TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Bright, warm and inviting, the beautifully-laid-out main living area is very comfortable.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances bring a modern touch to the kitchen/dining area in Kensington Homes’ bungalow-style condo in Grande Pointe Meadows, while a pantry placed next to the range adds practicality.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
There’s no lack of style, livability or natural light in the main living area.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Natural light floods into the cosy great room from a pair of large windows on either side of the recessed entertainment unit.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
One of the condominium’s best features is a spacious mudroom/laundry room next to the foyer that connects directly to the attached double garage.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
A feeling of peace pervades the privately placed primary bedroom.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
A five-foot walk-in shower is the centrepiece of the ensuite, which also comes with a faux-marble vinyl-tile floor, window and elegant vanity.
It’s only natural families looking for a move-up home — or empty-nesters looking to down-size — would prefer to live in a single-family home.
However, desired specs don’t always match up with home-buying budgets.
With prices of single-family homes now starting at around $550,000 and escalating quickly from there depending on home size and selected options, many people simply can’t justify spending that much on a new dwelling. After all the dust settles, a brand-new lower-end abode could easily cost well over $600,000.
At the same time, livability is a huge consideration. Growing families need room to spread out, while down-sizers need enough space to house key belongings and feel as comfortable as they can in a smaller residence.
The consequence of these factors means options like apartment-style condominiums and townhomes without lower levels just won’t pass muster.
As a result, families and down-sizers are often forced to make compromises, either paying more than they can comfortably afford, or making do with a home that doesn’t meet all their needs.
Tabitha Baete, sales representative for Kensington Homes in the RM of Ritchot’s Grande Pointe Meadows, says she has a housing option both families and down-sizers should consider.
“My show home right now is a bare-land, bungalow-style condo at 94-100 Grande Pointe Meadows Blvd.,” she says. “It offers all kinds of value. This model, which offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms, is priced at $513,000, while we will have two-bedroom, two-bath models that will be priced at $455,000 with standard finishes.”
Baete says the concept behind a bare-land condominium is simple.
“It’s situated on a lot that’s about 40-feet wide, which provides you with a real sense of having your own space. You will pay condo fees that include road clearing starting from $130 per month, which is very affordable. Most importantly, it’s a stand-alone bungalow that comes with its own driveway, attached double garage and more.”
Step inside the condo — for all intents and purposes, though, it feels like a single-family home — and you can’t help but be impressed with its layout. Right from the get-go, there’s a pleasing sense of space.
The foyer is plenty wide and deep, coming with a smart vinyl-tile floor, double coat closet and window that teams up with the front door’s obscured glass centre to let in lots of natural light.
Baete says a space to the right of the foyer adds even more functionality to the front of the home.
“It’s a very spacious mudroom/laundry room that gives you a convenient place to do your laundry and to come in from the attached double garage, which is 20-by-18 feet.”
From there, the foyer opens beautifully onto a well-ordered main living area that features a masterful distribution of space.
Its first space — a cosy, light-filled great room — checks in at nearly 12-by-15 feet.
Meanwhile, the adjacent kitchen — which is anchored by a mid-sized island seating three — is around 12-by-13 feet in size. The dining room is also pleasingly spacious at roughly 10-by-13 feet.
“The entire area offers the same level of functionality as a single-family home,” Baete says. “Each space is a good size and distinct, a vaulted ceiling adds volume and the finishes are wonderful, starting with warm-toned wide-plank laminate flooring. White cabinets, quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances give the kitchen a modern look, while a pantry next to the range adds functionality.”
She adds that the dining area complements the great room and kitchen perfectly.
“Much thought was put into its design. Not only can it accommodate a table that seats six to eight, but it also has a sliding patio door on its rear wall that leads out to a future backyard deck. It also lets in more natural light along with an optional transom window on the side wall.”
Then there’s the dwelling’s bedroom wing.
Occupying most of the stylish unit’s right side, it effortlessly houses a spacious main bath and three good-sized bedrooms.
“It starts off with the primary bedroom, which is the largest of the three at (just over) 11-by-13 feet. It has a large walk-in closet and an elegant ensuite with a walk-in shower and hexagonal marble-style vinyl tile floor, window and vanity that has lots of storage space.”
Add in a full basement, low-maintenance yard and a location that allows access to a bocce field, pickleball court and walking paths, and the value is off the charts.
“You’d be in a quiet country location just minutes from city conveniences in an affordable two- or three-bedroom house-like condo that offers great livability and style. They’re truly worth a look.”
lewys@mymts.net
Details
Builder: Kensington Homes
Address: 94-100 Grande Pointe Meadows Blvd., Grande Pointe Meadows
Style: bungalow-style bare-land condominium
Size: 1,401 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: three
Bathrooms: two
Price: $513,000 (includes lot & GST)
Contact: Tabitha Baete, Keller Williams Real Estate, 204-330-1103
