Finding the value in laned homes

By Pepper Rodriguez
May 28, 2024

As home prices in Calgary continue to climb, the laned home has lost some of its allure when it comes to affordability, yet it remains one of the most versatile, functional and charming single-family homes in the market. And with new, bigger, more flexible designs available, the laned home is still very much an attractive option for new home buyers.

The laned home is the fairy tale home for many homebuyers because of its picturesque, street-friendly façade. Typically, laned homes will have a porch or veranda facing the street and a parking pad or detached garage accessed off the rear lane.

Although townhomes and duplex homes may beat it out on price, the laned homes’ advantage is that it is a true single-family home with no shared walls. And laned homes on zero lot lines – plots of land with no side yard - remain a cost-effective option for many.

“While they may no longer fit neatly into the category of starter homes, they still represent a more accessible option for budget-conscious buyers compared to their front-attached garage counterparts,” says Justin Rampersad, Trico Homes area sales manager for laned homes in the northwest community of Glacier Ridge.

“For many aspiring homeowners, laned homes still offer a vital stepping stone towards owning property without compromising on quality or location.”
Kristina Plank, Marketing Manager at Excel Homes, points out that the aesthetic appeal of the laned home cannot be overstated.

“Many homebuyers prefer more front yard space and a more welcoming curb appeal that the laned home offers. On average, laned homes are more affordable than front garage homes, but offer the same benefits,” Plank tells NextHome.

Versatility in spades

A huge advantage of the laned homes is its ability to offer legal basement suites, four--bedroom upper floors, main floor bedrooms for multi-generational living, and more.

Felipe Wolfe, Trico Homes area manager in Sirocco at Pine Creek is a big believer in the adaptability and flexibility of the laned home.

“At Trico we take pride on offering positive solutions for our homeowners. All our laned models have options to add a fourth bedroom on the second floor, or even add an extra bedroom and full washroom on the main floor – which is a necessity for multigenerational households. We also offer some of the best secondary suite layouts in our homes with two bedrooms in the basement, which adds a lot of value for a future rental opportunity,” he says.

Rampersad says the laned home can fit several lifestyles, from young professionals looking to invest in their first property, young families who want to keep their older parents with them, to empty nesters seeking to downsize without sacrificing comfort.

Plank says Excel has a wide collection of flexible and versatile laned models. “Our laned homes range from 1,485 to 1,880 square-feet and offer options like a spice kitchen, second-floor bonus room, 1- or 2-bedroom basement suite, or even a main floor flex room that can be converted into a bedroom. They are designed to optimize space, adding thoughtful details to each home like conveniently located upper floor laundry and creative storage solutions that are not only functional but stylish.”

Trico’s latest models

Trico Homes remains bullish on the appeal of the laned home and is opening four new laned showhomes.

In Glacier Ridge in the northwest, Trico is opening two new laned home showhomes – the ever-popular Raeya, and the new Sandalwood.

The Raeya is the exemplary model of flexibility to meet today’s diverse customer base, Rampersad says. “The main floor provides the flexibility of being completely open for the largest combined living space we offer on a laned home. Its upper floor can offer three bedrooms with a bonus room for extra family space or a fourth bedroom plan for larger families.”

The Sandalwood is one of the newest additions to Trico’s laned home lineup. It is 1,808 square feet and features the largest kitchen among its laned homes. “It can also provide the option of a main floor flex room or bedroom and full bath. The upper floor can be reduced in size to offer an Open to below at the front entrance for a grand first impression. It also provide an option of 2 bedrooms and a bonus room or 4 bedrooms on upper.”

In Sirocco in Pine Creek, Trico will have two new models, including the aforementioned Raeya, its best-selling laned home, and the Bravo, one of its 30th Anniversary models.

“Both models offer layout solutions to multigenerational families with options to add a main floor bedroom and bathroom, and a 2 bedroom secondary suite in the basement,” Wolfe says. “We’re very excited to have our grand opening this Fall and thrilled to keep on helping build the community of Sirocco.” Find out more at tricohomes.com.

Excellent Excel

Excel Homes is just as confident and will have three new laned home showhomes by this fall. “Our most popular laned model, the Bellevue, will be opening in the lakeside community of Mahogany” Plank says. Featuring 1,795 square-feet of living space, it is a bright and open laned home, designed with families in mind with three separate living areas and a 1-bedroom basement suite.

Excel will also be opening two Nash showhomes in the lake community of Mahogany, as well as in Chinook Gate in southwest Airdrie.

“The Nash is our latest laned model, designed from years of our homeowner’s feedback. It is our largest laned home yet, offering 1,880 square-feet of living space,” Plank says.

The Nash showhomes feature three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen with plenty of storage space, a flex room on the main floor, an upstairs bonus room, and a spacious two-bedroom basement suite. More information at excelhomes.ca.

About Pepper Rodriguez

Pepper Rodriguez is a writer, editor of New Home + Condo Guide's Calgary and Edmonton editions.

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