New Home Living - March 2019

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VOLUME 15 ISSUE 159 n MARCH 2019

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COVER FEATURE

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Live the life in Mahogany Mahogany’s year-round fun-filled, family-oriented lifestyle beckons

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FOCUS ON

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For your furry friends Spoil your pet pals with trendy toys and accessories SHOW HOME PROFILES

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Unlimited flexibility

Excel Homes’ Collingwood opens up a multitude of lifestyle possibilities

NEWS

30 Solar power as standard New home designs, new set of standards — including solar panels — pushes

20 Perfect pairings

Cedarglen Homes introduces paired homes in Parks of Harvest Hills FEATURE

IN THE CITY

33 Doggy day care

Where to take your furry best friend when out of town

24 Get real with Todd Talbot

Get expert real estate tips from Todd Talbot at the Calgary Home + Garden Show STYLE

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De-cluttering, declassified How to simplify the spring cleaning ritual PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 6109 — 6th Street SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9

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COLUMNS

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Around Town Real Estate Insider Hope at Large ITEMS

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Editor’s Message Advertisers Index

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editor’s message  n

Snowy daze

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little tired of all this snow. Walking the dog, especially, isn’t a lot of fun when it’s -26 Celsius plus the wind chill. Bucky doesn’t seem to mind though, but it is his first winter and being a rescue from the Dominican, I guess he still has a different perspective on it. Speaking of different perspectives, our chat with Todd Talbot about his upcoming appearance at the 2019 Calgary Home + Design Show certainly puts a new spin on the state of our current housing market. The HGTV star and co-host of Love It Or List It Vancouver sees opportunity in the downturn and he shares some advise on how to make the best real estate move in our feature inside. Can’t wait to see what he will be talking about at the actual show, it promises to be a lively, fun-filled event! If you want four-season fun, the only place you might want to live in Calgary is Mahogany. The biggest lake community in the city has grown to become one of its most desirable too, with a full host of new amenities with more coming soon. It will be opening a new show home parade for single-family homes this spring that will further widen its already deep selection of home products. Check out the cover feature this month for more information on what has made this Hopewell Residential community so successful. We also have our show home profiles on a couple of the newest to be opened in Calgary. Excel Homes’ Collingwood in Livingston is a great example of the flexible, multigeneration single-family home that has become all the rage these days. While Cedarglen Homes’ new paired homes opening in Parks of Harvest Hills presents what is very much a move-up single-family home at starter home prices. And check out the exclusive interview we have with new Jayman BUILT president, Dave Desormeaux, about the builder’s ambitious launch of their new core performance features for their line of homes that includes solar panels as standard in all their homes. It’s all very cool! Also in this issue, our very own Cristina Loc channels her inner-Marie-Kondo as she offers up her spring-cleaning tips and wisdom gathered through years of being a supermeticulous organizer. We also have our Focus On photo feature on pet accessories, which I’m sure Bucky here, would like, and also Brandi Holmes’ In The City take on pet care. As I write this, the city is still under an extreme cold warning and it looks like this cold snap will be with us for the next little while. But, hey, at least the Calgary Flames are doing great, right?

PUBLISHER

Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITOR

Pepper Rodriguez pepper@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR

Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Vivian Zhang

vivian.zhang@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 CONTRIBUTORS

Brandi Holmes, Marty Hope, Christina Loc, Mario Toneguzzi, Portia Yip PHOTOGRAPHY

Christina Loc ADVERTISING

Andrew Best andrew.best@sourcemediagroup.ca

Brandi Holmes brandi.holmes@sourcemediagroup.ca

Jennifer Mills jennifer.mills@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING

accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY

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

©2019 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, 6109 — 6th Street S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9. T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109, TF: 1.888.932.3101 E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca

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FOR YOUR FURRY FRIENDS Spoil your pet pals with trendy toys and accessories

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Portia Yip

OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS are important companions in our lives, so it’s only natural to treat them like family too. Spoil your canine pals with trendy toys and accessories they’ll love just as much as you do. Got a fluff ball with some cat-titude? Surprise them with some new goodies and they’ll be purring for more. Whether you have cats or dogs (or both!) these local businesses in Calgary are stocked with plenty of fun gear to keep your lovable pets smart and stylish to forever happy and comfortable. NL

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9 7 [ 1 ] FoFurBalls Pet Toy Squeaker, $14 at Unleashed. [ 2 ] Rocky Mountain Dog Waist Leash, $44 at PAWSitively Natural. [ 3 ] Tower of Tracks Cat Toy, $29.99 at PAWSitively Natural. [ 4 ] Fetch & Follow Dog Collars, $70 at The New Forest. [ 5 ] SlimCat Adjustable Cat Treat Ball, $9.99 at PAWSitively Natural. [ 6 ] Rover Pointed Dog Collar, $32 at The New Forest. [ 7 ] Fun Feeder Dog Food Bowl, $21.99 at PAWSitively Natural. [ 8 ] Felted Bird Cat Toy, $16 at The New Forest. [ 9 ] Tall Tails Rope Leashes, $29.99 – $39.99 at PAWSitively Natural. [ 10 ] The Odin Dog Treat Bowl, $30 at The New Forest. [ 11 ] Chilly Dogs Great White North Jacket, $75.95 at Unleashed. CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

Live the life in Maho Mahogany’s year-round fun-filled, family-oriented lifestyle beckons

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hrough the long, hot summers to the cool, crisp winters,

Mahogany also gathers some of the most renowned home builders

life in Mahogany remains as enjoyable as a day on the

in the city, including Hopewell Residential, Calbridge Homes, Excel

beach with the four-season fun that Calgary’s largest lake

Homes, Morrison Homes, Jayman BUILT, and Homes by Avi. Section

community offers.

23 Developments came in last year and their executive paired homes

Now, there are even more opportunities to live in this multiple-

have been a remarkable hit.

award-winning community, as its developer — Hopewell Residential

“Mahogany continues to be Calgary’s best-selling new community,

— announces the opening of several new show homes starting this

with a home and price point for everyone,” McLaws says. The Westman

spring.

