FRONTIERS DESIGN+BUILD GUELPH, ON

frontiersdesignbuild.com less energy for heating and cooling. Or, even better, experience it for yourself in one of south Guelph’s favourite neighbourhoods, just steps from Preservation Park, where Frontiers is soon breaking ground on three certified Passive Houses.

We’re lucky to live in a place where respite from the vibrations of the city is only a short drive away. At the same time, while we might love any opportunity for a change of scenery, there’s something deeply comforting about the possibility of creating respite within the walls of our own homes – while investing in the earth that our homes rest upon.

ATYPICAL ACQUISITIONS: MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE NEURODIVERGENT BUYER BY KELLY CALDWELL, REALTOR® TRILLIUMWEST | kellycaldwell.ca

‘No two homes are alike’ is a common saying in the world of real estate. The same can be said of home buyers. We’re all unique – and we all come to the house-hunting process with our own needs, desires, challenges, and quirks. That's why realtors need to be able to relate to people coming from all walks of life. Many of us have trusted systems and best practices, but we also must be ready to adapt our regular ways to meet some clients’ needs. A great example? The neurodivergent buyer.

Neurodivergence refers to a natural variation in the way some brains function, impacting patterns of thinking and behaving. Many conditions fall under this category – including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia. Neurodivergent people – and I’m one of them – often have challenges that play out as they interact with the world around them. We see the world differently, so, naturally, we approach the home-buying process differently.

Neurodivergent buyers have unique needs. For them, for example, sensory issues while touring homes are not unusual. Social interactions can be challenging, and emotional sensitivity is common during what is, after all, a stressful process. There’s so much to learn during the home-buying process, and neurodivergent buyers can struggle with information overload. To properly serve these clients, we must lead with empathy and patience.

What does that sort of leading look like, in practical terms? Perhaps booking private showings for neurodivergent buyers instead of suggesting they attend a public open house. Or requesting additional time for viewings so these clients don’t feel rushed. And it’s communicating effectively, taking extra time to ensure they’re fully informed. Our aim is to create a supportive, inclusive environment that helps them feel empowered during the buying process.

Of course, individual preferences and needs vary greatly within the neurodivergent community. Home elements that might be of particular interest to neurodivergent clients include:

• A sensory-friendly environment: many neurodivergent individuals are sensitive to sensory stimuli. They might appreciate a home with adjustable lighting, soundproofing, and good insulation to reduce noise.

• Organizational spaces: neurodivergent individuals often benefit from clear organization and visual cues designed to help with planning and routines. Closet and cupboard organization systems are beneficial, as is plenty of storage to ensure clutter is minimal.

• Quiet spaces: access to a quiet space to retreat and recharge is valuable. This might include bedrooms with soundproofing or designated personal spaces.

• Natural elements: plants, natural lighting, and access to relaxing outdoor spaces can all have a positive impact on mental well-being.

• Light: those who struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) might find comfort in a home with an abundance of windows facing south.

I find that working with other neurodivergent people is a lot of fun. They tend to bring a unique perspective to the process, and very little slips past them. By understanding and appreciating the unique experiences of neurodivergent buyers, we can ensure that everyone who buys a home enjoys the process and also experiences a successful outcome.

DOWN BY THE RIVER:

GETTING (RE-)ACQUAINTED WITH EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE SUMMER FESTIVAL

INTERVIEW WITH SPENCER SHEWEN & JON RALSTON BY CHRIS TIESSEN; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN & RIVERFEST ELORA

SUMMER’S HERE – WHICH MEANS THAT FESTIVAL SEASON IS UPON US. WHILE OUR REGION PLAYS HOST TO A MYRIAD OF ARTS AND CULTURE EVENTS ALL THROUGH THESE WARMER MONTHS, THERE’S ONE THREE-DAY PARTY THAT’S ESPECIALLY DEAR TO MY HEART: RIVERFEST ELORA. THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL – WHICH TAKES PLACE AUGUST EIGHTEENTH THROUGH TWENTIETH AT ELORA’S BISSELL PARK AND FEATURES SUCH HEADLINERS AS METRIC, FEIST, THE REKLAWS, AND (WAY) MORE – PROMISES TO BE A TRIUMPH.

