20 items that are key to resale value and a quality condo.

Starting with the Top 4 Items that are Key to RESALE Value

1. Solarium Balconies:

• Developed in Scandinavia, enclosed glass balconies and patios are an unqualified success in the advanced condo markets in both Europe and North America
• Suites in La Galleria have solarium balconies or solarium patios
• Retractable glass panels allow year round use of the balcony for entertaining and gardening
• All balconies have a hose connection and floor drain
• Natural gas BBQ outlet is standard
• Built-in ceiling fans provide air movement
• An electrical outlet is capable of powering an electric patio heater
• Glass balconies add acoustic and insulating value

2. Storage & Electric Cars:

Storage Mini-Garage

• Quality storage is key to convenience and suite resale value
• Some buildings have no storage, some have little cages. At La Galleria every suite comes with a secure, concrete walled, storage garage near one of your parking spots
• Storage garages vary in size but most are 200 cubic feet and larger
• Mini garages have an interior light and an electrical outlet
• Room enough for your freezer and bicycle storage
• There is enough power to slow-charge an electric car, and the garage power is upgradable to allow a rapid car charger to be installed

3. Parking: Every suite has 2 parking spots!

• A key to resale value is having 2 parking spots
• At La Galleria every suite has 2 parking spots
• This also keeps congestion off the streets
• We have generous visitor parking for your guests
• One of your parking spots can accommodate an electric car
• Well lit, secure, underground parking

4. Air Conditioning:

• Air conditioning is a key feature for comfort and resale value
• We offer a high efficiency multi-zone system
• Our system uses efficient heat pump technology to save energy
• Ductless-split system delivers cool air direct to each bedroom and the main living area quietly and efficiently
• Heat pump technology transfers heat in or out of your home for low cost heating and cooling

5. Technology:

• 3 port communications outlets throughout (phone/cable/internet)
• Shaw high speed internet and digital HDTV included
• Record with the included Shaw Gateway multi-room system (up to 6 programs at once, and from anyplace, anytime with the Shaw Go smartphone app)
• Bedrooms and kitchens have an electrical outlet that includes 2 USB charging ports, eliminating ugly adapters all over the place.
• Shaw Go WiFi hot spots are throughout La Galleria
• Shaw Go apps are designed to deliver mobile content to Shaw customers anyplace, anytime, including CTV GO, Global Go, History Go, and more

6. Quality:

• Most buildings are built to “rental grade” , not La Galleria
• Our high quality is easy to spot:
  • High speed elevators
  • High end moulding package
  • 9 ft ceilings
  • 7 ft door height (not the “standard” 6 ft – 8 in)
  • Interior doors are solid-core fir
  • Oversize windows
  • Windows are energy efficient Low E
  • Windows are cased on all sides
  • Attractive fireplace

NOTE: High quality leads to low strata fees.

7. 9 Foot Ceilings and 7 Foot Doors:

• Old fashioned construction and most high-rise buildings have 8 foot high ceilings. 9 foot ceilings offer a much airier elegant feel.
• regular style doors are 6 foot, 8 inches (6’8″) tall, hollow core. At La Galleria we have solid core Fir doors that are 7 feet tall to match the upscale feel of the 9 foot ceilings.

8. Cost:

• Cost comes in two forms: purchase price and monthly strata fees
• Most condos in Abbotsford cost about $330 per sq. ft., a little higher for small suites
• The other cost is strata fees
• High quality developments usually have lower strata fees
• At La Galleria strata fees are very low – this includes cable and internet service (provided by Shaw)

9. Architecture:

• Typical condos have cheap siding and simply look cheap
• La Galleria has stunning West Coast architecture featuring extensive use of:
  • Beams
  • Stone
  • Glass

10. Size of Suites:

• It’s not always easy to find larger suites in new developments
• La Galleria offers liveable area ranging from 1200 to over 1700 sq.ft.
• We also offer very efficient suites in the 850 – 950 sq.ft. range
• Every bedroom at La Galleria can accommodate a king size or queen size bed

11. Quieter Suites: With Our Outstanding Acoustic Package

Floors

• Floors are a hybrid concrete/wood construction system
• The flooring underside assembly has sound-dampening insulation

Walls

• Side-by-side suites each have their own separate walls
• Walls are insulated, and each side has 2 layers of 5/8” drywall or a layer of wood under drywall

Finished Floors

• Acoustic wood-grained plank laminate
• Carpet in bedrooms is laid on true 10 lb acoustic underlay

Ceilings

• Ceilings between suites have 5/8” drywall
• Ceiling drywall is mounted on sound-bar channel to block sound transmission
• Ceiling systems include sound dampening insulation.

Other acoustic precautions

• Electrical receptacles are back-insulated on walls between suites
• Features that penetrate the sound barrier are avoided on surfaces between suites
• Vertical main plumbing lines are rubber mounted

12. Strata Rules & fees:

Strata Rules & Fees:
At La Galleria, monthly strata fees are low, estimated at:

• $121 for the average 1 bedroom suite
• $137 for the average 1 bedroom & den
• $189 for the average 2 bedroom suite

Strata Fees include:

• Shaw Cable with over 100 digital channels, including many in HD (pay per view, and specialty channels are extra if you want them)
• Shaw High-Speed internet
• Fire/Water/Flood/Earthquake insurance that is required for your mortgage
• Hot water from high-efficiency condensing boilers
• Natural gas for your kitchen range is included
• Nicely equipped exercise room and meeting room (yours to enjoy)
• Enterphone system (purchased and installed by the developer eliminating monthly lease costs; helping keep La Galleria strata fees low)
• Building, grounds and landscaping maintenance (contracts are established prior to completion — negotiated using the developer’s buying power — resulting in long-term low rates for the benefit of La Galleria suite owners)
• We provide buyers with best estimates of strata fees for the first 2 years.  Actual fees are based on operating costs monitored by the Strata owners through their Strata Council and are also governed by Provincial legislation.

