Whether you need extra space for an in-law suite, or children flocking back to the nest, think about adding a coach home to your land. A coach home is similar to a detached apartment that can be used as investment income also. You can use your coach home income to offset your mortgage, give an elderly family member their own little residence, or you may want to use the coach home yourself in your retirement years. These little homes can be affordable for many people and can attract all ages and income levels.
So what differentiates a coach home from other types of housing? For one, a coach home has a permanent foundation. It must have all utilities including septic, sewer, electricity, gas and hydro. The coach home must be lower than your main home and not detract from the value of your main residence. It also must be in the same lot as your primary residence. Coach homes can be permitted on lots with different housing structures such as detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwellings, etc.
You will need a building permit for your coach home and this will also trigger higher taxes. The size is usually in the range of a two-bedroom apartment and must not exceed the size of the main residence. Mature trees and some types of vegetation must remain in place when planning your coach home.
Although the City of Ottawa is still in the planning stages, information on coach homes can be found on their website. You will find information on everything from eligibility, zoning, placement, privacy issues, parking, entrances and access.
Even though a coach home will have a new address number, if you plan on selling your home, you must sell both your main residence and the coach home together.
In the future, if you do have a coach home on your property and you need to put your residence up for sale, we can help with any of your real estate needs. The Winch Walton Ottawa Real Estate and Staging Team will be able to have both residences staged and ready for sale. Sometimes having one home to get ready is hard enough but you may need the extra help we can give you to get both your homes staged, listed and sold in no time. Find out how we can be of service to you.