The success of an upstart development in New Bothwell is demonstrating that the southeast region continues to be a destination of choice for new homebuyers.
Fairfield Ridge is a 94-lot development being spearheaded by well-known local builders Cobblestone Homes. It consists of three types of land deals: custom mid-sized lots, duplex lots, and a starter package, which is a home and lot deal. And though the project is still in its relatively early stages, Cobblestone Homes owner Paul Warkentin is pleased with the public’s reaction so far.
“The response to the development has been positive and encouraging,” says Warkentin. “The duplex lots are entirely sold. We’ve had a good response to the custom lots and we’re working on finalizing a few of this size. The people who have seen the home love the layout and the options for selections.”
Warkentin adds that they are currently in phase one of sales, having started with a total of 15 entry lots, seven mid-level lots, and five duplex lots.
As for the actual servicing and construction of the development, progress is moving along at a steady pace.
“The roads are paved, hydro is in, and we are waiting to begin construction with one of our display homes shortly,” says Warkentin. He adds that a house build can take five to seven months, so people could be moving in by next spring.
As for pricing, Fairfield Ridge offers a variety of options for buyers. The mid-level lots range in price from $59,900 to $64,900. The entry-level lots sell as a home and lot package and start at $229,000 for a 1,152-square-foot home.
Area residents will be familiar with the work of Cobblestone Homes. They’ve been building in southeast Manitoba since 2005 and their homes in New Bothwell will be similar in style to what you would find on Cobblestone Court and elsewhere in Niverville.
“We’ve had huge success with this style of home, the open-concept two-storey,” says Warkentin. “We feel it gives the entry-level buyers an excellent quality and value for what they are purchasing.”
The trend of Winnipeg families looking at neighbouring communities in which to build is not new. There’s a decent chance if you’re reading this paper that you are part of that trend. With towns such as Niverville and Île-des-Chênes having already grown exponentially, we are now seeing development in other southeast communities.
New Bothwell, located 25 minutes south of Winnipeg and 20 minutes west of Steinbach, is of course best known as the home of the New Bothwell Cheese factory.
Warkentin says the area is especially ripe for growth right now. “We had the opportunity to purchase land here and saw that the market had good potential. Developers and homebuyers are interested in small towns because they have less property taxes and less hurdles to jump through when applying for permits than larger cities.”
He adds that recent decisions made at Winnipeg City Hall will likely increase the flow of city dwellers beyond the Perimeter Highway. “With the advent of the proposed developers’ fees that the City of Winnipeg is contemplating, developers and homeowners will start to look outside the city to build that new home—whether entry-level or dream style—and this makes towns like New Bothwell an excellent location to develop, build, or buy.”
