Calgary 2020
THE BUILDER & DEVELOPER ANNUAL
Discover Calgary’s builders, developers & new communities one story at a time
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editor’s letter AMANDA PEREIRA EDITOR NextHome
Building your dream home Buying a new construction home over a resale is an experience unlike any other. It’s personalized and built entirely to your tastes. Even now, a year after we moved into our new home, I still get butterflies every time I round the bend of our street, pull into our driveway and put our key into the door. You see, there’s something to be said about watching your home be built from the ground up, and picking your colours and finishings at the decor centre – because it’s completely yours. But how do you decide which builder to use? It goes without saying that there are hundreds of different builders and developers across the country, and
+ get social
while they’re all in the same field, that’s really where the similarities end. Each builder offers something entirely unique; perhaps its craftsman style homes, or a penchant for creating something more modern or upscale. Regardless of what sets them apart, it all comes down to what’s important to you, or your family. Buying a new-construction home is more than just taking the dive into real estate; it’s watching your dream home come to life. And, it’s about finding a place that unleashes a kaleidoscope of butterflies in the depths of your stomach every time you see your home sweet home.
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nexthome.ca 3
table of contents
14 4  Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
Jacky Hill jacky.hill@nexthome.ca EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Susan Legge susan.legge@nexthome.ca ART DIRECTOR
Tammy Leung
20 03
Editor’s Note
06
New-Home Glossary
07 10 13 14
Terms of engagement BY MARLENE EISNER
15 18
APEX Building communities with pride
Mattamy Homes An impressive new home lineup in Yorkville
Get Organized Storage with style BY MICHELLE HOPKINS
Quick Tips
37 22
EDITOR
Amanda Pereira CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Sara Duck Marlene Eisner MEDIA CONSULTANT
Vesta Properties Building better places to live, work and play
Nancy Chemait 780.619.3241 nancy.chemait@nexthome.ca SALES & MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS
Trending How to avoid costly mistakes when buying a new build BY MICHELLE HOPKINS
Gary Chilvers Sarah Khan DISTRIBUTION
distributionteam@nexthome.ca ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES
accountingteam@nexthome.ca
Design File Family friend design BY REBECCA HAY
GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR
Hannah Yarkony GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Newbie Notes We bought a newconstruction home BY AMANDA PEREIRA
Sandra Hanak–Vujnovic Mike Terentiev
Published by
A place and a space for everything BY HELLEN BUTTIGIEG
nexthome.ca Advertising Call 1.866.532.2588 for advertising rates and information. Copyright Notice All copyright and other intellectual property rights in the contents hereof are the property of NextHome, and not that of the individual client. The customer has purchased the right of reproduction in NextHome and does not have the right to reproduce the ad or photo in any other place or publication without the previous written consent of NextHome. Contents of this publication, in hard copy format as well as online, are covered by copyright law, and offenders will be prosecuted. Copyright 2019 All rights reserved. Reproduction, storage in a retrieval system or transmission, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of NextHome is strictly prohibited.
13
Editorial submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the editor by email to editorial@nexthome.ca. The views and information expressed by columnists do not necessarily represent those of the publication.
nexthome.ca 5
NEW-HOME GLOSSARY
Terms of engagement by MARLENE EISNER
Types of home ownership FREEHOLD Freehold ownership means you own the land and house outright, with no space co-owned or co-managed with owners of adjacent homes. You are also solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of your property, and the property taxes associated with it. Detached and semi-detached homes, duplexes and townhouses are usually owned freehold. CONDOMINIUM Condominium ownership means you own the individual unit you live in, and share in the ownership of common spaces. Common spaces can be within the building (e.g. corridors and foyers), the grounds around the building, and any shared amenities (e.g. swimming pools, recreation rooms). You are responsible for the upkeep of your unit, including property taxes, and pay a monthly “condo fee” towards the costs of maintaining common spaces and amenities. You and the other owners of units within your building manage the common areas through an owners’ association. The association makes decisions about using and maintaining the common space and sets your condo fees.
