CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES
Four-seasons development set on waterway
June 14, 2008
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Tracy Hanes
TORONTO STAR
Kingsview on Balsam Lake offers all of the pluses of cottage living without some of the hassles.
The Kaitlin Group's gated development on the lake that's known as the `Jewel of the Kawarthas' has 30 new luxury four-season, cottage-style homes spread over 10 treed hectares on the site of a former cottage resort.
"We found this property more than a dozen years ago, but it has taken 12 years to develop the project and get all the approvals for it," says Kaitlin Group vice-president Gary Daniell. "We have a state-of-the-art communal water and sewage system, which will be assumed by the City of Kawartha Lakes, so it's like having city services. Residents have no concerns about dealing with septic tanks or wells."
The project, on Highway 35 just north of Rosedale, has 600 feet of shoreline, private boat slips for every home and connects to local nature trails.
The towns of Coboconk and Fenelon Falls are five and 10 minutes away by car and the area has numerous amenities including ski resorts, mountain bike trails and antique shops.
Kingsview has direct access to the extensive boating on the Trent-Severn Waterway and Balsam Lake is renowned for its excellent fishing and swimming. It's located just 90 minutes from the Don Valley Parkway and 401 interchange, and is accessible by several routes.
Kaitlin has launched the final 10-lot phase of Kingsview; about half of the total 30 home sites have been sold. Buyers can purchase lots for $250,000 to $400,000 and have their own architect and builder design and construct their home (providing it meets architectural standards) or have Kaitlin build a bungalow or two-storey home for $499,000 to $750,000, ranging from 1,618 square feet to 2,200 square feet in size.
"We've arranged the homes in clusters around the natural features of the site and it faces west, so you get some spectacular sunsets," Daniell says.
The homes have stone and low-maintenance wood siding, cedar shake detailing and cedar-style asphalt shingles with a 30-year warranty. Other details include black coach lights on front facades, balconies on two-storey homes and screened porches on some models.
Interior features include nine-foot ceilings (up to 18-foot cathedral ceilings in models with great rooms); oversized windows; natural-finish oak stairs; fireplaces with painted mantels; porcelain, slate or ceramic tile flooring in foyer; hardwood in family room, kitchen and dining room; and gourmet kitchens with upgraded cabinets and granite countertops.
In addition to the boat slips, Kingsview has a lakeside pavilion, swimming dock, a natural sand bar and beach area with fire pit and barbecue and volleyball and horseshoe area.
Monthly condo fees, which average $200 per month, cover taxes, utilities, maintenance and expenses for common elements, snow plowing, grass cutting, window cleaning and a reserve fund.
Daniell says Kingsview provides a maintenance-free, cottage lifestyle: buyers have included a local cottage owner who wanted to stay on the lake but wanted a home that required less work; others included professionals from Toronto. The homes can be used as cottages or can be year-round residences.
"The grass is cut for you and there's even a local company who will come in and clean, change the sheets and stock the groceries for you if you wish," Daniell says.
A model home can be viewed by appointment.
Phone sales representative Phyllis Kaffko at 1-905-697-4513 or go to kaitlingroup.com.
Toronto Star