Ledingham McAllister offers new homes in an ideal South Burnaby neighbourhood at Reflections ›› p.4
Be high-tech at home
October 21, 2010
Andrew McCormick and Aris Catevatis of Ace Integrated Systems, outside a show suite they worked on at Millennium Water in Vancouver, say home automation can help make any homeowner’s life easier and more efficient. Martin Knowles photo
Homes: get automated High-tech advances can help enhance the home experience MAGGIE CALLOWAY Thinking new home? Perhaps it’s time to think technology. Homeowners who are considering building a new house may want to investigate making the home fully automated.
Even thinking about anything high-tech can make some homeowners panic, but hiring the right company at the beginning of the design process can help a lot. Ensuring the new home is wired properly to handle full automation, including new technology and new products that will most certainly come onto the market in the future, makes perfect sense. Even if the home construction budget doesn’t stretch to installing all the bells and whistles, the new home will be properly
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wired to handle installation in increments, as budget allows. Andrew McCormick and Aris Catevatis, principals with Ace Integrated Systems, make total sense when they explain what is a complicated subject for many: the technology itself and the installation of automated systems. The first order of business, says McCormick, is to get to know the client. CONTINUED ON P.2
Market conditions beginning to improve Residential sales increased for the second month in a row throughout the province in September, reports the BCREA. However, the 5,511 homes sold last month still represent a 36 per cent decline compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS (the industry’s listing service) residential unit sales in the province increased two per cent in September compared to August and the average MLS listing price climbed four per cent to $493,846 last month compared to the same month last year. “B.C. home sales increased for the second consecutive month in September,” says Cameron Muir, BCREA chief economist. Cameron Muir But, he notes, consumer demand is still noticeably lower than last fall’s frenetic pace. “Market conditions have improved, with the months of supply declining from 11.1 in June to 8.9 in September,” Muir says. A balanced market typically exhibits five to seven months of supply, says the BCREA. “The current downward pressure on mortgage rates is expected to bolster housing demand this fall as consumers take advantage of a second opportunity to secure near-record low interest rates,” Muir says. Year-to-date, B.C. residential sales dollar volume increased two per cent to $29.6 billion, compared to the same period last year, the BCREA says. CONTINUED ON P.2
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2 New Local Home October 21, 2010
Bring your home into the future Off the front: “It’s
all about making life run a little more smoothly.” Andrew
McCormick, Ace Integrated Systems CONTINUED FROM P.1
“What are their needs? Do they like housewide audio, lighting control convenience or streaming video ... it’s all scalable,” he says. “Once you have the backbone of the system, which is the wiring, you can scale your systems up from there.” McCormick and Catevatis are qualified not only to advise homeowners about different systems but are also electrical contractors, which can help the process move smoothly. “The beauty of us installing both the electrical wiring system and the various elements of automation is we are 100 per cent accountable,” says Catevatis. “The client doesn’t have to be involved in countless meetings with the electrical contractor, the security company, the audio installer ... we do it all.” That allows for the communication between the company and the client to be open, Catevatis says. “The client(s) can articulate their ideas, their imagination, to us and we can make it happen.” Even in this high-tech industry, there are often new advances – Catevatis has noticed there are more and more wireless components available for such systems, so the wiring needed is a lot less than even five years ago. But it is even more important that the electrical installation be compatible for the standard electrical needs of the home and the automation – both systems have to work efficiently together, he says. And the home automation systems now available encompass a lot – like controlling all the elements of the home from one simple touch pad. Smart Home technology means homeowners can adjust the lighting in the home, turn the entertainment centre ‘on’ or ‘off ’ and fully secure the entire home, not just when someone is home, but from a remote location. If anxious parents are wondering when their child gets home from school or a date, the information can be sent to their iPad or cellphone when an exterior door is opened. A Smart Home can also be programmed to follow certain patterns of energy use throughout the day, and to lower the home’s temperature at night or turn off outside security lights at dawn, if the homeowners wish. If the family goes on vacation for a week or two in the winter, they can send a signal to their home’s system from Hawaii – before getting on the plane back to B.C. – to slowly warm up the house in time for their arrival home. For peace of mind, whether sunbathing on the beach or at work, the system can send status updates on each home security system. If homeowners have problems remembering garbage day, dental appointments or Mom’s birthday, an automated home system
MAKE Life EASIER
Control music, temperature, lights and more with a home automation system – you don’t even have to be at home.