SOME TIME THIS MAY, BETWEEN FESTIVAL PLANNING MEETINGS, TWO OF RIVERFEST ELORA’S ORGANIZERS – EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SPENCER SHEWEN AND FESTIVAL CO-OWNER JON RALSTON – FOUND TIME TO CHAT

WITH ME AT ELORA BREWING COMPANY ABOUT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL AND ABOUT RIVERFEST LORE IN GENERAL. HERE’S A BIT OF THAT MEMORABLE CONVERSATION – CHRONICLED BETWEEN BITES:

BEFORE WE DIG INTO ALL THINGS RIVERFEST, COULD YOU LET OUR READERS KNOW HOW EACH OF YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH THE FESTIVAL?

Jon: I’ve been involved with Riverfest since its inception back in 2009, when Elora local Marilyn Koop organized a fundraising music festival called ‘Riverfest’ for the Elora Centre for the Arts. Shawn Watters [Festival co-owner and current town mayor] and I agreed to help Marilyn put on that first festival: a one-evening, two-act affair that took place in the yard at the Centre. Each summer until her passing in 2012, Marilyn put on the festival with our help – moving it from the Centre to its current location of Bissell Park. Since 2012, Shawn and I have stewarded Riverfest – in Marilyn’s honour.

Spencer: I got involved with Riverfest in 2012, after meeting Jon and Shawn at The Cornerstone in Guelph – which I was managing at the time. The two of them came in to hang festival posters. I told them that we’d put some up if I could have some free passes to the festival – which took place on my birthday that year. They agreed, and I ended up cramming a bunch of people into a limousine and heading off to Elora to celebrate my birthday at my first Riverfest. In 2013 I helped with the lineup and stage managed. Since then my role at the festival has grown every year.

SPENCER, YOU’RE THE EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR FESTIVAL. WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

Spencer: I began working in live music venues in Guelph – Trasheteria, Jimmy Jazz, eBar – when I was old enough to drink. These earliest experiences cemented my desire to work in the music business. I ended up at the Harris Institute in Toronto to learn about the industry, and honed my chops by interning for Ted Heagle who ran the Canadian arm of Rainbow Quartz Records. After a while Ted and I started our own label – Sunnylane Records – where we put out Donovan Woods’ first record, as well as music by Ride Theory, Hopewell, and a bunch of other stuff. Eventually I moved back to Guelph where I started Fortnight Music as a concert series at eBar and The Albion. Through Fortnight, we eventually helped release albums from several local singers and bands – including Alanna Gurr and Lowlands. I also sat on the Hillside Festival board for six or seven years – which provided great experience for what I do now. As Riverfest’s Executive & Artistic Director, I’m the only yearround, full-time staff. It can be quite a heavy lift, but come festival time there’s a not-so-small army of seasonal staff and volunteers who help carry the weight.

AH YES, THE VOLUNTEERS – TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE ROLE VOLUNTEERS PLAY AT RIVERFEST.

Spencer: To put it bluntly, Riverfest wouldn’t be possible without the incredible contributions of our spectacular volunteers and our local community at large. This year there will be over five hundred of them helping over festival weekend – including more than seventy lead volunteers who manage particular sections of the festival [shuttles, bar, artist hospitality, and more]. These leads pour their hearts and souls into Riverfest, and have become like extended family.

AND WHAT IS RIVERFEST ANYWAYS? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FESTIVAL TO SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER BEEN?

Spencer: These days, Riverfest is a three-day, family-friendly arts and music festival that takes place at Elora’s Bissell Park. This year’s festival features forty-seven performers [forty-five of whom are Canadian] across three stages. It also features artist vendors selling everything from tin-can ukuleles to jewelry, and food vendors featuring everything from Nepalese momos to Indian tacos.

Jon: And we’re locally-owned and operated, too.

YOU’VE GOT YOUR TICKETS TO RIVERFEST ELORA. WHAT ELSE WILL YOU NEED ON FESTIVAL WEEKEND?

