PG ZONE THE ANYTHING & EVERYTHING NEWSLETTER
June 2020 Editiion
LOVE
SPIRITS & WINE? meet Jessica
Happy Father's Day
PLUS Meet our Builders
How is the Halifax Real Estate market?
Sandra's Note
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How is the real estateÂ
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How is the market? A constant question I have been receiving even more so since the start of Covid. Interesting, to say the least.
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The market in general has been down. April sales was the true sign of the times as we were down 59.41%. Inventory was down 41.67%. Both stats are in comparison to 2019. Admittedly I am not as busy as I usually am taking listings, but in regards to buyers and our current product being sold, we kept forging along and did not encounter any lulls compared to this time last year. We are actually up in sales believe it or not. When the market reopens, I see a strong seller’s market remaining for the next little while. It is hard to say that it will last long as we do not know the state of our economy. However, I do feel that we will lapse back into a buyer’s market, as some business would not have been able to withstand the side effects of the extended closure. Jobs will be lost. Companies will downsize. People may have to sell = more competition for sellers. The positive effect I have seen regarding the pandemic, are showings and the intent of buyers. Our team quickly put into place stipulations for anyone to see our homes. We immediately requested a letter of financing approval from buyer agents. The main reasoning was to #preventhespread . However, it turned out to be the best thing we could have ever done for our sellers. At best showings are annoying. Cleaning the house for hours. Leaving with no where to go. Getting an offer and have it fail on funds! ARGG! Luckily, we were able to circumvent this. All 16 offers we received were a go đ&#x;˜Š
SANDRA Team Lead
Turn the pages to meet our builders. We service:
WEST BEDFORD INDIGO SHORES SPRYFIELD BRUNELLO ESTATES www.thepikegroup.ca
BUILDER SPOTLIGHT
WHY ROOFTIGHT? You’re building a home where new memories will be made. That’s why we believe the home building and buying process should also be filled with memories that include the joy of picking a great plan, the satisfaction of seeing the first wall and the thrill of getting the keys to your new home.
THE ROOFTIGHT DIFFERENCE Our team of home builders, designers and contractors believe it’s more important to build a home around your lifestyle rather than a lifestyle around your home. It’s this focus on understanding our customers that has allowed Rooftight to serve home buyers in Nova Scotia for over 25 years and to continue to have people just like you join the Rooftight Family month after month.
HTTPS://ROOFTIGHT.CA/
WWW.THEPIKEGROUP.CA | 4
BUILDER SPOTLIGHT
CUSTOM HOME BUILDING
Highmark Custom Home Builders Designing the ideal home that's just right for you
Building a custom home successfully requires attention to detail and a good understanding of the construction process. There are many tasks to be completed which require management and skilled people to fulfill them. This is why most homeowners agree that it is safer to hire building professionals to complete their projects. There are many design possibilities and thousands of building components with different performance characteristics to choose from.
THE HOMES Located in the desirable Indigo Shores area these homes are built with quality in mind. The Martin is built at 142 Azure Court and features traditional fixtures, 5 bedrooms and a spectacular Master Suite you'll never want to leave; at 1509 McCabe Lake Drive you will find the Markham which offers 4 bedrooms and is finished on 2 levels with an open concept floor plan; newest to the market 1493 McCabe Lake Drive, The Taylor, features 4 bedrooms, 9 foot ceilings throughout, 16 vaulted ceilings in the family room and over sized windows for lots of natural light. All of Highmark Home designs feature top finished, are energy star rated upon completion and come with an 8 year LUX Warranty.
WELCOME TO HIGHMARK
Whether it is a custom built house plan or one of the many plans that Highmark Custom Home Builders has to offer, we know you will appreciate the time spent designing the ideal home that is “just right” for you. The ultimate combination of style, quality and craftsmanship makes Highmark the custom home builder of choice in HRM. Choose Highmark as your new home builder, where we’re building more than just new homes. We’re building your dream home.
