LEGACY STREET TOWNS APPEAL TO FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS
No matter whether it’s a first-time homebuyer or someone moving up or down in the marketplace, price and value are key elements in the decision-making process.
Homes by Avi has taken care of both these aspects of buying a home with its Legacy Street Towns concept — clusters of four and five attached homes that have caught the attentive eyes of mostly firsttimer buyers and a smaller proportion of those downsizing with their change in lifestyle.
Fully 80 per cent of those who have purchased a two-storey townhouse in the 55-unit, street-front development are making their initial jump into ownership, says Anita Bustos, Homes by Avi area sales manager.
“They’re from the rental sector, mostly between 25-28 years old, who have done their homework, and based on price and the fact there are no condo fees attached to this development, they’ve found it’s cheaper to buy than to rent,” she says from the living room of the Lockwood, one of three show homes in the parade in southeast Legacy by WestCreek Developments.
In addition to the 1,280-squarefoot Lockwood, two other show home models are the 1,414-squarefoot Leighton and the 1,318-squarefoot Langley.
Depending on whether it’s a twoor three-bedroom floor plan, the Lockwood measures from 1,2801,296 square feet, and with ninefoot ceilings, it looks larger. The show home is shown with double master bedrooms bookending a loft that’s finished as a home office or computer centre. It’s also the only model with a front porch.
The foyer has ceramic tile floor, while the flooring through the rest of the main living area of the Lockwood is maple hardwood — an upgrade from the standard laminate.
The living room is at the front of the home, and behind it is a small dining area.
At the rear of the home is the L-shaped kitchen, shown with stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, maple cabinetry, and glass tile backslashes.
Off the kitchen is a half-bath with pedestal sink and the stairway to the basement level. The rear entry, which leads to either a concrete patio or wood deck, has a tile floor and wire shelving to hang clothes.
At the bottom of the carpeted stairway to the second floor is the linen closet, and at the upper landing behind a single door is the stacking washer and dryer.
Each bedroom has a walk-in closet. One has a private ensuite while the other allows access from the upper hallway. Both ensuites have ceramic file floors, quartz-topped vanities, and stall showers.
“We’ve been busy,” says Bustos. “I think the interest can be traced to price, value, location, and design.”
Prices for the Street Towns start in the $340,000 range, including GST.
“We realize that these homes are not ‘forever’ homes for our buyers, they’re just a starting point. That doesn’t mean, though, that we can’t offer them the best designs and finishes we can and still maintain affordability,” says Bustos.
Standards in the Legacy Street Towns include stainless steel appliances, laminate flooring, quartz countertops in the kitchen, a development-ready basement, window blinds, exterior siding by James Hardie, a private backyard, and front and rear landscaping.