Winning location draws interest in Roslyn Ridge
Credit to Author: Barbara Gunn| Date: Sat, 07 Sep 2019 12:06:01 +0000
There are so many things to consider when buying a new-build home. The price is a big one. The floor plan is another. Then you have things like construction quality, the reputation of the builder, the fixtures and finishes and the completion time for the development.
But according to Deborah Calahan, vice-president of sales and marketing at Morningstar Homes, there’s one thing that trumps all those considerations in the case of Roslyn Ridge, her company’s latest single-family development in Maple Ridge: the location.
“I know location, location, location sounds cliched, but it really is the highlight for this project,” Calahan said. “The homes are exceptional, of course, but when people look for a home, the first consideration is always the location. Then, secondly, they look to see if their first-choice builder is there, but it’s always the location that drives it.”
Roslyn Ridge is Morningstar Homes’ fourth project in Maple Ridge, preceded by The Summit at Grant Hill, Robertson Heights and Wynnbrook. Calahan said the company has seen people who bought into some of these earlier developments showing an interest in buying again in the area. This is perhaps not surprising, given that the community map for the development lists no fewer than 36 schools, local amenities and shopping centres.
“At Roslyn Ridge, you’ve got super easy access to all the major thoroughfares right at your doorstep, but it really is tucked away in nature,” Calahan said. “Most of the homes back on to greenbelt, so there’s a lot of privacy and green space. It feels really established as a neighbourhood. There’s a high school within walking distance right behind us, the elementary school is not far away and the shops are close by.
“I used to think Maple Ridge was far away but it really isn’t, especially now that we have the Golden Ears Bridge,” Calahan added. “It makes it feel like it’s getting closer than ever before.”
Homes at Roslyn Ridge go on sale today and Calahan is expecting interest from move-up buyers who may be looking for something bigger than their existing condo or townhome. She also expects to see buyers looking to move from older homes, as well as people searching for somewhere a bit quieter and more rural, but still within easy reach of everything they need.
The 84 single-family homes at Roslyn Ridge will have either three or four bedrooms and will range in size from 3,065 to 3,215 square feet. Prices are expected to start in the mid-$800,000 range. Lot sizes range from 3,500 to 6,800 square feet and every home includes an unfinished basement. Buyers can pay extra to have their basement finished either with extra rooms for the main home or as self-contained suites.
Roslyn Ridge is a project from Morningstar Homes in Maple Ridge. [PNG Merlin Archive]
“We’re finding a lot of in-laws moving in to help raise their grandchildren so it’s becoming multi-generational in a big way and in a really meaningful way,” Calahan said. “I expect we’ll see more of that as the boomers get older and may need looking after. There’s a lot of benefits to this project from a family perspective.”
Roslyn Ridge is a project from Morningstar Homes in Maple Ridge. [PNG Merlin Archive]
The kitchens at Roslyn Ridge will have stainless-steel Samsung appliance packages, including fridges, stoves, hood fans, dishwashers, microwaves, washers and dryers. There are quartz countertops, Shaker- or foil-wrapped-style cabinets with crown mouldings on uppers, huge kitchen islands and ceramic backsplashes with accent tiles.
Bathrooms feature dual vanity sinks, soaker tubs in main bathrooms and extra-large showers in master ensuites. There are quartz countertops and ceramic tiles on the floors.
Calahan expects interest in the homes at Roslyn Ridge to be strong, particularly given the cooling market, the still-modest interest rates and Morningstar Homes’ reputation.
“What makes us different is that when you go to a Morningstar project, you’re going to see each model of home demonstrated,” she said. “This time, we have four basic plans and all four homes will be on display for people to walk through – it’s not about showing you one house and the others on paper. Our approach takes time and it’s expensive to do, but we believe it’s important because that way people can get a feel of what they’ll actually be living in and what suits their needs. When you’re making one of the biggest decisions of your life, it’s important to know that you’ve made the right one.
“Some developers build the same homes over and over in different locations,” Calahan added. “We never repeat our homes. We start from scratch each time and we get feedback from our purchasers about what they think we could do better and to find out more about what people are looking for. Each new Morningstar project has a newness and freshness to it and we approach each new project with our eyes wide open.”
Roslyn Ridge
Project location: 23192 113B Avenue Maple Ridge
Project size: 84 single-family homes with three or four bedrooms, ranging from 3,065 to 3,215 square feet. Prices are expected to start in the mid-$800,000 range.
Developer: Morningstar Homes
Architect: Fred Sales
Interior designer: The Creative DesignWorks Inc.
Sales centre: 23192 113B Avenue Maple Ridge
Sales centre hours: Sat — Thurs, noon — 6 p.m.
Sales phone: 604-380-2212
Website: mstarhomes.com