edmonton home & condo living november 2013

S O U R C E M E D I A G R O U P : C E L E B R A T I N G I T S 1 0 T H Y E A R N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 E D M O N T O N H O M E & C O N D O L I V I N G • 5

COvER FEATURE

8 Grandhouse inGranville Cash & Cars home continues to raise funds, hopes and interest for cancer research

CONDO PROFILE 10 TheQuayatTerwillegar Buyers flock to Abbey Lane’s latest condo address in the

coveted southwest

SHOw HOME PROFILE 12 YoucanwithKanvi Modern features and custom

design stylishly ooze from the Fusion show home

COMMUNITY PROFILE15 Buildyourcastle Homeowners grab their chance to build a dream home in the northwest community of Tuscany Hills

N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 n v O L U M E 5 I S S U E 4 4

CONTENTs

FEATURE 18 Hotwater,coldfacts Failing to maintain water tanks can land homeowners in hot water

DESIGN & DÉCOR 21 Cushydesign Revamp your holiday décor with textiles

MARkET vIEw23 Oldversusnew: whatisthedifference?

FEATURE 30 Talesfrom thecondozone Passing inspection

ITEMS 6 Editor’sMessage25 AroundTown26 Maps27 AdIndex

8

12

15

6 • E D M O N T O N H O M E & C O N D O L I V I N G N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 S O U R C E M E D I A G R O U P : C E L E B R A T I N G I T S 1 0 T H Y E A R

Our cover displays a builder that is a partner in giving people the chance to win a $1.4-million prize — comprised of a custom home, car and cash. Since opening in August, the Cash & Cars and More Lottery show home has offered enough wow-factor to draw in a steady flow of visitors. The tickets purchased generate proceeds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Canadian Cancer Society Alberta/NWT division as well as hope for lottery ticket holders, each with crossed fingers hoping to be the lucky winner of the impressive bungalow in Edmonton’s west community of Granville. Check out page 8 for more about this impressive home and its cause.

Market View columnist Wesley Gunderson poses the question to Edmonton Home & Condo Living readers, why not buy a new house instead of an older one? On page 23, learn more about the pros newly built homes can offer a homebuyer.

Fellow columnist Rosalyn Lazaruk takes on the inevitable and approaching homeowners’ dilemma — holiday décor. She does it with reserve, though, agreeing with many that the beginning of November may be a little too soon for full-out holiday decorating, but that doesn’t mean the cooler season and colours of fall should be ignored. See page 21 for more.

If you’re already in north Edmonton, United Communities is seeing its community of Tuscany Hills drawing city dwellers a little farther north to something a little more country … and custom. No specific builders required, meaning, BYOB (bring your own builder) to Tuscany. Now that’s exciting! Read more on page 15.

Sharing the same community — Granville — as our cover, Kanvi’s Fusion show home is definitely one to visit and see with your own eyes. Custom design, contemporary décor and leading edge technology are reasons to check it out. Page 12 will do some more show and tell.

Go further south into Terwillegar, and you’re at The Quay condo development by Abbey Lane Homes. These high-end apartment-style condos have many floor plans ready to please those on the hunt for something just off of Rabbit Hill Road. Page 10 is where you can find out more.

The chill in the November air is a great reason to grab a copy of Edmonton Home & Condo Living magazine, cosy up on your couch and flip through the pages to find a builder that can create your dream home or condo. They’re out there and our team keeps uncovering more gems each month, so stay tuned!

Canadian Home Builders’ Association

P U B L I S H E R

source Media Group [email protected]

A S S O C I A T E P U B L I S H E R

Jim Zang [email protected]

E D I T O R

Michelle [email protected]

A R T D I R E C T O R

Jean Faye Rodriguez [email protected]

G R A P H I C D E S I G N E R S

Lama Azhari [email protected]

Dave Macaulay [email protected]

Megan sereda [email protected]

P R O D U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T O R

Colleen Leier [email protected]

E D I T O R I A L

Karen Durrie, Wesley Gunderson,Rosalyn Lazaruk, Michelle Lindstrom,

Pamela Roth, shelley Williamson, Jim Zang

P H O T O G R A P H Y Rosalyn Lazaruk,

Michelle Lindstrom, Pamela Roth

D I R E C T O R O F S A L E S

Norma Robertson [email protected]

A D v E R T I S I N G S A L E S

Jennifer Mills [email protected]

A C C O U N T I N G

Donna Roberts [email protected]

D I S T R I B U T E D B Y

source Media Group, Media Classified

I s s N 19 1 8 - 4 4 6 8P R I N T E D I N C A N A D A

Copyright 2013 by source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written

permission of the publishers. source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. source Media Group reserves the right to

refuse any advertising at its sole discretion.

Edmonton Home & Condo Living™ is published 12 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Edmonton

and area. One-year subscriptions are available for $12 in Canada, $48 internationally.

