New Home Living - February 2016 by Source Media Group

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VOLUME 12 ISSUE 122 n FEBRUARY 2016

contents

12 COVER FEATURE

Southwinds sets the standard Mattamy making its mark with new communities in Airdrie

FEATURE

18 Garden zen

Master gardener Carson Arthur discusses importance of a beautiful backyard at 2016 Home + Garden Show

PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9

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contents 22

FOCUS ON

10 Nighttime company

Keep the monsters under the bed at bay with fancy night lights

STYLE

15 Bedside manners

Colours play a big role in establishing the design and mood of your bedroom

SHOW HOME PROFILES

22 The homes of HillCrest

HillCrest show home parade brings style, sensibility to Airdrie

26 Innovative thinking

Jayman BUILT brings smart living to King’s Heights

COMMUNITY PROFILE

30 Heartland’s connection Friends, family congregate in Heartland, creating a connected community

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COLUMNS

33 Around Town 38 Hope at Large

ITEMS

8 Editor’s Message 36 Maps 39 Advertiser Index

editor’s message n

PUBLISHER

Early start to spring

It’s no secret; I’m a big fan of the home show experience, and people can readily see me at the Source Media Group booth at all the Calgary events. I love the energy of these shows, connecting with people — a lot of them, our readers — and finding out some of the best products for the industry, which I can then talk about in the magazine. But why I love it really is that they’re a reminder that spring — and warmer weather — is on the way. This month, we have complete coverage of the upcoming Calgary Home + Garden Show at the BMO Centre at the Stampede Grounds, and I can’t wait to go to see all the new lawn design ideas they will have at this gardencentric show (believe me, my lawn needs all the help it can get). We talk to landscape guru — and one of the headliners of the show — Carson Arthur and get his thoughts on how a spectacular garden helps bring up the value of your home. Speaking of backyards, you’ll have plenty to work on when you move to these new communities — with their bigger lot sizes — outside Calgary that we focus on in this issue. Southwinds is the newest community by Mattamy Homes in Airdrie and Jim Zang talks about the wide range of housing options available here from the renowned land developer and home builder. Then, we tour the APEX Development communities of Heartland in Cochrane and HillCrest in Airdrie, where their expertise in building communities with families in mind certainly come to the fore. Jayman BUILT’s innovative show homes in King’s Heights round out this issue. David Crosson gives us somedesign tips on master bedroom in his STYLE column. Which is complemented by Aaliya Essa’s photo essay on night lights in Focus On. A couple of months into 2016, and I’d say things are better than they seem in the home building industry — despite the gloomy forecasts the declining oil prices have brought. We’ll talk about this more when we do our market outlook feature next month. Stick around.

Source Media Group

info@sourcemediagroup.ca A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R

Jim Zang

jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITOR

Pepper Rodriguez

pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR

Jean Faye Rodriguez

jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Dave Macaulay

dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca P R O D U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R AT O R

Colleen Leier

colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL

David Crosson, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Jim Zang PHOTOGRAPHY

Pepper Rodriguez ADVERTISING

advertising@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING

accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY

Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA

©2016 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from 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 reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. New Home Living® is published 12 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and area. New Home Living® accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions including all personal information to nleditor@sourcemediagroup.ca. Unsolicited submissions will not be returned. Advertising information available only by request. New Home Living® is a registered Trademark the property of SOURCE MEDIA GROUP CORP. Reg. CIPO TMA 693289. Source Media Group, 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109, TF: 1.888.932.3101 E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca

NEXT MONTH:

Shopping and style for bathrooms

@CalgaryNewHomes

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NewHomeLivingCalgary

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focus on

NIGHTTIME COMPANY

Keep the monsters under the bed at bay with fancy night lights

THE LATEST DESIGNS in nightlights offer a variety of options, with styles for boys and girls, and they’re available in a more decorative look, too. With a little effort, it’s possible to find a light that matches your décor, or perhaps adds a little personality to the bedroom. NL

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3 4 6

5 [ 1 ] SPÖKA, $17.99 at Ikea. [ 2 ] SKIP*HOP® Zoo Take-Along Monkey Nightlight, $22.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 3 ] Boon Glo Nightlight, $89.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 4 ] Lava Lamp-Design Automatic LED Nightlight, $6.99 Canadian Tire. [ 5 ] Globe LED Rubber Duck Night Light, $7.99 at Canadian Tire. [ 6 ] Handpainted Sea Horse Night Light, $13.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 7 ] Disney® Star Wars 3D Darth Vader Light, $39.99 at Canadian Tire. [ 8 ] GummyGoods Gummy Bear Nightlight in Green, $36.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 9 ] Disney® Frozen Projectable Nightlight, $14.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

SOUTHWINDS SETS THE

STANDARD

ith each new community they develop, and each home they build, Mattamy Homes’ reputation for building complete communities with a diverse choice of product offerings and thoughtful architecture continues to grow. Southwinds, their encore community to Windsong, is their second community in Airdrie and the fourth master-planned community Mattamy has launched in the Calgary area since arriving in the market in 2009. Conveniently located on the west side of town, bordered by 8th Street and 40th Avenue S.W., Southwinds occupies approximately 150 acres of prime real estate in one of Airdrie’s most desirable areas, says Warren Saunders, vice-president of sales and marketing for Mattamy.

