Young families looking to move up from a starter home to a larger, more contemporary home are often confronted with an obstacle.
More often than not, that obstacle is affordability. As many young couples with small children have found, it's not cheap to move up to a bigger, better home. Go the resale route, and you're looking at spending $300,000 and up. Try the new-home option and the price tag is $325,000 and up -- and then there are the higher taxes that accompany the privilege of living in a cutting-edge community.
On occasion, an affordable, viable option presents itself, however. In this case, that option would be a 1,568-square-foot townhome condominium found at 202-80 Rougeau Garden Dr. in Mission Gardens, Transcona.
"It's in an excellent location," said Lifestyles Real Estate's Charlene Urbanski. "The condominium is tucked away off a quiet bay and backs onto green space, a park called Elysian Field. You get a private deck that overlooks the park and the quiet environment that goes with it. And with three levels of living space, the condominium -- which was built in 2010 -- offers over 2,000 sq. ft. of livable space to enjoy."
With approximately 600 sq. ft. of livable space available downstairs -- not all townhome-style condominiums have full basements -- a mental shift takes place; having that extra space to work with provides a house-like feel that just frees you up. Having extra space to relax in -- and store your chattels in -- will do that for you.
"The finished lower level offers a bedroom, rec room, full bath, laundry room and storage/mechanical room," she said. "Not only do you get that extra space to use -- right now the media area is being used as an exercise room -- but you get modern extras like a high-efficient furnace with HRV, air conditioning, sump pump and central vac. The unit is also built on piles and comes with both a garage parking spot and outdoor spot. You won't feel limited living in this unit because you have all the conveniences of a house."
Best of all, those conveniences -- and amenities -- are thoroughly contemporary, with that contemporary feel starting in the foyer.
At about eight feet wide, it's a generous, bright space (thanks to a big window next to the front entrance, which sports a door with glass centre to let in even more light) that allows everyone to enter the home in unencumbered fashion. That functional feel is amplified by two additional features: a quadruple coat/storage closet to the left and a handy powder room.
A nice, wide hallway then leads you toward the home's hub, with the upper-level stairwell tucked away neatly to the left. The kitchen, dining area and family room -- a contemporary, open-concept design -- then spreads out in front of you in logical, orderly fashion.
"I love the great room's design," said Urbanski. "The galley-style kitchen and dining area flow beautifully into a large living room that has patio doors to the deck out back. The kitchen has an eating nook for three off the island, a double sink, cappuccino maple cabinets, a taupe tile backsplash and stainless appliances, while there's ample room in the dining area for a table for four to six and even a buffet storage hutch."
Then there's the big, bright living room to enjoy. "It's a wonderful, functional space with a large picture window on the rear wall that allows natural light to pour inside. Dark laminate hardwoods and warm neutral paint provide a rich interior feel, and ensure that it isn't too bright, and the deck out back extends the area, making it ideal for entertaining, or for the kids to go out and play."
Meanwhile, the unit's upper level is characterized by three things: its brightness, a logical layout and huge rooms.
"The bedrooms are located at either end separated by a long hallway with a four-piece bath in-between," Urbanski explained. "The first room to the left -- which has an oversized three-piece picture window on its rear wall -- is huge (it measures in at a spacious 13.1 feet by 12.8 feet). Right now, it's being used as an office, but could be a bedroom."
With the bedrooms being neatly separated by the four-piece bath, privacy isn't an issue. A few steps from the main bath is the master suite, which, at 14.1 feet by 13 feet, is plenty big. Light pours in from a huge picture window (creating a crossfire of light with the big window in the second bedroom that illuminates the entire upper level), while a mid-sized ensuite with soaker tub, dark maple vanity and taupe faux tile floor provides a sanctuary of sanity for stressed parents to access after a stressful day.
It's a home that has much to offer young families looking for an affordable, contemporary and convenient place to live, said Urbanski.
"The unit is close to schools and amenities such as Kildonan Place and Costco, and is in a quiet, safe area. Not only that, but it offers a large, livable square footage over three levels, and an efficient contemporary design. It's in excellent condition, in a prime location, and offers value."
lewys@mts.net