Village complex of condos and townhomes and Sandgate Condos

“Calgary’s favourite lake community of Mahogany is thrilled to be

by Hopewell Residential offer multi-family options.

opening a number of new show homes in 2019,” says Hopewell

“First-time buyers love the condos, and Jayman BUILT’s Westman

Residential senior marketing manager, Nicole McLaws. “This includes

Village also features rental condos. Downsizers can find a condo or

a spring parade of show homes, with brand new paired homes by

bungalow that they love, while families, couples and singles all

Hopewell Residential; laned homes by Hopewell, Excel Homes and

have a wealth of choice in Mahogany. There truly is a home and

Jayman BUILT; and front-garage homes by Hopewell, Excel and

price for everyone — and even better, there’s Mahogany’s unparalleled

Jayman.”

collection of amenities for everyone to enjoy,” McLaws says.

The new show homes further prove Mahogany’s vaunted reputation

Mahogany is now home to more than 14,000 residents, all of whom

for offering some of the widest selection of homes in Calgary. Every

love the community’s unbeatable year-round lake

kind of housing option is available in this popular southeast community

lifestyle, McLaws says. “The community continues

— from some of the most affordable apartment-style condos in the

to grow, with new lots and phases being released

city, to the most opulent lakefront estate homes on Mahogany Island,

regularly, along with new gathering spaces, retailers

and everything else in between.

and parks opening as the community progresses.” Now, less than 10 years since the first shovel broke ground, Mahogany has blossomed into a multifaceted community with an enviable list of alreadyexisting amenities, not the least of which is the 63-acre lake, a 21-acre beach area and a 22,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art beach club crowning it off. Its active lake lifestyle is very much taken to heart by everyone who lives here. “Mahogany residents young and old absolutely love its four-season lake lifestyle. There’s skating, hockey, tobogganing and plenty of programs and events all winter long, while summer is ideal for paddleboarding, swimming, wetland strolling, playground enjoyment and more,” she points out.

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

MAHOGANY’S COLLECTION OF HOMES AND THEIR BUILDERS

gany

BOULEVARD COLLECTION (FROM THE $190,000s): • Sandgate condos by Hopewell Residential from the $190,000s • Westman Village condos from the $230,000s • Hopewell Paired Homes from the $330,000s

There is also a wide range of shops and services that makes life a breeze — from the Sobeys grocery, to preschools, medical services, restaurants, coffee shops, kids’ activities and more, there’s an amenity for everyone in Mahogany. Mahogany opened its K-6 Catholic school last year, and

LAKELAND COLLECTION (FROM THE $360,000s) • Laned Homes from the $360,000s from Hopewell Residential, Jayman BUILT and Excel Homes. • Single Front-Attached Garage Homes from the low-$400,000s from Hopewell Residential • Double Front-Attached Garage Homes from the $490,000s by Excel Homes, Hopewell Residential and Jayman BUILT.

there are a couple of preschools within the community. “A new school is in the works, with additional school sites planned throughout the community. More shopping and services are also on the horizon, with the Urban Village planned to expand over the coming years,” McLaws says. Even more than all that is the immediate sense of belonging and community that residents get from the first time they move in. “You feel an immediate sense of community when visiting Mahogany,” she says. “Mahogany’s Homeowners’ Association does an amazing job of bringing residents together

RESERVE COLLECTION (FROM THE $700,000s) • Lakeside Estate starts in the $700,000s from Homes by Avi, Calbridge Homes and Morrison Homes. • Executive Paired Homes from Section23 Developments start from $490,000s. ISLAND COLLECTION • Exclusive executive estate homes. Call for details. Visit www.mahoganyliving.com for more information.

through year-round educational and recreational programs, and the result is a tight-knit, inclusive community that’s truly unique in Calgary.”

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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |

Hopewell makes its move in 2019

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opewell Residential, one of Calgary’s biggest community developers and home builders, doesn’t just build the lasting spaces and places where people love to live — it makes home-buying and building easier and more exciting than ever before. And, the developer of such award-winning communities as Copperfield and Mahogany in the southeast remains very much committed to growing with Calgary. “2019 is going to be a very exciting year for Hopewell Residential,” says senior marketing manager, Nicole McLaws. “We are opening a number of new show homes in our amazing lake community of Mahogany.” “We also have a number new models being released, with amazingly affordable prices, unparalleled style and all of the options people want to make their home truly their own.”

Hopewell Residential also has a couple of brand new communities in the works: Hotchkiss in the southeast and Arbour Lake West, which will mark its return to the northwest in a long while. And regardless of where Hopewell is building, its focus on customer satisfaction, remains clear. “We offer a completely unique homeshopping, purchasing and building process that’s truly fun and easy,” McLaws says. One example of putting customers’ needs first is a one-stop-shopping program for choosing a home, its options and its finishings all in the comfort of Hopewell’s stylish show homes. “Purchasers don’t

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need to drive all over the city to look at samples, or set multiple lengthy appointments in overwhelming design centres — with Hopewell, home buyers can choose the home they love, with the floorplan and features they like best, personalize it with their choice of designer-curated finishings, and have complete price transparency every step of the way,” she says. “There’s no confusion, and no sticker shock… and even better, once their home is confirmed, Hopewell homeowners will enjoy their building and move-in process with our exciting Build Happy process. It’s all about keeping homeowners in the loop, excited and informed every step of the way.” Purchasing with Hopewell is even easier than before with their strong network of financial partners. “We have a selection of mortgage partners at all the big banks, and will even pay your legal fees if you choose to work with one of them. We have a talented Realtor partner that will list your home for free. Plus, we offer deferred down payments, and other money-saving perks.” Perks of building a home with Hopewell also include a preferred Shaw cable package, all the green features you desire, the top-quality building practices you want, and the brand-name finishings and materials that add lasting appeal and comfort to your home. “Even better? All of these things come standard — as do nine-foot main floor ceilings, hard-surface flooring (no lino!), estate-style swing doors, designer tile, high-efficiency appliances and so much more.” One of Hopewell Residential’s core strengths is the full range of products it has to choose from. From their Sandgate condos in Mahogany that start from the $190,000s, they also have a full spectrum of singlefamily homes in this lake community including paired, laned, and single- and double-front attached garage homes. “Our paired homes include two and three-bedroom models that start from the $330,000s that feature private yards, spacious openconcept floorplans and no condo fees. Laned homes range from oneto three-bedrooms starting from the $360,000s.” Hopewell’s Front-garage homes start from the low-$400,000s and feature three- to five- bedrooms and front-garages. Hopewell also has a townhome project that is almost sold out in Copperfield which features two or three bedrooms, attached garages and a carefree, lowmaintenance lifestyle. “Whether you are looking to buy your first home, downsize once the kids have left or upgrade your family home, Hopewell has the home for you,” McLaws says. Buying your new home is an exciting step in your life and Hopewell is there to ensure you find the home that fits your needs and budget. Its professional designers help you style your home to suit your taste, and its quality and standards help you feel even more confident in your decision. “At Hopewell, we want you to Live Happy,” McLaws says. Visit hopewellresidential.com for details and show home maps or email findyourhome@hopewell.com for more information.  n CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM



