Viewing Category – Custom Homes

The Woods – A Unique Collection of 8 Westcoast Modern Homes

Now Available — Nestled on a quiet, private road across from forested meadows with views of the Sooke Hills, lies this unique collection of Westcoast Modern homes. Beautifully appointed interiors showcase the modern design with clean, crisp lines and a neutral colour palette.

New Westcoast Modern Homes on the Ridge at Woodland Creek, Sooke BC

We are excited to launch a new offering of Westcoast Modern homes by our builder SC Smith Building Co.  New designs that take cues from both contemporary and westcoast influences and complement the energy and lifestyle of Sooke.

New Westcoast Modern Homes Victoria BC

New Westcoast Modern Homes at Woodland Creek

Located on lots 11-13 on Arranwood Drive in Woodland Creek, these homes have a long list of features normally only found in custom homes: waterfall kitchen islands, floating ensuite vanity with vessel sinks, wall mounted faucets, flat panel modern cabinetry and more.  Construction has started with the first home available in the summer of 2017.

The Vibe – 3 bedroom, 3 bath plus den 

The Pulse – 3 bedroom, 3 bath plus den

The Aura – 3 bedroom, 3 bath plus den

Fresh interiors

  • Two designer inspired color schemes Tempo and Rhythm
  • Floating ensuite vanity with vessel sinks and chrome hardware
  • 12mm laminate flooring through main floor in wood grain series
  • Nine-foot main floor ceiling for airy, spacious feel and crisp, modern painted moldings and trim styles throughout
  • Electric fireplace in living room featuring crystal glass set with remote control and electric baseboard for heating
  • Pot lighting and unique lighting fixtures throughout interior with USB charger in kitchen island
  • Technology proof wiring featuring multiple connection points and central media panel access
  • Wood and metal custom stair railings in colors to complement the interior scheme selected

Appealing exteriors

  • Two designer exterior schemes Zen and Echo
  • Distinct designs capturing cues from modern and west coast features
  • Attractive, durable concrete fiber siding, aluminum longboard wood series, laminate roofing and durable products throughout
  • Aluminum and glass garage doors with electric opener and two remotes
  • Painted or wood front doors with chrome hardware in contrasting colors
  • Exposed aggregate driveways and patio, green space and rear property line fencing

Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry

  • Modern flat panel cabinetry featuring complimentary colors and dual tone finishes
  • Stylish laminate countertops with waterfall edge in kitchen
  • Floating ensuite vanity with two vessel sinks and chrome fixtures
  • Wall mounted faucet and vessel sink in powder room
  • Tile backsplash in kitchen complimenting the design elements
  • Six-piece appliance package in white or black including fridge, range, dishwasher, otr microwave and washer/dryer
  • Ensuite shower featuring tile walls and glass surround and door and chrome controls and accessories
  • Separate laundry room for maximum space and efficiency

The little things

  •  Fully heated and lit crawlspaces for warm, dry storage and a minimum of three feet headroom accessed by a large crawl space door
  • Fully finished and heated garages including insulation, primed drywall finished electrical
  • Two exterior hose bibs, ample lighting around exterior, window screens, window coverings, vacuum rough in and fiber optic media connections standard

The building process

  • Full access to our state of the art cloud based management program to keep you informed about your homes progress at every step of the construction process at the click of a mouse
  • Site walk through at lockup and at final occupancy to ensure every detail is met and every home exceeds expectations
  • Continuous quality control checks through duration of build optimizing every material and process to its fullest potential
  • 2/5/10 warranty provided by Aviva on every home
  • In house crews complete many of the key elements of the home build to ensure quality, scheduling and efficiency
  • Flexibility in mechanical and cosmetic features of the homes to allow new buyers to chose and select many available options and selections with our sales team

For more information contact the sales team at Woodland Creek

Totangi Properties Ltd., SC Smith Building Co.,  and Woodland Creek

Totangi Properties – Celebrating their 49th year in business, Totangi Properties, the developer of Woodland Creek, is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. In 2014 Totangi was ranked #1 in Canada for Customer Satisfaction by Avid Ratings.

