July 31, 2012

New HOME BUYERS GUIDE K A M L O O P S

THIS WEEK

Monthly

VOL. 8 NO. 7 JULY 2012

Let My Expertise Put You in a Better Place!

The Mortgage Centre/ Dico Holdings 207-242 Victoria St. Kamloops, BC V2C 2A2

250-374-2222 Ryan Foreman

www.mortgagesbc.ca

foreman.r@mortgagecentre.com

THE INSPIRING VIEW FROM HARRISON . . . INSIDE AND OUT

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NEW HOMES A $5,000 free upgrade package is available for Harrison View homeowners to customize their units, upgrades that include hardwood and tile flooring, soft close cabinets and drawers, a fireplace, a storage locker and even a spectacular vanishing TV in the bathroom.

Dave Eagles/KTW

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012 ❖ C3

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NEW HOMES

With 14 floor plans — including one-bedroom, one-bedroom with a den and two- bedroom layouts — Harrison View has something for everyone. Standard features include granite countertops, laminate floors, stainless-steel appliances and air-conditioning.

Oh, and there is also a fitness centre in the building to cater to exercise needs. Dave Eagles photos/KTW

At Harrison in Aberdeen, it’s your view forever

By Michael Potestio STAFF REPORTER

reporter@kamloopsthisweek.com

T

HOSE SEEKING A room with a permanent, picturesque view of the River City will get it at Harrison View in Aberdeen.

Sheila Minten of Total Concept Developments Ltd. said the building will rise in an established community where people can enjoy the breathtaking valley views in perpetuity.

“In this specific location, nothing can be built in front of you for you to lose your view,” Minten said.

She noted the area in Aberdeen — at the corner of Harrison Place and Howe Road in lower west Aberdeen — has height restrictions and there are already established houses to keep the view intact.

Units range in price from $169,900 to $369,900, which includes the net HST, said Minten.

There are 42 units in total, with construction underway and set to be completed in February.

Pre-sales have begun.

Minten said another great feature of Harrison View is the variety of units.

There are a wide array of floor

plans — 14 in all — including one-bedroom, one-bedroom with a den and two- bedroom layouts.

They range in size from 485 square feet to 1,102 square feet.

A $5,000 free upgrade package is available for people to customize their homes, upgrades that include hardwood and tile flooring, soft close cabinets and drawers, a fireplace, a storage locker and even a vanishing TV in the bathroom.

That feature isn’t magic, though. The TV screen is actually part of the mirror — turn the TV on and it’s a television; turn it off and it’s a mirror.

Minten said buyers can pick and choose what they like, up to the $5,000 total.

Harrison View also comes with plenty of outstanding standard features.

The homes are equipped with granite countertops, laminate floors, stainless-steel appliances and air-conditioning.

Barbecues are permitted, as are pets (two cats or one small dog per unit), with a dog park right around the corner on Pacific Way. The building itself has many features, including a fitness room, an underground secure parkade, an elevator and a bike-storage room.

In addition to the view, Minten said, Harrison View’s proximity to many amenities in Kamloops will make it a popular choice.

“The location is really good, she said.

“It’s central to everything.

You’re not very far to TRU or the mall or shopping.”

A show suite is available for viewing at 156 Victoria St., Thursdays to Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

For more information, go online to yourviewforever.com or contact Royal LePage Kamloops realtors Brendan Shaw and Jennifer Huseby at 250-374-3022.

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Urban Cabin home furnishing consultant Helen Zak (left) and store owner Rhonda Murray view a selection of fabric choices for a client in their recently opened Kamloops location at 769 Notre Dame Dr. Dave Eagles/KTW

CABINFEVER U

RBAN CABIN OWNER Rhonda Murray combines style and quality with durability and affordability at her Sahali store.

At Urban Cabin, she said, it’s all about getting the look a customer wants — and helping them get it for less.

“We have some higher-end product and we have some product that looks higher end, but it’s less,” Murray said. “We want to be able to help people achieve the room they want, on the budget they want.”

The mother of three and avid golfer has a passion for decorating and room design, with an eye for colour and a flare for certain styles.

These are all reflected at her store.

Urban Cabin has traditional to modern country styles, which are clean-looking, but also warm, cozy and inviting.

Murray said she looks for furniture that is not only functional and beautiful, but durable as well.

“I gravitate towards quality because it has to withstand the rigors of daily life,” she said.

Quality is key at her store. Murray

said, as all her products are made in North America.

In addition, she has Kamloops’ largest selection of designer fabrics.

Murray believes it’s important to bind room design with comfort — and that relaxed look is exactly what people get at Urban Couch.

It’s also what most of her customers want.

“They want something that looks good, but it has to be comfortable too,” she said.

“It’s got to be the whole deal.”

