vol5issue32_new-homes

LL PU T OU

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • August 8, 2008

NEW HOMES Your Guide to New Housing Developments in the Columbia Valley

Copper Point Estates Business Feature by Sandra Kelly

Build your dream home beside the new Ridge at Copper Point golf course.

If you’re a golfer looking for prime real estate in the Windermere Valley, look no further than Copper Point Estates, the valley’s newest single-family residential development.

Copper Point Estates offers the chance to live and play on two immaculate courses surrounded by some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery.

Copper Point Estates has a gorgeous setting on 240 acres southeast of the crossroads of Invermere and Highway 93, on the picture-perfect Copper Point golf course and the equally stunning Ridge course. Copper Point Resort, the new and luxurious 107-unit condominium complex, is situated nearby.

When it is fully developed, Copper Point Estates will have 102 mountain homesites ranging in size from a quarter acre to a half acre. Some golf course frontage lots are available. Lot prices start at $239,000.

The gated community will be an address of privilege with an atmosphere second to none, says Ron Mason, a partner in the development. “Copper Point Estates will have a resort atmosphere that you just can’t get in a regular residential subdivision. And of course there is the opportunity to play 36 holes of golf on two different courses.”

Since it opened in 2003, the 18-hole Copper Point course has earned rave reviews from golfers who enjoy a challenge along with the fresh air, mountain views and exceptional hospitality. The recently opened 18-hole Ridge course has an innovative Par 62 masters-style layout that is perfect for family play. A tunnel running underneath Highway 93 connects the two courses. They share a full-service golf academy, a fine dining restaurant and an architecturally stunning clubhouse.

Continued on Page 3

www.copperpointgolf.com

2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer – New Homes

N OW SELLING

MOUN TA I N E S TA T E H OMESITES I n t h e h e a r t o f t h e p r e s t i g i o u s C o p p e r Point Golf Resor t

Cop p e r Po i n t E s t a t es an exclusive com m u n i t y f e a t u r i ng large, unique hom e s i t e s w i t h s t u nning, panoramic mo u n t a i n a n d g o l f cour se views.

• Se c l u d e d e s t a t e h omesites fr o m ¼ a c r e t o ½ acr e • G o l f C o u r s e f r o n t a ge si t e s ava i l ab l e • Ar c h i t e c t u r a l l y c o ntr olled • G a t e d p r iva t e c o mmunity

Fr om $239,000

C a l l ( 2 5 0 ) 3 4 1 - 1 9 7 6 o r e m a i l r m a s o n @ c opper pointgolf.com f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o a r r a n ge a site tour.

August 8, 2008

New Homes – The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

August 8, 2008 Continued from Page 1 More than half of the 52 homesites in Phase 1 of Copper Point Estates are already sold. Buyers can bring in any builder they wish so long as the builder follows the development’s architectural guidelines.

The building commitment is three years.

The architectural controls stipulate a mountain and craftsman theme, and of course the usual minimum requirements for square footage—in this case a very reasonable building footprint of 1,300 square feet for a bungalow and 1,200 square feet for a two-storey home.

“We feel that this is sensible square footage,” says Mr. Mason. “The idea is to build a community of homes that are attractive but not necessarily huge.”

With so much new development in the Windermere Valley, why should investors choose Copper Point Estates? “The Copper Point brand has become highly recognizable,” says Mr. Mason. “We are offering buyers a stable long-term investment. They can be comfortable knowing that their property value is secure.”

Did we mention those 36 holes of golf? “That’s obviously a tremendous selling point,” he adds, “But this area offers plenty of other recreational fun. We have a temperate climate here in the valley, and our scenery is eternally beautiful.”

To arrange a tour of Copper Point Estates, call 250-341-1976 or send an email message to rmason@ copperpointgolf.com.

See the August 15th edition of The Pioneer for information about Copper Point Resort.

Imagine . . . 36 holes of golf within walking distance of your front door at Copper Point Estates.

It’s not about the journey to your destination, but how you feel when you arrive. Experience this feeling in one of the inviting alpine styled townhomes or luxury bungalow villas of Borrego Ridge in Radium Hot Springs, BC—North America’s most sought after recreational mountain resort. Choose from a villa or townhome, to fullfill your recreational mountain home dream.

Register on-line at www.borrego-radium.com Visit Borrego Ridge Centre in Radium Hot Springs 1-250-342-5889 or 1-877-733-7932

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This is not a offering for sale. An offering for sale can only be made by disclosure statement.

4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer – New Homes

On-site show suite now open!

TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR ESCAPE. Finally, a luxury four-season real estate investment you and your family can enjoy, just three hours from Calgary. Visit our Invermere sales office and reserve your whole or 1/4 ownership opportunities now. Opening late fall 2008. 1-866-9LUXURY www.copperpoint.ca/pioneer

August 8, 2008

New Homes – The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

August 8, 2008

Out on a limb: real estate predictions

By Sandra Kelly Pioneer Columnist Lately I have been asked for my thoughts on where real estate is headed, now that the boom is over. I can only say, “Who knows?’”

When it comes to real estate, no one has a crystal ball.

Who could have predicted that a house costing $60,000 in 1970 would cost $600,000 in 2008? Did anyone foresee interest rates soaring to 21 percent in the early 1980s? How about the buying frenzy of 2006?

Several economists did predict the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the U.S. Obviously no one was listening.

If you’d asked for my thoughts 10 years ago, I would have predicted that career-obsessed baby boomers (like me) would soon ditch their inner-city homes for smaller digs in smaller centres.

