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fall 2014 | issue 09
contents
market overview
9
Housing starts up 10 per cent Multi-family projects continue upward trend
feature
11 Going solar
Good for the planet, and the pocketbook
11
13 And the winners are…
CHBA – Central Alberta members receive awards at provincial Awards of Excellence in Housing annual gala
17 Funding structure
Keeping up with the growth in Red Deer
events
19 Everybody loves a parade!
Including Central Alberta home builders … and buyers
show home profile
24
22 Riser Homes
Pleasing to the senses and the environment
builder profile
24 True teamwork
The perfect recipe for creating custom True-Line Homes
developer profile
28 Melcor Developments
15 October is Renovation Month
Look for the RenoMark stamp of approval when hiring contractors
@chbaca1
17
departments
industry news
19
Comitted to building quality communities
CHBACA1
6 Message from the executive officer 7 Message from the president 30 Getting to know
Cover photo: Riser Homes
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message from the executive officer
Back to normal I live in Sylvan Lake so for me, like many other residents of this popular summer destination, fall is a return to normal. Sunbathing, swimming, water-skiing, or visiting the local Wild Rapids waterslides, it’s too cold for that now, and besides, the kids are back in school. Oh but some of the heartier folks will soon be out in winter; skating, ice fishing, playing hockey and snowmobiling on the frozen lake. But although things might be quieting down on the lake, they’re not quieting down in the home building industry. Plenty of things are happening and we’ll hopefully shed some light on a few of them in this edition. For starters, meet our new Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta Region
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 Joan Butler | Executive Assistant admin@chbacentralalberta.ca
president, Falcon Homes’ John Christie. John outlines his vision for the organization, and the industry, right next door on page 7. As always, our Market Overview is right up front, as is our feature article, this time on solar power. As technology advances and prices come down, solar panels are no longer just for new homes but make sense as renovations too. And, with October being Renovation Month — see the story on page 15 — and the big heating bills of winter on the horizon, the timing is perfect. Last edition we looked at what some of the steps are that go into developing a community. This time around, we examine the slightly more touchy subject of who pays for what in new developments: the City, developers, builders, residents? It’s the perfect segue into the back end of our magazine, which features a preview of the upcoming Parade of Homes as well as spotlight profiles of Riser Homes, True-Line Homes and Melcor Developments. Also, a huge CONGRATS to the CHBA – Central Alberta members who were winners at the Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing, September 19 in Jasper! For the full story, see page 13. Wrapping things up, helping put names and faces to the home building industry, because they live, work and play in the community just like you and me, is our Getting to Know segment where we meet Troy Walker of Laebon Homes and his young family. Thanks for sharing with us, Troy, and thank YOU for reading.
Sincerely,
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 Associate Publisher | Jim Zang Art Director | Jean Faye Rodriguez Graphic DesignerS | Rylyn Kvarnberg, Dave Macaulay, Megan Sereda Production Co-ordinator | Colleen Leier contributors | Jock Mackenzie, Shelley Newman, Tanis Reid director of sales | Norma Robertson norma.robertson@sourcemediagroup.ca advertising sales | Andrea Rinkel andrea.rinkel@sourcemediagroup.ca © 2014 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed 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.
Denie Olmstead Executive Officer CHBA – Central Alberta
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message from the president
CHBA working to promote quality affordable housing for everyone
O
n behalf of myself and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta Region board of directors, welcome to another informative and engaging edition of Central Alberta Homes magazine, the official publication the CHBA – CA. Please enjoy this magazine courtesy the CHBA, the voice of Canada’s residential construction industry, representing our members locally, provincially and nationally. Our members include new home builders, renovators, developers, trades, manufacturers, suppliers, lenders and other service professionals. CHBA supports members through municipal government liaison, monthly meetings, industry seminars, professional development, marketing campaigns, and awards programs. The Association deals with a wide range of government regulations and policies that affect members, their businesses and their customers — from codes and standards, to health and safety, infrastructure financing, the environment and advocate the interests of the housing industry. We create alliances with private and public research agencies to promote solutions, innovation and demonstration projects. Not only is the role of the CHBA to support its members but to promote and protect the interests of consumers with safe and appropriate housing, and the opportunity to own a quality affordable home. This is always an exciting part of the
year for CHBA – Central Alberta as we gear up for the new season with some fresh and amazing board members. This is a great benefit as the new members bring objective insight and creativity to the association. I am honoured to introduce our new 2014-2015 board of directors: Lori Erickson (1st Vice President), Dwayne Eagleson (2nd Vice President), Leigh Stuart (Treasurer), Kevin Wilkie (Past President), Tyler Hansen, Dorinda Gallant, Justin Munchinsky, Tim Jackson, Troy Walker, Kelly Coutts, Brandon Bouchard, and Marilyn LaRose; all ably supported by CHBA Central Alberta’s Executive Officer, Denie Olmstead, and his staff. As a team we will be working on the Fall Parade of Homes, an excellent opportunity for potential homebuyers to see the latest in home design and construction. Visitors can compare the styles of different builders, gather information and talk to the builders directly. We’re also hosting the 2014 Central Alberta Construction Industry Conference in late October to help promote professional development. You can see more about this on the CHBA – CA website. Also, in this time we will be conducting our strategic planning for the year at our annual board retreat to discuss our goals for the association and review the year past. Thanks for your continued support of the local home building industry and for reading Central Alberta Homes.
