Murray’s Landing buyers find life more relaxing after selling large homes
Province
The Murray’s Landing display home. Among its features are crown mouldings, stone fireplaces and granite countertops. Photograph by: Ian Smith, PNG, The Province
The Murray’s Landing display home in Langley. Note the smart wooden floors and superbly Continued on next page appointed kitchens. Photograph by: Ian Smith, PNG, The Province
The study has ample room for a large-sized table and book shelving and the finish is simple and pleasantly modern. Photograph by: Ian Smith Photos, PNG, The Province
The bedrooms are spacious and beautifully designed and finished with lots of light available from the large windows.
Bathroom in the Murray’s Landing display home is elegant with eye-catching tiling and beautifully finished granite countertops.
THE FACTS
WHAT: Murray’s Landing, 73 homes, first phase July 2009 (sold out); phase 2 March -April (three units remaining); phase 3 June 2010 (24 homes)
WHERE: Langley township
DEVELOPER: Platinum Group
SIZES: 2,044 sq. ft. -2,158 sq. ft.
PRICES: From $404,900
OPEN: Sales centre at #1 and #2 -22225 50th Ave., Murrayville, Langley; Hours 1 p.m. -5 p.m. Sat -Thurs
Myrna Isaac had spent many years living in a large house, and was growing increasingly frustrated with the maintenance. She estimates the yard work alone consumed at least six hours of every weekend.
“You’re really tied to that work on the weekends,” she observed recently.
So Isaac decided the townhouse option was the right one, and she’d seen many of them in Langley.
When she turned her attention to the details and finishes of the townhouses at Murray’s Landing, she was sold.
“I looked at the quality of the craftsmanship … the finished basement, the tall ceilings, the crown moulding, granite, just the attention to detail in the rock fireplace, the look of the whole development,” she says.
Murray‘s Landing is being called home, not only by Isaac, but by a diverse group of neighbours, reports Luana Matteazzi, a realtor overseeing the Platinum Group development.
Many buyers are “down buyers”, but there are no patterns or shared traits among those who move into Murray’s Landing units, says Matteazzi.
“There are a lot of people selling their large homes and making it easier for themselves,” says Matteazzi.
Buyers have included couples without children, single women, grandmothers, and middle-aged parents with young children or teenagers. “I have noticed that they’re from all walks of life. It’s a very interesting mix.”
The homes are large, at more than 2,000 square feet, and all come with standard crown mouldings, natural stone fireplaces, and granite countertops in the kitchen and three bathrooms.Threespaciousbedroomsareon the upper floor.
Thefinishedbasementscanbeusedas an additional living area or bedroom or converted easily into an in-law suite.
The new development sits in the middle of one of Langley township’s most historic areas.
Pioneer Paul Murray settled in the region with his four sons in 1870, and eventually owned a quarter section of land on each of the four corners of Yale Road and what is now 216th Avenue, an area now known as “Murray’s Corner.”
Named “Murrayville” in 1925, the area between 216 Street, 216A Street, 48th Avenue and 48A Avenue is one of the oldest subdivisions in Langley.
By the end of her new-home search, Isaac was torn between two developments: a similar one nearby was competing with Murray’s Landing. And while the finishes left an impression, the deciding factor was the basement.
“Ilikedthelayoutintheothercomplex, but the basement wasn’t finished.”
The costs of building a comfortable living space on the ground floor would have been prohibitive. “It would have cost me at least another $20,000,” she says.
“I just opened the door and I was home. All I did was paint a couple of bathrooms, and add some drapery.”
Isaachasfoundhernewfreedomfrom home maintenance has changed her lifestyle.
“Now I don’t have all that evening and weekend yard work, so I’ve filled my time with my hobbies.
“I’m pursuing other avenues with my free time.”
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