REAL ESTATE NEWS & BUYER'S GUIDE ARTICLE BELOW

Resale Home Showcase Feature
Article Title : CONDO LIVING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
By: Douglas Duke, Editor

There are few places in the city of Hamilton that hold as much fascination for me as that narrow strip of residential neighbourhood between Concession St. and the edge of the escarpment. The mystique of this area has likely been perpetuated in my mind due in large part to some of the wonderful street names in the vicinity like Viewpoint, Alpine and Cliff - names that conjure up images of a mountain resort nestled somewhere deep in the Canadian Rockies.

Of course, our mountain isn't nestled in the Rockies. Heck, it's not even a mountain. However, it is a geological feature that's impressive nonetheless and anyone who hasn't spent some time as its precipice looking out over the city has really denied themselves on of the simple pleasures of living in the Hamilton area. I've often thought what a shame it is that folks passing through the city can't drive along the mountain brow to do as opposed to the taking the QEW over the Skyway Bridge. Certainly the view of Hamilton and surrounding area is much more palatable from up there.

Perhaps one of the best places to look out over the city of Hamilton is from the top of the Wentworth Street Stairs at the western tip of Mountain Drive Park. Several benches and little lookout area have been a staple of this area for decades and folks living in the surrounding neighbourhood have long been the target of my envy because of their easy access to such a wonderful place for leisurely strolls or to simply sit and watch the world go by. People fortunate enough to be living at this week's feature property are prime examples.

Summit Avenue is a short street connecting Concession Street to Mountain Park Drive. A walk from one end to the other would take less than a minute and at about the halfway point is number 30, a seven-storey condominium building built-coincidentally enough - approximately 30 years ago in the heyday of mountain development.

Around the same time, Megna Real Estate began to earn its current reputation as one of Ontario's leading property management companies. In recent years, they've developed a real knack for taking older apartment buildings, completely renovating them and then selling the newly-upgraded units as affordable condominiums. The building at 30 Summit is one of several such properties that Megna is currently turning over. And at close to 70 percent occupancy, they're filling it very quickly.

Consisting of good-sized, bright, clean units, 30 Summit has been retrofitted to provide optimum condo living with a secure camera-controlled access system, underground and carport parking and new windows throughout the building. Inside the units, floors have been plushly carpeted wall to wall and kitchens and bathrooms have been gutted and thoroughly renovated replete with new cupboards, countertops and ceramics. These units basically show like new and give little indication of their former selves.

Ideal for single professionals or active empty nesters, the condos at 30 Summit are comprised largely of well-laid out one bedroom units with surprisingly large kitchen/dining areas, generous bedroom space and attractive three-piece bathrooms. All of the units boast ample closet space and each and every unit has access to its own private balcony which provides good views of the immediate area on all sides.

Megna has taken every step to ensure that these units exhibit as much luxury as possible while still allowing for an affordable living experience. In fact, prices starting at just $60,500, owning your own condo on Summit Avenue could work out much cheaper than many people are currently paying for rent. Even with the modest condo fees and property taxes added on, Megna can clearly illustrate how a purchaser can carry their mortgage here for a little over $500 per month with just five percent down.

Of course, one of the best selling features of the condos at 30 Summit is their ideal location. Not only is the natural playground of the escarpment less than a block away, but one of the city's most eclectic and charming shopping districts is right on your doorstep. From banks and libraries to grocery stores and pubs, there's little that the business community of Concession Street doesn't offer the people of this wonderful neighbourhood.

Without doubt, life of Summit Avenue would be good. Why not take a drive up to the top of Hamilton and have a peek at what Megna has been doing lately. And if you have sometime, take a moment to enjoy the view. You may never want to leave!