Ontario Active Life - February 11, 2023

building small town canada.

We start with location. We let the land decide what our communities should look like. We create simple yet remarkable amenities to bring families together. That sense of place helps to determine the design and character of each community’s Master Plan.

Ask yourself if what you’re looking for is a place to live – or a place to Live Remarkably.

BIG PICTURE, LONG TERM

Now that we’re into the second month of 2023, we can begin to look forward to improving market conditions and brighter, warmer and longer days.

Indeed, last year wasn’t the easiest for homebuyers, as higher interest rates, concerns for the economy and inflation conspired to impart a chill over the real estate market.

According to the latest Royal LePage House Price Survey, for example, the aggregate price of a home in Canada decreased 2.8 per cent yearover-year to $757,100 in the fourth quarter of 2022. This was the first such decline recorded since the end of 2008 during the global financial crisis. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the aggregate price of a home in Canada decreased 2.3 per cent – the third consecutive quarterly decline, though the smallest of the year.

But as we often discuss in Active Life and on nexthome.ca, you should view real estate locally, over the long term and even by property type. Case in point: Those Royal LePage numbers are for Canada overall, and of course when you buy a home, you don’t buy a national market; you buy one property on one street in one location.

WAYNE KARL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Active Life Magazine

EMAIL: wayne.karl@nexthome.ca

TWITTER: @WayneKarl

For the GTA, specifically, the aggregate price of a home decreased 4.6 per cent year-over-year to $1.06 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. On a quarterly basis, the aggregate price decreased 2.7 per cent; the third consecutive quarterly decline.

Broken down by housing type, the median price of a single-family detached home decreased 6.7 per cent year-over-year to $1.32 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, while the median price of a condominium increased 2.7 per cent to $683,100.

Again, perhaps not spectacular numbers, but when we take a longer view, we get a different picture. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board reports that the average aggregate selling price for 2022 was $1.18 million – up 8.6 per cent compared to $1.09 million in 2021. And underlining the need to examine specific property types, condo prices actually finished 11.3 per cent higher for the year.

Looking at specific markets, aggregate home prices for 2022 increased four per cent in Oakville, and seven per cent in Vaughan, according to Royal LePage.

For all the talk of doom and gloom, single-digit quarterly declines in some categories don’t seem so tragic.

Indeed, as our Outlook 2023 Special Report on page 12 discusses, there are reasons to be optimistic, even positive, about the road ahead this year and into 2024 and beyond.

If you look at the big picture, long term.

Save with FREE home energy upgrades

The Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program provides free energy-efficient upgrades, including wall, basement and attic insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat, to help income-qualified customers save on home heating and cooling.

Brampton homeowner Rosemary explains how she qualified for free attic insulation and draft proofing from Enbridge Gas.

Q: How did you hear about the program?

A: I watch CTV News every day and Pat Foran mentioned an Enbridge Gas Winterproofing Program. And I thought, well, that sounds like a good idea.

Q: Why did you decide to participate?

A: My house was built back in 1972, so it’s nearly fifty years old. I wanted to reduce my heating costs and I knew that the roof could use more insulation after so many years.

Q: After the free upgrades were installed, what difference did you notice?

A: I noticed that my bills are much better. I noticed a big difference in the comfort.

Q: How important is saving energy to you?

A: It’s very important because I’m a pensioner and so I budget very carefully. So saving energy means a lot to me.

Q: What would you tell others about the program?

A: I would really recommend the Enbridge Winterproofing Program. I think it’s really great. You’ve got nothing to lose. It’s free.

Q: Did you have any concerns about the program?

A: One of my friends said she’d heard about it, but she thought it was a scam. And so I told her no. I said, I’ve been in touch and they’ve done it for me.

Whether you rent or own, you may qualify based on household income or if you receive assistance from certain government programs.

What happens next if you qualify?

• An authorized program delivery agent will contact you with a few short questions. They’ll ask for proof of income, such as a benefit statement. This will be kept confidential.

• Then they’ll visit your home to check whether it’s properly insulated, or if air is escaping through windows and doors. This home energy assessment usually takes about two hours.

• If your home is eligible for free upgrades, professional contractors will install them at your convenience. It’s quick and clean, and there’s no cost to you.

• Finally, a delivery agent will make a follow-up visit to make sure everything’s working properly and to answer any questions.

