Southwestern Ontario New Home and Condo Guide - Oct 22, 2016

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 19, FREE

NHCSW_Explore_BHBT_Cover_FINAL-10-17-2016.pdf

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO EDITION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PREPARE FOR WINTER & PROTECT YOUR WARRANTY

1

2016-10-18

12:39 PM

5 MAJOR MORTGAGE MISTAKES TO AVOID

KITCHENER-WATERLOO: BOOMING INTO THE FUTURE

NEW HOME. NOW WHAT?

HOMES CONDOS COMMUNITIES

#ASKEMPIRE HOW TO NAVIGATE THE CLOSING PROCESS. Whether you’re researching or have bought a new home, Empire’s comprehensive collection of resources will help you along every step of the journey. Visit our new website and discover the answers to all your home buying questions today.

Explore the possibilities at empirecommunities.com

contents OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | VOLUME 19 ISSUE 19

PRESIDENT, YELLOW PAGES NEXTHOME

Jacqueline Hill ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Anne-Marie Breen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

Susan Legge DIRECTOR OF SALES, NATIONAL

Moe Lalani 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

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Dionne Fraser dionne.fraser@ypnexthome.ca SALES CO-ORDINATOR

ON THE COVER

12

Sarah Khan

Branthaven Homes & Ballantry Homes Luxurious townhomes and semis at Explore in Hamilton

MANAGER OF PRODUCTION

Helen Pearce CO-ORDINATOR

Sandra Hanak-Vujnovic GRAPHIC DESIGNER

property profiles

advice

Miguel Cea

22

Losani Homes

10

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Senator Homes

14

38

Presentation centre now open at Central Park Havelock Corners’ Phase IV release coming spring 2017

trending

18

32

Habitat for Humanity

to undertake largest build project in its history

inspiration

36

History, culture and prosperity abound

6 YPNEXTHOME.CA

#500-401 The West Mall Etobicoke, ON M9C 5J5 T 416.626.4200 F 416.784.5867 ypnexthome.ca

ADVERTISING Call 416.626.4200 for advertising

buyers’ resource section

15

Hot Properties Hamilton

New releases and grand openings

27

Decor

40 Kitchener-Waterloo

Joanne Keenan Jeffrey Reed

Mortgage Advice

The 5 biggest mortgage mistakes to avoid What type of home should you buy?

Framing alternatives for your artwork

city focus

Protect your warranty by preparing for fall and winter

45 Fundamentally Speaking

Home Buying

Millennials adopt ‘you only live once’ approach to buying

Tarion Report

Hot Properties Kitchener-Waterloo & London

New releases and grand openings

43

Mortgage Rates

in every issue

8 Editor’s Note 44 Advertiser Index 46 What’s Online

rates and information Office hours are Mon-Thurs. 9-5; Fri. 9-12 CIRCULATION Free distribution. Published bi-

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 2016 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.

Please recycle this magazine! Yellow Pages NextHome participates in the Partners in Growth Reforestation Program through St. Joseph Communications. To date, Partners in Growth has planted over 2.5 million trees in parks, recreation and conservation areas, and other public spaces across Canada. Established in 1990, this program was started with Scouts Canada to help replenish the environment.

Coming Fall 2016 to Hamilton Mountain

There’s a place for everyone in Central Park. Welcome to the most innovative and the largest master-planned community Hamilton has ever seen! Choose from distinct character-filled neighbourhoods with an inspired choice of lot types and designs built around a magnificent park next to nature and a stroll from shopping. Live near the Eco-trail Promenade where the 10 km East Mountain Trail Loop leads to the Eramosa Karst right next door and then on to the Bruce Trail. Every kind of home for every kind of family!

Towns from the low $300’s Singles from the high $400’s

E

Highla nd Rd . W.

W

Mud

St E

Rd

ok Rd

Trinity Ch urch

Binbro

SITE

Upper Centenn ial Pkw y

al Rd

Up Mt Al per bion Rd

Pricing and specifications subject to change without notice.

Rendering is artist concept. Map not to scale. E.&OE.

Rym

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HO RE

RHVP

Mud St

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ESE OM D NH MUANAR YO VES-I HENDE Y WON MOADME

Alexa nder P kwy Pritch

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REGISTER NOW MyCentralPark.ca

Lincoln M.

1809 Rymal Road East, Stoney Creek

Editors' Notes

WATERLOO PARK

SUSAN LEGGE Editor-in-Chief / Director of Content Yellow Pages NextHome Email: Susan.Legge@ypnexthome.ca Twitter: @SusanLegge

SEE MORE ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/waterloo-park

Smaller household, smaller home Canadian households are definitely shrinking, according to Stats Canada.

