At Aspac Development Ltd.’s The Wesbrook, people can find a new, sustainable home in an established University of British Columbia neighbourhood. The spacious units offer house-sized floorplans to new homebuyers, while large patios and sweeping, panoramic views invite living indoors and out, year-round. “It’s in the things you see and the things you don’t,” says Aspac vice-president of marketing Lance Brown. ›› p.8
Sonoma Homes wants to custom-build a luxurious dream house for you ›› p.4
November 19, 2009
Winter: is your home ready? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when stormy weather starts in B.C. TRICIA LESLIE It has started. The constant rain – from stormy, windy downpours to steady, continuous drizzles – signals the start of fall and winter here in B.C. Grey skies, muddy parks and trails, and soggy leaves coming down in droves are all just part of the season for those of us who live on the Wet Coast. Many people who have recently purchased a new home may feel warm and cozy in their never-before-lived-in abodes – and they should, especially since home warranties are mandatory on new homes in B.C. But even with warranty protection, homeowners are responsible for regular maintenance and upkeep on their dwellings, even if the home is less than a year or two old. Rain gutters, for example, can fill up fast with leaves and other debris at this time of year, thanks to the stormy weather. Keeping your home properly maintained is partly common sense, says popular radio and TV home improvement personality Shell Busey, and partly, making sure the homeowner knows what they are responsible for, in the event warranty-related work is ever needed. “Obviously, making sure the (rain) gutters are clean is important – it’s not unusual to get them cleaned two to three times a year,” Busey says. Some homeowners are switching to a Leaf Guard system that is guaranteed never to clog, Busey notes, and while that system can initially be more expensive than a gutter cleaning, it will save homeowners money in the long run. If rain gutters are clogged and the homeowner doesn’t know about the problem,
Popular home improvement TV and radio personality Shell Busey gives us some suggestions as to how we can ensure our homes – even if they’re new – are prepared for B.C.’s winter weather.
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Rob Newell photo
Winterizing your home
October home sales the highest in six years for B.C. The local housing market is rebounding in a big way. The B.C. Real Estate Association reports that Multiple Listings Services residential sales in the province climbed 115 per cent in October to 8,624 units, compared to the same month last year. Last month posted the highest number of MLS residential sales since October of 2003, when 8,682 homes were sold. The average residential price of a home in B.C. increased 17 per cent to $493,328 from $420,259 in October 2008, the BCREA notes. “B.C. home sales “Vancouver continued on an and Victoria, upward trend in October,” says BCREA in particular, chief economist Cameron Muir. “Despite are posting a lacklustre economy, near-record low mortgage interest unit sales this rates have induced many potential buyfall.” ers into the market. However, the recent phenomenal pace of home sales is expected to moderate in the coming months as pent-up demand dissipates and eroding affordability begins to impact the purchasing power of households.” The BCREA also recently released its fall housing forecast, which predicts MLS residential sales will increase 20 per cent this year to 82,900 units, compared to 68,923 units in 2008. In 2010, the BCREA estimates residential sales will increase a further eight per cent to 89,600 units. The 10-year average is 82,800 units. “A sharp rebound in consumer demand turned a potentially dismal year into a very strong year for home sales,” Muir says. “Vancouver and Victoria, in particular, are posting near-record unit sales this fall.” Visit www.bcrea.bc.ca for details.