached Bungalow
To put affordability into perspective, I compared this home to a recently sold 3-bedroom bungalow in Bathurst Manor on Brighton Road:
The Bungalow:
- Sold for $1.2M
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- About 1,229 sq. ft. above grade (smaller than Wild Ginger Way)
- Detached with a bigger lot (52 ft frontage)
- Basement bathroom, but no ensuite
- No condo fee, but full responsibility for major repairs
Both homes offer great value in different ways – so let’s talk about what it actually costs to carry each one.
Affordability Breakdown
To keep things consistent, I used:
- 20% down payment
- 4% mortgage rate
- 30-year amortization
Here’s how it plays out:
Down Payment
- Wild Ginger Way: $193,000
- Bungalow: $240,000
➡️ $46,000 saved upfront
Monthly Payments
- Wild Ginger Way mortgage: $4,600/mo
- Bungalow mortgage: $5,700/mo
Maintenance & Utilities
- Wild Ginger Way condo fee: $830/mo (includes water, roof, windows, and doors)
- Bungalow water estimate: $65/mo
Property Taxes
- Wild Ginger Way: $4,000/yr
- Bungalow: $6,600/yr
Land Transfer Tax
- Wild Ginger Way: $31,700
- Bungalow: $40,900
➡️ $9,000 saved
So far, you’re saving over $50,000 in real cash (down payment + land transfer tax) before you even move in.
But What About the Maintenance Fee?
This is where the conversation gets interesting.
Yes – $830 monthly seems high.
But remember: it includes expensive long-term items like:
But remember: it includes expensive long-term items like:
- Roof replacement
- Window replacement
- Exterior doors
If you own a detached home, these costs eventually come out of your pocket.
To compare fairly, I averaged typical replacement costs:
- Roof: ~$15,000
- Windows: ~$25,000
- Doors: ~$10,000
Total: ~$50,000
Spread over 30 years, that’s roughly $1,666 per year in additional long-term expenses.
When you factor that in, the true yearly cost difference between the two homes is:
➡️ Wild Ginger Way saves you $8,237 per year
in total carrying costs compared to the bungalow.
in total carrying costs compared to the bungalow.
The Bottom Line
A condo townhouse with an $830 fee sounds expensive.
But when you break down the numbers—mortgage, maintenance, taxes, repairs, land transfer tax, and long-term replacement costs—the opposite is actually true:
But when you break down the numbers—mortgage, maintenance, taxes, repairs, land transfer tax, and long-term replacement costs—the opposite is actually true:
Wild Ginger Way is more affordable to carry than a bungalow in the neighbourhood.
And for under a million dollars, you get:
- A renovated 3-bedroom home
- Ensuite bathroom
- Private backyard
- Finished basement
- Garage entry into the house
- Strong long-term value
- Turn-key living with fewer surprise expenses
If you're shopping around the $1M mark, this is a property you shouldn’t overlook.
Want to See It?
If you have any questions or want to book a private showing at 25 Wild Ginger Way, just reach out.
I’m always happy to walk you through the numbers or the property itself.
I’m always happy to walk you through the numbers or the property itself.
Talk soon!