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winter 2013 | issue 06
contents
market overview
9
Playing catch-up Home builders responding to increasing demand
industry news
11 An interview with the mayor
Managing growth and staying competitive two key issues
show home profiles
11
14 Stalwood Homes
Building in Blackfalds’ most popular subdivision, Cottonwood Meadows
18 Falcon Homes
Bridgeport a bi-level beauty in Blackfalds
community
21 Giving back
CHBA members do more for the community than just build homes
feature
23 Green Christmas
18
10 tips on how to celebrate the season sustainably
events
24 Get inspired
At the 2014 Red Deer Home Show
interiors/exteriors
26 Rock on!
Natural stone accents add a certain rustic charm, both inside and out
mortgages
29 Finding the right fit
How much is too much? And how much is just enough?
@chbaca1
CHBACA1
26
30
departments 6 Message from the executive officer 30 Getting to know
Cover photo: Stalwood Homes Photo by Tess Flewelling
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message from the executive officer
Winter brings winds of change For many people, winter is a time of renewal. They get together with friends and family to celebrate Christmas, ring in the New Year, and maybe even attempt to turn over a new leaf with some well-intentioned resolutions. This year, it’s especially time for renewal in Red Deer, as it’s not just the north winds that have been blowing, but the winds of change in the form of new Mayor Tara Veer. We had our Central Alberta Homes
CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION – CENTRAL ALBERTA represents professionals in the housing industry. CHBA – Central Alberta has been in existence for over 55 years and is a network of professionals that manages industry issues to provide value to our members. 10, 7895 - 49th Avenue Red Deer, Alberta T4P 2B4 Tel: 403.346.5321 Toll-free: 1.888.346.-5329 Fax: 403.342.1301 Toll-free: 1.877.342.1301 E-mail: eo@chbacentralalberta.ca www.chbaca.ca Denie Olmstead | Executive Officer eo@chbacentralalberta.ca
correspondent, Jock Mackenzie, sit down with the mayor shortly after her election victory
Joan Butler | Executive Assistant admin@chbacentralalberta.ca
to talk about the current state of the local housing industry and — whether you’re a land developer, home builder, construction service or material supplier, or potential
also includes our regular quarterly market
Published by Source Media Group Corp. 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9 Tel: 403.532.3101, Fax: 403.532.3109 Toll free: 1.888.932.3101 Email: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca
overview (things are looking good for 2014),
Associate Publisher | Jim Zang
homeowner — you’re going to want to read what this daughter of a construction company owner has to say. This edition of Central Alberta Homes
a summary of our 2013 charity efforts, and a
Art Director | Jean Faye Rodriguez
preview of our spring Home Show, featuring TV renovation superstar Paul Lafrance. Feature stories introduce us to Landmark Homes’ Lori Erickson, as well as a few local rock stars. You’ll have to read the story to see what I mean. Meanwhile, we toured a couple of different show homes, from Falcon Homes and Stalwood Homes, and serve them each up on a two-page spread for you to enjoy. It’s still not the same as walking through on your own, though, so we encourage you to drive out to Blackfalds and check them out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed. Finally, we offer our Christmas gift to you, and the environment, in the form of 10 different tips on how to have a green Christmas — eleven if you count the information on Christmas tree recycling. And, on that note, here’s wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Sincerely,
Denie Olmstead Executive Officer CHBA – Central Alberta
Graphic DesignerS | Lama Azhari, Dave Macaulay, Megan Sereda Production Co-ordinator | Colleen Leier contributors | Tess Flewelling, Jock Mackenzie, Rick Price, Tanis Reid, Daniel White Accounting | Donna Roberts director of sales | Norma Robertson norma.robertson@sourcemediagroup.ca advertising sales | Andrea Rinkel andrea.rinkel@sourcemediagroup.ca Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group Corp reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Central Alberta Homes is published quarterly and is distributed to every member of the Canadian Home Builers’ Association – Central Alberta, as well as on free stands throughout the region. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Source Media Group Corp., 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. Publication Agreement # 41072011
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market overview
Playing catch-up Home builders responding to increasing demand By Tan i s R ei d
T
hings are looking up for the housing market in Alberta for the upcoming year. “We are expecting growth in residential construction in Central Alberta due to stronger employment, wage growth and cheaper construction costs,” says Régine Durand, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) market analyst for the prairies and territories region. In the Prairie region, housing starts are projected to reach 50,200 units this year and 50,000 in 2014. Housing supply is trending higher and elevated while at
the same time migration inflows are also elevated and labour market conditions are projected to be supportive of housing demand. In Alberta, a record level of migration in 2013 will help lift housing starts to 34,000 in 2013 and 34,900 in 2014. Alberta’s expanding economy and labour market opportunities will continue to be attractive to migrants and propel housing demand. “We continue to see employment growth in the city of Red Deer. When we look at a year-to-date average of the first
nine months of 2013, Statistics Canada shows that total employment in Red Deer City was up five per cent and roughly 2,600 new jobs were created in the city.” In Alberta, there has also been an average wage increase of 5.4 per cent in the past year. “If the number of people in Red Deer are earning more [money], this will help with demand for housing,” says Durand. “In terms of construction, we are expecting 22 per cent growth in housing starts in Red Deer this year, which will be followed by a four per cent growth next year so we are looking at about 715 new homes,” she says. “In the last five years the new market has been under-built with an average of 550 new homes, so the market is now making up for the under building we have seen in the past few years.”