HERE’S A LIST OF ESSENTIALS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME AT BISSELL PARK:

HAT, SUNSCREEN & SHADES: TO KEEP THAT MIDDAY SUN AT BAY

CELL PHONE: TO DOWNLOAD THE SCHEDULE, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS, AND RECORD MEMORIES

FAVOURITE CONCERT TEE: TO FLY YOUR FLAG FOR ALL TO SEE

FLIP-FLOPS: TO FACILITATE DIPPING YOUR TOES IN THE GORGE BETWEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ACTS

REUSABLE BOTTLE: TO FILL AT THE FREE WATER STATION SO YOU STAY HYDRATED

GOOD VIBES: TO SPREAD LOVE ALL WEEKEND LONG

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REGIONAL ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVALS THAT VIE FOR FOLKS’ DISCRETIONAL SPENDING EACH SUMMER –INCLUDING GUELPH’S HILLSIDE FESTIVAL, KITCHENER’S BLUESFEST, LONDON’S ROCK THE PARK AND SUNFEST, AND OTHERS. WHAT MAKES RIVERFEST UNIQUELY GREAT?

Jon: Besides the music, which is always incredible, I think that Riverfest’s success is rooted in its physical location. Most festivals take place either in an urban area or out in nature. Riverfest – situated in Bissell Park, cradled between the Grand River on one side and the town of Elora on the other – enjoys the best of both worlds. On festival weekend, both of these remarkable assets are put to good use as festival-goers enjoy the river and Elora’s fabulous gorge, on the one hand, as well as spend time in the town, which becomes a vibrant extension of the festival. We encourage festival goers to take a break from the music to explore the shops, restaurants, cafés, and bars of Elora throughout festival weekend.

And some of Riverfest’s most memorable shows actually happen in the town of Elora, away from Bissell Park, at the festival’s official afterparties.

Spencer: There are so many things that make Riverfest special. There's the festival’s ‘Murton Woods’ that features local artist Tim Murton’s entrancing monster sculptures [that also come out during Elora's October ‘Monster Month’]. And the live karaoke sets by The Boo Radley Project, the local band that enables festival attendees to sing their favourite tunes with live backing. This year’s festival is especially exciting for me because five of our top six headlining acts are female-fronted bands. As a festival that’s taken the Keychange Pledge –an initiative that’s working toward achieving gender balance in the global music industry – I think this is something definitely worth mentioning.

SPEAKING OF BANDS, WHAT PERFORMERS ARE YOU BOTH MOST EXCITED TO SEE AT THIS YEAR’S RIVERFEST?

Spencer: I’m pumped to see The Aggrolites – a legendary Los Angeles-based ska band that’s just one of two non-Canadian festival bands. And I’m also so excited to catch Charlotte Cardin, a totally badass Montreal-based performer.

Jon: I’m really looking forward to seeing Rêve – a Montreal-based pop artist. I also can’t wait to see Ottawa-based Talk, whose inspirations range from Freddie Mercury to Guns N Roses. And also SonReal, a wicked artist who combines hip-hop with a soulful vibe.

AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM PAST FESTIVALS?

Spencer: The Flaming Lips’ show in 2018 has to be right up there. Their stage theatrics –which included Wayne Coyne riding a giant inflatable unicorn and performing on top of the audience in a transparent balloon. Men Without Hats in 2019 was also pretty great. Watching a sea of people sing and dance along to ‘The Safety Dance’ at the more intimate Grasslands Stage was just plain awesome. Charles Bradley’s 2014 performance will always stand out in my mind. And Metric’s 2015 set was definitely epic. I’m so excited to have them back again this year – they’re the perfect festival band and will do such an awesome job closing out Saturday night.

Jon: While that Flaming Lips set is hard to top, I really loved seeing Wolf Parade in 2018, and Bruce Cockburn in 2014. What I remember most is Bruce's arriving in Elora in the middle of the night and waking up the next morning at 5am to go fly-fishing on the river. After fishing, he climbed out of the water and headed straight for sound check in an empty Bissell Park. I was there to see it all – it was truly magical.

THAT SOUNDS INCREDIBLE. NOW HOW CAN FOLKS WHO WANT TO COME TO THE FESTIVAL GET THERE?

Jon: Riverfest attendees rely heavily on our [by donation] shuttle bus service, which runs on a loop through festival weekend from downtown Guelph, the Elora Gorge Conservation Area, the Guelph Lake Conservation Area, the racetrack in Elora, downtown Fergus, and downtown Kitchener. We also have a bicycle lockup facility at the festival grounds. We encourage carpooling for those coming from out of town.