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show home profile

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Excel Homes

UNLIMITED FLEXIBILITY Excel Homes’ Collingwood opens up a multitude of lifestyle possibilities WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

I T H A S S T Y L E , it has function, and it has space. The Collingwood by Excel Homes has the hat trick when it comes to providing a design that fits any and all lifestyles. Whether it’s a couple or a young family looking towards future growth, a more mature family with older kids, a multi-generational family living in one household, or the downsizer with an eye for entertainment, Collingwood is designed to meet all their needs. “Our ability to build legal secondary suites also makes Collingwood appealing to a family with an entrepreneurial spirit, who can turn the basement into a rental or an Airbnb suite,” says area manager Tarek Safadi. Excel’s new Collingwood show home on the west side Livingston is the picture of family-friendly style and convenience. The four-bedroom, twoand-a-half-bath show home has a finished living space of 2,235 square-feet, and everyone marvels at the smart use of space and the flow of the design. There is lesser risk of bumping into things — or housemates — while preparing in the kitchen, as Collingwood has wider walkways between the massive centre island and the L-shaped kitchen counters. “We even have space for a spice kitchen,” Safadi says. “In fact, the Collingwood’s design allows it to have a main floor bedroom with full bath and still keep the spice kitchen. It’s that spacious,” he adds. The Collingwood is so versatile it can be built on traditional or Zero lot line lots. In Livingston, they have 32- and 34-foot wide lots that include walk-outs and those with back lane access. “You can have a spacious backyard, we are able to include side entrances in the plans for private access to the basement, and lots that back onto the alley make it perfect for families with RVs,” Safadi points out. Excel Homes offers nine front-drive move-up homes in Livingston starting from the low $400,000s.

RIGHT  Big windows and nine-foot ceilings are standard, and so is the stylish wideplank vinyl flooring. “Big families will really appreciate the spaciousness and flow of the design, there’s plenty of room for everybody, even if they do decide to have an extra main floor bedroom,” he says.

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Excel Homes   n   show home profile

ABOVE  Collingwood’s spacious kitchen boasts a huge centre island that’s the perfect spot for hosting big parties. “It has a lot of room for preparing and serving party food,” Safadi says. The extended ledge also makes it easy to grab a quick breakfast for busy families, and the pass-through wall at the far end is handy for hiding messy leftovers from unexpected visitors at the front door, while still maintaining the open concept design ideal.

OPPOSITE PAGE TOP  The main floor dazzles with a warm and inviting dining room, the sizeable pass-through wall into the kitchen, optional spice kitchen or butlers pantry - Collingwood was specifically designed to accommodate a family that loves to entertain. “We have nine other front-drive models in Livingston that can accommodate needs of young couples, older families, and empty-nesters who love the neighbourhood,” Safadi says.

OPPOSITE PAGE MIDDLE  Collingwood’s family-friendly design makes it fit right in Livingston’s lovely streetscape. Livingston – developed by Brookfield Residential – is the model of a self-contained, yet well-connected, community. There will be no fewer than six schools when all is said and done (two public elementary schools, one public middle school, one public high school, a K-9 Catholic school, and a Catholic middle school). “The future’s bright for Livingston, it’s a good community to raise a family,” Safadi says.

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show home profile  n   Excel Homes

RIGHT  One of the biggest advantages of living in Livingston is the ability to build legal secondary suites. “It’s just what big families with extended households want. They can turn it into a big family room with lots of space for entertaining or as a full secondary suite – as shown here - that can be a legitimate source for additional income. There’s a lot of potential to turn this into an Airbnb rental because of our proximity to the airport.”

LEFT  Collingwood’s centre bonus room at the top of the stairs separates the additional three bedrooms and side-by-side laundry room giving every member of the household maximum privacy. “It is also a good place to gather the whole family for game nights or movie nights, or have their kids’ friends a place where they can play video games and the parents can still keep an eye on them.”

fast facts

BELOW  Luxury and functionality blend well in Collingwood, as the attached five-piece master ensuite provides a lavish spalike sanctuary to the owners. It also has a very roomy walk-in closet and the upstairs laundry provides added convenience. “The three other bedrooms upstairs are also fairly large and accounts for further growth of the kids,” Safadi says.  NL

BUILDER: Excel Homes COMMUNITY: Livingston MODEL: Collingwood SIZE: The show home is at 2,235 sq. ft. PRICE: Excel’s front-drive homes in Livingston start from the low $400,000s ADDRESS: 50 Lucas Cres. N.W. DIRECTIONS: North on Stoney Trail, take exit at Centre St. N.W., left on 144 Ave. N.W. and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEB: www.excelhomes.ca

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show home profile

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Cedarglen Homes

PERFECT PAIRINGS Cedarglen Homes introduces paired homes in Parks of Harvest Hills WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

J US T A S JAC K goes with Jill, Cedarglen Homes’ new paired homes in the Parks of Harvest Hills perfectly matches the growing community’s vision of stylish affordability. Cedarglen Homes is excited to launch their brand new paired homes in a new area within The Parks of Harvest Hills that will be known as The Gardens. Four new show homes that perfectly depict the many variations of the duplex floor plan are opening on March 16. Located on a charming cul-de-sac within this young north community just off Deerfoot Trail, these new paired homes are being built around a central green-space with convenient access to Harmony Park, beautiful walking paths and close to all kinds of shopping and other amenities. There will be four new models available — the Orchid, the Blossom, the Peony and the Lotus, and they range in size from 1,788 to 1,993 square-feet. Each will have a show home to give visitors the full effect of what it will be like to live here.

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They start from the $450,000s, including GST, which area sales manager Mike Dwyer says is a pretty good deal. “Think of it as getting a move-up home at a starter home price,” he tells New Home Living. These new paired home models are exclusive to Parks of Harvest Hills and Dwyer thinks they exceed all expectations of a duplex. “They are quite larger than most paired homes we see in the market today, some are even on walk-out lots that back onto green space,” he says. And for a limited time, Cedarglen Homes is offering to develop basements of these paired homes to maximize their lifestyle potential.