Edmonton Home & Condo Living™ accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any

submissions including all personal information to: [email protected]. Unsolicited submissions will not be

returned. Advertising information available only by request.Michelle [email protected]

sOURCE MEDIA GROUP207, 5809 Macleod Trail sW, Calgary, AB T2H 0J9

403.532.3101

EDITOR’s MEssAGE

Baby,it’scoldoutside

@EdmHomeandCondo EdmontonHomeandCondoLiving

8 • E D M O N T O N H O M E & C O N D O L I V I N G N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 S O U R C E M E D I A G R O U P : C E L E B R A T I N G I T S 1 0 T H Y E A R

Grand House in GranvilleCash & Cars home continues to raise funds, hopes and interest for cancer research

Alberta’s two largest cancer charities — the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society Alberta/NWT division — have been the recipients of more than $22.9 million in funds raised since 2000 through the Cash & Cars and More Lottery. Part of this year’s first

prize, a 3,727-square-foot, three-bedroom custom bungalow by Kimberley CustomBuilt, is creating a steady flow of lottery ticket sales and foot traffic in Edmonton’s west community of Granville since the show home opened on August 7.

Ashton Paulitsch, Alberta Cancer Foundation’s communications and marketing associate, says, “Funds from the 2013 Cash & Cars and More Lottery will promise progress in leading-edge cancer research, prevention, screening, treatment and care for Albertans at 17 cancer centres across the province, including the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.”

This is the fourth time Kimberley’s custom division has built a Cash & Cars home, but this year is the first time designing a bungalow for the lottery. Visitors are not voicing any qualms about that decision.

Story by Michelle Lindstrom | Photos courtesy Kimberley CustomBuilt


Fast FactsBuilder: Kimberley CustomBuiltModel: 2013 Cash & Cars and More Lottery homeArea: GranvilleStyle: BungalowPrice: Due to each home being custom, the

prices vary. Contact the builder for more detailsAddress: 3949 Ginsburg Crescent N.W.Hours: Monday to Thursday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.,

weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.Web: www.buildwithkimberley.ca

The final draw is on November 13 and the show home will

remain open for viewing until February 2014, when the winner takes possession.

Every square inch of the 1,971-square-foot main floor — includ-ing a custom kitchen, great room, dining room, master bedroom, spa-like ensuite, den, full main bath and mudroom/laundry room — is naturally lit by the massive and plentiful windows on all sides of the home.

A creamy white theme and 10-foot ceilings throughout the main floor, 12-foot in the living room and dining room, add to the open feeling everyone comments on when stepping into the Cash & Cars home. The milk-chocolate hardwood floor provides a natural contrast to the walls, and that same brown is picked up in pieces of furniture and the stair’s handrail for continuity.

A two-way gas fireplace separates the formal dining room from the living room with its coffered ceiling and pot lights, which the kitchen opens up to. The kitchen’s white cabinets of varied depths and heights complement the open floor plan’s colour concept. Even the oversized fridge has white-panel doors. One set of cabinets spans the wall’s full-length and includes a built-in bench enabling the eating nook’s table to be pulled up to it for a wealth of storage and seating options.

Off of the living room, visitors travel down a hallway to an impressive ensuite complete with two sinks in long cabinets on either side of the deep, free-stand-ing soaker tub. A large glass-enclosed shower with a bench helps complete the spa-feel of the room. Follow the contemporary take on traditional wall sconces to a walk-in closet that is the size of a child’s bedroom and then into the master bedroom complete with an electric fireplace for ambience.

Tucked away at the back of the house is an impressive curved staircase of open-riser, carpeted treads that take you down to another exciting space, adding even more “wow” to the already impressive home.

“The finished basement is perfect for entertaining as it comes completely finished with a wine room, theatre room and exercise room,” Paulitsch says. “The décor is very European-chic with lots of

natural light from the windows that look out to a stunning view of the pond.”

The home’s site is something that cannot be passed over. A wide walkway sits to one side of the home, another show home on the other, and then to the back is an expansive greenspace and pond. Truly jaw dropping.

Lisa Kercher, Kimberley’s sales and marketing administrator notes some specification upgrades include a hand painted wall mural in the theatre room, custom electric fireplace, custom shelves in the wine room, glass wall in the workout room, upgraded flooring and tile, extensive lighting and upgraded appliances.

“We have had numerous comments from people saying they would keep the home and live in it if they were to win,” Kercher says.

Both the cancer founda-tions and the builder understand that cancer, unfortunately, touches almost everyone somehow, making each side cherish the partnership they’ve built. Laura Miles, Kimberley’s vice-president of business development, says Kimberley Custom-

Built has enjoyed the years involved with the Cash & Cars and More Lottery program and is currently planning the 2014 home.

October 16 was the cut-off date to purchase all lottery tickets — online and in the show home. The final draw is on November 13 and the show home will remain open for viewing until February 2014, when the winner takes possession. The first prize value totals approxi-mately $1.4 million and includes the home (its furni-ture, accessories, window coverings, landscaping, electronics and special features), the car and cash. See www.cashandcarslottery.ca for more information. n

COVER FEATURE

A bbey Lane Homes may have just opened the sales centre for its latest condo offering in Terwillegar, but savvy home shoppers are already increasingly finding it to be The Quay (pronounced key) to their hearts.

The 91-unit upscale condo development off of Rabbit Hill Road and South Terwillegar Drive is nestled in a suburban neighbourhood, just a stone’s throw from everything residents need. “It’s been very well received, primarily because of the location,” says Al MacKechnie, area manager for The Quay At Terwillegar, noting the pond that wraps all the way around the area and a greenspace you won’t find in another development.

Not only will the suites, which boast nine different floor plan choices, offer views of the pond and park from three sides, but they will also leave nothing to be desired, MacKechnie notes.

“There’s really nothing else you can do to the suites,” he says, adding laminate hardwood and tile floors, stainless appliances and granite countertops are all among the included features at The Quay.

