If you go into a beautifully renovated unit and fall in love with the interior of the unit and forget to analyze the exterior you may be setting yourself up for future financial and emotional strain.

Remember when buying strata you are not only buying your unit but a share in an existing corporation. If the existing corporation is not performing proper maintenance on the building structure, consider the amount of power you have over making these changes.

Even if you are the persuasive type, remember it will take you some time to get on council to make changes!

When you are analyzing the outside of a building look specifically at these areas:

• The corners of the windows: Look at the bottom of all of the windows and note the area where the window meets the exterior wall of the structure. Are there any noticeable stains?
  
• Where the deck meets the exterior wall of the building: Are there any noticeable stains running from the edge of the deck down the exterior wall?
• The edge of the deck: Are there water and or green stains on the edge of the deck?
• Have the gutters been cleaned both on the outside and inside? You may not always be able to tell if the gutters are clean on the inside due to accessibility. Make sure to find out in the strata minutes how often gutters are cleaned. Failing that your home inspector should be able to tell you the condition of the gutters.
• Are there large roof overhangs incorporated into the structure? Roof overhangs and angled, sloped roofs are desirable not for aesthetic reasons but to help prevent water ingress into the structure. Part of the problem with some of the buildings that have experienced water damage is that water from the roof is allowed to run off directly onto the structure rather than being directed away from the structure by angled overhangs.
• What condition is the landscaping in? While this does not directly affect the structure of the building it will give you a sense of whether the strata spend money on proper upkeep. Nice grounds also contribute to your resale value and help to decrease vandalism.
• What condition is the roof in? Again your home inspector should be able to tell you the condition of the roof and the estimated lifespan left on the roof. The minutes should be able to tell you if the roof has been replaced or repaired.