NEW HOME Volume 1, Issue 2, October 2014
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Big Horn Mountain
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Penticton Western News
Prepare your home for entertaining Submitted
Hosting a party at home is a cost-effective way to entertain, especially if you have just purchased a new home. Having a housewarming party is a great way to show off your new place but inviting friends over can be a lot of work. The host and/or hostess is responsible for all aspects of party preparation and cleanup. While party hosts often must wait until the day of the party to tackle many of their responsibilities, they can get a head start on preparing their homes for their guests.
The clean-up
It may seem counterproductive to clean prior to having everyone over, but it is a necessity if you want to present your home in its best light. The goal is to give the home the appearance of tidiness. Every surface need not pass the whiteglove test, but attention should be paid to any rooms in the house where guests will be spending time. Begin with the rooms that will be occupied the most. Ensure that they are free of clutter. If you do not have time to put every piece of decor back in its rightful place, simply put misplaced things in boxes or baskets
and store them out of sight until you can sort accordingly. Quickly vacuum the main entertaining area and wipe down any dusty surfaces. While cleaning, pay special attention to the bathrooms, which will be subject to significant foot traffic. Spend ample time cleaning the bathroom because you want to present a clean, sanitary space. In the same vein, make sure the master bedroom is neat. Put on your best comforter and ensure the bed is made. Unless you lock the bedroom door, expect at least one guest to mistakenly wander into the bedroom.
Seating
You will want to have enough seats for the majority of guests to be comfortable. Expect at least 75 to 80 per cent of guests to be seated at any given time while the remaining guests mingle. Your regular furniture may be able to accommodate a number of guests. If not, bring in seating. It could mean temporarily moving out bulky sofas in lieu of folding chairs. If you will be serving a sitdown meal, then you will definitely need a seat and place at the table for each one of your guests. Buffet-style meals and finger foods are often the best option
when table space is limited.
Safety and comfort
Investigate your home for any potential safety hazards before inviting guests. Repair any chipped concrete on walkways and ensure that railings are sturdy so no one trips or falls. Make sure that there is adequate indoor and outdoor light if you will be hosting your event in the evening. If you will be inviting a person with mobility issues, make sure that the path between the entryway and the bathroom is free of obstructions. If you have a pet, keep in mind that some guests may be allergic to pets or uncomfortable around animals. In such instances, it is better to tuck away your pet in a quiet, out-of-the-way room for both the comfort of guests and the safety of the animal. Keep all exits and windows easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Make sure that fire extinguishers are charged in the event a candle or chafing dish sterno gets knocked over. Have a few seats available outdoors for smokers or those who want a break from the action. Preparing a home for party guests takes some patience and elbow grease. But party hosts can get a head start on preparing their home to make the day of the party less hectic.
E M O H W E N Volume 1, Issue 2,
October 2014
FALL
m e n t s d e v e l o p
GettinG a head start on preparing to host a party in your home is half the battle of being organized.
submitted photo
Watch for the next edition of
NEW HOME
Skaha Hills
n
Big Horn Mountai
Skaha Lake Villas
November 19, 2014.
Penticton Western News Wednesday, October 29, 2014
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Menu planning for first-time hosts Submitted
Keep all the fun traditions of holidays, but throw out worn out decor.
Submitted photo
Ditch the worn-out decor Submitted
The holiday countdown is on and it’s time to get your house razzle-dazzle ready. But before you do, make sure to check that your lights and decorations are still in good working order after a year in storage. Not only can old decor look worn out, but it also can put you and your family at risk -- which is the last thing anyone wants at this joyous time of year. * Carefully inspect light strings each year. Discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections. Inspect for storage damage from moisture or rodents. * Turn off the electricity to the supply outlet before working with outdoor wiring. Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs and check to ensure replacement bulbs match the voltage and wattage of the original. To avoid a shock from damaged wires, use insulated fasteners rather than metal nails or tacks to hold light strings in place. * Make decorating a family activity by
planning this year’s theme with the kids, but don’t let children or pets play with light strings. * Keep electrical connectors for outdoor lights above ground, out of water and away from metal gutters. Connect outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These can provide protection from electric shock by sensing ground leakage and cutting electrical power. * Use heavy duty extension cords for high wattage decorations and large electronicallyanimated displays, and don’t overload extension cords. If you need to purchase new lights, look for a certification mark to ensure they are certified by an organization such as CSA Group. And remember: outdoor holiday lights are made for seasonal use only; extended exposure to the elements can lead to damage. So when the holidays are over, take down the festive decorations and place them back in their original packaging for next year.