By Shelley Williamson

The Quayat Terwillegar

Buyers flock to Abbey Lane’s latest condo address in the coveted southwest

So far, empty nesters have flocked to the project, seeing the value for what it is. “At Abbey Lane Homes, we’re known for luxury, high-end condominiums and townhomes.” MacKechnie says. “We are always in good locations and have good floor plans.”

Younger couples and singles who want sound value for their investment have also been motivated to purchase at The Quay, comprising about a quarter of interest so far, he adds.

Suites range from one-bedroom-and-den to eight variations of two-bedrooms. Some include dens spanning up to a massive 1,120 square-feet, which MacKechnie says is what the market is asking for at the moment. “We’ve got what people are looking for,” he says.

Suite prices start from the $220,000s to $350,000s, plus GST.One thing residents won’t find is row after row of other

condominiums, as the bulk of residential space is made up of single-family abodes. “I really do think it’s one of the best neighbourhoods in southwest Edmonton.” MacKechnie says. “It’s an established area … and we are the only non-single family (construction) in the area.”

CONDO PROFILE

1 0 • E D M O N T O N H O M E & C O N D O L I V I N G N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 S O U R C E M E D I A G R O U P : C E L E B R A T I N G I T S 1 0 T H Y E A R

condo profile


Fast FactsBuilder: Abbey Lane Homes

Project: The Quay at Terwillegar

Style: One-bedroom-and-den, two-bedroom and

two-bedroom-and-den apartment style condos

Size: Up to 1,120 sq. ft.

Price: From the $220,000s to $350,000s, plus GST

Location: South Terwillegar Road, just off Rabbit Hill Road

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m.

Weekends and holidays, 1 to 5 p.m.

Web: www.TheQuayCondos.ca

Being part of Terwillegar — and the overall Riverbend master plan — will only help buyers’ investments.

“Your appreciation of your condo is going to happen here faster than in some other areas with runaway condo development,” MacKechnie says.

Though a sales centre is open on site every day except Friday, those who don’t want to wait to visit can pick out suites from their phones or laptops. An interactive website lets visitors select their floor, floor plan and the direction they want to face, as well as realistic views from the future suites.

“You can see views from the balcony and even how much of the pond you’ll see,” MacKechnie says. “It’s really helpful for people looking to get a feel for something that isn’t built yet.”

When the project is complete in 2015, residents will also have access to a fitness centre and a car wash bay in the underground heated garage, but nothing extra they may not want to pay for.

“We don’t have all the things that drive the condo fees up,” MacKechnie says, citing swimming pools as an example. “But we are always in great locations with spacious, very functional floor plans.”

Meanwhile, creature comforts are close by this location that is just off Terwillegar Road, and four blocks from Anthony Henday Road. “I would say we are a five-minute drive to The Currents shopping, and of course, all the surrounding services,” MacKechnie says. n

Not only will the suites, which boast nine different

floor plan choices, offer views of the pond and

park from three sides, but they will also leave

nothing to be desired.

Rendering and photos courtesy Abbey Lane Homes.

show home profile


T he great outdoors never felt so close as when you’re standing inside the Fusion show home by Kanvi Homes.

Nine-foot, 10-foot, and vaulted ceilings throughout the 3,167-square-foot home create a feeling of space and grandeur. A plethora of windows, of all shapes and sizes, provide an endless supply of sunlight that radiates off the home’s clean lines and white décor. It’s an urban Shangri-La, fit for a king.

“When you walk in, this house feels massive because it’s so open,” says Luke Wolters, marketing and communications manager for Kanvi Homes. “You walk in the front door and you can see the dining room. It’s wide open.”

Located in west Edmonton’s Granville community, the Fusion show home comes with a price tag of a cool $1.3 million. And it’s easy to see why.

When designing the two-storey home, the builder focused on having its trademark modern feel. All the railings are glass — a Kanvi Homes signature —

Story and photos by Pamela Roth

you can with KanviModern features and custom design stylishly ooze from the Fusion show home

with beautiful premium engineered hardwood floors throughout the main floor, which includes a giant kitchen, dining room, living room, mud room, bathroom and cozy office lined with those previously mentioned, oversized windows.

The sleek kitchen is all white with the exception of the stainless steel oven, microwave and gas stove, as well

as the grey countertop on the massive island.

Both the freezer and fridge cleverly blend in with the wall of shiny white doors and drawers that include a pantry. The overhead cabinets are powered electronically to open and close with the push of a button.

Half-way up the stairs is a large carpeted bonus room with a funky built-in shelving unit and giant flat screen TV — one of 12 within the home that can be controlled all at once through a built-in home automation system.

Further upstairs, there are two spacious bedrooms, a bathroom, laundry room and a large master bedroom with gorgeous frosted French doors at its entranceway.

“When you walk in, this house feels

massive because it’s so open.”

show home profile

S O U R C E M E D I A G R O U P : C E L E B R A T I N G I T S 1 0 T H Y E A R N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 E D M O N T O N H O M E & C O N D O L I V I N G • 1 3

The monstrous home ... is attracting an assortment

of buyers from young couples to families with

two or three children.

The master ensuite has vaulted ceilings to add elegance to the significant space, which could house a small village. His-and-her sinks are separated by a giant soaker tub while an open, two-person shower and generous walk-in closet with a small window are icing on the cake.

“To come home and have this ensuite, it really does make you relax,” Wolters says. “It’s not just a bathroom attached to your own bedroom, it’s its own area.”

