9 minute read
Choosing a Community
Homeowner FYI:
Choosing the right community
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Photo courtesy of Seven Lakes Community
Ten years ago, no one thought twice of leaving their home and driving to the grocery store or the bank. But these days, many people want to live in communities that allow them to walk or bike wherever they need to go.
Adam McLean with Armco Communities says there’s certainly been a shift in how many homeowners prioritize their proximity to key amenities. They want to live in vibrant, mixed-use communities that include a mix of housing types – from apartments to big homes – and commercial space.
“People are looking for more than just a row of houses. They’re wanting to feel like they’re part of a community now. They want that variety,” says McLean. “This wasn’t something developers used to think about, but it’s here and it’s not going anywhere.”
It’s not just urban families who crave closeness to their daily spots. Nicole Perchard, director of real estate with Seven Lakes Community, says living further out of the city no longer means you’re forced to drive 45 minutes to find civilization.
Although Seven Lakes Community looks and feels like a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, she points out that Porters Lake itself is a complete community. There are grocery stores, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, healthcare professionals, and even home improvement stores.
“Some people don’t mind living so far out in the wilderness that they only go to the grocery store every few weeks, but the majority want the convenience of being able to go daily if they need something,” says Perchard.
She says homeowners love that Porters Lake is self-sustainable, but also very close to the hundreds of other amenities in Cole Harbour, Burnside, and Dartmouth Crossing.
“That’s what people find so attractive about Seven Lakes Community,” says
Perchard. “You’re close to everything you need, but far enough from the city to feel as though you’re away from it.”
For families with young children, Perchard says proximity to P-12 schools is a critical factor when choosing a new
– Nicole Perchard, Seven Lakes Community
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community. No one wants their five-yearold to spend an hour riding the bus each morning, and repeating the long journey every afternoon.
She’s heard of many people moving to the area simply so their children can attend the “excellent” French school, École des Beaux-Marais. Seven Lakes Community is also just five minutes away from two other elementary schools, 10 minutes from a junior high school and 14 minutes from a high school.
Of course, couples without young children don’t tend to care if they’re close to a school. While McLean says “location, location, location” is, of course, a critical factor in choosing a community, it’s not as if there’s one perfect location that would suit everyone. He says it often depends on a homeowner’s stage of life.
Indigo Shores, which surrounds McCabe Lake in Middle Sackville, has been extremely popular with homeowners craving space and privacy. McLean says the lots are large, there are a lot of trees, and it’s seeing many high-end custom homes.
“For some people, living somewhere like Indigo Shores is ideal because they’re not too far away from wine country, skiing, golfing,” explains McLean. “But for a young professional couple who work downtown, that might be too far.”
Depending on your stage of life, McLean says you may want to choose a community that allows you to easily transition to a future home – whether that’s upgrading to a larger house with more bedrooms as your family grows, or downsizing as your adult children move out.
“When you’re in a complete community, you can go from your first home – maybe a semi-detached – to a single-family home, and then downsize to an apartment without ever leaving your neighbourhood,” says McLean.
Over in Seven Lakes Community, Perchard says they’ve found they’re “hitting all demographics” and allowing residents to really put down roots.
“We’ve got empty-nesters, retired single folks, families, and professionals because we’re offering such a wide range of products,” explains Perchard. “That’s key in building a good community – listen to what the market is telling you, and offer price points that fit first-time homebuyers right up to people who are settling into their final home.”
It’s natural for homeowners to become
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Choosing a community, continued... See you at the Show – March 3 - 5!
Photos courtesy of Armco Communities
– Adam McLean, Armco Communities
attached to their community, and Perchard says that’s especially true for those who value living in a community that prioritizes a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle.
Seven Lakes Community is the largest conservation community in Atlantic Canada with more than 60 per cent of its land maintained as green space. Its commitment to being a low-impact development means it believes in protecting water sources, prioritizing natural landscapes, and maintaining the rural character of the community.
“There are walking trails, a dog park, lakeside amenities, a fire pit, a kayak structure – everything for people who love nature,” says Perchard.
Many urban communities are incorporating walking trails and leaving lush woods and streams free for hiking and exploring. But while a simple trail system is fine for homeowners looking to stretch their legs, others crave a bit more wideopen space for getting dirty in the fresh air.
McLean says Armco Communities is currently developing their final phase of Kingswood North, which features huge wooded lots and plenty of privacy.
“It’s a different lifestyle out there,” says McLean. “You can have backyard bonfires and drive four-wheelers through the woods.”
Whether you’re eager to live in a walkable community full of amenities or a quiet forest where you can’t see your closest neighbour, price always factors into the decision.
“I’m not sure if it’s a generational thing, but people who are getting into new construction now are very savvy about the costs. They want to see a lot of value for their money,” says McLean. “I think we’re going to continue seeing an emphasis on really good design and finishes, while still finding ways to keep things within reach.”
Eastern Passage’s Erindale Estates features mostly semi-detached homes and single-family homes near the ocean, and
McLean says the community’s affordable price points have made it extremely popular with first-time buyers and downsizing couples. In some cases, the right price is even more important than the location itself.
“People are looking for value. They may convince themselves to go a bit further out if it means they’re getting a better bang for their buck,” says McLean.
He says that’s why market-savvy, budget-conscious home-buyers are drawn to areas like Governor’s Brook in Spryfield. It saw explosive growth in 2017 with 118 homes sold – a mix of housing types, including single family homes, semidetached homes, townhomes, and multifamily units.
McLean credits the community’s success to its emphasis on affordable luxury. About 50 per cent of the homes sold for less than the average resale price in Halifax, which meant people were getting brand-new homes for under $300,000.
“Two years ago, no one was really moving to Spryfield. Now it’s one of the hottest-selling areas,” says McLean. “People want to make sure they’re getting the most for their money. It’s a major factor.”
END
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