New Homes
New Homes
When a Castle is a home
With four elevations, A&S Homes' New Castle II can sport a variety of looks.
According to Ken Smith, A&S's sales representative for 222 Tychonick Bay, the fourth or D elevation version of the 1,778-square-foot two-storey home may be the best of the bunch.
"The biggest difference between this version and the other three is that you get three extra windows going across the rear wall of the ensuite," he explained. "It might seem like a small difference, but it adds light. That not only makes the space brighter, but also makes it feel bigger."
That's good news for pooped parents, who after a long day at work (or, alternately, carting the kids around to various activities) require a respite.
"The layout upstairs is just excellent," said Smith. "The master suite is set off by itself off the stairs, well away from the kids' bedrooms (two of them, plus a four-piece bathroom with soaker tub) -- mom and dad are on one side, kids on the other. Its ensuite has a six-foot jetted tub, four-foot shower (next to the tub), a dark oak (java) vanity with makeup bar and beautiful faux tile (vinyl) floor. The bedroom itself is huge, and there's also a large walk-in closet."
Turns out 222 Tychonick's upper level is a prelude to the main level in that it's spacious, well-laid-out and bright, three features that are a requisite for harmonious family living. Though this version of the New Castle II is "only" 1,778 sq. ft. -- plus another 800 sq. ft. of space to develop downstairs -- it's a home that feels perceptibly larger than its listed square footage.
That feeling of volume is owed to two factors, Smith said.
"I think the first thing to note is that the ceilings are nine feet high. That feature alone makes every space feel larger than it actually is, especially when you combine big windows with the high ceilings," he said. "The second factor is the home's layout, which is very logical. A lot of thought was put into it, something that's evident from the foyer on through the rest of the home."
In essence, the New Castle II's floor plan deftly balances segmentation and space. An example is the foyer, which is neatly divided from the formal dining room to its right by a curved one-third wall with dark oak capping. At the same time, the dining room opens up the area, ensuring visitors don't enter the home via a potentially claustrophobic front entrance.
Of particular note is an oak-trimmed, tempered-glass cutout that ties the dining room to the family room behind it, letting in natural light while keeping the two spaces separate.
"I like the fact that when you come in, the home opens up but only a bit. I call it a peekaboo shot -- you can see a bit of the home's rear portion from the foyer, yet there's enough division that you don't walk into a big open area."
Although the great room sector isn't massive in size, the aforementioned high ceiling and a series of large windows along the rear wall, culminating in a huge picture window in the family room, makes it feel substantially larger. Another factor that makes it feel larger is each space -- the island kitchen, dinette area and family room -- is in proportion to the other and isn't cluttered.
"Take the kitchen," Smith said. "Even though the (brown/black) granite island is eight feet long, it's not terribly wide; the result is aisles that are extra wide, which promotes good flow. At the same time, the dinette area, which was placed next to a deck door and large window, has room for a table for four. The family room is then defined by beige carpeting to segment it from the kitchen and dinette, which are defined by dark oak hardwoods."
Meanwhile, the rest of the finishing materials in the great room are impressive. Brown/black granite countertops are complemented perfectly by a tan tile backsplash, while dark oak (java) cabinetry looks sharp paired with the lighter tones of the countertop and backsplash. Cabinet and countertop space is ample, while all the light that pours in from the windows on the rear wall ensures the area is as bright as it is warm. Then there's the well-appointed family room.
"It's beautifully finished with a built-in oak entertainment unit," he said. "It's an upgrade, but it's well worth it -- the oak shelving (with hunter green background) and gas fireplace (with copper-tinted) tile surround look incredible."
Other logical -- not to mention stylish -- main-floor features include a huge main-floor laundry/mudroom with faux tile floor and handy powder room in a private wing by the stairs, an enchanting staircase with chrome spindle railings, and a three-piece bay window placed over the stairs with a two-tiered display area.
The lower level finishes the home off in well-laid-out style, Smith said.
"The mechanical area is off to the side, and there aren't teleposts everywhere. You can easily put in a fourth bedroom, bathroom and wide-open rec room. Like the rest of the home, the layout maximizes space. That's what families are looking for."
Builder: A&S Homes
Model: New Castle II
Style: Two-storey
Size: 1,778 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Address: 222 Tychonick Bay, Kildonan Green
Lot Size: 42' x 118'
Price: $408,993 (including lot & GST)
Contact: Ken Smith, Century 21 carrie.com, at 477-4700
New Homes
Manitoba takes a back seat to nobody
Last week, in the business section of the Winnipeg Free Press, there were two articles regarding the new home industry side by side.
