A reflection of a River Heights classic

When you look at Ventura Developments’ show home in La Salle, you can’t help but feel there’s something familiar about it.

That feeling of familiarity isn’t misplaced, says Blake Vasko of Sutton Group – Kilkenny Real Estate and Ventura’s sales representative for the two-storey, 1,311 square foot show home at 52 Fourth Ave.

"It’s basically a modernized version of a River Heights home," he says. "Plunk down a River Heights home on one of the lots here and it wouldn’t look much different."

Well, there is one difference — a big one. The home in Prairie Place is a new home, while the home in River Heights is likely at least a century old and requires extensive upgrades.

"About 35 per cent of sales in the real estate market are homes that fall in the $250,000 to $350,000 range. This home and our other three home models in Prairie Place give families a chance to get a brand-new home in that price range — a home that won’t require any repairs or updates."

To date, the concept of being able to choose from four home models that range in size from 1,214 sq. ft. to 1,552 sq. ft. — they also offer three levels of finishes — has resonated with young families.

Phase two of Prairie Place is almost sold out, with just a few homes available for purchase. Construction in phase three of Prairie Place is due to start sometime in September.

"The goal was to offer families well-appointed homes at an attainable price," Vasko said. "With that in mind, Ventura came up with a concept that featured homes with set plans and finishing packages on smaller lots. The lots here are about 40 to 42 feet by 108 feet. The smaller lots — which are small for La Salle, but pretty big in the city — serve to bring building costs down."

However, while the main objective was to provide families with affordable housing, that doesn’t mean style and quality was sacrificed, he adds.

"Ventura may have brought the size of homes and available options down, but there’s still plenty of space, the layouts are excellent and the finishes look great no matter whether you choose the bronze, silver or gold package."

While the show home at 52 Fourth Ave. (the 1,311 sq. ft. Cormier model) is loaded with upgrades such as engineered hardwood flooring, espresso maple cabinets, granite countertops and a glass tile backsplash (dubbed the gold package), its selling price is $335,000.

Families on a tighter budget could get into one of the homes for significantly less if they go with the bronze finishing package.

"With the bronze package, the cost of the home goes down to about $280,000," Vasko says. "You’d get laminate plank flooring, thermofoil cabinets, laminate countertops and a tile backsplash is optional. The great thing is that you still get the great open-concept great room layout. It’s bright, spacious and comes with an island kitchen and main floor laundry/powder room."

And while the Cormier is "only" 1,311 sq. ft., the second floor — which holds three bedrooms and a four-piece bath with vinyl tile floor and soaker tub/shower combo — is surprisingly spacious.

"The two secondary bedrooms are a very good size with double closets and large windows, while the master suite is huge. There’s plenty of room for a king-sized bed and furniture and you also get a massive walk-in closet with window, wire shelving and tons of space to hang your wardrobe."

Develop the Cormier’s basement and you get a home that offers over 1,850 sq. ft. of total living space, says Vasko.

"The basement gives you about 550 sq. ft. of livable space that you can easily fit a good-sized rec room, bedroom/den and full bath into. Young families just starting out can use it for storage and develop it later, while families with older kids can develop it so everyone has a place to go while they’re at home."

A detached 20-foot by 22-foot garage can also installed to increase storage space and add utility.

"We can put in a pad and garage for you for $19,900, which is a pretty reasonable price. That has to be done in the first two years. After that, owners are responsible for putting in the pad and building the garage."

Vasko says a new home model will also be made available for phase three of Prairie Place, which will add 30 homes to the existing 52.

"Our design team has come up with an amazing 1,060 sq. ft. bi-level plan that will offer families another affordable, well-appointed home to choose from; it will start at about $260,000 including lot and taxes. When phase three is complete, there will be 82 homes. Ventura may expand the development to go up to 225 homes afterward, as demand has been so high."

He adds that families not only stand to benefit from the affordable, well-appointed homes, but from making their home only 10 to 12 minutes from the city in serene La Salle.

"It’s quiet and you’ve got great schools, services and a host of amenities in town. Not only that, taxes are much lower, there are no impact fees and it’s a safe, family-oriented community. Those, along with the attainable, well-appointed family homes available in Prairie Point are reasons why so many young families are choosing to buy homes here."

lewys@mymts.net

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