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Mattamy making its mark with new communities in Airdrie

As always, Mattamy is the exclusive builder within the communities they develop, with 1,150 homes expected at build-out in 2020, more than half of them (660) single-family. “A few hundred homes are already occupied in the first couple of phases,” he says, “we’re currently selling single and multi-family homes in phases 3 and 6.” One of the things that makes Mattamy stand out from other companies, says division sales manager Chris MacKinnon, is that “We are fully involved in every aspect of the design, approval, construction, and completion stages of our communities. This means that we build everything from the parks and pathway systems to the roadways and homes. It grants us an opportunity to offer unique streetscapes that aren’t provided in other areas of either city. We’re able to take the approach of providing a wider home, on a wider lot, which helps us break-up that monotonous look of garage after garage. “In addition,” he says, “it allows us to “pull” our homes forward and, depending on the home style, offer front porches — the perfect spot for people to read the news with their morning coffee, or for parents to watch their kids play ball hockey with the neighbours.” Being the sole developer and builder also enables Mattamy to develop

| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE | The Garnet show home

each community literally one street at a time, so that when people move in all the homes on the street are complete, and amenities are created alongside. “This allows us to provide a consistent vision throughout the life of the community,” says Saunders, noting that Southwinds is designed as an “active lifestyle community” with both a wide range of homes targeting several different home buyer price ranges and a variety of outdoor living amenities. One of the most popular of these is a community pathway system that connects several smaller parks and leads to centrally located Osborne Park. The almost three-acre park has a central plaza with seating areas, picnic area and a large trellis, as well as a large playground structure and toboggan hill. Another key amenity already developed is a storm water pond that was integrated with an environmental reserve in one of the first phases. “We went through a detailed process of harvesting 10,000 cuttings from the existing wetland,” says Saunders, “letting them grow in a nursery and segregating the unique wetland soils. After grading, we put the soil back and replanted the cuttings and it’s grown into a virtual forest providing a protected environmental reserve for residents to enjoy. It’s an absolute success and a model Airdrie will use for future storm water ponds.” Other planned amenities still to come include a future K–8 public school in Southwinds, major grocery outlets along 8th Street and some smaller “neighbourhood-style retail and commercial development” to be located just east of the community. Based on the success of their Windsong development, Mattamy has equally high hopes for Southwinds, says MacKinnon. “One of the reasons why customers find the Southwest neighborhood so attractive is that it offers five unique and affordable home styles.

We start with our Village and Urban Townhomes, transition to our single and double front-attached garage homes on 31-foot Lots, and round out the community with our Double Front-Attached Garage Homes on 40-foot lots.” “With five different home styles available,” he says, “we are able to offer something for almost everyone. Whether you’re a young professional moving out of mom and dad’s, a young couple looking to get out of that cramped apartment, a family wanting to plant their roots, or downsizers looking for an opportunity to free up some equity — Southwinds ticks the “ideal location” box for them all.”

Front drive show home

“With five different home styles available, we are able to offer something for almost everyone. Whether you’re a young professional moving out of mom and dad’s… or downsizers looking for an opportunity to free up some equity…” FEBRUARY 2016 NE W HOME LIVING

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

The Garnet show home

THE FOLLOWING SIX SHOW HOMES ARE OPEN IN SOUTHWINDS • The Jive is a 1,314 sq. ft. Village Townhome with 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms and an Attached Single Car Garage. • The Melrose is a 1,372 sq. ft. Urban Townhome with 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms and an Attached Double Car Garage. • The Vintage is a 1,983 sq. ft. Detached Single Family Home with 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, Upper Loft, Main Floor Den, and an Attached Single Car Garage. • The Kingsley is a 1,758 sq. ft. Detached Single Family Home that is uniquely designed for Corner Lots and features 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, Upper Loft, and an Attached Double Car Garage. • The Garnet is our 2,255 sq. ft. Two and a Half Story Detached Single Family Home with 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, and unique Split-Level Great Room that features a soaring 14’+ ceiling. It also offers an Attached Double Car Garage. • The Ruby is our largest show home, showcasing 2,496 sq. ft. 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, over-sized Main Floor Den, His and Hers Walk-in Closets in the Spacious Master Ensuite, and an Attached Double Car Garage.

From a geographic perspective, he says, home buyers come from all over the City of Airdrie, as well, as those who are looking for an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Calgary. In addition to the five basic home ‘styles’ (Village Townhomes, Urban Townhomes, Single Garage, Double Garage on 31-foot and Double Garage on 40-foot) there’s also a choice of dozens of actual unique floor plans ranging from the 1,086-square-foot Bravo Village Home right up to the 2,611-square-foot Sapphire model. Pricing starts from as low as $254,990 (including GST) right up to the low $500,000s. Of course a wide variety of upgrades are available to buyers of all home styles. “Our Architect’s Choice options provide opportunities to select variations to our standard layouts,” says MacKinnon, “while our Design Studio gives the option to add those personal touches such as hardwood flooring, granite countertops, or a fully-tiled shower. What’s different about Mattamy is that our Design Studio is available for all home types, including our townhomes.” n

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The show homes are located at 907 Windsong Drive in Airdrie. Hours are Monday to Thursday 1-8 p.m., Fridays from 1-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information visit www.mattamyhomes.com

The Garnet show home

style

Bedside manners n WRITTEN BY

David Crosson

Redford House’s Fiona bed exemplifies refinement in design— it’s like sleeping in a work of art!

ow that we are smack-dab in the middle of “indoor season,” I find myself turning more and more to the ‘tube for distraction. A favourite destination on the dial is the Turner Classic Movie Channel, a treasure trove of black-and-white gems from yesteryear. One thing that struck me on a recent TCM binge was how beautiful their bedrooms were — clearly conjured to fit the realm of escapist entertainment, but beautiful nonetheless. In many instances these were vast spaces that included expansive seating areas and epic en suite baths—boudoirs in every sense of the word (save the tawdry association we have with the term nowadays). Still, despite their abundance of square footage, size was less a factor than style in terms of their success. I know many people today tend not to fuss when it comes to decorating these less public of spaces but given that we spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, shouldn’t we be doing so in splendor?