Novice holiday hosts often have a lot on their plates. Whether hosting family or friends or a combination of both, first-time hosts typically want to impress their guests while ensuring they get enough to eat and have an enjoyable evening. Since dinner is such a big part of holiday gatherings, hosts often place extra emphasis on what to serve, and that can be tricky when this is the first time they are hosting. When planning the menu for your holiday soiree, consider the following tips. * Get a head count. Though other factors will influence what to serve, the size of your guest list may ultimately dictate what to serve. For example, a small gathering of four to five people will likely rule out turkey, as even a small turkey will prove too much effort and produce too much extra food. On the same note, a small dish like lasagna might not be doable for a larger crowd, as it will force you to prepare multiple entrees, which means more time in the kitchen juggling the various cooking duties and less time with your guests. Once you have confirmed just how many guests you will be hosting, you can then choose a main course
FirSt-tiMe holiday hosts can take a number of steps to ensure their menus appeal to all of their guests.
Submitted photo
that suits the size of your guest list. * Decide which type of party you want to host. The type of party you want to host also will influence what you serve. A formal gathering should include an appetizer, a main course and a dessert, including both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. A less formal gathering gives hosts more leeway. For example, whereas a formal gathering may include soup as an appetizer, hosting a less formal gathering allows hosts to put out some snacks or bread for guests to whet their appetites before everyone sits down for the meal. The more formal the gathering, the more formal the
menu. Hosts of less formal gatherings may even want to host a holiday pot luck buffet, inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or side dish while the hosts take care of the main course. * Ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions. * Include traditional holiday fare. People have grown to expect certain things from holiday meals. When planning the menu, be sure to include at least one traditional item, even asking guests for suggestions. Such fare will give the party a genuine holiday feel, and guests will appreciate seeing some items on your dinner table they have enjoyed at their own holiday celebrations over the years.
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Preventing TV tip-over injuries in your new home Submitted
Big-screen TV’s are often the focal points of family rooms and dens. Members of the family gather around to watch their favourite sporting events and movies, while kids may line up to play video games on the large screen. Although these large TVs can add some life to home theaters, larger TVs may pose dangers to young children. According to a report by Safe Kids that includes data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has been a 31 per cent in-
crease in the number of children injured by a television tipping over in the last 10 years. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia states that there were 3,000 children injured in this manner over the course of a single year. In 2011, 37 children were killed from injuries resulting in televisions, furniture and appliances falling on them. Flat screen televisions have continually dropped in price as there has been more competition in the market. This means that larger televisions are becoming affordable for the masses. A person who is vacillating between
two sizes may opt for the larger screen simply because there isn’t much difference in price. According to Safe Kids, many flat screen televisions are very top-heavy. Children who are naturally curious may climb up on furniture to investigate the TV or attempt to push the buttons to turn it on. All it takes is a little push or pull to tip the television over and put kids at risk of injury. Many flat screen televisions are placed on stands low to the ground, making them even more accessible to curious kids. Parents may wonder how
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to keep their youngsters safe. There are some precautions to take. * Older tube televisions should be placed on lowprofile stands that are sturdy and less susceptible to being tipped over. * When using a stand, place the TV as far back as possible. * Ensure that the television stand is big enough to hold the TV sturdily. * Flat screen televisions are safer when attached to the wall. * Inexpensive straps and wall anchors can be purchased to affix heavy furniture and televisions to the wall to prevent tip overs. Make sure the anchor is drilled into a wall stud. * Keep remote controls readily available so children will not have to climb to find them. * Do not place toys or other interesting items on top of tall furniture or televisions. Tip-over accidents are not just dangerous to children.
