New Homes
New Homes
Purchase of a new home is a sound decision
There is no argument that we live in uncertain economic times. The market has been unstable and, on paper, most investments have fallen in value over the past four months.However, both Canada and the United States have recently held elections and there is now a clearer picture of direction and the economy appears to be responding positively. Despite what some "experts" were forecasting, the values of homes in Manitoba did not drop this year and are expected to continue to increase in value in 2009.
The doom-and -loom prognosticators make it sound like we are living in the Great Depression and that we should all stuff our money under the mattress, lock the doors and avoid all financial decisions. Nothing is further from the truth.
Cautious and smart decision-making should always be exercised, whether it be in prosperous times or not. However, if we look back a generation, we will see that times are still pretty good in Manitoba and the purchase of a new home is a sound decision.
Length of mortgage -- Many people are bemoaning the fact that the 40-year mortgage has disappeared and now the maximum is 35 years. They fear that this change reflects difficulty in purchasing a new home. If we go back a generation into the early 1980s, we see that the maximum mortgage was 20 years so, in actuality, putting together a payment plan over time today is much more accommodating to the buyer.
Down payment -- There is additional concern that the 0 per cent down payment has been replaced with a five per cent minimum, again placing more hindrances on the buyer. Going back a generation, the minimum down payment was 15 per cent. If one couldn't secure that amount up front, they had to receive approval through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp.
Interest rates -- Although very few people are complaining about interest rates that hover around five per cent or six per cent, many don't realize how good times are in relation to a generation ago. In 1981, interest rates were above 20 per cent. A $200,000 mortgage back then cost more to carry than a $500,000 mortgage today (source: Canadian Mortgage Trends).
Manitoba's employment rates and average wages compared to cost of living are among the best in Canada and are projected to remain that way. Therefore, when one looks at length of mortgage, down payment restrictions and interest rates, and then compare conditions today with those of a generation ago, Manitobans live in an economic climate that is very conducive toward the successful purchase of a new home.
This column prepared by the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
'Bang for the buck'
It's not often that the terms luxury and affordablility can be mentioned in the same breath.Evidence that the two opposites can co-exist, it turns out, is on display at 86 Vintage Hills Court in northeast Winnipeg's Algonquin Estates, where Randall Homes has built a 1,971-sq.-ft, two-storey show home with a walk-out basement that comes in under the magical $500,000 mark.
Randall's sales representative, Blake Vasko, says prospective home buyers will have to look long and hard to find better dollar value in a new home.
"This design allows you to get a luxury home in an upscale area of North Kildonan for under $500,000, something that's virtually unheard of," he says. "Mind you, the lower level isn't finished, but you can do it up nicely for around $30,000. That still leaves you under the $470,000 mark. That's incredible bang for the buck by any standard."
Somewhat surprisingly, Randall didn't sacrifice any key amenities or design features to arrive at such an affordable price tag ($434,900). Natural maple flooring that runs from the foyer into the kitchen, dark maple cabinets (set off by a smashing beige backsplash) and black granite countertops offer immediate -- and ample -- proof that no corners have been cut.
Not only that, but the open-concept design is at once eye-catching and practical.
"There is little in the way of wasted space in this design (The Eldridge)," says Vasko. "From the moment you walk in, space abounds. The foyer is wide and long, and the kitchen is roomy with an island (with eating nook for two) that opens on to a great room with 5-metre ceiling and cultured stone fireplace with maple entertainment unit and beige ceramic detail that goes up to the ceiling."
Then, there's the back wall of the kitchen/great room area, he adds.
"It's a literal wall of windows with two windows and a deck door surrounding the dinette and two windows that go about three-quarters of the way up the wall in the great room. There's also a south-facing (obscured glass) window over the stairwell that light streams in through all day," he says. "It's always bright upstairs or down, even on cloudy days. Not only that, but the views are great, with the lake out back."
Access to the upper level is attained via an angular staircase framed by smart medium maple trim and a maple bannister with black metal spindles. Once up top, you find yourself at a large, semi-circular landing that was conceived to accomplish two purposes: a secluded master bedroom to the right (with a panoramic view of the great room) and a loft area to the left.
"The idea was to give you defined spaces, yet have lots of room to move," explains Vasko. "The loft area (which features yet another large window) can be used for anything -- a computer room, den, play area, you name it. At the other end of the landing is the master bedroom, which literally has its own balcony. Then, the two secondary bedrooms and main bathroom are set off in their own separate wing."