PHOTO COURTESY REDFORD HOUSE

Colours play a big role in establishing the design and mood of your bedroom

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RIGHT: The open fretwork of the Window Headboard keeps even the most kingly of beds feeling open and airy—great for opening up small spaces or showing off an interesting wall behind.

goods. In this instance it’s a good idea to go with “diplomatic” window coverings, which need not be neutral, just versatile enough to pull together either scheme. Having different materials for warmer and cooler seasons is also a winning way to keep things interesting, even if the ‘cooler’ materials will likely be used for a longer period here in Cowtown… Speaking of temperature, when it comes to selecting colours remember that those residing on the cooler side of the colour wheel (greens, blues, purples) tend to be more recessive in nature and hence create a more restful atmospherev. Warmer colours such as reds, oranges and yellows really work well in public spaces like entry halls, living and dining rooms, so if you do select them for a bedroom look to more muted or subtle versions to counter their inherent high energy. I’m frequently asked if I like suites of furniture for bedrooms, which are designed to take the guesswork out of gussying up a space. I actually prefer to mix things up a bit but in smaller areas it doesn’t hurt to at least keep colours or wood tones compatible for visual cohesion. Redford House pieces, available in Calgary through Country Furniture, are superb elements for creating a dynamic room as you can mix their styles but keep the finish consistent. Matching paint colours or wood finishes is a great way to marry two diverse looks and with 28 options across their product offering you’re spoiled for choice.

PHOTO COURTESY REDFORD HOUSE

BELOW: The Isabella Nightstand makes itself at home in both traditional and transitional environments and is the perfect base for an elegant bedside lamp.

Being a fabric fanatic, I love doing bedrooms as they afford abundant opportunity to play with colour, pattern and texture. Throw pillows, shams, duvet covers, window treatments—all are perfect textile elements for creating the coziest of cocoons. Although there are some interesting ready-made options on the market, I always urge clients to go custom with at least their toss cushions and duvet covers, which lends a much more personal aspect to the space. And, depending on the fabric selected, this can often be as cost-effective as many big box counterparts. Developing a fabric scheme up front is a great way to give your bedroom a cohesive look without pinning you down to a single bed-in-a-bag colour palette. In many cases you can completely change the feel of a room by selecting two different looks that work well with existing wall colours and case

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PHOTO COURTESY WEST ELM

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FEBRUARY 2016

style

order. Of course, there’s no point in decorating a room if you can’t see it and lighting is crucial to the function of any space. If you enjoy reading in bed then bear in mind that your light source — be it a lamp, pendant or swing-arm sconce — should be situated about 18 inches off the shoulder that’s closest to the nightstand. I always prefer the softer, diffuse light cast by a linen shade but paper and hardback ones work equally well, especially if they are lined with gold to provide extra visual glow. Arteriors (available in Calgary at Robinson Lighting and Bath) is one of my favourite lighting manufacturers, offering a wide range of beautiful (and beautifully made) lamps that will provide the ultimate, jewellery-like finishing

TOP: The slightly Brutalist materials and asymmetrical shape of the Otis makes it a great choice for urban interiors with a bit of an industrial vibe.

RIGHT: Arteriors offers a wide variety of design options with a twist—literally in the case of their witty Roosevelt model.

touch to your room. If old Hollywood glamour is even of passing interest then this is a line you must check out, although their product offering is truly diverse and robust. Lights on or lights off, the key to a successful master bedroom is creating a space that makes you feel relaxed and at home, whatever your style. After all, we wouldn’t want you losing sleep over something as fabulous as design, would we? Sweet dreams… NL RIGHT: Strips of ontrend brass enliven the simple shape of the Metal Inlay Nightstand, great in the bedroom but also cool enough to be an end table.

PHOTO COURTESY WEST ELM

For a younger, more modern vibe, relative YYC newcomer West Elm also offers some stellar choices at a terrific price point. Whether it’s case goods (beds, dressers, nightstands) bedding or lighting, they have both the style and stock to deliver a stunning room, oftentimes in very short

PHOTO COURTESY ANTERIORS

Lights on or lights off, the key to a successful master bedroom is creating a space that makes you feel relaxed and at home, whatever your style.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: David Crosson is a freelance design writer and principal of the David Crosson Design Collective. He is a frequent media commentator on matters of life and style as well as a regular guest on CTV Morning Live.

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GARDEN ZEN

Master gardener Carson Arthur discusses importance of a beautiful backyard at 2016 Home + Garden Show n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

ardens are a way of bringing a small piece of nature into your private space. It can bring a sense of calm and relaxation in the middle of our urban lifestyle. It can also be a bountiful source of value for your home when the time comes to sell. Outdoor design expert and star of various HGTV Canada shows, Carson Arthur, has always believed that a beautifully landscaped yard is just as vital to the home as a wonderfully appointed kitchen or elaborate ensuite in raising its value. He will be one of the headliners in the much-anticipated Calgary Home + Garden Show happening at the Stampede Park from February 25 to 28.

