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

Starting with the Top 5 Items that are Key to RESALE Value

SolariumsStorageParkingAir ConditioningNatural Gas
TechnologyQuality9 foot ceilings & 7 foot doorsTransitSizeQuieter SuitesStrata Rules and FeesBathroomKitchenCostArchitectureInterior Design EnergyLocationSecurityHigh-end Appliances

Solariums

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 Yorkson Downs 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
  • Most balconies are very generous sized for entertaining

Storage

2. Storage & Electric Cars:

Storage Mini-Garage
Storage Mini-Garage
  • Quality storage is key to convenience and suite resale value
  • Some buildings have no storage, some have little cages. At Yorkson Downs every suite comes with a huge secure, concrete walled, storage garage near one of your parking spots for your convenience
  • Storage garages vary in size but most are 400 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 slow-charge an electric car, and the garage power is upgradable to allow a rapid car charger to be installed

2 Parking Spots

3. Parking: Every suite has 2 parking spots!

  • A key to resale value is having 2 parking spots
  • At Yorkson Downs every suite has over-sized double parking spots
  • This also keeps congestion off the streets
  • We have generous visitor parking
  • Extra Height: our parkade can handle 7′ high vehicles in almost all stalls
  • One of your parking spots can accommodate an electric car
  • Well lit, secure, underground parking



Air Conditioning

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

Natural Gas

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”

Technology

6. Technology:

  • State of the art Fibre Optic cabling to the building
  • 3 port communications outlets throughout (phone/cable/internet)
  • Shaw high speed internet and digital HDTV included
  • Record TV with the included Shaw Gateway multi-room system (up to 6 programs at once, and from anyplace, anytime with the Shaw Go smartphone app)
  • Internet speed upgradeable to a full Gigabit download speed
  • 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 Yorkson Downs
  • Shaw Go apps are designed to deliver mobile content to Shaw customers anyplace, anytime, including CTV GO, Global Go, History Go, and more

Quality

7. Quality:

  • Most buildings are built to “rental grade” , not Yorkson Downs
  • 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.


9 Foot Ceilings & 7 Foot Doors

8. 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 Yorkson Downs we have solid core doors that are 7 feet tall to match the upscale feel of the 9 foot ceilings.
  • Ceilings is some areas, such as bathrooms, are lower.
  • Some ceilings in top floor suites are vaulted, between 11 and 12 feet off the floor.

Transit

9. Transit:

Everyone in the Lower Mainland wants to be able to connect to our world-class SkyTrain system. The ExpressBus/SkyTrain also connects Langley to Vancouver International Airport. Yorkson Downs is near the Langley Park & Ride.
TransLink and the Provincial Government recently completed a $55 million SkyTrain Park and Ride express service from Langley to the SkyTrain. This facility, the Carvolth Exchange and Park & Ride, is only a 5 minute drive from Yorkson Downs.
Express Bus #555 connects directly to the Lougheed SkyTrain Station with only 1 stop. Please go to www.translink.ca for full details.
There is a regular bus stop near the corner of 88th and 208th.


Size

10. Size of Suites:

  • It’s not always easy to find larger suites in new developments
  • Yorkson Downs offers large suites with up to 1769 sq.ft. of living space
  • Every bedroom at Yorkson Downs can accommodate a king size or queen size bed

Quieter Suites

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

Quiet is not Silent

Older buildings are notorious for sound transmission between suites. Yorkson Downs goes many steps beyond what is required in the building code. Even with this extra acoustic work, you will still be able to detect other people living in your building.

Strata Fees

12. Strata Rules & fees:

Strata Rules & Fees:
At Yorkson Downs, monthly strata fees are low, estimated at $223 for 2019.

Strata Fees include:

  • Fire/Water/Flood/Earthquake insurance that is required for your mortgage
  • Hot water from high-efficiency condensing boilers
  • Natural gas for your 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 Yorkson Downs 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 Yorkson Downs 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

Bathroom

13. 20 Features of an Elegant Bathroom:

  1. Heated tile floor
  2. Quartz vanity top
  3. Genuine wood raised-panel cabinets
  4. Luxury height countertops
  5. Soft-closing cabinet doors
  6. 3/4 extension, soft-closing drawers
  7. Built-in medicine cabinet
  8. Large mirrors
  9. Heated fog-free mirrors
  10. Built-in LED night light
  11. Luxury height toilets & countertops
  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 tiled ceilings
  20. Showers have frameless glass

Kitchen

14. 20 Features of a Gourmet Kitchen:

  1. Dual fuel, Stainless Oven, 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
  3. Stainless dishwasher with stainless interior
  4. Built-in stainless microwave
  5. Built-in sink garburator
  6. Genuine hardwood raised panel or sleek vinyl wood-grain 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
  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

Cost

15. Cost:

  • Cost comes in two forms: purchase price and monthly strata fees
  • Most condos in Langley cost about $380 per sq. ft., a little higher for small suites
  • The other cost is strata fees
  • High quality developments usually have lower strata fees
  • At Yorkson Downs strata fees are very low, $223 per month (2019)
  • Your Shaw Internet and Cable TV is prepaid by Quadra Homes for 3 years

Architecture

16. Architecture:

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

Interior Design

17. 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 quartz

Energy Efficiency

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

Location

19. 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
  • Walking distance to ‘Your Independent Grocer’ store and ‘Shoppers Drug Mart’
  • Close to theatre, libraries, community centres, rinks and pools
  • Close to schools, including Mandarin and French Immersion

Security

20. Security, Safety and Warranty:

  • The buildings have a 55+ camera Closed Circuit TV system
  • Well lit underground parking
  • Private lockable storage garage by your parking stall
  • Separate, above ground, visitor parking
  • 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 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
  • Yorkson is considered one of the safest areas in the Lower Mainland

Appliances

21. High-end Appliances:

Range:Visit Manufacturer Website Click Here
  • 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 can be used independently or converted to one full size oven for large dishes
  • Temperature controlled warming oven

Microwave:

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

Refrigerator:Visit Manufacturer Website Click Here

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

Dishwasher:

  • Well insulated with stainless interior and exterior

NOTE

Each suite also includes a front loading washer and dryer; and an in-sink kitchen garburator.