SC Smith Building Company – The 2012 Gold CARE Award for Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company is a local, residential real estate contracting firm specializing in distinctive new homes and timeless renovations. By utilizing practical, modern solutions and old world attention to detail and building philosophies the skilled, professional team repeatedly provide a successful building experience for their clients.

Woodland Creek –  2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC. A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long-term commitment of an established local developer.

 

The Qualicum – Master on the Main Arts and Crafts New Home

Main floor living ranks high amongst the retiring baby boomer population and with that in mind we’ve created the Qualicum plan.  A home with a master bedroom and ensuite on the main floor with 2 or 3 extra rooms upstairs has made our Arbutus plan popular with couples looking to downsize in their retirement, but not downsize too much.  We think the Qualicum measures up nicely to meet the needs of discerning buyers looking for a ‘master on the main’ floor plan.

 

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The Qualicum is exceptional, offering a 1764 sq ft floor plan of open design living. “We find some buyers like the convenience and accessibility of main floor living, but want more space than a rancher,” said Blair Robertson co-owner of Totangi Properties. “We designed the Qualicum with this in mind, providing a large master bedroom and 5 piece ensuite with separate tub and shower and double vanity on the main floor and an additional 2 bedrooms, flex room and 4 piece bathroom upstairs. We expect to receive great feedback on this plan from buyers looking at ageing in place.”  The homes feature thoughtfully designed interiors with timeless finishes and features offered in Phase 3C 

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The main floor also features a gourmet kitchen complete with all appliances, soft close cabinet doors and drawers, glass tile backsplash & quartz breakfast bar. Powder room and laundry is accessed off the main hallway and next to the garage entrance. A well planned dining-living room is enhanced with a fireplace with wood mantle and tile surround and vaulted ceiling and access to a sunny landscaped and fenced yard and deck.  All of this in a welcoming community close to schools, shopping and Woodland Creek Park and Playground.

 

Qualicum Blog image

The Qualicum plans are on Arranwood Drive on Lots 26 and 24 in Phase 3C starting at $422,900 net GST included. Built by registered licensed builder, SC Smith Building Company, featuring a 2-5-10 New Home Warranty and supported by the award winning Totangi Properties customer service. Occupancy Fall 2016.

For more information contact our sales team.

 

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Celebrating their 47th year in business, Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. In 2014 Totangi was ranked #1 in Canada for Customer Satisfaction by Avid Ratings. Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, in the creation of Woodland Creek and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties with lasting homeowner value.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC. A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long-term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .

West Coast Living, Small Town Charm in Sooke’s Award Winning New Home Development – the New Renfrew Plan

The New Renfrew Plan

Gazing out the bedroom window of the new Renfrew plan you might see bald eagles perched high in the tall fir trees, view horses walking the trails, or children running in the playground of Woodland Creek park.  The Renfrew is a new 3 bedroom plus den 1,877 square foot plan located on upscale Callumwood Lane in Woodland Creek directly across from the the park and just steps to the local elementary and middle school in Sooke.  It is the latest new home plan from the award winning developer and builder team of Totangi Properties and SC Smith Building Co.

New Home Floor Plan Sooke BC

The Renfrew Floor Plan

 

The Renfrew, is a spacious 1,877 square foot home offering quality craftsmanship and professionally designed interiors.  Walking in the front door and past the foyer and den,  you are greeted by a sizeable great room that features a large living and dining area, fireplace, and gourmet kitchen. Walk out to a sunny patio and fully fenced and landscaped yard. Upstairs you’ll find a cozy reading nook, a large private master bedroom with 5 piece ensuite bathroom with heated tile floor and walk in closet plus 2 more bedrooms and 4 piece bathroom and side by side laundry room.  A large powder room and mud room are accessed off the great room and garage.  This a great home for families with room to grow.

While this home has been sold, we will have another Renfrew plan built on Lot 25 3C for a August 2016 completion.