To learn more about the program and see if you qualify, visit enbridgegas.com/winterproofing or apply by phone in minutes at 1-844-770-3148

PERSONAL FINANCE | JESSE ABRAMS

Jesse Abrams is Co-Founder at Homewise, a mortgage advisory and brokerage firm based in Toronto. thinkhomewise.com

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Jacky Hill, jacky.hill@nexthome.ca

EXECUTIVE MEDIA CONSULTANT

Michael Rosset

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – NATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Susan Legge, susan.legge@nexthome.ca

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – GREATER TORONTO AREA

Wayne Karl, wayne.karl@nexthome.ca

MANAGING EDITOR

Rise Levy, rise.levy@nexthome.ca

GARDEN EDITOR

Mark Cullen

GARDENING | BEN AND MARK CULLEN

Mark Cullen is a Member of the Order of Canada, and provides gardening advice to more than two million Canadians each week. Ben Cullen’s specialty is food gardening. markcullen.com; Facebook @MarkCullenGardening and Pinterest @MarkCullenGardening.

TECH

| GREG GAZIN

Greg Gazin is a syndicated tech columnist, blogger, podcaster, and contributes to canoe.com, Troy Media and Active Life magazine. gadgetguy.ca

CONTRIBUTORS

Jesse Abrams, Debbie Cosic, Mike Collins-Williams, Ben Cullen, Greg Gazin, Bruce Kirkland, Agnes Ramsay

SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES, NEXTHOME

Hope McLarnon

416.708.7987, hope.mclarnon@nexthome.ca

DIRECTOR OF SALES, ONTARIO, NEXTHOME

Natalie Chin

416.881.4288, natalie.chin@nexthome.ca

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Amanda Bell

416.830.2911, amanda.bell@nexthome.ca

VICE-PRESIDENT, MARKETING – GTA

Leanne Speers

SENIOR CLIENT RELATIONS SPECIALIST – GTA

Sonia Presotto

MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES/SERVICE

Marilyn Watling

SALES & MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

Gary Chilvers, Vi Nguyen

HOME SHOW MANAGER & NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION – GTA

Josh Rosset

TAKE TWO | BRUCE KIRKLAND

Bruce Kirkland’s career spans more than four decades, working as a film critic for The Toronto Star, The Ottawa Journal and for 36 years at The Toronto Sun. bruce.kirkland@hotmail.com

DISTRIBUTION distributionteam@nexthome.ca

ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES accountingteam@nexthome.ca

DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA

Lauren Reid–Sachs

VICE-PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION – GTA

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PRODUCTION MANAGER – GTA

Yvonne Poon

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ASSISTANT MANAGER

FITNESS

| AGNES RAMSAY

Agnes Ramsay is a Registered Nurse, Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach who specializes in Electric Muscle Stimulation Training. agnes.ramsay@xbodyworld.com

Alicesa Pullan

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR

Hannah Yarkony

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Johannah Lorenzo, Mike Terentiev

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From knockdown to knockout

The National Home Show Returns!

Come see the largest North American display of all things home. Hang out with chefs and sample delicious food in the Outdoor Kitchen, walk through the Bonneville Feature Home + Garden Suite, learn from experts in the Speaker’s Lounge, and discover innovative products and great deals from more than 500 vendors!

Tickets and info at nationalhomeshow.com

A RETURN TO NORMALITY

I predict that 2023 is the year of the return to normality. For example, we should see a return to the normalization of mortgage interest rates later in the year. The 10-year average is approximately 3.3 per cent, so anything around four per cent is reasonable. And when buying a pre-construction condo, closing typically occurs between 2.5 and five years later, when rates will have stabilized even more. However, with new immigration and rising construction costs, there will likely be upward pressure on prices, so buying sooner rather than later is wise.

Rental rates are extremely high – in some places, already up to an unprecedented $4 per sq. ft. – which is great news for investors. Plus, some developers are offering great incentives. Now is the time for buyers to jump in. Keep your eye on the prize and enjoy leisurely sales office visits without line-ups.

COSIC

WHY 2023 WILL BE A BETTER YEAR FOR HOMEBUYERS

By WAYNE KARL

GOOD LOCATIONS AND VALUE

Last year brought a lot of uncertainties to the market. As a developer with more than 30 years of experience, we have been through a lot of ups and downs. Our government has tackled inflation as much as it can, however, supply and labour shortage issues still exist. More efforts are required to put towards supply and manpower issues, so that new construction developers can afford to build quality homes with better prices for customers. Ballantry has a positive expectation of the 2023 GTA real estate market because its economy remains strong, which will attract more residents and new immigrants. Good locations, well-designed and good quality homes are still the main driving force behind this market. In 2023, Ballantry will continue to bring projects that are in good locations, with good value to our customers.