Strata Rules:

• 2 pets allowed up to 15 kg each
• No age restrictions
• Renting permitted, a British Columbia law (2010) does not permit strata councils to change rental status

13. 20 Features of an Elegant Bathroom:

1. Heated tile floor
2. Granite vanity top
3. Genuine wood raised-panel cabinets
4. Soft-closing cabinet doors
5. 3/4 extension, soft-closing drawers
6. Built-in medicine cabinet
7. Large mirrors
8. Heated fog-free mirrors
9. Built-in LED night light
10. Luxury height toilets & countertops
11. Bright lighting over sinks
12. Most master ensuites have 2 sinks
13. Tile tub surround with attractive travertine porcelain tile
14. Rain-heads in most showers
15. Up and down sliding bars for shower head height adjustment
16. Lighting in showers
17. Curved double shower rod
18. Showers have frameless glass
19. 5 ft. showers have tiled ceilings
20. 5 ft. showers have louvered vents for a steam room effect

14. 20 Features of a Gourmet Kitchen:

1. Natural gas, true European convection oven, front controls, stainless
2. Stainless fridge (french doors and freezer drawer) filtered ice/water dispenser
3. Stainless dishwasher with stainless interior
4. Built-in stainless microwave
5. Built-in sink garburator
6. Genuine hardwood raised panel cabinets
7. Cabinets have wood-grain finish inside
8. Recessed LED lighting under upper cabinets
9. Soft-closing cabinet doors & full extension, soft-closing drawers
10. Over the stove, pot-filler water faucet
11. Full-height tile backsplash between countertop and upper cabinets
12. Extra height upper cabinets (more storage)
13. Most lower corner cabinets have a lazy susan
14. Upper inside corner cabinets have a lighted glass feature
15. High-end kitchen faucet with built-in sprayer
16. 60/40 under-mount stainless sink
17. Built-in soap dispenser
18. 3 port communications outlet and USB power outlet
19. Granite countertops and decorative tile floor
20. 9’ ceilings with high-end lighting

15. Transit:

La Galleria is a block and a half from Abbotsford’s main transit corridor, South Fraser Way.

The Central Fraser Valley Transit System, a part of BC Transit, provides scheduled bus routes throughout Abbotsford and linking with Mission, Langley, Chilliwhack and Vancouver.  Skytrain is accessible by taking Route 2 to Highstreet, then transferring to the Fraser Valley Express that takes you to the Skytrain Express Bus #555 at the 202 Street Park & Ride in Langley.

16. Interior Design:

• We avoid the minimalist “downtown” look inside our suites
• At La Galleria our interior designers spend the money on:
  • High-end moulding package
  • High-end fixtures and appliances
  • Wood closet systems (not wire)
  • 2” faux wood blinds
  • Frameless showers
  • High-end cabinetry and carpentry
  • Oversize windows
  • Generous use of mirrors, tile and granite

17. Energy Efficiency:

• Energy efficient buildings save their owners money on utilities and strata fees
• Our hot water system uses high tech condensing boilers to cut gas consumption
• Our acoustic package doubles as an extra layer of insulation
• Heating & cooling using high efficiency heat pumps
• Use of energy efficient lighting throughout
• Low E windows and above code insulation
• Energy Star appliances and equipment where possible

18. Location, Location, Location:

• You need good amenities like shopping and restaurants
• Access to the freeway, without being too close
• Green space and distance from downtown congestion
• La Galleria is next to the Abbotsford Civic Complex
• Walking distance to Safeway and Shoppers Drug Mart
• Close to theatre, libraries, community centres, rinks and pools
• Close to schools, including French Immersion

19. Security, Safety and Warranty:

• The buildings have a 55+ camera Closed Circuit TV system
• Well lit underground parking
• Private mini garage storage by your parking stall
• The building has a high-end Enterphone system with TV viewing of entrance
• Each suite is pre-wired for an individual security system
• Each suite has a built-in wall safe
• Each suite has a Carbon Monoxide detector
• Our buildings have a 2-5-10 year warranty with TRAVELERS Insurance Co.
• Our solariums have a special 5 year warranty covering parts & labour
• Shut-off valves to protect your suite from potential leaks:
  • We have accessible shut-off valves for the clothes washer
  • We also have shut-off valves for the dishwasher and refrigerator
  • You can use the shut-off valves if you are away from your suite for an extended period

20. High-end Appliances:

Range:

• Stainless steel, natural gas, slide-in range
• European style “true” convection
• self-cleaning oven
• front controls
• pot-filler water faucet over the stove

Microwave:

• Built-in stainless steel, full size, microwave oven
• Loaded with features

Refrigerator:

• Smudge resistant stainless steel
• French door with lower freezer drawer
• Ice and water in the door

Dishwasher:

• Well insulated with stainless interior and exterior