Highlights of the 2016 Calgary Home +Garden Show

he 35th annual Calgary Home + Garden Show commences from February 25 to 28, 2016 at the BMO Centre & Corral in Stampede Park. As to be expected, the event will attract a bevy of established and rising stars in the home improvement firmament. Carson Arthur is one of the headliners, here’s a partial list of who else is going:

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André Chevigny General Manager, Pioneer Log Homes of B.C. The star of HGTV’s Timber Kings, André Chevigny oversees the operations of Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia. Pioneer Log Homes of BC custom builds unique log homes in Williams Lake, B.C. for clients around the globe. Each one is handcrafted on site, taken apart and shipped around the world and reconstructed in place. His devotion to the natural elements and passion for building beautiful log home is apparent in each piece of work. SEE HIM ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Friday, February 26, 6 p.m. Saturday, February 27, noon

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Arthur, who is making his second appearance at this popular spring home renovation show, will be discussing the dearth of garden shows on TV and the how to get the best in home renovations — especially for the garden. “I will get even more in-depth on the best renovations for your home…and surprising they are not always the kitchens and bathrooms. Outdoor renovations are huge right now as homeowners are making their houses work for them,” Arthur says. “I will also be answering the question ‘Why are there no gardening shows on TV anymore?’ This has been a contentious topic and attendees might be surprised at the answer…and the solutions!” Carson Arthur is an international landscape designer focused on environmentally friendly design, and who teaches homeowners how to raise the value of their homes through outdoor renovations. Carson is starring in HGTV Canada’s new series, Home to Win, and also writes a column for the Halifax Chronicle Herald and the Sun Media Group, and is the author of the sold out book Garden Designs for Outdoor Living. In 2015, Carson became the spokesperson for Canadian Tire’s latest initiative — Canvas, a complete line of outdoor furniture and accessories. At the Calgary show, Arthur will also address the on-going volatility in the home market and how the garden can help homeowners sell their homes at the best price. “It’s pretty clear that with a volatile housing market, Calgarians are focused on making sure that their homes hold their value. Focusing on renovations that improve our home values are always hot topics, and adding curb appeal to increase first impression values resonated with the Calgary community. People want to make their outdoor spaces work for their families but they want to know that every penny spent is increasing their home value.” He reminds readers that recognizing current and future needs in the design of your garden goes a long way to establish a lasting curb appeal. “I always want to meet the current and the future needs of the homeowner. Every

Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault Rust-Oleum Brand Spokesperson & Lifestyle Expert As a colour & design aficionado, lifestyle expert, and DIY doyenne, Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault has spent years crafting a unique philosophy for design that fuses ingenuity, whimsy, and quality workmanship — all on a “frugalista” budget. LeighAnn is a regular contributor on Cityline, a spokesperson for Black & Decker Canada and Rust-Oleum Canada as well as half of the popular duo, Once Upon a Reno. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE I Spy DIY: What’s hot this spring and how to get the look for less! Saturday, February 27, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 28, 1:30 p.m.

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Carson Arthur

renovation has to work for the family first and raise the value of the home second. What is the point if you spend money on something that you won’t even use in hopes of one day selling it?” But he says the current trend is for a functional garden. “The biggest trend for 2016: food, food and more food. With rising food prices and less money in our pockets due to a falling dollar, backyard gardens and what you can grow to feed your family will be front and centre in outdoor design. Raised beds, containers on balconies, vertical walls are all going to be hot spots for herbs and vegetables.”

Amanda Forrest Design and Lifestyle Expert Amanda Forrest is a designer and nationally recognized expert in home construction, project management, design and lifestyle trends. Her 15 years of practical experience and taste making continue to see her industry leading concepts featured on television, print and advertising as well as many national events like IDS West, The National Home Show and The International Builders Conference. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Saturday, February 27, 4 p.m.

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“Don’t try to re-invent the wheel, just steer it in the direction that YOU want to go!” Arthur also realizes the challenges Calgarian green thumbs face with our unique weather patterns. His advice is to pay attention to your surroundings. “If something is growing very well in your neighbor’s garden, odds are it will grow in yours. Even if you don’t want the exact same look, garden centre’s have hundreds of options of the same species thanks to amazing hybridization techniques being utilized by local growers. Don’t try to re-invent the wheel, just steer it in the direction that YOU want to go!” Arthur started this career in his own backyard. “I got into landscape design at the start of the outdoor room movement because I really wanted something different for

Highlights of the 2016 Calgary Home + Garden Show (continuation) Donna Balzer The No Guff Gardener Farmer’s daughter, army brat and University graduate in Horticulture, Donna Balzer is the no guff gardener. She cohosted the award winning, internationally broadcast, “Bugs & Blooms” on HGTV, answers Alberta-wide garden questions on CBC radio and is a regular columnist for the Calgary Herald. Canadian best selling No Guff Vegetable Gardening is her most recent book and is based on her love for growing food. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Friday, February 26, 5 p.m. Sunday, February 28, 2 p.m.

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Misha White Floral Designer, Amborella Floral Studio Misha has been mastering flowers for her entire life. She got her start at age 14 in Carlton Place, Ontario, where she learned what the industry was all about. In 2007 she moved to Calgary and got deeply involved in the city’s wedding scene. In 2012 she opened her now thriving shop, Amborella Floral Studio, and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Thursday, February 25, 5 p.m.

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Denise Wild DIY TV Host, Makeful Denise Wild is a sewing expert, TV host, author, and magazine editor. Denise is the host of a new series on the DIY channel Makeful, and she has regular television appearances that include the TODAY show, CityLine, The Shopping Channel, and Morning Live. Denise wrote the popular sewing reference book Mend & Make Fabulous. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE • How to use textiles to update your home on a budget Friday, February 26, 4 p.m. • Fabric care and stain removal Saturday, February 27, 7 p.m. • How to choose fabrics for your home Sunday, February 28, 11 a.m.