Between Murray and store manager Helen Zak, they have 17 years of experience in the furniture industry.

Murray said they pride themselves on being very knowledgeable of the industry, so customers know they are in good hands when they buy from Urban Cabin.

Murray has been in the furniture industry for the past eight years.

She is originally from Merritt and her husband, Chris, is a former Kamloops Blazer who played for a number of NHL teams in the 1990s, including the Montreal Canadiens.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 ❖ C5

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NEW HOMES

Can you IMAGINE? There are new homes.

Then there are new homes.

Mukesh Ambani, deemed the richest man in India, with a net worth of a staggering $22.3 billion, has built the world’s most expensive home.

It is called Antilia — named after a mythical Atlantic island — and all 27 storeys of it rise over Mumbai, India.

Ambani, his wife and their three children call the abode home.

Here are some facts, courtesy of businessinsider.com: • The 400,000-square foot is 27 stories, high, but since some ceilings are double-height, it’s closer to the size of a 40-story building.

• Antilia contains a multi-story garage with space for 168 cars.

• It has three helipads on the roof, in case you prefer to arrive by air.

• The lobby alone has nine elevators.

• There is a spa, terraced gardens and a temple where the family prays regularly.

• It has a ballroom, guest suites and theater that seats 50.

Are you ready to make your move?

• Convenient appointment, day or night, home or office • Competitive rates on a wide selection of mortgages • Flexible home financing solutions • Your contact for all mortgage needs For convenient mortgage service, contact: Bev Wassen-Hunter Mortgage Specialist Tel. : 250-828-8870 Cell : 250-572-6847

Sue Maitland Mortgage Specialist Tel. : 250-828-8841 Cell : 250-819-8811

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C6 ❖ TUESDAY, July 31, 2012

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012 ❖ C7

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NEW HOMES

Housing starts rising in Kamloops Condominium and rental apartment construction boosted Kamloops housing starts in June.

Housing starts in Kamloops have increased this year, compared to data from the first six months of 2011.

To the end of June, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Kamloops had recorded 290 starts, a 12 per cent increase from the 259 starts in 2011.

The largest jump in starts has been seen in single-detached homes, with 130 this year, compared to 100 in 2011.

Kamloops is right on par with 2011 numbers in multiple-unit starts, with 160 through the first half of 2012, compared to 159 through the same time period last year.

June was the catalyst for the movement as 137 of this year’s 290 starts occurred last month.

Meanwhile, according to CHMC market analyst Paul Fabri, the markets in the Okanagan offer diverse numbers.

Vernon has seen a 23 per cent increase in housing starts this year (80 from 65), while Kelowna has experienced a 20 per cent dip (324 from 407) and Penticton is down by four per cent (46 from 48).

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C8 ❖ Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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NEW HOMES

June sees 153 sales June was a good month to be a homeseller in Aberdeen and Brocklehurst.

Those two areas of the Kamloops region recorded the most home sales during the month, with 20 each, according to data from the Kamloops and District Real Estate Association.

Sahali (16), Westsyde (14) and South Kamloops (14) rounded out the top five areas in sales in June.

In total, the 28 subareas monitored by the Kamloops and District Real Estate Association recorded 153 sales in June.

Meanwhile, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) second quarter Housing Market Outlook British Columbia Highlights Report, housing starts in British Columbia are forecast to increase in 2012 and 2013.

“Home builders are expected to gradually ramp up residential construction in response to positive signals from the resale market and economic developments,” said Carol Frketich, CMHC’s B.C. regional economist.

Housing starts are forecast to increase to 28,600 homes in 2012 and 30,100 homes in 2013.

This increase in residential construction follows a period of stable home building in 2011.

According to CMHC projections, job creation and population growth will boost single-detached home starts in 2012 and 2013, while multiple-family home starts will continue their upward trend.

Provincially, the annual average MLS price of a home is forecast to moderate slightly to $548,100 in 2012 and increase to $566,900 in 2013.

According to Venture Kamloops, the average price of a home in Kamloops, as of April, is $352,300.

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012 ❖ C9

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NEW HOMES

BMO study urges paying off mortgage BMO Financial Group has released a study indicating that many Canadian homeowners are feeling the pinch of balancing mortgage responsibilities with saving for retirement.

The survey, conducted by Leger Marketing, found the following: • Over half of Canadians expect to carry a mortgage into their retirement years (51 per cent) ; • Fifty-two per cent of homeowners feel their debt load or mortgage is hindering their ability to plan or save for retirement.

“Paying off your mortgage prior to entering retirement is very important because it will eliminate a significant amount of debt and keep you from having to manage higher debt loads after you stop working,” said Tina Di Vito, head of BMO Retirement Institute.

“When you are no longer receiving employment income, it makes it much harder to let go of large amounts of money.”

