APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 VOLUME 20, ISSUE 8, FREE
SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO EDITION
luxury townhomes IN OAKVILLE’S MOST DESIRED NEIGHBOURHOOD
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
MAKING SENSE OF ONTARIO’S FAIR HOUSING PLAN
TARION NAMES WINNERS OF HOMEOWNERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
BINBROOK: AN ISLAND SUBURB OF HAMILTON
HOMES CONDOS COMMUNITIES
YOUR FUTURE COMMUNITY STARTS HERE At Empire we’ve built vibrant communities for over 30,000 Ontarians. Our beautiful new homes are designed to make everyday life richer and more sustainable.
Learn more at empirecommunities.com
contents APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | VOLUME 20 ISSUE 8
VICE-PRESIDENT & CHIEF PUBLISHING OFFICER
Caroline Andrews PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER
Shawn Woodford DIRECTOR OF SALES, NATIONAL
Moe Lalani ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Anne-Marie Breen SENIOR MANAGER, CONTENT
Jennifer Reynolds EDITOR
Wayne Karl ART DIRECTOR
Daiana Garay CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Sonia Bell Elisa Krovblit Lydia McNutt SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Nina Downs nina.downs@ypnexthome.ca
12
SALES CO-ORDINATOR
Sarah Khan MANAGER OF PRODUCTION
ON THE COVER
Helen Pearce CO-ORDINATOR
12
Mattamy Homes
Hannah Yarkony
New upscale townhome designs coming to The Preserve
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Miguel Cea CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
trending
buyers’ resource section
18
15
Housing Market
Fair or foul: Making sense of Ontario Fair Housing plan
city focus
32
Binbrook
An island suburb of Hamilton
advice
18
26
Tarion Report
Presenting... the 2017 Homeowners’ Choice Awards
Inspiration
Buying a condo? Check our small space survival guide
30 Mortgage Advice
Bank or mortgage broker: Which is best for you?
37
27
Fundamentally Speaking
What’s in a new home warranty?
6 YPNEXTHOME.CA
35
Hot Properties Hamilton
New releases and grand openings
Hot Properties Kitchener-Waterloo & London
Joanne Keenan Jeffrey Reed #500-401 The West Mall Etobicoke, ON M9C 5J5 T 416.626.4200 F 416.784.5867
ypnexthome.ca
New releases and grand openings
ADVERTISING Call 416.626.4200 for advertising
Mortgage Rates
CIRCULATION Free distribution. Published bi-
in every issue
10
Editor’s Note
36
Advertiser Index
38
What’s Online
rates and information Office hours are Mon-Thurs. 9-5; Fri. 9-12 weekly from Sept.-Nov. & from Feb.-June and monthly in June, July & Dec. TERMS Advertisers, Editorials and New Home & Condo Guide are not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All prices are correct as of press time and are subject to change without notice. E. & O. E. EDITORIAL Submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the address above, to the attention of the Editor. COPYRIGHT 2017 All rights reserved by New Home & Condo Guide, Toronto, Ontario. Reproduction in any form is prohibited. Contents of this publication are covered by Copyright and offenders will be prosecuted under the law. The views and data expressed by columnists do not necessarily represent those of the publication. Yellow Pages Next Home is a trademark of Yellow Pages Group Co. in Canada.
Welcome to Vista Ridge! This master-planned community is located on the beautiful Beamsville Bench, a few minutes’ drive to Beamsville’s town centre. The community will consist of four distinct neighbourhoods with a community park. The first neighbourhood with singles & townhomes opens spring 2017!
TOWNS from the $300’s SINGLES from the $400’s
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COMINGSOON! THOROLD. NIAGARA FALLS. FONTHILL. WELLAND. CHIPPAWA
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To register, visit www.mountainview.com/register.php 9
Editor’s Note
Sloppy and spoiled with political decisions
WAYNE KARL Senior Editor Yellow Pages NextHome Email: Wayne.Karl@ypnexthome.ca Twitter: @WayneKarl
IT’S NOT EVERY DAY that the mayor of a large Canadian city hosts a meeting with the federal and provincial ministers of finance. But that’s exactly what happened in Toronto recently, when John Tory met with Bill Morneau and Charles Sousa to discuss housing issues, mostly in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. A couple days later, the province announced the Ontario Fair Housing Plan. The initiative comprises 16 measures designed to stabilize the real estate market while protecting homeowners’ investments. That’s the product of skyrocketing prices, a dearth of supply of lowrise homes and other issues. But these issues are not exclusive to Toronto. Hamilton, KitchenerWaterloo and other markets in Southwestern Ontario are experiencing similar market characteristics. Prospective homebuyers, then, might like plan, if it has the desired cooling effect on the market. Even, as some sources suspect, the pause lasts only a few months, would-be buyers may catch a break from the norm of the past couple years – prohibitive price growth and, in resale homes, multiple offer situations and bidding wars. .
ONLINE
SEE MORE PHOTOS ONLINE
OAKVILLE MAY BE historically known for the famous Ford
plant, oil refineries along the lakeshore and up-market homes, shops and restaurants. Read the full story…
ypnexthome.ca/old-oakville
+ get social 10 YPNEXTHOME.CA
Interact with us on social media: ypnexthome
LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE BY THE LAKE!
FINAL RELEASE – OPENING MAY 2017
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* 2016 OHBA award recognized AquaBlu for Most Outstanding Mid-Rise building. Rendering is artist’s concept. Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Go Transit is a registered trademark of Metrolinx and is not affiliated with Homes by DeSantis or Aquazul. E.&O.E.
REGISTER NOW!