Alberta’s expanding economy and labour market opportunities will continue to be attractive to migrants and propel housing demand.
Preliminary Housing Starts in Central Alberta January – October 2013 Location
Single-Detached
Multi-Family
Total
2013
2012
% Change
2013
2012
% Change
2013
2012
% Change
Camrose CA
38
38
0
26
20
30
64
58
10
Clearwater County
65
43
51
0
0
–
65
43
51
Lacombe CA
56
60
-7
19
111
-86
75
171
-56
Lacombe County
47
39
21
0
0
–
47
39
21
Mountain View County
49
54
-9
0
0
–
49
54
-9
Red Deer City
323
282
15
286
217
32
609
499
22
Red Deer County
69
90
-23
8
8
0
77
98
-21
Sylvan Lake
97
91
5
89
80
11
186
172
8
744
698
7
428
436
-2
1,172
1,134
3
Central Alberta Source: CMHC
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industry news
An interview with the mayor Managing growth and staying competitive two key issues By J ock M ack enzi e P hotos by R i ck P r i ce
C
entral Alberta Homes correspondent Jock Mackenzie sat down with newly elected Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer recently to discuss the state of the land development and new housing industry. Here’s what she had to say.
CAHomes: What knowledge or background do you have relative to the
home building industry? Mayor Veer: I’m a born-and-raised Red Deerian and my dad has a construction company. He started it the year I was born so I’ve grown up with this family business in construction trades. I’ve driven a backhoe and I’ve driven a gravel truck. I have an intricate knowledge of home building and how the decisions of City Hall have a direct bearing on our local economy and on housing starts and how the trades are able to work. As a councillor and now as mayor, I’ve always felt very closely connected to home builders and to development in general. And of course, what we don’t know as elected officials, we look for from our experts at City Hall in the way of planners, engineers and land and economic development staff. CAHomes: What previous priorities and commitments has the City of Red
Deer made for home building? Mayor Veer: Most of the growth we’ll be seeing, with the exception of infill, will be to the northeast. Our Intermunicipal Development Plan is a long-term statutory agreement in terms of where the County will grow and where Red Deer will grow; development naturally follows the servicing commitments for new residential areas. There are a number of Neighbourhood Area Structure plans that have either been approved or are at various stages of being planned and there are some private developers that have quarter sections whose plans will presumably come forward throughout this term.
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industry news
With respect to land development and land banking, the City will need to look at our own inventory and land availability. If the City is going to be in land banking, we need to be a contender. There is some demand for residential servicing in the northwest, where we are currently experiencing industrial and commercial growth, although no specifics have been determined at this point. One of the most critical decisions that we must make is where future servicing will go. We endeavour to do contiguous (adjacent) servicing, for bot economic and environmental reasons, but it’s a challenging decision because growth and development follows the main servicing
represents strong but manageable growth. Generally as a community and a region, we did not stagnate during the recession while other areas did. That’s a good segue for a challenge that Red Deer has. Because so many communities in our region are also flourishing, Red Deer needs to remain competitive in terms of lot pricing, our servicing costs and our tax regime. Mayor Veer with Jock Mackenzie. Ultimately, as the central community in our region, if the region is thriving, then we all thrive, trunks and people have a vested interest. but we need to ensure that Red Deer is We need to weigh those decisions very balanced in residential and commercial carefully. and industrial growth. CAHomes: How much growth is Red Deer expecting? Central Alberta? CAHomes: What is your perception of the current housing market and, specifically, the new housing market? Mayor Veer: In recent years, even during the recession years, Red Deer experienced population growth. I’d rather have growth Mayor Veer: If we measure the market related challenges even though growth by new housing starts and permits, we can be expensive. The Intermunicipal often have record numbers. In anecdotal Development Plan that we negotiated conversation with local realtors, I am with the County and the commitments in hearing there is strong demand for, and that plan ultimately look at Red Deer with turnover of, existing stock. With new a population of 300,000. Our annual housing starts, when lots do become growth rate is 2.23 per cent. I think that available, there is strong demand both in terms of lots that private developers offer as well as through the City’s land bank.
