Is it time to ditch city living, and claim a bigger piece of the good life?
Before families leap to join the bandwagon of small-town living in Alberta’s fastest-growing community, many families ask, “Is Cochrane a good place to live?”
Pal Shergill, general manager of Prominent Homes found compelling reasons to join the launch of the community of Greystone, and build two family-friendly showhomes opening in 2023 in the brand-new neighbourhood close to downtown Cochrane.
“We are very familiar with the market in Cochrane – it is a community for real roots for families because the location can’t be beaten for amenities and access. We’re building models with features for ‘Alberta family’ living,” said Shergill.
What is “Alberta family” living?
Those features include garages sized for larger vehicles – such as the popular Ford F150 commonly seen on driveways because garages can be too tight for their length. Greystone’s lots are bigger than the average in Calgary new home communities, so they’re sized to accommodate spacious garages, roomy floorplans for busy families or a long list of convenient and fun features that will keep the household running smoothly.
Meanwhile, with inflation nudging up the price of almost every family expense, Prominent’s homebuyers in Greystone can bank on getting more for their money in homes starting in the $600,000 range for a bungalow and starting in the $700,000 range for two-storeys on the best-priced lots available in the first release, explained Shergill.
Affordability found
“The main thing is affordability,” said Shergill.
“We were careful to not overbuild or overprice so that it keeps people out of the market. Instead, we have some good-sized floorplans with three or four bedrooms and got serious to remain price-conscious for everybody,” he said.
Even though their lineup of homes will hit a mid-market price range, they’ll be overflowing with beautiful features that make simple sense for easy family living.
Are bungalow models available?
An example is a bungalow model that is a proven winner in other communities says Shergill. The option for basement bedrooms helps parents of teens stay sane, and the open main floor suits almost every stage of life. The lower level is easily transformed into a casual living space for the whole family to connect, for get-togethers, or for a flexible space that can be repurposed as life evolves.
Prominent’s bungalow hits a sweet spot in size close to 1,100 sq. ft. that can be easily maintained by maturing parents who know their kids might soon leave the nest. It’s also optimal for fully retired couples who like the idea of a single-level layout to serve them for many decades, but at a price that makes financial sense. “It’s really good value for your budget, so there’s still money left over to retire and do the things you want to do,” said Shergill.
Lone parents whose children live with them on a part-time basis also love the bungalow for its simplicity on their off weeks, and scalability when their kids arrive on the scene with a group of friends.
Where can you build a four-bedroom home in Cochrane?
Meanwhile, Prominent will also offer traditional two-storey homes with up to four bedrooms upstairs, plus flexible loft areas that families might transform into a homework or work-from-home spaces.
Big mudrooms are designed into some of Prominent’s popular plans in answer to parents' dreams of smooth morning routines or arriving stress-free and on time for weekend sports commitments. All the gear can be organized with customized mudrooms that serve as a well-ordered home locker room.
Prominent is one of the builders at Greystone that allows custom changes to plans. And purchasers can expect practical advice and support from the team in the process.
“Buyers want customization without the estate price tag,” said Shergill. “We are a small enough company that we can manage the changes to your home. We have starting floorplans, then ask about our customer’s pain points. If the floorplan can be improved for them, we say ‘let’s customize this for your family.’”
Can I customize my home?
Anything from adding or enlarging windows to structural changes that raise ceilings or expand rooms can be explored if it fits the budget and lot size. “If you can think it, we do our best to get it done.”
Inspiration for customizations can be found in Prominent’s Greystone showhome, one of their largest models for the area that will showcase features that can be added to other designs. The model shows a main floor den, a walkthrough pantry, and a large kitchen as a spot for hosting and dining with a wine cellar in the cabinets. “It’s going to be a great plan for parties,” said Shergill. Upstairs, families can grow into the three bedrooms and bonus room layout. Meanwhile, a main floor den close to the front door features natural light.
Shergill expects the community of Greystone to come alive with active and pioneering families who see value in the large lots and its optimal location. The town offers a long list of benefits that used to come at the cost of burning fuel and time commuting to Calgary.
But now, with the increase in remote employment, the expense and time lost on driving to work isn’t a factor for new residents in Cochrane who have come to enjoy an easier way of life. The location puts them closer to the mountains, and new amenities such as the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre are within easy reach. They can cut out traffic stress and the disappointment of activities filling up because there is less competition for prime hockey ice times or spots for gymnastics, Shergill explained.
“We’re planning to work with a lot of families on the move,” said Shergill.
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