Edmonton Renters Guide - 01 Nov., 2013

November 1 - 15, 2013 Volume 29 Issue 22

Edmonton Edition

24 years of finding you your home in Edmonton

AYRE & OXFORD INC. Professional Real Estate Management

www.ayreoxford.com

MacEwan Green

Heated underground parking available for rent

6201 Grant MacEwan Blvd., Leduc.

Welcome To MacEwan Green

THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING IN THE HEART OF LEDUC HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

2 Bedroom Suites Rent is $1300 Each suite includes 6 appliances In floor heating above first floor Window coverings Hardwood floors Heat & Water included

CALL

780-903-6625

www.ayreoxford.com

November 1 - 15, 2013 Volume 29 Issue 22

Edmonton Edition

VICE-PRESIDENT, WALL2WALL MEDIA Jacqueline Hill

24 years of finding you your home in Edmonton

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AYRE & OXFORD INC. Professional Real Estate Management

EDITOR IN CHIEF, WALL2WALLMEDIA Susan Legge DIRECTOR OF SALES, NATIONAL Josh Heppner SENIOR SALES MANAGER, WESTERN CANADA Edwin Rizzari

Ayre & Oxford Inc. See their ads throughout the book

MANAGER, NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Kate Nash MEDIA CONSULTANTS Shelley Balla Heather Harke EDITOR Elisa Krovblit CONTRIBUTOR Sheryl Erenberg, Dan Hopkins, Jane Herman, Gail Vaz-Oxlade SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER Gnanapandithan Bala PRODUCTION MANAGER Nikki Yarwood PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Swinder Jodhka ART DIRECTOR Lee Cobham DESIGN & PRODUCTION Mike Terentiev, Swinder Jodhka

www.ayreoxford.com

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27 South East

21 South Central

30 South West

23 North East

34 Houses, Condos & Duplexes, Executive Homes

25 West

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CIRCULATION Michael Grey 780.822.5402

DEADLINE DATE FOR VOLUME 29, ISSUE 23 IS NOVEMBER 07, 2013 @ 4:00 PM Address: P.O. Box 458 Station Main, Edmonton, AB T5J 2K1 Tel: 1.855.519.6080 Email: heather.harke@wall2wallmedia.com

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Copyright covers the contents of this publication and prevents reproduction in whole or in part. Offenders will be prosecuted. We 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.

Wall2Wall Media is a trademark of Yellow Pages Group Co. in Canada Disclaimer: The views expressed by the columnists in this publication are not necessarily those of the publication.

18 INSIDER ADVICE Are you trying to be kinder to the Earth?

by Sheryl Erenberg

RENTERS HELP

28 How to paint your apartment

by Jane Herman FOODIE

DECOR Want style? Add tile

30 Pumpkin pancakes a great

MOVING Avoid common packing mistakes

by Dan Hopkins

32 The magic jars

14 22 Get this season’s hot colours 18

32

SAFETY

26 What to do when your CO alarm goes off

breakfast favourite for autumn FINANCES

by Gail Vaz-Oxlade

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finding a new apartment to live doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.

Given that there are so many options and professionals who are willing to help you, it’s important to give yourself enough time and make sure you’ve prepared enough beforehand before you jump in to anything.

The first step is to make up a checklist of must-haves as a way to keep track of the essentials. If you must have parking, put it down on paper. This checklist will serve as a guide while you’re shopping and will help you better define which apartment works best for you.

Also on your list should be your cost considerations. Make sure you can afford to pay your rent comfortably every month so you’re not stressed out ever time it’s due. Be realistic and choose within the limits of what is affordable to you. Make sure your rent covers what you need it to, and if there are extras, find out what the other costs are so you can tally up the totals and compare.

It’s better to delay moving rather than making a hasty decision that leaves you anxiety-filled every time the rent comes due.

Susan Legge EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, National Real Estate susan.legge@wall2wallmedia.com

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Follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/SusanLegge

hat would you be willing to do to get an apartment?

We’ve been feeling the effects of record low vacancies for the past few years – and it’s not regionalized, it’s across the country. While some communities may be marginally harder hit than others, generally it’s so low that it’s nominal. In 2012 the vacancy rate bottomed at a national rate of 2.3 per cent, with some cities below one per cent. With a minor upswing, we’re still sitting at a national average of 2.5 per cent for 2013.

This vacancy rate number is two-sided. On one hand, it’s serious business, but on the other, it’s a bit of hysteria. Yes, it may mean there are less options out there, but it also means that the rental industry is strong. That businesses are profitable – and we’re seeing this in well-maintained buildings, enhanced amenities, renovations of suites – and even new construction.