DAVID HILL President Ballantry Homes

LEADING THE WAY

This year brings great hope and possibilities for our industry to lead the way economically. At Baker Real Estate Inc., we’ve just completed our second strongest year since being founded in 1993. We have every reason to believe we will continue this momentum in 2023. This month, we are launching Olive Residences condominium at Yonge and Finch, and the response has been tremendous.

Demand for new-construction condominiums is great for numerous reasons, starting with buyers having anywhere from two to more than five years before closing. Purchasing pre-construction is a smart way to build equity. In addition, mortgage rates will have normalized by the time buyers take possession.

With 430,000 new residents coming to Canada in 2022, we set a new immigration record. This also means increased demand for homeownership and rental opportunities.

BARBARA LAWLOR CEO Baker Real Estate Inc.

Higher interest rates, concerns for the economy, inflation… 2022 wasn’t the easiest of years for prospective newhome buyers. But there are reasons to be optimistic, even positive, about the road ahead this year and into 2024 and beyond.

Let’s take a look at the key factors.

INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION

The Bank of Canada increased its influential overnight rate target a number of times last year to curb high inflation. It’s slowly working, though the rate hikes have caused many buyers to be cautious. Homebuying activity, as a result, has cooled.

The BoC introduced another rate hike in its latest announcement on Jan. 25, but following that, possibly beginning in the second quarter, we could see an end to this trend.

“The second half of 2022 saw one of the slowest real estate markets in the modern history of Canada,” Jesse Abrams, co-founder and CEO of Homewise, told Active Life magazine. “Many buyers and sellers were waiting on the sidelines to understand where the volatile, increasing rate environment would end up, and what that would mean for the market and prices. In 2023, we could see an influx of sellers in Q2 who will not be able to wait any longer, especially as they fear losing more of their home value with prices dropping. This could spur on the market and be the opportunity many first-time homebuyers have

DEBBIE

CEO and Founder In2ition Realty

been waiting for to get into the market with lowering prices. Nobody has a crystal ball, but Q2 could be an interesting time for Canadian real estate.”

Senior economist, best-selling author and keynote speaker Ted Tsiakopoulos concurs, suggesting that conditions could move further into buyers’ market territory early or mid this year, especially if some buyers cancel closings, or should some investors exit the market.

LOWER PRICES WON’T LAST LONG

The biggest challenge for many prospective homebuyers is saving for a down payment. With some home prices experiencing downward pressure, buyers today need less money to make a down payment. For example, with the minimum down payment for homes of less than $1 million at five per cent, a home that was $600,000 last year may cost $540,000 today. That five-per-cent down payment previously $30,000 is now $27,000.

So, while rates are higher and some home prices are declining, saving for a down payment has become easier for potential buyers – for now – since we still face a well-documented shortage of new housing that will take time to address.

MORE HOMES BUILT FASTER

The More Homes Built Faster Act was given royal ascent last November, supporting the provincial government’s efforts to tackle the housing supply crisis and get 1.5 million homes built over the next 10 years. Controversial though it may be, More Homes Built Faster is intended to remove unnecessary costs and cut through red tape and other bottlenecks that stand in the way of new homes being built.

HOUSING IS A MAJOR GOVERNMENT AGENDA ISSUE

Housing is a major agenda item for our political leaders, as evidenced by More Homes Built Faster and in our last round of federal, Ontario provincial and municipal elections.

In the municipal elections last October, for example, housing supply – specifically, the development approval processes of the province’s 400-plus municipalities –was under the microscope.

Municipal approval timelines for new housing in the GTA have proven to be among the worst of major municipalities across Canada, and add significant costs to new home purchasers. The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) estimates the average delay in approvals adds approximately $50,000 in cost to an 800-sq.-ft. condo, and $100,000 to the cost of a single-family home.

Says Dave Wilkes, BILD president and CEO, “The federal government needs to be mindful of the impacts of its broad monetary policy on all homeowners, but especially new-home owners. The province and municipal governments, for their part, must maintain their focus on increasing housing supply.”

RECORD IMMIGRATION

Two factors that should help the housing market in 2023: Record immigration and rising rental rates.

