Renters Guide Calgary

Calgary Edition

Dec. 21, 2012 - Jan. 04, 2013 Volume 23 Issue 26

JUST STARTING OUT? RENTING IS YOUR BEST CHOICE

realstar management We really care where you live!

Calgary Place Apartments • Downtown 1 & 2 bedroom suites • Garden Terrace with pool & tennis court • Fitness facility • Games Room • One block to LRT • Utilities included • Close to bike trails, paths, shopping and restaurants

www.calgaryplace.com

609 8 th Street SW, Calgary, AB

Tel: 403-261-7024

Glenmore Heights

• Bachelor, 1 & 2 bedroom suites • Fitness facility • Social room with full kitchen & library area • Utilities included www.glenmoreheights.com • One block to Chinook Centre • Parking available • Close to C-Train

620 - 67th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

Tel: 403-301-3677

Beacon Heights Apartments • Open concept kitchens feature granite coutertops, tile backsplashes and black appliances • Fridge, self-cleaning oven, over the range microwave and dishwasher • Ceramic tile in kitchen, bathroom & foyer • Carpet in main living areas • Window blinds • In-suite Laundry

1540 Sherwood Blvd NW, Calgary, AB Tel: 403-514-6016

For more information www.realstar.ca

realstar management We really care where you live!

Glenmore Gardens • Bright, spacious suites with balconies/ patios and awe-inspiring views.

• On 30 acres of beautifully landscaped ground, and across from Glenmore Park Reservoir and Heritage Park • On-site aesthetics and hair salon www.glenmoregardens.com • Indoor Swimming pool and sauna • Fully equipped social room with a pool and full size kitchen.

• Wide range of shopping, restaurants and services at nearby Glenmore Landing.

2105 90th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

Tel: 403-281-1404

Rouleau • Sleek, contemporary apartments with floor-toceiling windows, large balconies, and spectacular views of downtown & the Elbow River • In historic Mission district, and near the Elbow River and scenic pathways • Minutes from popular shops and restaurants on www.rentrouleau.ca trendy 4th Street • Walking distance to the Talisman Sports Center and the LRT • Quick and easy commute into the downtown core • Fully equipped fitness room

100, 124-26th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB

Tel: 403-244-1003

The Mansions • Spacious suites with contemporary flair, modern conveniences and gorgeous views • One- and two-bedroom suite options • On the Elbow River • Quiet residential neighbourhood • Superior laundry facilities • Secure underground parking • Each quality suite is equipped with a private balcony • Carpeted & ceramic flooring and a dishwasher • Security

104-26th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

www.rentrouleau.ca

Tel: 403-244-1003

For more information www.realstar.ca

Dorsett Square Apartments

• Spacious 1 and 2 bedrooms • Adult building; seniors welcome • Heated undrgrnd parking incl.

• 3 appliances & on-site laundry • Amenities include fitness room and sauna

• Close to downtown shops & restaurants • On-site management • Heat and water included • Secured building w/balconies • SORRY, NO PETS!

Randal House Apartments

• Spacious 1 & 2 bedroom suites • Underground/outdoor parking • Adult building; seniors welcome • 10 Minute walk to downtown • Saunas, fitness room and games room

• Secured building • ALL utilities included!

• Smart card laundry facility • 3 appliances + balconies • On-site management • SORRY, NO PETS!

1339 - 15th Avenue S.W.

309 - 15th Avenue S.W.

Beddington Court Apartments

Village Vale Townhomes

403.245.5253

• Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom suites • Minutes away from airport • Electric fireplaces • Games room and laundry facility

• 3 appliances • Parking and heat included • Adult building; seniors welcome • Some suites with balconies • On-site management • SORRY, NO PETS!

230 Huntington Close N.E.

403.295.3809

Professionally Managed by:

403.228.3909

• Spacious 2 & 3 bedroom bungalows & 2 lvl townhomes • 2 full size bathrooms & walk-in closets • On-site management • 1 Parking stall included

• Electric fireplaces • Adult buildings • 5 appliances • Easy access to downtown • Ensuite storage • SORRY, NO PETS!

47 Glamis Drive S.W.

403.249.0643

Calgary Edition

Dec. 21, 2012 - Jan. 04, 2013 Volume 23 Issue 26

FROnT COvER

FEATuRE

Vice-President, Wall2Wall Media Jacqueline Hill editor in chief, real estate Susan Legge national account Manager, MediatiVe Paul Slizys director of sales, Western canada Josh Heppner Media consultant Carolyn Porteous

JUST STARTING OUT? RENTING IS YOUR BEST CHOICE

editor Elisa Krovblit contriButors Jane Herman, Silvana Longo, Leslie Styles, Dan Hopkins senior Production Manager Gnanapandithan Bala Production Manager Nikki Yarwood

08 renters’ help Just starting?