But can renter do when there is zero vacancy rate? Apartment swaps?

Don’t move? Leave? Rent less desirable and overpriced spaces? Regina hit zero vacancy (sounds doomsday-ish, doesn’t it?) earlier in 2013. The story has been in the news lately because entrepreneurial types have been buying up real estate and subdividing single family homes into rooming houses. Not ideal, though at least it’s somewhere to hang your hat. But it’s not a permanent solution. Development of new residential rental accommodations needs to happen, since population growth and demand doesn’t seem to be slowing any time soon. New buildings and communities are slowly starting to crop up because there are profits to be made, and those that do it well are seeing the bright side of supply and demand, happy to supply your demand.

Ready to make the move? We’re here to help. Our magazine and website, TheRentersGuide.ca, offer the best selection of available apartments, 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 at facebook.com/TheRentersGuide

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LOW LEVEL BRIDGE

100 Ave. Riv er Valley Rd.

97 Ave.

HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE 105 ST BRIDGE

JAMES McDONALD BRIDGE

North Saskatchewan River

DREAM LIVING...

A CONCEPT OF EDMONTON’S FUTURE

t Adult Building t Bright luxurious bachelor, 1 & 1 bdrm Two level & 2 bdrm suites t Sizes ranging from 729-1386 sq. ft. t On site fitness club including: exercise room, jacuzzi & two squash courts t Free cable t Security system in each suite t All window coverings t 6 appliances includes washer & dryer t Each unit air conditioned

Edmonton’s High Rise Living At Its Best 9740 - 106 ST. Phone

448-0322

www.ParkPlaza-Apartments.com

t Breathtaking views t On-site corner store & Bistro t On-site office & staff for maintenance-free living

4543909_29/22

Victoria Park Rd.

101 St.

104 Ave.

St. 95

107 Ave.

105 St.

109 St.

116 St.

111 Ave.

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97 S

124 St.

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Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • PAGE 7

insideradvice

ARE YOU TRYING TO BE KINDER TO THE EARTH? Rent an apartment and you will be!

By Sheryl Erenberg

I

t’s true. Apartment renters use 65 per cent less energy per household than people who live in houses! Renters have shorter commutes, take transit more and walk to their destination more, according to a report by the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) called “Apartment Living is Green”.

People who live in apartments: t 6TF QFS DFOU MFTT XBUFS QFS QFSTPO t 1SPEVDF QFS DFOU MFTT XBTUF t )BWF LN TIPSUFS DPNNVUFT “The typical apartment is surrounded on either side by another apartment and one above and below. This configuration makes it less expensive to heat and cool ... compared to a detached house. Even townhomes and duplexes use less energy than a house,” according to the report.

Not only do apartment residents generate less waste, but collecting the garbage from apartment buildings requires less trucks because hundreds are at one stop as opposed to driving to hundreds of houses spread over a wider region. This cuts down on traffic congestion and lowers gas emissions.

Only 50 per cent of apartment residents drive to work as opposed to 74 per cent of homeowners.

Most apartment underground parking levels in the city have lots of empty spaces. Not owning TheRentersGuide.ca a car in Toronto has never been easier with Autoshare, Zipcar and Car2Go available at so many apartment buildings.

New apartment buildings in the GTA feature TheRentersGuide.ca recycling “carousels” that allow residents to rotate

the chute according to what material is being discarded. Glass, cans, paper and other recyclables all fall into different bins at the base. Older buildings now designate different days for recycling and regular garbage, more and more community garden plots are popping up in apartment buildings that have the space. Some apartments are experimenting with outdoor composters to divert even more from landfill.

Apartment renters have considerably lower carbon footprints and a higher quality of life, according to FRPO’s report. Because they walk to work, and they live closer to their place of business, renters spend less time commuting and have more time for leisure. Renters also add to their leisure time by choosing a lifestyle that does not include shovelling snow, raking leaves, cleaning eaves or any other house maintenance. It’s all done for you!

So relax! Your environmental conscious can be clear if you’re renting. You are much Greener than those who live in a house.

Sheryl Erenberg is president of Sheryl Erenberg and Associates. Her marketing consulting firm has advised TheRentersGuide.ca hundreds of developers and landlords over the past three decades. The company specializes in repositioning stigmatized properties and marketing under-performing communities. sherylerenberg.com

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lamplighter apts.