John Christie President, CHBA – Central Alberta
John Christie was born in Nelson, BC and has his Diploma in Engineering and Graphic Design from the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. John first joined Falcon Homes as a draftsperson, rising to his current position as General Manager.
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market overview
Housing starts up 10 per cent Multi-family projects continue upward trend By Ta n i s R eid
“T
he Red Deer market is no doubt one of the most exciting markets to follow in Canada,” says Ekaterina Kortava, Market Analyst for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “This is the market where housing demand is relatively strong and that is driven by the general economic outlook in the area.” Central Alberta continues to see unemployment rates well below national averages. The unemployment rate in the area is 2.5 per cent compared to the national average of 6.7 per cent. Net migration is another factor that effects housing demand. Net migration is at a record high with about 4,000 new people moving to Central Alberta in 2013. Also, mortgage rates are at historically low levels, further supporting strong housing demand which in turn drives both new home construction and resale activity. For the sixth consecutive month, total housing starts in the Red Deer CA (Census
Agglomeration) increased on a year-overyear basis in July. Total starts amounted to 50 units, up 39 per cent from a year earlier. For the year-to-date, total starts have risen by 16 per cent over the first seven months of 2013 to 521 units. Following a slight slowdown from 2013’s activity, single-detached starts in Red Deer increased in July by 12.5 per cent year-over-year to 36 units. To the end of July this year, single-family starts were nonetheless down by four per cent from January to July 2013 to 222 units. When it comes to housing starts, Central Alberta is currently being driven by multi-family starts. Multi-family (semi, row & apartment): Multi-family starts in Red Deer increased in July to 14 units from four units started a year earlier. So far this year, multiple unit starts were up 37 per cent over this time in 2013 to 299 units. In fact, 2014 is shaping up to be the best year for multiple dwelling starts in Red Deer since 2007.This can be attributed to
the fact that multi-family units have a significant price advantage over the single detached units. For the fifth Ekaterina Kortava consecutive month, residential MLS sales in the Red Deer region (Central Alberta) increased by double-digit (percent) levels year-over-year in July. Realtor sales in July were up by 12 per cent from year-ago levels to 582 units. After seven months in 2014, MLS sales were 13 per cent ahead of transactions recorded from January to July of last year to 3,418 units. “When you look at our Housing Market Outlook (HMO) forecast you’ll notice that we predict that this upward trend will in fact continue,” says Kortava.
