Kamloops This Week - October Home & Condo

BC kamloops HOME & C O N D O

L I V I N G

O C T O B E R

WAYS TO ESCAPE DEBT PAGE 8

EASY WAYS

TO WINTERIZE YOUR HOME PAGE 9

FIREPLACE DESIGN PAGE 6

REAL ESTATE UPDATE PAGE 5

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

On the HOME FRONT

Homes

& C O N D O S

CONTENTS This month in Kamloops Home and Condo Living find the 2014 fireplace design guide, a real estate market update, read about the beginning of construction for a new affordable housing development at 429 St. Paul St., ways to get out of debt according to the Mortgage Alliance, how to winterize your home, the 2014 Keystone award winners and fall home decor trends.

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For the new homebuyer or the tenured homeowner, Kamloops Home and Condo Living is the guide for enjoyable living.

Love your home and everything in it with the help of this tailored resource, which brings you the help of the city’s premier home outfitters and builders.

Whether you’re renovating your current space, on the market for a new one, renting or building something brand new, take advantage of new ways to make the most of your surroundings.

The experts are at your finger tips with everything you need to know about creating the space you want to live in. Find something for your condo or home, new or seasoned, and ideas for every room, from your kitchen to your closet.

BUILDING DREAMS New decor or furniture can turn your lived-in den to a brand new abode. Some new lighting? Different paint colours? New landscaping? Or maybe you need to take out that wall or add that kitchen island you’ve always wanted?

Whatever you’re thinking of trying, start here.

Learn about the hottest styles and local trends in today’s homes and who to talk to. Also find out how to get up to date on the most cutting edge automated home technology or green solutions.

This month features advice from locals about the latest trends in kitchen Everything you need to d e s i g n a n d t h e m o s t know about outfitting popular materials from your home exactly how cupboards to countertops. you want it, today.

Yo u r h o m e i s y o u r sanctuary. Let’s make it the place you want to return to.

Trying to create a warm atmosphere in your home? Learn how to make your fireplace a focal point on page six.

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

RESIDENTIAL

new and N O W

BREAKING GROUND ON NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING

BY ANDREA KLASSEN It may have been a milestone day for the Kamloops United Church but, as shovels broke ground on the new affordable housing development going up at 429 St. Paul St., many in the congregation were already looking towards 2016.

By then, the first residents should be moving into the 56-unit housing development in the space where its community hall used to stand, bringing to an end almost a decade of planning. “I’m just expecting lots of excitement,� said Margaret Waldon, c h a i r o f t h e c h u r c h ’s c o u n c i l circle, during a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 8. “ Yo u c o u l d f e e l i t t o d a y, b u t i t ’s j u s t a h u g e d r e a m f o r 200 people, just a middle class group of people to talk about.�

Of those units 41 are affordable purchase homes, where the church carries 10 per cent of the purchase price of the home as a second, no interest mortgage, which does not have to be paid until the owner resells the unit.

Project co-chair Jennifer Keim said both the affordable purchase units — available only to those whose gross household income is less than $85,000 annually — and the

market-rate units are selling well, with about half the units in the property claimed after six months. “What we’re finding is that by far the vast majority of are purchasers are professional people that work downtown, and they just don’t want to have to drive to work any more,� Keim said. “They work at the hospital or they work in an office and they want to be able to just have that ease of to and from work.�

The housing project is the second phase of development at the church.

In its first phase, the church renovated its sanctuary and scaled back its building footprint on St. Paul’s 400 block.

Wa l d o n s a i d b y b u i l d i n g affordable housing, the congregation feels like it’s giving back to Kamloops’ downtown. “It would have been really easy for us to just turn that space next door into a parking lot,� she said. “It would have been e a s y. We n e e d p a r k i n g l o t s . “But when we did our studies we found housing is what this place needs, downtown housing.�

Construction on the new units is expected to take 15 to 16 months.

Mayor Peter Milobar, Kamloops United Church council circle chair Margaret Waldon, Vision 429 co-chair Jennifer Keim, KamloopsSouth Thompson MLA Todd Stone and Kamloops North Thompson MLA Terry Lake get shovelling under the direction of Vision 429 cochair Ron Routledge. Andrea Klassen/KTW

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

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Real Estate M A R K E T

RESIDENTIAL SALES DOWN NINE PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER Although residential sales have been down for the past two months, Kamloops and District Real Estate Association president Ingrid Pfeiffer says Kamloops is still in a balanced market.

“Kamloops is being kind of anomaly lately.