“Ultimately, as the central community in our region, if the region is thriving, then we all thrive. We want to keep Red Deer balanced in residential and commercial and industrial growth.” 12
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CAHomes: What major challenges is Red
Deer facing? Mayor Veer: I think there are a couple. The first is the ongoing operational costs of new growth and development. Having said that, I would rather face growth-
industry news
“Home building is central to a flourishing economy and we need to work with home builders to see that they are not just surviving but thriving.” related challenges than those of a diminishing population because growth is positive and bodes well for our future. There are significant up-front costs for growth. Also, depending how we build, the new tax revenue realized from new neighbourhoods doesn’t necessarily compensate for the costs of parks and trail systems, snow removal, and the long-term infrastructure additions or upgrades that may be required in the future. The second major challenge is that we must ensure that we are competitive within our region and that people have affordable options so they can choose to locate to Red Deer or stay in Red Deer. Particularly for first home buyers or entrylevel housing, we want to have viable options. CAHomes: Where do Red Deer’s
opportunities lie? Mayor Veer: There are quite a few opportunities. Our prime geographic location is one of our greatest opportunities. Eighty-six per cent of the population of Alberta resides within a twohour driving distance from Red Deer. Our central location makes us a contender not only for our regional economy but for our provincial economy. I think we could do even more to maximize on our location. Another opportunity is our young population — people within their prime labour years. Because of this we are a bit of a mecca for business because there is a lot of labour potential here. We have one of the highest ratios in Canada of small businesses per capita. We are a very entrepreneurial city. We also have an extremely enviable opportunity because of Riverlands. It’s very rare for a community to have the chance to re-develop prime river front property
where the municipality is the owner of most of the land. We have one opportunity to get that right. As much as we’re growing outward, we also need to consider the historic downtown, the railyards district and Riverlands and think about infill development.
in addition to traditional housing forms. Timberlands is representative of the new world we find ourselves wading into. And as I’ve mentioned, the Riverlands project is a truly unique one.
CAHomes: Does the City of Red Deer have
Mayor Veer: Red Deer’s future is very bright and we have unlimited potential. We have a strong economy that can grow stronger. I have a deep appreciation for our building stakeholders and they deserve recognition for what they have to offer and how they drive growth and development. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Home building is central to a flourishing economy and we need to work with home builders to see that they are not just surviving, but thriving.
any plans to work with the County of Red Deer? Surrounding communities? Mayor Veer: The Intermunicipal Development Plan that was negotiated several years ago between the County and City was groundbreaking in the province. We came up with a long-term agreement without a sunset clause. It establishes a vision that we will be able to implement in a phased and measured way. We also work with our regional partners on retention, expansion and attraction of business to Red Deer and region. There are a number of agencies we partner with as well as operational agreements.
CAHomes: How do you view Red Deer’s
future?
