Sitting pretty in four-season community in Collingwood
October 31, 2009
Roberta Avery
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Karen Willison thinks economist David Foote was right on the money in his 1996 book Boom, Bust & Echo.
"I'm a huge fan because just as David Foote predicted, the baby boomers want to downsize; it's a very interesting demographic," says Willison, who is a sales representative for Pretty River Estates Collingwood, by Delpark Homes.
The project is slated for around 180 homes on the south side of Collingwood and is appealing to the baby boom generation, who now that their children have flown the nest in communities such as Brampton and Toronto, are looking for a home in an active four-season community, says Willison.
"Now the kids have left home, they want to downsize to a bungalow with a loft," says Willison.
Another key factor is that Pretty River is located just a couple of minutes drive or a short ride or walk on trails from banks, the hospital, theatres, drug stores and libraries.
Pretty River homes, which feature gabled roofs with steep pitches, porches, wide eaves and exteriors of wood, brick and stone, are also appealing to the "move up" crowd buying their second or even third home.
With homes starting at 1,302 square-feet for $307,990 on a 45-foot lot ranging up to a 3,011 square-foot home with five bedrooms on a 50-foot lot for $468,990, Pretty River can meet the needs of buyers from both demographic groups, says Willison.
First occupancies are scheduled for the spring of 2010.
Delpark Homes has been building in the Greater Toronto Area for more than 30 years. When Delpark owner Enzo Giovanni heard that the Pretty River site was on the market, he decided to move north, says Willison.
There are three furnished model homes each with a different interior design and color palette.
Homes will be a mix of single family and semi-detached homes and will include such standards features as designer style kitchen cabinets with post formed laminated counter tops and breakfast bars. Bathrooms include features such as large corner oval tubs.
To reach the site, take Highway 26 to Collingwood and then on the east side of town turn left onto Poplar Sideroad, Pretty River Estates is on the right.
The model homes and presentation centre are open Tuesday to Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed Mondays.
Models are also open by appointment by calling 1-705-293-3311 or toll free 1-888-257-1999 or Willison direct at 1-705-888-0075.
For up-to-date information, go to www.prettyriver.net.
Toronto Star