Property Profile | MATTAMY HOMES
cover story
New upscale townhome designs coming to
The Preserve WHEN IT COMES TO UPSCALE LIVING
and contemporary home designs, Oakville is one of the most soughtafter addresses in the Golden Horseshoe. That trend is only going to strengthen as Mattamy Homes releases a new line of exquisite townhomes in The Preserve, the blossoming community the company established five years ago. It’s tough to expect anything less than perfection from Canada’s largest home builder, and once again, Mattamy has hit the mark. Drive the gently winding streets of this much12 YPNEXTHOME.CA
desired established community and you’ll see how these upscale rear lane and two-storey townhomes blend seamlessly into the landscape of the community. The addition of these stylish townhome designs to The Preserve is just another evolution to Mattamy’s community design. Every design element in this upscale community complements a modern way of living. This community is also perfectly situated to fit any lifestyle, right in the heart of all that charming Oakville has to offer. Shopping, dining and ample
walking paths are all minutes away, as is the QEW, Hwys. 407 and 401, putting everything you need right at your doorstep. Homeowners can enjoy Mattamy’s signature Architect’s Choice Options and add a personal touch to interior floorplans. These new plans offer open sightlines from front to back as rooms are unobstructed by walls and barriers, letting homeowners enjoy open spaces both inside and out. Then there’s the exceptionally well-appointed design studio. Here, Mattamy’s professional design
consultants will work with you, and take you through a truly magnificent selection of features, fixtures and finishes. Here is where you bring your home to life with your personal taste and style. This new release in The Preserve picks up where the original left off using Mattamy’s design philosophy of maximizing real and aesthetic spaciousness – with every square foot used efficiently. Mattamy’s detached designs are expansive, open and bright. Each room is designed to account for the daily life of active families, with ample space to relax, work and play. Mattamy has been building homes and communities people love to live in for almost 40 years. Along the way, the company has built more than 90,000 homes across Canada and the United States. The planning and detail that has gone into this community makes it easy to see not only why Oakville is the most desired address in Ontario, but why The Preserve is the most desired community in Oakville.
For more information, register now at mattamyhomes.com
Location
Oakville Builder
Mattamy Homes Development
The Preserve Home Type
Townhomes Contact
mattamyhomes.com
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 13
Advice | TARION REPORT
Presenting… the winners of the 2017 Homeowners’ Choice Awards By Howard Bogach
MORE ADVICE ONLINE
The winners of this year’s Homeowner’s Choice Awards are:
ypnexthome.ca/news/advice
EVER WONDER WHAT distinguishes
a good home builder from a great home builder? Ontario’s new-home owners know. For more than a decade, they’ve told us that great home builders not only build high-quality homes, they also listen to their customers. Every year, they also choose a select few who are recognized for the exceptional customer service they provide, long after the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed. Yes, it’s that time of year again when Tarion presents the Homeowners’ Choice Awards – the only awards that give Ontario’s new home owners the power to have their builder recognized for outstanding performance. We gave more than 52,500 newhome buyers the opportunity to rate their builder, asking them about their builder’s performance before, during and after they moved into their new home. More than 8,500 homeowners weighed in with their opinions and chose recipients for outstanding customer service in four categories: Small, Medium, Large Volume and Highrise. This year, we decided to go one step further in recognizing builder excellence. We’ve introduced a new award – the Ernest Assaly Award – that goes to the builder who demonstrates a commitment to building quality and innovation, customer service and community involvement. This new award is similar to a lifetime achievement award. It recognizes the highest level of 14 YPNEXTHOME.CA
Small Volume Category (5-20 possessions per year): Davenport Homes, Peterborough
Medium Volume Category (21-100 possessions per year): Talos Custom Homes Ltd., Richmond
Large Volume Category (More than 100 possessions per year): Arista Homes Ltd., Vaughan
Highrise Category (More than 100 highrise possessions per year): The Daniels Corporation, Toronto
The recipient of the Ernest Assaly Award is: Lockwood Brothers Construction, Oxford Station
excellence in Ontario home building while honouring the legacy of Ernest Assaly, a highly respected leader in the residential building industry who was Tarion’s first Chair. Only a few select builders met the rigorous criteria required to even receive an invitation to participate. While the Homeowners’ Choice Awards are determined by new home owners, the recipient of the new Ernest Assaly Award is determined by our Board of Directors. Both awards celebrate excellence in the industry and raise the bar for all builders. They showcase industry leaders who pour their heart and soul into the customer experience and the communities in which they
build and live. Ontario’s new home builders lay the foundation where generations of families live, work and enjoy their lives. Great home builders will make sure this journey begins on a positive note, and can be counted on for years after the keys have been turned over. Tarion congratulates the 2017 recipients for instilling confidence in the new-home buying experience across Ontario. Howard Bogach is President and CEO of Tarion Warranty Corp. His column appears monthly in New Home Guide. For more information about how Tarion helps new-home buyers, visit tarion.com or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/TarionWarrantyCorp.