New Homes Sooke British Columbia

Views from the new Renfrew Plan towards Woodland Creek park and new homes under construction.

 

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Celebrating their 45th year in business, Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. In 2014 Totangi was ranked #1 in Canada for Customer Satisfaction by Avid Ratings. Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, in the creation of Woodland Creek and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties with lasting homeowner value.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC. A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .

New Sales Centre Opens at Woodland Creek – Sooke, British Columbia

February  11, 2015 – Sooke BC.

We are excited to announce the opening of our new sales centre at Woodland Creek on Sunday, February 15th between 1-4 this coincides with the launch of our new relationship with Re/Max Camosun Westside as our real estate services partner.

The new Sales Centre is located on Callumwood Lane in Woodland Creek  across from Woodland Creek Park and Playground, the new purpose built sales centre is the starting point for your on-site introduction to our award winning new homes.

Let our knowledgeable sales team show you the unique differences that set us apart from the  ‘new home’ crowd.   As a multiple building and development award winner and the 2014 recipient of the Avid Diamond Award #1 in Canada for Customer Experience, we think it is fair to say you owe yourself a visit to Woodland Creek before you make your next home purchase.

New Lots –  In response to market demand we’ve opened up another 26 single family lots adjacent to Woodland Creek Park and next to Ecole Porier and Journey Middle School.  Parkside and mountain view lots are available.

Customize your New Home.  We are excited to be building several homes through our pre-sale program that gives buyers the opportunity to customize their new home with personal selections of building plans, interior finishes, landscape treatments, and custom enhancements and upgrades.  Don’t wait to see what’s on the market when your ready buy — with the pre-sale program you plan ahead and see your new home take shape before your eyes and take occupancy in as little at 6 months.  How does it work? Read this Blog about Kyla and Derek’s Awesome Home Buying Experience. 

We look forward to seeing you soon. Click here for Directions.

Best regards,

Blair Robertson, Bruce MacMillan, and Cecile Bowie- Harland

Contact us for more information.

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About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Celebrating their 45th year in business,  Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. In 2014 Totangi was ranked #1 in Canada for Customer Satisfaction by Avid Ratings.   Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, in the creation of Woodland Creek and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties with lasting homeowner value.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC.  A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .

Totangi Properties ranked number one Canadian Home Builder for customer satisfaction

 For Immediate Release:

June 5, 2014, Sooke, BC – Victoria-based real estate development company Totangi Properties has taken top prize nationally in the custom builder – small volume category for customer satisfaction in the building industry for their homes at Woodland Creek in Sooke. Regarded as a benchmark of customer service performance, the Avid Awards are given out throughout North America to builders who have set the highest standards for home quality and customer service. This is the first time a Vancouver Island company has received this prestigious recognition.

“We are excited and honoured to receive this recognition from Avid,” said Blair Robertson, co-owner of Totangi Properties Ltd. “It’s a validation of the great work that our skilled building and sales team provides and of the positive lasting relationships we are able to build with our customers.”

In North America, Avid Ratings has long been at the forefront of the industry in bringing transparency of builder performance to consumers since 1992. Purchasers of homes at Woodland Creek are given a voluntary independent survey 30 days after move-in and again one year later. The surveys tracked their satisfaction with their homes and experience of working with the builder.

“Totangi has been phenomenal for their customer service and as home builders,” said Kala Souter,homeowner at Woodland Creek. “The surveys gave us the opportunity to give our feedback, which in our case was very positive – in fact we even recommended Totangi to our friends who are building a house.”

Through the Avid Award system, each home buyer survey in the database is analyzed to determine each builder’s Avid Index Score which is a combination of the total home buying experience, the willingness to refer and the actual number of recommendations a buyer has made. Builders with the highest Avid Index Score in each category are presented with awards.

“This award is an honour because it means we are doing the most important part of our job well – satisfying our customers,” said Steve Smith, SC Smith Building Company, the builder at Woodland Creek. “We take great pride in the homes we build and it is nice to know we are doing a good job of listening to our homeowners.”