Downward pressure on rates will boost demand CONTINUED FROM P.1
Across the country, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports housing starts were at 186,400 in September, down 2,900 from 189,300 units in August. “Housing starts moved lower in September due to an increase in urban single starts in Atlantic Canada and Ontario,” says Bob Dugan, chief economist and CMHC’s Market Analyst Centre. “Multiple starts were unchanged.” In urban British Columbia – centres with more than 10,000 people – builders started 2,305 homes in September, pushing year-to-date starts to 17,791 units, CMHC says. New home construction in the entire province picked up during the third quarter, climbing to a seasonally adjusted rate rate of 26,500 units in September, from 19,900 in July. “A pick-up in the pace of multipleunit starts was behind the upward trends,” says CMHC B.C. regional economist Carol Frketich. Multiple-unit starts rose to 18,200 units in September, up from 11,700 units in July, says CMHC.
Correction New Local Home ran an article last week that reported Flavia Boffo and ‘husband’ Daniel Boffo run Boffo Homes. Daniel and Flavia are brother and sister, not husband and wife. New Local Home apologizes for the error.
Andrew McCormick shows how easy it is to set the mood, above. Martin Knowles/Ace Integrated Systems photos
will remind them in plenty of time to bake a cake or put the cans at the curb. If the new home doesn’t come with a media room, the homeowners may want to consider building one in order to have a space designed for a range of activities: catching the big game or fight on TV, watching movies, playing video games, air hockey or foosball, listening to music, and just generally spending time with family and friends. As with any media room, the focus usually revolves around a flatscreen TV, with 3D and four-colour technology emerging as the most popular current trends. McCormick says they suggest their clients should include certain items in their media room, such as an LCD or plasma display device; a DVD or BluRay player; speakers and subwoofer; an audio/video receiver; a game console; a cable or satellite box and a universal remote or touch-screen tablet. “You don’t have to sacrifice stylish living to enjoy the excitement of big-screen entertainment – style and functionality can go handin-hand with a well-designed home entertainment system,” says McCormick. To avoid the frustration of trying to deci-
pher what “mesh network, head end, cat 5e, rg6” means, calling in the experts is likely a great way to avoid the headaches of trial and error. “That’s our job, to stay on top of new developments in the industry and build systems for our clients that work with the way they live in their homes,” McCormick says. “It’s all about making life run a little more smoothly and, done right, adding a rich dimension to the home.”
Publisher: Fiona Harris • 604-575-5822 • publisher@newlocalhome.com Editor: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • editor@newlocalhome.com Writer: Maggie Calloway • maggiec@blackpress.ca Advertising Sales: Black Press National Sales • Adrian Saunders • 604-575-5812 • adrians@blackpress.ca Online Advertising: 604-575-5822 Designer: Brad Smith • bsmith@blackpress.ca New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
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4 New Local Home October 21, 2010
Burnaby living at its best
Find a fab home at Reflections Finding a new home in a quiet Burnaby neighbourhood that is close to all amenities yet removed from the clamour of city life may seem impossible. But with prices starting from $295,800, Ledingham McAllister’s latest offering, Reflections, fits the bill in an affordable manner. Reflections is the last of the highrises to be built in the Edmonds neighbourhood of South Burnaby, meaning the panoramic views are protected. Close to shopping and SkyTrain, Reflections offers convenience to its residents in the most tranquil setting possible. “Reflections is situated on a beautiful, quiet, gem of property, tucked away from the noise of the city but within walking distance of every kind of shop and service residents need to access including SkyTrain,” says Manuela Mirecki, senior vice-president of marketing for Ledingham McAllister Properties Ltd. Mirecki notes that Ledingham McAllister donated three acres to the municipality to protect Byrne Creek, which runs through the property, so homeowners are able to take advantage of the richly landscaped green space. The location of Reflections is ideal for the sports enthusiast with pools, golf courses, recreation centres and playing fields all located nearby. Homeowners who’d rather stay in can do a serious workout in the fully equipped gym. Education is easily accessible – local schools, from kindergarten to post-secondary, are excellent. And the homes themselves are attractive, inside and out. The exterior is a stunning combination of concrete and glass; a soaring lobby with an impressive fireplace welcomes its residents home. The attention to detail continues in each home, with expansive windows CONTINUED ON P.6
Ledingham McAllister’s Reflections offers new homes starting from $295,800 in the quiet, yet connected South Burnaby neighbourhood of Edmonds. Homes feature amazing views, high-quality construction and upscale features in a location that is close to SkyTrain, transit and transportation routes as well as all community amenities imaginable. Reflections homeowners also have access to a fully equipped gym if they prefer exercising indoors.