Types of homes SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED A single-family detached home is one dwelling unit that stands alone, on its own lot. These are normally freehold. SINGLE-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHED A semi-detached home is a single-family home that is joined on one side to another home. It can offer many of 6 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
the advantages of a single-family detached home but is usually somewhat less expensive to buy and maintain. These are normally freehold. ROW HOUSE (TOWNHOME OR TOWNHOUSE) Row houses (also called townhomes or townhouses), consist of several similar single-family homes, side-byside, joined by common walls. They can be freehold or condominiums. They offer less privacy than a single-family detached home, although each usually has a private outdoor space. These homes come in a wide range of sizes, configurations and price points. STACKED TOWNHOME “Stacked towns” are usually two-storey homes stacked one on top of the other. The buildings are usually attached in groups of four or more. Each unit has direct access from the outside. They are usually condominiums. MODULAR HOME A modular home is a factory-built, single-family home. The home is typically shipped to a location in two or more sections (or modules) and then completed. Any of the above types of homes could also be modular homes. CONDOMINIUM (STRATA) APARTMENT
A self-contained housing unit located in a building that includes other similar condominium units. Condo apartments are built in a wide range of sizes, from bachelor units to multi-bedroom suites. Each condo apartment includes its own kitchen and bathroom facilities, and often has its own heating and air conditioning system. Source: gohba.ca
BUILDING COMMUNITIES WITH PRIDE For over 25 years, APEX has been one of the leading real estate development and building companies in Alberta. Since its inception, APEX has made its mark as one of the most versatile developers and homebuilders, quite literally paving the way for dozens of Calgary and areas most desired communities.
With a diverse portfolio full of distinctive communities with rich amenities, to new urban developments, our track record for bringing successful projects to market speaks for itself. Whatever the project may be, we deliver industry leading quality, service and expertise every step of the way. At APEX, we take pride in the communities we build and ensure every home in it meets the highest standards of excellence. As land development experts, we also offer complete project management services to private land owners, helping to ensure that all aspects of developing a new community are overseen and managed responsibly. At Apex, building communities with pride isn’t just a motto, it’s the backbone of everything we do.
EXPLORE TWO AMAZING APEX COMMUNITIES >
VISIT APEXLAND.COM TO LEARN MORE.
GET THE HOME YOU FOR LESS IN HEARTLAND, COCHRANE
PARKS + PATHWAYS
Better Family Living WHY YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH HEARTLAND: • Quick commute to Calgary
DUPLEX HOMES
• Extra wide boulevards and a tree planting program give the community a great natural feel • Lots of naturalized space for play including fields for future sport programming • Horseshoe park specifically designed for younger play with picnic tables nearby • Paved pathway system including a new connection from phase 3 make walking your dog a breeze
FRONT DRIVE GARAGE HOMES
FROM THE
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• Workout on outdoor exercise equipment while your kids enjoy the advanced playground • Commercial area underway including a gas station and Tim Hortons for added convenience • Short drive to historic downtown, local coffee shops, craft breweries, and the Spray Lake Sawmill Family Sports Centre • Close to Ghost Lake, Big Hill Springs Provincial Park and Kananaskis for all your weekend adventures • And so much more!
Timeless Homestead, Arts & Crafts, Craftsman and Prairie Style homes by: • EXCEL HOMES Front drive garage single-family & front drive garage duplex homes • PACESETTER BY STERLING HOMES Front drive garage single-family & laned duplex homes
• ROHIT COMMUNITIES Street towns (no condo fees) • BIRCHWOOD PROPERTIES Townhomes
SHOW HOME HOURS
COME EXPLORE!