The finished basement adds another 1,010 square-feet of space onto the monstrous home that Wolters says is attracting an assortment of buyers from young couples to families with two or three children.

He says when people come into the show home, they like the modern aspects of it. »


Bottom photo courtesy Kanvi Homes.

show home profile


“... it’s more about what they want from a home, not what

they want in a home.”

Fast FactsBuilder: Kanvi HomesModel: FusionArea: GranvilleStyle: Two-storeySize: 3,167 sq. ft., plus 1,010 sq. ft.

in basementPrice: Contact Kanvi Homes for the most

up-to-date informationAddress: 3941 Ginsburg Crescent N.W.Hours: Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.,

weekends and holidays, noon to 5 p.m.Web: www.kanvihomes.com

“They want the new, leading edge technology like power cabinets, and the clean, new modern style.”

Nestled on 305 acres on the western edge of the city, the Fusion show home resides in the community of Granville filled with trails and a green space, two ponds, a school site and retail shops. Its convenient location allows easy access to freeways like Whitemud Drive and Anthony Henday Drive.

Home prices start at $750,000 to $850,000 depending on the lot. Since Kanvi is a custom builder, anything and everything in the home can be changed.

“When someone purchases a home with us, we take them through almost every step so that what they want is done to their satisfaction,” Wolters says. “Determining what upgrades we think of as standard is a tough task because it’s more about what they want from a home, not what they want in a home.”

Kanvi specializes in modern, contemporary spaces and has had great success building in the highly sought-after developments in Edmonton and area.

The Fusion show home is located at 3941 Ginsburg Crescent and a similar, but entirely new, design is also being constructed by Kanvi in Jagare Ridge (southwest Edmonton) with eight floor plans to choose from.

Kanvi also has a product line called true custom. The floor plans people review are rarely built as originally drawn because so many customers decide to customize their home, which really is the point anyway. n


COMMUNITy PROFILE

N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 EDMONTON HOME & CONDO L I V ING • 1 5

Story and photos by Michelle Lindstrom

Build yourCasTle Homeowners grab their

chance to build a dream home in the northwest community of Tuscany Hills

T here is a great opportunity in Sturgeon County and those on the home search are quickly finding out what that is: the community of Tuscany Hills and Upper Tuscany.

Stage 1 has already sold out, explains Donna Bygrave, marketing manager for United Communities, which is the developer for the area. “We have a few lots left in Stage 2A — in and amongst those, there are a few highly sought-after walk-outs left,” she says.

The views are picturesque in this developing community with plenty of space between neighbours and rolling hills in homeowners’ back yards.

Some may wonder why they should head north, slightly outside of the city, to purchase a home. Existing Tuscany Hills’ homebuyers are telling Bygrave that they love it out there. “It gets you out of the city and gives you that extra space that you normally don’t have when you’re in a typical city subdivision. It’s an entirely different way of life,” she says, regarding the

almost half-acre lots (a minimum size available in the community). “As an example, one of the lots here has a building pocket of 86-feet wide. That’s going to allow you to build exactly your dream home in terms of size and how many stalls in a garage you want. You won’t have to scrimp.” »



To add to the “dream home” possibilities, future homeowners can bring their own builder with them — another feature existing community members have tacked up in the pros column of purchasing in Tuscany Hills. There builders in the area to get some design ideas from — including Pompei Homes’ existing show home and White Eagle Homes’ future show home — but homebuyers are not limited to the builders that

have already broke ground in Tuscany Hills. If homebuyers and their builders stay within the architectural controls set for the community (including a minimum house size in addition to the usual requirements), the sky can really be the limit.

Homes that have been built, so far, include a bit of everything: large bungalows, modest to grand two-stories and more. “We ensure all of the minimums are met or exceeded so the value of your property next door is maintained,” Bygrave says. “The last thing you want to happen is you build your castle and live next to someone who has something under what the minimum requirements are for the area.”

In addition to housing expectations, United has set some landscaping requirements for builders and homeowners to abide by as well, all with the purpose of keeping the area looking as appealing as an acreage-style, estate community should.

For the landscaping requirements, Bygrave says, “We take deposits to ensure that the landscaping is done and that deposit isn’t returned until such time as the landscaping is completed, and the inspections are done to make sure that it meets or exceeds the requirements in the guidelines.”

Tuscany Hills is just five minutes north of Edmonton’s northwest subdivisions and is accessed by heading south of 127th Street or taking the Anthony Henday. The community is set equally between St. Albert and Edmonton, so in terms of accessing retail and recreational amenities, you have the best of both worlds, just minutes away.

“The Anthony Henday has changed the city completely,” Bygrave says. “You don’t really have to live where you work anymore.”

“It gets you out of the city and gives you that extra space that you normally don’t have when you’re in a typical city subdivision. It’s an entirely different way of life.”

COMMUNITy PROFILE



Fast FactsDeveloper: United CommunitesCommunity: Tuscany Hills and Upper TuscanyBuilders & Prices: Varies due to custom designs and

homebuyer-supplied buildersHours: Call United (780-421-7272) or visit Tuscany

Hills for list of all builders with show homes in area. Some builders include:

Pompei Homes: Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., weekends and some holidays,

12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (www.pompeihomes.com). Aacropolis Homes: Call Marilyn at

780-973-5195 or email [email protected] (www.aacropolishomes.com).Web: www.tuscanyhills.ca

It’s a natural progression for [families] to move from a standard, city lot to a larger, more custom opportunity.

