The REAL Home Show Guide 2020

OFFICIAL GUIDE

2020

CUNARD CENTRE HALIFAX MARCH 6-8

@therealhomeshow

961 MARGINAL ROAD

@nshomebuilders

Nova Scotia’s Premium Open House – Walk in with a Vision. Walk out with a Plan. www.chbans.ca • #RealHomeShow2020

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Lessons in building, renovating

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What’s Inside …

New home trends........................................4 Flooring trends............................................. 7 Windows and doors.................................. 10 2020 paint colours.................................... 13 Property assessments.............................. 14

Published for

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia is the voice of the provincial residential construction industry.

The REAL Home Show Guide, the official publication of The REAL Home Show, is distributed to 120,000 readers through paid subscriptions of The Chronicle Herald, total market coverage flyer packages and onsite at the event.

Chief Executive Officer: Karen Slaunwhite Executive Assistant: Crystal Ingram 124-B Chain Lake Drive, Halifax, N.S., B3S 1A2 902-450-5554 or 1-800-668-2001 info@chbans.ca www.nshomebuilders.ca A special edition of

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Karen Slaunwhite BA, BPR, M. Ed, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

W

hen my husband and I bought our very first home, it needed a complete renovation from top to bottom. We were young and couldn’t afford to do it all at once, so we had to parcel it out — working on one room at a time until it was finished.

We learned a lot during the process, but we also made plenty of mistakes. Here’s what I hope young people keep in mind when they’re building or renovating their first home.

Make a plan While it’s most convenient to do all of your renovations at once — especially if you don’t need to live there while they’re happening — that’s not always possible.

Sit down and make a plan of what renos need to be done and when each one will happen. Ideally, plan the messiest ones for the beginning! By allowing time for everything to be done properly, you’ll set yourself up for success.

Trust a professional, not YouTube tutorials Just because something looks easy on TV, in a blog tutorial or on YouTube doesn’t mean you should attempt it yourself. If you aren’t properly trained for a renovation, you’re going to run into issues and potentially spend more money than you would hiring a professional in the first place.

Do your research Don’t automatically go with the first company that you talk to. Do your homework on the company to check their track record.

Ask for references. Ask to see examples of their work and make sure it lines up with the project(s) you have in mind.

Do they have proper insurance? Do they have Workers’ Compensation? (It’s required for companies with three or more employees.) As the homeowner, you need to ensure the people working on your property are covered in the event of an injury.

When you’re researching potential builders or renovators, be sure to look for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia logo. It’s a sign you can move forward with confidence, knowing they’re one of our members and we’ve made it easy for you by rounding them all up online: www.nshomebuilders.ca/directory.

Get three quotes I always say that it’s best to get three quotes so you can compare them. But don’t automatically go with the lowest bid. Review each quote and see what’s involved. If you aren’t sure about a line item, ask them. A professional builder or renovator will be happy to be open and honest with you.

Get everything in writing Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing home, it’s critical for both parties to be on the same page when it comes to the work that needs to be done, the costs associated with it, when payments are due, etc. Get everything in writing.

Be realistic Just because you saw something on HGTV or Pinterest doesn’t mean it’s going to be possible to recreate it. You might not be able to tear down a load-bearing wall or build an addition exactly how you’ve envisioned it.

Before the project begins, fully investigate what you’re proposing and talk to professionals to see if it’s actually doable.

Be flexible and allow your vision to change if needed.

I have confidence that this next generation of homeowners will do just fine when it comes to building or renovating their first home.

Millennials are smart. They ask questions, they seek out information and they’re good about doing their research. In fact, they’re much better informed than my generation was, simply because they have so much information at their fingertips.

A person’s first home is very special and I hope they enjoy making it their own!

— Karen

Budget for overages I’ve never done a major renovation that hasn’t gone over budget to some degree.

