The convenience, functionality, and larger size of the front-drive garage home (or FDG home) has made it today’s ideal family home. This type of home is as ubiquitous as the suburbs they are generally found in and are at the apex of the home-buying cycle. But with the rising interest rates, soaring material costs, and tight housing market, it’s not the most affordable option for many new homebuyers.

Things are not about to get easier any time soon. So how are homebuilders keeping their line of front-drive-garage (FDG) homes attainable? The key it seems is flexibility in floorplans and adding value to the home.

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

They are the best fit for multi-generational households, and homebuilders have noticed a new trend of building a main floor bedroom with full bath for elderly parents of the homeowners. FDG homes with private access to basement suites have also become popular to realize the home’s potential for rental income.

What has made it such an appealing option for homebuyers is the convenience and flexibility if offers to meet the growing needs of families – in many cases, it becomes their forever home. We spoke to a few of Edmonton’s renowned FDG home builders to find out the latest.

Affordability challenge

Because of its larger size, the FDG home is the least affordable of all the home types available. And in these days of elevated interest rates, they might not be the most appealing for those on a tight budget. So how are the homebuilders keeping the FDG range attainable? Increasing the value of the home seems to hold the key.

Dalyce Keen, Sales Manager for Jayman BUILT Edmonton, says having cutting edge, innovative designs are an important component in their system.

“Jayman’s team works diligently to offer innovative designs and floor plan options to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Our models and plans are value engineered to deliver the best possible cost right up front with our integrity pricing. Jayman BUILT also has great trade and supply partners that allow us to add incredible value in each Front drive home,” she tells Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide.

Morrison Homes is just as engaged in creating value for their FDG homes. “A concern we keep hearing is the challenges customers are having with qualifying for the homes they need,” says Sandy Ladd, Morrison Homes General Manager.

“By offering home options like basement suites, side entries and main floor suites, our customers have many options for potential rental income or having additional family members live with them to help with their monthly mortgage payments.”

Innovative approach

Jayman BUILT has already taken the lead in providing top-notch energy-saving features as well as home automation with their Core Performance Standard Inclusions. This includes 10 solar panels that allows owners to save up to 50 per cent on electricity bills.

Also included in Core Performance are triple pane windows, high efficiency furnace with merv 13 filter and ultra-violet light air purification system, active heat recovery ventilator, tankless hot water heater and more! Homeowners save up to $900 annually on energy costs with these standard energy efficient inclusions, she says.

“Jayman BUILT is consistently watching market demands and creating new design options to our homebuyers,” Keen adds. “We can also add side entrances and legal suites to many of our models which helps affordability.”

Ladd says that Morrison Home is also continually innovating possible to save buyers some of the upfront cost. They do this in terms of smaller footprints with as many of the features’ customers want as “We’re also looking into a more budget-conscious specification option where customer can choose more square footage over all the bells and whistles that Morrison generally offers as standard.”

New FDG models

Jayman BUILT just introduced two new models to the Edmonton market this fall, and they are already receiving positive feedback regarding design features and luxury inclusions, Keen says.

“The Sayge, our newest model that was just released in the Villages of Desrochers offers a unique design with a vaulted bonus room, double door entrance feature into the owner’s retreat and an open to above space at the back of the home which allows a generous amount of light through both levels of this 2-story home. The Sayge is a must see with its entertainer’s kitchen and walk in pantry.”

For Morrison Homes, it’s the Wexford III. “Some of our newer models, designed for zero lot lines, like the Wexford III, provide the same square footage as our traditional lot sizes. The economical use of the lot size goes a long way for buyers to get the home size to suit their needs on the 22-foot-wide pockets of land. These models are available in communities like Elan, Marquis West, Cy Becker, and Glenridding,” Ladd says.

The Wexford and Webster line of models have proven to be hugely successful for Morrison Homes. “With a multitude of design option available, the customers can choose the options that suit them best, be it open to above, 4th bedrooms, bonus rooms or main floor suite or even a combination of all four!

The Wexford showhome in Elan is a great home in a well-established community. Building here means easy access to amenities, commuter routes, and the future amenities of the Elan community. Zero lot line properties are available here as well! Living just 10 minutes outside of the city offers a small-town charm, and budget friendly alternative for front attached homes.”

The continued appeal of the FDG home

The front-drive garage home remains the king of the suburbs and it’s easy to see why.

“An FDG home offers the most living space indoors and out,” Keen at Jayman BUILT says. “Homeowners have flexibility to create an income suite while maintaining ample living space for their families. Homeowners also enjoy having yard space that can be used for growing gardens, entertaining, relaxing, and creating their own adventures.”

While Morrison Homes’ Ladd points to its efficient use of space. “The front attached garage home is a hugely efficient use of space. Offering a place to store their car in the winter, an opportunity to get your kids in and out of the house without tracking through a yard of snow, he says.

“Our variance in temperature season to season means families want protection in the winter, and a place for their kids to play in the yard and a deck for barbecues in the summer. The attached garage provides opportunity for all of these and allows for more room for the growing family with options like the above garage bonus room. Our climate has customers needing more functionality out of their homes, and that keeps the front garage homes relevant.”

For more information on Jayman BUILT FDG homes and more, go to jayman.com. Go to morrisonhomes.ca to find out more of their line of FDG homes and more.