JUST ONE MORE QUESTION – IF YOU COULD GET ANY ARTIST IN THE WORLD TO PERFORM AT RIVERFEST, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Jon: For sure I’d want to hear some iteration of Jack White or the White Stripes. Oh, and Bad Religion.

Spencer: Rancid one hundred percent –they’re my favourite band of all time.

WANNA BUILD THE HYPE?

HERE'S RIVERFEST'S SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

WHILE THE THEME OF THIS ISSUE IS ‘HOMES’ – THAT IS, THOSE ABODES WHERE WE MOST OFTEN REST OUR HEADS – THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT PLACES WE SEEK OUT WHEN WE WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. HOMES AWAY FROM HOME. LAVISHLY APPOINTED PLACES TO STAY THAT PAMPER AND SPOIL AND OVERINDULGE. LUCKY FOR US, OUR REGION HAS AT LEAST THREE PORTS OF CALL POISED TO CLEAR EVEN THE MOST OVER-BURDENED MIND. WHETHER YOU’RE PLANNING A WEEKEND AWAY OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR AN ELEVATED COCKTAIL, MEAL, OR EVEN HIGH TEA (WE’RE LOOKING AT YOU, LANGDON HALL), THESE OASES OF COMFORT AND REPOSE HAVE YOU COVERED – AND ALL ARE JUST A STONE’S THROW AWAY.

The Walper Hotel

20 QUEEN ST S, KITCHENER WALPER.COM

Stepping off of Queen Street South and into the mid-century-modern-appointed lobby of the historic Walper Hotel might just have you feeling as though you’re checking into some bougie accommodations in Montreal, or Soho, or Barcelona – not downtown Kitchener. The wonderful design cues are all around: large, colourful abstract paintings mounted to white wainscoted walls; low-back, earth-tone leather couches and organic velvet loungers scattered about the lobby; floor-to-ceiling wall units lined with hardcover design books, brass sculptures, and other perfectly-curated nick-nacks; mosaic-tiled floors – grey and refined and just right. I could go on.

One floor up, the mcm theme continues in the hotel’s Lokal Lounge – a playful and elegant cocktail spot. The wraparound bar, grand piano, and uber-hip seating area will let you know that you’ve arrived at the right place. Walk from the lounge toward the second floor ‘balcony’ where jazz legend Louis Armstrong is purported to have played for crowds below and you’ll find the hotel’s Barrister’s Lounge – a bright and cheery breakfast room where Al Capone, so the story goes, once met representatives from Waterloo’s Seagram distillery to discuss running spirits from the region into Prohibition-era America. Remnants of this history remain – including a nineteenth-century cigar vent in the lounge ceiling. Explore the rest of the second floor and you’ll find a myriad of event spaces –including both a massive ballroom and smaller rooms for hosting intimate group meals or private board meetings.

Take one of the hotel’s central elevators to the remaining four floors (which were added by Abel Walper in 1893 when he transformed what had been a two-storey inn into The Walper Hotel) and you’ll find ninety-two guest rooms – each one unique in layout, design, and furnishings. Buck Naked Soap Co products adorn the bright glass and tile bathrooms, while a coffee machine stands ready to satiate your desire for caffeine until you settle in at Barrister’s for breakfast. While some rooms face outward, toward Queen or King Street, others face inwards – overlooking one of two wonderfully-photogenic courtyards that serve beautifully as event spaces come wedding season and as a private outdoor oasis for hotel guests.

Besides Barrister’s and Lokal for food and drinks, The Walper also features TWH Social – an elegant restaurant perched just below street level. All of the menus at The Walper incorporate seasonal local produce and locally-procured meats and cheeses –and even honey from bees kept on the hotel’s roof. When you're in the mood to head out, borrow one of the hotel’s bicycles to explore the many cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and museums of downtown Kitchener. The Walper can even set you up with a guide to point out some of #DTK’s favourite spots.

What are you waiting for? Grab a cocktail, a meal or a night’s stay in downtown Kitchener’s premium digs. And experience a bit of Montreal, or Soho, or Barcelona – right in your own backyard.