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Cedarglen Homes   n   show home profile

LEFT  Cedarglen Homes’ new paired homes adds an important middle ground between the townhomes and apartment condos available at The Parks of Harvest Hills’ The Rise, and Cedarglen’s larger single-family move-up homes. Paired homes are available with either single- or doubleattached garages. “We want to create a complete community, and with these choices we think we’re capable of offering everything to fit most budgets and lifestyles,” Dwyer says.

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BELOW  The Parks of Harvest Hills puts the emphasis on park-side living. It has almost 33-acres of community parks and green spaces to enable 90 per cent of all single-family homes to have direct access to the parks network. These trails and pathways will connect the community to the commercial, educational, retail and recreational amenities nearby. “The Parks of Harvest Hills will commit more than 28 per cent of the 26-hectare (65-acre) community to accessible open space, along with the 1.4-hectare (3.5-acre) water feature,” Dwyer adds.

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show home profile  n   Cedarglen Homes

BELOW At build-out, the Parks of Harvest Hills will have a limited offering of about 200 single-family homes by Cedarglen Homes and about 500 multi-family units in two phases of development by its multi-family division, Cedarglen Living. “This makes Parks of Harvest Hills a complete community, that will cater to different lifestyles and price points,” Dwyer says. “The best thing about it is that it’s located at the heart of an already well-established, amenity-rich area that residents can readily enjoy.” There will only be about 50 paired homes and Dwyer expects them to sell fast. ABOVE All paired homes have three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, walk-in closets and attached ensuites in the master bedroom, and upper floor laundry, and even a flex room upstairs for some. Buyers can choose their finishings from Cedarglen’s superior standard selections. “With engineered stone countertops laminate flooring, and tile floor to bath and laundry, these are sure to please a wide variety of styles and tastes,” says sales representative, Ashley Falsetti. BELOW “Our paired homes at Parks of Harvest Hills has everything that single-family homes have, but you’re getting it for much less,” Dwyer says. “Some even have bigger backyards than in some move-up homes in the city.” They will feature James Hardie-cladding, a high-end exterior material well known for the sturdiness and style it provides to the home.  NL

fast facts COMMUNITY: The Parks of Harvest Hills BUILDER: Cedarglen Homes STYLE: Paired homes PRICES: Paired homes from the $450,000s, including GST. ADDRESS: 102 Harvest Grove Close, N.E. DIRECTIONS: West on Country Hills Blvd., and left on Harvest Hills Gate N.E. WEBSITE: www.theparksofharvesthills.com

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feature  n

Get real with Todd Talbot

Get expert real estate tips from Todd Talbot at the Calgary Home + Garden Show n   STORY BY

Pepper Rodriguez

T

Todd Talbot

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odd Talbot loves to perform. Under the bright lights of stage and studio, the HGTV star is an engaging, lively entertainer. But even the veteran performer had some difficulty doing the pas de deux in high heels. When asked for this interview to share something people might not know about him, the ebullient co-host of the popular Love It Or List It Vancouver replied: “I played the Sugar Plum Fairy — in drag — for a CBC Christmas special of ‘The Nutcracker’. I have huge respect for anyone willing to wear high heels...and other uncomfortable garments.” That mischievous humour has endeared Todd to fans of that show he co-hosts with Jillian Harris, but under that funny man stuff is some real expertise in real estate, which he will be sharing at this year’s Calgary Home + Garden Show. His fun-loving personality has equipped him for a career in showbiz, but an entrepreneurial streak and a sharp analytical mind has also made him successful in business. An entrepreneur from a young age, Todd’s company currently owns and manages multiple residential properties as well as several real estate ventures in renovation, marketing and design. Todd also leads an experienced team helping clients buy and sell homes. He will be sharing his advise in traversing the murky real estate waters of the soft housing market in Calgary, especially, the money side of it. “Everyone shies away from talking about money...not me! Renovations and real estate are some of life biggest decisions whether you are 16 or 60. I’m extreeemely passionate about arming people with information to help get it right,” he tells New Home Living. CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM


n  feature

“Knowing the 2019 pantone colour of the year (living coral) won’t protect your investment. It’s a high stakes game to renovate, buy or sell real estate. I’ll be sharing my perspective on how to approach those decisions in relation to the current market. I’ll be answering Calgarians’ questions, including everything you felt like you couldn’t ask your contractor, designer, architect, realtor or mortgage advisor. Plus life on HGTV and a few good laughs!” He does recognize that there is uncertainty in the housing market these days with the new mortgage rules, the slowing economy and the uptick in interest rates. But he sees opportunity in the mix, too. “A lot of home buyers are worried that the market will drop further and they scared to purchase now. People are always trying to time the market to their advantage, which is a great instinct. The downside is that you can’t do that very accurately. I have seen many

people miss out on opportunities because they stood on the sidelines. My advice is to remind people that real estate is a long-term investment and to analyze your goals and timeline rather than get fixated on the current market conditions. I do believe that in the coming years we will see increased value for properties is great areas so be strategic and negotiate hard.” But the old realtor adage: “location, location, location” is still the smartest way to get ahead of the game, he says, adding that picking location over looks is the way to go.

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feature  n

Todd Talbot

“I like to prioritize location over size and then also look for a property that you can add value. It’s important to really understand what is MOST important to your lifestyle and don’t overspend. With rising interest rates mortgage debt can be a huge burden. I watch people buy too much house because of the idea it represents and regret the purchase because it’s not the right fit. I’m always looking for ways to lower costs through creative design solutions, financing, and even sharing costs through rentals or partnerships, etcetera.” He also says to not force the issue; maybe staying put in your old home is the best solution and renovate instead of moving. “Contrary to my role on TV I believe that it’s often a smarter financial choice to make the space you already have work better. Sometimes the space is fine it’s just dated and run down so you fall out of love. Set a budget to tackle one space a time and look for ways to fall back in love with it. “The second biggest complaint is lack of space. The first area to attack is ‘stuff’ and ‘storage’ it’s amazing how often this solves

the problem of square footage. Almost every home I go into has too much stuff.” But there are opportunities out there if you are set on buying a new home. “In a buyers’ market you have the negotiating power as well as time on your side. We haven’t seen that in many years. It allows you to find the perfect fit and negotiate the best price. If there is anything eliminates mistakes it’s to take your time!” See Todd on the Home + Garden Stage on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 at 12 p.m. to pick his brain on your next real estate move, and maybe on tips on how to dance in high heels. NL