Off by its lonesome, the master bedroom is everything it should be -- plenty big to accommodate a king-size bed, a large, low-slung dresser, two end tables and a window seat. The ensuite then rates as a pleasant surprise in the sense that it has a deep jetted tub -- and a separate, one-piece tempered glass shower stall. No skimping here, thank you very much.
"People have been blown away by two features -- the luxurious ensuite (which comes with a dark maple vanity topped by black granite and a high-quality textured beige vinyl floor) and the great view -- there's a huge window that lets in all kinds of light and gives you an elevated view of the water," he says. "There's also a large walk-in closet, too. You can't ask for much more in a master bedroom."
Perhaps the biggest surprise awaits downstairs in the form of a walk-out basement, which adds a whole other dimension to the home (not to mention another 700-plus sq. feet of livable space).
"The two massive windows on the back wall basically make this an extension of the rest of the house -- it's so bright, it seems like a regular space rather than a basement," Vasko says. "So now, you've got a home that basically has 2,700 sq. ft. of livable space -- with a lower level that can have a fourth bedroom, storage and a big, bright rec room/games area. The value this home offers, in my mind, is exceptional. The level of finish is incredible, there's no wasted space, and you have three very bright levels of living space that everyone in the family can enjoy."
lewys@mts.net
86 Vintage Hills Court, Algonquin Estates
Size: 1,971 sq. ft.
Minimum Lot: 44' x 190'
Bedrooms: 3 plus upper level loft area
Bathrooms: 2.5
Contact: Blake Vasko @ 294-6608
Price: $434,900 (including land, window coverings & net GST)
Web site: www.randallhomes.net
New Homes
Charting its own course
Every now and then, you come across a new home design that represents a significant departure from current trends.Depending on how "trendy" the design is, it can come across as being a positive departure from the accepted norm -- or a departure that may not see the light of day again. In the case of 79 Marine Drive -- a new Maric Homes design in south Winnipeg's Van Hull Estates -- it turns out that being fashion-forward is a very good thing.
"Our goal is to set trends, not follow them," Cathie Maric says. "I think we've done that with this home. It's a more contemporary design where, first of all, we've mixed cool with warm tones. The result is that the home's colour scheme is a bit more grey than brown. So far, the reviews have been very good."
As it turns out, the grey/brown colour scheme is only the beginning of the groundbreaking features. The first thing you see when you walk in the no-less-than-eight-foot-wide front door: a curved maple staircase bordered by what looks to be dark cultured stone that's set at a vertical rather than horizontal angle.
"It's actually called Black Rundle ProFit Stone. We used it not only to define the staircase in the foyer, but in the great room as well -- it gives you a different, and very elegant look," she says. "The stone looks spectacular coming down the staircase -- it cascades down to your right, while the chandelier to your left provides a bright, elegant touch."
Therein lies the next ingredient of the daring design: the light fixtures.
"This time around, we went with more chandelier-type light fixtures with shades and crystals -- they're the coming thing. It's a look we even carried into the master bedroom. Everyone who's been through the home says the look works extremely well," Maric adds.
Tom Haines, Maric's longtime marketing agent, says there's another innovative design feature in the kitchen: a staggered pantry that follows the curve of the wall that divides the kitchen from the great room.
"It's comprised of multiple compartments featuring rift oak custom cabinetry," he says. "Not only does the texture of the dark cabinets give you a different look, but this type of pantry does away with the traditional corner pantry, while giving you as much or more storage space. Without a corner pantry, you also have more room to move, too."
Haines' sales associate, Marc Goldberg, adds the kitchen's layout is bound to be emulated in the future.
"It's been oriented so that it's wide open, yet separate from the great room. It follows the contour of the curved wall, which opens up aisle space, yet divides it from the great room. Even the huge black granite island follows the contours, plus there's room for a dinette," he says. "It's the wave of the future."
Thanks to a literal wall of windows on the rear wall of the kitchen and great room (situated to catch the most sunlight possible) -- eight-foot doors also provide access to a large Trex deck out back -- ample sunlight shines onto the area because the home's rear portion has been angled to not only receive more sunlight, but to optimize the view of the forest and greenery behind the back yard.
"This area of the home has been designed to make sure you get the sun all day," Haines says. "The location here is spectacular -- the house overlooks mature forest, Henteleff Park, and is close to the river, so it was designed to take full advantage of the sun and the incredible views."