Sometimes it’s because an unexpected cost pops up and other times it’s because you change your mind during the process and want to upgrade to a more expensive product or material. Make sure there’s a bit of extra money for any overages.

www.chbans.ca • #RealHomeShow2020

2020 • THE REAL HOME SHOW

3

Home trends for 2020

Photos Pat McCarthy Renovations

F

rom kitchen cabinet hardware and bathroom fixtures to light fixtures and paint colours, here’s a peek at the home design trends you’ll see in 2020.

OPEN-CONCEPT LIVING ROOMS

ULTRA-FUNCTIONAL KITCHENS

“Open-concept is definitely staying,” confirms Jessesar Mitchell with Gerald Mitchell Contracting in Fall River, which is now also building on lots in Oakfield and Middle Sackville. “It’s just getting more open and more grand — the bigger, the better.”

Because these living rooms are often flowing into the dining room and the kitchen, she says many homeowners are choosing laminate flooring for a budget-friendly way to keep the flooring consistent throughout a large area.

WHITE AND BRIGHT All-white kitchens aren’t going anywhere yet, thanks to their crisp-and-clean feel.

Mitchell says many of their homeowners are opting for white counters, white cabinets and white backsplashes with white (or off-white) walls and natural-looking wood flooring.

“Sometimes people are worried it will look too stark, but once they fill it up with all of their stuff and their accent pieces, it looks so sharp,” says Mitchell.

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THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020

BUTLER’S PANTRIES Custom pantries are still going strong and Mitchell says many homeowners are upgrading to a butler’s pantry that includes outlets, small appliances, a sink and hard-surface countertops.

STORAGE WALLS No room to add a walk-in pantry but your kitchen never feels like it has enough storage space? Consider creating a storage wall with floor-to-ceiling cabinets. You’ll have enough room to store all the dishes and canned goods you could ever want and it will be functional to have it all in one spot. Plus, open shelving is on the way out — people realized it was too difficult to keep tidy!

Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

COLOURFUL APPLIANCES If this is the year your fridge or stove needs to be replaced (we’re not jinxing you, we promise), then you might want to think about buying the new set in an interesting colour.

Top brands are offering major appliances in shades like champagne, dark grey, brown and black stainless steel. GE Appliances’ Café™ luxury range includes matte finishes (white and black) and customizable hardware in brushed stainless, brushed bronze, brushed copper and brushed black.

DOUBLE-DUTY BACKSPLASHES Installing a new backsplash? The latest trend is making the top of the backsplash end in a shelf. How handy!

Jay Clarke, regional sales manager with Wacky’s Flooring, says their most popular backsplashes so far in 2020 focus on clean lines and soft colours — whites, creams and greys.

As for what tile arrangement you should use, our experts tell us that classic subway tile is still in, except there’s a new twist on it.

“People are moving away from the classic 3” x 6” subway tiles and instead choosing much larger ones — like 4” x 12” tiles or even 4” x 16” tiles,” says Clarke.

MINIMALIST HARDWARE Struggling to choose new handles and pulls for your cabinets and drawers? Top designers are saying that minimalist hardware is where we’re headed. Think slender, simple bar pulls instead of ornate, detailed ones.

ADVENTUROUS FINISH-MIXING

OLD (AND NEW) LIGHTING

Mitchell says there used to be a tendency to stick to one finish for all cabinet hardware and light fixtures, but now homeowners are more open to mixing and matching finishes — even in the same room.

“We’ll see a black lantern-style fixture over the kitchen island and then maybe brushed nickel light fixture over the sink and it looks great,” says Mitchell.

While brushed nickel and gold brass might not play nicely together in the same room, it’s easier than ever to mix finishes now that there are so many black and oil-rubbed bronze options.

Design experts say classic silver tones are slowly starting to overtake warm gold tones.

Look for light fixtures made from naturallooking wood, lamps made from aged metals (like worn copper) and lighting that incorporates unexpected textures and materials. Geometric and oversized light fixtures are also trending.

If your home has a smart device like an Echo Dot (Alexa) or Google Home, you might want to take advantage of smart light bulbs (or smart plugs) to make it really feel like 2020. These gadgets turn any existing lamp or light fixture into a smart one that turns on/off when you ask or by following a schedule you program.