Housing Starts in Central Alberta – January to June 2014 Location
Single-detached
Multi-family
Total
2014
2013
% Change
2014
2013
% Change
2014
2013
% Change
Clearwater County
28
35
-20
0
0
–
28
35
-20
Lacombe CA
17
39
-56
8
14
-43
25
53
-53
Lacombe County
22
28
-12
0
0
–
22
28
-21
Mountain View County
23
16
44
0
0
–
23
16
44
Red Deer City
186
200
-7
285
214
33
471
414
14
Red Deer County
49
39
26
1
8
-88
50
47
6
Sylvan Lake
59
69
-15
63
17
350
122
83
47
384
426
-10
251
250
43
741
676
10
Central Alberta
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feature
Going solar
Good for the planet, and the pocketbook By J ock M ackenzie
“O
ur electricity bill last month was $14,” say Helene and Hans Coppens, who live in an Avalon Discovery home in Ironside, and they’re thrilled with the benefits of solar power. Home builders in Red Deer have built solar powered homes...but not that many. “We’re eager and waiting for homeowners to show an interest,” says Kyle Cournoyer, Purchasing Lead for Laebon Homes. “It’s quite affordable right now,” says Lori Erickson, Sales Manager of Landmark Homes. Adding solar panels to either existing homes or to new construction hasn’t taken
off like one might expect. Why? Clearly, there’s a lack of understanding as to how solar arrays (panels) work, how sturdy they are, and how suitable they are for Albertans. And, of course, there’s the cost factor. “Conventional solar modules are set parallel to but a little bit off the roof to allow air flow,” says David Kelly, CEO of Skyfire Energy. When photons from the sun strike the panel, they cause the silicon modules to release their electrons which generates direct current (DC). “When light hits the material (photovoltaic cells) and electricity is generated,” says Kyle Kowaski, General Manager, Landmark Power, “it’s truly magical.” An inverter (either a micro or a central/ string inverter) is used to convert direct current to the alternating current used in a home. In both cases, the sole connection between the roof panels and the breaker is a wire.
Solar panels are incredibly strong. If they’re tough enough to be put on satellites sent into space, they’re resilient enough to stand even Alberta weather. Kyle Kasawski says, “They’re designed to handle large hail, high winds and extremely cold temperatures.” Says David Kelly of Skyfire Energy, “I’ve never seen a broken module in either
Solar panels are incredibly strong. If they’re tough enough to be put on satellites sent into space, they’re resilient enough to stand even Alberta weather.
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feature
Red Deer or Calgary in 13 years of doing solar.” And is central Alberta suited to solar panels? Yes. All of southern Alberta is capable of producing 1,200 – 1,300 kilowatt hours per kilowatt of solar installed per year. One might expect a place like Los Angeles to be considerably higher but it’s not — only 1,425 kilowatt hours. Panels set at 45 degrees on a south facing roof are easily capable of capturing 1,200 kilowatt hours of electricity. Sunny Alberta is, indeed, solar friendly. Alberta is one of the easiest places in Canada to make a grid connection. In this province, there’s a micro-generation policy that states your utility provider must: - allow you to connect to the grid - pay you the retail rate if you export energy - install a bi-directional meter at no cost In some instances, electrical meters have actually been seen to spin backwards. It takes four panels to generate a kilowatt of
energy. To establish a net zero on an average home for electricity, you would need seven to eight kilowatts — 32 solar panels — and 600 square feet of roof space. At a cost of a bit less than $1,000 per panel, the result is close to $30,000. On an average home’s electrical bill, a saving of $1,200 per year means a four per cent return on your investment. Not bad and support for solar is likely to get better. Recently, Landmark Homes established a partnership with the Climate Change Emission Management Corporation. The CCEMC was set up by the Alberta government in 2008 when it established a tax on carbon emissions. Some of the monies earned through that initiative have been set aside to lower the cost of establishing solar power for all Albertans. More news awaits. The provincial government is set to announce its Renewable and Alternative Energy Framework. Is it time for a major shift to solar power? If the sun comes up in the east again tomorrow, the chances are good.
Panels set at 45 degrees on a south facing roof are easily capable of capturing 1,200 kilowatt hours of electricity.
Kyle Kowaski 12
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feature
And the winners are…
CHBA – Central Alberta members recieve awards at provincial Awards of Excellence in Housing annual gala
T
he Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta (CHBA – CA) is proud to congratulate the winners of the 2014 Awards of Excellence in Housing, presented September 19 at BUILD 2014, CHBA – Alberta’s annual conference at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Calgary’s Albi Homes won the Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year Award in the large volume category, while Ashcroft Master Builder out of Lethbridge took Builder of the Year honours in the small volume category. Homes By Avi, who build in both Calgary and Edmonton, won in the multi-family segment. Two CHBA – CA members were also finalists in their categories; Falcon Homes for Builder of the Year, and Brian’s Plumbing and Heating for the Safety Leadership Award. Awards were also presented in many other categories to a total of 22 different companies, including a few of our own Central Alberta builders as listed here. For winners in all categories see visit www.chbaalberta.ca.