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Sharon McCormick Founder, Poppy Innovations Sharon McCormick founder of Poppy Innovations established the company with a mission to change the way we eat. Sharon is passionate about creating social change to reverse the rising obesity rates in our community by teaching children and adults how to grow, cook, can and preserve their own food to create healthy, lifelong habits. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Sunday, February 28, 3 p.m.

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my backyard. While I like plants, my passions have always been the way we can use and live in our outdoor spaces. “To me, filling the yard with flowers but not having a great patio or deck is a missed opportunity at fantastic useable space. Luckily for me, a lot of Canadians agreed which started my television career. My first tv show was Room To Grow, all about creating these outdoor rooms. I’ve always stuck to this message and it has carried me through to today!” Catch Carson Arthur at the Home + Garden Stage on Saturday, February 27 at 2:30 and 6 p.m., and on Sunday, February 28 at 6 p.m. NL

ADMISSION

n feature

Buy tickets online courtesy of RenovationFind and save $3 at www.calgaryhomeandgardenshow.com Adults (18+): $16 Seniors (60+): ONLINE $10 Adults (18+): ONLINE $13 Seniors Friday before 5 p.m. $7 (Box Office & Online) Seniors (60+): $13 Children 12 and under: FREE

Chelsie Anderson

Gardening Expert Chelsie Anderson understands gardens from a lifetime of hands-on experience. She has been the owner and operator of her gardening business “C2, Gardening with Heart” for almost 10 years where she passionately tends to existing gardens and installs new ones with inspiration. More recently she has been selling red wiggler worms and their poop, known as castings, to gardeners who love the soil as much as she does! SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Happiness in Body and Soil -will outline the benefits of strong soil biology through a series of personal and entertaining stories. Thursday, February 25, 1 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 11 a.m.

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Halyna Skala Tatary

P. Eng, MA (Architecture), Tataryn Group, RE/MAX Real Estate (Central) Halyna offers a specialized approach to home selling and buying in Calgary. She focuses on selling unique Inner City properties, especially heritage homes, helping buyers to make smart and informed decisions. Educated in Engineering, Urban Planning and Architecture, Halyna brings passion, extensive knowledge and dedication to her work with her clients. SEE HER ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE • Home Renovations Simplified: How to Plan and Execute a Successful Home Renovation Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m. • Downsizing Simplified: What you need to consider, options and pitfalls to avoid Friday, February 26, 2 p.m.

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David Crosson

Founder, David Crosson Design Collective For more than two decades, David Crosson has been a sought-after eye in both Vancouver and Calgary, lending his unique aesthetic to everything from exhibits and events to fashion and interiors. He now helms the David Crosson Design Collective, a boutique firm that encompasses a comprehensive network of contractors, tradespeople, artisans and architects. He is a frequent guest style contributor to CTV Morning Live. SEE HIM ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Entertain without the Pain Thursday, February 25, 4 p.m.

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Michael Alkema

Aborist Michael Alkema is an ISA certified arborist, working for The City of Calgary Parks as an Urban Forestry Technician. He has degrees in Biology and Forest Conservation. He previously worked on a residential tree planting program at an urban forestry non-profit in Toronto and in landscape construction and maintenance. SEE HIM ON THE HOME + GARDEN STAGE Caring for trees in Calgary – planning, planting, maintenance and post 2014 snowstorm management. Saturday, February 27, 5 p.m. NL

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show home profile n HillCrest show home parade

The homes of HillCrest HillCrest show home parade brings style, sensibility to Airdrie n WRITTEN AND PHOTOS BY

Pepper Rodriguez

A HOME ON THE HILL has never been more stylish or easier to own than in Airdrie’s HillCrest, where a distinguished builder group offers single-family move-up homes that blend a contemporary flair with functionality, and an affordability that can’t be matched in Calgary. Located along the southern edge of the Airdrie, the community of HillCrest, by APEX Developments, is possibly the easiest residential area to get to from Airdrie to Calgary, bar none. “There are no traffic lights between HillCrest and downtown Calgary,” says Trico Homes area manager Daniel Cryderman. “You can’t beat HillCrest in terms of accessibility.” People also like the architecture and the overall pristine nature of the community, it’s location on a hillside — Airdrie’s highest point — residents get to enjoy unmatched views. “There’s a striking stone tower and gatehouse as you enter the community, extensive landscaping and an array of parks and pathways spread throughout the area, and a beautiful entry feature that gives the community an estate feel,” says Excel Homes area manager Jason Gaveraeu. It’s family-friendly nature works well with its proximity to grocery stores, schools, and medical clinics. It’s also close to Genesis Place Recreation Centre, Plainsmen Arena, CrossIron Mills, several schools and an assortment of outdoor parks, picnic areas and recreation center’s. The 58.4-hectare community will have about 600 single-family homes on build out. HillCrest’s prestigious builder group for their move-up homes are among the most recognizable names in Calgary’s home building industry.

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They include Excel Homes (APEX Development’s home building arm), Shane Homes and Trico Homes. And what they offer here are some of the most affordable move-up homes anywhere with prices starting in the mid $400,000s. The show homes — all on walk-out lots — show terrific value. Shane Homes’ Jeff Brodowski says similar homes in Calgary will probably cost $50,000 to $100,000 more.

TOP Excel Homes’ Ambleside is one of its two unique show homes in HillCrest. Aside from the ultimate functionality of its main floor design is that it comes with a 618-square-foot loft at the top floor, essentially turning this into a three-level home – more if you decide to develop the basement.