CUSTOM GARAGES Dreaming of having that new garage built but don’t know who to call? Why not have it built right, by qualified skilled trades. We build wood construction garages of all sizes anywhere in the HRM. From single to multi car, one or two level with bonus rooms, built on slabs or frost wall foundation.
WHY HIGHMARK? Highmark Custom Home Builders Ltd. is committed to providing quality built single family dwellings to its customers at an affordable price. A home they can be proud to own, so that we can grow our business and build our reputation one home at a time. HTTP://HIGHMARKCUSTOMHOMES.COM/
WWW.THEPIKEGROUP.CA | 5
BUILDER SPOTLIGHT
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Birchdale Homes
With a concept plan already drawn up, this is just the beginnning of this new development. Stay tuned to see what's next!
Homes perfectly priced for first time home buyers
PROGRESS
THE LOCATION These homes are cuurently under construction, almost complete, and located in a new subdivision in Spryfield. Close to all essential services, minutes from beaches and downtown Halifax, there isn't a more desirable area for a first time home buyer to settle into.
THE HOMES
If you are wanting a new construction home at an affordable price, these semi detached homes are for you. Each home has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and over 2000 sq ft of living space. Designed for contemporary living, these homes will offer beautiful fixtures, a great open concept floor plan, fully developed walkout basements and your personal touch in the finishes. Priced perfectly for first time home buyers and built with care and attention to detail.
WANT TO STAY UP TO DATE ON OUR BUILD PROGRES? FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR VISIT HTTPS://WWW.THEPIKE GROUP.CA/BUILDERS_R EAD/BIRCHDALEHOMES WWW.THEPIKEGROUP.CA | 6
BUILDER SPOTLIGHT
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Signature Home Builders Customer service is our SIGNATURE
Energy efficiency is one of the benefits of a new home build! You can make simple choices to increase the efficiency of your home, until your needs are met. Of course, all of our builds will meet new efficient home standards of energuide ratings.
THE HOMES Located in Brunello Estates in Timberlea, Signature Homes has 4 home designs available for choosing: The Highview is under construction at 270 Maple Grpve Avenue and 10 Amalfi Way; The Stratus at 249 Maple Grove Avenue; The Fairway on 23 Merlot Court; and the Haven at Thorngrove Lane. The Haven is Signature Homes condo unit, fully detached, 2 levels and will feature 3 beds, 2.5 baths and the top finishes you would expect from a quality builder. All of Signature Homes designs feature top finishes, are energy star rated feature 3 beds, 2.5 baths and the top finishes you would expect from a quality builder on completion and come with a 10 year LUX Warranty!
WHY SIGNATURE? WHY BUILD NEW
Building a new home is a large undertaking, so why should you do it? Because building your own home is also an incredible and rewarding experience. Your input is valued, and changes in your homes finishes can be felt for years to come. Building new isn't for everyone, but with Signature Homes it is now easier to sit back and actually enjoy the building process.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology and household gadgets are important to some people. While others prefer to get up to turn off a light! We will work with you and the latest smart home service providers to make sure your new home is ready to accommodate your nerdy needs!
Signature homes is not a big box builder. We work with you- beginning, middle, and end- to make sure you are happy with the entire build process. WWW.SIGNATUREHOMEBUILDERS.CA
WWW.THEPIKEGROUP.CA | 7
Ted Huck
Scott Lavergne Tyler MacKay
Kevin Robinson
Scott Smith
Nadia Martin
Barbara Miles
Jason Quinn
Andrew Williams
Dawne Taylor
Paul Bethel Susan Homes
Jane Coolen
Susan Gray
Victoria Bertling
Alisa Sellars Jo-Ann Walker Shawn Copus
Doug Cashin David Turnbull
Jeff Connell Janine Gallant
Mark Headecker
HEY YOU!
happy birthday
GLUTEN MORE
PEOPLE
FREE
THAN EVER ARE BUYING, EATING GLUTEN-FREE
COOKING
AND
Tips for a gluten-free diet: Get used to reading food labels when you shop. Use gluten-free substitutes in place of gluten-containing foods. Remember lots of foods are naturally gluten-free. Enjoy naturally gluten-free grains and cereals. Know which alcohol to avoid. Remember you can still enjoy meals out with family and friends. GF LOCAL RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH The Wooden Monkey Halifax & Dartmouth Locations
GF DRINK OF THE MONTH:
just for you!