Category Awards Company
Falcon Homes
Model City
Single-family $245,000-$260,000 Cove Sylvan Lake
Estate Home $1,000,000-$1,175,000 Sorento Custom Homes Ridgewood
Red Deer
Multi-family Apartment over $325,000 Abbey Master Builder Modern Oasis
Red Deer
Awards of Merit True-Line Contracting Young residence
Central Alberta
Abbey Master Builder – Modern Oasis
PHBI 2014 New Homebuyers Choice Awards™ The New Homebuyers' Choice Awards™ program, sponsored by the Professional Home Builders Institute, is different than other industry awards because the results are based entirely on the voice of the customer through the New Home & Builder Review Program. All builders who are participating in the program are eligible for the awards. Central Alberta Winners 5 – 49 Possessions | Single Family Gold Seal Homes Inc. 50 – 149 Possessions | Single Family Asset Builders Corp. 50 – 149 Possessions | Multi Family Avalon Central Alberta
Falcon Homes – Cove F a l l 2 014
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industry news
October is Renovation Month Look for the RenoMark stamp of approval when hiring contractors By Ta n i s reid
I
t’s no surprise that Canadians love their homes. In fact, according to a 2012 Altus Group study homeowners spent more than $66 billion repairing, improving, upgrading and expanding their abodes. According to the report, that is slightly more than what is spent annually on building new homes across the country. And for a lot of people, there’s no better time for interior renovations than fall and winter. The kids are back in school, you’re spending less and less time in the yard and more time back indoors. That’s when you start to notice all the parts of your home that could use a tweak here and a update there or maybe you need a complete overhaul. If this sounds like you then the time to celebrate is near as RenoMark has declared October to be Renovation Month. Some people simply want to modernize their living space. Others want to increase the value of their home and some people just want a change. There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating a new space for you and your family. KCB Cabinets and Renovations in Red Deer offers services such as wall removal, plumbing, electrical, drywall, carpentry, flooring, cabinets and insulation. Kim Meckler Meanwhile, Carpet
Colour Centre offers other renovation specialties. “We do the flooring, we do the window covering, it’s a mixed bag,” says interior designer Kim Meckler. “I can do anything from a simple paint consult to completely ripping your house apart.” To give you confidence, to reduce risk, to minimize inconvenience while upgrading here home, here are some tips from the pros to make your renovation go as smoothly as possible. 1. RenoMark says that research is the key to getting what you want. Take into consideration your lifestyle and the needs of your family. What is your budget? Consult with a professional renovator who can help establish a budget. Look into any permit requirements. Contact your insurance broker to review your homeowners insurance policy as you may need to notify them about your project. 2. Hire a professional. Meckler sends out this advice to anyone looking to do any type of upgrade to their home. “You should definitely be looking for someone who is licensed, not just some handyman off Kijiji who has a truck and a tool belt. You want a licensed contractor who will bring in those licensed trades to do the work.” Where can you find these contractors? RenoMark is the answer. RenoMark members have agreed to abide by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct
Rick Sauve
and are informed and “in the loop”. RenoMark is a national source for renovation advice and professional renovation contractors. They are here to help you make informed decisions about your home’s renovation project so you can renovate with confidence. Their website will help you better understand how to best approach your project, how to do your research and then find the right company to do the job. 3. Finally, get everything in writing. “You need a contract detailing everything that the contractor is going to do and what the homeowner is going to do,” says Rick Sauve, owner of KCB Cabinets and Renovations. “Have it written out in black and white. Have all the preliminary work done so there’s no hard feelings down the road.”
To find out more about home renovations or to find a professional RenoMark Renovator near you visit www.renomark.ca F a l l 2 014
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Funding structure Keeping up with the growth in Red Deer
by Shelle y Newma n
A
ccording to Red Deer’s 2014 municipal census, our city is home to just over 98,000 people. 10 years ago, back in 2004, just under 76,000 residents lived here. And, in 10 years — in 2024 — the projected population will be 128,420, based on a medium annual growth rate of 2.23 per cent. The numbers reinforce what we can already see: Central Alberta is growing at a tremendous rate. With this growth, comes an interesting challenge: how do you plan for and build the infrastructure to support this increasing population? How do you pay for the development and maintenance of systems to help people get where they need to go and receive services they need to live? The answers are found in a rather complex but logical solution: funding from multiple sources is used to build the roads, create the neighbourhood amenities and construct the services across the community.