Upstairs, the master bedroom is the centrepiece. Set at an angle that follows the contours from downstairs, it not only offers a wealth of space but three huge windows afford an elevated view of the spectacular surroundings. There's also a bright, expansive ensuite outfitted in beige porcelain tile with an oversized frameless glass shower and requisite jetted tub to create a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere.
"We also went with a floating mirror to complement the floating (dark maple rift) cabinetry and create a 3-D look," says Maric, adding that artwork carefully selected by Mayberry Fine Art adds panache throughout the home. "We also continued through with the grey tones, which are dark so as to create a warm, contemporary look."
Downstairs, accessible by another curved staircase, the level of finish is just as high as that found on the main level (same floating cabinetry, etched tempered glass and carpeting), and there are no fewer than three separate zones of livable space that amount to another 1,500 square feet.
"The lower level has three separate quadrants," Haines explains. "There's a bar area, games area and sitting area with two-sided fireplace. Three huge windows in the games area let in lots of light, and there's also a huge bedroom with its own (huge) four-piece bathroom. Plus, there's a self-contained, temperature-controlled wine room, which adds a definite touch of class."
Maric says she and husband Steve are thrilled to offer such a cutting-edge design to the Winnipeg market.
"It's all about being innovative and keeping on top of current trends," she says. "It always our goal to keep raising the bar from a design standpoint; I think we've accomplished that with this home."
lewys@mts.net
79 Marine Drive, Van Hull Estates
Size: 2,780 sq. ft. (plus 1,500 sq. ft. in finished lower level)
Lot: 60' x 130'
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Price: $879,900 (includes lot & net GST)
Contact: Tom Haines @ 799-7505 or Marc Goldberg @ 228-1889
Key Features: Cutting-edge design throughout: curved maple staircase framed by vertical Black Rundle Pro Fit stone; floating cabinetry with etched glass accents; chandelier-style light fixtures; staggered six-door dark rift oak pantry that follows curve of kitchen wall; angled master bedroom with opulent ensuite; lower level with wet bar, games room, sitting area, bedroom with ensuite and self-contained wine room.
New Homes
The option is yours
It should go without saying that when you buy a new home, that home should work for you -- in every respect.Unfortunately, some home builders have a design template and are loathe to deviate from it. As a consequence, you might get a home that doesn't function or look the way you'd like it to in a key area or two.
That will never be the case when you deal with Qualico Homes, says Qualico's single family sales manager, Dale Penner.
"It's critically important that home buyers be able to pick and choose the options that work for them," he says. "Buyers can do that with us -- they're welcome to consult with the representatives at our show homes to see what might work best for them. We even have a slot open every Friday from two to four in the afternoon where people can visit us at 30 Speers Road to select their design, flooring, lighting and colour choices."
In the case of The Monticello, a 1,981 square-foot two-storey design at 14 Tallgrass Crescent in Sage Creek, prospective buyers can view the dressed up version of the bright, open-concept design.
"This home just serves to show visitors what we can do -- you get features like maple cabinetry, granite counter tops and a large, elegant master bedroom with deluxe ensuite that includes a corner jetted tub and shower, as well as a walk-in closet in the ensuite," Penner explains. "Basically, the customer decides what the home will be. That's the only way to ensure their needs are met completely."
While this version of The Monticello has a few more bells and whistles than one that might go with vinyl flooring (rather than the dark maple hardwoods that run through most of the main level), arborite counter tops rather than granite and perhaps oak cabinetry and trim rather than the cappucino-stained maple that abounds in 14 Tallgrass, several handy features come as a standard part of the design.
Take for example, the walk-through pantry that provides effortless access from the kitchen to the large laundry/mudroom area.
"This is a design feature that everyone loves," he says. "If you have a large family, it just makes life that much easier -- moms can easily wander back and forth between the kitchen and laundry room if they're sorting clothes or ironing, and you can bring groceries directly into the pantry from the garage. There's also lots of storage space for sports equipment and other items -- it's all off to the side and out of the way."
Next is a flex room located to the immediate right of the foyer.
"It can be used for a variety of purposes -- it can be turned into a formal dining room, can be a den, games, computer or exercize room. The dining area off the kitchen is quite big. With that in mind, we've found that many people have used the room as a den or reading room, because you can slip off to it by yourself, apart from everyone, without having to go to your room," Penner adds.