LEFT Trico Homes’ The Ridgeway is its best seller in HillCrest, and the charms of this 2,179-square-foot home are easily seen in the show home. The central island and spacious walk-in pantry are some of the many attributes to the design’s functionality.

LEFT Shane Homes’ Fiesta II is one of the several front attached-garage homes they offer in HillCrest, but according to area manager Jeff Brodowski, buyers are not limited to the floor plans they can see at their show home. “We are a custom builder, and as long as we follow architectural standards for the exterior, we can really personalize interiors to the homeowners’ needs.”

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fast facts COMMUNITY: HillCrest, Airdrie DEVELOPER: APEX Developments BUILDERS: Exel Homes, Shane Homes, Trico Homes PRICE: Move-up homes start from the mid $400,000s, contact show homes for specifics. SHOW HOME PARADE: Hillcrest Drive, Airdrie DIRECTIONS: North on QEII, exit west on Yankee Valley Blvd., and turn left on 8 St. S.W. and follow the signs. HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.. Closed Fridays. WEBSITE: www.hillcrestairdrie.com

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Hillcrest show home parade

n show

home profile

TOP LEFT Creative use of space makes Excel’s 2,394-square-foot Leighton the perfect home for families needing extra room. It offers a unique tandem bay in the attached garage to for extra storage space, and its unique upstairs layout fits four bedrooms, a bonus room and a laundry. It is exclusive to HillCrest right now.

TOP Shane Homes’ Tofino II show home is a study in stylish functionality with its optional wall array kitchen design that creates a seamless flow for busy families. A walk-through pantry also provides convenient access from the garage. Shane Homes also offers townhomes and starter homes in HillCrest.

LEFT Trico Homes’ the Berkley show home brings a nice contemporary touch to the family home. Granite tops on the central island and perimeter counters in the kitchen blend well with the elegant hardwood flooring for a sophisticated look. The Berkley starts at $490,000. NL

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show home profile n Jayman BUILT

INNOVATIVE THINKING Jayman BUILT bringing smart living to King’s Heights n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

JAYMAN BUILT thrives on their practical, inventive home designs to carry the day, in fact, it’s what their buyers expect. The award-winning builder’s innovative design minds sparkle once again with new show homes in Airdrie’s King’s Heights. “Innovations is what we do, and it’s plain to see in our Verge and Nitro show homes,” says area manager Troy Taylor. The Verge is a new model that made it’s debut in King’s Heights, while the Nitro is one of Innovations by Jayman BUILT’s best-sellers. “But our version of The Nitro is different from the others in keeping with our mandate for innovative thinking.” The Verge is a 2,405-square-foot four-bedroom home that sparkles with new design ideas. While perennial favourite, The Nitro, was given a design twist that ensures this 1,938-squarefoot home will even be a bigger hit. Both are attached double garage homes that embody the single-family lifestyle with their contemporary design and flair, and prove, without a doubt, that Innovations by Jayman BUILT does not rest on its laurels. “Both the Nitro and the Verge feature amazing kitchens and ensuites combined with sensible floor plans that are designed and crafted with families that are busy and on the go!” Taylor says. Its location in the family-friendly neighbourhood of King’s Heights in southeast Airdrie fits the character of their homes perfectly. “King’s Heights in Airdrie is the perfect size to offer big city amenities while still maintaining that small town charm!” Taylor says. Melcor, the developer behind King’s Heights, has released Phase 19 and pre-sales have already started in this new phase which features greenspace walk-out lots. The Verge starts at around $467,000 including lot and GST, while The Nitro is at $412,000.

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LEFT The Nitro is a tried-and true design that has been one of Jayman BUILT’s bestsellers, the open concept floor plan with oversized windows and nine-foot ceilings frame a sexy, contemporary flair capped by the elegant fireplace.

BELOW The Nitro show home in King’s Heights is a three-bedroom home that adds a bonus room option to the standard design, which makes it more in tune with the needs of a family with older children.

LEFT The attached ensuite and spacious walk-in closet are some of the biggest reasons for The Nitro’s popularity, with luxurious features not normally found in its price range.

FAR LEFT The Nitro has a smart, urbane demeanor, heaped with fantastic functionality. The wrap-around kitchen design is also one of its most remarkable features, and its laminate countertops go a long way in showing that laminate doesn’t have to be boring.

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show home profile n Jayman BUILT

RIGHT The Verge’s modern kitchen is designed to great effect, featuring an L-shaped peninsula of kitchen counters for a better workflow and an central island that maximizes utilization of space.

BELOW Jayman BUILT went all out in outfitting The Verge with all the bells and whistles of an ideal show home that shows visitors the whole potential of the home, and a distinct modern touch makes it feel more like a classy inner-city home.

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fast facts BUILDER: Jayman BUILT ABOVE Quartz countertops add glamour to the gleaming sophistication of the kitchen, and the engineered hardwood flooring throughout the main floor gives The Verge an added executive touch.

