Developers sometimes get a bad rap for swooping in, buying up a swath of property, carving it into smaller lots, then selling it off at a profit, never to return again.
Chris Bowness likes to think heB次元官网网址檚 more invested in Vista Estates, a new Triangle Mountain neighbourhood that his company is partnering on building out.
Bowness, president of custom home builder Alair Homes Victoria, is thrilled with the fact he and his family are building their dream home on one of the 18 view lots created since 2011, when developer Fritz Karger decided to do something more with land his own family resided on for years.
B次元官网网址淚 like to say thereB次元官网网址檚 an added attachment (in building your own home on land youB次元官网网址檙e developing),B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淵ou feel an added connection to the community around you and thereB次元官网网址檚 an added sense of pride.B次元官网网址�
With a five-year-old son already in school and a daughter whoB次元官网网址檚 two, Bowness and his wife Scarlet B次元官网网址� sheB次元官网网址檚 the company shareholder and also operates a home-based baking business B次元官网网址� are looking to put down roots in Colwood.
B次元官网网址淲e wanted security and stability for our family,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淲e designed the home and picked the lot. This is our long-term plan for the family (to stay here).B次元官网网址�
Bowness, who graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Victoria 20 years ago and has since shifted his focus to architectural engineering, is jazzed, to say the least. On the day the Gazette caught up with him, they had just broken ground on the lot for their custom-built home.
Part of what he likes about the Vista Estates project, which is on an elevated and reinforced area bordered by Fulton Road, Karger Terrace and Demel Place and features the more recently dedicated Robson Place, is the combination of local companies that have worked on the project to date. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got different professionals involved, virtually all of whom are based on the West Shore.B次元官网网址�
Besides Karger himself (F.K. Developments), who raised his family in the original Robson homestead, Bowness lists such contributing local companies as architectural designer Java Designs; Westbrook Consulting, civil engineers who do B次元官网网址渓and prep;B次元官网网址� structural engineers Mann Engineering, and others having a hand in creating this exclusive neighbourhood.
The lots are a healthy size B次元官网网址� 7,500 square feet is common B次元官网网址� and the four large, high-end homes built so far use a significant chunk of the available space.
The Bowness home, the fifth to be built on the property, will be in the neighbourhood of 4,000 sq. ft. when done.
From an investment standpoint, Bowness said they are considering buying up one or more of the lots and building spec homes on them for sale as a complete package.
The company markets its design/build services to the public, but with connections already in place with tradespeople and other professionals, it may just make financial sense to help move along the progress of the neighbourhood a little more quickly.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Q: WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME?
Buying a brand new home is a big decision and an important investment and there is a lot to think about. You want to buy with confidence, enjoy the experience and know youB次元官网网址檝e made the best decision for you and your family.
Typically, buying a new home takes place over time and in several stages. To begin with, you want to take some time deciding on your priorities B次元官网网址� what you want in a home, where you want to live and how much you want to spend B次元官网网址� and then explore whatB次元官网网址檚 available.
Once you have narrowed your choices down to one community, one builder and one home, you are ready to work out the details and sign a contract with your builder. Then itB次元官网网址檚 time to step back and let the builder do the work.
Some of the things you should consider and questions to answer before getting to this stage are:
B次元官网网址� what is the surrounding community like; what amenities does it have and what is the proximity to work and schools?
B次元官网网址� what size, style and layout of the home B次元官网网址� inside and out B次元官网网址� works for you and your family?
B次元官网网址� how do you plan to finance the project or finished home?
B次元官网网址� explore your options; what do the various builders have to offer?
B次元官网网址� does the neighbourhood fit your needs; what are the long-term plans for the area?
B次元官网网址� do your homework on investigating the builder, their previous jobs and reputation
B次元官网网址� what time frame do you expect or need for the project?
Other things will no doubt come up, but remember, there are no dumb questions, especially not when it comes to a purchase as large as a new home.
GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE 禄 MONTH TO DATE SEPT. 21/15 COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD
禄 432 / 565 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES / TOTAL, SEPTEMBER 2014
禄 635 / 1,099 -- NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, SEPTEMBER 2014
禄 3,509 / 4,253 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, SEPTEMBER 2014
