Escape to the country while remaining close to home at The Cottages at Cultus, where you can still beat the HST ›› p.4 Vancouver’s Kore: Kitsilano living at its best ›› p.12
May 6, 2010
Today’s homebuyers are online-savvy People are looking to the Internet before purchasing a home: CMHC TRICIA LESLIE The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2010 Mortgage Consumer Survey reveals a modern truth: the Internet has become an important resource for first-time homebuyers. Released last week, the survey shows that 89 per cent of first-time homebuyers indicated they looked online for mortgage-related information, while 84 per cent researched mortgage terms and conditions before deciding on a “(Homebuyers) mortgage option. More than twocan make thirds of those a bettersurveyed – 69 per cent – used an informed online calculator homebuying to compare differdecision ent options when shopping for a utilizing the home. information As a result, 85 they found per cent of firsttime homebuyers online.” noted they have a good understanding of the size of mortgage they could afford before buying a new home, CMHC reports. According to the online survey, the average Canadian homebuyer takes 12 months to plan their purchase. The survey polled more than 2,500 active mortgage users and asked participants a series of questions designed to gauge the attitudes and sentiments of recent mortgage consumers in Canada. The survey has been conducted since 1999, CMHC notes. CONTINUED ON P.2
It’s time to think outdoor furniture. At Gastown’s Inform Interiors Inc., Nancy Bendtsen models an O-Zon furniture set by Royal Botania. Rob Newell photo
Bring the indoors outside Whether planning a staycation or simply, new patio furniture, enjoy your outdoor space this summer MAGGIE CALLOWAY Your family has decided to vacation at home this summer. They are not alone, as an amazing number of people are deciding to forego travelling, but with a bit of a twist.
The money they would have spent on a vacation will now be spent making their outdoor space an enjoyable place, where the whole family will want to spend time. Kenorah Construction and Design owner Graham Collins says there is a definite shift in the way people are living in their homes. “Over half our clients are requesting either extensive outdoor living space designed as part of a major renovation, or at the very least, services such as electrical and natural
gas outlets installed and ready for future use,” Collins says. Many new homes in Metro Vancouver now come with electrical or gas already hooked up to service outdoor barbecues and fireplaces as well. People are now approaching their outdoor space with the same care as the interior of the home, Collins says. CONTINUED ON P.2