QUIET ADULT BUILDING

Large 1 & 2 bedroom suites

4543438_2922

www.globegeneral.ca

oliver

spectacular city views

heat & water included

t Newly renovated lobby and common areas t In-suite storage t Underground or outside parking available t Secure building w/upgrd security camera’s & FOB entry system t Wrap around balconies with spectacular view t Social room with sauna t SORRY NO PETS Professionally Managed By: Globe General Agencies Ltd.

10333 - 121 Street North Central

Call 587-400-5111

DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS – YORK HOUSE

10030-114 street

780-488-5151 Bright, Spacious Studio, 1 and 2 bdrms t Modern suites t Hardwood floors t Quiet, secure building t Excellent downtown location t Covered & open parking t Exercise room t Heat, power and water included in rent t Adult building

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t No pets allowed t Under new management

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THE ALBANY

10155 - 116 street t 780-488-6060

Bright, Spacious Studio, 1 and 2 Bdrms

2

t Newly renovated t Hardwood floors t Cover and open parking t Adult building t Sauna, exercise room, pool table, dart board t Excellent downtown location t Heat, power and water included in rent t Quiet, secure building t No Pets Allowed

HI-LEVEL PLACE

"WFOVF t 780-482-3717

Bachelor, 1 and 2 Bedrooms

4

t Newly renovated t Hardwood floors t Redecorated suites t Video monitored t Adult building t Quiet, secure building t Exercise room, pool table t Excellent downtown location t No pets allowed

GLOUCESTER HOUSE

10513 - 124 street

1 and 2 bedrooms t Newly renovated t Adult building t Minutes to downtown and westend t Quiet, secure building

3

LANCASTER HOUSE

TUSFFU t 780-488-5151 Bright, Spacious Bachelor, 1 and 2 Bdrms

5

t Modern suites t Hardwood floors t Quiet, secure building t Adult building t Covered & open parking t No pets allowed t Excellent downtown location t Heat, power and water included in rent t Exercise room, pool table, dart board

CLOSE TO ALL AMENITIES, WE HAVE IT ALL!

For Your Private Appointment Please Call 74543536_29/22

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In the heart of Edmonton’s downtown core.

all the right angles

ONE AND TWO bedroom suites...

Two bedrooms with two baths.

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Thurs & Fri 8:00-5:00p.m. I Sat 10:00-6:00p.m.

Professionally Owned & Managed By

decor

WANT STYLE? ADD TILE

An easy and rental-friendly DIY project!

L

1

RENOVATING IS ALL THE RAGE THESE DAYS. TV SHOW AFTER TV SHOW chronicling new bathrooms, new floors, new everything! It’s enough to give rental residents some serious reno-envy! One of the most popular and easy do-it-yourself reno projects is the tiled backsplash.

Elegant, stylish and functional, it’s become a true favourite. But what property management company would let you start tiling your backsplash? That’s a no-no – unless you Smart Tiles.

Smart Tiles are a quick and practically mess-free project that can be done in your apartment. They’re the renter’s friend when it comes to beautiful backsplashes – and other areas that could do with a punch of colour or tile style.

right over existing tile for a quick fix to change up a dated look.

A veneer that looks like tile, a Smart tile captures the look with a great polished finish. The product is sold in 10-in. by 10-in. sheets and has an TheRentersGuide.ca adhesive backing. Easy to clip to size and easy to mount on any flat surface, they’re very forgiving and easy for even the most novice do-it-yourselfer.

They can go on a painted wall or even TheRentersGuide.ca

It doesn’t need messy grouting or sealing like actual tile, and needs no machines to grind corners to fit pieces around the fixtures. When it’s time for a change or time to move on, it’s just as simple to remove from the wall as it was to put up.

Using a hair dryer, heat up the tile until the adhesive softens. The sheets peel away very easily.

The adhesive is strong and will resist water and peeling – it’s been designed for the demands of the kitchen and bathroom so it can take humidity without any worry.

Available in 19 styles that come in six different series, including: Classic, Subway, Murano, Designer Series, Minimo and Bellagio, finished looks come in a variety of trendy colours and patterns that look similar to stone, porcelain, metal and glass.

Reasonably priced – especially since there are no tools, grout or sealant costs – it’s available at the major reno/ hardware stores. Find out more at www. thesmarttiles.com and follow Smart Tiles

TheRentersGuide.ca

on Twitter @TheSmartTiles.

TheRentersGuide.ca

1

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Live Downtown & Love It! 1935 Sq.ft Luxury Penthouse Available

Grand Central Manor

Contemporary Chic!