Hot Properties
Find your next home! This page features a few of the latest properties to keep your eye on in Southwestern Ontario. Find more properties at ypnexthome.ca
LATEST LISTINGS
HAMILTON HALTON NIAGARA ANCASTER • BEAMSVILLE • BINBROOK • BRANT • BRANTFORD • BURLINGTONCATHARINES • GRIMSBY • HAMILTON • MILTON • NIAGARA • OAKVILLE • PARIS PORT DOVER • ST. CATHARINES • STONEY CREEK • VINELAND ALCONA SHORES
pre-registration FOCUS TOWNS By: New Horizon City: Brantford Housing type: Stylish towns in a forested setting focustowns.ca
AQUAZUL By: Homes by DeSantis City: Grimsby Housing type: Final phase of condominiums from the $200’s aquazulcondo.ca
VISTA By: VanKleef Development Group City: Hamilton Housing type: Condos starting from $199,900 vistaoncharlton.ca
ON THE RIDGE
By: Bayview-Wellington Homes City: Innisfil Housing type: Luxury singles on 32-, 45- and 48-ft. lots myalcona.com
CENTRAL PARK By: Losani Homes City: Hamilton Mountain Housing type: Townhomes from the $300’s mycentralpark.ca
THE GATSBY By: New Horizon City: Hamilton Housing type: Condos from the low $200’s gatsbycondos.ca
STEPPING STONES By: Phelps Homes City: Smithville Housing type: Two-storey townhomes phelpshomes.com
By: Rosehaven Homes & Homes by DeSantis Location: Stoney Creek Housing type: Freehold townhomes liveontheridge.ca
By: Losani Homes City: Paris Housing type: Townhomes from from the $300’s simplygrandtowns.com
TIFFANY HILL
SUMMERLEA WOODS
SIMPLY GRAND
By: Rosehaven Homes & Chiaravalle Developments Location: Ancaster Housing type: Freehold towns, semis and detached homes tiffanyhill.ca
By: Empire Communities City: Binbrook Housing type: Townhomes from the mid $300’s and detached homes from the low $400’s summerleawoods.com
MERRITTON COMMONS
LIFE
By: Phelps Homes City: St. Catharines Housing type: Attached bungalows and bungalow towns phelpshomes.com
VISTA RIDGE By: Losani Homes City: Beamsville Bench Housing type: Towns from $300’s, singles from $400’s myvistaridge.ca
By: Branthaven Homes City: Winona Housing type: Luxury townhomes from the low $400’s branthaven.com
EXPLORE By: Branthaven Homes & Ballantry Homes City: Hamilton Housing type: Townhomes exploretowns.com
SAPPHIRE
By: New Horizon City: Stoney Creek Housing type: Waterfront condominiums from $199,999 sapphirecondos.ca
LAKE HOUSE By: Branthaven Homes Location: Grimsby Housing type: Waterfront townhomes and condos lakehouselife.ca
FALLINGWATERS By: Losani Homes City: Hamilton Mountain Housing type: Two- and three-storey towns from the $400’s losanifallingwaters.com
TIFFANY HILL By: Rosehaven Homes, Homes by DeSantis & CDI Homes City: Ancaster Housing type: Detached homes and freehold townhomes tiffanyhill.ca
PASSAGES ON THE CANAL By: Bayview-Wellington Homes City: Welland Housing type: Luxury freehold townhomes on the Canal mypassages.ca
AVALON By: Empire Communities City: Caledonia Housing type: Townhomes from $239,990 and detached homes from the mid $300’s empireavalon.com
THE WOODLANDS ANCASTER By: Losani Homes City: Ancaster Housing type: Singles on forest court lots from the $500’s woodlandsancaster.com
PURE By: Branthaven Homes City: Milton Housing type: Two-storey freehold townhomes branthaven.com
new openings AFFINITY CONDOMINIUMS By: Rosehaven Homes Location: Aldershot, Burlington Housing type: Condos from the low $300’s affinitycondo.com
THE WEST By: Adi Developments Location: Burlington Housing type: Luxury boutique condos from the $190’s adidevelopments.com
THE PRESERVE By: Mattamy Homes City: Oakville Housing type: Executive condo townhomes from the mid $800’s mattamyhomes.com
STATIONWEST By: Adi Developments Location: Burlington Housing type: Three-storey townhomes at Aldershot Go Station adidevelopments.com
ELEMENTS By: Mountainview Homes City: St. Catharines Housing type: Luxury one- and two-bedroom luxury condos elementscondo.com
Builders If you would like to include your preview registration, new release or site opening in this feature, just email the details to wayne.karl@ypnexthome.ca 15
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ypnexthome.ca
Paris
Port Dover
Simcoe
Binbrook
Grimsby
Georgetown
Caledon
Smithville
Welland
Fonthill
Thorold
Ridgeway
Stevensville
Chippawa
OAKVILLE, BURLINGTON, HAMILTON, ANCASTER, PARIS, BRANTFORD, STONEY CREEK, VINELAND, LINCOLN, THOROLD, FONTHILL, NIAGARA, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, FORT ERIE
Halton / Hamilton / Wentworth / Niagara:
SEARCH ONLINE Fort Erie
D et Se . m Bu i n To gal w ow C nh o o Ad ndo me ul tL ife st yle
ADVERTISER'S MAPPING INDEX
Ancaster
LOSANI HOMES
The Woodlands Ancaster
•
Ancaster
ROSEHAVEN
Tiffany Hill
•
Beamsville
LOSANI HOMES
Vista Ridge
Brantford
EMPIRE
Wyndfield
Brantford
NEW HORIZON
Focus Towns
Caledonia
EMPIRE
Avalon
Grimsby
BRANTHAVEN HOMES ADVERTISERS
PRICES
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7
2&3
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Lake House
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from $400's
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from low $200's
20&21
Grimsby
HOMES BY DESANTIS
Aquazul
Hamilton
BRANTHAVEN HOMES
Explore
•
from $300's
Hamilton
LOSANI HOMES
Madison at Central Park
•
from low $300's
7
Hamilton
LOSANI HOMES
Fallingwaters
•
from $500's
7
Lincoln
LOSANI HOMES
Lincoln Estates
from $400's
7
Niagara
BW HOMES
Passages on the Canal
Niagara Falls
EMPIRE
Imagine
Paris
LOSANI HOMES
Paris
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11
20&21
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2&3
Simply Grand Encore
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from $300's
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LOSANI HOMES
The Peninsula
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from $300's
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St Catharines
MOUNTAINVIEW HOMES
Corporate
•
from mid $200's
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Winona
BRANTHAVEN HOMES
Life
from low $400's
20&21
Winona
DICENZO HOMES
Foot Hills