MILL HOTEL & SPA

77 MILL ST W, ELORA ELORAMILL.CA

A sumptuous meal at an elegant four-top right next to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking rapids just below – this is an experience everyone should savour at least once in their lifetime. A feast for the senses. Revel in it at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa's main dining room. While your tastebuds are being tickled by expertly-crafted dishes prepared by esteemed Executive Chef Dacha Markovic’s expert culinary team, your eyes are gifted the most magnificent vista just on the other side of the glass – of the rushing water crashing over rocks and past tree-covered cliffs and the expansive Elora gorge snaking into the distance. It's unique in Ontario. Indeed, this might just be the most photogenic seat anywhere.

Nestled in the heart of what’s been labeled ‘Canada’s most road-trippable town,’ the Elora Mill is a favourite destination for travelers and locals alike. And for good reason. The Mill – which is actually a collection of century-old stone buildings made dazzlingly modern with wood and glass and everything nice – does so many things right.

There’s the aforementioned main dining area, of course, which actually spans two storeys and even descends – through carved rock – into a mesmerizing private event space and wine cellar built into the building’s original mill tunnel. And the seasonal outdoor patio – filled with large planters and umbrellas and nestled between the main Mill building, the Mill spa, and natural rock walls. And the ‘Kitchen Counter’ – a seat at the granite counter in the Mill’s spacious kitchen where you meet the chefs, watch your dishes being prepared, and get a sneak peek at new items. And two lovely bars, too – one situated in front of a massive hearth (perfect for negronis during cooler months) and the other incorporated into the main dining area (for people watching, to be sure). All of these dining spaces are available to visitors looking to experience the magic of the Elora Mill, even without committing to an overnight stay.

Whether you are a daytime or overnight guest, you're welcome to book an appointment at the Mill’s spa. Perched cliffside with unparalleled views of the gorge, the spa – envisioned by internationally-renowned designer, Lori Morris – features everything from pedicure, manicure, and couples massage areas to a relaxation room in the top-floor solarium. The rooftop pool and hot tub offer stunning views of the main Mill building and gorge (way) below. (There’s almost nothing more magical than a January swim in the heated pool – steam rising from the water, snowflakes melting on your face, cocktail waiting on the deck.)

If you’re lucky enough to be overnighting at the Mill, there are thirty total rooms and suites to choose from, located across three buildings and offering something for everyone. Whether you stay in one of the Coach House Riverview Rooms (located in the Mill’s nineteenth-century Coach House and featuring balconies overlooking the Grand River), a Mill Bedroom (in the historic main Mill building and featuring exposed wood beams, stone walls, functioning wood fireplaces, and even balconies with firepits overlooking the gorge), or the James Ross House (a one thousand-square foot two-storey private villa just steps from the other Mill buildings), you’ll find yourself in a little piece of heaven.

And of course there’s also the walkable village of Elora – beckoning to be explored by foot or on one of the Mill’s custom-made bicycles (available for overnight guests). Featuring unique boutiques, quaint cafés, awesome restaurants, and seemingly-countless opportunities for adventure (including tubing, rafting, ziplining, hiking, biking, and more), the town offers never-ending fun. All this – just steps from your room.

A feast for the senses, indeed. The Mill. The rest. Take it all in.

Hall

The exceptional delight of gliding slowly past the front gates and up the meandering tree-lined drive toward the neo-classical main building at historic Langdon Hall never gets old, and this magnificent approach always sets the mood (no matter your disposition) for what’s to come: a period of peace, tranquility, and bliss. Sauntering past the main building’s fluted columns and into the historic country manor’s main entrance only confirms this inevitability. Indeed, every detail of the place has been curated to remind you that you’ve arrived in a lap of luxury. Every. Little. Detail. Heavens, even the place’s seemingly-countless candelabras, light fixtures, and vases are fashioned with ornate brass lizards, silver stag heads, and other almost-hidden miniature odes to nature just waiting to reveal themselves – if you take the time to look for them.

Of course, not everything’s miniature at Langdon Hall. The manor’s sprawling grounds, for instance, consisting of acres of manicured lawns and gardens and, beyond this loveliness, rolling hills of forests and walking trails and even Langdon’s own farm (that supplies the kitchen with fresh ingredients), seem to go on forever. Which is the point, really: to be surrounded by nature – away from it all. To be sure, when you spend any time at all at Langdon you’ll forget that this wonderful oasis is situated on the outskirts of Cambridge – and just a few kilometres away from Kitchener-Waterloo.