The first was a national article that reported a large, one-month drop in activity from October of this year. The primary culprit was the multi-family sector and the single-family detached market remained robust.
It went on to state that two-thirds of the multi market decline was due to inactivity in Toronto.
Of course, it didn't say that Toronto was experiencing one of its best years on record for the multi-family sector in 2011. This "one-month emergency" or brief snapshot in time was just that.
This Canadian Press article went on to speculate about corrections, a drop in prices, the U.S. housing market and over-evaluations. It concluded by stating that Canada has been experiencing a robust housing market and that our market has avoided the housing bubble that hit the U.S. A chief economist then went on to say that these lower numbers are hardly troubling and not at all surprising.
Right beside this article was one by Murray McNeill. It reported Winnipeg's new home industry was soaring towards a 22-year high in single-family detached housing starts. Quoting Diane Himbeault from the CMHC, he stated that multi-family starts were even stronger, more than doubling the number in the previous month.
Especially satisfying was the fact that row homes have more than doubled over last year, thereby demonstrating local focus on housing affordability.
It was an excellent article that reported our local scene as strong and thriving, without any attempt to undermine our economic success by way of fears elsewhere.
As has been stated in this column many times, national organizations often depict Canada as being nothing more than two or three major urban centres. It is much more than that. It is a collection of big cities and small towns.
Manitoba and Winnipeg may only represent 3.5 per cent of Canada's population, but we take a back seat to nobody when it comes to economic and housing success. We will continue to grow and thrive.
The difference in new-home start trends from other parts of Canada only serve to further demonstrate this is where people want to live and raise their families, in an affordable and friendly province.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
New-home, used-home markets benefit both
The Winnipeg Realtors Association recently released their latest sales figures and it was good news once again.
Coming into 2011, the expectation was that the local market would be cooling considerably compared to previous years. The prevailing thinking was that this market has been hot for almost a decade and that this trend couldn't continue.
However, this year has proven to be just the opposite as volume and prices continue to rise.
Many people would question what the resale market has to do with the new home market. Some would even consider it the competition and think that more resales would hurt new-home sales. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The new-home and used-home markets work hand in hand for the benefit of both. A typical pattern in Manitoba is that owners need to be able to sell their current home to step up to a new home. Therefore, the greater the number of used-home sales, then the greater the opportunity to sell new homes.
The fact that resale homes are moving faster and frequently above list price gives the new-home buyer additional leverage when looking for that perfect new dream home. A flat market would mean that people are staying where they are and are not interested in making the move to a new residence.
Resale activity indicates there is mobility in the market and that all options are open for consideration.
As is repeatedly noted in the news, apartment vacancy rates in Winnipeg are under one per cent and among the lowest in Canada. With mortgage rates and terms as low as they are, buying is an extremely attractive option.
New homes tend to be in new neighbourhoods in newer subdivisions. When one combines the equity of selling their current home (two-thirds the price of the average new home) with the current mortgage rates, moving up to a new home has never been easier.
The Winnipeg Realtors Association and the Manitoba Home Builders' Association work very closely in monitoring the market and promoting housing affordability to consumers.
Whether it be legislation, professional practices, research or the promotion of product in a fair manner, both organizations work to ensure that the Manitoba home owner is the winner. The pride of home ownership is a key to both.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Make the holiday season productive, safe
Every year, numerous Manitobans get injured on the job site and, in most cases, it's a preventable injury.
There are also many cases of Manitobans injuring themselves working on a DIY home project. Again, most of these are preventable.
As for the projects that we all do at home, often it's nothing more than thinking ahead and using a little common sense. How many people cut their lawn with a powerful mower with a razor-sharp blade in bare feet? When sanding a cupboard surface for repainting, how many people wear safety goggles? After all, the old paint and wood particles are flying about freely.
It's definitely the season for Christmas lights. In every neighbourhood, we see lights dangling from the eavestroughs and tall trees.
In most cases, we grabbed the ladder out of the garage and moved it along the width of the house attaching the lights on hooks with one or both hands.
However, how secure was the ladder that we were on? Was it on solid ground or the rock garden in the front of the house? Did you encircle the tree with the ladder or did you try to save some time by holding on to the ladder with one hand while reaching over the tree with the other?
We are not experts on construction safety nor do we have all of the proper tools and equipment at our disposal at home. However, the consequences of an accident -- the impact on our health and our families -- are no less critical at home.