We are seeing unusual up and downs, going two steps forward and then one step back,” she said.

The number of sales dropped six per cent in August compared to last year and nine per cent in September. In September 2013 219 sales were recorded while this year there were 183.

Pfeiffer called the drop a fairly insignificant difference and said activity picked up near the end of the month and in early October.

For the current year, there have been 1,771 total residential sales. Whereas by this time last year there were 1,880. “ I t ’s n o t t h a t m u c h o f a d i f f e r e n c e really,” Pfeiffer said. “We are basically in

a stable, balanced market. Prices aren’t going up and interest rates are stable.”

To be in a balanced market there has to be a healthy number of active listings. With a fewer amount of listings, buyers have less to choose from and prices rise to unrealistic levels. This year there have been 2,143 listings, while last year there had been 2,070 by the end of September.

Most of the sales in September were between $280,000 and $360,000. In August the median sale price was $367,500 and in September it was $385,000. However, Pfeiffer said the average price is still closer to $360,000.

In September Sahali saw the most sales, followed by Brock and then South Kamloops and Aberdeen. Sahali remains the popular choice due to its proximity to amenities such as shopping and the university, while Brock is an optimal option for flat, large properties and lower prices.

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

FIREPLACE CREATIVE ELEMENTS Pull up an armchair and indulge your senses in a crackling fire. The sight of flickering flames, the sound of crackling logs, the warmth on your legs — with that high level of sensory impact, it is no wonder so many people aspire to own a home with a fireplace.

“A fireplace, a cast iron stove, or a beautiful mantel shelf crowning a hearth of candles in place of logs, are often among the most attractive features of any home,” says Peter Hoffman, broker-owner of Royal LePage Triland Realty in London, Ontario. Hoffman recommends these five guidelines when choosing a fireplace, or a home with that special glow: 1. Fireplaces and stoves can be affordable, visit specialty shops to explore the options. If a fireplace is on your list of “must-haves” for buying a home it may seriously limit the options available. If the otherwise perfect home doesn’t include one, consider adding a fireplace that fits

your budget after you purchase.

2. Know your area’s building codes. Some areas disallow wood burning stoves or fireplaces, so you’ll be wise to investigate the codes for your area and buy accordingly. Building permits are required in many areas before installing woodstoves and fireplaces and there are considerations such as lining the length of the interior chimney with metal.

3. Establish your personal style; do you favour an arts-and-crafts style or a clean contemporary look? Do you prefer modern or traditional?

Establishing your personal style will help you to narrow your search.

4. Wood or gas? Gas is often more convenient, but some homeowners still prefer the allure of a wood-burning fire. There appears to be no difference between gas or wood in a home’s resale value.

5. Make do with what you have. If you have an

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older fireplace and lack the budget to invest in refurbishing it, consider putting the project on the back burner and fill your hearth temporarily with the warm glow of an assortment of pillar candles, a sculpture or floral arrangement.

More information can be found at royallepage.ca.

— News Canada

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

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DESIGN GUIDE

MAKE YOUR FIREPLACE THE FOCAL POINT Add a fireplace to warm the atmosphere of your home. Even if you don’t need it for heat, use it to create ambiance and a focal point.

Stop worrying about that awful rug you’ve been meaning to ditch and instead, introduce a distraction with an innovative focal point.

No one will even notice the old wine spots on your rug when they can’t keep their eyes off the unique flame technology and glowing embers of your brand new electric fireplace.

Electric fireplaces come in all different shapes,

sizes, designs and builds.

Choose one that compliments your room and style. Short on space? Go for a wall-mount and add ambiance wherever you can hang a picture.

Make a statement with a mantelpiece, either in a clean and contemporary style or a highly ornate and sophisticated design.

For example, the new Multi-Fire XD firebox from leading manufacturer, Dimplex, has more than 30 different ‘media console’ options to choose from.

Either way, position it to be the first thing you see when you walk into the room and place seating close by. One of the best features of an electric fireplace is that it can operate with or without heat, so even on the hottest days you can create an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere without causing the temperature to rise.

More information is available at dimplex.com.

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

WAYS TO GET OUT OF DEBT...

AND STAY OUT Many of us have debt that always seems to be there and it never seems to go away. In order to get out of debt and stay out you need to have the discipline to live within your means. Here are a few things you can do to ensure financial success.

Sweat the small stuff. Know what you pay in bank service charges, for coffee and parking.

You are less likely to waste money i f y o u k n o w m o n i t o r i t c l o s e l y.

