Every unit owner gets a copy of the annual financial report from the BC. Read it. If you feel the money is not being spent wisely, get yourself on the committee, attend meetings and vote on issues.
Body corp fees tend to go up in spurts. Everything hums along, reserves are gradually spent, increases in levies are voted down till it all gets to the point where levies HAVE to rise by a considerable percentage.
BC fees quoted in OFP projects should be taken with a grain of salt, and at least doubled when considering an investment. In the fine print it will say the amount given is an estimate only, and naturally everything is costed to the minimum to make the proposition appear attractive. Within a few years the levies will find their true level to reflect costs.
On site managers, pools, gyms and lifts are all expensive and have to be paid for.
Marg