Executive Furnished Suites Also Available 5 Designer Floor Plans Window Coverings Carpet or Hardwood 6 Appliances Security Systems Concrete Construction On-Site Management On-Site Security Fitness Rooms Media Room Adult Building

Please Phone

780-800-8923 Email: generalinfoGCM@shaw.ca

10904 102nd Ave., Edmonton, AB.

www.devonshire-inc.com

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NORTH CENTRAL

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A PLACE FOR EVERYONE Sussex Apts 1 BEDROOM

WE’RE THE CITY’S #1 RENTAL ACCOMMODATION SOURCE. PICK US UP EVERY OTHER FRIDAY.

Ý Heat, water & parking included Ý On major bus route

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

Ý Close to all amenities

4757679_29/22

10235-113 Street

780-918-1352

Wildrose Apts.

www.ayreoxford.com

1 & 2 BEDROOMS

Empty Suite?

Home Renters Guide can help you rent your property fast!

780-668-3570

FOR RENT

8035678_29/22

Call the office today for advertising details.

Ý Heat, water & parking included Ý On bus routes Ý Close to all amenities

PAGE 16 • Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide”

10721-113 Street

780-918-1352 www.ayreoxford.com

n

EMPTY SUITE?

NORTH CENTRAL

n

Poplar Pointe Cove

HOME RENTERS GUIDE CAN HELP YOU RENT YOUR PROPERTY FAST! CALL THE OFFICE TODAY FOR ADVERTISING DETAILS.

1.855.519.6080

1 BEDROOMS

Ý Block east of G.M.C.C. Campus Ý Friendly quiet complex Ý New carpet, lino, cabinets & appliances

8934036_29/22

Ý Close to all amenities

Parklane Gardens

10040-154 Street

780-487-6616 www.ayreoxford.com

1 BEDROOMS Ý Quiet, clean Ý Close to Kingsway Mall, NAIT & Downtown Ý Excellent transit Ý On-site manager

4758123_2922

11530-124 Street

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE We’re the city’s #1 rental accommodation source. Pick us up every other Friday.

780-680-9300 A place(23/25)-/ah

115 Ave. & 124 St.

www.ayreoxford.com

Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • PAGE 17

moving

avoid common

packing mistakes

BY DAN HOPKINS

M

ore than 4 million people moved residences in Canada last year, many of whom did the packing themselves. For some, it works out fine; others have problems resulting from a lack of foresight, poorly packed boxes and inexperience in loading moving trucks.

TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca

moving

Here a re a few tips to help you avoid finding damaged items at your destination: 1. Consider purchasing boxes from your mover. The most common packing mistake we see is people getting free boxes at the grocery or liquor store and then putting too much weight in them. For example, using a large box to pack books and magazines may make it too heavy to lift, and the box might break during the move due to the weight.

Use this rule of thumb: the heavier the item, the smaller the box. Be choosy about your boxes; free boxes from a grocery store that have been used to ship produce could contain insect larvae that may transfer to your belongings.

2. Be realistic about the number of boxes you need. Depending on how long you have lived in your current location, you will most likely underestimate your boxes requirement.Often, we hear of renters who think 40 or 50 boxes will be enough, and then realize they need upwards of 80, two days before moving day.

3. Start packing early and be completely packed when the movers arrive.

Sometimes we arrive at a customer’s home and they’re not packed. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to move a customer’s belongings while they are attempting to shove items into boxes and we get in each others’ way.

This also interferes with the optimal loading of the moving truck. We have a loading system where the first things we place in the truck are light items such as chairs, lampshades, cushions, etc; we place these items in the ‘attic’ (the area over the cab) of the truck. We can get lots of light items up there and they stay secure.

TheRentersGuide.ca Next, we create a ‘box wall’ stacked to the ceiling to hold the items in the attic in place. We then stand plastic

wrapped mattresses against the box wall and secure everything with tie-off straps to keep belongings from getting jostled during the move. If you’re not completely packed and ready on moving day, we can’t create that box wall early on and, this decreases the capacity of the items that can be moved at one time. It also eats up precious time and, therefore, money!

4. Think ahead. Begin packing items you don’t use daily. As you pack your boxes move them to the front of your apartment and stack them along a wall near the front door. Having them by the door, organized and ready to go, instead of having movers go back and forth to each room can shave 10 to 20 seconds off the time for each box. Saving 20 seconds per box can save lots of time and money.

5. Consider having your moving company pack for you. We are skilled, have more experience and have standard-size small, medium and large boxes that are designed to fit into our trucks to create a perfect box wall for optimum efficiency and safety.

So, when it comes to moving, forethought goes a long way. Because your belongings mean a lot to you, take extra care when packing so that they arrive at your destination safely.

