Finding the right fit for the right home

Whether downsizing or upsizing, finding the right-size home is what everyone is looking for. “Right-sizers” isn’t just an industry buzzword, it is what all new homebuyers strive to be.

Finding a home that fits your lifestyle needs is important, but finding one that fits the budget is just as critical, if not more so. After all, no one wants to be house-poor, meaning having a home that you can’t afford.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) says mortgage professionals use two rules to decide how much they’ll lend you. First, your housing costs shouldn’t be more than 32 per cent of your gross income. Housing costs include mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heating expenses and half of your condo fees. Second, your total debt (for housing, cars, and credit cards) shouldn’t be more than 40 per cent of your gross income.

A new-built home is always the best option to find your right-size home, as Calgary’s new homebuilders work with their customers in offering all home types that can fit their various financial and lifestyle needs. We feature the various home types that buyers might find the right fit for their needs.

Apartment condos

Whether it’s a downtown tower, an inner-city mid-rise or a lifestyle-connected four-storey condo in the suburbs, single-level apartment style living offers a rich, fulfilling option for new home buyers.

Apartment condos have always been thought of as a perfect first-time homebuyer opportunity or a comfortable nest for seniors, retirees, and empty nesters. It’s a tempting option for investors, as well, and even young families are finding it’s the right-size home for them.

Jayman BUILT has always prided itself in the quality and craftsmanship of their single-family and multi-family homes. Their sold-out Westman Village in southeast Calgary had been such a hit that buyers keep demanding more. Jayman BUILT currently has a couple of multi-family developments that are worth checking out.

The latest is Magna in the dynamic northwest community of University District. “This two-tower, six storey, luxury condominium is the only concrete residence in University District and features the highest level of finishings that Jayman has ever done,” says Jordan D’Haese, Sales Manager, Jayman BUILT Multi-Family.

Jayman BUILT also has move-in ready suites at their Les Jardins Condos in southeast Calgary, located next to Quarry Park. This 5-story condo building features a state-of-the-art fitness centre, two-acre central garden with water feature and heated, underground parkade. Possessions have started, with the final suites available for move in this year! Find out more at jayman.com.

Townhomes

Townhomes can be considered the Goldilocks home of the multi-family set – they’re not too small, not too big, nor all that expensive either. The versatility of the townhome is what makes it the top pick for many of today’s new home buyers. Whether upsizing or downsizing, for many, the townhome is about right-sizing, and they are among the hottest sellers in the Calgary market right now.

Trico Homes is coming on strong in the townhome market with two new developments: West 83, Colours of Seton, and newly released Chelsea Court Chestermere.

West 83 is Trico Homes’ newest luxury townhome community, and one of the things that make it stand out is the range of floorplans available.

“We offer two- and three-bedroom townhomes ranging from 1,290-1,796 square-feet,” says Area Manager, Adam Zymirski. “Our floorplans offer double tandem, as well as double-wide car garages.”

Located just off Old Banff Coach Road in West Springs, West 83 is close to all the rich cultural, commercial, and entertainment amenities of this high-in-demand corner of southwest Calgary. Then there’s the well-designed, luxuriously appointed townhomes themselves, designed by Calgary’s own renowned designer and style expert, Alykhan Velji, , Aly Velji. “The showhomes offer effortlessly cool, timeless style that will ensure sophistication and livability for years to come,” Zymirski adds. Find out more at west83townhomes.com.

Colours of Seton Townhomes will be one of the last chances for townhome buyers to become homeowners in this highly sought-after community. There will be 95 townhomes released over 15 blocks, with 2- and 3-bedroom options. Single or double tandem garage models are available, as well as entry level flex room options.

“Colours of Seton appeals to modern buyers for their affordability, low maintenance, community living, convenient location, space efficiency, and investment potential,” says Trico Homes Area Sales Manager, Jimmy Luong. Called the “Downtown of the South;” Seton has a wealth of amenities already available – including the world’s largest YMCA and the South Health Campus hospital – with more on the way.