MOODIER BATHROOMS While bathrooms are typically light and bright, there’s a movement in 2020 to make them darker and moodier with deep paint

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colours, unusual or nontraditional mirrors and exposed shower pipes for an industrial feel.

Interestingly, the trend is to show off your shower pipes but hide your toilet tank.

Tankless toilets look really neat — like something a celebrity would have in their house — but they’re not easy to install, since they have a tank that’s hidden in the wall.

WARM TONES OVER COOL TONES While cool tones — especially greys — have been ruling the home decor world for the last decade, many experts say we’re going to start seeing a switch back to warm earth tones like chocolate, olive greens and yellow ochres.

Doors painted in dark colours are also trending for 2020. They add a touch of drama in an otherwise ho-hum hallway. ■

2020 • THE REAL HOME SHOW

5

An inside look at kitchen renovations Pat McCarthy Renovations

A

kitchen renovation may seem like it’s just replacing cabinets and swapping out counters, but it often requires a lot more behind-the-scenes work.

We sat down with Pat McCarthy of Pat McCarthy Renovations in Bedford to find out more about the process of turning a kitchen from dark and dated to bright and beautiful.

Here are three things you might not realize about kitchen renovations.

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THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020

1. A renovator isn’t a home designer — and you’ll need both.

The first step is getting all of the right people in place. Renovation companies may have a home designer on staff, but often they’ll outsource this job to someone who focuses exclusively on designing kitchens and/or creating custom cabinets.

McCarthy will recommend several different cabinet-making companies to his clients so they can choose their favourite. Once the designer and the homeowner have finalized the kitchen plans, McCarthy says he works backwards from the cabinet installation date in order to schedule all of the work that needs to be finished first.

“We’ll do anything structural, like putting in beams for support, bringing the insulation up to code, redoing plumbing and electrical, installing in-floor heating and maybe putting in new windows or flooring,” explains McCarthy.

“Then once the kitchen is dropped in, we’ll go back and do the finishing touches like plumbing, electrical, painting and trim.”

2. Everyone has a speciality and they need to work together seamlessly.

McCarthy says he and his team always work well with cabinet companies, whether it’s one they’ve recommended or one the homeowner has selected on their own.

They actually prefer it this way.

“Cabinet guys like building cabinets — they don’t want to get involved with plumbing and electrical and tiling and drywalling,” says McCarthy. “So they focus on what they do best and we focus on what we do best to make sure everyone is happy in the end.”

Because the homeowner hires Pat McCarthy Renovations to do the reno work, McCarthy and his team take care of scheduling any sub-trades that need to be brought in — as well as managing the cabinet company.

Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

3. The renovation might go deeper than you expected.

“Sometimes people think it’s just a matter of tearing out old cabinets and putting in new cabinets — and maybe changing the floor — but there’s a lot more to an actual kitchen reno,” says McCarthy. “It might involve bringing the space right back to the studs and restarting it.”

McCarthy and his team often renovate homes in Halifax’s South End and he says renovating an older home is a much different story than renovating a home that’s only five or 10 years old.

“We have to check to make sure there’s no asbestos in the plaster and we may need to tear out all of the plaster because tying plaster together with drywall doesn’t give you a nice finish. We may also have to bring the home up to a proper R rating,” says McCarthy.

“These things aren’t glamorous, but they’re important and they’re worth it in the end.” ■

Stepping it up What’s trending in flooring for 2020?

T

ransforming what’s beneath your feet can have a huge impact on your home.

We asked local flooring experts what trends they’re noticing so far in 2020 and they’ve shared everything from top materials and colours to specific tile sizes that might make your next renovation easier.

PALE WOOD TONES While dark wood flooring was popular in the past, Jessesar Mitchell with Gerald Mitchell Contracting in Fall River says most of their homeowners now are choosing lighter laminate floors in shades of grey, blond and white oak.

“Lighter flooring tends to disguise scrapes, dust and pet fur — especially when you have the colour variations,” says Mitchell.