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OAKVILLE, BURLINGTON, HAMILTON, ANCASTER, PARIS, BRANTFORD, STONEY CREEK, VINELAND, LINCOLN, THOROLD, FONTHILL, NIAGARA, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, FORT ERIE
SITES
Halton / Hamilton / Wentworth / Niagara:
LOCATION BUILDERS
17
Trending
Fair or foul: Making sense of Ontario’s housing plan By Wayne Karl
IS ONTARIO’S NEW FAIR HOUSING PLAN, comprising 16 measures
designed to stabilize the real estate market while protecting homeowners’ investments, actually fair? Or foul? Or is it a fail, even? Well, that depends on what part of the housing market you’re in. HOMEBUYERS
Homebuyers will like the plan, if it has the desired cooling effect on the market. After two consecutive years of double-digit gains, average house prices in the Toronto region reached $916,567 in March 2017, up 33.2 per cent from a year earlier. Even, as some sources suspect, the pause lasts only a few months, would-be buyers may catch a break from the norm of the past couple years – prohibitive price growth and, in resale homes, multiple offer situations and bidding wars. HOMEOWNERS
Homeowners will probably be okay with the measures, if they don’t lead to any precipitous drop in prices. Even if price growth – currently at double digits in the GTA – slows to somewhere between five and 10 per cent, as some suggest, those are still handsome gains. Judging from the number of “for sale” signs out there this spring, however, it looks like some owners believe the market may be peaking. SELLERS
Sellers, on the other hand, may not love the plan, as it may reduce buying activity and price growth, even if only in the short term.
OVERALL MARKET
Single digit price appreciation in a housing market is healthy. What’s been happening in the Ontario is unsustainable, and many have been saying it for months. The return of some normalcy to the market would be a good thing. “Given the frothy real estate price growth across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, policy action was needed to reduce the growing risks to the Ontario and National economy,” says Craig Alexander, senior vice-president and chief economist, The Conference Board of Canada. “More sustainable and moderate price growth is in the interests of buyers, sellers, the financial system and the economy. In recent years, the federal government has delivered several rounds of housing policy tightening that impacted real estate markets from coast-to-coast. The next logical step was regional policy actions where the imbalances are greatest. It was time for Ontario to act.” The true impact of these new measures, however, may not be seen for many months, particularly when it comes to rentals. “It is very clear from the announcement that Kathleen Wynne fails to understand the psychology of real estate economics for the typical landlord (real estate investor),” Calum Ross, broker and wealth planner, The Mortgage Management Group, Toronto, told New Home & Condo Guide. “How the government can issue a statement that in one point states, ‘In March 2017, real estate values are up 33.2 per cent from a year earlier,’ then follows up by suggesting they will increase rent control – and not see the coming rental crisis is laughable. …continued on page 22
18 YPNEXTHOME.CA
“ I go to Tiffany. It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it ” - Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Singles, Semis & Freehold Towns New contemporary home designs, as well as updated traditional stone, stucco and brick homes work together to create pleasing streetscapes. Nature plays a vibrant part in the life of this ‘country-chic’ community traced with parks and trails, woodlands and waterfalls. Everything about Tiffany Hill is planned with a sense of community in mind; we take that kind of thing to heart.
COMING SPRING TO ANCASTER
Register now...
Visit TiffanyHill.ca RENDERINGS ARE ARTIST’S CONCEPT. E. & O.E.
19
…continued from page 18
“The provision for allowable rent increase for 2017 is 1.5 per cent under the current Residential Tenancies Act,” says Ross. “It tells me the government basically has no understanding of investor math or long-term economic implications of their policies.” REALTORS
Many realtors believe the plan is mostly positive news. While the foreign investor tax garnered much of the headlines, those buyers’ actual influence in the market is negligible – about five per cent of purchases in the GTA. Therefore, the market will largely continue to work itself out, for primary homebuyers, while speculation activity (those who buy properties, especially multiple properties, with the sole hope of cashing in on the value increase), will cool. “There is limited data on how many foreign speculators are active in the GTA market, but it is fair to assume that a foreign speculators tax will 22 YPNEXTHOME.CA
MORE TRENDING ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/news
impact the middle-class, and not just buyers in the upper-end of the market,” says Christopher Alexander, regional director, ReMax Ontario-Atlantic Canada, Toronto. “In the short-term, potential sales may fall through as buyers adjust to the changes, which in turn could create a ripple effect throughout the market.” BUILDERS
Before the release of the plan, builders generally were leery of any type of knee-jerk reaction from the province, especially in terms of new taxes and their unintended consequences. Their primary concern, however, remains supply. “As the industry that builds 95 per cent of new housing in Ontario, we are pleased that the government has accepted our recommendations to create a housing advisory group and Housing Supply Team to resolve land-use approvals issues and red tape, which prevent housing from coming onto the market for new home buyers,” says Joe Vaccaro, CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. “We look forward to working with our provincial and municipal partners and continue to promote solutions, such as pre-zoning, fast-tracking approvals, and fixing the EA process, in order to bring more housing supply and housing choice to consumers.”