Monday - Thursday 2-8 PM Weekends & Holidays 12-5 PM
SHOW HOMES OPEN
MOUNTAIN VIEWS
*price & terms are subject to change without notice
H EARTLAND C OCHRANE . COM
THE BEST OF THE NORTHWEST IN CARRINGTON SOUTH
Character Homes FAMILIES GET MORE IN CARRINGTON:
FROM THE
340s
$
connection to the North Point transit hub hassle free
• Two scenic ponds offer a beautiful backdrop to the community’s central playground
• Close to home you’ll find shopping centres, grocery stores, places of worship, essential services and recreation facilities
• Extensive greenspace awaits, including local and regional pathways perfect for an evening stroll or morning bike ride
• Living here means you’ll be approximately 20 minutes to downtown, 15 minutes to YYC airport and 10 minutes to shops, restaurants and movie theatres of CrossIron Mills
• Throughout the greater Carrington community your family can enjoy public art, a skate park and basketball court • Home to the city’s new pilot, on-demand transit service project, making your
TRICO FRONT DRIVE GARAGE HOMES
• With mountain parks less than an hour away, your next weekend getaway will be a breeze
PARKS + PATHWAYS
Monday - Thursday 2-8 PM Weekends & Holidays 12-5 PM
*price & terms are subject to change without notice
• EXCEL HOMES Laned duplex and front drive garage single-family homes • TRICO HOMES Front drive garage single-family homes on interior and pond lots • TRUMAN HOMES No condo fee townhomes and front drive garage single-family homes • DOUGLAS HOMES Laned duplex homes
• And so much more!
SHOW HOME HOURS
Character-rich Carriage House, Prairie Modern and Urban Modern homes by:
EXCEL FRONT DRIVE GARAGE HOMES
SHOW HOMES NOW OPEN
VISIT TODAY! C ARRINGTON S OUTH . COM
Sponsored Content / Community Profile
Mattamy presents impressive new home lineup in Yorkville MATTAMY HOMES, which master-plans communities and builds homes within them, has launched three brandnew showhomes featuring its new 36’ and 44’ WideLot ™ product line up. Nestled on 320 acres in a natural setting surrounded by rolling hills with views of the foothills, Yorkville is Mattamy’s first community in southwest Calgary, which will build out over the next 10 to 12 years and include approximately 2,450 homes on land off Sheriff King Street and 194th Avenue S.W. “Yorkville is located in beautiful/sought-after southwest 10 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
Calgary; an area we have strived to open for some time now,” says Don Barrineau – Alberta Division President. “In keeping with the surroundings, we have designed a stunning master-planned community, with an equally impressive new home lineup that we believe is unmatched in the Calgary market. “The use of brick and Hardi-Plank siding on new architectural styles is just the beginning for this total community. We are planning to be here for a long time, and feel certain homebuyers will love what we have created for them.”
COMMUNITY Yorkville in southwest Calgary DEVELOPER & BUILDER Mattamy Homes HOME TYPE Single-family, Duplexes, Brownstones (Urban Townhomes) CONTACT mattamyhomes.com/Calgary The theme for Yorkville is based around a traditional architecture and features two signature styles that were created based on market research that Mattamy does before it develops any community. For Yorkville research showed homebuyers’ tastes leaned to classic and traditional, which is reflected in the two signature styles – Georgian Colonial and Brownstone Colonial. The Georgian Colonial incorporates a lot of brick, steeper roof lines and exclusive use of Hardie Board throughout the community. The Brownstone Colonial is featured on our Urban
Townhomes with brick exteriors and raised landings creating that Brownstone look. Yorkville will offer a variety of single-family homes on 31- to 44-ft wide lots ranging from 1,500 to 2,700 sq. ft. priced from $429,990 and rear laned duplexes with rear attached garages from 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft. priced from $389,990. While the rear laned, two-storey Brownstones with rear attached garages from 1,300 to 1,400 sq. ft. are priced from $324,990. The Smythe is one of the larger 44’ models available, featured here in the images, with a start from price of $609,990 at 2,673 square feet. With nexthome.ca 11
For more information on Yorkville, visit the showhomes, open Monday to Thursday 1-8 pm, Fridays 1-6pm, weekends 11am-6pm, or visit mattamyhomes.com/Calgary and click on Yorkville.