Funding sources “As we grow, the costs are shared between The City, the Provincial government, the Federal government and developers,” says Craig Curtis, city manager with The City of Red Deer. While The City’s funding comes from municipal tax dollars collected annually, money from the other two levels of government is from specific funds related to community and infrastructure development. “The Federal government has the Gas Tax Fund, which is a yearly lump sum amount that’s quite generous and is increased by inflation,” Curtis explains. “There is also the New Building Canada Fund, which is a Federal program that’s just begun, and the money will target capital projects.” In addition, the Provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative Fund provides money to communities in Alberta. Each year, The City of Red Deer receives money from these three funds as one-time
The Taylor Drive reconfiguration was one of the major downtown projects this year
Craig Curtis block grants. These grants are allocated to the projects deemed as priorities, from retroactive infrastructure upgrades to improvements in areas. The fourth funding source for municipalities comes from developers. “Funding from the development industry supports new growth,” says Gregg Broks, senior development manager for the Red Deer region with Melcor Developments Ltd. and chair of the Urban Development Institute of Central Alberta. “That happens in a couple of ways: covering the costs of infrastructure in new subdivisions and paying into off-site levies that are used to fund infrastructure in the community overall.” Whenever a developer creates a new subdivision, the company pays for infrastructure such as “the underground portions, which are completed when the F a l l 2 014
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subdivision is created,” as Broks explains. This list includes local sewer and water utilities, as well as gas, electric and telecommunications lines. It also includes surface and above-ground infrastructure in a subdivision, such as roads, sidewalks and street lights. The off-site levy developers pay into creates a fund that The City uses for growth-related projects. “In some provinces, different items may be funded through off-site levies. But in Alberta, the money can only be used for development related to growth,” says Curtis. “The collection of these levies is defined by the Municipal Government Act, which establishes the revenue sharing between developers and municipalities.” Levies may fund either present or future infrastructure that’s required because of growth, and developers pay a fee based on the size of the new subdivision they’re creating. “As a developer, Melcor pays the levy once for each new subdivision we create,” Broks explains. “The City then puts this money into a larger pool, and that’s used as part of the funding for more major, community-wide projects like storm sewer trunklines and major roads.”
Building projects When you look at a community like Red Deer, examples of recent infrastructure projects help to clarify the different funding sources at work. One major road project this summer was the Taylor Drive reconfiguration, which was paid for through City funding, as it related to revitalization, not new growth. “It’s interesting how the funding sources change over time — when Taylor Drive was initially put in, it was paid for by the Province,” Curtis explains. “Now, the current upgrades are part of the Greater Downtown Action Plan work with the development of the Riverlands, and that’s a City project.” For other road construction projects, local roads within subdivisions are funded by developers and, in general, “if a road has a 18
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Father Henri Voisin School in Clearview Ridge is one of the new schools built in Red Deer this summer highway designation, then it’s Provincially funded,” Broks says. As another example, the upcoming bridge over the Red Deer River, which is part of the north highway connector project, will be funded by The City and off-site levies, says Curtis. From roads to schools, several new schools have been built this summer, including the Father Henri Voisin School in Clearview Ridge and the École Barrie Wilson Elementary School in Timberlands. School construction is funded by the Province of Alberta, but land for the school site is provided by developers as part of the municipal reserve. Since the size of the site increases with the type of school, the land requirements can become challenging. “Elementary schools require seven acres and junior high schools are on 10-acre sites, but high schools are much larger,” says Broks. “We’re happy to support schools, but it can become a challenge with the land required.” Curtis agrees: “High school sites
can require as much as 80 acres, which is a huge amount, so it’s definitely an on-going discussion as to who pays for the site and the servicing.” Another recent community project that’s located in a school is the new library in École Barrie Wilson Elementary School. Typically, Red Deer Public Library is funded by The City, with a small grant from the Provincial government. The new school library, however, offers students a much larger facility, thanks to a funding partnership between The City and Red Deer Public School Board. “By constructing this new facility through joint funding, we found a creative way to enhance the services that are offered,” says Curtis. Creativity, combined with extensive planning is the only way to ensure Red Deer’s infrastructure continues to grow to meet the population’s needs. For a list of major projects on-the-go in 2014, visit www.reddeer.ca/engineering.