Meanwhile, the kitchen/great room section of the home is also a study in utility. An open-concept design, it uses the granite/dark maple island to create a subtle division between spaces, while increasing the perception of space by employing two neat design features: a vaulted ceiling in the great room, and tons of glass -- two windows and patio doors off the kitchen, four large windows on the back wall of the great room.
"Without question, this area is going to be the home's activity hub, so we wanted to make it functional and welcoming," he says. "Consequently, the ceiling in the kitchen is nine feet, while the vaulted ceiling in the great room is 17 feet. There's an eating nook for two off the island, and room for a table for six in the dining area. The great room is extra-wide with a maple entertainment unit, gas fireplace set in weathered beige ceramic tile and a huge niche for a big screen TV, a feature we added to meet the demands of the market. A bookcase/wine rack is also an option on the subwall between the kitchen and great room for division."
Upstairs, the design maintains the theme set downstairs: windows abound, letting in lots of natural light. Likewise, the layout is just as logical with the master bedroom being placed at one end of the landing/hallway, divided neatly from the two (large) secondary bedrooms at the other end by a laundry closet and four-piece bathroom.
"Again, the master bedroom is standard -- it's just the right size, and can accommodate an armoire, king-sized bed and two end tables without a problem. However, this version features a deluxe ensuite with corner jetted tub, corner shower, beige ceramic tile floor and walk-in closet inside the ensuite area," Penner says. "If buyers want, the bedroom can be kicked out several feet to create a double-door entrance and different storage configuration. Again, it's totally up to the customer."
With an additional 800 square feet of living space downstairs and a PowerSmart silver rating, The Monticello can be configured to be one very flexible -- and efficient -- family home.
lewys@mts.net
New Homes
Shining beacon for buyers
When the entire 2.3-acre site of historic Florence Nightingale School went up for sale in January 2008, a group of forward-thinking land developers knew just what to do.
"We immediately knew that it would be a great location for a family-oriented housing development when it was listed on MLS," said Gary Judge of Judge Construction, who bought the large, rectangular parcel of land in partnership with FCP Smart Builder (owners Felix and Evelyn Pao) about 10 months ago. "From the start, our goal was to use this project to help this area of the city grow. We've (brother Chani and father Gurmail) been in Winnipeg for over seven years, mainly the Weston area. We specialize in fixing up homes for families."
Now, with all the demolition and due diligence done, the site -- which is two blocks west of McPhillips Street on Manitoba Avenue -- is about to be transformed into a housing development with 25 new, entry-level homes, said realtor Joe Pereira.
"The idea is to provide affordable, high-quality housing," said Pereira, who is marketing the development along with realtor John Rodrigues, both of whom represent Coldwell Banker Realty. "The homes will range from $189,000 to $249,000. It's the first development of its kind in the area in quite some time, and we believe it will attract a diverse group of people."
Rodrigues said it's been five decades or more since a new development has broken ground in the area.
"It's been 50 years since this type of project happened here, and we're proud to be part of the group that's making it happen," he said. "The key is that the homes will be affordable. These days, most entry-level homes come in at around $270,000 for new construction, so $189,000 is very affordable."
Judge added prospective buyers can expect to get excellent bang for their buck.
"First of all, the homes will have Logix Form foundations, which are similar to ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) foundations, and are manufactured right here in the city," he said. "The Logix Form will provide an insulation factor of R23.8, which is above the standard here. It also simplifies the construction process. Not only do you get a superior R value, but you can also apply drywall directly to the foundation, which saves time and reduces construction costs. In the long run, it will save money and reduce heating and cooling costs significantly."
All homes will be raised bi-level designs set on lots that will range in size from 25 feet wide by 122 feet deep to 36 feet wide by 122 feet deep, added Pereira. Each home will have access to a rear lane, where garages will be situated. The sizes will be in the 800-square-foot range for smaller homes, with the largest measuring in at 1,250 sq. ft.
Although the project -- fittingly dubbed Florence Nightingale Housing Development -- is in its early stages, everyone in the area is excited, said Judge.
"Everyone in the community is on board and excited about it. The demand has been big. Overall, the response to the project has been phenomenal. We're going to do our best to turn the site into a housing development that will be a good place for growing families to put down roots," he said.
Not only is the community on board with the project, but so too are all three levels of government.
