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

Starting with the Top 5 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
• Every suite in Forest Ridge has a Solarium Balcony or Patio
• Retractable glass panels allow year round use of the balcony for entertaining and gardening
• Solariums 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 enclosed balconies add acoustic and insulating value

2. Storage & Electric Cars:

• Quality storage is key to convenience and resale value
• Some buildings have no storage, some have little cages. At Forest Ridge every suite comes with a large, secure, concrete walled, storage garage near your parking spots for your convenience
• Storage garages vary in size but most are 180 cubic feet or larger
• Storage garages have an interior light and an electrical outlet
• Room enough for your freezer and bicycle storage
• There is enough power to charge an electric car with a Level 1 charger

3. Parking:

• A key to resale value is having 2 underground parking spots
• At Forest Ridge every suite has two parking spots
• This also keeps congestion off the streets
• Extra Height: our parkade can handle 7′ high vehicles in almost all stalls
• One of your parking spots can accommodate an electric car

4. Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps:

• 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. Natural Gas:

• One of the first things buyers ask: Can we have natural gas?
• Our suites come with a 5 burner gas cooktop (with electric ovens)
• Your deck or patio has a natural gas BBQ outlet
• Natural gas is included in your strata fees, ”no meter charge”

6. Technology:

• State-of-the-art fibre optic cabling to the building
• 3 port communications outlets throughout (phone/cable/internet)
• Bedrooms and kitchens have an electrical outlet that includes 2 USB charging ports, eliminating adapters
• Advanced thermostats

 

7. Quality:

• Most buildings are built to “rental grade” , not Forest Ridge
• 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
  • Oversize windows
  • Windows are energy efficient Low E
  • Windows are cased on all sides
  • Attractive fireplace

NOTE: High quality leads to low strata fees.

8. 9 Foot Ceilings and 7 Foot Doors:

• Old fashioned construction and even most of today’s high-rise buildings have 8 foot high ceilings. Forest Ridge condos have 9 foot ceilings (top floors have even higher vaulted ceilings) offering a more spacious, elegant feel.
• Regular style doors are 6 foot 8 inches (6’8”) tall, hollow core. At Forest Ridge we have solid core doors that are 7 feet tall to match the upscale feel of the elegant high ceilings.

9. Transit:

Everyone wants to be able to connect to our world-class SkyTrain system. There is a regular bus stop near Forest Ridge, and FTN (Frequent Transit Network) connects Forest Ridge to the Expo Line as well as the Canada Line.

Forest Ridge is also only 1 min drive away from the South Surrey Park & Ride.

 

10. Size of Suites:

• It’s not always easy to find larger suites in new developments
• Forest Ridge offers large suites with up to 1562 sq.ft. of living space
• Every bedroom at Forest Ridge 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 double layer drywall
• Ceiling drywall is mounted on sound-bar channel to reduce 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 Forest Ridge, monthly strata fees are low, estimated at an average of $0.22/sq.ft. of livable area per month

Strata Fees include:

• Fire/Water/Flood/Earthquake insurance that is required for your mortgage
• Hot water from high-efficiency condensing boilers
• Natural gas for both kitchen range and BBQ 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 Forest Ridge 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 Forest Ridge suite owners)

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. Quartz vanity top, undermount sinks
3. Genuine wood raised-panel cabinets
   (0r)
4. Optional white Shaker or white Smooth cabinets
5. Luxury height vanity tops
6. Soft-closing cabinet doors
7. 3/4 extension, soft-closing drawers
8. Built-in medicine cabinet
9. Large heated fog-free mirrors
10. Built-in LED night light
11. Luxury height elongated toilets
12. Bright lighting over sinks
13. Most master ensuites have 2 sinks
14. Tile tub surround with attractive travertine porcelain tile
15. Rain-heads in most showers
16. Up and down sliding bars for shower head height adjustment
17. Lighting in showers
18. Curved double shower rod
19. 5 ft. showers have a seat and niche
20. Showers have frameless glass

14. 20 Features of a Gourmet Kitchen:

1. Dual fuel Stainless Range with Natural Gas cooktop, 2 electric convection ovens
   (convertible to one large convection oven) and a warming drawer
2. Stainless fridge (french doors and freezer drawer) showcase door on right side filtered ice/water dispenser on left side
3. Stainless dishwasher with stainless interior
4. Built-in stainless microwave
5. Built-in sink garburator
6. Genuine hardwood raised-panel cabinet doors, or optional white Shaker or white Smooth cabinet doors
7. Hardwood cabinets have wood-grain finish inside
8. Recessed LED lighting under upper cabinets
9. Soft-closing cabinet doors & full extension, soft-closing drawers
10. Quartz countertops
11. Full-height tile backsplash between countertop and upper cabinets
12. Extra height upper cabinets (more storage)
13. Most kitchens have a lazy susan cabinet
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. Most kitchens have a pantry with pull-out shelves
18. 3 port communications outlet and USB power outlet
19. Decorative tile floor
20. 9’ ceilings with high-end LED lighting

15. Cost:

• Cost comes in two forms: purchase price and monthly strata fees
• For your livable area most of our suites are in the upper $400s to lower-$500s per sq.ft.,( which is very reasonable for South Surrey where prices can range to over $800 per livable sq. ft.)
• Higher quality developments usually have lower strata fees
• Strata fees at Forest Ridge are very competitive, with a projected average of about 22 cents per sq.ft. per month for livable square footage
• Exact costs for every suite are available from our sales staff

16. Architecture:

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

17. Interior Design:

• We avoid the minimalist “downtown” look inside our suites
• At Forest Ridge 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 quartz

18. 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

19. Location, Location, Location:

• You need good amenities like shopping and restaurants
• Access to the freeway
• Green space and distance from downtown congestion
• Close to buses and Park & Ride
• Close to schools
• Close to Crecent Beach (9 minute drive), White Rock Pier & Promenade (10 minute drive), Peace Arch U.S. border (15-20 minute drive)

20. Security, Safety and Warranty:

• The buildings have a 55+ camera Closed Circuit TV system
• Well lit, secured, underground parking
• Private lockable storage garage 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
• Your suite is sprinkler protected, including solariums and attics
• Our buildings have a TREVELERS 2-5-10 year warranty
• 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

21. High-end Appliances:

Refrigerator:

• Stainless steel
• French door with lower freezer drawer
• Ice and water in one door
• Food Showcase, easy access, door in the other
• Twin Cooling Plus cools fridge and freezer separately

Range:

• Dual fuel, Stainless steel
• 5 burner natural gas cooktop
• Middle oval burner can be used for oversized pots and pans, or the griddle
• 2 convection ovens; can be used independently or converted to one full size convection oven for large dishes
• Temperature controlled warming oven

Microwave:

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

Dishwasher:

• Well insulated with stainless interior and exterior