Lighter wood flooring can also make a room look larger and airier.

EXTRA-WIDE PLANKS Jay Clarke, regional sales manager with Wacky’s Flooring, says many of their customers are choosing engineered wood or vinyl wideplank flooring. The most popular planks are the ones between six and eight inches wide.

Wide-plank flooring can add a lot of visual interest to a room and it’s especially fitting for renovating a heritage property — or just adding a historic elegance to a newer home.

OPEN-CONCEPT FLOORING Since so many homeowners are building large open-concept living spaces, the flooring needs to be consistent from the living room through to the dining room and kitchen.

Budget can be an important consideration when you’re covering so much square footage.

“Laminate makes it much easier to get the look you’re going for at an affordable price point,” says Mitchell. “And if the flooring is going everywhere in an open-concept space, laminate is a durable choice for a high-traffic area like a kitchen.”

DURABLE CARPET While many homeowners love the look of wide-plank wood floors, you can’t beat carpet for adding warmth and comfort.

“People still love carpet for bedrooms and family rooms, especially if they have small children who will be playing down on the floor,” says Clarke.

He says most people tend to choose a multitone or flecked style that wears well and feels comfortable underfoot. He adds that modern carpeting is designed to be soil and stain resistant so it looks great for years.

Gerald Mitchell Contracting

Jessesar Mitchell with Gerald Mitchell Contracting in Fall River says most of their homeowners now are choosing lighter laminate floors in shades of grey, blonde and white oak.

NATURAL TEXTURES Flooring doesn’t have to be 100 per cent hardwood in order to have all of the interesting variations and textures of real wood.

Mitchell says their homeowners love that modern laminate flooring can mimic real hardwood by having a hand-scraped or wirebrushed texture.

TOASTY IN-FLOOR HEATING Clarke says ceramic tile is still many customers’ No. 1 choice for kitchens and bathrooms and that more homeowners than ever are upgrading to in-floor heating for their bathrooms to keep their feet comfortable on a cold winter morning.

OVERSIZED TILE When it comes to choosing tile in 2020, bigger is better! That’s because the most popular tiles are much larger than tiles in previous years.

Clarke says he’s noticing a trend toward homeowners choosing oversized tiles that range from 12” by 24” to 36” x 48” — particularly in soft shades of grey and white.

“Tiles are larger and they’re also being used on walls as well as floors,” says Clarke.

“Large tiles give a space a modern, clean look.” ■

Your #1 Source for all your Renovation Needs • • • •

New Build Renovations/Additions Kitchens Bathrooms/Custom Showers

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Basements Laundry & Powder Rooms Decks & Fences Sheds & Garages

• Trim Work • Custom Tiling • Exterior Upgrades

902.406.3368 | info @PatMcCarthyRenos.com | patmccarthyrenos.com

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2020 • THE REAL HOME SHOW

7

AWARDS NIGHT , Nov. 29th

2019

t Hotel rbourfron a H t io rr a Halifax M

s d r a w A t h g i N

BUILDER of the Year

CRESCO

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS AND FINALISTS. CHBA-NS is proud of all that its members have accomplished!

The Kohltech Peak Awards is an annual celebration hosted by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia that recognizes excellence in the residential construction industry.

The evening is dedicated to honouring the high level of craftsmanship, dedication and hard work that CHBANS members have contributed to the residential construction industry. Our professional members strive to set new standards of excellence within the industry that ultimately raise the level of quality, professionalism and workmanship within Nova Scotia.

chbans.ca 8

THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020

RENOVATOR of the Year

ARCHADECK OF NOVA SCOTIA

SUB TRADE of the Year

BLUE RIDGE BUILDERS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Let’s Build Something!TM

OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THE YEAR Award

MOST OUTSTANDING MULTI-UNITS TOWNHOUSE

MOST OUTSTANDING MULTI-UNITS DUPLEX/TRIPLEX

JANET HODGSON INDUSTRY SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR Award ARMCO COMMUNITIES

902-450-5554 Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

WHITESTONE BUILDING & RENOVATIONS

ATN HOMES

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE RENOVATION PROJECTS: Most Outstanding Residential Renovation Awards

MARKETING EXCELLENCE Awards

NEW HOMES: Most Outstanding New Home Awards

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Before:

Before:

Marketing Excellence: Builder/Renovator under $20,000 - BOWERS CONSTRUCTION Marketing Excellence: Non-Builder under $20,000 - TOWER INTERIORS Marketing Initiative: Most Innovative Builder/ Renovator - BOWERS CONSTRUCTION

Most Outstanding New Home Under 2,000 sq. ft.