Due to market uncertainty and the availability of trades, some developers are postponing new launches. The most successful openings post Q1-2022 were priced reasonably. Investors are expecting price rollbacks and discounts on anything that closes within the next three years.

Bullpen is forecasting about 14,000 to 16,000 GTA new condo sales in 2023, down from the typical 20,000 to 22,000. New condo price growth has been 10 to 15 per cent annually over the past 18 months (per-sq.-ft.), and our forecast sees a fall to the low single-digits by Q4 2023.

ADVANCING ALL PLANNING

After a correction to home prices in 2022, it is likely that the downward trend will continue, albeit more modestly. Aggressive interest rate hikes last year mean it’s going to take more time for the market to stabilize. People are understandably hesitant to list their home and/or enter new home purchase agreements when sales and prices are falling, but as economic conditions become more predictable, a return to a balanced market should follow.

As a developer and builder, we are continuing to advance all planning to launch two new communities in 2023 – Victoria Annex in Collingwood, and Craighurst Crossing in the village of Craighurst, near Barrie.

Sales and Marketing Georgian Communities

CHANGE IN TRAJECTORY

We foresee a positive year for the GTA real estate market, with a four- to five-per-cent increase in average sale prices.

We anticipate supply levels to remain low throughout 2023, with many homeowners comfortable not selling due to existing preferred mortgage rates secured prior to the recent 2022 hikes. We also predict mortgage rates flattening out by the second quarter of 2023, with the possibility of a minor rate drop by the third quarter. This would signal the bottom of the market where we would see buyers start coming back.

This would, of course, be a response to the BoC getting inflation under control, which we estimate being achieved in the second quarter of 2023, somewhere in the four- to five-per-cent range. This would be a boost to consumer confidence and start to change the trajectory of the market in the right direction.

If these predictions (supply, interest rates and inflation) come to fruition, along with the continued influx of immigrants to Ontario, we should have a positive year by the third quarter of 2023.

MIKE PARKER Vice-President,

BEN MYERS President Bullpen Research & Consulting Inc.

FRANK UCCELLO Manager of Sales StateView Homes

SHELTER COVE

WELL-DESERVED LAKESIDE LIVING ON THE SHORES OF LAKE ERIE

Shelter Cove is a year-round, waterfront community on the Shores of Lake Erie, adjacent to the Forests of Selkirk Provincial Park. Nestled at the mouth of Sandusk Creek, Shelter Cove has a rare location for a protected marina within a short distance to Lake Erie boating, picturesque vistas, easy access to hiking and biking trails and a charming small-town atmosphere that offers serenity and tranquility as well as a host of fun recreational activities.

ALL THAT YOU NEED AND WANT…

Privacy and security are paramount at Shelter Cove, and controlled gated access provides residents with peace of mind.

As a land-lease gated community, Shelter Cove offers property with maintenance free living. For a very low maintenance fee starting from $160 per month, the grass is cut and snow is shoveled, providing you with more time to do the things you enjoy most.

The community has its own drinking water sourced through reverse osmosis, and there is no need for septic tanks, as Shelter Cove owns a state-of-the-art water and wastewater plant, and residents benefit from the convenience of natural gas.

Currently under construction is a residents-only Club House, which will feature more than 5,000 sq. ft.

of on-site amenities. In addition, there is a large outdoor swimming pool, extended walking trails, private marina and dog park with plans for future amenities.

There is an abundance of amenities surrounding Shelter Cove, including supermarkets, healthcare, hospitals, golf courses, quaint towns and boutiques, as well as a variety of restaurants and service clubs in nearby Port Dover and Simcoe.

PRICING WITHIN REACH…

Prices here are very affordable at Shelter Cove. Lots range from 65 to more than 100 ft., with premium forest, waterview and open space lots still available. The

completely customizable bungalow manufactured modular homes include many luxury features. Prices start from the low $300,000s to more than $400,000, with leasehold tenure. Homes can be used as a vacation and recreational property for seasonal use, or permanent accommodations year-round.

Leasehold tenure provides a financial advantage because it saves purchasers the capital outlay of a serviced building lot, which can run as high at $150,000 to $200,000. Investing this money wisely has the potential of paying the annual cost of the lease, while the principal remains intact. Resale homes sell quickly.

Experience a well-deserved lifestyle living lakeside at Shelter Cove. Enjoy relaxed mornings, fun-filled days and tranquil evenings by the lake at Shelter Cove.

Visit the website at sheltercove.ca for virtual tours, aerial views and to view open-concept plans.