STYLISH TOWNS IN A FORESTED SETTING
COMING SOON TO BRANTFORD
REGISTER TODAY
54 Blackburn Dr. Brantford
Copyright © 2017 New Horizon Development Group. All rights reserved. Prices and specifications subject to change without notice E&O.E
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 23
JOIN WE WANT TO SEE YOU AT
WALK
OF LIFE
BE PART OF THE BIGGEST TEAM AT THE WALK OF LIFE
The Mikey Network is working to create awareness about heart healthy education and providing free tools to educate Canadians on how to perform CPR and operate a Mikey AED. Join TEAM MIKEY for a day full of fun activities – all dedicated to raising funds and awareness. People of all ages and abilities are coming together in their choice of a 1K, 3K, or 5K Walk, 5K or 10K Run, chair exercises, and lots of fun Kids Activities.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Ontario Science Centre and E.T. Seton Park
JOIN US AND RAISE MONEY FOR THE MIKEY NETWORK If you can’t join us for the Walk, then please consider making a donation!
REGISTER FREE 24 YPNEXTHOME.CA
mikeynetwork.com
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for Towns, Semis & Singles
from the
400’s
$
IT’S WHERE HAMILTON MEETS THE BEAUTY OF WINONA DiCenzoHomes.ca
Live large in Winona, where small town life is just minutes from all the amenities of the big city. It’s a place where kids can still walk to school and neighbours know each other by name. Near Fifty Point Conservation Area, trails and parks with easy access to the QEW. Freehold townhomes – and a limited number of detached and semi detached homes – offer all the elegance of the DiCenzo name. Affordable luxury between lake and escarpment. REGISTER TODAY.
Express Your Interest by registering
LAKE ONTARIO
WINO PARKNA
8 ESCARPMENT
B LVD.
CASA BLAN CA
SITE
ST.
N
To N (25 Miagara ins)
FIFTY RD.
BA RT ON
WINO NA R D.
S SE RVIC E RD QEW .
LEW IS RD .
Fifty Road and Barton Street WINONA
CENTE NNIA L PARK WAY N.
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To To & Hamronto (4 ilton 5 Min (5 M s) ins)
Inspiration
Small-space survival guide By Lydia McNutt
IT’S TRUE WHAT THEY SAY, good things really do come in small packages. Here’s another adage condo dwellers should pay attention to: it’s not the size that matters, but how you use it. To make the most of your small space, all you need is a tape measure, an open mind and these five small-space survival tips:
1. First impressions count When you walk into your condo, what’s the first thing you see? Is it pleasing? Inviting? Does it reflect what you want your home to say about you? You only have one chance to make a first impression, so make it count! 2. Pleasing proportions For furniture to serve the double duty of fashion and function – a smallspace essential – it must be well proportioned to the space. Rule of thumb: The smaller the room, the smaller the furnishings. This also applies to artwork and accessories. 3. Leave the traffic jam for the road Especially in a compact condo, but applicable to any-sized space, it’s important to keep high-traffic areas clear of furniture, for functional reasons as well as aesthetic ones. Tip: Ensure you can open doors without bumping into anything. 4. Focus! Plan your room around one main focal point. Emphasize your favourite feature by arranging your furniture to complement and highlight it. It could be a great view, a cosy fireplace or a great piece of art. 5. Measure twice, buy once Last but not least, here’s one more saying that’s worth repeating: measure twice, cut once. Before buying any piece of furniture, make sure the door opening will accommodate its size. Don’t forget to take your tape measure into the elevator, stairwell and corridors too.
Lydia McNutt is an award-winning writer and editor. Lydia’s love of architecture, interior design and the written word have landed her happily at YP NextHome, where real estate rules. Follow her on Twitter @LydiasTweets.
26 YPNEXTHOME.CA
Hot Properties
Find your next home! This page features a few of the latest properties to keep your eye on in Southwestern Ontario. Find more properties at ypnexthome.ca
LATEST LISTINGS
LONDON BAYFIELD • BLYTH • CLINTON GRAND BEND • INGERSOLL • LONDON MITCHELL • SEAFORTH • SHAKESPEARE ST.THOMAS • STRATFORD • TAVISTOCK TILLSONBURG • WINGHAM • WOODSTOCK
new openings
pre-registration
CASTLE ROCK PLACE
140 CALEDONIA By: The Tricar Group City: Stratford Housing type: Four-storey boutique style condominiums from the high $200’s. tricar.com
VICTORIA ON THE RIVER By: Stonecrest Homes City: London
HALTON HILLS WELLINGTON WATERLOO ALMA • AYR • CAMBRIDGE • ELORA FERGUS • GEORGETOWN • GUELPH KITCHENER • ROCKWOOD • WATERLOO
pre-registration GRANGE HILL POINT By: Reid’s Heritage Homes City: Guelph Housing type: One- and two-bedroom condominiums from the low $200’s reidsheritagehomes.com
new releases HAVELOCK CORNERS
By: Rembrandt Homes City: London Location: 3444 Singleton Ave., off Southdale Housing type: Two-storey and mulit-level condominium townhomes from $231,990. rembrandt-homes.ca
By: Senator Homes City: Woodstock Housing type: New release of 42- and 50-ft. singles from the low $400’s senatorhomes.com
BALDWIN PLACE FOX FIELD By: Fusion Homes City: London Location: Fanshawe Park Road West and Foxwood Avenue
WESTWOOD MEWS By: CountryGreen Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Urban townhomes up to 1,365 sq. ft. countrygreenhomes.com
