About The Condo-Check Team
Condo-Check is a privately owned and operated company that was founded by Bernice M. Winter (Bernie) in 1994.
Our Mission Statement
“To provide perspective, expertise and experience in assisting with the evaluation and review of the operation and function of a condominium corporation through, examining their documents. We assess the condition of the capital items and the financial viability of a condominium corporation for the discriminating condominium buyer, seller or lender.”
Condo-Check’s Charities of Choice
World Vision
Currently Condo-Check sponsors 3 World Vision Children. Each time we are paid to do a review, $1.00 goes to sponsor a child. Our commitment is this: as our volume of reviews grows by 40 consistently, for a 90 day period, we sponsor a new child.
Maneesha Mattigunta of Kodambakkam, Chennai India.
Manseesha is 8 years old. She lives with her parents. Her parents are self-employed, but their combined earnings are barely enough to provide for their family.
Stani Mpemba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
Stani is 9 years old. He does not go to school. He is in good health and carries water for the village. He lives with his parents who are self-employed.
Constantin Ionut Untaru of Bucharest, Romania
Constantin was born with Aides and is 17 today. He loves to play basket ball and is very good with mathematics. He lives with his parents in a one room dwelling that is too small for their family. The father is employed, although he earns so little it is impossible to meet their needs.
The Back Door
To support our local community Condo-Check sponsors The Back Door, a Calgary non-profit group that works with youth 17 to 24 years old, who are committed to changing their lives. Since 1988, 76% of the youth who contract with The Back Door have succeeded in changing their lives from the street to mainstream society. We are proud to support this agency any time we can.
Meet the Condo-Check Team
Bernice (Bernie) M. Winter, A.C.C.I., F.C.C.I.
Bernice was the founder and remains the President and C.E.O. of Condo-Check. Having pioneered the document review service in Canada, Bernie brings a 30 + year perspective and experience to the team. Bernie lives on an acreage north of the city with her horse "Rocketeer", her chihuahua "Angel" , "Bella" and "Tommy 6", her two cats. She misses living in her condo every time she clears the snow on her 485' driveway. >>more about Bernie
Condo-Check Administration and Document Intake
After completing high school Keowna chose to pursue and education in Business Administration. She left the work force after many years of managing a team of employees to manage her two boys, Leif, now 8 and Owen 5. Keowna has been with Condo-Check for five years and oversees the office and the team.
Gail Hope, ccm
Condo-Check Document Review and Independent Corporate Report Consultant
Gail hold a Certificate in Conflict Management and a Qualified Mediator designation. she has owned her own business consulting company for the past 12 years and is no stranger to condominium. After 4 years in Edmonton, Gail is excited to return "home" to family and friends in Calgary with her daughter and their 3 cats, Munchkin, Squilver and Zoomer, and their fishes, Peek-A-Boo and Google Eyes.
Heidi Sikina
Tracy Barbas
Condo-Check Administration
Tracy has been entering data into our data base and keeping track of the business details for the past eighteen months, on a part time basis, while being a full-time mom to her three boys, William (7), Daniel (5) and Ryan (3). Tracy brings her energy and focus to the team as she keeps us up-to-date and makes us laugh as she shares her life of adventure with her family.
Words from Bernice M. Winter, the Founder of Condo-Check
I would like to share what motivated me to pioneer the document review service for buyers of condominium homes.
My career in condominiums began in the property management business in the early 70’s. My career as a condominium manager soon involved special assessing (cash calls) young families and seniors who simply were not able to pay these assessments, nor the increases in their monthly contributions. In Alberta condominium law, if an owner is not able to pay these assessments or increases, the condominium corporation has the right to foreclose on the home. In the mid 80’s, as the market changed, I could not find it in my heart to give foreclosure notices to seniors and these young families. So, I gave up my management career.
In 1986 left the management business and obtained my Real Estate licence. I spent eight years selling condominiums, committed to providing the information that a buyer needs regarding the operation and function of the condominium corporation, before they buy. I realized during my real estate sales career that buyers are not aware, that when they purchase a condominium home, they are not only buying property but that they are also becoming a “shareholder” in a legal corporation. This means they inherit all liabilities, benefits and assets of that condominium corporation. This makes checking into how the corporation operates an important part of the buying decision.
Having managed, owned and sold condominiums, it was clear to me that consumers were getting hurt when they learned the “facts” of that corporation AFTER becoming an owner. These “facts” can include things like renovations, pet restrictions, age restrictions, BBQ’s, storage of RV’s, boats, etc. These “facts” often would detail how the maintenance is being deferred, and that there was a shortage of operating funds, or on the other hand, how the corporation was proactive, organized and functioning very well.
After leaving the real estate sales industry, I was asked by a colleague to assist her young buyer in verifying if she could have her dog in the condominium home she wanted to buy. I gladly sat down with this young woman and her Realtor and went over the package of documents, identifying the process to address her concern. As I did this, I observed how overwhelmed the buyer was as I flipped from one document to another, to answer her questions.
This was when the Document Review Service was born. I designed a written report and summary that would identify any red flags, good news and gave perspective to the operation of a condominium corporation so a buyer could make an informed buying decision.
I am proud that I have pioneered this service and I am proud that it is now available in many cities across Canada. One note of caution - in Alberta, the condo document review service is not a regulated service. Be sure you inquire as to the qualifications of the person providing this service to ensure you get the benefits you are paying for. At Condo-Check, we subscribe to the Canadian Condominium Institute and guide ourselves according to the their code of ethics. We also carry insurance to protect you, the buyer. We choose these business practices to demonstrate our commitment to providing you with a competent and accurate document review.
Thank you for using Condo-Check
Bernice M Winter (Bernie) A.C.C.I., F.C.C.I.