COMMUNITY: King’s Heights, Airdrie DEVELOPER: Melcor Developments STYLE: Two-storey front-attached homes SIZE: The Nitro starts from 1,674 sq. ft., The Verge is at 2,405 sq. ft. PRICE: The Nitro starts at $412,000 including GST, and The Verge is from $467,000 ADDRESS: 346 and 350 King’s Heights Drive S.E., Airdrie

LEFT The real show stopper for The Verge is its inventive way of maximizing the use of space in the upper floor, which has four bedrooms, two full baths, a laundry room and huge bonus room. The owners’ suite even has separate hisand-hers walk-in closets in the well-appointed attached five-piece ensuite. NL

HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE:www.jayman.com

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community profile n Heartland by APEX

Heartland’s connection Friends, family congregate in Heartland, creating a connected community n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez WORD-OF-MOUTH IS A powerful thing, just look at how referrals have transformed Cochrane’s Heartland into a community of friends and relatives. “Word gets around quickly, and when buyers tell their friends and relatives about how great living in Heartland is, they all seem to want to follow,” says Charla Power, Excel Homes’ area manager. “As a result, Heartland has a unique familial connection with the number of referrals we’ve been able to generate over the last few years.” Why everyone is falling in love with Heartland is easy to see, not the least of which is the amazing amount of green space that surrounds the community and gives it a feeling of true country living. There’s even more to love now, as this year also saw the introduction of Jayman BUILT as the newest builder in the community.

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n community

“Heartland is an affordable and growing community, and a great opportunity for Jayman BUILT to keep with the momentum of Cochrane’s growth,” says Jayman BUILT area manager, Kym Daigle. “We are looking forward to showing off our great family floor plans at a price point that really makes sense.” Both Excel Homes and Jayman BUILT have opened new show homes in this APEX Development community on the western part of Cochrane. An abundance of choice in homes, surrounded by large green spaces, and the proximity to the indoor/outdoor lifestyle has already made Heartland into one of the fastest growing communities in town. “Heartland is a 250-acre community,” says Susan Henderson, Senior Development Manager for Apex Developments. “When it is complete it will have approximately 1,500 homes that are a mix of single-family, duplex and freehold townhomes. There are also six multi-family sites, a local commercial site, lots of parks and a great pathway system to get around the community safely. Heartland

profile

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community profile n Heartland by APEX

offers such a wide selection of product that it’s able to welcome first time buyers, empty nesters, and move-ups,” she adds. Excel Homes offers a selection of both single-family and street townhomes with no condo fees, which is perfect for buyers from a variety of demographics. Jayman BUILT also offers a selection of single-family. With four new show homes, buyers have the opportunity to see for themselves the different designs available, from a range in sizes, to a range in price, there are options for every buyer, all offering exceptional value,. The Radison is 2,046 square-feet, starts from around $430,000, and includes four-bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. There is a tandem car garage option, which could be substituted for a main floor den, making it possible to have options that cater to your lifestyle. This show home has nine-foot ceilings, with a vaulted ceiling in the bonus room, which really opens things up. Yet another option, The Edendale model includes three-bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a large bonus room over the garage. This home is 1,918 square-feet and is priced to start at around $400,000s. “Big families are our main demographic in Heartland and our homes are designed to fit their needs,” Power says. Having their homes built to meet BuiltGreen standards is another way that Excel brings peace of mind to homeowners. Excel also offers townhomes in Heartland. “Prices start at a modest $300,000, including townhouse, lot & GST — plus, these townhomes are freehold, which means there are no condo fees. It’s a great bonus for buyers,” says Henderson. Jayman BUILT, meanwhile, offers double front-attached garage twostorey homes, ranging from 1,900 to 2,400 square-feet, “with our Best Price First policy pricing starting at $409,000,” Daigle says. Their best-selling Nitro and the new Dakota show homes are now open. “We believe homeowners are going to love the lifestyle and mountain views Heartland offers, plus the quick, relaxing drive to Canmore, Banff,

“We believe homeowners are going to love the lifestyle and mountain views Heartland offers, plus the quick, relaxing drive to Canmore, Banff, and the mountain parks, and downtown Calgary from Highway 1A.”

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fast facts COMMUNITY: Heartland, Cochrane DEVELOPER: APEX Developments BUILDERS: Excel Homes, Jayman BUILT STYLE: Townhomes, laned homes, front-drive single-family PRICE: Townhomes from $299,000; laned homes from $336,000; front-drive single-family $400,000 ADDRESS: 5 Thoroughbred Blvd., Cochrane DIRECTIONS: West on Hwy 1A, turn left on Horsecreek Rd. and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m., Heartland Townhomes closed Thursdays WEB: www.heartlandcochrane.com

and the mountain parks, and downtown Calgary from Highway 1A,” she adds. Heartland will have multiple parks and playgrounds, a pathway system that will connect the whole community, a commercial site, as well as three points of access for convenience traveling in and out of the community. The Town of Cochrane has a beautiful river pathway system and off leash dog parks as well boasts a new downtown commercial district with lots of shopping and restaurants. APEX is known for their excellence in designing communities that enhance the lives of their residents, where coming home is truly the best part of your day, and that is exactly what you find here in the Heartland. NL

around town n

By Pepper Rodriguez

CHBA – CALGARY, UDI MERGER GOES TO A VOTE THE CANADIAN HOME Builders’ Association – Calgary Region (CHBA – CR) has voted unanimously to go forward with merger proceedings with the Urban Development Institute-Calgary (UDI). Donna Moore, CEO of CHBA – CR, made the announcement after a unanimous vote among members of the association that represents more than 600 companies in Calgary’s home building industry. UDI-Calgary, on the other hand, represents the local land developers. Talks to merge the two entities have been in the works for the past few years, which proponents says will result in a more unified Donna Moore voice for thw whole industry in the residential development of the city. “The next phase in the process is to provide the details of the amalgamation to the membership, address and answer any concerns or questions you may have and finally, ask you, our members to formally vote on proceeding with the amalgamation of our two organizations. This is the Membership Engagement phase of the process,” Moore says. “We have a lot of information to share with you, and will start this sharing at the upcoming Economic Dinner meeting on January 13. More information will be forthcoming after that, and we will be scheduling one-on-one discussions or meetings with you in February to walk you through the plan, discuss the benefits of the amalgamation and the operational and organizational details of the amalgamated entities.” She adds that a vote to proceed with amalgamation will likely be held in late February or early March, 2016.