IMPROVE YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY WITH

SENSIBO ELEMENTS

GREG GAZIN

Being couped up indoors during the pandemic for many has really brought the subject of air quality to the forefront. And as the mercury plummets, we once again find ourselves spending a significant time in enclosed spaces, often wondering, “Am I actually breathing in clean air?”

Some of the things you experience, such as headaches, chest congestion, coughs and fatigue, amongst other symptoms, could be signs of bad air, which could potentially negatively impact our long-term health.

To “see” what’s floating in the air, climate-tech company Sensibo launched a new product – Sensibo Elements – smart indoor air quality monitor. It’s a small and sleek gadget partnered with a companion app designed to monitor select harmful contaminants and alert you so you can take action.

MONITOR POLLUTANTS

It monitors pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), a pool of various pollutants, PM2.5 –tiny particles that can get into our lungs, and ethanol. It can also track temperature and humidity, and then calculates a total overall air-quality

score in real-time using its own algorithms.

There are no instructions in the box, but it’s simple to set up. Download the iOS or Android app or use the web. Select add a new device. You will be guided to plug in the device with the included USB-C cable and charger, then scan the QR code on the back of the device, or key in the number; then follow the instructions. If you have multiple devices, you can use the same app to set up different locations.

Sensibo Elements is cleverly designed to sit vertically. It comes with a small removable lightweight plastic frame that doubles as a stand, so you can keep it on your desk or

remove it and mount it on a wall. The vertical orientation, along with a tilt adjustment, allows for the sensors to better sample the air for a more accurate reading. There’s a colour light at the front that will glow green, orange or red to indicate the air quality. This light can also be turned off.

KEEP INFORMED

Triggering a high-level alert will cause the app to send an alert to your phone and offer a tip. For example, a high TVOC reading will appear as a text message on your phone, with a suggestion to open a window to circulate some air. I guess that’s fine, as long as it’s not winter here in Canada.

You can keep tabs on your air quality through the app dashboard. It gives you individual readings for each element it’s monitoring and a total air quality score. You can also

view detailed pollution graphs of each element by hour and by day to see changes over time. Weekly and monthly stats require a Sensibo Plus premium subscription.

Sensibo Elements gives additional automation capabilities if you’ve already invested in the Sensibo ecosystem by way of an air purification system or AC controller. When Elements triggers an air quality alert, utilizing the Sensibo’s patented PureBoost technology, you can have your air purifier turn on its fan, or signal your Sensibo AC controller to turn on your AC fan so you can automatically circulate more air.

Toxic air is a real thing in our homes and not just something we see coming out of smokestacks. We’re exposed to it on a regular basis –particularly from dust and pollen or building materials, cleaning products and even some of the air fresheners we spray and candles we burn. So,

beyond the obvious, when we can actually smell something, having a device such as Sensibo Elements to help us know when we’re at risk from bad air, is just sensible.

Overall, Elements is a neat little device capable of sensing some of the more common pollutants and immediately alerting you to take action. The detection of ethanol (which I seem to have at home) is an added bonus, which I have yet to see on other air quality monitors.

It has a nice form factor measuring 115 mm long by 115 mm wide by 29 mm high (147 by 130 by 65 mm with stand). It does not require a hub, but as it’s not designed to be battery operated, it does require you to be in proximity to an AC electrical plug.

The app is helpful in that it not only helps you monitor the various elements via the dashboard, it also generates graphs so you can keep an eye on the trends.

While I can appreciate the need for an additional revenue stream, given the full retail cost of the unit and the fact that not everyone looks at their devices every single day, charging a premium for all data beyond a day is a bit of a stretch. Charging for beyond a month might be more in line.

Premium subscriptions are reasonable: $6.49 per month or $3.33 per month billed annually. As an added bonus, yearly subscribers also get a two-year extended warranty.

Sensibo Elements comes with a desktop stand and power adapter. It retails for $435. It’s currently offered directly from Sensibo at an introductory price of $235, which the company says is reduced for the foreseeable future.

Greg Gazin is a syndicated tech columnist, blogger, podcaster, and contributes to canoe.com, Troy Media and Active Life magazine. gadgetguy.ca

HOW TO INCREASE BIODIVERSITY

IN YOUR YARD

MARK AND BEN CULLEN

Several years ago, Mark made insect hotels in his woodworking shop for some of his gardening friends. They were received graciously and at the

same time with the common query: “What is it? What does an insect hotel do? What kind of insects will it attract? Are they all good for my garden?”