2019 Calgary Home + Garden Show headliners T HE 3 8 T H A NN UA L Calgary Home + Garden Show opens bigger and better this year with even more headliners, as the city’s biggest home + garden trade show continues to inform and entertain and wow. HGTV Canada star Todd Talbot of Love it or List it Vancouver will return to Calgary to headline the Main Stage at the annual Calgary Home + Garden Show, taking place February 28 - March 3, 2019 at the BMO Centre & Corral at Stampede Park. “We are so excited to welcome Todd back to Calgary, along with an outstanding line-up of celebrities and local experts, to inspire homeowners to tackle their indoor and outdoor spaces this spring,” says Teri Salazar, Show Manager for Marketplace Events, producers of the Calgary Home +

Garden Show. “Todd is known for his no-nonsense real estate advice and his practical approach to making the most of your home. He’ll be tailoring that insight for Calgary homeowners when he takes to the stage at the Home + Garden Show.” Joining Todd on the Main Stage is HGTV Canada gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert Carson Arthur from Home to Win, along with a lineup of local favourites, more than 550 exhibitors and an outstanding list of new features designed to whip any home and garden into shape. She adds that Calgary Home + Garden is more popular than ever. “We have found that consumers are more interested in renovations then before – because maybe it doesn’t make sense to sell their house and buy a new

Carson Arthur

one in this economy, so they are staying put and making their current homes work for them by doing either minor or major renovations.” Salazar also says that the annual event — the biggest of its kind in the city — is a good place to find new design inspirations. “People love to see what new products and solutions are out there right now. We also are noticing a shifting trend with DIY’ers, and so they can come to the show and get expert advice or ideas for how to do projects on their own.”  NL

For more information, or to buy tickets online and save $2, visit www.calgaryhgs.com. Get to the BMO Centre early and save! The first 400 visitors on Thursday, February 28 and Friday, March 1 will receive free parking with proof of ticket or purchase.

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n  style

De-cluttering, declassified How to simplify the spring cleaning ritual

n   WRITTEN BY

Christina Loc

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PHOTO BY CHRISTINA LOC

or some, spring cleaning is therapeutic. For the rest, it’s a daunting task leaving us feeling overwhelmed and already exhausted just thinking about it before the task has even begun. The key to spring cleaning is to create a list of things you want to address. Rather than looking at the big picture and feeling defeated, focus on one area or task at a time. Walk around the house to determine places that need attention. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in one day, so don’t pressure yourself to getting it all done in one weekend. Rather, set a goal of spending 30 to 45 minutes a day cleaning, and if you’re in the mood to continue, do so. But, if that’s all you can handle, then consider your expectations met. Tackle a little at a time and reward yourself on a job well done. When it comes to cleaning, clutter is the first thing to address. Purging is the first step.

From a feng shui perspective, clutter will block flow leaving energy levels feeling low, blocked and confused. It is important that every item in your home serves a purpose and has its own home — meaning things like your wardrobe should be neatly hung or folded, your toiletry well-organized in a drawer or cupboard, and your pantry filled with easy to access nutritional foods (okay, a few yummy treats, too, for you and your furry friend!). Spring is a great time to get rid of the old to make room for the new, just like what the season represents. Pull items out of the closet, cupboards and drawers. Give shelves and drawers a good wipe down or vacuum. Then, go through everything to decide whether you will keep, recycle, donate or discard.

Sorting and organizing your wardrobe doesn’t necessarily make it easier to decide what to wear but it certainly helps with locating the garment you want.

CLOTHES Go through your closet and organize your clothes, shoes and accessories. Decide what you will keep; donate the gently-used; or discard the articles of clothing that have served their time. First, sort your items into categories like clothing into long sleeve, short sleeve, pant, skirt, suit or dress and then sub-categorize them by colour. Empty your drawers and throw out socks and underwear with holes as well as stained or spoiled t-shirts. Give the drawer a good wipe to collect all the lint and dust before neatly folding and putting your clothes back in. If you are limited for drawer space, invest in decorative baskets to store your undergarments, t-shirts, sweaters and denim. Seasonal clothing could be stored in bins or vacuum bags. There are also many storage beds available on the market with a hydraulic storage system or built-in drawers. Tip: For more advice and step-by-step instruction, turn to organizing consultant and author Marie Kondo. Her ever popular book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and new Netflix series, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”

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The key to spring cleaning is to create a list of things you want to address

insists we “keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy”. Her folding clothes technique is also quite unique.

TOILETRY Next, go through your toiletry. Throw out expired items. If you haven’t used it within six months, it’s time to ditch it. This includes lotions and make-up. Tip: Organize all your essentials in to one basket or toiletry bag for your morning and evening regime. Keeping everything together in one place makes it so much easier to reach for.

PANTRY AND FREEZER Same thing with the freezer and pantry. Throw out expired items. Organize items by type and try to keep everything air tight to ensure freshness. Make everything visible to prevent wastage. Tip: Use mason jars or air-tight containers to store opened bag items like pastas, flours, lentils and spices as this keeps items fresh, tidy and easily identifiable. SHELVING, COUNTERS AND FLAT SURFACES Take advantage of these spaces to style things in a way where you are storing useful belongings in a decorative way. The key to this is balance through grouping things together and placement. Don’t overstuff your

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shelves or counter. Rather, stack, pair and group things together that look aesthetically appealing together. Use decorative boxes or baskets to discreetly store more utilitarian items on the shelf. Mix in decorative items like a statue, vase or plant to create interest. Tip: Keep things fresh by occasionally moving things around. Spring is a great time to take items off the shelf and counters to dust so why not change things up to keep it appealing. Being organized and having a place for every item in your home is a huge part of interior design. Clutter is not pretty. Beauty with function is what defines a space great. With so many products available on the market to help you get organized from baskets, bins, storage bags, jars, boxes, dividers and racks, what better time than this spring to get your home in the best shape it can be to welcome the new season, new energy and new opportunities. NL This article was shortened for space considerations. For the full text, visit www.calgaryhomeliving.com

