Posted with full permission from the Hamilton Spectator.
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 3, 2007)
Call after call, Lisa Gouthro has had to explain that her Beach Boulevard home won't be for sale any time soon.
"Real estate agencies are always calling and asking if it will be on the market," said Gouthro, who moved to her home in the middle of the strip two years ago.
Hamilton's beach neighbourhood has been heating up. In the last five years, real estate prices have been rising while new developments arrive.
Only five homes were sold along the beach strip in 2002. Last year, 25 units were snatched up.
And currently, the average price of a Hamilton beach neighbourhood home is $261,875, according to the Realtors' Association of Hamilton-Burlington. In 2005 alone, the average value rose 22 per cent to $243,841 from $190,226 in 2004.
"It's changing pretty fast," said Jim Howlett, president of the Hamilton Beach Community Council. Howlett, a mechanic, has lived in the neighbourhood for 21 years.
"The public perception of the beach strip is changing. People see it's nice to move there because they see the property values are rising," Howlett said.
"But it was still good when all we had were $10,000 homes. There was a very good community bond here in the '70s and '90s. But we've lost that in the last eight years or so."
Homes in the area traditionally had large verandas for residents -- mostly working class people -- to sit outside and talk to neighbours.
Nowadays, there are more retirees and residents who work as lawyers and doctors. The community has lost social gathering places like the Dynes Tavern.
And on a hot summer afternoon this week, there were only a handful of people on their front porches.
The most visible changes are the houses -- old cottages sprinkled among large frames and foundations for homes just being built.
"New housing developments at the waterfront are higher-priced homes and increasing the value of older homes along the Beach Strip," said Mike Cusano, president of the realtors' association.
Some new units cost half a million dollars.
The city started selling lots six years ago, said Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins. Beach strip properties were purchased from 1973 to 1985 with plans to create a large park but that plan was abandoned and the lots gradually sold.
Now, waterfront lots are sold out, while another 120 bayside lots will be sold in the next few years.
There are currently 516 homes between east Hamilton and the boundary with the Burlington Ship Canal, with about 1,500 residents.
About 30 to 40 new homes have been built already, Howlett said. One Brampton developer, Andrin (Homes) Limited, is selling 73 townhouses on Beach Club Boulevard, located just past the lift bridge at the waterfront.
"(The Beach Strip) will be very similar to what you have there now," said Peter De Iulio, the city planning department's senior project manager for the east end.
"We're still trying to protect that character down there -- a mix of housing styles."
The neighbourhood is primarily single-family or semi-detached homes, De Iulio said. The city plans to maintain the low density in the next 10 years as houses are developed.
Gouthro, the mother of three who has been fending off realtors, said she hopes new homes continue to move in.
"What's not to like? You want new and better things for your children."
afong@thespec.com
905-526-3207
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 3, 2007)
Call after call, Lisa Gouthro has had to explain that her Beach Boulevard home won't be for sale any time soon.
"Real estate agencies are always calling and asking if it will be on the market," said Gouthro, who moved to her home in the middle of the strip two years ago.
Hamilton's beach neighbourhood has been heating up. In the last five years, real estate prices have been rising while new developments arrive.
Only five homes were sold along the beach strip in 2002. Last year, 25 units were snatched up.
And currently, the average price of a Hamilton beach neighbourhood home is $261,875, according to the Realtors' Association of Hamilton-Burlington. In 2005 alone, the average value rose 22 per cent to $243,841 from $190,226 in 2004.
"It's changing pretty fast," said Jim Howlett, president of the Hamilton Beach Community Council. Howlett, a mechanic, has lived in the neighbourhood for 21 years.
"The public perception of the beach strip is changing. People see it's nice to move there because they see the property values are rising," Howlett said.
"But it was still good when all we had were $10,000 homes. There was a very good community bond here in the '70s and '90s. But we've lost that in the last eight years or so."
Homes in the area traditionally had large verandas for residents -- mostly working class people -- to sit outside and talk to neighbours.
Nowadays, there are more retirees and residents who work as lawyers and doctors. The community has lost social gathering places like the Dynes Tavern.
And on a hot summer afternoon this week, there were only a handful of people on their front porches.
The most visible changes are the houses -- old cottages sprinkled among large frames and foundations for homes just being built.
"New housing developments at the waterfront are higher-priced homes and increasing the value of older homes along the Beach Strip," said Mike Cusano, president of the realtors' association.
Some new units cost half a million dollars.
The city started selling lots six years ago, said Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins. Beach strip properties were purchased from 1973 to 1985 with plans to create a large park but that plan was abandoned and the lots gradually sold.
Now, waterfront lots are sold out, while another 120 bayside lots will be sold in the next few years.
There are currently 516 homes between east Hamilton and the boundary with the Burlington Ship Canal, with about 1,500 residents.
About 30 to 40 new homes have been built already, Howlett said. One Brampton developer, Andrin (Homes) Limited, is selling 73 townhouses on Beach Club Boulevard, located just past the lift bridge at the waterfront.
"(The Beach Strip) will be very similar to what you have there now," said Peter De Iulio, the city planning department's senior project manager for the east end.
"We're still trying to protect that character down there -- a mix of housing styles."
The neighbourhood is primarily single-family or semi-detached homes, De Iulio said. The city plans to maintain the low density in the next 10 years as houses are developed.
Gouthro, the mother of three who has been fending off realtors, said she hopes new homes continue to move in.
"What's not to like? You want new and better things for your children."
afong@thespec.com
905-526-3207