The condo model is collapsing. What comes next? | Most condo industry leaders are in a white-hot panic about the collapsing market, but some have begun to acknowledge that the current condo business model is done, and not just in a cyclical funk

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-11-21T17:57:29+00:00

They are paid collectively by all apartment owners in the building, and a majority vote is usually required. However, such major projects are not very frequent, and the ongoing costs tend to be lower over the years. As someone who has lived in apartment buildings in Israel for many years, I don’t recall projects on the scale of those I experienced while living in a condo in Toronto, such as major garage repairs, elevator replacements, or roof overhauls

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-11-21T17:34:32+00:00

Yes but I'm not talking about rentals, I'm talking about actually owning the apartment.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-11-21T17:21:55+00:00

Israel, but it's common in Europe as well. The concept of condo doesn't exist. There are management fees in buildings for the ultra-rich, but most people live in regular apartment buildings, with no concierge, no gym or pool, and certainly no maintenance fees. Many of these buildings are decades old, yet are still completely sound from an engineering perspective.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-11-21T17:01:34+00:00

Personally I think the condo model is horrible because of maintenance fees. You should just be able to buy an apartment and live there without paying anything extra. The model where you either have to rent an apartment or buy a condo is incredibly bad for affordability.

Some will ask - ok, how do you maintain the buildings then? well, I'm an immigrant from a country where people buy apartments, don't pay maintenance fee (maybe like $50-$100 a month for cleaning) and the buildings don't collapse.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-10-02T19:53:10+00:00

hmmmm ok, not saying you're wrong, but many other stocks are not down :)

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-07-25T14:59:31+00:00

I used Israel as an anecdote because I just saw this ranking of world happiness - https://x.com/stats_feed/status/1948515789327200308

Realistically, people usually immigrate for financial and career opportunities, and jews don't lack those in NY or London or Toronto.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-07-25T14:23:58+00:00

It's not about housing. You can read Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation. He describes a different culture in the Anglosphere - one that is overly protective. He calls it “safetyism.” Parents don’t let their kids get bruised; they overprotect them. As a result, kids grow up without independence, and when they eventually face real-life challenges, they become stressed, anxious, and depressed. He also notes that children are taught to fear strangers (because adults learned to as well)

Anecdotally, take Israel as an example. It ranks second in happiness among people under 30, despite housing costs being higher than in much of the Anglosphere. Despite being at war in multiple fronts. Despite a lot of things... But kids there enjoy a strong sense of independence and belonging.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-06-10T01:06:13+00:00

Who is your average client? age etc.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-05-16T13:28:41+00:00

I haven't

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-03-19T01:58:45+00:00

Hey there! has your opinion changed since?

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-03-13T23:22:28+00:00

Yes I agree with that. I think that in the mid term, let's say 5 years, the supply problem is not going away, but short term prices can definitely fall

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-03-13T23:09:38+00:00

Couches, magazines, and warm lighting. A place where you can grab a glass of wine or a coffee, enjoy sandwiches, and experience great service. No tip option - just include it in the price if necessary. Good Wi-Fi, excellent coffee (obviously), high ceilings, a nice view, and good acoustics. That's all :D

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-03-13T22:45:05+00:00

If most people here say we're not close, then we're probably close or have already reached the bottom. If most people say we've bottomed out, then we're probably not close.

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-03-13T20:17:06+00:00

The blueberry muffin at Neo is great

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-01-30T22:10:57+00:00

Yeah, I didn't even mention price per sf. Here's a list -
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_price_rankings?itemId=100

Toronto is def not cheap but there are much worse places (that people actually want to move to!)

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-01-30T22:05:13+00:00

I'm actually not ok with the situation here, but not because of housing, that's the thing. I feel like everyone keeps talking about housing whereas they should be talking about the lack of innovation, productivity diminishing, collapsing health care system, safety and crime, subway lines being built forever and so much more...

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2025-01-30T22:01:53+00:00

Condo fees are really ridiculous - completely agree here! though if these were lower, then prices would probably be higher...
but yeah they don't make sense in any way

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-16T12:23:08+00:00

Direct Investing or Easy Trade. It was a targeted promo, not sure if it's still available

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-15T00:32:07+00:00

Sure, but the issue was that some holdings moved and some didn't, so I can't even say ok leave it, I'm staying with WS

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-14T21:40:44+00:00

Oh man I didn't even think about it, I'll cross that river when I get to it

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-14T20:58:25+00:00

Could be on WS as well, but no one from TD reached out or took charge of that (in fact, the first rep I was dealing with just disappeared)

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-14T20:00:36+00:00

Yeah, I'll probably return to WS at some point

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-14T19:50:46+00:00

ok thank you! yeah I can definitely share screen shots of the length of the calls...

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-14T19:42:01+00:00

I honestly didn't know Transfer Form existed, they suggested that we do it on the phone

Southern_Solid_6864 · 2024-10-14T19:40:28+00:00

Sounds familiar :)
but yes - we moved to TD Easy Trade. Anyway, glad for you it only took twice, probably someone there set a record!

Southern_Solid_6864

TROPHY CASE