Set goals. Set specific goals so you have a strong sense of what your money is going toward. Imagine what it is you are trying to achieve – the places you want to travel to, what you want your retirement to look like.

Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for lower interest rates or better rates on deposits. Ask friends who you know have had success with saving what their secrets are. Use financial professional’s expertise.

Understand your finances. Study your bank and credit statements.

Read your financial statements. If you want to control of you finances you have to understand them.

Pretend you got a pay cut. Live on less than you actually take home so you can put money aside for emergencies and necessities and to allow for flexibility in the future.

Think long term. Focus on long term goals. When you take the focus off instant gratification you will make smarter decisions. Do you really need those stylish new shoes or will your current ones do for another season.

Learn to say no. Saying no to small expenses can add up to big

KEITH ALLAN MORTGAGE ALLIANCE MORTGAGE CONSULTANT savings. So you really need to go to lunch or coffee with your co-workers?

Is that fancy dinner or movie with friends all that important? Why not invite friends to your house for a homemade dinner and rent a movie.

Know the value of cash. Try using only cash for your purchases. If you always use credit and debit cards it is easy to overspend. By using real cash it reminds you the transaction is real and you will know you are giving up another opportunity for that money that may be more important to your financial future.

Pay yourself first. Every time you get money, whether from your paycheque or a gift or a windfall, put some aside for your future. Make it a habit. Consider it a regular expense just like your rent or mortgage payment.

Value experiences over stuff.

Think of the things you truly value.

Likely family and friends will be higher on the list than the latest “must have” thing. Before spending money on those new shoes or a night on the town consider the alternatives and how you can spend your time and money.

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

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SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME FROM HARSH WEATHER more insulation is to look for the ceiling joists. If you can see the joists, then you need more insulation.

Address leaky windows and doors.

Sometimes attic insulation is not the culprit when it comes to a cold home.

Oftentimes, leaky windows and doors are the real bad guys in a drafty home.

Fall is a great time to inspect for leaky windows and doors, as the wind outside can serve as your partner.

When the wind outside is blowing, take a tour of your home’s windows and doorways, standing next to them to determine if there any holes or leaks that are letting outdoor air inside. If you notice any leaks beneath exterior doors, install some door sweeps to keep outdoor air where it belongs. Leaks around windows can be snuffed out with caulk or weather stripping.

Test the furnace. Homeowners typically do not devote much thought to their furnaces in spring, summer and fall. But with winter on the horizon, fall is the time to test the furnace to make sure it’s ready for the months ahead. Expect a somewhat foul yet brief odor to appear when starting the furnace.

That odor should dissipate shortly, but if it does not go away, then your furnace is likely in need of repair. But even if the smell does not stick around, you might want to have the furnace cleaned by a professional anyway. Such cleanings ensure the furnace works efficiently throughout the winter.

Clean the garage. You might not mind parking in the driveway during the warmer months of the year, but why subject your vehicles to harsh winter weather if you don’t have to?

Clean the garage in the fall so you have an indoor parking spot throughout the winter season.

Protecting your car from the elements can add years to its life and also saves you the trouble of digging your car out of the snow.

Fall is a time of year for homeowners to spend a weekend or two preparing their homes for the often harsh weather that awaits when winter arrives — Metro News Service

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Autumn is a beautiful time of year marked by welcoming cooler temperatures and the natural beauty of leaves changing colors.

Autumn also has a tendency t o f l y b y, a s i f t h e p o w e r f u l weather of winter simply cannot wait to make its presence felt.

With such a seemingly short time between the end of summer and the dawn of winter, homeowners know they don’t have too many weekends in between to prepare their homes for the potentially harsh months ahead.

But such preparation, often referred to as “winterizing,” can make a home more comfortable when the mercury dips below freezing, while saving homeowners substantial amounts of money along the way.

Clean the gutters. Leaves falling in fall can be a beautiful sight to behold, but many of those leaves are likely finding their way into your gutters, where they can lodge and cause a host of problems down the road.

If the leaves and additional debris, such as twigs and dirt, that pile up in your gutters are not cleared out before the first winter storm, the results can be costly and even catastrophic.

Winter rain and snowfall needs a place to go upon hitting your roof, and gutters facilitate the travel of such precipitation from your roof into street-level drainage systems.

If gutters are backed up with leaves and other debris, then ice dams may form, forcing water to seep in through the roof.

That damage can be costly and can even cause the roof to collapse inward in areas with heavy snowfall.

