Dream homes on a budget
Today’s modest starters are packed with great amenities
It’s true: Good things do often come in smaller packages.
Today’s starter homes are loaded with the kinds of luxury items that used to be strictly the domain of executive living. Many duplexes and town houses — two of the most popular choices for first-time homebuyers — are decked out in granite, hardwood, ceramic and spa-inspired ensuites. And modern urban condominiums tend to brim with even more perks, from in-house fitness facilities to concierge service and posh lobby areas perfect for mingling with neighbours and guests.
Here’s a look at the latest trends in the starter-home market.
DUPLEXES
First-time homebuyers gravitate to duplexes and town houses because of their reasonable price, which starts in the $300,000 range, say Jeremy Main of ReidBuilt Homes and Colin Wilson of Sterling Homes.
Sizes vary between 1,300 and 1,600 square feet, with builders maximizing the relatively low square footage using openconcept floor plans on main levels.
The second floor has two or three bedrooms, enough to accommodate a family, and there are single-vehicle garages on many duplexes. Sterling even offers a duplex with a double-attached garage.
CONDOS
Condominiums offer consumers the best of both worlds — the kinds of amenities found in a single-family home, yet at much lower prices — says Richie Lam, co-owner along with David Sanche, of Westrich Pacific.
The company built the 32-storey Ultima tower in downtown Edmonton, and has two buildings, Windermere Waters and Signature, in the city’s southwest. Twobedroom units in Windermere Waters cost about $230,000. Suites come with underground parking, air conditioning, hardwood floors and porcelain tile.
SINGLE FAMILY
Sterling Homes and ReidBuilt Homes have a good selection of entry-level singlefamily dwellings, ranging in size from about 1,400 to 2,000 square feet.
Prices generally start in the high $300,000s.
FIT AND FINISH
Homebuyers are being treated to an array of posh features in starter houses that rival those found in more expensive dwellings.
Jeremy Main of ReidBuilt Homes says consumers want granite, hardwood and tile, and the company has responded by incorporating them into many of its duplexes, town houses and entry-level single-family homes. More moderately priced finishes, such as laminate countertops and linoleum flooring, are also available.
Sterling Homes uses hard- wood, ceramic and granite, too, and also offers less-expensive finishes. Colin Wilson says Sterling has a vinyl hardwood option, which looks like hardwood, but is lower priced and extremely durable.
SLEEP ON IT
Master bedrooms are increasingly viewed as private retreats, say Main and Wilson. And while full ensuites used to be found only in high-priced houses, they are standard now in most entry-level homes.
The master bedrooms in Sterling and ReidBuilt homes feature walk-in closets and ensuites with either shower or tub.
One Sterling home has two master bedrooms, each with its own ensuite. It’s perfect, says Wilson, for a new homeowner looking to boost his income by taking in a roommate.
“Each of them gets their own ensuite and it helps for paying the mortgage,” he says.
COMMUNAL PERKS
Westrich Pacific condominiums come fully loaded, says Richie Lam. That means hardwood, granite, in-floor radiant heating, air conditioning, maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances, full ensuites off master bedrooms and underground parking. Even with all that, two-bedroom units in Windermere Waters sell in the low $200,000s, Lam says.
The company’s Signature condo is under construction now. When completed, it will have concierge service and a third-floor fitness centre overlooking a pool.
WORLD OF OPTIONS
Land developers work with homebuilders to provide affordable housing options in the communities they build.
“We are always searching for ways to lower that final price point to that homeowner,” says Kirsten Warwick of Qualico Communities, which has developments throughout Edmonton, including Laurel Crossing in the southeast and Newcastle in the north.
At one time, neighbourhoods offered a limited selection in house price and style, but that’s changed, Warwick says.
“In the past we may only have had single-family homes with double-attached garages, or primarily that. Now the trend seems to be we have anywhere from four to six product housing styles available.”
They range from the more affordable townhouses, duplexes, condominiums and entrylevel single-family houses all the way up to estate product.
Developers also keep house costs lower with smaller lots. That’s part of the reason why multi-family products such as townhouses, duplexes and condominiums are less expensive, Warwick says.
“Land is expensive, servicing is expensive. The townhouses are a much narrower lot.”
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments a person will ever make. But, says Colin Wilson of Sterling Homes, it’s also one of the most satisfying.
“Any time you’re paying down the mortgage versus paying down somebody else’s mortgage, then you’re creating equity. And then, there’s the pride of ownership and being able to customize the home to fit your needs.”