Housing affordability has ever been the biggest concern among homebuyers, especially now when prices are surging. Many buyers have turned to homes designed with additional living spaces that can be rented out to help pay down the mortgage.

Many of Edmonton’s builders are now jumping on the trend and are offering more models with secondary suite options that not only help pay for the home but gives the homeowners more flexibility in living their lifestyle.

The City of Edmonton defines a secondary suite as a separate dwelling located within a single-detached, semi-detached, backyard house or row house with its own living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It has its own separate entrance from the principal dwelling, either from a common indoor landing or directly from outside the building.

Sterling Homes is one of the many builders that now offer homes with secondary suites as demand for these types of homes climb.

“These days, we’re seeing a lot of buyers really interested in secondary suites,” says Justin Nolette, Sterling Homes’ Sales & Marketing Manager. “With today’s mortgage options, having a secondary suite can actually help with your borrowing amount. Essentially, you can use the potential rental income to qualify for a larger mortgage.”

He adds that the demand for rentals in Edmonton is so strong that adding a secondary suite to the home makes sense. “Edmonton’s rental market is huge, so it’s a great way to generate some steady income and offset your mortgage payments. Plus, with modern building practices and impressive design options, renters are really open to these properties, whether it’s basement or garden suite.”

What makes a secondary suite

By and large, a secondary suite must be self-confined, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom(s) allowing for independent living. It has a separate, private entrance, either inside the main house or from outside.

A secondary suite can be a basement apartment, a developed living space beneath the main floor of the home; a garage suite, a self-contained living space above or attached to a garage; or backyard suites, a self-contained living unit located in a backyard of a property.

Having secondary suites provides additional housing units within an existing neighborhood, can increase the value of your property, provides additional income for homeowners, as well as accommodate extended family members, such as parents, to allow for aging in place.

Sterling Homes

Nolette says Sterling Homes offers legal basement suite options and garden (or garage) suites where you have the suite above the garage.

“Depending on the model, we’ve got both 1 and 2-bedroom basement suites, as well as a 1-bedroom garden suite. We’re also currently working on some amazing new garden suite designs that we’re hoping to release later this year, including a garden suite with two dwellings.”

As far as costs go, Nolette says developing a legal basement suite with Sterling Homes starts at around $80,000 in addition to the cost of the home. “Garden suites are a bit higher in price and depend on a few factors, but they’re definitely a larger investment when comparing to a basement suite.”

Most of Sterling Homes’ single-family homes nowadays can come with side entrances. “Side entrances are pretty common for our homes now. We find that most people really appreciate the flexibility in case they decide to add a basement suite in the future. People love having that option, so we try to always incorporate one in our planned spec homes, unless there are specific lot or subdivision restrictions,” he adds. Go to sterlingedmonton.com for more.