4-5 bedrooms this home really provides so much room for those that need it. With a den immediately off the main entrance this space could be used as an office, formal dining, hobby, or relaxation room. A rounded island is ideal for entertaining, as is the spacious great room. The 4 bedroom plan comes with a loft space which again is great for a cozy movie watching space or take the 5 bedroom option. A home you can really grow with and make it your own with the Design Studio options. “The draw for Yorkville is the location; it’s a real asset in the southwest quadrant with easy access to the mountains and it’s at the toe of the foothills,” says Joe Case, director, land development. “We also feel that Sheriff King Street will be a unique feature for the community and we’re treating it as our front door …we’ll have our very eyecatching Brownstone urban townhomes lining this entrance along with separate sidewalk, bike lanes and on-street parking plus two through lanes so when people drive down Sheriff King Street they will see a place that 12 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
is very unique and distinct for Calgary.” Another draw is Yorkville connection to nature, Case notes. “We include two environmental reserves and we will have enhanced pathways around them so people can access the sites and enjoy them, and we have two distinct natural areas with Priddis Pond and Radio Tower Creek, which is really beautiful and meanders through the area. “We’ll have lots of parks including a 4-acre park at the heart of the community that will be home to a future community centre, large play structure, integrated art, and it will be a four-season park with skating and a toboggan hill, plus there will be an adjacent future pond and bridge to provide access to the main east-west pathway system – our green spine – that will also connect to Priddis Pond and Radio Tower Creek and future LRT in neighbouring Belmont.” Yorkville offers a great location within walking distance to groceries, shops and services in Silverado, minutes away from Spruce Meadows and the Sirocco Golf Course, with quick access to major routes.
GET ORGANIZED
Storage style WITH
by MICHELLE HOPKINS
Judson Beaumont has made a career out of challenging our preconceived notions of what storage should look like. The artist and founder of Straight Line Designs Inc. proves that storage doesn’t have to be boring to be functional. “I think of storage and ask, ‘Why does everything have to look the same?’” says the graduate of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. “I want furniture to have personality, yet still be very functional. I want people to question why storage should be traditional looking.” Today’s storage solutions certainly don’t have to be drab, says Theresa Thom, franchise director, Stor-X Organizing Solutions. More importantly, homeowners don’t realize how many unused areas can easily be transformed into innovative storage spaces. For example, the small closet at the front door is often a landmine of clutter. “You can pull that door right off and create a mudroom, complete with bench, shelves, a couple of drawers and hooks,” says Thom. “Now that awkward closet is a much more functional one.” Wolf Nickel, president and founder of Stor-X adds: “There is also so much wasted space in laundry rooms. You can make the laundry room so much more efficient by adding a built-in folding table with hanging space, as well as shelving for brooms, mops and laundry supplies.” Before placing your belongings in a chest of drawers or curios in a cabinet, Heather Knitel, the owner of Good
Riddance Professional Organization Solutions, says, “Envision your space and how you would like it to look.” This is not only good advice for storage, but it’s a great opportunity to de-clutter. Knitel suggests systematically going from room to room. Everything should get pulled out of drawers, cupboards and countertops and sorted into three piles — donate, trash, keep. “Eliminate what you aren’t using,” says Knitel. “But stay very focused on the task at hand, meaning don’t go zigzagging. Stay in the room until it is done.” Many of us hoard magazines, books and newspapers. Recycle those old newspapers. Then, purge yourself of those magazines and books by giving them to a hospital or other charitable organization that could put them to good use.