Completed in 1902 as a new residence for Eugene Langdon Wilks and his wife, Pauline Kingsmill, Langdon Hall lives and breathes magnificent oldworld Canadiana. From the architecturally-stunning oculus in the ceiling above the main lobby to the massive framed historical map of Waterloo Region in the billiards room; from the countless century-old oil portraits hanging in Wilks’ Bar to the collection of porcelain plates positioned in a row on wainscoting in a main-floor hallway – every detail of the place invokes an earlier, grand chapter of Canadian history.

Langdon Hall is many things to many people, of course. For some, it’s an overnight refuge. Featuring sixty glorious guest rooms and suites in multiple buildings across the manor’s grounds, the place has a feather bed with down duvet for almost any taste. Looking for a wood-burning fireplace? Check. An effervescent jet tub? Yep. Heck, Langdon even offers water and food bowls for pets.

For others, Langdon Hall is a daytime getaway – a special place to reset and refuel. Acclaimed Chef Jason Bangerter and his masterful team, presiding over the seventh best restaurant in Canada (as ranked by Canada’s Top 100), are always working with the freshest ingredients – many grown at Langdon’s farm – and creating the most distinctive, spectacular dishes. Daytime guests to Langdon are welcome to dine in the estate’s Main Conservatory, which overlooks the gardens, or settle into the cozy atmosphere of Wilks’ Bar – perfect for lunch or cocktails. Langdon Hall also has a number of exquisite private dining rooms that can seat anywhere from twenty to one hundred and twenty guests – for weddings and other events.

And then there’s the intimate, award-winning spa, ranked one of the top twenty-five spas in Canada. Langdon’s spa is all about indulgence. Featuring massages, wraps, scrubs, and other expert restorative and aesthetic treatments, the spa is available for both overnight and daytime guests.

If the devil’s in the details, then Langdon Hall reveals itself, at every turn, to be a devilishly-wonderful mecca of luxury. Just take a look. And then look closer. Every. Little. Detail.

CUSTOM HOME BUILDING: FROM THE GROUND UP REFLECTIONS FROM JAMES ANTHONY OF ANTHONY HOMES | anthonyhomes.ca

Working with a custom builder is an opportunity for you to ensure that your home meets your exact needs. Super-sized walk-in closet? Check. Hoping the kitchen counters can be lower or higher than standard? No problem. Looking for a rec room that can transform into an in-law suite? Achievable.

‘When we’re looking at the houses already on the market, it’s a huge feat to find a perfect home that meets all needs, and even renovating can usually only go so far in getting exactly what a homeowner might want,’ notes James Anthony of Anthony Homes, a Guelph-based builder who works one-on-one with clients to build their dream home from the ground up. As such, a custom home is a great solution for folks looking to ‘check all their boxes.’

And while almost everyone looking to have a custom home built knows their budget, they might not know exactly what their money will get them. ‘We get stars in our eyes when we think ‘dream home’,’ James remarks, ‘so it’s important for us to sit down with our clients to let them know how we can work successfully within their budget.’ Here are a few things James and his team urge clients to keep top of mind:

Prioritize your needs

‘It’s important to know your 'must-haves' versus 'what’s nice to have',’ says James. So he encourages clients to create a scoring sheet (or similar system) to keep track of what they consider most important – especially when more than one future homeowner is involved. As James posits: ‘Scoring sheets are a great communication tool to explore what matters most to you both.’

Have your financing in order

‘When you work out the project cost,’ James observes, ‘it’s important to know where the funds will come from.’ Have you been saving, or will you need to arrange for a mortgage or construction financing? Having your finances in order reduces the stress of planning the build. James adds: ‘We help customers discern what design features mean from a cost perspective and give them options to help stay on budget.’

Plan early with your builder

James’ primary goal is to draw on his knowledge and experience to provide information that will help clients meet their goals while remaining realistic about the journey ahead. ‘Every relationship is built on solid communication,’ he notes, ‘and working with a home builder is no different. We put time into conversations with clients – providing helpful, honest advice so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.’ Anthony Homes’ team of professionals starts working with customers at the design phase, ensuring all needs – as well as considerations such as municipal zoning bylaws and soil conditions – are accounted for from the beginning, to ensure the successful execution of your dream home.