CAHomes: Does Red
Deer have any unique plans? Mayor Veer: In Timberlands, there’s a pilot going on of different housing forms and options. We’ll offer carriage homes, wider lot options and some live-work units,
Photo by Jock Mackenzie
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show home profile
Stalwood Homes Building in Blackfalds’ most popular subdivision, Cottonwood Meadows by T ess F l e w el l i ng
T
ired of living in the city, but don’t want a long commute? The town of Blackfalds can give you that and much, much more! Located ten minutes north of Red Deer on Hwy 2A, Blackfalds is small town living without the pain of having to sacrifice good amenities. This is why Stalwood Homes is proud to offer you their latest show home at 18 Churchill Place, in the newly built subdivision of Cottonwood Meadows, located on the east side of Blackfalds. This area offers many essentials to family living, such as new commercial centres. Direct busing to school and the recently planned
elementary school to be built in the subdivision, is sure to make most parents envious. The show home is built in an exclusive close, allowing the privacy and security every family wants. There are also parks, walking trails and ice rinks nearby, including the sports complex located just across town. Only a fifteen minute drive to downtown Red Deer makes this a great location for a short drive to work. This modified bi-level home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a triple car garage — great for active families. This as yet un-named floor plan offers more than 2,200 square-feet of
living space, plenty of room for a family to grow into. It features maple cabinets, laminate countertops, and a kitchen island with plenty of storage space. The oversized master bedroom, located on the upper floor, features vaulted ceilings and large walk in closet, along with an en-suite bathroom with separate soaker tub. The en-suite also highlights a separate four foot shower with complete tile surround. With this specific floor plan, you will find yourself entering from the sunken foyer, past the two bedrooms, into the spacious kitchen and dining room, with plenty of natural light accentuated by the nine-foot
If you are looking for something a little more custom in a new home, Stalwood has over 100 different existing plans to choose from and as many custom upgrades as you can think of. 14
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coffered ceilings. The tastefully decorated living area also sports a built in fire place for those cold Alberta winters! The living room leads you into the back yard, which comes with a spacious deck. If you are looking for something a little more custom in a new home, Stalwood has over 100 different existing plans to choose from and as many custom upgrades as you can think of. Says Aidan Rose, Stalwood’s Western Division General Manager, “The sky is the limit when it comes to custom upgrades. We also offer promotional packages of free cable, telephone and internet valued at $1,200!” With the rising cost of natural gas, many homeowners want to make sure their home is not only green built but
show home profile
also energy efficient — good for the environment, and their pocketbook. This home offers a 95 per cent high efficiency furnace, energy star certified appliances, on demand hot water and high performance windows. There are further costs savings, having utilized recycled wood products for the floor and roof systems. Next year will be Stalwood Homes twentieth anniversary, a number that speaks volumes about their commitment to community, and ultimately to the quality and level of service they offer. This show home at 18 Churchill Place is priced as is at $439,900, but many of their other homes start around a very reasonable $295,000. This show home is open from one to five p.m., every day.
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show home profile
Falcon Homes
Bridgeport a bi-level beauty in Blackfalds By Tan i s R ei d
F
alcon Homes is known for designing and constructing premiere homes in Central Alberta and their show home at 4918 Aspen Lakes Boulevard in Blackfalds is no exception. This 1,263-square-foot Bridgeport bilevel hosts five bedrooms and three full baths, making it a very livable home for a family of any size, according to Falcon Homes sales representative Deanna Regnier. Upon entering the house you are welcomed into the entryway which is bright and full of light. Large windows on the south and east sides let in plenty of natural light and the flooring in the entryway is polished porcelain which is very pretty as well as very easy to maintain. This particular house is a modified bi-level. It has been upgraded with a completely finished basement making it 63 square-feet larger than the regular floor plan. Another upgrade is the underfloor heating in the garage and downstairs. The underground heating is hooked up, having
Granite countertops are used in the kitchen including the kitchen island that has a set of silgranite sinks. 18
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the heating come standard, however, being hooked up is a bonus. The lower level has two bedrooms, a full bath and an open sitting room. These rooms have been upgraded to have tri-coloured carpeting and the standard 10-pound carpet underlay. This space also has practical rooms such as a laundry hook ups, a furnace room and a storage space under the stairs. As you climb the stairs back towards the entryway and up to the main floor, which has two more bedrooms, you will notice a built-in wine rack with shelves on
the east side of the staircase. Just another personal touch that shows Falcon Homes ability to add interesting details in places you might not think of. Up on the main floor the kitchen, dining room and living room have multicoloured laminate flooring. This is not an upgrade, but it is beautiful and, like the polished porcelain in the entryway, easy to maintain. The 10 by 10-foot kitchen boasts many upgrades and is a desirable place to create everyday meals or extravagant feasts, it’s up to any challenge you can throw at it.
