Townhouses For Sale in Morrison, Niagara Falls

Central complexes around Dorchester and Portage

Morrison's townhouses are spread across condo complexes on Dorchester Road, Portage Road, Cropp Street and Meadowvale Drive, among others. Most are two-storey townhouses with private backyards, decks and parking, and some have more parking than you might expect in a condo complex.

Being central means a short drive to almost anywhere in the city: the QEW to the west, the tourist core to the east and shopping on the main roads.

Complexes here range in size and age, and the way each is managed varies too. Walking the grounds, looking at the state of fences, roofs and paving, and talking to an owner if you can will tell you more than the listing photos. Units with private backyards and decks are common, which suits buyers who want a little outdoor space without the upkeep of a full lot.

What Morrison fees tend to include

Morrison fees often cover more than the exterior. A typical listing shows maintenance, water, common area maintenance, parking and building insurance included. When water is included, part of what looks like a higher fee is really a utility bill you would otherwise pay yourself.

To compare complexes fairly, add up what you would pay in each for the fee plus utilities, rather than comparing fees alone.

Older complexes: the checks that matter

Morrison's complexes are established, and many have been around for decades. That brings a familiar set of questions:

• Reserve fund health. Read the study and compare the balance with planned spending over the next ten years.
• Recent work. Ask what has already been replaced, such as roofs, windows, fences and asphalt.
• Special assessments. Look for any current or proposed assessments in the status certificate.
• Owner responsibilities. Some declarations leave windows, doors or decks to owners.
• Insurance deductible. Know what you would be responsible for if a claim starts in your unit.

Older complexes sometimes have original electrical panels, aluminum windows or aging fences. None of these are deal-breakers on their own, but they should be priced into your offer and covered by your home inspection.

Who buys in Morrison

First-time buyers like Morrison because older condo townhouses can be a more accessible way into a family-sized home with a yard. Investors like the central location for tenants who work in the city.

Downsizers from the GTA consider it for its location and convenience, though most units are two storeys. If stairs are a concern, ask about any bungalow layouts in the complex, or look at Casey to the north.

Families like the central location for school runs and errands, and the larger complexes often include play areas or green space within the grounds.

Morrison versus newer west-side townhouses

Compared with new townhouses in Brown, Morrison offers a central, established setting and complexes whose costs are already known, but older interiors and systems. Many Morrison units have been updated, so a renovated unit in a well-funded complex can give you the best of both. Get a home inspection either way, and pay attention to the furnace, air conditioner, electrical panel and basement for any signs of moisture.

A central location also tends to hold appeal over time, since schools, shopping and the main roads are already in place and are not waiting for new development.