events
Everybody loves a parade! Including Central Alberta home builders ... and buyers
T
his year’s Fall Parade of Homes is scheduled for October 10-26 (covering three weekends), and includes no fewer than 13 Red Deer and area builders and 23 show homes located in Red Deer, Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake. Admission to all the homes is free, and there’s a special ‘Passport’ program offering parade-goers a chance at a major prize. “We invite member home builders, local developers, and trade partners to join the program,” says Denie Olmstead, executive director of the Canadian Home Builders Association – Central Alberta Region, organizers of the parade. “The campaign focuses on educating the public on the benefits of buying a new home. The Fall Parade of Homes really recognizes
Builders in parade* Abbey Master Builder Colbray Homes Eagle Ridge Homes Corp Falcon Homes Ltd. Henderson Homes Ltd. Laebon Homes Landmark Homes Red Deer Larkaun Homes Ltd. Prominent Homes Ltd. Riser Homes Sorento Custom Homes True-Line Homes Unique Elevations
*As of September 12
the achievements of local builders and showcases innovations in building, new home features, and local trends,” he says. “Plus, there’s a Passport contest with a major door prize giveaway and other prizes for those who visit a minimum number of homes. “The Parade of Homes is a convenient way for the home buyer to shop for a new home and talk directly with the new home builders. It gives each visitor an opportunity to “window shop” for beautiful homes and maybe find the home of their dreams! For those who already own their own home, the Parade may provide new design ideas or may inspire a home improvement project.” Corporate sponsors of the event include
Melcor Development, Red Deer Advocate, Kraze and Sunny FM, All Weather Windows, Red Deer Overdoor, Eagle Ridge Homes, Prominent Homes Ltd., Red Deer Lighting, Trail Appliances, Wolf Creek Building Supplies Ltd., Dominion Lending Centre — Regional Mortgage, and Central Alberta Homes, the official magazine of the CHBA – CA. Show home hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays for all of the official parade weekend dates in October (October 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26).
Check the CHBA – Central Alberta website at www.chbaca.ca for up-to-date details including show home addresses.
Laebon Homes
Landmark Homes
Riser Homes True-Line Homes
Creating new developments in northeast Red Deer
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show home profile
Riser Homes Pleasing to the senses and the environment by Ta n i s R eid
L
ooking for a new home in a neighbourhood that is both family and environmentally friendly? Lots of people are, and they don’t have to look any further than Riser Homes’ newest show home, located a 11 Morris Court in McKay Ranch in East Blackfalds. This two-storey, 2,600-square-foot home with three bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms has been built to Built Green® standards, meaning the home has reached an enerGuide rating of 76 or higher. This is not only good for the environment but has benefits to the home owner as well. What does this mean for the buyer? Increased market and resale value, increased comfort, lower maintenance costs, lower energy and water costs and of course lower environmental impact. At Riser, you will notice that everything is a little different. It’s the attention to detail that will make you fall in love with your potential new home. In the belly of the beast, the utility room, you will see the Built Green® theme continued. You will notice the in floor heating, the R22 insulation and an enerGuide Goodman furnace that is 96.1 energy efficient. In addition, all joints and connections in the utility room are sprayed with fire insulated spray and are taped for heat loss so there is no leakage of any type. Nothing is spared when it comes to the efficiency of this home. “We put the best in every house,” says Lloyd Fiddler a sales representative with Riser Homes. “It doesn’t matter if you build your house if it’s
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a 800-square-foot house to a 4,000-squarefoot house, we use exactly the same products on everything.” This home with The Teak floor plan is as easy on the eyes as it is on the environment, which says a lot because Riser Homes usually rates gold when rated by Built Green®. When you enter the home from the double garage you have the entry and mud room, with convenient seating, as well as a bathroom and laundry. Continue into the kitchen and you are welcomed into a chef’s dream. The large windows and standard nine-foot ceilings throughout the main floor transform it
into a bright, airy setting for you to create your culinary delights with ease. The granite countertops, tile backsplash, full wall cabinets and four new Whirlpool appliances make this heart of the home an easy place to prepare food and to prepare for the day. Just off the kitchen is the dining room which, adorned with large windows, is bright and inviting. Past this gathering spot
show home profile
Photos courtesy Riser Homes
is the living room that hosts an energy efficient, direct vent gas fireplace and room for a 55-inch built-in television set. Next to this communal area is a private office on near the front door entryway. Heading up the stairs to the second storey, the home continues to be open and bright. The glass railing running up the stairs adds to this effect and is complimented by yet more large windows. The upper level has three bedrooms, a master bedroom with ensuite, two childsized rooms, and a full bathroom. The master bedroom is large at 16 by 14 feet, with a nice walk-in closet. Another
pleasant discovery is the ensuite, which features an air-jetted tub, a spa-like shower and dual sinks. It is all finished in tile with laminate counters. In the basement there is ample room for a children’s entertainment room where they can watch TV and play games to their hearts’ content. There’s also room for entertaining adult guests, complete with TV, couch, games room and bar. The level is completed by another bedroom and full bath. From the location, to the floor plan, to the way the home was built, it’s the perfect environment to call home.