Clearly, this discussion has a long way to go. It started with concern about the decline in the honeybee population, and has extended to the general concern shared by naturalists

everywhere about the problems with our native population of pollinators. We are no longer concerned exclusively with the decline of honeybees. Truth is, there are more than 700 species of native bees (honeybees are not native) that serve as primary pollinators in Canada, many of which you can attract to your yard with an insect hotel.

In addition, there are thousands of other invertebrates that either pollinate more than 30 per cent of the plants that we rely on for food or are essential members of the web of insects that make up the whole show. Take a moment to digest the following, and you will be on your way to understanding the whole, big picture.

1. UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF ‘BIODIVERSITY’

The word comes from biological diversity. WWF defines it as, “The term given to the variety of life on Earth. It is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.” Biodiversity in your yard is represented by the range of naturally occurring plant, animal and insect life that exists in it. There is much that you can do to increase biodiversity, or the “range” of life in your yard.

2. PLANTS – PACK THEM IN

Do not underestimate the impact that you can have on the beneficial insect life in your neighbourhood by planting flowering plants. The longer each plant produces a flower and the more of them, the better. If you have a minimum of six hours of sunshine in your garden, you are in luck. The varieties of plants available to you are nearly limitless. If you are dealing with

shade, you also have opportunities to plant flowering plants galore, but you will need to be more thoughtful about your plan. In either case, place your plants densely to attract the maximum number of pollinators.

3. ADD WATER AND DON’T STIR

Adding a still-water feature is the single most impactful feature that you can add to your garden or balcony for attracting pollinators. A pond in the yard or a half-barrel on the balcony works just fine. When you add a water feature, we can guarantee that you will discover wildlife in your yard that you have never seen before. As dragonflies, salamanders, frogs, toads, water beetles, amphibians, mammals and bugs discover your new drinking hole, they will grow, thrive and breed. We are only beginning our understanding about the profound importance of creating biodiversity in our yards and gardens. As we look into the crystal ball, we see the interest in attracting pollinators and creating biodiversity in Canadian gardens growing steadily.

Mark Cullen is a Member of the Order of Canada. He reaches more than two million Canadians with his gardening/ environment messages every week. Receive his free monthly newsletter at markcullen.com. Ben Cullen is a professional gardener with a keen interest in food gardening and the environment. You can follow both Mark and Ben on Twitter @MarkCullen4, Facebook @MarkCullenGardening and Pinterest @MarkCullenGardening.

LAKESIDE VILLAGE IN PORT HOPE

PHASE 5 NOW SELLING AT MASON HOMES’ AWARD-WINNING PROJECT

Mason Homes welcomes you to life by the lake, with the muchanticipated release of all-new bungalow, bungalow plus loft and two-storey designs recently released at Port Hope’s most popular address.

From its award-winning master plan nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario and rolling fairways and meticulously manicured greens of the Port Hope Golf and Country Club, Lakeside Village offers the best in small town living with easy access to Hwy. 401, the GTA and an endless offering of local amenities and attractions.

Inspired by Ontario’s rich architectural heritage, classic and rear-lane courtyard designs offer a variety of lifestyle advantages that are ideal for empty nesters, as well as first-time buyers, young families, professional couples and singles alike.

Courtyard Collection homes are the perfect complement to your live-life-to-the-fullest lifestyle. Openconcept, well-planned interiors offer every convenience close at hand while the accessibility of the rear lane garage provides handy direct access to your home as well as creating an inviting rear courtyard oasis that’s perfect for both relaxing and entertaining with family and friends.

Classic Collection residences showcase an exceptional offering of Mason Homes’ signature exterior elevation styles and, with wide lots, allow for recessed double-car garages, welcoming porches and an abundance of sun-filled windows at the front and rear, as well as spacious backyard amenity space.

No matter what design you choose, each home style includes an exciting new range of professionally designed

architectural exterior colour palettes, creating beautiful pedestrian-friendly streetscapes within your community. Interiors are sun-filled, bright and spacious, with endless design highlights, including soaring nineft. main floor ceilings, convenient main floor master retreats, gourmet inspired kitchens, inviting Great Rooms with available gas fireplaces, direct access double-car garages, main floor laundry rooms and the added convenience of optional finished basement layouts. To take full advantage of this spectacular golf course setting, a limited number of spectacular fairway walkout lots are also available.

