Subdivisions vs. Custom Build -

After spending some time in the King City, Nobelton and Richmond Hill area I have noticed the sad contrast between Subdivision homes of the 1990s and younger versus those homes from better times. A quick comparison need look at two items:

1. Lot Size
2. Quality of Construction

First the lot size, these subdivisions are labeling lots as wide when the frontage is 42 feet. That is a tough sell, when 70-100 feet can be found in the area of these 3 towns at comparable prices to the new subdivision offerings. Next, the depth...new subdivision is in the range of 85-125 feet. Quality lot sizes in the 130-200+ foot range are available on homes with some character.

Secondly, the quality of construction...no need to go into to much detail here as Mike Holmes has made a career ripping apart these poorly constructed homes during a time when building inspections where not inforced very well. A recent example, my client and I were looking at a home in the area and while walking in the kitchen we could feel the floor bouncing up and down. The joists might have been 2x4s, we went in the unfinished basement and checked...the joists were actually 2x8s. For almost 700k! What a shame.

Alternatives to buying the cookie cutter home:

1. Work with a good contractor and reno an home with a bit of age.
2. Consider the future and build a custom home or custom reno where you feel the next hot area will be. You would be surprised that these gem locations are closer than you think.