This 1,263-square-foot Bridgeport bi-level hosts five bedrooms and three full baths making it a very livable home. The kitchen comes with a stainless steel refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and an oven that vents directly outside the house. Granite countertops are used in the kitchen including the kitchen island that has a set of silgranite sinks. These sinks are more durable and more scratchresistant than the regular kitchen’s stainless steel sinks. They have also been under mounted which is desirable not just for looks, but also for easier cleaning. While it is a standard feature for Falcon Homes to have a full backsplash in the kitchen, this particular home has been upgraded to a full glass tile backsplash. Above the granite counter and the glass backsplash are beautiful maple cabinets, some of which are pop-up European cabinets. The cabinets you see are taller
than standard cabinets. Although the windows throughout the home help create an air of light and brightness, the strategic light fixtures around the house help with that feeling as well. This includes the upgrade made to the hanging fixtures over the kitchen island. There are two fixtures in this home when the standard is one. The dining room, which is connected to the kitchen backs onto the deck that overlooks the backyard where sod has been laid. The living room, which also faces the yard, has ample room for furniture and the North facing wall is dominated by a window. Up the stairs leads to the master bedroom which features a south facing window and is large enough to host a king or queen size bed. It also has its own ensuite and walk-in closet. The bridgeport model is priced at $386,900 including lot and GST.
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community
Giving back
CHBA members do more for the community than just build homes By Dan i el W h i t e
Y
our home doesn’t just end at the front door. The community you live in is a huge part of your day-today life and, indeed, most people actually spend more time out in their community than they do in their own home. For any Central Albertans, their sense of home extends into their neighbourhood, city or town, and even the entire country. The Central Alberta chapter of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, itself a local not-for-profit organization, has long recognized the importance of community in people’s lives and has a strong tradition of contributing to local charities and community projects. And, unlike some larger organizations, which pool their funds and spread them across the country, the CHBA’s partners live right in your own backyard and all the money
raised stays in the local area. Denie Olmstead, executive officer of the CHBA – Central Alberta region, says, “With support from our members, more than $43,000 in cash contributions plus in-kind support have been given this year.” Over the course of the year the CHBA has given to Build/Golf a Kid to Cure, Habitat for Humanity Red Deer, Mavis Goss Open Golf Tournament, and The Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation. Paula Madu, executive director at Habitat for Humanity Paula Madu Red Deer, says, “Denie is on the Board of Directors for Habitat, which is a huge contribution to our organization. The CHBA also sponsored the
renovation of a home this year.” For Habitat assistance recipients, a home renovation could mean the difference between a safe, lasting home and dangerous living conditions. Habitat’s main focus is to help those who can’t find a home, for financial or situational reasons. Habitat helps by exchanging hours of work on the homes of others into an interest free mortgage. There is no down deposit required on a Habitat mortgage. Both of the golf tournaments the CHBA supports are driving to improve the access of medical care for those in need living in our community. Proceeds from Build/Golf a Kid to Cure tournament and awards show support the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta and other local charities. The Mavis Goss Open raises money to help those who suffer from cancer.
... the CHBA’s partners live right in your own backyard and all the money raised stays in the local area.
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community
Mike VanLanduyt, CTS Instructor at Notre Dame High School The Royal Lepage Shelter Network doesn’t focus on community medical issues but works towards building security for families who have suffered from, or are going through, domestic abuse. 100 per cent of the money raised at their golf tournament goes directly to those who need it the most at the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter. Very few
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charities can make this claim, out of necessity, Royal Lepage absorbs the administration costs as an expected loss. CHBA doesn’t just give to charities, however. They also help with many local education programs that serve to empower local youth and help them to gain the skills they need. During the last year, CHBA has given to multiple programs both at high school and college levels. Cougar Construction, a program at Notre Dame high school that helps students’ transition into the trades, is a current recipient. Both Olds College and Red Deer College have received student scholarships for their respective trade programs. Red Deer College received additional assistance with their Evolve Project. Evolve is a build project helping students involved in construction become familiar with newly emerging technologies,
especially those in the housing market. Evolve specializes in leveraging technologies that serve to solve pressing environmental issues such as reducing carbon emissions and clean energy. Gary Halvorson, chair of the carpentry department at Red Deer College, says, “The CHBA has been very supportive. They helped with the sponsorship funding, Gary Halvorson are interested in discussing post project funding, and they are also interested in future projects.” With all these amazing contributions going on, including to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau, the members of the CHBA have been building a lot more than just houses. They have been building strong and resilient communities for the rest of us.
feature
Green Christmas 10 tips on how to celebrate the season sustainably
1
Shop Locally. Shopping locally can be one of the greenest ways to celebrate the holidays, and definitely one of the friendliest. Supporting local businesses saves shipping/postage fees, uses less wrapping and packing materials, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
2
Recycle. Recycle your boxes, bows and wrapping to keep it out of the landfill. Save it for next year, or take it to a proper recycling station. Even items like old computers, phones and TVs can be recycled.
