While the drive for density is a priority in most Canadian cities, including in the Calgary Region, the survey still says that the market wants single-family detached homes.

The 2017 Canadian Home Buyer Preference National Study, completed for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, compiled the responses of 2,775 recent new homebuyers from six provinces, including Ontario. In a Toronto Star special feature, BILD GTA’s president and CEO, Bryan Tuckey, reports that 65% of survey respondents prefer single-family dwellings, up from 55.7% in 2015.

The survey, done by Avid Ratings Canada for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, has a lot of insights to offer to homebuilders about what we’re seeking:

Affordability

• Almost 23 per cent would be willing to accept a smaller home and 20 per cent said they would be willing to live further from work and amenities to make their next home more affordable.
• Eighteen per cent would accept unfinished spaces in the home and 17 per cent said they would accept fewer community features.

Must-haves

• Walk-in closets
• Linen closets
• 2-car garages
• Storage – lots of it

Kitchen details

• Open-concept layouts’
• Connected to living room and dining room
• An island
• Quartz counter tops

Energy Efficiency
We want it, but not because we’re all environmentalists – 60 per cent of us just like the lower utility costs. Must-haves include:

• High-efficiency windows
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Certification by designated program

Builders and developers regularly use research to determine what to build for their market, and then balance the results with the demands of municipal policies. For example, in Calgary, the Municipal Development Plan guides allowable built forms.