Totangi Properties established the residential neighbourhood of Woodland Creek in 2004. The community now has more than 100 new homes and townhomes built and occupied. In addition to the recent Avid Award, Woodland Creek has won multiple awards including at CARE Award in 2013 for best new subdivision. Homes at Woodland Creek include the Built Green designation and the latest in energy efficient heating and cooling.

 

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated property development and land management company established in 1968. Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson worked closely with a talented team of local professionals and the District of Sooke in the creation of Woodland Creek and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties with lasting homeowner value. For more information, visit www.totangi.ca

About Avid Ratings Canada

Founded in 2003, Avid Ratings Canada is a full-service customer loyalty management firm, providing customer loyalty research, reputation management, organizational consulting and innovative marketing solutions that drive home building success. Serving more than 2,750 home builders throughout Canada and the United States. Avid maintains North America’s largest database of homebuyer satisfaction to benchmark its clients. To learn more about the award winning Avid 3.0 suite of services (GoSurvey®, GoSocial®, and GoTour®), visit www.avidratings.ca.

 

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The Totally Awesome Home Buying Experience – or what it takes to create a happy homeowner.

It always makes our day when we hear back from our customers – in this case our new homeowners Kyla and Derek O’Rourke who built a semi-custom home with us.  Here is what they had to say:

“Words cannot express how happy we are with our home in Woodland Creek. You will not find better quality. The support we received before, during, and after construction was outstanding. They took the time to explain everything in detail and were more than willing to accommodate any and all of our requests. We felt the whole team wanted us to love our house and went the extra mile to make sure it happened.”

Our relationship with Kyla and Derek started when they visited our showhome and met our wonderful hostess Cecile.  Cecile introduced them to our homes, plans, amenities, and different finishing options.  Working together with our design team, Kyla and Derek created their new home complete with all the finishing details, paint colours, cabinets, flooring and room modifications they wanted.  Using our “Bedroom Plus” program they added an additional 4th bedroom to the 3 bedroom Fir plan .  From their initial design meeting with us to the occupancy of their new home, the entire process took about 6 months.

How does this ‘pre-sale’ / custom home process work?

In Kyla and Derek’s case, construction of their new home started about a month after the contract was signed.  The building plans are drafted to incorporate any customer modifications and the building permit application is made.  As construction progressed we stayed in touch with Kyla and Derek and often saw them visiting the site, excited to see their new home take shape.

Customer Experience — It’s important for us that the home buyer is part of the realization of the design and construction process.  We are not ones to take the deposit and say “see you 6 months when the house is complete”.   Once the framing is complete and all the doors and windows are installed (what’s call “lock up” in the industry), homebuyers are invited to conduct a walk through to confirm the location of electrical switches and media / internet connections and make any last minute changes.  Throughout the entire building process the buyer is connected through a cloud base construction management system that allows the buyer to stay up to date on progress with their own personal website portal that includes recent photos, change orders, and direct contact with the construction manager.

Prior to occupancy, in this case just 5 months after the start of construction, an inspection and familiarity tour of the new home is conducted.   We check in with the new homeowner shortly after occupancy as well, to ensure that everything in the home is functioning as it should.  Every new homeowner receives a binder with all relevant new home information and we have a Homeowner Web Portal that contains warranty, operation, and special deal information.  And we don’t stop there!

We believe in continual improvement and the importance of customer feedback so we subscribe to a 3rd party Customer Experience rating system called AVID Ratings. 30 days after occupancy, AVID ratings conducts an independent Customer Experience survey to get the homeowners feedback on everything from the sales process, to the new home features, and after occupancy service. They conduct this process once more at the 1 year mark. We also follow up before the 1 year mark to review any issue that are covered under the new home warranty and  we have a handy Service Request  form on our site should you have any issues in your new home that we are responsible for.

So as you can see, we believe there is a lot more to a new home purchase than just handing over the keys.   Customer Service  is the key to our success and we are honoured to be ranked #1 in Canada by Avid in 2014  for customer satisfaction in the Custom Build / Small Volume category in the residential building industry.