The large windows and standard nine-foot ceilings throughout the main floor transform it into a bright, airy setting for you to create your culinary delights with ease. F a l l 2 014
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builder profile
True teamwork
The perfect recipe for creating custom True-Line Homes by Shelle y Newma n
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014 has been a big year for TrueLine Homes. Earlier this year, they received two major awards at the Canadian Home Builders Association Central Alberta Region housing gala, being named both Builder of the Year — Large Volume and Renovator of the Year. That in itself is a huge honour, but it’s the breakdown of the awards criteria, with 25 per cent of the scores coming from customer surveys and 25 per cent from trades and supplier surveys that is the most meaningful for the True-Line team. “It always means a lot to be recognized for putting in the effort and doing a good job,” says True-Line president Phil Neufeld. “Our program since the company started has been to put together great homes for great customers. To know we’re considered number one for customer and trades satisfaction — that’s the most important part of these awards for us.” At True-Line, the standard is set high: to create custom homes that are affordable. This customization starts at the beginning, when clients establish what home plan is right for them. Staff members work with customers to determine their needs and wants, and then they work together to create a plan, which may involve tweaking one of the company’s existing house plans or creating an entirely new home. The level of customization depends on the client’s wishes, and it involves all aspects of the home — from exterior to interior, top to bottom. “We work to provide all customers with the choice, flexibility and selection 24
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to create the custom homes that suit their lifestyles,” says Neufeld. “When people are satisfied and happy with the homes they’ve created, that’s what it’s all about.” With over 40 years in the construction industry in Red Deer, Neufeld has been involved with building countless homes. When he and his wife, Sue, founded TrueLine in 1990, he took care of all aspects of the building process. “I think it’s like that whenever you start a new company:
for the first few years, you do everything yourself,” he recalls. “We initially built one to two houses per year, and over time we had a nice, steady growth to get to where we are now.” The growth of the company has resulted in the growth of the True-Line team of employees and trades, many who have worked together for years. “We have staff members that have been together for a long time,” says Neufeld. “They bring
“To know we’re considered number one for customer and trades satisfaction — that’s the most important part of these awards for us.”
builder profile
True-Line Homes team at the CHBA – Central Alberta Housing Gala
a lot experience and knowledge to the homes we build. When you have people in the background with so much knowledge and good, skilled trades in the foreground, the end result is a great product.” Kevin Wilkie, vice president of sales with True-Line, also sees the positive results from the staff and trades working together so well. “We believe in the construction side of the process and, for all of our sales staff, that means everything,” he says. “When we’re first talking with potential customers and describing what True-Line has to offer, we can say with confidence that the final product will be a home that’s a great fit for their needs.” Looking ahead, Neufeld and Wilkie estimate they’ll complete approximately
45 homes again this year, and they’ll also be involved with community projects. “We’ve built homes for a wide number of community organizations over the years, and we’re happy to be building the Kinsmen Dream Home again this year,” Wilkie says. Whether they’re building for a charitable organization or a customer, Neufeld emphasizes the importance of the hardworking team to keep all areas running smoothly. “No matter what project we’re working on, we simply couldn’t do it without a joint effort between staff and trades,” he says. “We’ve got an incredible team that takes pride in what they do, and the extra effort they put in translates into quality homes for customers.”