CHESTER BUILDERS

Marketing Excellence: Builder/Renovator 0ver $20,000 - CRESCO Marketing Excellence: Non-Builder over $20,000 - ARMCO COMMUNITIES

Most Outstanding Renovation - Kitchen

Kitchen Renovation - Addition

MONK RENOVATIONS & TOWER INTERIORS

REDESIGNS CONSTRUCTION

Before:

Marketing Initiative: Most Innovative Non-builder/ Renovator - ARMCO COMMUNITIES Most Outstanding New Home 2,001 - 3,500 sq. ft.

Before: Before:

Most Outstanding Renovation - Bathroom

Most Outstanding Renovation -One Room

CASE DESIGN/ REMODELING

ALL-CRAFT

Before: Before:

INDUSTRY SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD: ARMCO PROPERTIES

MOST INNOVATIVE HOME IN 2019 AWARD: A W ALLEN & SONS

SAFETY AWARD: THE SHAW GROUP

BUILDING BRIDGES AWARD: JOHN KEATING

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT: RONA CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD: PINEHURST BUILDERS & AW ALLEN SPECIAL PROJECT AWARD: GERALD MITCHELL CONTRACTING

Most Outstanding Renovation Exterior Living Space

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Most Outstanding Renovation Whole Home

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MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT NEW HOME BUILT 2019 JOHN ISNOR

CORPORATE INDUSTRY PARTNER: NOVA SCOTIA POWER

CHESTER BUILDERS

Most Outstanding New HomeOver 3,501 sq. ft.

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CORPORATE ENERGY PARTNER: EFFICIENCY NOVA SCOTIA MEDIA PARTNER: SALTWIRE NETWORK

Most Outstanding New HomeCustom Home over 5,000sq. ft.

MARCHAND HOMES

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS Most Cost-Effective New Home

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2020 • THE REAL HOME SHOW

9

Photos by Pella

Windows and doors galore

Big windows and doors are back and they’re opening in new and exciting ways.

5 trends to keep in mind when replacing doors and windows

I

f 2020 is the year you treat your home to new windows and doors, there’s never been a better time to upgrade.

Bob Wood, the owner and president of Revolution Windows and Doors Ltd. in Dartmouth, says today’s windows and doors are significantly better than ones manufactured even just 10 years ago.

“We’re seeing tighter windows and doors, better weatherstripping and better energy efficiency overall, which is good because Nova Scotians are always looking for products that can stand up to our damp climate.”

Ready to replace your dinged-up doors and rattling windows? From what colours are popular to how people are choosing the best materials, here’s a look at the top window and door trends of 2020.

1. GOODBYE WHITE! HELLO, COLOUR! Over the past five years or so, Wood says many homeowners have been choosing windows in a colour other than — gasp — standard white. The move kicked off with people choosing dramatic black windows with satin

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THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020

nickel or brushed-chrome hardware.

While black windows are still very popular, a new frontrunner is emerging: grey!

These black and grey windows are usually either stained or painted on the inside. Some

homeowners opt for a two-tone look, with windows that are black on the outside and white on the inside.

But if you have your heart set on black windows, you might not want to choose

Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

vinyl — especially if they’re going in a brick or concrete building. Wood says black vinyl heats up quickly in the hot sun (especially in the summer) and the expanding and contracting can make the window more difficult to open and close.

This can mostly be prevented with proper spacing and shimming, but he says fibreglass or aluminum-clad wood make a better choice than vinyl when it comes to black windows.