Clothing “Eighty per cent of the time, we wear only 20 per cent of our wardrobe,” says Knitel. When it comes to clothing, a good rule of thumb is, if you haven’t worn it for six months or for a season, get rid of it. “Most of us have to change the way we think. We tend to hold onto things way too long for emotional reasons,” says Knitel. “For example, that sweater grandma gave you five years ago that you have never worn … place it in the charity bin.” nexthome.ca 13
QUICK TIPS
A place and a space for everything by HELLEN BUTTIGIEG
Whether you have a sprawling apartment with plenty of room or a cosy place with little extra space, you need to create a system so your home functions to accommodate your lifestyle needs. Without designated spaces, you’re forever tucking things away that don’t have a real home – and wasting far too much time trying to remember where they are. EVERYONE NEEDS A HOME OFFICE Are you using your kitchen or dining room table as an office? It can be frustrating and time-consuming to have to pack up your papers and bring them out again. Although it would be ideal to have a room devoted entirely for processing paperwork, you can also use an armoire in the family room that closes up when not in use, or a closet that has been refitted with a countertop and drawers. You’ll also need good lighting, a comfortable chair and a functional filing system. WHERE DID I PUT THE... Have you ever stored a special item in a safe place and then forgotten where you put it? A simple solution is to create a document on your computer to record the location of seldom-used articles. Use the ‘find’ feature to retrieve the information quickly within the document. NAME THAT ROOM Rooms that don’t have a specific purpose often become dumping grounds for clutter. Before you begin decluttering, go through your home, room by room, and determine how you want to use each space. Identify which items support the purpose of the room and which ones should be moved elsewhere.. A SHOE-IN FOR OFFICE SUPPLY STORAGE Use the pockets of a clear vinyl shoe bag to hold just about everything you need for the office, from spare scissors to extra batteries. These usually come with hooks so you can hang them over the door, allowing you to tap into previously unused space. 14 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
EVERYTHING NEEDS A HOME Whenever you bring a new item into your home, immediately find a permanent place for it to live. To help you determine the best spot for it, ask yourself what else is like it, and where (and how often) you will use it. Store similar things together and store items near their place of use. Items used daily should be placed in the most accessible areas, whereas seldom-used items can be stored in out-of-the way spaces. Label drawers, shelves and containers to remember where things are. WHAT DID I DO WITH THAT MANUAL? Did you add new appliances and electronics to your collection recently? Staple the receipt and warranty to the instruction manual and tape it to the bottom of the item so it’s easy to find. For portable items like cell phones and MP3 players, store the manuals in an accordion file by category. WHERE DID I LEAVE MY KEYS? The most common excuse for lateness? “I couldn’t find my keys.” It’s hard to be successful if you can’t even leave your home. Save yourself the frustration and embarrassment by simply making an extra set of keys and keeping them in a special place. Give another set to a relative or neighbour in case of emergency. Create a home for your keys and always place them there when you arrive. You can use a bowl, a small basket or a hook. Or, attach a beeper to your keys that you can activate when they go missing.
Hellen Buttigieg is a Certified Professional Organizer, life coach, TV Host and owner of We Organize U. To contact Hellen or for information on hiring a We Organize U organizing specialist, call 905.829.2219 or e-mail info@WeOrganizeU.com
stone 5 87.35 2.426 6 COPPERSTONELIVING.COM copperstone@vestaproperties.com SHOWHOMES OPEN Mon - Thurs: 2 PM to 8 PM Friday: 12 PM to 6 PM Sat, Sun & Holidays: 12 PM to 5 PM
1205 Copperfield Blvd SE, Calgary
NOW SELLING - QUICK POSSESION HOMES Townhomes & Single Family
4 0 3.9 8 0 .1 9 79 V E S TA S O U T H P O I N T. C O M southpoint@vestaproperties.com SHOWHOMES OPEN Mon - Thurs: 2 PM to 8 PM Friday: 12 PM to 6 PM Sat, Sun & Holidays: 12 PM to 5 PM
204 Southpoint Park SW, Airdrie
Sponsored Content / Community Profile
Building better places to live, work and play, that’s the Vesta Properties promise Vesta Properties has built a reputation as leaders in thoughtful neighbourhood design. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Vesta Properties is committed to making the right choices that add value to their homeowners’ everyday lives. That’s how they have successfully built more than 4,500 homes in award-winning neighbourhoods throughout Alberta and B.C. “What differentiates Vesta Properties from other Alberta builders is that we are a fully integrated builder/developer,” says AJ van der Linden, Vesta 16 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
Properties’ sales manager for Alberta. “That means we are the only builder in a masterplanned community, rather than the norm, which is having several different builders on-site. This then translates into a more cohesive community, from exterior colour schemes, landscaping, architectural design, streetscapes and ultimately protects the re-sale value for our homeowners.”