LOWER OIL PRICES IMPACT HOME STARTS THE NEW YEAR began what could be a rough ride for the Calgary housing industry. Housing starts for the period from December 2014 to December 2015 showed the impact of sliding oil prices on the market. Actual single-family home starts in Calgary dipped 27 per cent from 427 in December 2014 to 312 last year. Row houses, townhomes, duplexes and condos show a slight uptick from 413 to 444 for a gain of eight per cent. But it could not tilt the balance, as totals were down 10 per cent from 840 in 2014 to 756 in that period. The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area’s (CMA) seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR)1 also reflected a month-to-month downward trend at 12,716 units in December compared to 14,388 in November, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR)1 of total housing starts. “New home demand in 2015 has moderated as employment, migration and consumer confidence have been impacted by low oil prices,” says Richard Cho, CMHC’s Principal, Market Analysis for Calgary.

AUGUSTA OPENS 2016 STARS LOTTERY HOME AUGUSTA FINE HOMES is proud to announce the opening of its latest STARS Home Lottery grand prize show home in the new community of Harmony in Springbank. The Custom Callaway is the latest in Augusta’s long line of STARS Lottery grand prize homes and is 3,009 squarefeet to custom glory. It is a glorious two-storey, three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home with large open plan concept with a main floor flex room. It also features a designer kitchen island, kitchen counters, and backsplash, with premium hardwood and tile flooring. This triple-car garage home has heated tile ﬂoors in the master ensuite, a large upper floor laundry with sink and bright bonus room, and a fully furnished, including custom blinds and drapery. And, of course, complete professional landscaping with irrigation. It is valued at $1.45 million and is located at 27 Prairie Smoke Rise — The Community of Harmony, Rocky View County. The show home is open Mon-Thurs: 3 to 8 p.m. Weekends and holidays: Noon to 5 p.m. Fridays: Closed NL

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calgary map

Northwest

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Northeast n calgary map

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calgary map

Southwest

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Southeast/Calgary area n calgary map

AIRDRIE

OKOTOKS

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hope at large n

By Marty Hope

NUMBERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT It may not be all doom and gloom in the 2016 housing market DEPENDING ON WHOSE crystal ball one happens to be looking through, the economy in Calgary can be varying shades of grey — some tending towards black clouds and others to a lighter misty colour. How about we focus on the more optimistic view — although still fraught with ifs and buts — presented by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and directed towards the city’s new homes sector. The federal housing agency, in its first look at 2016, is suggesting that economic stabilization might just be closer than other prognosticators are saying. The big news from Richard Cho, principal in CMHC’s market analysis department in the Calgary office, is: “We are anticipating housing activity to start stabilizing in the second half of 2016.” Say what?? Other number-crunchers and think-tank forecasters are saying no turnaround in economic fortunes until as far away as 2017, with oil prices sliding further, and the loonie continuing to weaken. Cho doesn’t go that far, but remember, stabilization and rebound are two different animals. For 2016, “we are not expecting housing activity to quickly rebound.

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Housing demand will be weighed down by slower employment growth and a modest reduction in net migration,” he says before dropping the good news bomb about the start of stabilization. But the economy being a fickle thing to try to predict, that bomb could well turn out to be a timing dud. Here, in hard numbers, is what Cho is seeing for this year in terms of single-family housing starts. In the CMHC 2016 outlook document released in October, Cho says that while single-detached starts are not expected to decline further in 2016, new construction is anticipatRichard Cho ed to remain “relatively low throughout the forecast period.” Employment growth will be muted in 2016 as job losses are expected in the early months of the year. But in the second half of this years and into 2017, conditions are anticipated to “gradually improve” which, in turn, will support more housing demand. Single-detached starts are expected this year to copy 2015 figures with a projected count of 4,000, then creep up three per cent to 4,100 in 2017. As for prices, 2015 closed out with an average new home price of $745,000. This year it will drop to

$720,000 before regaining some ground in 2017 at $732,000. Cho also presented some trends and risks to accompany his outlook for this year, starting with posted mortgage rates that are expected to trend up this year and next. One-year money this year will cost in the neighbourhood of three to 3.8 per cent while the five-year rate could be in the range of 4.7 to six per cent. For 2017, the one-year rate will be in the 3.9 to 4.8 per cent range with five-year money costing 5.1 to 6.5 per cent. As for employment, the direction is down for 2016 before increasing slightly in 2017. Housing demand, Cho adds, will moderate compared to previous years both in terms of employment and in the easing of what he calls “upward pressure” on earnings. And here’s the biggest “if” of them all. “If oil prices decline further or remain low for an extended period of time, economic activity, employment growth, and housing demand will recover at a slower pace,” Cho says. NL

Marty Hope. For more than two decades Marty Hope has been reporting on the housing and development industry in Calgary, throughout Alberta, and across Canada. In March, he was presented with the Maple Leaf Award from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association which is given annually to a non-builder member in Canada for contributions to the industry.

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Brookfield Residential Fireside page 27

CHBA - CR page 9

Furniture Connection page 9

Grasslands of Beiseker page 36

Jayman BUILT page 2

Mattamy Homes

Southwinds FC, pages 12-14, Back Cover

Trico Homes Sherwood page 39

United Communities Nolan Hill page 35

Vesta Properties page 4

WestCreek Developments Legacy page 3

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