Front-drive homes offer flexibility for families | Front Drive Garage Homes
August 04, 2021
Condo apartments fit singles and downsizer needs best, laned homes and duplexes are for those ready for a longer homeowning commitment, but the front-drive garage is for families in all their forms and sizes.
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 Edmonton, 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.
“Owning a home with an attached garage provides a handful of benefits, especially with the unpredictable weather that Edmonton is subject to,” says Excel Homes Marketing Manager, Kristina Plank.
Many families do seek out a FDG home because of size, long-term goals and for the convenience of parking inside during Canada’s long and cold winters, says Hopewell Residential Edmonton Sales Manager Sue Carlson. “An attached garage is a very desirable option in this case, especially considering Hopewell’s full-size garages that provides room for your truck.”
Convenience and safety of having an attached garage, as well as a typically higher square foot that is why most families prefer the FDG, agrees Dalayce Keen, Jayman BUILT ‘s Sales Manager Edmonton.
Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide talks to homebuilders offering some of the most exciting new models in FDG homes currently.
Excel Homes
For over 30 years, Excel has been passionate about helping families find their perfect home. “Our FDG homes range from 1,200 to 2,740 sq. ft. which allows for “the option of adding extra space with either a legal basement suite or a loft, depending on the model and area,” Plank says.
In Edmonton, Excel Homes offers FDG homes in the communities of Cavanagh, Citadel, Edgemont, Keswick Landing, SouthPointe, The Orchards, and VITA Crystallina!
“We differentiate ourselves by providing FDG models that are flexible and adaptable to your family’s needs, whether you wish for more bedrooms or an extra flex space, a bigger kitchen or even a third-floor loft. We provide versatility and room for growing families,” Plank says.
Excel Homes has also continued to innovate designs to reflect the needs of its clients. “Over the last few years, we’ve noticed that our customers have a growing interest in being able to add more flexible space to their homes,” Plank says. “Whether it’s with a main floor flex room that can be converted into a bedroom, or by adding a loft or even a basement legal suite. It’s all about flexibility to help our customers find the space that’s right for them.”
Excel also launched its new Archer Series in Edmonton which includes a more affordable model series that helps families get into the housing market. Available in Cavanagh, The Orchards, Keswick Landing and Citadel, these models range from 1,200-1,444 sq. ft., with three beds, and two-and-a-half baths. “This series is perfect for young families and first-time home buyers looking for style and elegance in their new front garage home. In everything we do, we design with the customer in mind,” she says.
Find out more at excelhomes.ca.
Jayman BUILT
Jayman BUILT has always sought to lead the industry in every aspect of the homebuilding process, but the design innovation they focus on their FDG home line is quite comprehensive.
“We have always looked to lead the industry with thoughtful preplanned floorplan options, and this continues as we have adapted to new requirements and wish-list items from our homebuyers,” Keen says.
“For example, new to the checklist are dedicated fitness spaces and home offices and quiet spaces for the kids to do schoolwork. In some cases, we have expanded our portfolio to include these popular options in a wider range of home models and square footages. This allows access to these great home features in multiple price ranges.”
In addition, Jayman BUILT’s Core Performance Specifications offers buyers one of the most efficient, safest and healthiest homes available in the market. “New for 2021 we have included an air purification, this is in addition to solar panels, tankless hot water heater, high efficiency furnace and heat recovery ventilation system to name a few, all at no extra cost to our homebuyers.”
More information about Jayman BUILT’s FDG homes and the rest of what they offer at jayman.com.
About Pepper Rodriguez
Pepper Rodriguez is a writer, editor of New Home + Condo Guide's Calgary and Edmonton editions.