Renting is your best choice

by Jane herman

SECTIOnS 19 Calgary Marketplace

Production coordinator Bala Menon art director Lee Cobham design & Production Mike Terentiev, Swinder Jodhka

EDITORIAL FEATuRES

circulation Bill White (587) 226-1439

RENTERS GUIDE is published every two weeks. To submit articles or advertising, call Carolyn Porteous on: Tel. 780-688-3570 The magazine is free to the public.

Proud MeMber:

Published by

Copyright covers the contents of this publication and prevents reproduction in whole or in part; offenders will be prosecuted. We may reserve the right to refuse any advertising, to make changes or edit advertising as necessary. Care will be taken to ensure copy accuracy but no warranty is implied or given by the publisher.

The publication, the publisher and the printers shall not be responsible for any typographical errors, mistakes, misprints, spot colouring or any information or lack of information furnished by the advertisers. © 2012 Wall2Wall Media™ Wall2Wall Media is a trademark of Yellow Pages Group Co. in Canada homeTRADER and The homeTRADER & Design are trade-marks of Apax Partners LLP, used under license Disclaimer: The views expressed by the columnists in this publication are not necessarily those of the publication.

10 quick tips

12

10 Consumer portal offers resources to help answer financial questions

scrumpdillyicious

12 The ‘Hungry monk’ banoffi pie by leslie styles

EDITORS’ NOTES

r

enting an apartment over owning a home makes lots of financial sense for people in many different life situations.

Maybe you just can’t afford to buy a home or don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on one. Maybe you have a plan to buy a home in a few years, and want to start saving for a down payment. Or maybe you’re simply not interested in the cost and commitment that comes with being a homeowner. No matter why you’re renting an apartment, you need to know your rights as a tenant.

As part of the renting process, your landlord must give you a copy of the agreement after you sign and return it. Since this document outlines all the terms you’ve agreed to, it’s an important document to have on hand.

You should avoid breaking a lease if at all possible. Each lease agreement has its own penalties for not honouring the outlined terms. Be sure to check your lease to make sure you can handle the financial ramifications that come with breaking a lease — before you break it.

Susan Legge EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, homeTRADER susan.legge@wall2wallmedia.com Follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/SusanLegge

w

hen the year winds to a close I always feel it’s a perfect time to take account of all that I have in my life. I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I like to see what’s working for me and what may need some change.

It’s a great time to look around and see if your home is the place you want - and need - it to be. Whether you’ve been a longterm tenant or you’ve just finished the term on your lease, life happens, needs change. If your home still offers that magic combination of the perfect location, an ideal size and the right set of amenities, then there is no reason to move. But if you’re not feeling the magic, maybe it’s time for a change. You may have switched jobs and want to be closer to work so you can cut down the commute. You may have found that special someone. Instead of trying to merge into your or their space, it might be more ideal to start fresh in a new place together. Your family may have grown – or the kids may have left the nest. There’s no reason to be paying for space that you don’t use, or that doesn’t work for you.

There are a lot of factors that go into finding that perfect combo of location, size and amenities – and budget is a big factor. Know your price range. Empty nesters who chose to downsize can pocket the difference. A move closer to work may save you significant expense because you can walk to work instead of paying for gas and parking. Though be prepared – sometimes for that central location you’ll be paying a premium rent. Cutting out the commute may cost you more, but the free time being added to your life will be priceless.

It’s a great time of year to find that new apartment and we’re here to help.

With Renters Guide in hand you’ll find the perfect place. Our magazine and website, homeTRADER.ca, offer the best selection of available apartments as well as informative articles and advice, making it easy to make your move!

Elisa Krovblit EDITOR elisa.krovblit@wall2wallmedia.com Follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/ElisaKrovblit Like us on Facebook Renters Guide

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renter’shelp

Just Starting Out? Renting is YouR Best ChoiCe

By Jane Herman

?

I

f you’re a young single professional, or a recently married couple, there are many good reasons why you should choose to rent instead of buying your first residence.

At this stage of your life, you may be finishing up your education, paying off student loans, or just beginning your first job(s). It’s not likely that you will have even accumulated enough cash to use as a down payment. One of the many advantages renting has over home ownership, is that there is no large down payment to be paid up front. You only have to come up with your first and last month’s rent.