She says the area seems to be drawings families who already live in north Edmonton out just a bit farther. It’s a natural progression for them to move from a standard, city lot to a larger, more custom opportunity.

At the time of the interview, United was servicing some new lots for Tuscany Hills’ Stage 2B that will be open for the public to purchase soon. Bygrave says to call United at 780-421-7272 for the latest pricing and lot availability status.

Bygrave says for homebuyers to be ready for a new lifestyle in Tuscany Hills where you can breathe deeply out in the country. n

COMMUNITy PROFILE

S O U R C E M E D I A G R O U P : C E L E B R A T I N G I T S 1 0 T H Y E A R N O v E M B E R 2 0 1 3 EDMONTON HOME & CONDO L I V ING • 17


hoTwaTer, Cold faCTs

Failing to maintain water tanks can land homeowners in hot water

By Karen Durrie

FEATURE


We rely on them for baths, showers, cooking, washing dishes and doing laundry.

They’re those cylindrical things tucked in the basement into which cold water journeys through pipes to

become hot water delivered through our faucets.We don’t think about our hot water tanks much, but when

they malfunction and need repair or replacing, we sure realize how much we rely on them. Condo owners usually don’t have to deal with this, unless the mechanicals are in the unit — like in a townhome — in which case you would still be on the hook if the water tank breaks down.

A hot water tank that has broken and caused damage to the home can be a costly situation. Repair or replacement of hot water tanks is not covered by homeowner’s insurance, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, but any water damage caused by such indoor plumbing emergencies is usually covered.

Understanding hot water tanks — and what options are out there if you are looking for a new one — is useful information for any homeowner.

We asked Stuart Rudolph, president of Calgary-based Ru-dolph Plumbing and Heating, for information and guidance on hot water tanks.

wHAT IS THE AvERAGE SIzE AND COST FOR A HOT wATER TANk?Water heaters are typically 50-gallon gas-fired tank-style units, with either natural atmospheric chimneys, or in newer homes and homes updated with high-efficiency furnaces they might have fan-induced chimneys.

Costs can start from around $800 and up. Tanks with con-ventional chimneys are the least expensive, followed by pow-er vent heaters and then tankless units being fairly close for material costs — but requiring much more installation labour, especially on retrofits.

HOw LONG DOES A HOT wATER TANk TYPICALLY LAST?The average life span of a typical gas-fired water heater tends to be in the 10-14 year range, though we experience both ones that fail within the warranty period as well as ones that last far beyond that. The oldest I have ever personally replaced was 42 years old. It was made in 1958 and I replaced it around 2000.

Tankless heaters

wHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO MAINTENANCE-wISE TO kEEP THEIR HEATERS wORkING AT MAxIMUM EFFICIENCY?Manufacturers have maintenance recommendations in the manuals they provide with the heaters, but they usually remain as unopened as Bart Simpson’s textbooks. Hard water creates mineral scale that accumulates in water heaters reducing the efficiency of heat transfer, so its helpful to throw a garden hose on the tank’s drain valve and flush the water for five minutes twice a year. This will remove some of the accumulated scale. You can avoid this by installing a water softener. They remove the water’s hardness prior to the water heater, so no scale build-up occurs.

wHAT IS THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN wATER HEATERS?The tankless heaters are becoming more popular and have efficiency advantages, though there are trade-offs. One is that they are more sensitive to scale build up, and unless they’re fed with softened water they require periodic descaling about once a year. These tanks have sensitive flow switches that will cut off the gas to the burners if scale accumulation is reducing the flow rate excessively. Being that they’re more complex, they can be more expensive to repair.

While these heaters offer efficiency improvements, sometimes human nature can offset those gains, because when they don’t run out of hot water, some people will shower or bathe longer, increasing their consumption. Call me a dinosaur, but my personal preference leans towards the good old tank-style heaters for simplicity and reliability paired with lower costs for both installation and maintenance. Add those figures up and you’ll likely more than negate your per-gallon energy savings of a tankless.

wHAT IS THE AvERAGE wARRANTY ON A HOT wATER TANk?Most fall within the 5-10 year range, depending on manu-facturer’s model ranges and features.

wHAT ELSE SHOULD HOMEOwNERS kNOw?Calgary and southern Alberta’s recent devastating flood brings to mind service bulletins posted by heater manu-facturers noting that any heater that has been submerged must be replaced. Some extremely frugal sorts might try to simply replace the gas control and clean the burner and air intake on conventional tanks, but this is not rec-ommended at all for safety reasons.

When seeking repairs or replacements, be sure to use a licensed and insured contractor — not all that you find ad-vertising in various websites and classifieds are. Curious-ly low prices should be your first clue. If using a smaller contractor, it’s fair to ask if your installation tech will be a journeyman or registered apprentice. I’ve carried my journeyman tickets in my wallet for 19 years, but have only been asked for them by a client once. n

FEATURE


I always get a bit of an itch to start my holiday decorating in November. I know better than to actually start that early though, as I would be tired of it by

mid-December and would have it all taken down by December 26! Instead, I start to implement some seasonal décor, warming up my space for the shorter days and longer nights spent at home.

Textiles are my favourite way to transform a space simply and toss cushions are the perfect place to start. At this time of year, I want wool, plaid and layers. I also want craft projects to keep me busy on those evenings spent at home by the fire … another DIY project is born.