Dan Hopkins is chief operating officer, Two Men and a Truck Canada.

For more information visit the website at twomenandatruck.ca

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101 Ave.

JAMES McDONALD BRIDGE 109 ST BRIDGE

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GROAT BRIDGE

CAPILANO BRIDGE

106 Ave.

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Whyte - 82 Ave.

“A Home With Heart in the Heart of Edmonton”

Unique & Spacious 1 & 2 Bedrooms Adult & Family Buildings Available

www.strathearnheights.com

8768 - 96 Avenue

780-469-3080

OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Closed Sunday

Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • PAGE 21

decor

GET THIS SEASON’S HOT COLOURS

on your Walls and your Clothes

DULUX paint unveils fall colours for the home through unique fashion collection

WHAT WILL YOUR WALLS BE WEARING THIS FALL? LEADING CANADIAN PAINT BRAND DULUX® PAINT IS MAKING IT EASIER THAN EVER TO BRING ONE OF THE HOTTEST TRENDS IN FASHION INTO YOUR HOME DÉCOR WITH THE LAUNCH OF A UNIQUE COLOUR CAMPAIGN. As a way to showcase its Fall 2013 palette, Dulux paint has taken the latest splatter paint fashion fad to a new dimension.

By visiting the Dulux brand Facebook page (www.facebook. com/duluxcanada), Canadians can mix and match this season’s top paint picks through a unique app that allows users to splatter colours on an online canvas, and enjoy their one-of-akind creations on their own custom-designed t-shirt.

Called the “Dulux Collection” campaign, anyone can experiment with colour and create original paint combinations that they can not only wear, but can also add flair to their home décor.

Tustin-Fuchs recommends choosing one of this season’s hot colours for the main walls of a room, highlighting one wall in a different accent colour, and using one or two other colours of the palette in accessories – from furniture and pillows to rugs and art.

“Paint colours have always been influenced by the world of fashion,” said Tustin-Fuchs. “What’s unique about our campaign is that we’re enabling Canadian consumers to both benefit from the latest fashion trend and at the same time gain valuable insight into colour coordination that benefits their décor.”

The Dulux Collection campaign runs from October 7 until December 15. Each custom-designed t-shirt is free with the purchase of a Dulux Club membership. For a one-time fee of $20, Dulux Club members receive regular paint discounts and other value-added promotions.

To participate in the campaign, visit www.dulux.ca or the Dulux paint Canada Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ duluxcanada.

“Splatter painting is all about the dynamic play of colour and movement and a lot of inspiration can be drawn from the way colours interact with each other,”said Martin Tustin-Fuchs, Brand Manager for Dulux paint.“This is particularly helpful in choosing colours for the home, from finding colours that work well together, to playing with the proportions of colours in a room.”

TheRentersGuide.ca Popular Dulux paint fall colours include rusty reds, royal blues, warm browns, deep greens and pastel blues and mauves, such as Dulux paint’s Cranberry Zing (14YR 10/434) red, Sail Away (10BB 11/350) blue, Antique Photograph (70YR 18/184) brown, TheRentersGuide.ca Swiss Pine (12GG 10/310) green and Viola (42RB 53/176) mauve.

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Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • PAGE 23

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FOR THE APARTMENT HUNTER

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n

WEST

safety

n

What to do when your

Crestview Apts.

1 BEDROOMS Ý Laminate flooring, tiles and window coverings Ý Dishwasher Ý Heat, water & parking included Ý On bus route

7082938_29/22

8940-149 Street

780-920-4513 www.ayreoxford.com

EMPTY SUITE? HOME RENTERS GUIDE CAN HELP YOU RENT YOUR PROPERTY FAST! CALL THE OFFICE TODAY FOR ADVERTISING DETAILS.

1.855.519.6080

CO ALARM GOES OFF

H

aving a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm go off is unnerving. With smoke alarms, it is one of two things: a real fire or a false alarm, most likely caused by cooking, or a steamy shower.

Experts tell us if the danger is real, you will see fire and smell smoke and taste the acrid air. This is when you act on your family escape plan to get out and stay out.”You leave all windows closed, so fresh oxygen doesn’t fuel the fire, and regroup outside at your predetermined meeting place.

But with carbon monoxide, dubbed the“silent killer,”things are not so clear-cut. You cannot see, taste or smell the deadly gas. Experts say if your CO alarm sounds, it could be one of three things: a rare but possible waft of CO emanating from a nearby fuel-fired device or appliance, or perhaps triggered by some of the newer air deodorizer products (yes the CO sensors are that sensitive!); the“end of life”signal beeping every 30 seconds to remind you to replace the alarm after seven years of use (digital alarms will also display“end”); or much worse, it’s the presence of deadly CO in your home.