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news

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Solar power as standard

New home designs, new set of standards — including solar panels — pushes n STORY BY

Pepper Rodriguez

J

ayman BUILT is launching its most ambitious portfolio yet, as they introduce 20 new multifamily and single-family homes and a revamped set of core standards aimed at elevating everything it means in having a home. Starting with the opening of five new single-family show homes in the lakeside community of Mahogany on January 26, Jayman BUILT is introducing a whole new set of standards that addresses everything important to homebuyers today. There is a total of 20 new home models that Jayman BUILT is launching to keep in step with the current wants and needs of today’s homebuyer, and it is also making available 120 other design options to the existing roster of single-family and multi-family plans. But the very heart of their initiative is the new 2019 Core Performance package that includes more than $15,600 in sustainable upgrades — including six solar panels- for all their single-family homes being built from now on. This new 2019 Core Performance package makes Jayman BUILT the first homebuilder in Alberta to have a solar panel package standard on every single-family home beginning this year. And it comes at no extra cost. “This initiative is a testament to Jayman’s continued leadership in the home building Dave Desormeaux industry in Alberta while saving consumer

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dollars and increasing resale home values,” says Jayman BUILT President and COO, Dave Desormeaux. He tells Calgary Home Living that this will be the biggest portfolio launch in all of the Calgary-based builder’s 38-year history. It will also be the first under his purview since taking over the mantle of leadership for Jayman BUILT’s single-family homes last year. He says the solar panels alone will result in electricity savings for buyers of up to $200 a year. But along with the rest of the energy-saving features already available to a Jayman BUILT homebuyer — like the triple-pane windows, two-stage high efficiency furnace, and the like — the annual saving could go well over $800. CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM


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“In Jayman’s 38 years we have relentlessly focused on being a leader in industry and energy efficiency specifically. We’ve introduced and made standard on our homes triple-pane windows, 96 per cent efficient furnaces, two-stage high efficiency instant hot water, LED lighting is standard in our homes and now, solar. It is just the next step in that evolution and we’re proud to be the first to introduce it to Albertans,” he says. He points out that research has shown that the top driver of inflation in Alberta last year was the increasing cost of electricity, and their new Core Performance package goes a long way in addressing this. “All Jayman BUILT homes use 31 per cent less energy than the average home and are 20 per cent better than building code. Homeowners can see savings of more than $800 annually based on these energy efficient standard inclusions. Every single-family home includes $15,600 in energy efficient upgrades at no additional cost to the customer.” He adds that solar panels have also been proven to increase overall resale value of your home, as well as prevent up to 1.2 metric tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere each year. It’s not just the efficiencies that Jayman is improving but the number of home designs

news

as well. Desormeaux says that innovation is part of Jayman’s DNA, and being agile enough to meet shifting needs of buyers is one of the hallmarks of their business. “We’ve always been insanely focused on customers and customer feedback. It drives the entire business and everything we do. And based on customer feedback this year we’ve introduced 20 new models, including new bungalow layouts, which we haven’t offered in years past, and 120 new options on

existing models we have.” Buyers have been asking for more bedrooms to meet the needs of extended households, or side entrances for private access to developed basements, or spice kitchens among many others. “The demographics in Calgary and Alberta is changing and we had to adjust to those and so we’re really excited about those new models and we’ve received incredible feedback.” Backing all of this up is the new home care package that is offered to new home buyers. The Gold Key Service, Home Maintenance for Life program is available to its valued customers, to help home owners have the time or feel knowledgeable enough to complete home maintenance tasks. Annually, as part of this new service, a Jayman representative completes a 128-point inspection of the customer’s home, maintaining the various components. This service offering also includes 24-hour emergency dispatch and is available to consumers for the first year for $375, providing homeowners with the peace of mind now and for years to come. Desormeaux says the whole package is innovative and trend-setting, but what he is really proud of its that it is also socially responsible. Jayman BUILT’s new 2019 Core Performance package  “I’m most proud of working for provides Albertans with signifi cant energy effi cient inclusions  an Alberta based company that as part of their home. They include: is doing the right thing, being socially responsible, we don’t • Six-panel solar package included in new homes at no extra cost; build houses we build homes • Navien-brand tankless water heater; we’re part of a customer’s journey • High efficiency furnace; from the very first starter home • Heat Recovery Ventilation system, which purifies the air in they build to having more kids the home every three hours; and needing to move up to their • LED lighting; next home with more bedrooms • Triple pane windows; getting to that point in life where • R-50 attic insulation and R-20 basement insulation; they want to retire or downsize • Exterior foundation wrap. and move into multi family,” he says. NL

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“All Jayman BUILT homes use 31 per cent less energy than the average home and are 20 per cent better than building code.”

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n

in the city

Doggy day care Where to take your furry best friend when out of town Brandi Holmes

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t’s always fun to plan a getaway to a far away place — but when you look down at your four-legged fluff ball, you can’t help but to feel a bit guilty that they can’t come with you. Now most of us have trustworthy relatives, friends or even neighbours that are willing to look after our creatures while we are out of town. But where or who can you turn to when you don’t have helpers in your life? Luckily, the pet sitting business is booming! There are all types of pet sitting needs offered — from long term boarding, at home over night stays, doggies spas, mid day walkies, all the way to the traditional sense of pet sitting. And thanks to technology there are all sorts of ways you can make sure your pet is being properly taken care of. If you prefer taking your pooch to a boarding facility or simply just a doggy day care — there are tons around the city that are great options. One of our dog owners here at New Home Living swears by Springbank Pet Resort. “Lola just loves it there, we trust the people and they even send us vaccination reminders” says Jenn.

The resort is for all types of pets, is veterinarian run and offers boarding, day care, grooming, training and even a retail store. The facility sits on 12 acres in Springbank, with two 50,000-square-foot main buildings, that feature ten indoor areas for your dog to socialize. Cats are well looked after at the resort too, with spacious, well-ventilated two room cat condos with tons of big windows to look out of. For more information on Springbank Pet Resort, visit springbankpetresort.ca Other doggie day care and boarding facilities that may be a little closer to home that are worth checking out are both Dogtopia located in Douglas Glen S.E. or Chasin’ Tails located on Centre Avenue E.