3
Buy Wisely. Look to purchase items with minimal packaging. Or try gift experiences rather than items. Who wouldn’t like a spa package, tickets to a concert, movie, sporting event or theatre performance? A lottery ticket could just end up being the best present you ever bought someone.
4
Reduce Clutter. Follow the four Rs: rethink, or think twice about your buying habits; refuse or say ‘no’ to waste; reduce the number of items you buy; and reuse, some of the best gifts are personally crafted using repurposed materials already in your home. Maybe email cards instead of sending them out, saving paper and postage.
5
Make a donation. Instead of buying a gift for the person who already has everything, make a donation to their favourite charity on their behalf. Get involved with putting together food hampers, adopt a needy family, or volunteer at a non-profit organization.
6
Be a creative wrapper. Fabric gift bags are great as they can be used for years to come. Reusable gift boxes and bags are good too. Old newspapers and magazines also make for a unique and often entertaining gift wrap. Or, be the other kind of creative rapper, and send someone the audio file of the song you wrote especially for them.
7
Do a good deed. Shovel someone’s sidewalk, bake them a cake, or offer to drive them to church or another Christmas program. Or maybe even invite them to dinner. Small gestures can make a big difference to seniors and shut-ins.
8
Re-gift. Once thought to be tacky, regifting is now downright acceptable as
long as the item is new and not one-of-akind. And you’re not accidently re-gifting it to the person who gave it to you. A perfect way to get rid of accumulated unwanted (but tasteful) office Christmas party gifts.
9
Use LED lights. LED lights on both your home and tree pose less fire hazard and use less energy. Remember not to turn them on until after the supper energy rush hour and turn them off again when you go to bed. Make sure plug-ins and extension cords are safe.
10
Give the best gift of all. You. Send a photo. Pick up the phone. Skype. Take the time to visit family and friends. Because that’s what it’s really all about.
Christmas tree pick-up For the past several years, members of the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity have provided voluntary Christmas tree pick-up service to Red Deer homes. Although details were not confirmed at press time, residents can place Christmas trees on their front lawn for pick up beginning the second week of January. According to their website, Christmas tree pick-up is not a City funded service and they rely on donations to keep this annual campaign alive. Donations to the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity can be made directly to the firefighter picking up your tree, or mailed in the pre-addressed envelope left in your mailbox. Receipts are issued for donations that are $20 or more, or upon request. Donations to the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity are used to support local children’s charities. For more information visit www.reddeerfirefighters.org/news
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events
Get inspired At the 2014 Red Deer Home Show
P
eople are already lining up for the 2014 Red Deer Home Show. Not visitors, mind you, not yet, but expert presenters and industry exhibitors. In fact, more than 175 exhibitors have already signed up to participate in the 35th annual show to be held at the Westerner Park March 7 – 9, guaranteeing it will be one of the biggest and best ever. Exhibitor booths can be purchased by contacting the CHBA – Central Alberta office.
24
HGTV’s Paul Lafrance and other experts will be on the main stage as they share their tried-and-true advice for various home improvement projects. Presented by the Canadian Home Builders Association – Central Alberta (CHBA – CA), the show provides Central Albertans with a spectacular venue for new and improved products and services featuring award-winning home builders, renovators, products, ideas and décor.
Show Hours
Admission
Friday, March 7 – noon to 8:00pm Saturday, March 8 – 10am – 6:00p.m. Sunday, March 9 – 10am – 5:00p.m.
Adults – $10 Students – $8 (w/ valid ID) Seniors – $8 (55 and up) Under 12 – free w/adult
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Paul Lafrance
interiors/exteriors
Rock on!
Natural stone accents add a certain rustic charm, both inside and out by jock mack enzi e
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ed Deer has its own group of rock stars, and they don’t sing or play guitars. The home is their stage, tile and stone the tools of their craft. Beautiful fireplaces, backsplashes, feature walls and exterior accents their greatest hits. And, while you don’t have to be a show home groupie to know natural stone accents have become very popular and much more affordable, it does help to have a little bit of knowledge before you make a design or purchase decision. Both “natural stone” and “natural-looking” stone are available in an amazing variety of colours and styles. A key factor to satisfaction is choosing a supplier who deals in quality products and, luckily, Red Deer has a few experts you can call on. Bob Will of Central Stoneworks, local manufacturers of Acadia Stone, is excited about the unique concrete product he offers.
