Laned homes open doors to homeownership

There’s always been a fairy tale quality about laned homes. Their friendly, curbside presence, big windows looking out the front lawn, and sometimes even an amicable front porch, bring a sense of neighbourliness to the entire streetscape. Its relative affordability also helps make it easier for first-time homebuyers turn their dreams to own a home a reality.

Laned homes are detached single-family homes with rear detached parking backing onto a laneway, and they are red hot in Edmonton’s surging new home market. They are traditionally two-storey homes with three-bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, ideal for first-time homebuyers to accommodate a growing family, or downsizers looking to scale back from their larger estate homes but still want the freedom of single-family home living.

Besides its relative affordability, laned homes give buyers more immediate living space than a condo apartment or townhome the opportunity to add more with a basement development. Many homebuilders also offer the option of building a detached garage to complete the home’s full potential, and there are even opportunities today to develop a nanny suite - full suite with bedroom and full bath - on top of the garage. Talk about potential!

Laned homes can be found in all of Edmonton’s new communities, and we bring the spotlight on a couple of new models and where some of the best options can be found.

Excel Homes

Excel Homes describes their laned homes as “Goldilocks homes” because they aren’t too big, or too small, they’re just right. “They have huge curb appeal, suited to a lot of lifestyles, providing lots of great living space – with the potential for more if you develop the basement,” says Excel Homes Marketing Manager, Kristina Plank.

“Laned homes are typically larger than a townhome, more affordable than a front-drive garage home yet similar in size, and best of all, it has no shared walls. It’s your own home with no condo fees, or condo boards or rules.”

Excel Homes offers four models of laned homes in Edmonton currently, ranging from 1,226 to 1,636 square-feet. They can be found in the communities of Vita Crystallina in the northeast, and Edgemont in the west.

“Our top selling laned model in Edmonton this year is the Sienna – a 1,636-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths,” Plank says.

The Sienna is a bright, open and fully loaded laned home designed with families in mind. The main floor offers flexibility and a great place to entertain with a central kitchen and plenty of seating in the great room. A main floor flex room provides the perfect space for a home office or it can be turned into an extra bedroom. The second floor has an the inviting bonus room and laundry, which separates the additional bedrooms from the spacious master suite. An optional developed basement can accommodate a full legal suite, or simply more room for fun and games with the family! It starts from the high $400,000s.

“We just opened a brand new, Sienna laned show home in Vita Crystallina, and it is very popular among younger families and growing families. It offers a ton of flexibility and affordability,” she adds.

She also says that, despite the rising interest rates, today might still be the right time to buy. “Interest rates aren’t the only thing rising; building supplies and labour costs also continue to increase. The advantage of buying now is price protection – you lock in your price, and you are safe from future cost increases.”

For more information, visit excelhomes.com.

Village at Griesbach

The laned homes in the Village at Griesbach have a personality of their own that adds to the diverse and inclusive allure of this award-winning community.

“Laned homes in Village at Griesbach have unparalleled curb appeal with quaint porches and porticos. When you buy a laned home in Griesbach you also have the opportunity to build a garage suite, which many of our detached garage homes are zoned for,” says Georgette L’Hirondelle, Marketing Manager for CLC in Village at Griesbach.

This Canada Lands Co. (CLC) community has won tons of industry acclaim, including nabbing Best Community Award at the recent Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) Nationals. These awards are testament to the grand vision for sustainable, integrated living that Village at Griesbach represents, and its laned homes are an integral component of that vision.

“Laned homes are a fantastic option for any family looking to build in Village at Griesbach,” L’Hirondelle says. “They have a fantastic curb appeal with a classic home appearance, and Village at Griesbach’s architectural guidelines work beautifully with laned homes. Laned homes also support income suites, which is part of Griesbach’s vision to help with city planning and offer affordable housing.”

The Village at Griesbach offers laned homes from Homes by Avi, Impact Homes, and Pacesetter Homes. There are two new showhomes from Homes by Avi and Impact Homes on Greenaway Avenue. “Both of these laned showhomes have garage suites, so they show a wonderful picture of what’s available in the community. Our builders offer a variety of laned home models in the community, and every builder offers personalization and customizations to make your laned home, yours!”

Models come in a variety of floorplans starting at 1,361 up to 2,656 square-feet. “What’s wonderful about laned homes in Griesbach is that they are built to each home buyer’s specifications. Whether you want a laned home with added customizations such as larger hallways, higher ceilings, more bedrooms and bathrooms, and upgraded finishes or you want to buy a modest starter home, you can find it in Griesbach.”

She adds that despite the climbing interest rates, buying a laned home now is a good decision. “Purchasing a home is always a great investment, as instead of paying rent you’re paying towards a property you own. Laned homes in Village at Griesbach also have the potential for income properties. Many laned home lots in Griesbach are zoned for a garage suite and/or basement suite, so you can add the income suite to your mortgage while simultaneously paying it off faster.”

To learn more about the community, visit villageatgriesbach.com.