I don’t claim to be the originator of this idea but the beauty of it, as with most décor, is to take inspiration from others to then create your own style and designs. I get most of my inspiration from décor blogs, my favourite stores and, of course, Pinterest.

I love the look of a silhouette, and lately, I have seen some beautiful artwork, pillows and bedding created by layering pattern, graphics fabric and paper. I have my own pillows that I bring out from season to season and this year, I am going to update them simply by adding a silhouette for a festive edge. You could do this project at anytime of the year with different typography, animals, people and graphic images — whatever works with your décor.

There are two ways to approach this project: create a custom pillow from the beginning or update an existing pillow from last season.

Create from scratch A graphic designer friend, and fellow DIYer, created some beautiful pillows. With her graphic design knowledge, she

Story and photos by Rosalyn Lazaruk

was able to create images and templates to fit the large scale of the pillow she created. She cut the silhouettes from contrasting fabrics and with a careful zigzag stitch, sewed them to her pillow front before stitching the two panels together. If you are going this route I suggest the down pillow forms from IKEA: they are inexpensive and will give your pillow a high-quality feel.

Use existingI took the latter approach and found a silhouette, already created, online. There are many free sites as well as stock image sites where you can purchase all kinds of artwork. I then enlarged the image to the size that looked right with the pillow. (I printed the image on several sheets and taped them together to create my template.) Next, I chose a contrasting fabric, traced the template and cut out the image. I used Heat & Bond, an iron-on transfer paper, and applied it to the back of the silhouette and then to the pillow, as per the provided instructions. Voilà! A quick an easy update to a basic toss cushion adds some creative flare to your festive décor! n

DEsIGN & DÉCOR

Revamp your holiday décor with textiles

Cushy design

Designer Rosalyn Lazaruk has been working in design and décor for seven years, and established her own business, Wicket Blue Interiors, in 2004. She has a broad repertoire in designing personal spaces within the home, as well as in implementing intriguing space and design concepts within the commercial setting. Rosalyn is devoted to developing and implementing unique design ideas that reflect the vision and individuality of her clients. To see more of Rosalyn’s design ideas visit www.wicketblue.com.


Old versus new: What is the difference?

FOR MOST OF us, buying a home is the largest invest-ment we ever make. It’s a decision not to be taken lightly as it should fit your family’s needs now, and for years to come.

Why not consider a new home? Homes built today use the latest construction techniques and quality products. They are designed for today’s active lifestyles and offer a number of advantages over an older home.

MONEY SAvERThe Number One reason to buy a new home is that it will have lower operating costs than if you bought a typical older home of the same size. New homes are con-siderably more energy efficient than those homes built 10, or more, years ago. New homes feature:

Better insulation. A typical new home will have better in-sulation in the walls, ceiling, basement, attached garage and doors (front/garage) than a typical older home. All of this additional or improved insulation adds up to a more energy efficient home, and many of these features are recent additions to builder specifications.

Better windows. Windows are the greatest source of heat loss in your home. New homes often include a number of technologies to improve window insulation, such as more panes of glass (double or triple), Low E coating, SunStop and/or argon gas. All of these technologies improve the energy performance of windows.

Better systems. A typical new home will include a high-efficiency, direct-vent furnace connected to a programmable thermostat, power-vented hot water tank with electronic starter (no fuel wasting pilot light), fireplaces with electronic starter (no fuel wasting pilot light), and low-flush toilets.

Better insulation, windows and systems all increase the efficiency and performance of your home and add up to

MARKeT VIeWby Wesley Gunderson

Wesley Gunderson is Vice President of Finance for Growth Marketing an Edmonton based real estate consultancy firm providing integrated marketing services to its valued clients. Mr. Gunderson has been with the firm since 1997 and actively involved in economic and market research, marketing and product strategy as well as advertising and sales promotion.

big energy savings and costs over the life of your home. Better still, most new homes include all of these features in their standard specifications.

FEwER REPAIRS,LESS MAINTENANCEHomeowners that buy an older home know it might need some love and atten-tion, and sometimes find significant unplanned-for repairs and maintenance that add up to huge expenses. With a new home you should be assured that extensive repairs will not be a concern especially if you pick a builder backed by a warranty program. This coverage means that you are protected when buying a new home if something does go wrong. With older homes, if something goes wrong, you have to pay the cost yourself.

YOUR CHOICEWhen you choose a new home, you can include features that suit your family and lifestyle. A home theatre, a master bath ensuite, a second floor laundry, a bonus room … the options are only limited to your budget and imagination. You won’t have to knock down walls or make renovations from an older, and sometimes poorly designed, floor plan.

If you are looking for a home consider the advantages of owning a new home: more comfort, lower heating costs, low maintenance and a plan that suits to your lifestyle. All good reasons to buy new. n


By Michelle Lindstrom and Jim Zang

AROUND TOWN

EDMONTON’S CENSUS METROPOLITAN Area (CMA) housing starts, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), were at 15,670 units in September compared to August’s 16,152 units.

These numbers are based on a trend measure of total housing starts, meaning, a six-month moving average of the monthly, seasonally ad-justed annual rates. CMHC uses the trend measure because there are considerable swings in monthly estimates. The trend method of measure complements those monthly numbers to offer a more comprehensive summary of the state of our housing market.