PHOTOS COURTE SY SPRINGBANK PE T RE SORT

n STORY BY

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Springbank Pet Resort sits  on 12 acres in Springbank,  with two 50,000-squarefoot main buildings, that  feature ten indoor areas for  your dog to socialize. Cats  are well looked after at the  resort too, with spacious,  well-ventilated two room  cat condos with tons of big  windows to look out of.

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PHOTO COURTESY DOGTOPIA.CA

in the city  n

Lola Todd Talbot ABOVE “Lola just loves (Springbank Pet Resort), we trust the people and they even send us vaccination reminders” says Jenn.

It is important to do your research and meet with sitters in advance before allowing them into your home when you are out of town. Your animals are part of your family and you wouldn’t want to leave them to just anybody.

RIGHT Scarlett Francis Professional Cat Care have tons of experience caring for cats and have been in business since 2009 with over 500 clients to date. TOP RIGHT Dogtopia offers day care, boarding, training and grooming services while staying dedicated to open play spaces. Your best pal is assigned to a designated play area based on size and activity level and is constantly supervised by caregivers to ensure animal safety.

Both facilities offer day care, boarding, training and grooming services while staying dedicated to open play spaces. Your best pal is assigned to a designated play area based on size and activity level and is constantly supervised by caregivers to ensure animal safety. Dogtopia allows pet parents to check in on their animals via live stream webcams that can be accessed from their website. Chasin’ Tails has 24-hour caregivers on site and at any given time there is a minimum of two caregivers supervising playtime. They are open seven days a week and also have a 6,000-square-foot outdoor area for the warmer months. Cats are a little more difficult since they tend to be fickle creatures and are not usually comfortable in a place that is not their own or with other animals they do not know. This is where in-home pet sitting comes into play — where a sitter of your or your felines choice comes to your house once or twice a day to feed, entertain and care for your cat(s). It is important to do your research and meet with sitters in advance before allowing them into your home when you are out of town. Your animals are part of your family and you wouldn’t want to leave them to just anybody. Over the years, I personally have used the services of Scarlett Francis Professional Cat Care. Kelly and Erin have tons of experience caring for cats and have been in business since 2009 with over 500 clients to date. We all know cats can be a little difficult with new humans, but both Kelly and Erin are Phantom dedicated to earning your feline’s trust and love.

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I completely trust Scarlett Francis to come into my home and they even provide me with great updates on how Phantom is doing — for me that eases the concern more than anything. Kelly or Erin will stay and play for at least 30 minutes once or twice a day to give your cat all the love he or she needs. Visit scarlettfrancis.ca for more information. Whatever your pet sitting needs there is certainly something for everyone here in Calgary. Whether you need to board your pup for a two-week vacation or need someone to come to your house to feed your feline, there is a caregiver for every type of need and every type of pet. But don’t forget to do your research; Pet Sitters International is a great resource to find a locally certified pet sitter. There are also other sites such as rover.com, spotwalk. ca and pawshake.ca that can connect you instantly to the sitter of your choice.  NL CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM


around town n

By Pepper Rodriguez

2019 Foothills Hospital Home Lottery grand prize home opens THE $2.6 MILLION grand prize show home for the 2019 Foothills Hospital Home Lottery opened to the public on February 21 and it is as majestic as ever. Located on 222 Marine Drive S.E. in the lake community of Mahogany, the 5,400-square-foot home again showcases the craftsmanship and skill of Calbridge Homes, which has been exclusive builder of the Foothills Hospital Lottery grand prize homes. This custom-built two-storey show home features a striking French Country exterior and

spectacular views of the lake. It has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, and includes a majestic master suite with vaulted barrelled ceilings. The lower level features extra tall ceilings, media and games area, and richly detailed wine nook. Possession date and title transfer for the winner will be no later than July 5, 2019. The grand prize winner also gets $100,000 in cash. Tickets can be bought at the show home or on-line at www. foothillshospitalhomelottery.com.

Calbridge holds virtual groundbreaking for Triveri House CALBRIDGE HOMES TOOK its turn to launch its contribution to the RESOLVE Campaign to end homelessness in Calgary with the virtual groundbreaking ceremonies for Triveri House. Triveri House marks the eighth new permanent supportive housing development to be constructed for the Calgary Homeless Foundation and its housing collaborator HomeSpace Society, through the RESOLVE Campaign. Calbridge Homes is one of 11 home builders and developers that each committed $1.4 million to create affordable rental housing with support services for up to 3,000 vulnerable and homeless Calgarians. Including other donations, $27 million has been donated by the local

CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM

homebuilding industry to RESOLVE. Construction for Triveri House is underway in Calgary’s southeast community of Forest Lawn, and is the largest project to date, with 38 bachelor-style suites. Each home will have a kitchenette and washroom, there will be communal and amenity space in the building for residents’ use, and they will have 24-hour supports available. Construction is expected to be completed in February 2020. Triveri House is named after Calbridge Homes Chairman and Founder Joe Ferrraro’s mother’s side of the family, and dedicated to the memory of both of his parents — Catherina Triveri-Ferraro and Raimondo Ferraro.

The Lakes of Muirfield gets first commercial development WORK HAS STARTED to build Lakes of Muirfield’s first commercial development that is expected to open later this April. It is an exciting development for this young community in Lyalta that already has 149 homes with 11 more being built. “It’ll bring a much needed convenience to the community, if we forget to get milk we wouldn’t have to drive far to get some,” says Heather Dougall, Lakes of Muirfield resident and spokesperson. It will be a 4,000 square-foot commercial space that will have the Libations of Lyalta Liquor Store and the Mercantile at Muirfield convenience store. Asides from sundries and everyday essentials, the convenience store will also have a café that offers pizzas and fresh sandwiches. Lakes of Muirfield is a 700-lot community built around the Lakes of Muirfield golf course. It is just 20 minutes east of the Calgary city limits, 10 minutes to the neighbouring town of Strathmore and about 25 minutes to the Calgary International Airport. NL

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advertisers index  n

Anthem United Belmont page 2 Anthem United Cornerstone page 15 Anthem United D’ARCY pages 7 Apex Developments Carrington South page 39 Apex Developments Mountain View page 4 Calgary Home + Garden Show Market Place page 23 Cedarglen Homes The Parks of Harvest Hills page 3 The Willows South Cochrane La Vita LP page 14 Lifestyle Funiture Galleries page 29 Livingston Excel Homes page 19 Mahogany Lakeside Living Hopewell Residental Cover, page 10-12, 13 Mattamy Homes back cover Norma Robertson Calgary Home Seller page 28 NuVista Homes page 36 Trico Homes page 29