WILDFLOWERS By: Mattamy Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Townhomes and 30and 36-ft. detached homes. mattamyhomes.com
ISHERWOOD AVENUE CONDOS By: Activa Group City: Cambridge Location: 25 Isherwood Avenue Housing type: Condo community activagroup.ca
CLAIR MEADOWS By: Gatto Homes City: Guelph Housing type: Townhomes and singledetached homes gattohomesinc.com
Housing type: Single-family homes from $482,900 fusionhomes.com
Housing type: Single-family homes at Hamilton Road & Commissioners Road East. stonecresthomes.ca
Builders If you would like to include your preview registration, new release or site opening in this feature, just email the details to wayne.karl@ypnexthome.ca
By: Tillsonburg Developments City: Tillsonburg Housing type: Detached freehold bungalows from $277,000. baldwinplace.ca
new openings THE ENCLAVES OF UPPER CANADA By: Menkes City: Georgetown Housing type: New release of 40-ft. lots from the low $800’s menkes.ca
VICTORIA COMMON By: Losani Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Final release of modern townhomes from the $300’s losanihomes.com
CLAIRITY By: Reid’s Heritage Homes City: Guelph Housing type: One- and two-bedroom condominiums from the mid $200’s reidsheritagehomes.com
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 27
28
Elmira
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Stratford
Baden
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STRATFORD, WOODSTOCK, INGERSOLL, TILLSONBURG, ST. THOMAS, STRATHROY, MILTON, GEORGETOWN, ROCKWOOD, GUELPH, FERGUS, ELORA, ALMA, CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, WATERLOO, AYR
London / Halton Hills / Wellington / Waterloo:
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Guelph REID'S HERITAGE HOMES Woodlands Preserve • BC
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Tillsonburg TILLSONBURG DEV. Baldwin Place • • from $277,000 31
STRATFORD, WOODSTOCK, INGERSOLL, TILLSONBURG, ST. THOMAS, STRATHROY, MILTON, GEORGETOWN, ROCKWOOD, GUELPH, FERGUS, ELORA, ALMA, CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, WATERLOO, AYR
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LOCATION D et . Se m Bu i ng a To low w C nh on om Ad do e ul tL ife st yle
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Advice | MORTGAGE ADVICE
Mortgage broker or bank... Which is best for you?
Here are a few things you should know if you’re unsure whether to go with a bank or a mortgage broker to fund your purchase.
By Alyssa Furtado
MORE ADVICE ONLINE
Banks
Mortgage brokers
Pros Most Canadians already have an ongoing relationship with a bank, so going to that institution for a mortgage seems like an obvious choice. Banks often provide special deals to existing customers. So, if your chequing account, credit card, investments and mortgage are all with the same bank, you may receive a discount on some or all of your fees. Banks generally provide face time with their specialists, which many borrowers find comforting.
Pros Brokers have established relationships with lenders and are knowledgeable about the market and what special discounts are available. They will shop around for you and ensure you get the lowest possible rate you can qualify for. Whereas banks typically require you to arrange a meeting with a loan officer, mortgage brokers tend to be available through a variety of means, including phone and email. They are easy to communicate with and often provide faster response times. Brokers negotiate with the lenders on your behalf, saving you valuable time and stress.
ypnexthome.ca/news/advice
FOR MANY CANADIANS, their first stop while shopping for a mortgage is their local bank branch. More than half of Canadian homeowners – 56 per cent to be precise – who currently have a mortgage went to a bank, according to the fall 2016 report from Mortgage Professionals Canada. However, consumers should be aware that they have other options. Mortgage brokers – who captured a 33 per cent share of the mortgage market – can prove to be a helpful resource when it comes to comparison shopping for the best mortgage rates. (The remainder of the mortgage market was made up of credit unions at seven per cent, life insurance companies at two per cent, and other sources at two per cent, according to the report.) Alyssa Furtado is founder and CEO of RateHub.ca, a website that compares mortgage rates, credit cards, highinterest savings accounts, chequing accounts, and insurance with the goal to empower Canadians to search smarter and save money. 30 YPNEXTHOME.CA
Cons You can choose only from the bank’s portfolio of products, meaning your options are limited and your chances of getting the lowest rate are diminished. There’s less flexibility offered in terms of qualifying for the loan. If your credit rating is subpar, you may not qualify for a mortgage from one of the big banks. Individuals who are self-employed may also have a hard time qualifying.
The bottom line
VS
Cons Face-to-face availability differs from one broker to the next. So, if this is something that you require, you’ll want to ask if they can meet in person. Because many first-time buyers are unlikely to have an existing relationship with a broker, it may take some time to find one who’s right for you.
When it comes to getting a mortgage, going with a broker – rather than directly to a bank – is the best choice, as it will allow you to get the best possible rate on the market and save you money over the long run.