New Local Home October 21, 2010 5
TRI-CITY TOWER LIVING
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PORT MOODY’S MOST LOVED URBAN VILLAGE Everything will be at your doorstep including Thrifty Foods, Cobs Bread, Starbucks, TD Canada Trust and much more! One, two, and three bedroom homes plus Skyhomes ranging from 1,600 – 1,900 Sq Ft now selling! Call or Visit Us Today 395 Capilano Road (off Murray and Ioco) Open daily (except Fridays) 12-6 pm
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CO Q U I T L A M
COQUITLAM’S BEST VALUE FROM $226,900 At 37 stories, Oasis is the tallest tower in the heart of Coquitlam’s latest residential village. Centrally located across from the 175 shops and services of Coquitlam Centre; shopping, dining, transit and more are minutes away! One and two bedroom homes now selling! Call or Visit Us Today 2950 Glen Drive (directly across from Coquitlam Centre) Open daily (except Fridays) 12-6pm
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*Please contact an Onni sales representative for details. This offer only applies to select homes. Onni reserves the right to make any modifications and/or substitutions to this offer, without notice, should it be necessary, or to cancel this offer in its discretion. E.&O.E.
6 New Local Home October 21, 2010
‘Gem of a property’
Reflections homes offer more CONTINUED FROM P.4
to capture the views, hand-set porcelain tile flooring in the entry foyer, kitchen, ensuite and master bathroom, flat-panel suite entry doors and interior doors with hardware by Taymor, and a choice of two custom-designed colour schemes – traditional or contemporary to fit each homeowner’s personal taste. In the living room the elegance continues with a contemporary electric fireplace with custom mantle, perfect for cozy winter nights; all baseboards and door mouldings are wood throughout, while a private balcony invites outdoor living. The kitchen comes with cabinets in a choice of traditional, white shaker style, or modern, flat-panel wood grain fitted with stylish brushed-nickel pulls. Granite or stone composite countertops paired with hand-set ceramic tile backsplashes complement each colour scheme. A premium quality under-mount double-bowl stainless steel sink with convenient in-sink waste disposal finished with a single lever faucet by Kohler is enhanced with a pull-down spray nozzle. CONTINUED ON P.7
Reflections homes come with contemporary electric fireplaces that can make cold winter evenings cozy.
Close to Vancouver. Close to Whistler. Closer to nature. Now selling new homes in Squamish . . . just 45 minutes to Whistler or Vancouver on the new Sea to Sky Highway
$20,000 in purchase credits available for the first 10 buyers The Maples is launching a new series of homes, located next to Brennan Park off Finch Drive. Close to all amenities.
For more information call 1.888.262.2808 or go online to www.fintreypark.com
Ranchers and two-story single family homes ranging from $499,000 to $579,000. Financing packages are available.
or visit our Presentation Center on the corner of Finch and Bryson in Squamish. ( See hours and location under “Find Us” on the website).
Choose a lifestyle to love
New Local Home October 21, 2010 7
Affordable Burnaby living CONTINUED FROM P.6
The stainless steel appliance package by Whirlpool is second to none, and includes a self-cleaning slide-in gas range and an 18.6 cubic foot bottom drawer refrigerator with glass shelves. There are no compromises in the master bedroom, which is big enough for a king-size bed and comes with a walk-in closet with built-in shelves that offer extra storage. The ensuite features a luxurious soaker tub with ceramic tile surround, complemented by a single-lever pressure balanced shower control and tub spout in polished chrome. The vanity countertop is granite or stone composite with an undermount sink. All homes come pre-wired for an in-suite security system and a security camera allows residents to pre-screen visitors. With its large master bedroom and dining area that is spacious enough to take the family dining table, a Reflections home is a home any family can settle into for the longterm. Reflections homes are priced from $295,800. Visit www.ledmac.com for more information.
Kitchens come with stainless steel appliance packages second to none, granite or stone composite countertops, and hand-set ceramic tile backsplashes.
8 New Local Home October 21, 2010