Windows can come in bright colours, too, but experts say they tend to only be popular for cottages and camps — especially red or green windows.

While a colourful front door has always been a popular look, more homeowners are choosing to buy a new door in a custom colour — rather than just slapping some paint on their existing door.

“When it’s a factory paint job, it’s either powder-coated or heated on, like you’d paint a car,” says Wood. “It makes for a flawless finish. There’s no comparison.”

When it comes to choosing a colour, there’s lots of room to take risks and choose a shade

you love. Maybe a pretty shade of blue, like the 2020 Colour of the Year for Pantone (Classic Blue) and PPG (Chinese Porcelain)?

Or a soft rosy hue, like Benjamin Moore’s pick (First Light)? If those are too bold for you, no problem — brown is also one of the most popular front door shades at the moment, particularly for fibreglass doors.

2. HIGHER-QUALITY WINDOWS AND DOORS Wood says he’s noticing a trend towards choosing higher-quality windows and doors, especially since more homeowners are concerned about making their homes as

energy efficient as possible.

He says they might choose vinyl windows with thicker four to five-inch frames that push the windows further into the house — which reduces heat loss — or make sure to pick doors with pricier stainless steel hardware that will stand up better to Nova Scotia’s wet climate.

Of course, not everyone wants to pay for high-end windows and doors. Wood says they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, and some homeowners are happy to stick to the basics, while others are willing to spend extra money on windows and doors that have a certain look or special feature — or will hold up better over time.

3. NATURAL MATERIALS Vinyl windows have been everyone’s go-to for a long time, since they’re durable, energy efficient and easy to install. But older materials like wood and aluminum have been making a comeback over the last couple of years.

This is partially because major window companies like Pella have been offering lifetime residential warranties on the wood (once painted or stained) on new wood-aluminum clad windows, matching or even beating the warranties of vinyl windows. But Wood says it’s also because more homeowners are interested in environmentally friendly materials — and vinyl windows are made from plastic (PVC or polyvinyl chloride).

An aluminum exterior window with a wood interior will outlast a vinyl window because the metal surface reflects the sun’s UVA/UVB rays whereas the vinyl will eventually break down.

While it’s true that a wooden exterior window wouldn’t make as much sense in Nova Scotia’s damp climate, having wood on the interior isn’t a problem at all. Wood says homeowners are loving the warmth of interior wood windows and about 80 per cent of homeowners opt to have them prefinished when they place the order, rather than trying to DIY it later.

Fibreglass windows have also increased in popularity over the last five years or so. Wood says being glass-based means they’re eight to nine times stronger than vinyl windows are structurally in the profiles.

4. INTEGRATED SHADES AND BLINDS Pella makes really neat window fashions that tuck between the panes of glass, so they’re protected from dust, damage and curious little kiddie hands.

Because there aren’t any exposed cords, they’re safer for homes with pets and children.

These integrated blinds also have far fewer indoor allergens, like dust, compared to standard window treatments.

They can be raised or lowered using a handheld remote or an app on your phone or tablet and there are solar-powered options (with battery backup) that automatically raise and lower depending on the time of day.

Experts say the sliding patio doors with between-the-glass blinds are especially handy because no one’s getting tangled up in blinds when they’re trying to carry a tray of hamburgers out to the barbecue.

5. BIGGER WINDOWS (AND MORE WAYS TO OPEN THEM) Back in the ’70s and ’80s, it seemed like everyone had enormous picture windows in their living room, but they mostly disappeared from new home construction in the ’90s and 2000s.

But big windows and doors are back and this time they’re not just solid picture windows — they’re opening in new and exciting ways thanks to multi-slides, lift and slides, bi-folds, hinged and sliding doors to let in the fresh air.

Just be sure to choose ones with quality stainless steel hardware, since cheaper fittings and rollers will rust easily in our rainy climate. ■

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Windows and Doors that stand out!