Flat screen televisions are safer when securely mounted on a wall where they cannot tip over.
submitted photo
The elderly, who may use furniture to brace themselves when walking, are also at
risk, further emphasizing the need to secure televisions as much as possible.
How to conquer toy clutter Submitted
Children’s toys are often key contributors to homes overrun with clutter, but with a new home, growing family and birthday and holiday gifts streaming in, it can be challenging for parents to tame toy-related clutter. Kids have a funny knack of taking out every toy they own without putting their toys away. But with a few tips, anyone can conquer the clutter created by toys. * Take stock of what you have. Taking inventory helps to determine which toys can ultimately be donated or discarded. Look for duplicates, similar items, broken toys, and items that are seldom used. * Start to organize. When you have everything laid out
in clear view, start to divide and conquer. Create groups in which to sort the toys. Figure out a system that works for your family. You may find that active, sports-related items can be moved to the garage, while board games and books may be moved to a family room or a community closet in the house to free up more space in playrooms. Seasonal toys can be stored away until they are needed. * Toys should be stored where kids can easily access them. Clear bins are great for storage, and such bins come in a variety of sizes. Construct cubbies in the playroom where these bins can be kept. Be sure they are nearly ground level and not too heavy so that children can easily get to their toys come play time.
* Construct or buy a toy chest. A toy chest can house larger toys and act as a receptacle for fast cleanup when kids need to tidy up before company arrives. Such chests are good for storing larger cars and trucks or the hordes of stuffed animals kids accumulate. * Shelving gets things off the floor. Display collectibles that cannot be damaged on shelves. This makes sure they are still on display but not in jeopardy of being mishandled by curious youngsters. * Donate toys kids no longer use. It can be a tough job, but children should work with you to thin out their toy collections. Designate a certain portion of items that need to go. Bring them to a consignment shop or donate them to kids in need.
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New townhouses for new families Western News Staff
For a first-time buyer, purchasing a new home is an intimidating, a pricey endeavour. The new townhouse development in Penticton, Skaha Lake Villas, located at 3363 Wilson St., is making that first purchase easier and is an ideal location for young families looking to buy their first home. Local developer Star-Line Enterprises Ltd. broke ground on the project last month, and is scheduled to be ready to go starting in January. Units will be three floors, three bedrooms, with a garage and bonus room in every home. Only a block and a half away from Skaha Lake and Skaha Lake park, the units will be walking distance to tennis courts, a baseball diamond and the water park. An ideal location for those looking to settle their family in Penticton, according to Diane Fox with Fox and Fox Realty. “We are trying to keep them as absolutely affordable for a first-time, younger buyer, as possible,” said Fox. Having local developer Star-Line Enterprises Ltd. involved adds a level of trust and is an investment in local industry. “I think that’s important to people. So many people are afraid of these new developments by developers that roll in from out of town and don’t necessarily deliver on what they’re supposed to do,” Fox said. The first phase of the 50-townhouse development will be ready for January. The homes will be child friendly, accommodate some pets and will be rentable properties, something Fox feels is important to Penticton’s real estate market. “We have so many young people in this
The concepT illusTraTion of the new townhouse development in penticton located at 3363 Wilson st. skaha lake Villas is the ideal location for young families looking to buy their first home.
submitted illustration
town looking for something to rent,” said Fox. “So many complexes are restricted that even if you own it you can’t rent it out. We really want this to be more flexible, and want it to be young buyer friendly.” The all-inclusive price is aimed at helping those young buyers by alleviating some extra costs usually associated with purchasing a new home. The homes will be ranging from $289,000-$325,000 for the first phase of development. The purchase prices include the net GST and all appliances. This leaves no unexpect-
find your
ed expenses. “Young buyers typically don’t have that extra cash to go out and buy appliances, or pay a GST,” Fox said. The main floor will be a completely open plan with three bedrooms upstairs allowing buyers to make the space their own. The affordable price range allows a young family to purchase a brand new home with fewer expenses and restrictions than a lived-in property. “First-time buyers can buy something new in the same price range you’d be look-
ing at for a 60-70 year old house,” said Fox. Star-line Enterprises Ltd. will also be building a commercial building nearby with the hopes of leasing out the property to businesses like coffee shops, restaurants and even a small grocery store. The development is being marketed by the family-based realty firm Fox and Fox Reality, part of RE/MAX Penticton Reality, located at 101-3115 Skaha Lake Rd. Any further questions can be directed to Diane Fox by phone at 250-492-2266 or toll free at 1-800-652-6246.