"Their assistance has been invaluable," Rodrigues said. "In particular, the city's development department has been great. They were very helpful in getting the zoning done in a timely manner -- they seem genuinely excited about what's happening here. Mike Pagtakan, city councillor for the area, has been very supportive. Qualified applicants for homes can realize up to 75 per cent off their taxes for five years from the city; you can't beat that."
Now, it's a matter of taking the development from the drawing board to reality, said Judge.
"Construction is starting immediately, with phase one of the project having eight lots," he said. "We're projecting that homes will be ready for possession by late March or early-to-mid April 2009. Once it's finished, it's going to be a special place. We're going to landscape all the properties to maintain the beauty of the area, and we've even hired people who live in the neighbourhood to work on the project -- it's important that the community be part of what we're doing. We're just as excited as they are about what's about to happen."
For more information on the new Florence Nightingale Housing Development, call Joe Pereira at 227-4756 or John Rodrigues at 227-2203, or visit www.go4homeinfo.com.
lewys@mts.net
New Homes
A modern home that's touched by the past
Plan L-215-VSB, by Home Plans LLC, features a wraparound veranda and adjacent piazza that recall the peaceful days of the past when friends spent restful afternoons mingling at garden parties.This design's two floors total 2,213 square feet of living space.
Inside, a series of handsome columns creates a dignified gallery that ushers guests into the living and dining rooms. When appearances count, serve dinner in the dining room. Afterward, step out to the piazza for a breath of the night air.
Day to day, the kitchen and breakfast nook will bustle with activity. Perfect for family meals, the nook is also a great spot for a student to finish schoolwork under the watchful eye of a parent in the kitchen. Nearby access to the garage saves steps when unloading groceries.
In the master suite, a number of perks provide special treatment for the homeowners. Access to the veranda offers a romantic escape, while a Jacuzzi tub in the bath pampers a weary spirit.
Upstairs, all three bedrooms are a good size and include sizable walk-in closets. The front-facing bedroom also boasts a soaring vaulted ceiling and its own vanity. A convenient laundry chute in the hall helps keep kids' bedrooms neat.
For more information, visit www.houseoftheweek.com. Or call 866-772-1013. Reference the plan number.
Details
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 2 1/2
Upper floor: 862 sq. ft.
Main floor: 1,351 sq. ft.
Total Living Area: 2,213 sq. ft.
Garage: 477 sq. ft.
Exterior Wall Framing: 2x4
Foundation Options: Slab
Floor plan: Design I-56 has a living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook, four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a utility room, totalling 2,213 square feet. The attached two-car garage covers 477 square feet.
--Associated Press
New Homes
Housing industry still healthy
There has been a considerable hue and cry recently concerning the anticipated collapse of Canada's housing industry. Statisticians isolate one month of below-average starts and attempt to apply them to an entire year.People read about what is happening in the United States and just assume that whatever happens there is destined for Canada in the immediate future. Investment brokerage firms create scare tactics to encourage consumers to hold back on big-ticket spending.
However, the simple truth is that Canada is not the U.S. and whatever happens there does not necessarily happen here; and there is a variety of experts who can give reasons why it won't. Two brokerage firms recently predicted the demise of Canada's housing industry and the media and many others picked up on these stories. These were not banks, credit unions or other financial institutions firmly entrenched and familiar with mortgages, but rather companies (one with a very limited Canadian presence) whose primary interest is encouraging clients to invest in savings strategies rather than big-ticket purchases.
Many sources disagree with the prediction of a housing collapse. Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted that the housing and construction markets are much stronger in Canada than the U,S. He also noted major differences between our mortgage situations.
As well, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney expressed confidence in the Canadian economy and noted that personal spending continued to flourish. He emphasized that the Bank of Canada remained committed to the achievement of low, stable and predictable inflation and said that the cost of borrowing would not spike as it had south of the border.
The Scotiabank Group identified further differences between the Canadian and U.S. mortgage markets. While it is true that Canadian debt growth has increased on a par with that in the U.S. in recent years, it must be remembered that Canada experienced a much greater recession than the U.S. in the early 1990s and so took much longer to rebound.
Therefore, the two economies started at considerably different points. Canada's ratio of household debt to income is also much lower than in the U.S.
The U.S. subprime market for new mortgages from 2004 to 2006 was somewhere between 20 and 25 per cent. Canada sits at five to six per cent for outstanding mortgages and so isn't nearly as exposed to the dangers that can cause damage to the market.
