Upon entering the area, would-be home owners will immediately take notice of Taralake’s street-friendly exteriors, including the quaint New-Orleans-inspired lampposts lining the roadways and front verandahs gracing every address.

“We’re branding it the ‘new northeast’,” says PS Sidhu, Marketing Coordinator for Genesis Land Development Corporation, adding the neighbourhood was modeled after historic designs from southern-U.S. cities of Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans.

“We always do something different. One of Genesis’ philosophies is to create a community people can live in, as well as one with a recreational focus,” says Sidhu, adding a 8.5-acre pond flanked by pathways and a beach volleyball court are planned to serve the area’s future families.

While Taralake is Reliant Homes’ first project, the builder subsidiary of Genesis Land Development Corporation is “far from novice,” says Sidhu, adding the company is backed by a solid 20 years’ experience in the industry, and a slew of research into what buyers want.

Two Reliant show homes, the magnificent Monticello and the stylish Savanna, are set to open to the public in the coming weeks. But the lack of completed models hasn’t slowed buyers in Taralake anxious to lay claim to their Southern-style homesteads.

“They’ve already sold about ten homes,” says Sidhu, adding show homes Monticello and Savanna are by far the favourites for buyers, crediting interest to Reliant’s lengthy list of included features.

Among standard fare in every Reliant address is nine-foot and, wherever possible, vaulted knockdown ceilings; eight-foot-six to nine-foot basement ceilings; upgraded GE six-appliance package; soft corners throughout; verandahs or decks; and handsome stone detail on all front elevations.

“When you add it all up, it works out to about $15,000 that’s already included,” says Sidhu.

Both the 1,456-square-foot Monticello and 1839-square-foot Savanna are a testament to this philosophy of quality. Walking into the former, one is struck by the elegance of the design from the front living room walled by windows and three-way fireplace separating entertaining and eating spaces, to the spacious functional kitchen tucked out of sight from the foyer to the rear of the main floor.

Upstairs, the Monticello is true to its Southern roots down to a balcony off the master retreat and good-sized kids’ quarters ˜ even a bathroom they won’t have to share with parents thanks to a luxurious ensuite ˜ features sure to keep the whole family happy.

Across the street, the larger Savanna is every bit the Georgian belle, with a front-attached garage to boot. A slightly raised entrance gives the home a grand feel and some welcome privacy from the rest of the level, which also boasts culinary space hidden from immediate view. A walk-through pantry from mudroom to kitchen and main-floor laundry are sure to simplify life by saving trips on grocery and wash days.

Upstairs moms and dads get the best of both worlds with roomy sleeping quarters, an ensuite bath and private balcony for getting away from it all, combined with a handy upstairs loft space that’s ideal for keeping an eye on younger ones’ at play.

Eight other models are in the works for Reliant buyers to choose from, says Sidhu, including garageless styles for lots with back lane access as well as front-attached double garage plans.

Reliant’ homes in the current exclusive phase of Taralake are priced from the $190,000s for garageless digs, while larger front-attached-garage models are starting from the $220,000s to $250,000s.

Visit Reliant Homes’ sales centre in Taralake Monday to Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from noon until 5 p.m. To get there take McKnight Blvd. east to Falconridge Blvd. NE and follow the signs.