And despite the message of real estate marketers who try to convince you that you can own a condominium or home for the same price as renting, here’s the truth: renting is always substantially less than owning. While it is possible that monthly mortgage payments might be comparable to what you’d pay to rent, as an owner you will also have to pay property taxes, all maintenance expenses (either monthly maintenance payments in a condo, or all costs of repairs and maintenance from appliance repairs, to landscaping, snow shoveling, etc. in a house).

Many apartments include utilities or hydro in the rent, and when owning you would also have to pay an additional amount for these services.

What about insurance? Tenants’ insurance is always less expensive than the cost of insuring your own home.

At this stage of your life, flexibility is most important because you are very likely to move again within the next three to five years, either to take another job, go back to school, or

because your family is growing and your needs are changing. It’s much easier to make a move when your only obligation is a one-year lease.

The hassle and expense of having to sell your home would unnecessarily complicate any career move.

Some bankers and real estate professionals will try to convince you that with renting you’re not building equity. But when you factor in all the hidden costs of buying and selling real estate, from commissions, to legal fees to land transfer taxes, etc. , the reality is that no condo or house is going to appreciate that much in the short term to offset those hidden costs.

If you are lucky enough to actually have enough cash accumulated to use as a down payment on a house, keep it in a secure two or three year term investment with a good return.

When you run the numbers you will be much further ahead three years down the road than if you had invested it in a condo.

The other good reason for renting at this stage of your life is that renting can offer all of the benefits of living in a prime neighbourhood – one that you likely couldn’t afford to

buy in – such as convenience to transportation, shopping, recreation facilities, etc., along with condoquality amenities such as fitness facilities, concierge, indoor/outdoor pools, etc. decorating upgrades, spectacular kitchens and bathrooms, etc. at a price that won’t leave you cash-strapped. With renting, you’ll be able to save a little every month, for emergencies, travel, retirement, or have a little more disposable income for furniture, a car, clothing, and entertainment, which is also important to you.

When you consider all the advantages that renting affords, you’ll see that your dream home is really an apartment!

Jane Herman is a communications consultant who has worked in the rental property industry.

Jane provides communications solutions for a diverse range of clients and has written about food, fashion, apartment living and personal finance for several publications.

quicktips

Consumer portal

offers resources to help answer financial questions

S

ome of the most common issues we face as consumers have to do with money and financial services. We are all concerned with making sure our hard-earned money is well protected, but may feel we can’t trust the advice and information we are getting.

That’s what makes the revamped www.consumerinformation.ca web portal all the more important and relevant. Developed by Industry Canada in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial governments, and non-governmental organizations with a consumer interest, the site provides links to clear and trustworthy information on money matters and other consumer questions.

Consumerinformation.ca points consumers in the right direction so they can get the financial information they need, including tools and resources on budgeting, collection agencies, consumer contracts, credit reporting, debt, payday lending, insurance and more.

The information on this site is organized so that consumers have access to information and sources specific to their province or territory, as well as information applicable to all Canadians. You can find links to financial tips and tools or obtain reliable information on other consumer issues that you may have. NC.

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KEEP IT CLEAN Please!

You can make the world a better place to live... now and for future generations.

403-259-0029

Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • 11

Scrumpdillyicious

LesLie styLes, foodie & traveL aficionado, shares some deLicious dishes found on her traveLs around the worLd.

the ‘hungry monk’ Banoffi Pie

directions

For the pastry, place the flour and sugar in a bowl, cut the butter into cubes and then rub the mixture together until it resembles fine bread crumbs. Work the egg into the dough to form a paste, then cover and chill for half an hour. Preheat the oven to 400°F. When ready, lightly grease a 10-inch by 1 1/2-inch deep loose bottomed tart tin, and line with the pastry thinly rolled out. Prick the base all over with a fork, line with parchment paper and weigh down with dry beans. Bake for 15 minutes then remove the beans and parchment. Put the pastry case back into the oven and cook until its evenly golden. Remove from the oven and cool.

For the toffee sauce, start by placing the unopened tins in a deep pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil on the stovetop. Cover with a lid and transfer to a preheated 285°F oven for 3 1/2 hours. Lift the tins from the water and allow to cool completely before opening.

Note: The longer they cook, the darker and thicker the toffee will be.

a

s the story goes, Ian Dowding and Nigel Mackenzie are credited with the ‘invention’ of Banoffi Pie, which they first served at their award-winning Sussex gastropub The Hungry Monk restaurant in Jevington, East Sussex.