Gateways to a great sense of community Vesta Properties’ wide breadth of experience and its way of working
on all facets of a master-planned community translates into neighbourhoods like Williamstown, completed in 2014. Designed to embrace its natural environment and with sustainability in mind, over 60 acres of Williamstown was dedicated to parks and open greenspaces. Today, Vesta Properties has two exciting projects that are in the works – Southpoint in Airdrie, and Copperstone in the prestigious Copperfield neighbourhood in SE Calgary. With these two new developments, Vesta Properties continues its rich legacy of creating inviting, livable
communities that enrich each city they build in. One important defining quality of Vesta’s masterplanned communities is the multiple housing offerings, which are meant to cater to a range of demographics.
Architectural themes add longterm appreciation and value Set to become the greenest community in Airdrie, once completed, Southpoint will feature a diverse array of housing types, ranging from single-family homes, townhomes and rowhomes to paired homes and condos nestled along the quiet, tree-lined streets. Southpoint’s strict architectural guidelines are in place to visually enhance the streetscapes, create a sense of place, and protect the re-sale value of the homeowner’s investment. These design guidelines include classic farmhouse features such as turrets, large front verandas, decorative gables, shuttered windows and stone accents. Southpoint is a collection of homes built to the highest standards, with contemporary interiors and spacious, thoughtfully designed floorplans. Included in the community’s master plan is a children’s play area, tennis court, basketball court, covered pavilion, barbecue areas, dog park and more, while providing easy access to shops, schools and transit. “Southpoint is also home to a brand-new elementary school located within
the community that will be fully functioning in January 2020,” says van der Linden. Calgary’s Copperstone will feature beautifully curated townhouses, single-family lane homes and classic Craftman-style single-family homes where you can downsize in luxury. This one-of-a-kind master-planned neighbourhood truly does have something to suit every budget and lifestyle. “At Copperstone, we are pleased to offer legal basements suites, perfect for the in-laws or as mortgage helpers,” says van der Linden.
Thoughtful neighbourhood planning designed to foster connectivity and healthy living Vesta Properties focuses on creating a sense of place by investing upfront in community anchors and enhanced natural features. That’s because Vesta believes amenities that encourage community living are an important aspect of any truly sustainable development. That means everything an owner needs is close to home, so that people not only drive less but experience a more social, engaged lifestyle. Integrating parks and playgrounds; greenway trails for
walking, running and biking so it’s easier than ever to stay fit; creating schools, shopping and recreation right into its developments, all close to public transportation – all of these elements create appealing neighbourhoods that people will want to call home for the long term. “Vesta has very strict architectural guidelines that pulls together an architectural theme throughout each project,” says van der Linden. “That way, there is a cohesive look and feel.” That’s because Vesta builds one street at a time. The biggest benefits to this are twofold. Buyers can rest assured they will never have to live next to an empty lot; one that might sit for months on end, and they don’t have to live with the stress of construction. “All landscaping for the streetscape is also completed when you move in … unlike some communities, where the landscaping is left up to the home owner,” adds van der Linden. “What also sets Vesta Properties apart is their superior selection of high quality, designer standard and optional finishes.” If you are looking for a fully integrated company with the expertise and experience in building homes for the way people live today; one whose core values are families and communities, Vesta Properties is for you.