Available are a 2-bed, 2.5-bath townhome with a patio, balcony, and deck spanning 1,185 square-feet; and a 3-bed, 2.5-bath townhome with similar amenities available in either 1,373 or 1,376 square-feet. For more, go to coloursofseton.com.
The just-launched Chelsea Court Chestermere offers thoughtfully designed townhomes that are an attractive and affordable housing solution for individuals and families alike. It will have 83 two- and three-bedroom townhomes in the heart of the highly desirable resort-inspired community of Chestermere. Find out more at tricohomes.com.

Duplex homes

Homebuilders have different names for the duplex. Some call it a side-by-side home, or a semi-detached home, or even a paired home. No matter what it is called, its flexibility, functionality, and perhaps most importantly, its affordability has made it a perennial best-seller for homebuilders.

A duplex is a single structure featuring two residences, each with its own private entrance and one shared wall (there is usually a gap between the walls of the two homes to lessen sound transfer). Each home is individually owned, and unlike some townhomes, have no condo fees. It’s twice the nice at half the price.

The innate affordability of the duplex is what has made it such a sought-after home these days, says Partners Marketing Manager, Cale Marklund, buyers get a home that has almost the same square-footage of a detached single-family laned home at a fraction of the price.

“Right now, home prices and interest rates are on the rise and that is especially relevant for single family homes, both front-garage and laned home types. Duplexes allow buyers to have the same features, home square footage, and lifestyle, but for a price that is a lot more comfortable.”

Partners has several new duplex homes available this year in some of Calgary’s most exciting communities, including in Homestead in the northeast and Upper Greenwich, both communities that Partners themselves develops; and in Logan Landing in the southeast developed by the Genesis Builder Group.

In Homestead, Marklund says these homes are available in 17- and 18-foot-wide options, feature grand entrances, and two-car parking at the back, with an option for double detached garage. They are offered in 1,561- and 1,616-square-feet with four bedrooms and three baths.

Find out more at partnershomes.ca.

Laned Homes

Laned homes have been the darling of the new homebuyer set for almost as long as there has been a new homebuilding industry. This type of home usually has a porch or veranda facing the street, or big front windows with unencumbered view of the front yard. It also has a parking pad or detached garage with rear lane access, and it has always been the preferred first home for many.

Excel Homes’ Marketing Manager, Kristina Plank, says the curb appeal and spacious front yard of the laned home can explain its enduring appeal.

‘They offer an abundance of natural sunlight from the front facing windows. It offers all the perks of a front-attached garage home like yard space, privacy, and an optional double garage at the back, but at a lower price.”

Excel’s best-selling laned home is the Bellevue, a 1,795 sq ft. three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home that is bright and open. Designed with families in mind, the Bellevue has three separate living areas - a flex room and great room on the main floor and a bonus room on the second floor.

“A popular design feature of this home is the strategically placed central bonus room that creates ultimate privacy for the large primary suite, combined with the stunning open to below feature.”

Find out more at excelhomes.ca.

Front-drive garage homes

The front-drive garage home, or FDG home for short, is at the pinnacle of the homebuying cycle. It is the home most everyone who has lived in an apartment suite, a duplex or a townhome, aspire to live in eventually. Especially when they have children, and they see their families grow.

FDG homes come in many forms. In Calgary, they are mostly two storey homes usually with three-bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a basement development option. And of course, a garage to fit two cars – or more.

Recently, three-storey models that include rooftop living spaces have become popular too. FDG homes can be as luxurious or as functional as buyers want. But the main thing they offer is convenience.

Crystal Creek Homes, which is celebrating their 20th year anniversary, offers some of the most eye-catching, stylishly functional FDG homes around. Their first grand prize home for the Calgary Hospital Home Lottery last year got rave reviews and they have a second opening up later this year that is sure to wow.

Their new showhome, the Devonshire 36 in Hudson in Pine Creek in the southwest, has all the flair of a grand prize home but also the requisite functionality that every growing family needs.

The Devonshire 36 measures 2,723 square-feet with three bedrooms and to-and-a-half baths, with a triple car front attached garage, and still has room for an inviting front verandah that adds to its curb appeal. There’s a standard dual office on main floor and high, vaulted ceilings with open floor concept. It features a centralized galley kitchen with large working surface large butler’s pantry. Its custom-designed lower-level walk out lot faces green space, and the nine-foot ′ basement ceiling gives it a rare feeling of spaciousness. Find out more at crystalcreekhomes.ca.