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Getting creative to design dream home Western News Staff
If you could have the perfect dream home, what would it have? A man cave to entertain friends for the big hockey or football game? A gorgeous kitchen to wine and dine family and friends? A compact low-maintenance yard that provides relaxation? Perhaps all of that. The demand for those options is growing in the Okanagan. “The kitchens have been increasing in size over the last few years,” said Scott Mayhew of Wildstone Construction and Engineering. “We are finding larger entertaining areas and self-contained master bedrooms with spalike ensuites and large walk-in closets.” Mayhew has tackled projects as small as 1,500 square foot ranchers to 7,000 square foot, three-storey homes. He said families are getting creative with smaller homes wanting to add spa bathrooms, but sometimes space is limited. A project they worked on in Naramata featured old-style worn stucco with lightweight concrete tile roofing. They also had different unique features that aren’t really common practice anymore. “They (owners Frans and Sonja Lotz) are super happy with the end result. We are happy with it,” said Mayhew. After finding the perfect location in Naramata for their dream home, the couple were very particular about the design of the abode and that it fit perfectly with the perametres of their overall plan. “The whole area here looks like the French countryside to us, we’ve had many a happy holiday there, and we wanted a French provincial farmhouse,” said Sonja as she walked throughout the large kitchen with a view out
Naramata resideNts Frans and sonja Lotz found the perfect location for their dream home and hired Penticton contractors to help them design a plan that fit into the French provincial farmhouse concept that they adore.
mark Brett/Western News
of Okanagan Lake. “It’s a family home. It’s absolutely a home where all our kids come and all their friends come.” “It’s also a work in progress and it’s not a rush, we want things to grow with us.”
Her husband agreed: “There’s a lot of things that haven’t been done yet and it is important that we have what we want, all the little things in place because that’s what makes it our home and not somebody else’s.”
Outdoor living spaces are in high demand with a few features to get the use of the spaces into the shoulder seasons. See HOMES on PG. 9
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Families choosing privacy and comfort From HOMES on PG.8 “We have been more focused on the xeriscape the past few years,” said Mayhew, adding that people have shown interest in eco-friendly selections of materials. “People are really trying to reduce the amount of maintenance around the homes.” At Skaha Hills development, there is also a focus on energy and xeriscaping. “Every year as energy costs rise, especially hydro rates, it becomes a hot topic,” said Curt Jansen, vice-president of sales and marketing. “With the introduction of the two-tier energy consumption surcharge, it has become a noticeable expense, especially for people planning to retire one day on a fixed income.” Skaha Hills is also doing what it can to offer families what they want in yards. There is a desire for smaller areas with privacy and comfort. Jansen has seen the downsizing with younger people who are having less kids. “People are becoming more conscious of wasted space and the demands a big home and big yard place on limiting your lifestyle,” he said. When it comes to the entertainment area there are rooms to accommodate big-screen TVs, fibre optic networking and open floor plans.