Christina Butchart, CMHC’s Edmonton senior market analyst told the media, “The trend in total housing starts moderated in September, as both single-detached and multi-family construction declined.” She still expects housing starts in Edmonton to surpass 2012 levels even though the construction pace has slowed down in recent months.

Stand-alone monthly seasonably adjusted annual rates for September were 12,028 units versus 9,676 units in August.

Trending numbers

EARLY IN OCTOBER, the HGTV star of Income Property, Scott McGillivray, took in the charms of our city and shared his renovation and real estate knowl-edge with attendees of the fall Edmonton Home & Interior Design Show at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

The Canadian TV personality has an honours degree in commerce and started his TV career out with another HGTV personality, Debbie Travis, where he was the helping hand and carpenter on the show From the Ground up with Debbie Travis. Today, McGillivray is a full-time real estate investor, contractor, writer and educator — all in addition to being a TV host and executive producer of Income Property.

It is understandable, then, why Edmontonians would be excited to see McGillivray take centre stage for two presentations regarding his current and upcoming TV shows (including Canada’s Handyman Challenge) and for a chance to pick his brain about becoming a landlord.

He doesn’t expect this fall show to be the end of his relationship with Edmonton. He’ll be back a few times within the next six months for investment property and private rental real estate training sessions that he is involved with.

McGillivray was the only celebrity presenter at the fall home show on Friday, October 4 in the evening and then another show the following Saturday morning.

Income star

Scott McGillivray

A STUDY BY The School of Urban and Regional Plan-ning at Queen’s University in Kingston has come right out and said it: Canada is a suburban nation.

The results of a new national survey showed that fully two thirds of Canadians — more than 22 million people — actually live in what would be classified as suburban neighbourhoods. In major cities that number is even higher, about 88 per cent of people living in Canada’s 33 metropolitan areas live in the ‘burbs. Toronto, Mon-treal and Edmonton lead the way at a whopping 89 per cent, while Calgary checked in slightly slower at 87 per cent. Even Vancouver, with it’s sprawling downtown full of apartments and condos, measured in at a healthy 84 per cent.

So, while some municipal urban planners and academ-ic types may not like the suburbs, they are by far in the minority. The rest of us? We like owning that little patch of land where we can let our kids or dogs out the back door and know they’re safe; where we can set up a pic-nic table and have a barbeque; or maybe park the RV. n

Homeownership in CanadaACCORDING TO THE 2011 National Household Sur-vey conducted by Statistics Canada, the rate of home-ownership in Alberta, 73.6 per cent, ranked third highest in the country. Nationally, the rate was 69 per cent. Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest rates (77.5 per cent), while Quebec had the lowest (61.2 per cent).

Interestingly, the rate of homeownership for cou-ple-family households was 82.4 per cent, compared to just 55.6 per cent for single-parent households. Not surprisingly, it was also found that, across all geograph-ic areas and age groups, households with higher annual total income had higher homeownership rates. People age 30 to 34 were more than twice as likely to own a home than people under 25.

A strong economy which lures workers — more than 27,000 people moved to Alberta during the first quarter of 2013 alone — with the promise of high wages and low unemployment rates factors heavily into the equation.

If you’re a number lover like me, there’s lots more information where this came from at www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130911/dq130911b-eng.htm.

Suburban nation


CITY OF eDMONTON MAP

INNeR CITY

LeGeND

shopping Centre

Point of Interest

HospitalCondo Project

New Home Project

College/Universitie

1. Aurora2. serenity3. Axio Parkland4. Mosaic Meadows Parkland5. Windermere Village6. Macewan Gardens7. sandstone at Walkers Lake station8. Aspen Meadows9. Meridian Plaza10. The Corners11. Griesbach Wood II12. Griesbach Wood III13. Carlton Villas on the Lake14. Trails of Millcreek15. The University Brownstones16. Century Park17. Hollick Kenyon Pointe18. Evergreen Community19. Maple/Oak Ridge Community20. The Esates of Upper Windermere21. The Ion22. Grand scala23. Heritage Landing24. 12th street station25. Mosaic Town square26. Mosaic summerside27. Axio in Parkland28. stone Pointe29. Aspen Meadows30. Walker Lake Landing31. Rutherford Landing 32. Fox One33. Fuzion

NeW HOMe PROJeCTSCONDO PROJeCTS1. Walker Lake Estates2. Lewis Estates3. secord4. Parkland5 The Hamptons6 Copperwood7 south Hamptons8. The Properties of Donsdale9. Cameron Heights10. Terwillegar Towne11. south Terwillegar12. Palisades13. Upper Windermere14. Windermere Ridge15. Ambleside in Windermere16 Rutherford17. Callaghan18. Walker Lakes station19. Lake summerside20. Ellerslie Heights21. Tamarack22. Griesbach23. Fields of summerside24. Allard in Heritage Valley25. Tuscany Hills26. McConachie Landing27. McConachie28. Laurel29. Ravines of Richford30. Trumpeter at Big Lake31. Axio summerside32. Touchmark33. Hawks Ridge at Big Lake34. Woodhaven – Edgemont


ADVeRTISeRS INDeX

ATCO Gas Page 24 www.atcogas.com

Carlisle Group Page 31 Elements II / Creekwood Landing www.elementscondos.ca www.creekwoodlanding.ca

