Building a Home in Ontario: Choosing the Right Construction Company for Your New Home

Building a home in Ontario? Learn how other home buyers found what they were looking for in a home builder when they chose Sifton.

Building a Future

Compiling, researching, sorting, vetting – all important steps that go into finding the right residential construction company when you’re building a home in Ontario.

Then comes trust – and as hard as you’ve compiled lists, researched candidates, sorted the short list and vetted the finalists – it all comes to them proving to you that you’ve made the right decision.

Every day that your house is under construction is another day that the company you chose to trust has to earn and grow that trust. When things go right, it’s a pretty easy task to manage, but when things don’t go so well – that’s where you can tell the professionals – like Sifton Properties – from the new, smaller or less experienced companies.

Related: New Construction Homes Without the Wait: Introducing Sifton’s Quick Closing Homes

When Len and Lorrain Wright relocated from Montreal in 2014, they wanted to build a home in London. The couple had lived in the Caribbean for 30 years and thought the Forest City was just the right place for them to relax and enjoy a quieter lifestyle. “There’s a lot to love about London,” says Lorraine, “It’s just the right size town for us and has got everything: arts, entertainment, shopping – all so convenient.” So, they did their homework, examined the Ontario housing market, talked to various construction companies about the housing market in London and the southern Ontario real estate market. After all of that they came to the conclusion that Sifton Properties deserved their trust – not just once but twice.

An avid golfer, Len decided a lot next to one of the greens in Sifton’s RiverBend Golf community was perfect. Heather loves the feeling of “almost being in the country but in the city” at RiverBend’s west end location.

They chose one of the Sifton’s model homes, called the Medinah, which they initially purchased and enjoyed for eight years. In the spring of 2021, with lifestyle choices changing because of health considerations, the couple knew they could and would trust Sifton to build a second home. They were thrilled when they found the perfect lot right down the street in RiverBend.

Because this was a ground-up build, they were more involved in every decision. The couple worked closely with Gabi Brown, Interior Design and Décor Consultant in Sifton’s Décor Studio, on the choices for their exterior and interior look – one of the benefits of buying a new home from a builder. “I felt overwhelmed at times, so we did it over several visits,” says Heather. “I don’t consider myself a creative person, so I depended on her opinions, and I trusted her judgment.”

Having chosen the Doral model, they loved its sense of openness – with a vaulted ceiling and large windows that overlook a fairway – but decided to open it up more by removing a half-wall in the kitchen and reposition the bedroom doors for better access as physical needs change.  Additionally, they had the stair treads widened to assure extra stability. Sifton gladly accommodated all the changes.

Known for thoughtfulness, thoroughness and professionalism, the Sifton sales team made the transition seamless for the Wrights. “Five stars to Sharon [Riopelle, RiverBend’s sales professional]. We were very comfortable. She and Gabi were always there with advice.”

Toby Stolee, Vice President of Construction, loves hearing people reflect on their experiences in building a new home with Sifton. While the company’s people ensure an exemplary buying experience, he takes pride that the quality that goes into each Sifton house makes their jobs easier. “We have a track record that started 100 years ago, and Sifton has been an integral part of London and had a huge impact on the community. We’ve had a lot of firsts. We built one of the first subdivisions in Canada, called Braemar; we built the city’s first solar home in Westmount in the ‘70s; we built the first NetZero home in Warbler Woods. People trust that kind of history,” he says, adding, “We buy local and shop local, too,” referring to Sifton’s long-standing relationships notable suppliers and subtrades, like Copp’s Buildall and Cardinal Kitchens. These are all factors in Sifton’s dominant position in the London, Ontario real estate market.

Related: First Time Homebuyers Tips: Here’s What You Need to Know

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According to Jake Draper, Vice President of Sales for Copp’s Buildall, “We prioritize Sifton because of the relationship; we value the partnership.” This relationship stems from the one started by Brayl Copp and Mowbray Sifton over 50 years ago. Copp’s supplies all framing lumber for Sifton projects.