In true Mason Homes fashion, the homes at Lakeside Village also deliver affordable luxury by combining cutting-edge building products and technology with a variety of today’s

most requested features and finishes. And, as with every new Mason home, each residence is built to Energy Star standards, offering you more comfort, less energy consumption and total peace of mind for today and the years ahead.

As the Grand Opening of Lakeside Village continues, two-storey bungalow and bungalow plus lofts feature three to five bedrooms, ranging from 1,625 to 3,150 sq. ft. and priced from the mid $800,000s.

With exciting communities now selling or coming soon, there’s a new Mason home that’s the perfect fit for your lifestyle and budget.

THE RESIDENCES OF BROADWAY – PETERBOROUGH

A charming new addition to Mason Homes’ award-winning, masterplanned Parklands community in Peterborough, The Residences of Broadway enjoy a wonderful location set along people-friendly streetscapes and richly landscaped boulevards. Close to fabulous shopping, schools, transit and more, this limited offering of two- and three-bedroom threestorey townhomes is just steps from the numerous paths, trails and

preserved woodlands that continue to make the Parklands community Peterborough’s address of choice.

FOUR10 YONGE – BARRIE

Located at the gateway to cottage country, backing onto Willoughby Park at the corner of Yonge Street and Little Avenue, FOUR10 Yonge features all-new loft inspired urban townhomes. With three magnificent levels of living space up to 2,100 sq. ft., design highlights include sun-filled interiors showcasing hard-wearing vinyl plank flooring, and generous gourmet-inspired kitchens with every convenience close at hand, private master bedroom retreats, direct access single- and doublecar garages, and stunning rooftop terraces up to 500 sq. ft.

KINGSWOOD – COBOURG

For those looking for a more traditional townhome design, Mason Homes invites you to Kingswood. Now selling in Cobourg, Kingswood features an intimate collection of just 27 exceptional two-, three- and fourbedroom freehold townhomes, all with direct access two-car garages, and available in Mason Homes’

ever popular Arts & Crafts Classic designs. These exceptional 30- and 40-ft. designs showcase the highest level of construction and design innovation, while showcasing the very best in luxury appointments, finishes and features.

CELEBRATING ALMOST 60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN AND NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION

Mason Homes remains one of Ontario’s most successful and forward-thinking new home construction companies.

Since 1961, Mason Homes has received numerous industry accolades for design and construction excellence including the Peterborough & Kawarthas Home Builders’ Association’s Builder of the Year and Green Builder of the Year.

For more information and to register for Lakeside Village in Port Hope, The Residences of Broadway in Peterborough, FOUR10 Yonge in Barrie and Kingswood in Cobourg, visit masonhomes.ca, or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for updates.

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Complete guide to adult lifestyle communities

ADVERTISER INDEX

INTEREST RATES, MONETARY POLICY AFFECT GTA NEW HOME SALES IN 2022

The GTA saw the lowest level of new home sales last year since 2018, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) reports.

Overall, in 2022, there were 25,400 new homes sold in the GTA, according to Altus Group, BILD’s official source for new home market intelligence. This was 29 per cent below the 10-year average.

Sales of condominium units, including units in low-, medium- and highrise buildings, stacked townhouses and loft units, with 20,917 units sold in 2022, were 12 per cent below the 10-year average.

Single-family homes, including detached, linked, and semi-detached houses and townhouses (excluding stacked townhouses), accounted for 4,483 new home sales in 2022. This was 64 per cent below the 10-year average.

“The hesitation new home buyers showed in the latter half of 2022 was no doubt largely the result of continued high interest rates and tightening monetary policy,” says Dave Wilkes, BILD president and CEO. “With interest rates at the top of the cycle, the further two per cent imposed by the minimum qualifying rate will almost certainly prove to be an insurmountable hurdle for thousands of new home buyers trying to finalize financing this spring. The federal government needs to reconsider its approach to monetary policy so families can purchase the homes they need without artificial obstacles.”

“GTA new home sales started strongly in 2022 before easing in the second half of the year with annual sales sitting at a 4-year low,” adds Edward Jegg, research manager with Altus Group. “However, prices steadied in December after months of declines, as buyer demand and builder supply were more closely aligned.”

December contributed only 563 new home sales to the 2022 total. It was the second lowest level of new home sales for the month of December after December 2008. With 398 condominium unit sales, it was also the second lowest level of condo sales for December, since December 2008.