WINE Wine is naturally glutenfree!
In almost every case, wine is considered gluten-free BENJAMIN BRIDGE TIDAL BAY
What is Celiac Disease? Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), their body has an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.
The Art of Aging TO LASH OR NOT
Sandra
As I head into my fifties, I thought to share some of my favorite items for taking care of my skin or just beauty things that I have tried over the years. This month I would like to focus on lash extensions.
Yup I did it. I fell into the trap of going to see my lash guy. I wanted the dreamy look. I wanted to look fresher. I wanted to look younger. Well what a pain in the ass that was!
It all started about 5 years ago. Lashes were becoming more popular. It wasn't just the young lassies in their 20's, but it was women like me in their 40s and even 50+ heading out to see their favorite lash person. I had to join the gravy train. I had to try it. Admittedly it was painful lying on the bed for almost 2 hours while the extensions were being added. I have absolutely zero patience to be still for that long. Cotton pads were placed over my eyes. I had no idea of what was going on. I just knew I had to suck it up as in the end; I was going to look at least 39. (lol)
Finally the big reveal. WOSERS. They truly looked amazing. I was so excited and pleased how they turned out. I rushed home to show my partner who shrugged 'yeah they look ok' I stared at them for a few minutes and was pleased knowing I did the right thing. Every night before bedtime, I have my skin care ritual. Remove the makeup and place night cream on. I was extra careful not to let any of the product touch my new lashes. Finally bedtime. As a tummy sleeper, it never occured to me, that lashes may not be the best choice I could have ever made. The next morning while washing my face ever so carefully, I noticed a lash or two had fallen into the sink. Oh well I thought that must be normal.
The first few days I FREAKIN loved them. They were full and definitely added depth to my normal makeup regime. After the first week, I gotta tell you. I was disappointed. They started to look ratty. Each morning I would find lashes on my pillow. When I was about to wash my face, I kept noticing there were a few just holding on for dear life and needed to be removed. Every 2nd Wed I found myself lying on the bed at the salon refilling the gaps. 90 long minutes. Was it really worth it? YOU BETCHA YA.
For 6 months, every other Wednesday evening, a full set of lashes dawned my face. Yeah for me. Fast forward to the 6th month. It was December and I was home in Nfld. The lashes after 2 weeks were so ... what is the word I am looking for... sparse... no. An adjective does evade me now, but think of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. That was my lashes. I thought to myself.. "I am done with this" Off to the kitchen I trot, looking for the coconut oil.The horror that erupted. I HAD STUBS FOR LASHES. What in the world was I going to do WHAT DID I DO! OMG! I rushed to Shoppers ( I love those optimum points) grabbed a lash primer/extender and my old trusted mascara. I looked horrible with no lashes. I sent a text to locate a bottle of the drops that were used in glaucoma patients as I knew the drops helped with lash growth. 3 months and I finally had lashes.
I swore I would never ever EVER have lash extensions again. Having said that, I do frequent MAC when attending a formal event for a little pick me up with fake lashes. What we women do :)
New Scotland Clothing co was founded by two brothers Scott & Kevin Saccary who live and breathe their proud Scottish heritage. The brothers have combined their passion of style, music and curling to create the New Scotland Clothing Company. Branching out into the craft beer market along with co funder Mike Gillesbie.they created the New Scotland Brewing Co. which is a community based microbrewery and live music venue located in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth producing exceptional small batch beer and cider.