nexthome.ca 17
TRENDING
How to avoid costly mistakes when buying a new build by MICHELLE HOPKINS
WHO DOESN’T LOVE a brand-new home; a house that no one has ever lived in before? Your dream home, a fresh, clean slate with nary a fingerprint on the walls. Sometimes, though, you get so caught up in the excitement of buying that new home, you might gloss over key details that could cost you money. So says Patrick Francey, CEO of the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN). “Your best defense against making costly mistakes is due diligence… be excited about your new construction, but don’t be so swept up in the emotions,” Francey says. “Do your research, take the time it takes so in the end, it takes less time and less stress.”
18 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
HERE ARE FRANCEY’S TOP SEVEN COSTLY MISTAKES TO AVOID:
Patrick Francey, CEO of the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN)
1. Not choosing a qualified real estate agent and mortgage broker who specialize in new builds
You want to hire those who work exclusively with a developer or are well versed in new builds. The best source for finding a specialized realtor/mortgage broker is referrals. Then, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their experience.
2. Not vetting the builder Not all builders are created equal. If you have never bought a new build before, one of the first things is to check the builder’s credentials: How long he/she has been in business, are there complaints against them, do they owe money to their trades people? If he is legitimate, he will be happy to provide references. Then call past clients who can vouch for them. Never sign a contract until you have checked the builder out.
3.
4. Not being clear on what upgrades are included in the price
Some people think that if they buy the show home, they get every upgrade included in the price. Unless it’s clearly stated and in written form by the builder, you need to ask. People get a surprise when changes they’ve asked for come with a cost. Maybe in the middle of the build, you’ve decided you want to change the paint colours or you want better quality or more a powerful electrical supply. All of a sudden, you have added $1,000 more to the cost of your new home. Unless the builder stipulates in writing that the upgrades will be done without incurring a cost, assume you will be charged.
5. Not understanding the builder’s warranties Every province has new-home warranties but what about your builder’s warranties? This also goes back to references and referrals. You must ask the builder what warranties he offers. Builders sometimes offer an “express” warranty, which has more precise wording on what is covered, and cut-off times for varying parts of a new build. A builder’s warranty spells out the remedies a builder is responsible for if there are any issues during or after the build, as well as the duration of the warranty and a mechanism for disputing issues.
6. UNSURE ABOUT FINANCING RULES When you have a house built, you need to know in advance what your financing obligations are. What if through the course of the build, a new stress test is applied or interest rates go up? Or what advances are required and when? Ask!
Making an offer without conditions clearly stated in the legal documents
7.
For example, never buy a home without first having a “subject to finance” and “subject to satisfactory review” written in the documents filed by a lawyer. Also, read the contract so you know exactly what is included in the price … is landscaping included? What about light fixtures?
MOVE-IN DATE DELAYS Delays happen and that’s why you want a lawyer involved to spell out terms in the agreement about what the builder is prepared to pay for and what you are prepared to accept, like a hotel room(s) if you have to be out of your home, and moving charges. nexthome.ca 19
DESIGN FILE
FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN There is something to be said about having an elegant, grown-up home that’s also kid-friendly. Believe it or not, having a sophisticated home that functions for your growing family is achievable. When developing the design for this four-bedroom family home, I truly wanted it to be sophisticated but functional. With a little extra thought and creative planning, it can be done. Here are some key design tips for creating a cohesive, functional family-friendly home. Start by re-thinking the purpose of the rooms in your house and change them up to suit your everyday living. It can be a struggle to space-plan your home. It’s essential 20 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
to stand back and look at how you think you should use the space versus how you actually use the area. These can be vastly different. I often consider changing out the purpose of a room to suit our client’s lifestyle. That’s precisely what we did for this bright and airy family home. We swapped out the traditional living room at the front of the house for a home office with custom built-in shelves. Many modern families no longer need a formal sitting area. And although it’s nice to look at, it’s not practical. We added some extra personality by cladding the backs of the shelves in a luxurious navy grass cloth to add depth.