After five months of declining prices, the benchmark price for new condominiums rose in December, compared to the previous month, to $1.13 million. This is down 2.8 per cent over the last 12 months. The benchmark price for new single-family homes rose, after four months of declining prices, to $1.75 million, down 4.2 per cent over the last 12 months.

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE A GREAT VIEWING EXPERIENCE AND

OSCAR FAVOURITE

Fabulous, funny and phantasmagorical. Clever, cockeyed and completely crazy. Deeply delicious, daft and delirious. Brilliant, brave and bold. Jumping through time and mixing up genres, the film Everything Everywhere All at Once is all this and more. The indie hit of 2022 is also a primo contender at the 95th Academy Awards, with winners hitting the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 12. Everything Everywhere All at Once has 11 nominations to lead the pack.

Expect something great to happen for this film in general, and its dazzling cast in particular. Not only is this anti-establishment rogue production up for Best Picture, but “The Daniels” (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) are nominated together for both Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

Moving on to the cast, Michelle Yeoh is up for Best Actor. Ke Huy Quan (coming out of retirement and best known as a kid actor in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies) is up for Best Supporting Actor. And both Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu are competing for Best Supporting Actress.

Sometimes Oscar nominations are inappropriate or even a joke. Not for this film. Find it, watch it, by any means necessary. It is too important a film to ignore and too much fun to miss.

The convoluted plot cannot be easily summarized. The story – and the same actors – jumps between parallel universes, swerving into martial arts madness and action that

contrasts with Planet Earth’s most mundane daily life.

This earthbound universe revolves around the California laundromat run by Yeoh’s character. Her husband, played by Quan, is trying to serve divorce papers, but things are too chaotic to get it done. Their daughter, played by Hsu, finds them both annoying. She has her own issues. Meanwhile, Curtis (who is clearly having a blast) is an authoritarian IRS agent conducting an audit of the laundromat’s books.

Enough of the plot. There is so much more going on, including the off-screen sense that Hollywood is finally showcasing another AsianAmerican story and celebrating the actors who delivered the goods. This is diversity in action and long overdue.

Yeoh and her dual characters are the centrepieces. She plays a tired, shopworn mother, housewife and small business owner with heartbreaking poignancy. Then, in a flash, she becomes the martial arts dynamo we have seen in other films. The most impressive strength of Everything Everywhere All at Once is how the fractured love story at the tender heart of the film – and the

move towards redemption as Yeoh and Huan – is never obliterated by the frenetic action scenes. Nor does the movie get maudlin about it. And that allows us to jump right back into nihilistic, violent madness without losing track of why we are watching it all unfold.

If Everything Everywhere All at Once does not win a clutch of Oscars, it will still rank as a great experience for audiences – and worthy of repeated viewings. But it would be hugely satisfying to have a “small” film slay the giants, such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Top Gun: Maverick and Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical drama The Fabelmans, which are also among the 10 films up for Best Picture.

Bruce Kirkland’s career spans more than four decades, working for The Toronto Star, The Ottawa Journal and finally, as the senior film critic, for 36 years at The Toronto Sun. bruce.kirkland@hotmail.com

BRucE kiRklAND

Stephanie Hsu, Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan

Buildin� Tranquility on the Shores of Lake Erie

Bunglaws up to 2,000 Sq.Ft. 65' to over 100 'Lots

Open Space & Forest Lots available

A WATERFRONT COMMUNITY

Shelter Cove a Year Round Waterfront Community on the Shores of Lake Erie offers a unique carefree and maintenance free lifestyle. Enjoy life away from the busy city. Leave it all behind to live the life you deserve!

Over 60% SOLD

Starting From $300,000 to over $400,000 Sales Office Hours

Monday - Wednesday 11 am - 4 pm

Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 4 pm

Thursday & Friday By Appointment

Perfect for downsizers and families alike, these 2 exceptional communities showcase Mason Homes’ commitment to construction excellence and award-winning Green For Life design innovation.

LAKESIDE

VILLAGE – PORT HOPE

With the release of Phase 5 you can be among the first to experience our fabulous new bungalow, bungalow+loft and 2-storey exterior designs and fabulous floorplans at Port Hope’s most popular address!

KINGSWOOD – COBOURG

Now under construction, these spectacular townhomes feature an outstanding portfolio of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom floorplans that take full advantage of Cobourg’s small-town charm and renowned waterfront.

FROM TOWNHOMES TO SINGLES NO MATTER WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A NEW HOME, MASON HOMES HAS YOU COVERED IN PORT HOPE AND COBOURG!

The Waddell Model