How will you know which reason it is? Chances are you won’t, so it’s important to take it seriously, say specialists in this field. Never assume the alarm is simply malfunctioning and always follow the safety mantra“air out and get out.”Open all windows to dilute any CO that might be present, and then evacuate immediately and call 911.

For utmost safety, always assume CO alarm soundings to be the real thing. If, however, you know the alarm is old, or if it sounds every 30 seconds, it may be telling you it has become outdated and needs replacing.

Highly recommended are carbon monoxide alarms with a continuous display, letting you know any presence of CO before it reaches levels high enough to activate the alarm. Installing one outside your sleeping area – so you can see the display reading “zero”– lets you know all is well when you turn off the lights.

More CO safety information can be found online at www.endthesilence.ca and www.safeathome. ca. NC

PAGE 26 • Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide”

HDJI=:6HI North Saskatchewan River 106 Ave. BASELINE RD.

101 Ave.

CHECK OUT

98 Ave.

90 Ave.

Whyte - 82 Ave.

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SHERWOOD PARK FWY.

For our online listings We’ve got your bases covered!

86 St.

17 St.

d.

rR

pe

Ro

34 St.

63 Ave.

.

Rd

50 St.

yll

g Ar

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99 St.

83 St.

76 Ave.

WHITEMUD FWY.

38 A ve.

39 Ave.

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91 St.

34 Ave. Millwoods Rd.

CALGARY TRAIL NORTH

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have two bedroom suites with 1120 sq. ft. and three bedrooms with 1170 sq. ft. It is a beautiful brick complex with fenced back yards and cement patios. These large upgraded units are spacious and provide plenty of room. Close to Grant MacEwan, shopping, walking trails & much more.

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Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • PAGE 27

renters’help

Paint Your Apartment

How to

BY JANE HERMAN

N

othing gives a room a lift like a fresh coat of paint. And changing the colour is the easiest decorating touch in the world. But painting your apartment – even just one

room – is a lot more work than you might imagine. So look into it carefully before you attempt it.

TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca

If you’re contemplating painting your apartment, speak to your landlord first to find out what the company policy is regarding painting, especially if you have a vibrant colour in mind. Many property managers have a schedule for painting their units and yours could be due.

Most companies paint all the rooms in a standard neutral colour like an off white, which makes it easier to maintain as well as re-rent.

The key to any successful painting project is preparation: Move any furniture in the room away from the walls and cover the floors and all the remaining furniture with plastic or drop cloths. Next, remove any pictures, mirrors, window treatments and electrical light switch plates. Loosen the ceiling plates of hanging light fixtures and cover them as well. Use a mild soap and water solution to wash any surfaces that are soiled or may have an oily residue from hands or cooking. Mask any surfaces not to be painted such as door handles with non-sticky painter’s tape. Clean the baseboards and tape them as well, overlapping the drop cloth. Spot prime any surface markings with a good primer to prevent the stains or marks from bleeding through the finish coat.

Sand any rough surfaces with fine sandpaper and remove any sanding dust with a vacuum and damp cloth.

Examine wall, ceiling and trim surfaces for nail holes, cracks or other imperfections. Fill the holes with spackling compound and wipe the spatula over the area until smooth.

Priming is an important step that many amateur painters think they can forego. Priming helps improve adhesion of the final colour, block flaws and give the finished colour a uniform appearance and maximum sheen – in short, a professional look. The type of primer you’ll need depends on what was on the wall before you start, as well as the colour you want to put on the wall. Painting a lighter colour over a darker one requires a good priming.

If you’re painting a dark or vibrant colour over white using a tinted primer can save you coats of paint. Check with your paint dealer to make sure you purchase the right type of primer for your room.

It is common to use a gloss or semi gloss for doors and trim, an eggshell or matte for the walls and the least reflective type of paint for the ceiling. Matte paints are more forgiving of flaws on the wall while the higher the gloss the easier it is to clean and wipe down.