Take a minute, think the job through and utilize whatever safety precautions that you have at your disposal. It may add a couple of minutes to the job but it may save you much more.
Professionals are not immune to preventable accidents either. This group knows better but still is occasionally guilty of not utilizing the safety mechanisms that are available to them to help minimize the chance of a serious accident.
Fall protection has been publicized tremendously over the past year. On the residential construction front, fall protection is emphasized more than any other safety concern.
Have a safe and productive holiday season.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Urban location, rural lifestyle
No matter what your budget, buying a home is never a simple proposition.
That's because we - admit it or not - want a home that has it all. Which is to say, most of us would love a like-new home with all kinds of space - and that's well-removed from potentially noisy (and nosy) neighbours.
Reality is, most of us will never realize our dream to own a home that has all the prerequisites (a long list, at that) that we wrote down on a blank eight-by-eleven sheet of paper.
Nevertheless, you can come close to Nirvana - provided you're able to appreciate a home's strengths and live with (or, over time address) some minor shortcomings.
One such example is 318 Chalfont Drive, a 2,646 sq. ft., two-storey home found on the eastern edge of Charleswood next to the Assiniboine Forest. Built in 2006 by Huntington Homes, 318 Chalfont has much to offer: a contemporary design, superior construction quality - the home was built on piles with a structural wood floor - and a central, yet countrified location.
"It's a like-new home that's essentially a spacious sanctuary of warmth," said RE/MAX Executives' Esther Dyck. "I think the location is excellent. You can get downtown and out to most areas of the city quickly, yet you're on a huge lot with your own private, beautifully-treed back yard. And you're next to the Assiniboine Forest, and only minutes from Assiniboine Park."
As attractive as the location is - it never hurts to head home to a residence that's close to the middle of the city, yet feels like you're outside city limits in a world of your own - there's the home itself, which truly is like-new, and offers all kinds of space on all three levels.
In total, the home contains four bedrooms -- three upstairs and one downstairs-- that immediately qualifies 318 Chalfont as a home that would be ideal for a large, active family.
"The two secondary bedrooms upstairs are larger than normal and come with big windows and ample storage - one even has a walk-in closet," said Dyck. "Both rooms are bright and private and have room for kids to grow into. A four-piece bathroom (also huge) and linen closet and master bedroom make up the rest of the upper level."
And what a master suite it is. For starters, there's not only a huge picture window set in the back wall, but two other large windows set on the side walls. Having so much glass concentrated in one spot accomplishes two things, Dyck said.
"It's the master bedroom of your dreams with the view of the park-like back yard below and all the natural light that pours in," she said. "Then, there's the luxurious ensuite with its (corner) air jet tub, tile floor, five-foot shower and huge walk-in closet. The bedroom is big enough to put a reading chair (or two) by the windows. When you look down into the yard, you feel like you're out in the country."
The main level - which features dark maples hardwoods throughout - is also well-appointed. An open-concept great room area contains an island kitchen (the island is no less than nine feet long), which is tastefully finished with honey maple cabinetry, a tan tile backsplash and dark brown laminate counter tops. Stainless appliances by Jenn-Air and Bosch finish out the kitchen in efficient style.
Meanwhile, the family room is not only big and bright (thanks to another picture window), but beautifully finished with a wood burning fireplace that comes with an insert that can blow the fire's warmth throughout the area on chilly winter nights. Adjacent to the kitchen is a dining room with tray ceiling (and two more large windows) that borders doors that lead to a back yard deck.
"To me, the thing that stands out the most is the huge windows," said Dyck. "I love the fact that you can see the whole back yard from virtually any point in the great room - you can see the beautiful pines and elms out back, along with any deer that might wander by. A deck door takes you to a private, multi-tiered deck with hot tub and a stone patio. It's a great spot in the summer."
Because this is a home of recent vintage, it also features - in a compact wing by the deck door - a powder room and main floor laundry/mudroom that offers quick access to the double attached garage. Purchase an older home down the road in Tuxedo, and the floor plan may not be as efficient.
Last but not least is an expansive, fully-finished lower level that contains a media room, games room, fourth bedroom, three-piece bathroom and ample storage.
"This home may require a few tweaks - some new paint, new flooring downstairs and perhaps granite counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms - but this isn't a 100-year-old home that requires multiple upgrades," she added. "With a few minor changes, you can have a great family home that has space, style and is in a wonderful location that's private, yet close to everything."