HomeoWners Frans and sonja Lotz relaxing on the deck of their naramata home.
mark Brett/Western news
“We have added extra floor and wall insulation for sound quality and barriers along with smart home technology where fibre optic smart panels make everything accessible and easy to manage for any room in the house,” said Jansen. In the kitchen, gas stoves are loved in combination with extra islands treated as the “central piazza” or “meeting place.” “We keep them clean and one
level with the ability to sit all around for entertaining, serving, or surfing the net with a glass of wine and a cheese plate,” he said. Other popular features are dual sinks, walk-in showers and large entertaining islands with extra plug-ins for electronics. They also create special racks in their cool storage rooms for Becoming conscious of wasted space and designing nooks to make previwine storage and some wine ous undesirable space usable is a popular trend . walls as well. mark Brett/Western news
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Building permits double so far this year Joe Fries
Western News Staff
By the end of September, staff at the City of Penticton had already issued nearly twice as many building permits for single-family homes as they did in all of 2013. Even better, 2013 “was our busiest year in the last four or five years,” said Anthony Haddad, the city’s director of development services. “And now we’ve pretty much doubled the permits this year again.” Through the first nine months of this year, city staff issued 72 permits for single-family homes worth a total of $24.2 million, well above the 41 permits worth $13.3 million that were handed out through all 12 months of 2013. “The fact that we’ve got 72 is due to the
fact that we’ve now got land available for people to build on,” explained Haddad, pointing to new developments like Sendero Canyon and Brentview Estates. “People want to move to Penticton. There just hasn’t been the variety so maybe they’ve gone somewhere else,” he said. “Now we’ve got housing stock on the market.” Haddad expects a small rush to come from builders looking to pull permits in order to get their projects started before the winter freeze sets in around the end of November. He’s projecting that surge will push up the total number of permits for single-family homes in 2014 to between 85 and 90. “Typically, Penticton is up and down,” Haddad said. “Now it’s going to be exciting to see if we can get some consistent 50- to 100-ayear single-family permits.”
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... They know the rates aren’t going to be around forever, and we do expect some increases come spring. — Judy Klassen
Pulling a permit is one thing, but moving on it is another, and statistics from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation indicate builders are doing just that. CMHC recorded a total of 127 housing starts in the Penticton area through the first nine months of 2014, up from just 91 during the same portion of 2013. The biggest increase was in the second quarter, when 54 homes were started here, more than double the 24 that got underway in the same period a year earlier. Meanwhile, real estate sales are also on the rise, according to statistics prepared by the
South Okanagan Real Estate Board. A total of 650 residential properties in the Penticton area worth $201 million traded hands through September, well up from the 542 properties worth $153.6 million that sold in the same period a year earlier. “There’s a lot in the condo market and in the new homes market as well. It’s a combination of the two,” said SOREB president Judy Klassen. Klassen credited pent-up demand, plus low mortgage rates, as a couple of the factors driving sales and construction of new homes. “It just seems like people are finally getting on the ball and getting things rolling, because they know the rates aren’t going to be around forever, and we do expect some increases come spring,” she said. A strengthening real estate market is being felt all over the South Okanagan. Throughout the region in September, buyers snatched up a total of 1,427 residential properties worth $438.4 million, representing a big gain on the 1,116 sales for $335.4 million a year earlier. The average selling price of a single-family home in the South Okanagan so far this year is $321,000, up from $307,000 in 2013.
Protect your home this winter Submitted
When summer draws to a close and autumn arrives, homeowners must place a priority on readying their homes for the winter months. Often referred to as “winterizing,” the process is meant to ensure a home can withstand harsh winter weather while proving a safe haven from the elements. As autumn arrives, homeowners can take several steps to get their homes ready for whatever winter has to offer with the following tasks. • Fix the leaks. A leaky home will prove an expensive home during the winter months. A home with many leaks will be much colder to inhabit, and homeowners typically turn up the heat to counter drafts that can make a home feel like a meat locker. But turning up the thermostat isn’t the answer. Instead, fix leaks in the fall before the cold weather arrives. Leaks should not be very hard to find. On the first
breezy autumn afternoon, walk around the house in search of any drafty areas. These drafts will be noticeable and often occur around doors and window frames, electrical outlets and even recessed lighting. Homeowners have a host of options at their disposal to plug leaks, be it door sweeps that block air from entering under exterior doors to caulk applied around leaky windows. When using caulk outdoors, be sure to use a weather-resistant caulk or, if sealing brick, use masonry sealer. • Leaves falling from trees is an idyllic image associated primarily with autumn. Unfortunately, when leaves fall they often fall into the gutters. Routinely clean the gutters once the leaves start to fall. Clean gutters will allow snow and rain to effectively drain through the gutters. If the gutters are clogged, snow might have nowhere to go when it begins to melt, and roof damage might result.
