The laned homes – or homes with rear lane access – used to be the preferred starter home for first-time homebuyers, but today they have become favourites of move-up buyers looking for a place they can call their very own.

As home prices continue to climb, many of Calgary’s new home buyers find themselves priced out of the laned home market, opting to buy apartment condos, townhomes or duplexes to start their homeowning journey. But the laned home continues to be an excellent option for those looking for a home with versatility and style.

The laned home is the fairy tale home for many homebuyers because of its picturesque, street-friendly façade. Typically, laned homes will have a porch or veranda facing the street and a parking pad or detached garage accessed off the rear lane.

Although townhomes and duplex homes may beat it out on price, the laned homes’ advantage is that it is a true single-family home with no shared walls. And laned homes on zero lot lines – plots of land with no side yard - remain a cost-effective option for many.

Streetscape advantage

A laned home offers the benefits of detached ownership and enhanced privacy without shared walls, says Excel HomesMarketing Manager Kristina Plank.

“Laned homes are freehold, meaning you own both the land and the home without monthly condo fees,” she adds.

With the garage located at the rear, the front of the home is more attractive and welcoming. “The rear garage layout also maximizes yard usage, giving you full access to the front and sides of the home. Plus, parking is often more convenient and spacious compared to typical townhome setup,” she points out.

For many aspiring homeowners, laned homes still offer a vital stepping stone towards owning property without compromising on quality or location, says Belal Fouani, Shane Homes’ area manager for the new Chestermere community of Bridgeport.

“While they may no longer fit neatly into the category of starter homes, they still represent a more accessible option for budget-conscious buyers compared to their front-attached garage counterparts,” he adds. “You get to maintain your privacy within your own walls and yard. It gives them sense of full ownership of their home, and it’s not shared with anyone.”

Laned homes also offer pedestrian friendly streets without having to worry about cars crossing the sidewalk to get into their garage, Fouani says.

Ryan James, Sales Manager for Bedrock Homes in Calgary, says the laned home remains a great entry point to a detached home. “There’s minimal monthly difference in mortgage payment from an attached home,” he says. “Plus, it has great curb appeal and versatile layout options.”

“Many homebuyers prefer more front yard space and a more welcoming curb appeal that the laned home offers. On average, laned homes are more affordable than front garage homes, but offer the same benefits,” Plank tells NextHome.

Bedrock Homes

Bedrock Homes is making its debut in Calgary with new laned and front-drive attached garage showhomes in the southeast community of Heartwood. Their laned homes are particularly popular with one of the six models they offer here already sold out.

“At Bedrock Homes we build our laned homes with the same fit and finish as what you see in move up product, along with including our smart home package, upgraded features, all bundled in an energy efficient home,” James says. All models come with separate entrances on the side that gives buyers plenty of options to further develop the home to their liking.

The Aurora is Bedrock’s most popular laned home and is at 1,705 square-feet with three or four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

“The Aurora offers a convenient main floor bedroom and full bathroom, spacious kitchen, with a wide-open feel. Upstairs features double sinks in both the ensuite and main bathrooms, a large bonus room, laundry, and a luxurious primary suite with premium finishes. The separate entrance leads to a nine-foot basement with rough-ins and two bedroom windows. The Aurora also fits on narrower lots creating an instant savings upward of $17,000!”

Visit the showhome at 76 Heartwood Lane SE or go to bedrockhomes.ca.

Excel Homes

Excel Homes offers eight thoughtfully designed and highly flexible floorplans in Calgary and Airdrie. Buyers can choose from a range of pre-planned options such as a main floor bedroom with a full bathroom or an optional spice kitchen to personalize your home to your needs, Plank says. “Every square foot is maximized for functionality and comfort. Plus, our homes come with modern, up-to-date standard features that many builders consider upgrades, so you get more, without paying more.”

Popular is the Berkley. At 1,880-suare-feet, it is one of Excel Homes’ largest laned home models. It offers three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and is designed with flow and openness in mind.

“This home features a versatile flex room tucked discreetly at the back, preserving main floor living space. Upstairs, a generous bonus room provides even more room to relax, work, or play. For growing families, the basement can be developed to include two additional bedrooms, ideal for extended family or rental income opportunities,” she adds.

Excel offers laned homes in Calgary’s north communities of Homestead, Savanna, Livingston, and in the south communities of Rangeview and Mahogany. “They are also being introduced in our brand-new communities of Seton Ridge in the southeast, and Princeton in the northeast,” Plank says.

“We also offer laned homes in Cobblestone Creek and Chinook Gate in SW Airdrie. You can tour through the Berkley model show homes in Chinook Gate and Mahogany, the Bellevue model in Livingston and Mahogany, the Windsor model in Rangeview, and two brand new Berkley show homes coming to Princeton and Rangeview later this year.” More information at excelhomes.ca.

Shane Homes

Shane Homes offers more than 10 laned home floor plans, and their ability to customize outside of the standard floor plans increases that number exponentially. “Our homes stand out for their curb appeal designs and full use of the interior space without having any wasted space,” Fouani says.

He says they are excited to bring their brand of laned homes in the brand-new community of Bridgeportin Chestermere, where they will also offer paired homes.

“Our meticulously crafted new homes in Bridgeport, Chestermere, offer premium features designed for modern living. Enjoy spacious layouts with plenty of natural light, large living areas, ensuite bathrooms and options for flexible floorplans that cater to your lifestyle. We also offer the opportunity to add a legal suite to your home, enhancing its functionality and increasing its value,” he adds.

A couple of their best-sellers is the Vilano 2 and the Valencia, both are available in Bridgeport.

The Vilano 2 is at 1,798 sq. ft. and offers plenty of room for the growing family with three bedrooms up and a bonus room, plus three full baths. “This floor plan even offers a main floor bedroom as a standard for anyone looking to comfortably house their guests or even aging parents that will live with them for a total of four bedrooms standard. It offers the best of both worlds in a laned home. it will be our showhome in Bridgeport that will open soon.”

Also popular is the Valencia, which stands at 1,720 sq. ft. It will also be a showhome in Bridgeport. “It offers a very open concept on the main floor with the option of having a spice kitchen for the cooks in the family. It also offers three bedrooms up, 2.5 baths and a bonus room for the times when you just need to relax or just spend some quality time with your loved ones,” Fouani adds.

“All our homes come with the option of a side entry to basement if one ever wanted to develop the basement for future use.”

He says that their buyers are aged 25-45 from all walks of life. “Laned homes are perfect for the first time buyer that also gives them the move up feel with in their budget weather they are a small family or a family looking to grow in the same home they purchase.” Find out more at shanehomes.com.