[Hondaracer]

yea true, i just feel like at the end of the day with the freehold property you are virtually never obligated to pay upkeep costs lol.. until something breaks or needs replacing all you have to pay are utilities and property taxes, where as in your strata situation your paying those, and strata.. albeit like you said, at a lesser purchase price.

I'd say in a situation where you could put X amount down on the mortgage of a freehold home, and have a rent-able suite that would cover at least the interest on the mortgage, you are coming out ahead in puting the same % down on a strata duplex yet having to pay the strata fees.

Duplex's and high rises are one thing, but i find that the people who want to be in a townhouse strata situation, are for the most part, people who do not want to lift a finger when it comes to doing almost anything, like they cant even be bothered to pick up garbage in their planters if they see it. Drive in the garage, shut the blinds, live.