Developed in 1972, the dessert was inspired by an American dish known as Blum’s Coffee Toffee Pie, which consisted of smooth toffee topped with coffee-flavoured whipped cream. Dowding adapted the recipe to instead use a soft caramel toffee created by boiling a can of condensed milk, and worked with Mackenzie to add a layer of bananas, calling the dish “Banoffi” — a blend of the words ‘banana’ and ‘toffee’. It was an immediate success, proving so popular with their customers that they couldn’t take it off the menu. If you’re just discovering Banoffi Pie, you’re in for a treat. The decadent combination of buttery crisp shortbread pie crust, Dulce de Leche toffee and slices of sweet bananas, all covered with lashings of whipped cream, is rumoured to have been one of Margaret Thatcher’s favourite puddings and also among the more popular treats served at Buckingham Palace.

To compose the pie, carefully spread the toffee over the cooked pastry, then top with peeled and sliced bananas. Whip the cream, sugar and instant coffee granules, until thick and smooth. To finish, spoon the cream over the bananas, up to the edge of the pastry, then lightly sprinkle with freshly ground coffee, and garnish with some sliced bananas on top, just before serving.

ingredients serves 4 recipe courtesy of ian dowding of ‘the Hungry Monk’

For the pastry: › 9 oz plain flour › 1 oz icing sugar › 4 1/2 oz butter › 1 egg & 1 egg yolk

For the Banoffi toffee sauce: › 1 1/2 tins condensed milk - 13.5 ounces each › 5-6 firm yet ripe bananas › 1 1/2 cups double cream - whipping cream or crème fraîche work well too › 1 tsp instant coffee › 1 tbsp caster sugar › 1 tsp freshly ground coffee

Leslie Styles is president of Styles Design Inc., a Toronto-based branding and communications agency, and author of Scrumpdillyicious, a food & travel blog dedicated to all things delicious. She can be reached at stylesdesign.net and scrumpdillyicious.blogspot.com

Village Vale Townhomes

Every unit includes: Parking, fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, balcony or yard, electric fireplace, window coverings, very spacious with plenty of storage room Other: On-site management, pet-free, professionally landscaped, adult buildings Located in the Glamorgan community, 5 minute walk from many amenities including outlet stores, grocery stores, banks, churches, etc., bordering on the corner of Sarcee and Glenmore Trails, providing great access to those who work in southwest or downtown areas of Calgary.

• 2 storey suites feature a second four piece bath and walk-in closet off the master bedroom • Many units have been recently renovated, including new ceramic tiles and new kitchens

• Close to public transit, signal hills, park and trails • Bungalows are 980 sq/ft • 2 bedroom 2 storey 1322 sq/ft • 2 bedroom + den 1385 sq/ft

47 Glamis Drive S.W. • Professionally Managed by:

403.249.0643

Visit us at: www.scpl.com Email: scpl-mtn@shawbiz.ca

s e i l i m a F elcome W

CEDARS OF CALGARY

215 - 86 Avenue SE

• 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms available • Wood burning fireplace • DW, fridge, stove & garburator • In-suite & outdoor storage • Heat, water + 1 prkg stall incl CA L L US TODAY • Squash & tennis courts to book an appoint ment to v iew • Min. to LRT & Heritage Ph: 403-252-7310 Station Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 to 5:00 After hours appointments readily accommodated

MEADOWBROOK

13531 Deer Run Blvd SE

• 1 & 2 bedrooms • Fireplace • Fridge, stove & dishwasher • Insuite & outdoor storage • Squash & tennis courts • Heat, water & sewer included • Bus to Canyon Meadows CA L L US TODAY to book an appoint ment to v iew LRT

Ph: 403-278-6676 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 to 5:00 Saturday 10:00 to 4:00

After hours appointments readily accommodated

Visit us at: www.scpl.com Email: scpl-mtn@shawbiz.ca

s e i l i m a F elcome W

SILVER HEIGHTS R !

U O VE I UT NT O E AB NC I SK A SE A LE

101 Silverthorn Road NW

• 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms • Fridge, stove, dishwasher • Heat & hot water • Fireplace • In-suite & Outdoor storage • Squash & tennis courts • Easy access to LRT and Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 to 5:00 bus routes • Close to Bow River Ph: 403-288-6515

After hours appointments readily accommodated

DALGETTY VILLAGE

102d - 5735 Dalgetty Drive NW

• 1 & 2 bedrooms • Two level, 2 BR suites • Electricity, heat & hot water • Fridge, stove, dishwasher • Bus routes steps away, close to LRT • Blocks away from excellent shopping centers Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 to 5:00 Ph: 403-288-6311 • Close to U of C

After hours appointments readily accommodated

Visit a Community Recycling Depot

calgary.ca/recycling Or find a private recycler 2012-1683

recyclinghotline.ca

calgary.ca | call 3-1-1

Onward/ By 2020, per capita waste sent to City of Calgary landfills is reduced from 2007 levels by 80 per cent.