One of the easier preventive measures to take is to routinely clean the gutters of leaves and other debris that accumulate during the fall. When cleaning the gutters, make sure they are properly aligned. Poorly aligned gutters can lead to a host of problems. One such problem is flooding. If downspouts are not properly aligned with the rest of the gutters, then water might not be directed away from the home as it’s intended. Instead, water might be directed toward the home, resulting in flooding or additional water damage. • Have the furnace cleaned. Experts recommend annual furnace cleanings. Before cold weather arrives, turn the furnace on to make sure it’s still working. An unpleasant odor should appear when first turning on the furnace, but it shouldn’t last very long. If the odor sticks around, turn the furnace off and call a professional.
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Penticton Western News Wednesday, October 29, 2014
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Skaha Hills planning for Phase 2 and Phase 3 Steve Kidd
Western News Staff
Over the course of the next few months, homes should start popping up at the new Skaha Hills residential development. “We are trying to get a few homeowners in before Christmas,” said Curt Jansen, vice-president of Skaha Hills. While he’s not sure they will be able to accomplish that goal, Jansen said that first round of builds should be ready for their new owners from mid-January through early spring. “We are looking at having 20 to 25 home starts underway,” said Jansen. “We thought we would be here for two years on Phase 1, but it didn’t take more than 2.5 months to hit our goal.” The new residential development, situated west of the airport overlooking Skaha Lake, is the result of a collaboration by Greyback Construction, which partnered with the Penticton Indian Band to create the $250-million development. PIB Chief Jonathan Kruger said the band is happy with the interest in the development and how fast it is proceeding. “We want to build these 47 units that are sold out within two years,” said Kruger. “It is exciting that we are drawing up Phase 2 and reshaping the land to make sure as many people as we can will have a really awesome view.” Planning for Phase 2 is well underway, said Jansen, who hopes to
Skaha hillS on the Penticton Indian Band is hoping to release concept plans for Phase 2 in early November. The first phase sold so quickly they have combined Phase 2 and 3 into a single unit.
Submitted photo
be able to release concept plans, home designs and product offerings in early November. Because of the speed that homes in Phase 1 sold and the ongoing interest from buyers, Jansen said they have combined Phase 2 and 3 into a single unit. “We will release it in stages. At the end of the day, we could have 150-160 units in Phase 2 altogeth-
er,” said Jansen, who expects that to take more than three years to work through. The groundwork for the homes has been laid, with infrastructure, water and sewer all being tied in and amenities are on the way. “Towards the end of Phase 2, we will complete the amenities in the next phase, which will include
the pool, clubhouse, fitness facility, sports courts and public park space, along with some of the trail network,” said Jansen. Weaving all those threads together to create a new community is a big job, he said. “People don’t see the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. We are not just talking 200 homes,
we are talking the infrastructure preparation for anywhere from 500 to 700 homes,” said Jansen. “There is a lot of work that goes into that planning so what you are building now doesn’t become either obsolete or inadequate.” It’s also an enjoyable part, he added, since there is a lot of visioning that goes into it, as well as feedback from customers and potential buyers. “We are very cognizant of that customer feedback that we are getting and we have a lot of people, almost 1,300, on our registration list. So we solicit feedback from them as to what they would like to see,” said Jansen. “We haven’t delivered a home yet, but so far, everybody loves what they have seen in the show home.” They have also been able to deliver on one of the original sales points. Jansen said the completed show home has received an 88 energized rating. “It will save people up to 50 per cent or more on their monthly costs to operate a home. A new home, built today to building code standards, would get you a 72 to 76 rating, somewhere in that range,” said Jansen. “There is a big part of the year you won’t need air conditioning or furnace, the envelope is built that well.” “We’re moving forward in a good way, building quality homes with really good prices and most amazing views,” said Kruger.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Penticton Western News
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