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developer profile
Melcor Developments Committed to building quality communities
by ta n i s reid
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elcor Developments builds communities. More than just collections of beautiful homes, they are places where neighbours connect and families grow. This community building starts with a vision. “It takes a lot more than just popping up some new homes,” says Gregg Broks, Senior Development Manager with Melcor in Red Deer. “It starts in a field, when you purchase the land and have a vision for what that community’s going to be like before anyone even sees roads or homes.” Starting as a real estate brokerage just over 90 years ago, Melcor began building
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homes and developing communities in Red Deer in the late 1970s. Since then they have become Central Alberta’s premier developer, with active communities in Penhold, Sylvan Lake and Red Deer. The Red Deer office oversees all local communities, ensuring that Central Alberta communities are created by people who live and work right here. “That’s how a premier community takes shape,” says Broks. “We pride ourselves in looking for the special details that make our developments somewhere you want to live in for a long time.” But after they find exceptional
locations, Melcor goes a step further. Their employees serve on local boards, sponsor local charity organizations, and support local events, such as the Fresh Air Cinema Series in Sylvan Lake. Melcor remains committed to quality and to building communities with product for all market segments. They are excited about the work being done in Sylvan Lake in The Vista at Ryders Ridge. This community will be built on the highest south slopes of town with views to Sylvan Lake. The terraced lots and the view set The Vista apart from other properties. Inside, The Vista homes will feature more
contemporary, modern architecture. “Families will discover a nice cuttingedge look that you would see in some of the larger centres. You see little bits of it here and there in other communities, but the strong architectural controls in the Vista — and all our amenities — help retain value,” says Broks, “That’s a guarantee.” “Every time a family buys a Melcor property it’s more than a simple purchase, it’s an investment in a community that retains its value over the long term.” Melcor will showcase their new communities with show home parades in Central Alberta this Fall. In Sylvan Lake The Vista will be introduced with a rolling show home parade. In southeast Red Deer the Laredo parade consists of 13 new show homes in a row, the largest parade Melcor has put on. Penhold will have its own parade starting in 2015. “As we continue to look towards the future, we look back to our roots, and we give back,” concludes Broks. “Because this just isn’t the land of opportunity, it’s our home.“
developer profile
“Every time a family buys a Melcor property it’s more than a simple purchase, it’s an investment in a community that retains its value over the long term.”
Clearview Ridge
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getting to know
Troy Walker Construction Manager, Laebon Homes
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y mom always said that I would be a carpenter,” says Troy Walker. “I didn’t believe her, yet here I am.” Now, however, instead of building tree forts with ziplines, drawbridges and rope swings, he’s Construction Manager for Laebon Homes, as well as serving his second term on the Board of Directors of CHBA-Central Alberta. “It’s really tough to pin down what I do in a typical day,” he says. “Basically, my main role is to support the Laebon ‘family’, which includes employees, trades people, suppliers and, of course, home buyers. I go to my share of meetings. Today I had a Project Manager meeting followed by meeting with a long time supplier. I then worked on arrangements for our company picnic. Tomorrow will probably be spent reviewing homeowner surveys, review on some construction processes and fit in an interview or two. It changes a lot from day to day and that is what keeps the job interesting.” Troy’s been at Laebon for 14 years, before which he had stints installing security systems and cameras, working as a welder’s
helper and even worked with a small home builder for a few summers during high school. He has his Red Seal Carpentry Journeyman Certificate from Red Deer College, plus Certificates for Professional Site Manager and Master Builder. Not bad for a kid from Withrow, Alberta, the second born of four children to two school teachers. “I live in Sylvan Lake now,” he says. “It’s a great place with a real sense of community. This year will be my 10 year anniversary with my wife Lydia. We have an eight year old daughter (Ava) and a six year old son (Levi). We both agree that two kids is enough, no pets needed.” With a growing family, it’s no surprise Troy’s outside interests revolve around family, friends and sports, and sometimes all three together. “I play rec hockey in the winter. Try to
“There are a lot of skilled, educated workers, just not enough of them. Building science has also drastically changed over the last decade and the workforce needs to be continually educated.” 30
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get in a little bit of golf and slowpitch in the Summer. I also coach my kids teams a fair bit. This last year a lot of time was spent coaching dynamite hockey for Levi’s team and U8 soccer for Ava’s team. A lot of my free time revolves around sport. My basement needs quite a few paint touch-ups as a result of some heavy duty mini stick hockey games. My favorite thing to do is vacationing with my family, preferably somewhere warm. I also see a dirt bike in the near future. I also should thank my wife for being a good sport as I seem to uproot the family and move about every three years.” What he likes best about living and working in Central Alberta is that this area is rich with opportunity. “Hard, honest work does get you somewhere,” he says. “There are a lot of good jobs to be had. The industry is fast paced and exciting.” Troy says the biggest challenge facing the home building industry is the lack of skilled, educated workers. “There are a lot of skilled, educated workers,” he says, “just not enough of them. Building science has also drastically changed over the last decade and the workforce needs to be continually educated.” As for his advice to new home buyers, that’s simple, he says, “Do your research. Use an experienced, credible builder that has a proven track record, who will be there for you long after you move in.”