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Claire Vandenberg
West Lynden Storage Condos
Designed for the discerning RVer, the units feature 12’ x 14’ overhead doors, 60 amp panels (metered separately), a natural gas heater and they are fully insulated and dry-walled.2 of 2
West Lynden Storage Condos
By Perry Mack
Many of us understand that paying rent is paying someone else’s mortgage - plus a premium. In the long term you also miss out on the historic rise in property values, that’s why many of us own our homes rather than rent. ‘Pay yourself rather than someone else.’ Another benefit is the piece of mind that comes from knowing your ‘rent’ won’t change and no landlord will sell your home out from under you.
Storing your RV often means paying rent. And while outside storage initially appears cheaper, your RV can suffer weather damage, increasing your maintenance costs and decreasing the resale value of your motorhome. Which is why inside storage is highly preferred, if you can stomach the rental costs.
The smart money is going south of the border. Strata storage units in much of BC range from $90,000 to $130,000, typically higher in the lower mainland. West Lynden Storage is a good example of where the smart money is going. Unit pricing begins at $55,000 US, an estimated savings of $35,000 compared to our side of the border. “Sizes start at 4.87 m x 13.72 m (16’ x 45’), 67 sq metres (720 sq ft) and go up to 165 sq metres (1777 sq ft). There are also longer units available 4.87 m x 16.76 m (16’ x 55’) so that means whatever size your RV we have units large enough to store the RV with slide outs extended (as recommended by RV manufacturers for longer storage periods).”
Units of this size are large enough to comfortably to store a good-sized boat (or boats). If you don’t own a boat you can rent your unit out for boat storage while you’re down south for the winter.
The grounds are well maintained, owners have use of washrooms and there’s water to fill your fresh water tanks before you begin your next vacation as well as to wash your RV down when you return.
Designed for the discerning RVer, the units feature 12’ x 14’ overhead doors, 60 amp panels (metered separately), a natural gas heater and they are fully insulated and dry-walled. While many commercial strata units can be used for your RV storage they lack the amenities at West Lynden including an RV dump station (with prep area) and a fully enclosed fence with remote controlled gate allowing 24-hour access.
Commercial strata’s also typically see a great deal more wear, tear and abuse which results in higher strata fees. We own a commercial strata unit in Kelowna, BC - which is 57.8 sq meters (632 sq ft) - and at least two of our neighbours use theirs for storing their motorhomes. These units sold for roughly $85,000 new and still command in the neighbourhood of $100,000. In Kelowna, our strata fees are roughly $70/month and property taxes $1700 annually for a total annual ownership cost of $2540/yr. Claire Vandenberg of West Lynden Storage Condos estimates owners costs at just $930 to $980 for strata fees and taxes – over 50% less than what we pay for strata unit.
A convenient location is also a key consideration for RV storage. At just 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) from the border at Aldergrove, BC and easy access off the I-5, your unit here is easily accessible.
If you decide you’d like to move your smart money into some US property, contact Dick Vandenberg at (360) 393-2414. He lives close by in Lynden so you can call him to set up a viewing. The address for the storage condominium complex is 2305 Leatherwood Drive, Lynden, WA 98264.
For more information interested parties can visit www.westlyndenstoragecondos.com to view the Virtual Video Tour of the strata complex featured on their website.