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We’re proud to announce the FINAL PHASE of Baldwin Place, where everything comes together and everyone feels at home. Make your choice soon. It’s a decision you will never regret. All-brick, detached, freehold homes starting at $277,000 (incl.hst) 3 ESSELTINE DRIVE, TILLSONBURG MODEL HOME HOURS: OPEN MONDAY - THURSDAY & SATURDAY 10:AM TO 5:PM. SUNDAY 1:00PM - 5:00PM, CLOSED FRIDAYS & HOLIDAYS E.& O.E. Prices & Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Call us now at 1-800-265-5709 baldwinplace.ca
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 31
City Focus | BINBROOK
Binbrook An island suburb of Hamilton By Wayne Karl WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ESTATE, community development and new
home building, one of the best opportunities homebuyers can hope for is an area in transition – a place with a strong natural location, good value and significant improvement underway through local and regional initiatives. Time it right, and purchasing in such an area could be priceless. Welcome to Binbrook, a small but fast-growing community of about 15,000 in the southeastern part of Hamilton. It may not be as well known – at least not yet – as some of its neighbouring communities such as Stoney Creek, Grimsby and Ancaster, but there is no question Binbrook is a town on the upswing. As that old real estate adage goes, it’s all about location, location, location – and Binbrook has all that going for it, and more. Part of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton Wentworth, Binbrook was formerly known as Halls’ Corners, after Squire Hall, whose store 32 YPNEXTHOME.CA
housed the local post office. The name was later changed to Binbrook after a village in England. Amalgamated as part of the City of Hamilton in 2001, Binbrook has since benefited from the expansive development and economic improvement in the region. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent in recent years on infrastructure in and around Hamilton, facilitating easier access to and from the city and neighbouring communities like Binbrook, as well as to other major destinations. Close to the QEW, Binbrook residents and businesses benefit from proximity to St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Brantford, Cambridge and of course east into Toronto. Indeed, the recent opening of the Red Hill Expressway made it easier than ever to travel to Toronto or Windsor or Niagara Falls and anywhere in between. The highway runs through Hamilton, connecting the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway to the QEW near Hamilton Harbour. Just as this infrastructure facilitates growth
and prosperity in the area, so too is it part of important local history. The $245-million expressway was built through the Red Hill Valley by the City of Hamilton after a decades-long battle with opponents. It was first proposed in the 1950s and was cancelled and resurrected several times over the years. Finally, it was built during the 2000s and opened in 2007. Today, the highway is quite literally a lifeline for Binbrook, leading to commercial and industrial growth and expanding residential population who can now live and work locally, rather than face long commutes to neighbouring cities for employment. So, with such growth and development, Binbrook is primed for prosperity, with a perfect combination of old and new, where city meets country. The area has attracted new business such as big box stores, groceries, auto dealerships and other industry to cater to the growing community. Indeed, considered something of an island suburb of Hamilton, separated by conservation and agricultural lands, Binbrook is now seeing hundreds of new homes being built in the area.
Binbrook is primed for prosperity, with a perfect combination of old and new, where city meets country Builders such as Losani Homes, Empire Communities and Branthaven Homes have a variety of new-home offerings, from detached homes and bungalows – product that appeals to first-time buyers, families and even empty nesters. Affordability is the keyword in Binbrook, with average new-home prices much less than in the GTA and even other areas in the region. Besides location, history and value, buyers are also attracted to Binbrook due to the new amenities in the area. This growing community offers new conveniences that busy families appreciate, from new stores, services and state-of-the-art schools, to a 19acre park with a sports field, running track, soccer pitch and wooded trail system where residents can jog, walk their dog, push the stroller or just meet up with neighbours. Local farmers produce everything from fruits to vegetables, grains and livestock, and many stage
Farmers’ Markets or “pick your own” opportunities, further building residents’ relationships with the community and its natural surroundings. If golf is what you’re after, there are plenty of top courses nearby, including the 18-hole Southbrook Golf and Country Club, located on Hwy. 56 in Binbrook. There is also the Binbrook Conservation Area, a 396-hectare (978 acre) tract of land owned and operated by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, with 174 hectares (430 acres) covered by the picturesque Lake Niapenco. The lake is surrounded by open meadows, hardwood forests and reforested areas, as well as a network of hiking trails. And like many small towns in Ontario, Binbrook also boasts its own annual fair – the Binbrook Fair – which is approaching its 161st anniversary.
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 33
APRIL 2017
Stouffville
Thornhill
West Brampton
Kleinburg
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Aurora
South Caledon
Richmond Hill
Pickering
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West Brampton
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Fieldgate Homes has been featured as “Model HOME Of The Month� as seen in the New Home Guide model home calendar
Ad Index
ADVERTISERS Bayview Wellington - Corporate
4
Bayview Wellington - Passages on the Canal
5
Branthaven Homes - Corporate
DiCenzo Homes - Foothills
Empire Communities - Multi-Site
Homes by DeSantis - AquaZul
Losani Homes - Vista Ridge
Mattamy Homes - The Reserve
Mountainview Homes - Corporate
20 & 21
25
2&3
11
7
39
9
New Horizon Homes - Focus Towns
23
Reid’s Heritage Homes - Corporate
BC
Rosehaven Homes - Tiffany Hill
19
Tarion Warranty Corp. - Corporate
Tillsonburg Developments - Baldwin Place
8
31
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 35
Homebuyers’ Help
Compare mortgage rates for your best deal CHARTERED BANKS
variable
ATB Financial
2.1
Alterna Bank
2.25
Bank of Montreal
2.6
Bank of Nova Scotia
2.9
CIBC
2.7
6 months
1 year
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years
4.1 4.10op 4 6.30op
2.99 4.10op 2.79 6.30op 3.09 6.95op 3.29 6.50op 2.84 6.35op 3.14 3.14 6.35op 2.64 3 3.20op 3.14 6.70op
2.39 4.10op 2.74
2.54
2.57
2.74
2.64
2.65
2.68
3.19
2.54
2.59
2.74
3.09
3.39
3.89
4.64
2.79
2.64
4.09
4.79
3.04 2.29
3.65 3.39
4.39 4.09
4.64 2.49
2.64 2.94
2.64 2.84
3.19 2.94
3.29 2.99
3.04
3.39
2.74
2.79
2.79 2.39
3.34 2.64
3.99 2.74
4.44 2.74
2.84
2.54
2.57
4.64
3.24
3.49
3.69
2.69
6.95op 4.55 6.45op 6.95op
Equitable Bank HSBC Bank Canada
2.25
ICICI Bank Canada Manulife Bank
2.75 2.7
National Bank
n/a
President’s Choice Finan Royal Bank
2.7 2.7
TD Canada Trust
2.6
Tangerine
2.3
4.45 6.20op 4.45 4.4 6.70op
7.00op
2.99 7.00op 3.04 4.00op 3.19
TRUST COMPANIES Community Trust Effort Trust
n/a n/a
Home Trust Investors Group Trust
2.35 n/a
MTCC
2.9
6.5 4.45 6.30op 3.95 4.2 6.50op 4.55 6.45op
3.14 3.35 6.30op 2.69 3.14 6.30op 3.29 6.50op
3.25 3.5
3.95 3.7
4.39 4.3
4.64 4.35
2.14 3.09
2.59 3.39
2.74 3.89
2.84 2.84
3.09
3.39
3.89
4.64
4 6.30op 6.2 6.40op 3.1 4.25 6.50op
2.79 6.30op 2.84 6.30op 2.64 2.89 6.50op 3.25 6.25op 2.84 6.30op 3.14 2.8 2.95op 2.39
2.74
2.64
2.84
2.74
2.89
2.95
2.99
2.89
2.64 2.99
2.64 2.99
2.84 3.1
2.84 3.14
3.2
3.65
4
4.5
2.79
3.39
3.89
2.69
3.04 2.85
3.15 2.95
3.89 3.05
3.89 3.15
2.39
2.49
2.59
2.69
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Alterna Savings
2.28
Comtech Fire C.U.
