Looking to buy your first home, build your dream dwelling or make a move into a new neighbourhood? No matter what you’re looking for, there are different kinds of homes for everyone in Kingston. With help from Callie Warren – of The Marco and Rob Real Estate Team, Re/Max Finest Realty Inc., Brokerage – we’ve narrowed down the options by category to make your search easier.
HERITAGE HOMES
Kingston has plenty of these homes – however, be prepared to spend upwards of $1 million for a designated heritage home. You’ll find homes like these in and around the downtown core or near Highway 15. The brick and limestone are mentionable features, and many have wood siding and tall ceilings. Non-designated heritage homes include those found near Queen’s University – they’ve typically been upgraded into rental units, putting them into a variable price range. Check with your realtor for the right option for you.
WARTIME HOMES
You’ll find a great starter home in a wartime build. There are different pockets of these homes, with some in Strathcona, in Henderson and near Highway 2. These are great starter homes for first-time buyers: some are smaller, but they offer more by way of lot size in terms of price. Depending on the upgrades that have been done, the average price range for a wartime home is between $300,000 and $700,000.
CONDOS
If you’re not ready to buy a detached home just yet, a condo is a great alternative. Although the market for condos downtown is still relatively undecided, due to ongoing and future development possibilities, there are many units available from $500,000 to as much as $1 million on the waterfront. For affordability, consider the Armstrong and Queen Mary area, where there are two bedroom condos available from $200,000, or near Highway 15, where units go up from $400,000. If you like the idea of purchasing a unit while still relying on building management to handle maintenance concerns, condo living may be for you.
NEW BUILDS
There is something exciting about buying a brand new home and customizing aspects of it to your tastes and budget – but the process can take up to a year. Semidetached homes and townhomes in the city have a starting price of $350,000 or more. In the east end, there are many subdivisions in Riverview, near Highway 15, and some are planned near the upcoming Third Crossing and close to the 401. In the west end, the Westbrook, Odessa and Woodhaven neighbourhoods are very popular and tend to have a longer wait-list for buyers. Consider purchasing a new build in areas like Odessa or Amherstview, which offer great affordability just a short drive outside of the city.
COUNTRY FARMHOUSES
Want to get away from it all without actually leaving? Head just north of the 401, where you’ll find Harrowsmith, Inverary and Sydenham. These historic villages have blossomed into small towns proud of their heritage, and surrounding homes tend to come with character and lots of land. Many are hundreds of years old, of course, so they depend on a well and septic system and need to be maintained. If that’s not for you, you can purchase your own lot of land for between $100,000 and $300,000 (depending on the area and lot size) and build your dream home from scratch. Condos overlooking Kingston’s waterfront.
COTTAGES
When looking for a cottage, consider lake conditions and other amenities that suit your interests. Many cottages are as affordable as $300,000 to $400,000 if you go north of the city, but watch for increased prices in popular areas like Prince Edward County, Loughborough Lake, or along the Rideau system.
