Home Trends from Ed Wang & Christopher Wannamaker

THE W GROUP REAL ESTATE

Royal LePage Connect Realty

SECONDARY DWELLINGS FUNCTION AS REVENUE GENERATORS

Having a second, small, home on a property is becoming an increasingly common sight in Canada. These structures can be referred to as a carriage house, a coach house, a laneway house or merely a tiny house. They typically serve as a means of adding more living space to a property, and increasingly as a revenue generator or mortgage helper for the homeowner. Functioning much like an in-law suite, the secondary property movement was initially encouraged in Canada’s larger cities to provide more living space in communities where rental accommodation was in short supply. Today tiny houses can be found everywhere, from rural settings to major urban cores. There are any number of reasons for constructing a property of this type, from providing a sense of independence and privacy for elderly parents or growing teenagers, to running a business. Mainly however these structures serve as a means of generating rental income.

A fully self-contained structure, these small secondary homes will have their own plumbing, heating, telephone, internet, cable, etc. – just like in a traditional house. While it is possible to purchase and transport homes of this type that are ready-made or otherwise prefabricated, many opt to have their unit constructed. A custom-built home will be able to match the design wishes of its owner, especially for size, exterior finish and other factors. Many builders have moved into this expanding marketplace, in many cases as a means of keeping their crews working during lulls in regular home construction. Always check with your local governing body for zoning regulations before you reach out to builders or acquire a ready-made structure.

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