Clean gutters throughout the fall, especially if your property has many trees, and be sure to check gutters one last time before the arrival of winter.

Tend to your attic. Homeowners who have attics in their homes might want to add some extra insulation up there, especially those who recall feeling cold inside their homes last winter, which is often a telltale sign of improper insulation in a home.

A good rule of thumb when determining if your attic needs

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

KEYSTONE The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior (CHBA CI) announced winners in 19 categories for the 10th annual Keystone Home Builders Awards of Excellence on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The awards recognize excellence in the home building sector in Kamloops and throughout the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Very often homeowners look to the Keystone finalists when choosing a builder or sub trade.

Following is the list of categories and winners: • Best single family detached home under 1,500 sq. ft.: D&T Developments Ltd. for Carradale Court.

• Best single family detached home 2,499 sq. ft. and under: Malcolm Homes Ltd. for the Benchlands custom home.

• Best kitchen design project under $30,000: DW Builders, Associate Company - Excel Industries Ltd. for the Stenson kitchen.

• Best interior design, new or renovated: Kathy Herrington Interior Design for the 1980s update.

• Best kitchen design project $30,000 and over: Mark & Tracy Henning, Associate Company Excel Industries Ltd. for the Henning Residence.

• Best multi-family development: Pache Construction Ltd., Associate Company - Rarebirds

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• • • •

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Co-operative for the Rarebirds Co-operative.

Best public/private partnership: Thompson Rivers University for the 2014 Y Dream Home.

Best kitchen renovation $30,000 and over: DW Builders for the Laporte kitchen.

Best single family detached home 2,500 sq. ft. and over: Malcolm Homes Ltd. for the Mountain Retreat.

Best residential renovation under $300,000: DW

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Best housing design - Pache Construction Ltd., Associate Company - Blue Green Architecture Inc. for the Rarebirds Co-operative.

Best marketing project, website: DW Builders, Associate Company - Fresh Inc. Branding Marketing Promotion for the Pacific Ridge Estates.

Best customer service by a CHBA CI Member, non builder: City Furniture and Appliances (Kamloops) Ltd. for City Furniture Customer Service.

Fortis BC award for building energy efficiency: Pache Construction Ltd., Associate Company - Rona Home Centre for the Rarebirds Co-operative.

Best customer service by a CHBA CI member, builder: Granite Developments Inc. for their customer service.

Best sub trade: Noremac Concrete Plumbing.

Best supplier: Kamloops Home Hardware Building Centre.

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

HOME DECOR Revamping our personal environment can not only add beauty, but makes us feel better emotionally, as well as physically, preparing us for the seasonal turn and all that comes with it.

“The market is overflowing with new and exciting introductions,” says Sally Morse, director of creative services for Hunter Douglas, a leading name in Canadian window fashions. “The new designs are enough to make a big difference both in your home’s look and mood without requiring a major overhaul.”

Here are some of her favorite ways to update any home: Tr è s G l a m To u c h e s : A h i g h l y o r i g i n a l wallcovering, light fixtures, or a gamut of accessories – a few glamorous touches go a long way. Try papering the foyer in a textured metallic material or add a shimmering glow to the den with linear LED lights hidden within the ceiling cove.

Updated Classics: Hunter Douglas Pirouette window shadings are reminiscent of classically hobbled Roman shades, but feature an innovative design of soft, horizontal fabric vanes attached to a single sheer backing. The vanes open and close for variable light control and reduced glare.

New Alustra Pirouette shadings enhance these qualities with a luscious new fabric,

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Charmeuse, which has the essence of raw silk with a refined texture in eight colours. A tinted back sheer is standard for a colour-coordinated look.

They can be motorized and operated with the Hunter Douglas Platinum App and integrated into home automation systems.

Fashion-forward and so easy to manage.

Safety and Style: Hunter Douglas offers the widest variety of product operating systems that eliminate or substantially reduce access to lift cords. The designs are well-suited for homes with young children. With the LiteRise cordless lifting system simply use your fingers to raise or lower the window treatment. Even better, it’s now offered on the company’s roller shades.

Gold and Brass Touches: Try table lamps with brass or gold-leafed bases or a wood desk with brassplated legs. Finish with the bronzed gold Charmeuse featured in the new Alustra Pirouette shadings.

“Search out the new introductions in the world of interiors even if you haven’t anything specific in mind,” counsels Morse. “One small purchase could mean a stunning change in your home, and in your lifestyle.” More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca.

— News Canada

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FRIDAY, October 10, 2014

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