Canada retains much higher homeowner equity than the U.S., where mortgage debt growth has been outpacing housing assets for the past 15 years. Riskier investor mortgages account for nine per cent of all outstanding mortgages in the U.S., 9.5 per cent in the United Kingdom and 10 per cent in Australia. They are between two and three per cent in Canada.
Canadian financial institutions tend to be much more conservative than their U.S. counterparts. This practice extends to mortgages on balance sheets, insured securitizations, a lack of reliance on short-term lines and prudent underwriting standards. Although our financial institutions and Canadians in general are frequently mocked for our conservative, non-risk approach, given the current financial situation in the U.S., perhaps a little cautious introspection is a good thing.
This column prepared by the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Outside the box
Whenever you think outside the box -- especially where new home designs are concerned -- there's always an element of risk involved.Go too far in the quest to be unique, and chances are people will think the design to be an impractical piece of art. Take no risks, and you stand to get lumped into a generic heap with your competitors.
Fortunately, Signature Homes decided to take a carefully calculated risk with The Stratford, a 2,680-square-foot, two-storey show home found at 15 Millbank Avenue in Bridgland Forest.
"We've been extremely pleased with reaction to the design," says Signature's marketing representative, Jeff McArthur. "All the comments about the design have been very positive. The Stratford is a family-friendly design that has unique features that also happen to be very practical."
Due to its striking exterior, The Stratford stands apart from the rest of the homes on Millbank Avenue right from the outset -- and not in a small way.
With a curved roofline that merges into a peaked front section that reaches its zenith over the two-car garage -- and a smaller peaked section at the low end of the curved roof section -- The Stratford is a one-of-a-kind design. Thankfully, that doesn't mean its interior is quirky.
In fact, it's just the opposite. A vaulted ceiling in the foyer and dining room provides an immediate sense of space, while a wide hallway in front of the foyer and angled staircase to the right open up the home's front even further.
For a subtle sense of separation, the designers defined the front-oriented dining room with a pillared entrace with cutout walls that neatly divides the home's front area from the kitchen/great room portion. All of which makes you wonder what awaits in behind. The payoff? An L-shaped kitchen/great room area that has been infused with loads of glass on the farm wall -- as well as all kinds of space.
"All the space makes for a welcome degree of separation," he says. "The island kitchen (with eating nook for three) is a space of its own, as is the dinette area. The deck doors then act as a divider for the great room. To add to the sense of space, there's a bay window by the dinette, and a recessed window in the great room. Yet, because the ceiling is normal height, the area still feels warm and intimate."
A trio of other design details also makes the kitchen/great room a space you instinctly want to inhabit: dark-stained oak window trim and baseboards that add definition to the area; a chocolate brown rear wall that exudes warmth and acts as a backdrop for a stand-alone, rather than built-in wall unit; and a long wall at the front of the great room that divides it from the kitchen while providing a separate wing for the garage entrance and a cool little powder room with pedestal sink and green-flecked beige wall paper.
"There's no built-in entertainment unit or fireplace because we wanted to give people a chance to visualize how they would arrange the room. We can also put in an entertainment unit and fireplace, no problem, if that's what the customer wants," McArthur adds.
Another departure from the norm is The Stratford's bi-level second-floor layout. The master bedroom is on the main level, while two (large) secondary bedrooms, a four-piece bathroom and cavernous 15-foot deep by 23-foot wide bonus room (with a built in laundry chute in the hallway in front) are five steps up on their own, separate level.
"That's why this is the ideal family home -- there's such great potential for separation," he says. "The parents can entertain downstairs, while the kids can play or watch a movie in the bonus room upstairs. We left the bonus room in an unfinished state so buyers can imagine how it might work for them. It could be a media room, games room, or even extra bedrooms."
Which then leaves the master bedroom, a marvel in itself -- and a unique one, at that.
"We consider it the crown jewel of the home," he says. "We've seen a lot of jaws drop when people have walked in and seen its soaring cathedral ceiling and huge bay window. It's everything a master bedroom should be -- roomy, elegant, and with a beautiful ensuite and his and her closets -- very practical, too."
Add more than 1,000 sq. ft. of living space in the home's lower level, and you have a unique yet practical home that any large family could cohabit in (at least) relative peace.
lewys@mts.net