2.6
First National Fin. LP IC Savings
2.7
Luminus Financial
3.25
Meridian Credit Union
2.3
PACE Savings & C.U. Parama Credit Union
2.65
Steinbach Credit Union
2.25
5.05
ONLINE CALCULATOR ypnexthome.ca/mortgage-calculator Notes: **Interest rate charged subject to adjustment during term mortgage. Please consult institution for term of years available. All rates are prime rates and subject to change without notice. R.O.R. RATES ON REQUEST op OPEN ----- NOT QUOTING N/A NOT AVAILABLE April 10, 2017. Prepared By Fiscal Agents Financial Information Services 905.844.7700
36 YPNEXTHOME.CA
Advice | FUNDAMENTALLY SPEAKING
What’s in a new-home warranty? By Wayne Karl
MORE ADVICE ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/news/advice
WHAT’S IN YOUR new-home warranty? Ideally, that’s a question you’ll never have to answer for real – at least not the hard way, be it filing a complaint or, worse, proceeding to a claim settlement. But, life is sometimes not fair, and despite the best intentions of home builders, things do go wrong. To put it nicely – stuff happens. Indeed, according to Tarion Warranty Corp., nearly every new home built has some form of defect. Such is life when you’re building outside, dealing with the elements and working with natural materials. In most cases, issues get resolved, and builders large and small are getting better at responding to customer concerns. Still, there are unscrupulous – or worse, illegal – builders that try to circumvent everything from relatively minor registration fees to taxes, all under the guise of “saving you money.” But when there’s a problem or issue that needs to be resolved, good luck. That’s why it’s important to ensure your new home builder is registered with Tarion – to provide the peace of mind that Tarion is backing the warranty, as well as to learn what parts of your new home are covered, for how long, and what the steps and procedures are.
Because stuff does, indeed, happen. Typical examples include the following, a Top 10 list of first-year claims: » Paint: inadequate application or coverage
» Doors: improperly installed or finished » Floors: Damaged, cracked or installed with gaps » Drywall: Blemishes on walls, ceilings or corners » Stairs/steps: Inadequately built » Water/moisture: Moisture inside the home » Concrete: Cracking » Baseboards: Improperly installed » Trims: Improperly installed or finished » Cabinets/vanities: Improperly installed or finished
The cost to Tarion to rectify the matter? More than $5 million. The cost to homeowners? Zero. The benefit of having the peace of mind of a Tarion backed warranty? Priceless.
You can understand how prevalent such “defects” would be in new homes, and how action is required in many cases. Nine times out of 10, for homes backed by Tarion, they’re resolved without issue. More drastic is another example involving 23 homes by one builder in one development in Ontario, also, thankfully, backed by Tarion: » After the homes were built, the water table shifted, causing differential soil settlements » The problems arose three to five years after construction » 23 homes were monitored and repaired over a period of five years » 10 homes required major repairs – causing the homeowners to be relocated to hotels for an average of 38 days
Think that would happen if your home was built by an unregistered or illegal developer? More and more builders, Tarion says, are improving their customer service. And it’s not just the large companies. “The advantage of using a small builder might be that you often get to know the principal,” says Tarion president Howard Bogach. “But large builders are closing the gap. “The large builders that do well are the ones that behave like small builders.” And with real estate and new home prices rising, homebuyers, understandably, expect more. So, what’s in a new-home warranty? In short, your builder is not just building your home, it’s building a relationship.
Wayne Karl is an award-winning writer and editor with experience in real estate and business. In Fundamentally Speaking, Wayne explores the basics you need to examine when buying property. He can be reached at wayne.karl@ypnexthome.ca or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ WayneKarl.
APR 29 - MAY 13, 2017 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 37
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MATTAMY MODEL HOME
E XQUISITE TOWNHOME DESIGNS COMING TO PRESTIGIOUS OAK VILLE COMMUNIT Y Mattamy is pleased to announce the release of two new styles of Townhomes coming to The Preserve, our highly sought-after master-planned community in Oakville. This collection of thoughtfully designed Rear Lane and Two-Storey Townhomes integrate seamlessly with the established community and come in a variety of modern and contemporary designs. A Mattamy home is a mark of achievement; both for the people who build it, and the people who call it home. We’re proud to have helped shape the Oakville landscape. Register today to be a part of the most desired community in Oakville.
REGISTER TODAY AT MATTAMYHOMES.COM
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All renderings are artist concept. Content and images are property of Reid’s Heritage Homes unless otherwise stated. Please do not use content without obtaining permission. E. & O.E. April 2017