The proliferation of recreational homes in the Columbia Valley and other resort regions was predictable. Affluent boomers can afford these homes.

And many of us spent our summers at the lake when we were kids. It makes sense that we would go

back to the beach.

But who knew we would choose to build such big vacation homes? Some of the “cottages” springing up around Lake Windermere are bigger than the homes in which we raised our children.

My parents never bought a first home, much less a second one. That seems unimaginable today.

But in small-town Ontario in the 1960s, it wasn’t unusual. Big families were common and most got by on one income.

Some of my parents’ friends rented until their nest was empty, then bought a house they no longer needed.

I grew up in rented houses I’ll kindly describe as “vintage,” which is to say they were old and shabby but rich in character. I’ve incorporated some of their design features into my own homes: archways with pillars, and built-in cabinets and ironing boards. The laundry chute was a truly great invention.

Anyway, those were different times. I don’t know what lies ahead for real estate in general, but I have a couple of safe predictions for the Columbia Valley.

I think the recreation home market will remain strong for at least another decade. I also think that many of these weekend retreats will become retirement homes. Retirees want amenities, so there will be great

opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Affordability will continue to be an issue, however.

I would like to see someone come up with a brilliant solution to that problem, preferably one that doesn’t involve government intervention.

At the same time I would like to hear less griping from the young about prices. We boomers had cheap real estate, but we didn’t have today’s robust job market. Homes were just as hard to get.

I also would like to see more flexibility on the part of lending institutions. We don’t want a mortgage crisis in this country, but banks should loosen the reins a little for first-time buyers. Today’s young homeowners are tomorrow’s loyal customers.

I’m going to catch hell for this, but I’d like to hear less blather about smart growth. Some smart growth is smart, but some is drivel – for example, the notion that we should build for higher density as a way to combat sprawl. Ask any Torontonian or New Yorker what high density has done for them and they’ll tell you it’s created crime, pollution and traffic congestion.

I think the suburbs have been given a bad rap.

Finally, I’m delighted to see the recent renewed emphasis on building homes to last a lifetime, rather than houses to turn a quick profit. It’s time to put the heart and soul back into home ownership.

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer – New Homes

August 8, 2008

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New Homes – The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

August 8, 2008

Architectural styles that remain timeless

By Sandra Kelly Pioneer Columnist I’ve been building houses long enough to know that some interior design trends come and go, and then come again. Others don’t get a second life, no matter how hard the industry tries to resurrect them. Red shag carpet, anyone? The same goes for architectural styles. Some are timeless; others look dated in a few years. Here are the styles that, in my opinion, never get old: • Alpine: Frank Lloyd Wright said that a home should pay homage to its natural environment. No architectural style adheres more strictly to this philosophy than Alpine. The post and beam construction you see so much of in the Columbia Valley is utterly timeless. The extensive use of indigenous wood and stone, the vaulted ceilings with tall windows, the metals and wrought iron—all have a reverent beauty. Alpine-style homes get tired, but they never die.

• Arts and Crafts: The Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century was essentially the triumph of human skill over machine production of building materials. Arts and Crafts styling emphasizes wood – plain but substantial mouldings and lots of built-in cabinets and pillars. It also glorifies the contrast in textures: stained glass and plush rugs, for examples. This style is more popular in urban than rural areas, but it style stands up well everywhere.

• Contemporary: Where Alpine and Arts and Crafts are dark and detailed, Contemporary design is light and plain: wide open floor plans, tall ceilings, white or pale pastel walls, blond floors and no fussy frills. Add angular furniture and a few pieces of bold art, and you have a clean, urban sensibility.

Contemporary styling is still often described as “modern.” Call it what you want: this minimalist approach to design works just as well today as it did in the 1960s when it first became popular.

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8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer - New Homes

August 8, 2008

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August 8, 2008

New Homes – The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

OVER LAKE WINDERMERE

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10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer – New Homes

August 8, 2008

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New Homes – The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

August 8, 2008

Ironing the bugs out in the Columbia Valley

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Publisher Fortunately, the Columbia Valley doesn’t have the volume of flying pests that plague other areas of Canada, notably the black fly and the mosquito. But like any other area, we still have to battle a few bugs sometime.

When we built our new house, we decided not to mow the lawn. That worked until the grass started to get really long, which was so attractive to mosquitoes as a place for breeding we could no longer sit outside on the patio.

Now we mow the grass and the mosquitoes have subsided.

Wasps are the other annoying pest.

When you first take your food outside, one wasp appears, then two – and before you know it, you’re hosting a banquet for bugs. There isn’t much you can do, other than eat quickly. We also use those nifty netting covers that you can place over your bowls and serving dishes. My husband enjoys wielding the electronic

zapper, a thing that looks like a tennis racquet, but I strenuously object to dead wasps falling into the food after they have been zapped. Someone once gave us an entire tent made out of netting which we have yet to erect because the bugs have never been bad enough.

The best prevention for wasps is to inspect all your roofs and gutters and make sure there aren’t any nests, which are built in the early summer. Get rid of them, or ask someone else to do it.

Wasps don’t use old nests, so it’s the new ones you have to worry about.

Unlike mosquitoes, wasps don’t like to feed on people and will sting only when frightened – so remain calm if they are buzzing around your head.

Whenever I get really annoyed, I remember what it was like living on the prairies – cancelled ball tournaments, ruined family picnics and walking around in sweltering weather wearing a hoodie tied so tightly around your face that you looked like a bank robber. Thankfully, the bugs here are only mildly annoying.

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12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer – New Homes

August 8, 2008

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