“I grew up in the Southwest. I’ve always lived in this area.” With her mother and teenage brother residing in Evergreen, finding the Eden by Today’s Homes in Bridlewood was providence!

Tanya, working at the City of Calgary in the Assessment Department, has the background information regarding property and their value in the city and felt it was time to buy. “I looked all over the city.  I looked at all my options: townhouse, duplexes, single family detached. I don’t like the idea of condo fees:  they turned me off condos. I wanted to own my home clear and free, paying my expenses. For the price of condo fees, I can still hire the yard work out and save money,” says Tanya.  She is comfortable with shoveling what snow comes her way in the winter, but with allergies, contracting the yard work out is the best solution for her.

In March 2005, Tanya started looking around at different show homes. “I kept coming back” to the Eden because “I loved the kitchen.”  She wasn’t sure if she could afford it initially, but when she started her job with the City, she found that she was able to buy the Eden. “I can’t believe how much money people are paying for houses. I lucked out.”  She purchased her first home in September 2005 and took possession in April 2006. “I’ve been checking my home’s value through work. I bought it for under $200,000. It’s really gone up. Had I waited another two months, it would have been too late and I would have had to buy something else or an apartment.  I am so lucky to be in here.” An uncle checked her house out, as well as Today’s Homes specs, and gave it his nod of approval!

“The first thing to hit me when I was looking to buy was to have a large ensuite” off the master bedroom as well as a walk-in closet. She was able to customize her home to meet these two criteria. Jesse Marshall, Area Manager for Today’s Homes, was very helpful. “He drew it all up and the cost of the changes to the upstairs wasn’t bad.” The modified Eden’s floor plan is very traditional on the main floor, according to Tanya, but the second floor “is modern.” 

From the plan’s original three bedrooms upstairs, Tanya changed them into two master suites, each with their own ensuite.  The guest room has the typical double closet, but Tanya’s master bedroom has a spacious walk-in and larger ensuite.  She had six electrical outlets placed where typically there are only two, plus added more cupboards and drawers, with a lot of extra counter space in the vanity area.

“Today’s Homes was great compared to others,” commends Tanya.  “The ceramic tile backsplash, larger fridge, eating bar, splatter coat ceiling, light switches and oak cabinets are all standard. I wanted oak baseboards and door trim, not MDF.  Many of Today’s specs were standard, whereas with other builders you had to upgrade to them.” She chose to upgrade her lighting package, though. “I copied the show home’s lights because I loved them.” She has two light and fan combinations, one in her living room, the second, in her master bedroom.  “I would build with Today’s Homes again!”

“I really like having windows.  I put one in my walk-in closet and like them in each of the three bathrooms. “Apartments were stuffy, so I wanted to make sure I could get a cross-breeze.”

Her deck at the back of the house and front sod (to be laid this summer) were both part and parcel of the purchase price. “When I bought my house, for an additional $400, I was offered a blinds package, a washer and dryer, worth about $1,800.” She was able, with the blinds allowance, to fit her main floor with the Hunter Douglas window coverings. “I’m spending lots of money. I have to stop!” she laughs. Curtains for the upstairs are ready to be hung with other window dressings having to wait a little longer. 

Most of the furniture in Tanya’s two storey 1262 square feet home is brand new.  An aunt and uncle gave her a computer table and lamp, a cousin: the microwave.  She combed the furniture stores in the Deerfoot Meadows area for her living room, bedroom and kitchen.  Stylish black microfibre bar stools look fabulous against her eating bar in the kitchen.  Her living room contains a chair, its purchase inspired by her telephone, as well as a couch and ottoman. Red is a repetitive element found throughout Tanya’s living spaces, whether it be accent pillows, candles or the funky ottoman.  She is now looking for a piece of art to coordinate, yet add drama, to her living room.

Reminding Tanya of the past is a needlepoint done by her grandmother, hanging in a prominent place close to the kitchen. “Hanging up my pictures and adding plants made my house feel more like a home,” says Tanya.

Someday, she thinks, she could have a double garage built, then tackle the basement.  And of course, there is a backyard to landscape.

Tanya’s Aunt Carmen said, “Tanya is very excited – no, ecstatic — to have her own place!” 

“It’s been a huge adjustment,” admits Tanya.  Being responsible for everything is new for the twenty five year old, having shared accommodation with her sister in an apartment, then returning to live with her mother and brother in their townhome to save money for the down payment on her first home. 

“It’s quiet, too”.  Another aunt told Tanya that because the house is new, it hasn’t the memories yet. Tanya is very keen to create them and is planning to have her large extended family over to help out!  NL