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www.revolutionwindowsanddoors.com

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Call us today! (902) 464-5050

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11

Roll it up (in style) Garage door trends for 2020

G

arage doors can be stylish, too. Here’s a peek at what to keep in mind if 2020 is the year you’ll be upgrading your garage door.

MODERN TONES Grey has been a popular indoor hue for years and now it’s getting its chance to shine on a home’s exterior. Garaga recently unveiled a beautiful new shade called Iron Ore Walnut that combines a deep, iron grey with the rich texture of walnut grain. David Pace, president of Overhead Door of Nova Scotia, says it looks especially nice with crisp white or black overlays.

Not feeling the grey? No problem. Pace says there have never been more colours available for garage doors and many manufacturers are partnering with siding manufacturers and front door manufacturers to ensure perfect colour and design matches.

HIGH-TECH OPENERS Garage door openers can do a lot more than simply clip onto your car’s visor and open/close the door when you click the button. A new residential garage door opener in LiftMaster’s Elite series includes an HD camera with a microphone and a speaker.

Homeowners can use the myQ mobile app to monitor all comings and goings in their garage, in real time. They can see who’s arriving or leaving the garage and even have a two-way conversation with them using the microphone and speaker.

GLASS DOORS Garage doors are usually made tough to stand up to the bumps and dings of everyday life with vehicles, kids, pets and the odd hockey stick. But glass garage doors are an interesting and unexpected new trend.

“A lot of people are putting in glass doors and turning their garages into sunrooms so they can really enjoy the space,” says Pace.

“They’re tying indoor and outdoor spaces together.”

Sometimes the glass panes are clear so you can see right through them and other times the glass is frosted to let in light but maintain privacy.

Callifornia, 9’ x 7’, black aluminum frame, satin glass.

Contributed

CONVENIENT PACKAGE DELIVERIES If you order a lot of packages online and you’re not always home to accept them, you might want to try Amazon’s in-garage delivery system.

If you’re signed up for Key by Amazon, you’ll get a notification during the morning of delivery providing a four-hour window for when the driver will arrive.

When the driver reaches your garage, you’ll be notified and can even watch them live if you have a camera enabled. The driver will request to unlock your garage door using their handheld Amazon scanner and Amazon will verify the transaction and open the door.

“It can be set so the door will open to

exactly the right height so the package can be slipped underneath,” says Pace. “Then the driver leaves the package and makes sure the door closes before they leave.”

SPECIAL DETAILS It’s the little details that can elevate the look of a garage door. Carriage hardware and other forms of reproduction hardware are still going strong for 2020 and so are mullion windows and craftsman-style panelling. ■

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Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

Incl.HST

$519,900

Custom homes in a variety of styles

902.830.6392

Paint it beautiful Paint colour trends for 2020 Behr

Behr’s Back To Nature is a soft green that reads as a neutral.

Beauti-Tone’s Colour of the Year for 2020 is Spiced Honey.

PPG

PPG’s Chinese Porcelain is a bold blue that looks great with white.

Benjamin Moore

First Light by Benjamin Moore is a soft, romantic pink that leans peachier than the Millennial Pink from a couple of years back.

BLUSH PINKS: First Light by Benjamin Moore and Romance by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams are both soft, romantic pinks that lean peachier than the Millennial Pink from a couple of years back.

Beauti-Tone/Home Hardware

A

re there rooms in your home that could use a fresh coat of paint? While you should feel free to paint your walls any colour you like, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what that is — and it’s helpful to hear about popular paint colours to gather ideas.

All of the major paint brands suggest different shades each year based on what they’re hearing from top designers and seeing in decorating trends. Sometimes these colours are pretty wacky — we’re looking at you, 2015’s Coral Reef — but often they’re a good indication of what you’ll see in beautiful homes over the next couple of years.

Ready to break out the swatches? Let’s take a look at the different Colours of the Year for 2020 and unpack what might work for the walls in your home — and what might be better left on the shelf at the home improvement store.

DEEP DARK BLUES: Pantone chose Classic Blue, which is exactly as it sounds. Picture a blue crayon in your mind — yup, that’s it, Classic Blue.