If you are painting the entire room start with the ceiling and then paint the walls. Begin at a corner of the room, TheRentersGuide.ca using a two to two-and-a-half inch angled brush and apply a three-inch strip of coating along the perimeter where the wall and ceiling meet. If you’re not

comfortable with this technique, tape the edge with painter’s tape to achieve a perfect line. Do one section of the ceiling at a time. Use a roller to fill in the interior of the ceiling. Pour paint into a tray and slowly roll the roller back and forth to remove excess paint. Roll the width of the ceiling rather than the length. An extension pole will help you reach the ceiling comfortably Using the same technique, paint the walls along the baseboard and around the door and window trim, one wall at a time. Use a two-inch sash brush to paint the window sash, then the rails. Be careful to avoid painting the sash tracks. Leave the sash open until the paint has fully dried, removing any paint from your window panes with a taped razor blade (be careful not to scratch the glass).

Fill in the walls will a roller, rolling the paint in a W pattern, and then spreading the paint to fill in. Roll from floor to ceiling to blend and finish each section. Work in small sections so that the paint doesn’t begin to dry before you can fill in the section. Let the first coat dry and then check to see if you need a second coat. Let the walls dry for 24 hours before painting the trim. Apply painter’s tape to the edge of the wall to ensure a clean job. If you make a mistake you can remove the wet paint with a damp rag before it has time to dry.

Once you’ve finished painting, you’ll need to clean up, and dispose of any leftover paint. Clean brushes with solvent, squeezing out as much paint and solvent as possible. Rinse the brushes in solvent, then wash in soapy water. Rinse and let dry. Wrap and store in heavy paper. Disassemble the roller and submerge in solvent.

When most of the paint has been removed, wash with soap and rinse thoroughly. (If you have used latex paint, substitute soapy water for solvent). You may want to save a small amount of paint for touch-ups. Close the can, mark with masking tape and store under your kitchen sink or in your storage locker. Used paint never gets discarded in the trash or poured down the drain, ensure you dispose of it properly.

Your neighbourhood paint dealer can also be of a great deal of assistance and may have some great suggestions.

Good luck!

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.

TheRentersGuide.ca

TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca

HDJI=L:HI GROAT BRIDGE

104 St.

34 Ave.

d. ill R

23 Ave.

SOUTH

40 Ave.

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R abbit H

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111 St.

119 St.

WHITEMUD DR.

51 Ave.

CHECK OUT CALGARY TRAIL NORTH

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Belgravia Rd.

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106 St.

QUESNELL BRIDGE

113 St. 109 St.

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For our online listings We’ve got your bases covered!

19 Ave. Saddleback Rd. 9 Ave.

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foodie

Blackburne Dr.

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

A great breakfast favourite for Autumn YIELD: 4 SERVINGS PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: 2 TO 3 MINUTES INGREDIENTS: 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1 egg 1/3 cup canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons Mazola Veg Plus! canola and vegetable oil blend 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Mazola Veg Plus! canola and vegetable oil blend for skillet/griddle

DIRECTIONS Combine flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl combine milk, egg, pumpkin, oil, lemon juice and vanilla.

Beat with a whisk until smooth. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until blended. Do not overbeat.

Heat a large skillet or griddle on medium high heat, adding a small amount of oil. Portion approximately 1/4 cup of batter on griddle, repeating to fill griddle. Cook pancake until bottom is brown and top has bubbles, about two minutes. Flip pancakes and continue cooking until bottom is browned. Serve immediately with Hot Apple Cider Syrup.

Continue cooking pancakes until all batter has been used. NC

PAGE 30 • Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide”

EAST Huntington & South SOUTH Ridge n

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Tell Them You Saw It In The “Renters Guide” • PAGE 31

finances

The

MAGIC JARS IF YOU’VE NEVER HAD A BUDGET THAT WORKED BEFORE, TRY THIS. YOU MAY LIKE IT. B Y GAI L VAZ -OX LADE

I

was shopping with my daughter in Payless when a woman heading towards me pointed at me and said, “I watched you on TV last night, which is why I’m shopping here instead of there,” she laughed as she pointed to the more expensive shoe store across the mall. Her husband who was toting a tot on his shoulders laughed too and said they were living on the jars.

TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca 146G

TheRentersGuide.ca

Everyone wants to use the “magic” jars.

No matter where I go, people tell me they’re living on the jars and lovin’ it.

Wow! Something so simple, eh?

Since I put up the website the most questions I’ve had have been about the jars: how much to put in them, how often to refill them, and lots more.

There’s no formula for how much goes in each jar. It really does depend on each individual budget. But you can figure this out for yourself by going to Gail’s Guide to Building a Budget and following the instructions, and the link to Gail’s Interactive Budget Worksheet.

This worksheet will show you what should go into the jars. It’s a bit of trial-and-error to find the right mix, but keep at the budget until you balance and you’ll have a really good road map to move forward. You can find these tools on my website gailvazoxlade.com.