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Location: 381 Chalfont Road, Charleswood
Year Built: 2006
Style: Two-storey
Size: 2,646 sq. ft.
Lot Size: 73' x 326'
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Taxes: $7,975 (Gross 2011)
Price: $770,000
Contact: Esther Dyck, RE/MAX Executives Realty @ 987-9800
New Homes
All gussied up
In this day and age of the 2,000- square-foot-plus home, anything less than that doesn't seem so big.
That is, unless its layout is logical and precise. Which is exactly what Randall Homes did with the Newport A, which is 1,768 sq. ft., says sales representative Fred Dawes of Randall Homes.
"When a home is this size, every inch has to be well-used," says Dawes as he surveys the great room of the latest incarnation of the Newport A, found at 210 Tychonick Bay in Kildonan Green. "There's little, if any wasted space on any of its three levels."
Due to the design -- the garage is flush with the front of the home, which reduced interior space on the main floor -- space never feels as if it's at a premium. That feeling of space not only comes from a well-thought-out layout, but also from incorporating clever design tricks in key areas.
Take, for example, the foyer, which is positioned under a soaring ceiling right next to an open-concept dining/flex room. Although the area isn't huge, it feels larger than it is. With an L-shaped upper-level staircase (finished with a maple bannister and antique-style metal spindles) and large windows surrounding the area, the foyer gets the house off to a bright, spacious start.
Even though the foyer is open-concept, it gives way to an angled hallway that allows you to see only a sliver of the great room -- a welcome feature for those who don't want visitors to take in the main level with one glance.
Meanwhile, the great room is notable for two things: the amount of natural light that flows through it and its open, yet segmented floor plan. Flow is impressive -- both in terms of ease of movement and light.
"The first thing that hits you is the amount of natural light that flows through the area," Dawes said. "That comes from a big, low-silled window over the kitchen sink, sliding deck doors and a huge window in the family room, all placed along the back wall. In the kitchen, the island is just the right size; the aisles are wide enough so that flow isn't compromised."
Although the great room is bright and open, that doesn't mean it's one big box. The compact island defines the kitchen from the dinette area, while the dinette area is neatly divided from the family room by a Randall trademark, a maple-capped one-third wall with display shelving on the kitchen side and a wine rack on its end. Honey maple cabinets, granite countertops and medium-stained maple hardwoods round out an impressive array of finishes.
It's a feature that adds utility, character and definition. With a huge picture window, maple entertainment unit that spans the width of the rear wall -- the focal point being a gas fireplace set in multi-coloured cultured stone -- it's a distinct area (further defined by taupe carpeting) that would make a great gathering place for guests or family hangout.
Upstairs, an already impressive floor plan gets better. All told, there are four large bedrooms, a laundry room and good-sized four-piece bathroom with soaker tub. Fittingly, the master suite is set off by itself in a secluded spot by the stairs.
"It would be an understatement to say that having four bedrooms and a laundry room on the upper level is a popular feature," Dawes says. "The space offered by the kids' bedrooms and convenience of the laundry room is something families really appreciate."
The private master suite offers weary parents a bright and expansive space in which to regain energy.
"Like the rest of the home, it's very well-laid-out and is an intelligent use of space. It's elegant, spacious and very nicely appointed. A large picture windows lets in all kinds of light, while the bedroom is separated from the ensuite with a one-third, maple capped wall. Just behind the wall is a makeup area with granite counter and maple drawers. There's a hallway that goes past a walk-in closet with bi-fold doors, and into the ensuite."
The ensuite is spectacular, with six-foot soaker tub (with headrest), honey maple vanity, granite countertop and smart brown vinyl floor. A speaker in the ceiling allows you to pipe in relaxing music while you soak.
"This is a home that offers a lot of value," he said. "All the space is well-used, and it's nicely dressed up for a home that's priced at $399,900. It's in a nice neighbourhood, close to amenities on Regent Avenue and Lagimodiere (Boulevard), is on major bus routes and relatively close to downtown. It's an intelligent, affordable plan that serves families well."
Builder: Randall Homes
Model: Newport A
Style: Two-storey
Size: 1,768 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Address: 210 Tychonick Bay, Kildonan Green
Lot Size: 40' (front) x 63' (back) x 110'
Price: $399,900 (including lot & GST)
Contact: Fred Dawes, Quest Residential Real Estate @ 237-9769 or Tina Dixon, Sales Consultant @ 654-2326