Being responsive to the needs of savvy homebuyers who have a well-researched building-a-house checklist starts with making the homes as energy efficient as possible. “We build Energy Star homes, and we make sure the level is higher than code built.,” explains Stolee. “This starts with a sound building envelop, excellent barriers and efficient mechanical systems.”

There’s no question that as the builder of Ontario’s first NetZero community – West Five – Sifton is definitely the industry leader in energy efficiency.

Quality workmanship at all stages of construction means fewer issues after occupancy. Sifton has a dedicated service team lead by Scott White, Client Services Manager. He, or one of the team, does a walk-through with each new buyer to spot any deficiencies that may have occurred. As part of the warranty process, the new owner is protected, and Sifton has a pristine track record of responding to any maintenance issues that pop up during a home’s settling period.

Another big plus of working with Sifton on a new build is benefiting from their preferred builder program at RBC. Matthew DaCosta, Senior Mortgage Specialist, works exclusively with Sifton homebuyers, so you’re dealing with one person on the financing of the potentially biggest purchase of your life. Sifton’s preferred builder status with RBC means that there’s a firm approval process. According to DaCosta, “It can take up to a year to complete your house, so we do the appraisal for that property upfront and right away.” He adds that other banks appraise the house when it’s 90 per cent completed, so fluctuating pricing in the local real estate market means that it might change in value, making the financing process a riskier business for buyers. “We give a firm approval and appraisal a year in advance, other banks don’t want to do that.” With fluctuating interest rates and dynamic real estate markets, Sifton buyers appreciate having that peace of mind.

Considering the cost of building a home in Ontario and the current challenging economy, having the assurance that working with two powerhouses – RBC and Sifton –  can make the difference between buying and not buying, or sleeping well and not being able to sleep after the deal is made.

Because Sifton puts so much time and effort into building unmatched homes, it only makes sense to locate them in unmatched communities. That’s where Phil Masschelein, Senor Vice President of Development, and his team come in. Sifton is one of the region’s largest developers, bringing properties to life in and around London. Sifton-built homes are sold in these communities, and they also offer lots to other leading builders to provide local buyers a buffet of housing choices to meet growing needs within the Ontario housing market.

There are three communities that are especially attractive for buyers right now: Whispering Pine, a condominium development in Sifton’s Warbler Woods community; Rosewood just east of London in Thorndale; and Clear Skies in Ilderton, just northwest of the city.

According to Masschelein, “We look for areas that offer natural aspects, like trails and woodlands; proximity to necessities of modern life, like good schools and health care options; and amenities, like shopping, dining and entertainment. We create well planned, well thought-out, enjoyable communities.”

Masschelein is proud of the value that a Sifton development brings to a community, citing Ilderton as a great example; he calls it the “Tim Horton effect.”

“When developers decide to invest in a smaller community, it can spark new prosperity; it attracts more investment. It’s a big mindset change when a small town gets a Tim Hortons or other prominent retailers.”

According to Brittany Ready, Sales Associate, both Rosewood and Clear Skies are two of these rural communities that Sifton has developed for single family homes, with growing families in mind. Lot sizes vary from 50- to 60- foot frontages at Rosewood, and buyers appreciate quick access to Highway 401, as well as being close to shopping opportunities on the east edge of town. While buyers in Ilderton appreciate being close to nature and the ability to access all municipal services and amenities in northwest London. Frontages there range from 40 to 50 feet.

You can get more for your money outside of the city, according to Masschelein. He adds that those in Ilderton save 25 per cent on property taxes.

Sifton’s abilities to find and develop areas that attract and serve all segments of the population is one of the differentiating factors that place them at the top of the southern Ontario real estate market. The Wright’s love the location of their home in the northwest corner of the city, and appreciate being close to nature, neighbours and modern amenities, while Len is able to simply walk outside his door in order to play golf.

To meet the diverse needs of new home buyers, Sifton offers a range of designs and price points. From Express and Model homes to ground-up, customized builds, Sifton Properties has a new home ready for you or a perfect lot on which to build the home of your dreams.

Related: Accelerate Your Home Search in the Ontario Housing Market With Sifton

 Author: Jill Ellis-Worthington for Sifton Properties Limited