The jars aren’t actually the “magic” in making money work; the budget is. The real magic is the fact that people seem to want to use the jars – people hate to budget – and I think it’s because it’s so tangible. You decide how much to put in the jars, you put the money in, you live on it, you can see when the dough’s running out so you have to stop spending, and you get a real kick out of having money left in the jars.

for them, which is what I usually do.

But when I checked in with them the following week on how the jars were going, they were very happy – and they had money left!

That’s the part that really blows my mind. I cut the budgets of people I work with by 50 per cent, 70 per cent as much as 90 per cent – what, you didn’t see that show? – and they still manage to have money left at the end of the month.

Whazzup with that?

That’s the beauty – often overlooked – of a budget… it’s your road map so you get to say how much you’re spending in each category. If driving a new car isn’t important to you, you can cut back on your transportation costs and beef up your grocery bill, entertainment, debt repayment or savings. The important thing is that the bottom line balance… you can’t spend more money than you make. If you can’t balance, then maybe you have to find a way to make more money.

I was working with a couple who had to figure out how much went into the jars as their first challenge. They loved it. Not at first, though.

TheRentersGuide.ca

When I gave them the challenge, they were really disappointed. They had hoped I would balance the budget

When I asked why things were going so well, she said she felt empowered being able to figure out the budget and adjust it as their circumstances change. You got it babe!

As for how often you put money into the jars, again that’s a personal choice. When

I worked with my first couple, we put it in monthly. When I followed up on them Tasia says she’s still using the jars, but they switched to putting the money in weekly. People find it easier to work with the shorter time frames.

Managing your money isn’t rocket science. And it isn’t magic. It’s discipline.

You have to be determined to live on what you make, passionate about getting your consumer debt (credit cards, lines of credit) paid off in three years or less, and convince that it is important to have some money set aside for the future.

If you’ve never had a budget that worked before, try it. You may like it. And it may be the first step to eliminating that sinking feeling in your stomach every time you think about your bank account.

Gail Vaz-Oxlade is the host of Til Debt Do Us Part and author of Debt Free Forever and blogs daily at www.gailvazoxlade.com.

Follow Gail on Twitter at TheRentersGuide.ca Twitter.com/GailVazOxlade

TheRentersGuide.ca TheRentersGuide.ca

CLOSE TO BONNIE DOON MALL 3, 8314-81 AVENUE

EXECUTIVE TOWNHOUSE 20, 4821 TERWILLEGAR COMMON

2 bedrooms, 1.5 bath 4plex with 5 appliances(fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer), 1 single detached garage. Located near Boonie Doon Mall.

NO PETS & NO SMOKING.

2 bedroom plus loft, 2.5 bathrooms, 5 stainless steel appliances, single attached garage, laminate flooring. NO PETS & NO SMOKING.

$1200/MONTH

RENT $1700/MONTH

BELLA MANAGEMENT & REALTY LTD.

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UTILITIES EXTRA. SD $1200

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t Newly renovated lobby and common areas t In-suite storage t Underground or outside parking available t Secure building w/upgrd security cameraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & FOB entry system t Wrap around balconies with spectacular view t Social room with sauna t SORRY NO PETS Professionally Managed By: Globe General Agencies Ltd.

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Live Downtown & Love It! Grand Central Manor. Contemporary Chic!

Grand Central Manor 1935 SQ.FT LUXURY PENTHOUSE AVAILABLE Please Phone

780-800-8923 10904 102nd Ave Edmonton, AB.

Email: generalinfoGCM@shaw.ca

Executive Furnished Suites Also Available 5 Designer Floor Plans Window Coverings Carpet or Hardwood 6 Appliances Security Systems Concrete Construction On-Site Management On-Site Security Fitness Rooms Media Room Adult Building

Riverside Towers. Spectacular River Valley Views!

Spectacular River Valley Views!

Please Phone

780-800-8921

8610 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB. F R E E

U T I L I T I E S

Email: riverside.info@shaw.ca

Huge Suites: Bachelor (660 sq. ft.)

1 Bedroom (865 sq. ft.)

2 Bedrooms (1160 sq. ft.)

3 Bedrooms (1380 sq. ft.)

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Located in the

of Oliver

CALL FOR AVAILABILITY Please Phone

780-800-8924

10130 117th Street Edmonton, AB. F R E E

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Email: oliverplace@shaw.ca

www.devonshire-inc.com

Bachelor Suites One & Two Bedrooms Hardwood Floors Fitness Room Games & Social Room On-Site Management Adult Building On-Site Security Supermarket next door On Bus Route Beside Bank & Stores