While saving for retirement and paying off a mortgage can often become competing priorities, many experts recommend finding a balance between both, but placing extra focus on paying off a mortgage first.

“If your retirement is only a few years away, it is wise to try and pay off your mortgage before you enter retirement,” said

Laura Parsons, mortgage expert with BMO Bank of Montreal.

“On the other end of the spectrum, for younger Canadians entering homeownership, it’s important to consider options that will ensure mortgage debt can be paid down faster and well before their retirement years.”

Parsons added that choosing a shorter amortization and taking advantage of prepayment privileges where possible is one way to achieve a mortgage-free retirement.

“If you’re buying a home at the age of 30, the difference between paying off your mortgage at 55 instead of 60 can have a significant financial impact on your retirement picture.”

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C10 ❖ Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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NEW HOMES

Maintenance Matters:

Decks and balconies: Protecting your outdoor spaces

D

ECKS AND BALCONIES ARE a much-desired amenity in a condo or townhouse as they provide owners with direct access to fresh air and the outdoors.

Proper inspection and maintenance not only ensures owners can continue to enjoy these outdoor spaces, but also avoids complex repairs by correcting minor damages in deck and balcony components before they develop into extensive and costly situations.

Advice on maintaining decks, balconies and other features of multi-unit properties can be found in the Maintenance Matters bulletin series provided by the B.C. government’s Homeowner Protection Office, a branch of BC Housing.

Available online at hpo.bc.ca, the bulletins are intended for homeowners, strata councils, maintenance managers, housing co-operatives and owners of townhouses, low-rise and high-rise buildings.

Much of the advice offered may also be helpful to owners of single-family homes.

Bulletin #6 in the series focuses on decks and balconies, describing typical components and materials used, along with recommended maintenance and inspections.

What are decks and balconies?

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, decks and balconies are two distinct building features.

While both are horizontal structures with walking surfaces, a deck is located over an enclosed living space and also serves as a roof, while a balcony extends outside the building and is not located over an enclosed living space.

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Regular inspections and maintenance ensure decks and balconies remain safe and stable. Decks and balconies on woodframe buildings are particularly sensitive to water damage, and a failure of the membrane or other component may allow water to penetrate into the wood structure.

The various components require different types of maintenance.

Guardrails may be constructed of a combination of wood, metal and glass.

All guardrail connections through the membrane or wall should be regularly inspected and maintained to reduce the risk of leaks into the wall assembly or building structure.

Guardwalls, typically half-height walls that wrap around the perimeter, are susceptible to leaks at corners and intersec-

tions with the exterior wall.

Inspection and maintenance should include sealants at these locations.

Soffits and vents should be cleaned of debris, dirt and lint to ensure air circulation.

An easy maintenance activity for drains and gutters is to regularly remove dirt and debris from floor surfaces to prevent clogs and promote water drainage.

Keep drains clear of objects that impede water flow.

Membranes should be cleaned using common household cleaners with plasticfriendly ingredients. Refer to the manufacturer’s literature for recommended cleaning agents.

In new buildings, all components should be inspected before the end of years one and two to detect possible problems from wood shrinkage or structural movement.

Engage a building-envelope consultant to carry out inspections and develop an inspection and maintenance program, and hire an experienced contractor to carry out the identified tasks.

Action plan tips Keep deck and balcony surfaces free of leaves, twigs and dirt to prevent drain clogs and potential water drainage problems.

Hire a qualified contractor to clean balcony and deck gutters annually.

Have a building consultant inspect and maintain components such as membranes, railings, draining systems, windows and doors annually.

Plan on replacing balcony and deck membranes every 10 to 15 years and budget for this replacement.

For new buildings, have repairs done by the original supplier to maintain the warranty.

Develop a deck and balcony inspection and maintenance plan that includes a record of all applicable warranties.

Visit the HPO website at hpo.bc.ca for more practical tips and checklists and to subscribe to receive the HPO’s online Maintenance Matters bulletins.

The HPO has also launched a video series to accompany its free Maintenance Matters bulletins.

Available on YouTube and on the HPO website, the new video series features the three most recent bulletin topics — cladding, exposed wood structures and belowgrade assemblies.

Check out the new Maintenance Matters videos online at: youtube.com/user/bchousing1.

TUESDAY, July 31, 2012 â?– C11

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Welcome to your own four-season playground At Talasa in Kamloops, the Sun Rivers Golf Course is on your doorstep, Sun Peaks Ski Resort is just up the road, and rivers, lakes, beaches, hiking, biking, community centres and every other conceivable outdoor activity awaits you. Owning a home here gives you more than a place to stay, it gives you a four-season way of life.

Visit our Real Estate Sales Centre to start your four-season adventure.

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C12 â?– TUESDAY, July 31, 2012

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