PHOTOS BY MIKE CHAJECKI
by REBECCA HAY
The cabinets below can hide toys or board games for occasional play times as well. This small sunny zone is now a convenient place to sit back and read a book or squeeze in a conference call to the office. Another change you can make is to re-purpose your formal dining area. In this case, we converted the dining room into an open space for entertaining. We already had a great eating nook adjacent to the kitchen where the family spends all its meals together. So instead of having a formal dining table that rarely gets used, there’s a grand piano that steals the show. Don’t forget, just because the room isn’t being used the way the builder intended it, doesn’t make it wrong. It makes it yours! You can also add practical sophistication with a mix of old and new. Get rid of your stained old college futon! Nobody wants to sleep on it anyways. Instead, find unique vintage pieces, so it’s not all big-box store finds. By blending these old items with some more contemporary pieces, you’ll make your home feel more curated and expensive! Sophisticated design is easy but making it practical can seem impossible. Just remember that family-friendly homes require flexibility. I continually remind my clients that how they think a room should function is not always how it works best. Think beyond the traditional uses for rooms and live your life by a design that suits how you wish to truly live every day. Designer Rebecca Hay is principal of Rebecca Hay Designs Inc. Known and celebrated for her design work and appearances on various acclaimed HGTV shows. RebeccaHayDesigns.com nexthome.ca 21
NEWBIE NOTES
We bought a new-construction home by AMANDA PEREIRA
There is something surreal about watching your home come to life as it is built from the ground up. Buying a brand-new home is a unique experience – you enter the sales office and explore different floorplans, colour palettes, and begin to dream of the possibilities that come with living in your new community. If there is one immediate gripe with a new construction compared to a resale home, it’s the waiting game. Builders and developers do their best to get the home to you in time for first closing, but that’s often not the case; various factors like labour or material shortages are often out of their control. Patience is admittedly not my strongest characteristic, and waiting was the hardest part. Of course, on the other side of the coin, there were benefits to this. As first-time homebuyers, we had nothing to fill our home with – from the basic essentials like cutlery, right down to the we’ve-never-had-to-think-about-this-before items like a lawnmower. The year and a half gave us the opportunity to not only save our money, but also buy things at our leisure and often at a discounted price. Now that it’s been a year, we often get asked if we would do it again. Well, that all depends on when you would have asked us. After we closed on our home in November of 2018, during the first couple of weeks, I had frequent tightening sensations in my chest. I was beyond stressed. We were still missing a bathroom counter upstairs, we had a gaping hole where our toilet’s plumbing met the wall, pickets
22 Calgary Builder & Developer Annual 2020
were missing from the handrail on the stairs, and frankly, nothing quite looked like how we imagined. Thanks to the flippancy and lack of firm repair dates from our builder, I swore to anyone who would listen that I would never do this again. Now, almost 12 months later, these issues seem so subjective and downright silly to worry about. When you’ve invested into your home and found the craftsmanship to be less than stellar, it can bring on a whole host of emotions, anxiety included. You’re plagued with thoughts of when will they fix it? Will they fix it? What if they don’t? And worse: what if the repairs are worse than before? We learned quickly that communicating calmly with our site supervisor yielded the best results. Before we knew it, the missing counters were installed, the fist-sized hole in the bathroom was patched and painted over, and the missing pickets were installed. They’ve completed the rest of the deficiencies and laid down our sod, and well, it’s made our house look like a home. So, the question remains: Would we do it all over again? Maybe. If we were to buy new again, I think we’d be better emotionally equipped to manage our expectations and be mentally prepared for how long it may take for the deficiencies in the house to match the vision we had of our completed new home. Buying new requires a certain level of patience – but nothing beats that new house smell.
Your new home… DELIVERED
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