Infill builds help boost older neighbourhoods
Done right, new homes can boost selling prices and brighten up established areas
If you spend some time walking around your city’s older neighbourhoods, what do you notice?
The charm of the community, big trees, lots of history and neighbourhoods that are generally full of character are what stand out to me. There’s a definite appeal to owning a home in an established community, but what happens when you can’t find a pre-built home that suits your needs? Well, one option is to invest in a new build.
For many homeowners, when they think about building a new home, often they think about a new home in a new subdivision built from the ground up.
You’ll generally have more control over the design and function of the home, which means you can have a home built to your standards. But to do that, do you have to sacrifice the charm of living in an old neighbourhood?
Enter the infill build.
An infill build takes an available plot of land (whether it’s vacant, or by knocking down the pre-existing structure) in an established neighbourhood and builds on it.
Many new builds are focused on creating new communities and subdivisions. And while the space is necessary for our growing population, don’t ignore the benefits that an infill build can provide your family.
BUILD WITH SPEED
If you’ve got your lot selected, you’re ready to build.
For new communities, often a large part of the process is dedicated to preparation.
By that I mean you need a certain number of homeowners to buy into the project before construction starts. The city will need to build roads, and connect the necessary systems to the community (like plumbing) before the community is livable.
For a relatively quick build, nothing beats an infill build paired with a modular home.
Modular homes are built in a factory environment in modules, then transported and assembled on the final build site. Because of the controlled building environment, you don’t have to worry about delays due to weather.
Once the modules are complete, assembly on site can be complete within a few days.
Make sure you do your research when it comes to selecting a modular builder.
Choose the right one, and you’ll have a structure that’s as strong as any traditional build — and it won’t stick out from the rest of the neighbourhood.
WALKABILITY
When you build a home in an existing neighbourhood, you’re already part of an established community. Typically, an infill build will have a much higher walk score than a home in a brand-new community, because businesses and services will have already populated the neighbourhood. Now, in the long term, it’s possible that the walkability in a new community will surpass your infill build. But with an infill home, you’re already a stone’s throw away from the culture and resources provided by the pre-existing community.
This is especially important if you’re building a forever home.
Having access to amenities such as grocery stores, doctors’ offices, restaurants and parks within walking distance provide us with important ties to the community at large. As we age, and mobility starts to decline (and we may no longer have the ability to operate our own vehicles), being able to easily access the services we need can keep aging residents living independent lives in their own homes, rather than moving into a retirement community before they’re ready.
GOOD FOR COMMUNITY
A new build in an older community can help revitalize an older neighbourhood. By building on lots that have been left empty, or been overtaken by structures that have fallen into dilapidation, you can breathe some fresh life into a community — and even raise the average selling price of the neighbourhood. It benefits your own resale value as well, having good schools and other community amenities nearby can add upwards of thousands to your home.
That said, if your infill build is too grand in scope, or completely off from the rest of the neighbourhood’s esthetic, it can be an eyesore, and can get you off on the wrong foot with your new neighbours.
The good news is you can work with your builder team to design a home that meets your personal needs, while also working to complement the rest of the neighbourhood, instead of detracting from it. Mike Holmes and his son, Mike Jr. are back! Watch Holmes & Holmes premièring Oct. 7 on HGTV Canada. For more information, visit makeitright.ca.