He’s been in the business for 25 years, the last two in Red Deer. Central Stoneworks makes all of the plastic master moulds for their wall tiles and many trims for doors, windows, columns and cornices. From scratch to production, says Will, high density concrete is used in all of the products for new home construction, for renovations, and for commercial use. Acadia Stone employs a “hanger” system, he says, where aluminum hangers are cast directly into the stone. Stones are screwed into the wall and then caulked with polyurethane. “The advantage comes because our tiles are good for freeze and thaw cycles,” says Will. “They allow for expansion and contraction. Acadia Stone goes onto a wall faster than mortared-on products simply because there are fewer processes involved. We have no weather restrictions and
AFTER BEFORE
Photo courtesy Central Stoneworks 26
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can even apply caulking up to -20 degrees.” Another relative newcomer to Red Deer, and supplier of granite, marble Jessica Bryan with and quartz, is sample slabs Jade Stone. “Our head office is in Calgary,” says Jessica Bryan, office administrator, “but we have this store plus one in Lethbridge, one in Halifax and a brand new one in Edmonton.” While counter tops make up much of what Jade Stone installs, they also do back splashes, fireplace surrounds, mantles, shelves and have even done a full-slab waterfall feature. “We have over 80 different colours of granite,” says Bryan. “They vary from standard colours to exotic ones with lots of movement. Most of our granite comes from quarries in Brazil but we do have some from Italy, Norway and Canada. We used to import it from other parts of the world but came to realize it was not up to the quality standards we require.”
“We have over 80 colours of granite. They vary from standard colours to exotic ones.”
interiors/exteriors
As an indoor or outdoor veneer, the Eldorado stone can fit almost any taste. What’s the difference between granite and quartz? “Quartz is a man-made stone,” she says. “Quartz comes out of the granite and is then combined with glues and resins into slab sizes. “Jade Stone offers six different price levels and granite and quartz are available within all of those levels. Within Level One, we have 20 different colours of granite and 12 different colors of quartz. If the customer wants something that’s cost effective, the spectrum they have to choose from is quite large. A lot of people will come in and say, ‘I want granite because quartz is more expensive’ and I will have to say that is not necessarily the case. It all depends on what you’re looking for.” The pricing for a Jade Stone project is all-inclusive. A layout is developed, measurements are taken, a template is created, meetings are held and finally, installation takes place. The cost is determined so that all aspects of the job are clearly set out in advance. A third option is the Burnco Landscape Centre. The parent company, Burnco Rock Products, celebrated 100 years in business in 2012 while the Landscape Centre has existed in Red Deer for the last 12 years. As the web site states, “Each Centre offers a wide assortment of decorative rocks, landscape boulders, paving stones, precast products, sand, gravel, retaining walls, soils, mulches, ponds, lighting and other
landscaping accessories. No order is too big or too small — from a shovel full to a truck load.” Supervisor Dave Baldwin is proud to offer Dave Baldwin natural stone from four different quarries as well as the high quality Eldorado manufactured stone. The more popular choice, of late, has been the manufactured stone because of its relative economy and greater variety. “Stone comes in two different sizes of boxes,” says Baldwin. “There’s the handipack for smaller jobs, and, if you want to save money, there’s the larger box but that’s usually left for contractors.” Burnco supplies Eldorado stone to both do-it-yourselfers and to professionals — and Eldorado has been around for 35 years. As an indoor or outdoor veneer, the Eldorado stone can fit almost any taste — and the spring is a great time to see the latest styles and colours. A good place to get more information www.eldoradostone.com. So whether it’s a totally natural stone or a natural looking stone, we can all turn to the beauty of this enduring product to add warmth to our individual castles.