Thanks again to Kyla and Derek for their kinds words – you made our day!

Blair Robertson – co-owner Totangi Properties.

 

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Celebrating their 45th year in business,  Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. In 2014 Totangi was ranked #1 in Canada for Customer Satisfaction by Avid Ratings.   Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, in the creation of Woodland Creek and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties with lasting homeowner value.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC.  A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .

 

 

 

Introducing 2 New 3 Bedroom Plans – The Sombrio and the Tofino from $359,900

Sombrio and Tofino Plans at Woodland Creek

Sombrio and Tofino Plans at Woodland Creek

 

In planning for the launch of our new phase of 26 homes and in celebrating the 10th anniversary of Woodland Creek, we wanted to create a couple of new plans that delivered a traditional family friendly home with 3 bedrooms upstairs in an efficient, stylish, and affordable plan.  We are very pleased to introduce the Sombrio and Tofino plans.

These plans are similar in layout with a main floor offering a great room approach with a spacious living, dining, and kitchen area and powder room.  The Sombrio comes with a 2 car garage and the Tofino a 1 car garage.

Sombrio Main Floor Plan

The upstairs in both plans provide 3 bedrooms. A master bedroom with a walk in closet and full ensuite bathroom, 2 other bedrooms with a main bathroom and laundry.  The neat thing about these plans is that the upstairs is completely reversible so if you want your master bedroom at the front or the back of the home you can choose.Sombrio Upper Floor Plans

Combined these great plans with our 3 new interior schemes, great finishing features,  and our 10th Anniversary New Buyer Bonus worth up to $10,000  (until June 30th) including quartz countertops and an energy efficient heat pump and you will have to work hard to find a better place to create your new home than Woodland Creek. The Tofino plan is offered starting at $359,900 net GST and the Sombrio starts at $364,900 net GST.

 

Sombrio and Tofino Street View

Sombrio and Tofino Street View

 

We look forward to seeing your during our Open House times  or by appointment with our sales team.

Click Here for Directions.

Open House Times:   Every Saturday & Sunday 1pm – 4pm.

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Celebrating their 45th year in business,  Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, in the creation of Woodland Creek and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties with lasting homeowner value.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC.  A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .

How to Have a New Woodland Creek home built in your Favourite Neighbourhood

We hope you have been able to experience firsthand the feeling of a Woodland Creek home: the results of combining the quality craftsmanship of the Built Green Builder of the Year with a professional home and interior design team and experienced developer.  You love the homes, and as great as our community in Sooke is, you have a preferred neighbourhood you want to stay in or live in.  Now you can have the best of both worlds – we can build you an award winning Woodland Creek style home in a neighbourhood of your choice virtually anywhere in Victoria.

With over 12 building plans from ranchers (ranch style) to 4 bedroom homes and several professionally interior design schemes from Nygaard Interior Design, we will likely have a plan that suits your needs and can build it on a lot of your choice.  We take the guess work and risk out of designing and building a home.

Here’s why you should consider this if you’re looking for a new home:

Here’s how it works:

1.  Contact us to discuss your housing needs and  your preferred locaton.  Choose a house plan and finishing level (classic, premium or custom), and we will provide a cost estimate.

2.  We will work with you and/or your realtor to locate a building lot in your preferred neighbourhood that will suit your selected plan. Or we can custom design a plan to fit your needs and a particular lot.

There are many building lots available in most neighbourhoods. Sometimes they are vacant and in many cases they may have an older existing home on it that must be removed before construction can proceed.

3. Once you have secured a building lot, we will develop a building contract with detailed drawings, cost estimates and construction schedule.

This is a great way to take the guess work out of building a new home.  By being able to see the finished homes completed at Woodland Creek, you can be assured of what the final home looks like and feels like when you walk through it. At the end of the day you will end up with a brand new home with a new home warranty, designed by a professional interior design team and built by the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year.

So whether it’s in Langford, Gordon Head, Saanich, Victoria, Mill Bay or anywhere else in the area – a Woodland Creek home by Totangi will look great in your neighbourhood. Interested?  Contact us today.

