Kevin Allerston
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 17/05) - After months of delays, six controversial homes in the Niven Lake Phase Six subdivision are ready to be sold.

Built by Homes North, the houses were stalled by a debate over whether they were mobile or modular. The single-storey bungalows were opened Sunday, and drew more than 100 viewers.

"I feel like I've got to clone myself, there's so many people," joked Rod Stirling, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker who presided over the open house with Dale Vance

The homes range in price from $316,000 to $345,000 before GST and average 2,000 square feet.

Stirling and Vance said they were getting good responses and were optimistic about making some sales.

"People have a perception that they will be just a trailer. I think they are pleasantly surprised with the size and space," Stirling said.

One family, who didn't want their names published, was interested in 110 Heener Drive, selling for $345,000.

Recent arrivals from Toronto where similar houses sell for $200,000, they were impressed with the layout even if the price is a little steep.

Zdenek Mirejovsky was curious. "It's a lot of money, but at least it's new. Better than getting a place that is 25 years old and paying almost the same amount."

Mirejovsky said if he had $345,000 to spend on a home, he would fly down south and buy something there.

Not everybody was impressed.

Janna Ward has been house-hunting with her family for five months and will continue the search.

"I'm not seeing the quality I'm looking for in the building. To me, if I'm going to put that kind of money into something, I want quality," she said.

She was disappointed with interior painting and laminate flooring, and had issues with layout that has the main entrance open into the dining area.

The lack of garages didn't sit well and the 28 by 30 square-foot back yards wouldn't allow enough space for the family and her six year old boy.

Sandra McDaniel, co-owner of Homes North, was relieved to finally open houses to the public.

"Right now we are still not 100 per cent finished," she said. "These homes represent the best possible materials that we have available."