Photo courtesy Central Stoneworks
Photo by Leslie Greentree Cental Stoneworks samples
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mortgages
Finding the right fit How much is too much? And how much is just enough? By J ock M ack enzi e
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n the fairy tale world, the question for Goldilocks was always, “what is just right?” In the real world, the same question applies to a mortgage — “how much is just right?” Mortgage professionals are an excellent source of assistance. Roger Marion, Regional Manager for Mortgage Development for Servus Credit Union suggests even before you look at what you can afford, you look at your life plan. He says, “ask what is important to you, to your lifestyle, to your kids’ lifestyle.” He adds, “we always hear about location, location, location. That can’t be understated. It affects your lifestyle. Is there daycare, a school, recreation? Do you have to be close to work?” Jean-Guy Turcotte of Dominion Lending Centres — Regional Mortgage Group says, “the first thing we do is to review your mortgage application. We’ll have a look at your entire budget, income and your credit. It’ll show us a bit more about what your liabilities are, what you’re spending each month. Depending on the strength of your credit, lenders will determine what you’re allowed to afford.” Marilyn LaRose, Mortgage Specialist with the Royal Bank of Canada notes three areas of concern: leave wiggle room (after comparing your pay cheque to your total costs, is there room for new furniture, repairs, cost of living increases?), cover all the angles (what are the total costs of home ownership e.g. heating, taxes), look to the future (stress test your mortgage for future rate increases). A term common to the industry is Gross Debt Servicing ratio or GDS. With a strong credit rating (above 680), a homebuyer
may qualify for the maximum GDS, the percentage of your income it takes to make the payment on your house. All of the specialists agree it is unwise to stretch one’s resources to the very maximum allowed, approximately 34 per cent of your income to pay for principal, interest, heat and taxes. When you have determined the size of your mortgage, you must then determine the term. Turcotte says, “your choices are one-, two-, three-, four-, five-, seven- and 10-year terms. Historically, most choose a five-year term. It has the best stability, one of the better rates and there’s less risk.” Says Marion, “the length of term depends on the comfort level of the individual. The longer the term, the more you know and can depend on. And that comfort level has to, most often, be that of two people.”
Roger Marion
Marilyn LaRose Once you know what’s just right for the amount of your mortgage and you know the term, should you lock in the rate? Unsure of where rates are headed? LaRose says, “you can have the best of both worlds by splitting your mortgage in two — part fixed and part variable — with a hybrid mortgage to hedge your bets.” In one area, all of the specialists agree: We are in most unusual times. Rates are at an all-time low. Perhaps this is one time when the fairy tale world and the real world are almost the same thing.
“The length of term depends on the comfort level of the individual…”
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getting to know
Lori Erickson Second VP, CHBA – Central Alberta
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o what’s a gal from Livermore, California, located just across the bay from San Francisco, doing in Red Deer, Alberta? Other than shivering, that is. For one, Lori Erickson currently sits as Second VP on the executive of the local chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA). For another, Lori and husband Lorne are part owners of Landmark Homes Red Deer. As Sales Manager, Lori is responsible for everything from managing the sales team, to day-to-day office operations. Her previous work as a designer definitely gives her a unique perspective on new home building and sales, and what buyers are looking for. But all work and no play does not describe Lori, and this daughter of feed and farm supply store owners is really a country girl at heart. “We live out in the country near Rimbey. I enjoy riding and training reining horses, training border collie stock dogs, riding in the mountains, camping and spending lots of time with my family.” Lori and Lorne have three grown children aged 30, 28 and 20, and two grandkids, Daxton and Jaida. And, of course, her dogs. Perhaps it’s the grandkids’ influence showing when Lori names her favourite book she’s read lately as Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch. For anyone with kids, grandkids, or aging parents, it’s highly
recommended reading. Just have the Kleenex tissues handy. What brought her here in the first place? Why, the usual thing, of course — she followed a boy. “I met Lorne while he was on a trip to California visiting some mutual friends.” And they’ve never looked back. “Red Deer is a fantastic community,” she says, “with a great park system and room for growth.” Which takes us back to the local new home market. Some of the potential
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challenges to growth, Lori says, are many of the “regulations that are being developed outside of the building industry, for the building industry, that will cost the consumer and may have little benefit for the consumer.” What advice would Lori give to prospective home owners? Plenty. “Great pride comes with homeownership,” she says. “If you can afford to rent, you probably can afford to buy. Homeownership in Canada is relatively easy and the beginning of your financial future. Always buy within your means. Do your research, determine what is value to you. Homes built today can be more energy efficient. Look for builders who are doing their research and understand the concept of building science for energy efficient and healthier homes.” Good advice, from someone who knows, as Landmark is one of the industry leader when it comes to building energy efficient homes.