Hunter Douglas Page 20 www.hunterdouglas.ca

Kimberley Homes FC, pages 8-9 www.buildwithkimberley.ca

Lincolnberg Master Builder Page 2-3 www.lincolnberg.com

Sabal Page 4 www.sabalhomes.com

Walton Development Page 7 McConachie www.mcconachie.ca

Walton Development Page 32 VITA www.liveatvita.com


eDMONTON AND AReA MAP

CONDOS1. Lakeview Estates2. sierras of Inglewood3. Grande- Mission Hill4. Tenor5. sage Gardens

NeW HOMeS1. The Banks of sturgeon Valley2. Erin Ridge3. North Ridge4. Tuscany Hills5. The Crossing at River’s Edge6. The Manors of Oakmont7. Regency Heights Estates8. Kingswood9. Greystone Manor10. Pinnacle Ridge Estates11. Riverstone Pointe

CONDOS1. Laredo On The Park2. station 333. stony Village4. Graywood Terrace5. Cedar Brae6. Urbia Place

NeW HOMeS1. stony Village2. Brookview3. Graybriar4. The Fairways5. Willow Park6. Lake Westerra7. stellar Homes

CONDOS1. Parkland Village2. Fairway Eight3. Harvest Ridge4. Nova Ridge Villas5. spruce Ridge Manor6. The Pointe7. Kingstreet on Park

NeW HOMeS1. Jesperdale2. stoneshire3. Harvest Ridge4. Deer Park Estates5. Hilldowns6. spruce Village7. spruce Ridge8. Hawthorne at Heatherglen9. springate at spruce Ridge10. Legacy Park11. Lakewood


eDMONTON AND AReA MAP

NeW HOMeS1. Deer Valley2. West Haven3. Bridgeport4. Aspen Creek5. suntree6. Windrose7. southfork8. Tribute9. Meadowiew Park

CONDOS1. Brooklands at Bridgeport2. Ravine Villas3. Urbia Manor4. Urbia Green5. The springs at Bridgeport

CONDOS

1. Village Champlain2. Maple Brooks Villas3. La Rose

NeW HOMeS1. Village Champlain2. La Rose3. Grandin Park Close4. Notre Dame Estates5. The Lakes

CONDOS1. Riverview Estates2. Fort Gardens3. Walnut Grove

NeW HOMeS1. Valley Pointe Estates2. Forest Ridge in West Park3. Westwood Trails4. West Woodlands5. southfort6. southpointe7. sienna

CONDOS1. Pallisades on the Ravine2. strathcona Village3. Crystal Estates4. Axxess5. summerwood Greens6. Maple Ridge & Oak Ridge

NeW HOMeS1. strathcona Village2. Aspen Trail3. summerwood4. Lakeland Ridge5. Clarkdale Park6. Foxboro7. Willow Ridge/The Ridge8. sherwood Hill Estates9. Balmoral Heights10. Fountain Creek Estates11. sherwood Golf & Country

Club Estates

CONDOS1. Coventry Homes2. The Village at Beaumont3. Beausjour4. Montrose View5. Giselle Valley Manor

NeW HOMeS1. Coloniale Estates2. Montalet3. Citadel Ridge4. Eaglemont Heights5. Montrose Estates6. Westbrook7. Four seasons Estates8. Goudreau Terrace9. Triomphe Estates10. Beaumont Lakes11. Place Chaleureuse12. Beau Val

Tales from The Condo Zone

Passing inspection

FEATURE

By Jim Zang | Illustration by Lama Azhari

A good thing about living in a condo, as com-pared to a single-family home, is you have some say about who your neighbours are. If you’re on the condo board, that is.

For prospective owners, this can be a process that feels about as intrusive as getting a prostate exam from a porcupine. Being put on the spot is anxiety causing for many people, especially if there are bright lights and dental instruments involved, like with Dustin Hoffman’s character in the classic movie Marathon Man. Luckily it’s not quite that bad. More like passing inspection than an interrogation.

For the condo board, approving potential owners can either be a boring afternoon of rubber-stamping paper-work, or provide several hours of free entertainment. You’ve got to follow the rules, both the provincial guide-lines and the condominium corporation’s own bylaws, but there are some buyers who just make it too darn easy.

Like the clearly expectant couple, eight-months if they were a day, putting a down payment on an age-restricted condo. Uh, no. Thank you. Next. A man with a monkey on his shoulder. Next. A man who looks suspiciously like Mike Tyson, and talks with a lisp. No pet tiger in tow, but

he’s still wearing his prison jumpsuit and an ankle mon-itor bracelet … no thanks anyways. Convicted criminals and registered sex offenders are not who most people want for neighbours. Next.

Seriously, it’s like being on the panel of American Idol during the opening few shows. You know, the ones where the really bad performers are still around. Still, you can’t blame them for trying, condo living being so appealing and all.

A friend once had a couple of, um, motorcycle enthusi-asts come before the board; nearly 500 pounds of beef, leather, hair and tattoos. And an odour that smelled a little like, well, not soap. Two words guys, anti-perspi-rant. Of course the condo bylaws didn’t say anything about not wearing WWII army helmets, having swastika tattoos, or using deodorant, but they did include a noise clause that prohibited residents from making ‘any noise louder than 90 decibels’. Which meant, unfortunately boys, sorry, we’d love to have you around, keep the place safe and everything, but you’d have to turn your Harley’s off down the street and push them in as they exceed our condo bylaw noise pollution standards.

Next … n


edmonton home & condo living november 2013

Documents

e c o n d o

r n o v e

o n t o n h o

n g n o v e

s o u r c e

s s u e

t i n g

t h y e