By Simon Royer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Icon Realty

I get calls about a listing like this from a few different kinds of people, and they're not who you'd expect to overlap. A first-time buyer who's done renting. An investor looking for something low-maintenance to add to a portfolio. And someone buying on their own for the first time, who doesn't need or want more space than they'll actually use. Unit 9D at 50 Howe Drive in Kitchener's Laurentian Hills works for all three, and I want to walk through why.

For First-Time Buyers

At $329,900, this is an easier number to work with than most of what's on the market right now. It's a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo, 785 sq ft, all on one level, so there's no second floor to furnish and no stairs to think about. New flooring, a new water softener, and an upgraded air conditioning system mean the big-ticket items are already handled, you're not walking into a home that needs work before you can move in.

In-suite laundry, a private patio, and one dedicated parking spot round it out, plus plenty of visitor parking for when people come by. It's the kind of unit that lets you stop renting without taking on a home that's bigger, and more expensive, than you actually need.

At $328.82 a month, the condo fee covers building maintenance, common elements, doors, ground maintenance and landscaping, the roof, and windows. That's most of the things that catch new homeowners off guard already built into one predictable monthly cost.

For Investors

Low-maintenance is the theme here, and that matters for returns. A single-level, 1-bed layout with recent updates to flooring, water softener, and AC means fewer maintenance calls and less capital work in the near term. In-suite laundry is a real draw for tenants, it's one of the first things renters look for and one of the easiest things to not have.

Pets and BBQs are welcome in this complex, which widens your tenant pool right away, a lot of complexes restrict one or both. One parking spot plus visitor parking covers the basics without the complexity of a larger unit. The $328.82 monthly condo fee covers building maintenance, common elements, doors, landscaping, the roof, and windows, so major exterior costs are already accounted for instead of landing on you unexpectedly. At this price point in Kitchener, the numbers on a 1-bedroom rental are worth running.

For Singles Buying on Their Own

This is the one that gets overlooked. Buying alone, you don't need three bedrooms and you shouldn't have to pay for space you're not going to use just because that's what's available. A 785 sq ft, 1-bed, 1-bath unit on a single level is genuinely enough home, and it's priced like it.

It's move-in ready, which matters more when you're doing this without a second income to lean on if something goes wrong. New flooring, new water softener, upgraded AC, in-suite laundry, nothing left to fix or replace right away. And with pets welcome, you're not choosing between buying your own place and keeping your dog or cat.

Getting Around

Laurentian Hills isn't tucked away from everything, it's genuinely well-connected. Food Basics is about a 7-minute drive, Highway 8 and the Conestoga Parkway are about 6 minutes away, and Block Line ION station is roughly 8 minutes if you take transit into downtown Kitchener or Waterloo. McLennan Park, with its walking trails and dog park, is about a 5-minute drive or a 25-minute walk if you want to stretch your legs.

Do you live nearby? Find out what your Home could be worth?

Make This Move-In Ready Home Yours

Unit 9D is still available. Book a private showing and I'll walk you through it, whether you're buying your first place, adding to your portfolio, or just done paying someone else's mortgage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 50 Howe Drive Unit 9D a good fit for first-time buyers? Yes. At $329,900 for a move-in ready 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo with recent updates to flooring, water softener, and AC, it's an accessible entry point without needing renovation work first.

Is this a good investment property? Yes. It's low-maintenance with recent updates, includes in-suite laundry which tenants look for, and pets and BBQs are welcome, which widens your pool of prospective tenants.

Is this unit a good fit for someone buying on their own? Yes. At 785 sq ft on a single level, it's sized for one person without paying for space you won't use, and it's move-in ready with nothing urgent to fix or replace.

Can I see the unit in person? Yes, reach out to book a private showing at a time that works for you.

What's nearby? Food Basics is about a 7-minute drive, Highway 8 and the Conestoga Parkway are about 6 minutes away, Block Line ION station is roughly 8 minutes, and McLennan Park with its trails and dog park is a short drive or 25-minute walk.

Are pets and BBQs allowed? Yes, both are welcome in this complex.

What does the condo fee cover? The $328.82 monthly fee covers building maintenance, common elements, doors, ground maintenance and landscaping, the roof, and windows.

Simon's Final Word

Whether you're buying your first home, adding to a portfolio, or buying on your own for the first time, the best way to know if this is the right fit is to walk through it yourself. Reach out and I'll set up a time to show it to you.

Book a free call with Simon | Get a free home evaluation | View the full listing

This blog post reflects the personal opinions and professional experience of Simon Royer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Icon Realty. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. RE/MAX Icon Realty Brokerage, 33-620 Davenport Rd, Waterloo ON N2V 2C2