 

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development, home building, and land management company established in 1968. Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties and developments with lasting homeowner value.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC. A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .

Ageing in Place – Designing Accessible Homes for today and the future

Have you ever sprained an ankle or broken a limb and discovered how challenging it can be to make your way around your home?  Just as young families buying their first home think about how many rooms they will need for a growing family, baby boomers are now thinking about how they will ‘age in place’ in their next home purchase.

We were curious to hear what older people in our community thought about  ‘ageing in place’ so a couple of months ago we invited a number of older couples to a focus group.  They toured our new Woodland Creek homes and we had a discussion over lunch about what older people value in a community, a neighbourhood, and in home design.  It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and it was very insightful. I’ll list a few of the outcomes.

  • Older people value quality and comfort, they care about the environment and long- term value.  ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’.
  • Older people typically make healthy lifestyle choices and wish to remain attached to and involved in a vibrant community – not isolated in a gated community of seniors.
  • They are often homeowners looking at relocating and downsizing.  They often have the flexibility to stay in their current home while a new one is built and customized for them.
  • They like Sooke because it is close to major shopping destinations and close to a range of health care options. It provides plenty of opportunities for leisure and active pastimes in a place with a small town feel and strong sense of community.
  • They liked Woodland Creek because it is a vibrant community with a mix of households from young families to seniors that is close to trails, parks, schools and shopping.
  • They like Woodland Creek homes because they are well built with many eco and mobility friendly features and low maintenance yards. They could see there was an attention to detail in the finishing that showed the builder cared. “Old time craftsmanship”

We knew from customer feedback that there were a couple key design features that are attractive for older buyers in Woodland Creek.  Firstly, we have 3 home plans that feature a main floor master bedroom and bathroom. One rancher plan (the Elm) and two plans that have main floor living with 2 or 3 bedrooms upstairs (the Hemlock and Arbutus respectively).  Secondly we have a geothermal heat pump system that uses forced air heating and cooling for better air quality and energy efficiency and the homes are Power Smart.

As we further explored with the focus group what makes a home more accessible and adaptable for ageing in place it was pointed out to us that our homes came with a number of standard features that were helpful for instance:

  1. Door handles & bathroom faucets are lever style which make them easy to grip;
  2. Rocker type light switches for ease of operation, 3 way switch for convenience in activating lighting as you move through the home;
  3. Task lighting in kitchen and drawers in lower cabinets for ease of access;
  4. Easy to operate window hardware;
  5. Programmable thermostats and built in vacuum rough in;
  6. Rough in for security alarm which can accommodate panic alerts in case of emergency;
  7. Backing in bathroom walls to accommodate future grab bars;

Of course this was good news to us, because many of these features fit the classification of  ‘universal design’, which means they can be used by all people regardless of ability. The focus group was a productive exercise for us and helped to identify  some of the wants and needs of our ageing population. It also gave us direction for continual improvement in accessible and adaptable design and customer service.

What features do you think should be incorporated into homes to make them more accessible and pleasing for ageing homeowners?  We’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

 

About Totangi Properties Ltd. and Woodland Creek

Totangi Properties is a locally-owned and operated award winning property development and land management company established in 1968. Brothers Warren and Blair Robertson and their team work closely with the 2012 Built Green Builder of the Year, SC Smith Building Company, and are committed to creating affordable, high-quality residential properties and developments with lasting homeowner value.  Together they earned the 2014 Avid Diamond Award for the highest customer satisfaction rating for new homes in Canada.

2012 Gold CARE Award winner for Best New Subdivision, Woodland Creek is a residential neighbourhood of new homes in the heart of Sooke, British Columbia – a waterfront community near Victoria BC.  A planned residential community, Woodland Creek was designed with the objective of providing a wide range of new housing opportunities for the community; close to schools, parks and the Sooke shopping and service core with the fundamental commitments of quality construction, lasting value and the long term commitment of an established local developer.

For more information, visit www.totangi.ca .