Sherwin-Williams and PPG also picked similar shades (Naval and Chinese Porcelain). All three blues are dark and bold, so they look good paired with white. Lots of white. Like, even more white. Did we mention they’re really dark?

SERENE PASTELS: Valspar decided to be different and choose not one, but 12 colours for 2020.

It’s a serene list of pinks, greens and neutrals: Winter Calm, Mint Whisper, Canyon Earth, Grey Brook, Tempered Sage, Desert Fortress, Secluded Garden, Bombay Pink, Pale Powder, Utterly Blue, Crushed Out and Secret Moss.

TONES TAKEN FROM NATURE: Behr’s entire 2020 palette was inspired by the sky, earth, water and plant life, so it’s no surprise that their number 1 is Back To Nature — a soft green that reads as a neutral. The rest of the collection includes a warm greige (Creamy Mushroom), a sunny but not-toobright yellow (Charismatic) and a versatile pale blue (Light Drizzle). Beauti-Tone’s Colour of the Year for 2020 is Spiced Honey, which looks exactly as it sounds.

CLASSIC WHITES: While no one named white as their colour of the year, all of the top paint brands included one in their overall collection. That’s because white walls are lovely in a room with plenty of natural light, but it isn’t always easy to know which white to try. If you’re hunkering for the classic appeal of crisp white walls, try Benjamin Moore’s White Heron, Behr’s Painter’s White, Sherwin Williams’ Spacial White or PPG’s Atrium White. ■

www.chbans.ca • #RealHomeShow2020

SHOW SPECIAL

A WIDE SELECTION OF BLINDS & SHADES • Pleated Shades • Cellular Shades • Roller & Solar Shades • Custom Shutters • Custom Awnings

For a Free In-Home Consultation call:

1-902-407-5830

d i r e c t 2 u b l i n d s a n d a w n i n g s. c a 2020 • THE REAL HOME SHOW

13

New year, new property assessments How these affect homeowners when buying or selling BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

T

his time of year brings many things — New Year’s resolutions, opportunities for new beginnings … and your residential property assessment notice.

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, the notice of assessment can be a valuable piece in your home ownership toolbox. The information contained in your assessment is very important for potential homebuyers and sellers as it can determine the affordability of your home.

Having trouble understanding your assessment and what it means for you? Your REALTOR® can help you understand it and its potential impact on buying or selling property.

HOW PROPERTIES ARE ASSESSED Approximately 630,000 assessments are conducted by the Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) in Nova Scotia each year. This year’s assessments reflect the market value of your home as of Jan. 1, 2019.

DID YOU KNOW? Factors that influence a home’s market value include location, building and lot size, living area, age of the property, major renovations or additions, whether properties have

14

THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020

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water frontage and more. PVSC uses a variety of sources to gather information on these characteristics and assess homes, including sales data from the previous year, resources from the registry of deeds, maps and more.

Legislation in Nova Scotia uses a Capped Assessment Program (CAP) on the amount that your residential property assessment can increase year over year. When a home is purchased, however, the CAP will be lifted and the new owner’s property taxes will be based on the assessed value of the home, unless it is purchased by a family member.

YOUR PROPERTY ASSESSMENT Your residential property assessment notice includes the assessed market value of your property, the Capped Assessment value, your property tax information and a PIN number to access your online property account for more details.

If you disagree with your assessment, you can file an

Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia

appeal within 31 days of the date on your assessment. Your appeal must present evidence regarding your property’s market value, which could include a recent property appraisal, sales information for your community and photographs of your home.

A great place to start if you have concerns about your assessment notice is PVSC. PVSC can answer questions about your assessment and the process they used to determine your home’s value.

Your REALTOR® is also an excellent resource for any information you may need to file an appeal, like sales information from the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® MLS® system, the current value of your home, as well as how property assessments may impact the potential sale or purchase of your home.

Understanding how properties are assessed in Nova Scotia is important no matter what stage of the home ownership process you are in — and your REALTOR® can help. ■

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2020 • THE REAL HOME SHOW

15

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