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real estate insider n

By Mario Toneguzzi

RENTALS’ MARKET The rental market sees growth in the soft new home market T H E R E N TA L M A R K E T in Calgary is reaping the benefits these days of a number of economic factors combining to create heavy demand by people who are wanting to rent a place to call home. The so-called mortgage stress test, which is making it more difficult for some people to qualify for lending, the threat of higher interest rates, elevated home prices, a trend in declining home prices as well, and continued uncertainty when it comes to the economy and the labour market are all weighing heavily on the minds of consumers in Calgary these days. All that is buoying the city’s rental market. “Rental rates appear to be on the rise in part due to an increase in demand thanks to increasingly strict mortgage lending rules, a bottoming out of rental market pricing, and less new rental housing coming online,” said Shamon Kureshi, CEO of Hope Street, a rental and property management company based in Calgary. “Landlords have reason to be optimistic for the coming year.” For example, Kureshi says Calgary-area private landlords experienced the average rental rate, blended for all types of advertised rental homes and condos, reaching $1,671 per month as of January 15. This amount represents a 13 per cent hike in the past five months as the average rental rate in September 2018 was $1,481. The Greater Calgary Area’s vacancy rate has also edged down to three per cent, which is down from 4.1 per cent in October. The Rentals.ca website platform released an interesting report highlighting rental CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM

market predictions for 2019 from experts in the real estate industry. James Cuddy, senior market analyst for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, said in the report that spiking oil prices and high unemployment at 8.2 per cent has “put downward pressure” on the rental market. “Given high unemployment and recession, affordability has been eroded across Calgary... These affordability challenges are putting an increased demand on rentals, and the millennial generation and international migrants are leading this demand,” added Cuddy. Yes, vacancy has plunged in the market but the city continues to have an elevated level of inventory — higher than most other Canadian cities in fact. Matt Danison, CEO of Rentals.ca, which lists properties for rent across Canada, said demand for the rental market in Calgary will continue to increase this year and the company is predicting a four per cent hike in rental rates in 2019. Ben Myers, president of Bullpen Research & Consulting Inc., a boutique residential real estate advisory firm, said many Millennials today are choosing not to buy for various reasons, including costs and the tighter mortgage rules. “They like the flexibility to live wherever they want, to be able to move and not worry

about selling, especially in Calgary, where you’ve seen some decline in house prices in the last couple of years,” he said. “When you have declining prices... it just makes people nervous about purchasing. It may be their preferred way to live – to own something — but they don’t want to buy unless they think prices are going to go up.” According to Rentals.ca, Calgary rents in December averaged $1,270 for one-bedroom units and $1,448 for two-bedroom suites. NL This article was shortened for space considerations. For the full text, visit www.calgaryhomeliving.com

Mario Toneguzzi Based in Calgary, Mario Toneguzzi has 37 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, city and breaking news, and business. For 12 years as a business writer, his main beats were commercial and residential real estate, retail, small business and general economic news. He nows works on his own as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Email mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com

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hope at large n

By Marty Hope

RANGEVIEW RISING Ollerenshaw family adds to its land development legacy with Rangeview WITH ITS ROOTS firmly entrenched in the agriculture legacy of the Ollerenshaw family, seeds have started to sprout with the recently-approved development of Rangeview. With the municipal nod given its outline plan and land use re-designation in December, the development timelines show that this year will be finalizing servicing approvals and project commencement, with some grading possible. Next year will see that start of servicing infrastructure installation, and it won’t be until 2021 that show homes will open and the grand opening of the community will be celebrated. For those of you, and there are likely many, who don’t know of the hefty contributions to agriculture, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, sustainability, innovation, and land development, it was Ollerenshaw land that became the communities of Copperfield and Mahogany in the southeast quadrant of the city. And like these two successful communities, Rangeview, by Section23 Developments, will come out of yet another piece of the family’s large holdings of farmland, this one next door to Seton. Section23, by the way, was founded by company executive chairman Robert Ollerenshaw. And over the years it has become a diversified real estate collective specializing in architecture, land development, and housing. Rangeview brings with it to the marketplace an Ollerenshaw family belief of “respecting the land, heritage, and the value of good design in creating environments

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that connect generaeducational opportunities for tions” and maintaining them and their children. Food its decades-old ties to the production and gardening on prifarm, says Marion Murray, vate and public lands, and related senior vice-president with programs, will be professionally Section23. managed through a homeowners’ So, what is Rangeview all association. about? True to Ollerenshaw’s innovaIt is situated on 320 acres tive bent, Rangeview will be the Robert Ollerenshaw south of 196 Avenue S.E. first such community in Alberta and east of 52nd Street S.E., immediately and one of just a few across Canada, accordsouth of Mahogany that will hold nearly ing to Murray. 3,000 homes of various styles and price “But,” she emphasizes, “it will still have points for a community of some 8,300 the look of a suburban community.” residents. In that regard, Rangeview will focus on But, it’s going to be much more than a affordability and lifestyle, with a prodresidential development. uct mix covering various demographics “My father strongly believed agriculture and will include apartment-style condos, had an important part to play and it needed street-oriented townhomes, and single-deto be recognized for its many contributions tached homes with detached or attached to our daily lives. He had a motto for his garages — about 56 per cent of homes will life: ‘Be sure to take care of the land and the be single-family and another 19 per cent is land will take care of you,’” recalled Robert open space. There will be a school as well Ollerenshaw. as passive and active recreation areas and Rangeview has been described as Calnaturalized wetlands. For more information gary’s first “garden-to-table community on Rangeview visit section23.com. NL designed to nourish and inspire authentic This article was shortened for space living through food celebration,” says considerations. For the full text, visit Murray. “It will become a vibrant and social www.calgaryhomeliving.com gathering place for neighbours to connect surrounded by amenity-rich residential Marty Hope. For more than two decades living, community gardens, and food proMarty Hope has been reporting on the housing duction.” and development industry in Calgary, throughout Alberta, and across Canada. In Much like a linear park, Rangeview will March, he was presented with the Maple Leaf have a long, wide greenway area dedicated Award from the Canadian Home Builders’ to garden plots, green spaces, and greenAssociation which is given annually to a houses that can be used by residents for non-builder member in Canada for growing their own food, and for providing contributions to the industry. CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM




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