As exciting as it is to build a new home, it can be an arduous -- and time-consuming -- venture.
Consequently, when a like-new home -- in this case, a 2,303 sq. ft., four-bedroom family home in southwest Winnipeg's Bridgwater Forest -- comes up for sale, it may be an option that parents of young, growing families might want to consider.
After all, the sooner you get the tribe into a home with ample lebensraum, the saner everyone is going to be.
"Homes like these don't come up very often," said Realty Executives Diamond Group's Renee Dewar. "In this case, the owners got an opportunity to do something they always dreamed of -- building a home in the country. They couldn't turn it down, so now they've put their one-year-old home up for sale. All another family really needs to do is just move in, and enjoy."
Truth be told, 96 Appletree Crescent has a lot going for it. For starters, it has four bedrooms upstairs, a welcome departure from the norm of three in most two-storey homes.
And while the basement -- which adds about 900 sq. ft. of liveable space to bring it up to 3,200 sq. ft.-plus -- isn't fully developed, it's more than halfway there.
"It's framed, drywalled and ready to go," said Dewar. "That gives the new owners the opportunity to make it a space of their own, rather than inheriting a rec room that may not suit their tastes."
Because the home is only a year-old, it's still essentially a new home, too. Now, that isn't always the case when a home has been occupied by a young family for a year. However, in this case, the outgoing family has taken exceptional care of the home. That's a bonus, as there aren't any scars left behind on walls, floors or (heaven forbid) countertops.
"The home is in pristine condition -- it's like-new from top-to-bottom. You wouldn't have to do much to it, aside from putting finishing touches downstairs and maybe changing some paint colours."
While the lower level is still waiting to be finished, the two levels above are not only nicely finished, but intuitively laid out. An open-concept home for the most part, an already wide foyer feels that much wider due to a den placed to its right; a pair of large windows then allow tons of natural light to flow into the den and adjacent foyer.
"Right now, it's being used as a music room, but it would make a great den or sitting area," said Dewar. "No matter how you choose to use the room, it helps make the home's entrance so nice and bright."
Meanwhile, the great room area is not only logically laid out with an island kitchen, corner pantry and generous dinette area, but it's also finished in good taste with materials that evoke a soothing, rustic ambience.
"When the owners were designing the great room area, they decided they wanted to give it a country feel. To do that, they used some different materials, such as alderwood cabinets, high-end (dark) laminate oak hardwoods with a hand-scraped texture and tan laminate countertops. It's a highly functional kitchen with the pantry, wide drawers that accommodate tons of pots and pans, and the island -- with pendant lighting above -- that can seat two to three, if needed."
The dinette area (which is next to a huge window) easily accommodates a table for six, and then transitions smoothly into the large family room, which features a cultured stone (electric) fireplace and two corner windows that flood the space with more natural light. At the same time, the dark oak laminates add warmth, as do the alderwood cabinets.
"It's a great area for the entire family to spend time together in, or for entertaining," she said. "The finishing materials combine to make it a very relaxing area to spend your time in."
The home's upper level is characterized by a design element that all large families cherish: space. With a bonus room off the stairs, four bedrooms and a huge four-piece main bathroom, there's plenty of room for everyone.
"With its wired-in stereo sound, the bonus room makes a great media space where kids can watch TV and movies and play," Dewar said. "All three kids' bedrooms are oversized, with a full bathroom nearby. I love how the sun flows in through all the windows -- the home's upper level is so nice and bright."
Off by itself -- just as it should be -- is the bright, spacious master suite, accessed via an angled, double-wide entrance.
"It's such a private space," said Dewar. "It has its very own balcony -- a great spot to enjoy your morning cup of coffee from -- a luxurious ensuite with jetted tub set in upgraded ceramic tile, four-foot shower and maple vanity. Like the rest of the home, it's in perfect condition. This is a fabulous location -- close to schools, south Winnipeg and with an abundance of parks and walkways. Why build when you can move right in to a like-new home in such a great area?"
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Location: 96 Appletree Crescent, Bridgwater Forest
Year Built: 2010
Style: Two-storey
Size: 2,303 sq. ft.
Lot Size: 64' x 108' (pie-shaped)
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Taxes: $5,145.86 (gross 2011)
Price: $475,900
Contact: Renee Dewar, Realty Executives Diamond Group, 979-5478
