AFFORDABLE NEW CONDOS

Stepping into home ownership can be an expensive challenge, but some Calgary builders are opening that door with floor plans that rival the cost of rent. At press time, the average cost of resale apartments in the city was $284,900, says the Calgary Real Estate Board. However, many new condo developments are substantially less than that, including some with prices in the high $100,000s. The last time the average price on resale condos was less than $200,000, it was December 2005, says CREB. “Affordability is incredibly important in today’s market and industry has reacted quite well to ensuring there is ample supply available for buyers,” said Avi Urban’s president Charron Ungar last month. Here are five floor plans available at developments in Calgary for less than $200,000,

REGATTA IN AUBURN BAY

The southeast lake community saw this 168-condo development by Brookfield Residential come on stream last year. Its lowest current price is for the Victoria floor plan. Measuring 552 square feet, the one-bedroom layout starts from $194,500, before tax. The Regatta property will contain a bocce ball court and outdoor dog wash in a large courtyard area. Fifty per cent of its first two buildings front a striking municipal reserve. Another benefit to the location is the new commercial development anchored by a Co-op grocery store across the street.

COPPERFIELD PARK III

Need space for a room mate or guest room? Copperfield Park III is offering its 858-square-foot, two-bedroom and two-bathroom C2 condo from $189,900, before tax. The final phase of this development by Brad Remington Homes will go to market Feb. 11. The development also has a 647-square-foot E condo starting from $164,900. It has one bedroom and one bathroom. Brad Remington Homes’ Legacy Park development offers condos from the $100,000s.

ORCHARD SKY

Since its launch in 2015, the Truman Homes development has been a landing spot for people in the market for a competitively priced condo. A new phase for the 432-condo complex in northeast Calgary’s SkyView Ranch opens Feb. 4. The lowest price at Orchard Sky is $188,000, before the tax, which is for Unit B. This 646-square-foot floor plan is available with two bedrooms or one bedroom plus a den. Truman vice-president Oliver Trutina says condos at Orchard Sky are available for a down payment of $1,500, due to its partnership with the Liberty Home Ownership Program.

WALDEN PLACE

The southeast community of Walden welcomed a substantial multi-family development in early 2016, and affordable condos were part of the mix. Walden Place by Cardel Lifestyles will build out to 428 apartment-style condos and 40 townhomes. It has multiple condos for less than $200,000 with its Bonavista floor plan the least expensive. Depending on its location within the development, it ranges from $154,900 to $179,900. The Bonavista has one bedroom, one bathroom and measures 544 square feet.

MAVERICK

The 177-unit condo development by Avi Urban, launched this past January, is the first multi-family site in the new community of Livingston. Its most affordable condo is the one bedroom and one bathroom Floorplan D. The 530-square-foot condo is $185,888, including the tax. Avi Urban was named Multi-Family Builder of the Year at the Calgary Region SAM (Sales and Marketing) Awards announced in early 2016. Livingston is a masterplanned community in northwest Calgary by Brookfield Residential that launched in summer 2016. At 519 hectares, it’s about onethird the size of Okotoks.