Seven decades ago the average household consisted of 4.3 people. By 2011, the average size had dropped to 2.5 people per household, albeit, there’s plenty more of us to house.

While the majority of Canadian homes built over the last century were created to support larger households, traditionally comprised of two parents with children, nowadays one or two people make up the majority of households, which is why apartment and condo living, in urban areas in particular, has become

increasingly popular.

The impact of smaller families on the Canadian housing market has been significant, spurring a dramatic change. The introduction of more housing options of all shapes and sizes is effectively servicing smaller households who need affordable options. While larger dwellings are still a need, the next time you see another crane in the air keep this new demographic dynamic in mind.

While Canada continues to grow, new housing needs will continue to reshape the cities and homes that we live in.

You only live once, but...

WAYNE KARL Senior Editor

Yellow Pages NextHome Email: Wayne.Karl@ypnexthome.ca Twitter: @WayneKarl

+ get social 8 YPNEXTHOME.CA

A story we ran in New Home & Condo Guide in April discussed the homebuying ambitions of Canadian Millennials – specifically, how their desires for homeownership didn’t quite align with reality, when it came to average prices. Indeed, the story began with, “Millennials, please adjust your homebuying aspirations.”

These young Canadians, aged 18 to 34, indicated in a Bank of Montreal report at the time, that their national average target price for a home was $350,000. The problem was that that budget was well below the actual average home price of $512,621.

Now comes a new survey from

TD that highlights that Millennials are still applying a “you only live once” philosophy when it comes to buying their first home. Awareness of current prices, compromise and sacrifice don’t seem to be getting due attention as Millennials map out their homeownership plans.

Most notable is their desire to buy a home close to where they work.

And since many Millennials work in downtown city locations, that may mean condo as a housing type – not the white picket fence dream home they seem to have in mind.

Yes, you only live once, but you also have to be realistic.

Interact with us on social media: ypnexthome

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O S %

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BY COCKTAILS IN THE PARTY ROOM. DESIGNER SPACES. THE VERY BEST IN QUALITY. THE REGION’S BEST LOCATION MINUTES TO THE COVETED LAKESIDE COMMUNITY OF PORT DALHOUSIE AND TRENDY DOWNTOWN ST. CATHARINES. YOUR HOME AT ELEMENTS... WHERE LUXURY IS STANDARD.

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Prices are subject to change without notice. E.&O.E. Offer valid for a limited time. Subject to availability.

289.929.1377 elementscondo.com SALES CENTRE: 218 LAKEPORT ROAD, UNIT 6, ST. CATHARINES

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Advice | TARION REPORT

Protect your warranty by preparing for fall and winter

By Howard Bogach

MORE ADVICE ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/news/advice

EVERYONE RECOGNIZES the value of spring clean-up in and around your home. After a long winter, it’s good to take stock of how well your home stood up to wintry blasts of cold, ice and snow and to fix or adjust anything that was affected by the weather.

But it’s just as important to prepare your home for winter before inclement weather arrives. In fact, it’s important to make maintenance a year-round habit – even if you own a brand new home.

All new homes in Ontario come with a warranty provided by the builder and guaranteed by Tarion Warranty Corp.

This warranty lasts up to seven years from the date of first possession and covers a lot of things inside and out, from defects in workmanship to major structural defects.

But did you know that lack of maintenance can affect your warranty? If issues arise in your home in those first seven years that can be traced back to a lack of proper maintenance, they won’t be covered.

That’s why you should maintain your home year-round.

The time to prepare for winter is in the fall, and there are all kinds of things you can do to keep your new home healthy and to ensure that your warranty rights are protected.

The first place to start is outside your home. Take a wander around outside and check out all of your windows and doors for any cracks or separations around the frames.

If you see any damage, get out the caulking gun and apply caulking to those areas. This will prevent water 10 YPNEXTHOME.CA

penetration or heat loss.

Second story windows can be a challenge. Not comfortable on a ladder? Try taking digital photos of the windows and then zooming in for greater detail to see if they need attention.

Weather stripping on exterior doors is another must-check item. Look for damage or wear, and replace if necessary. Warm air will seep from your home – and your heating bills will rise – if the weather stripping isn’t in good shape.

Eaves troughs and downspouts should be inspected, too. Leaves and debris can collect and create messy, smelly blockages that could build up over winter. So, clear all of this away so that water can drain freely. If you see cracks or seam separations in your eaves troughs, fix with caulking.

Next up is your exterior water supply. The last thing you want is a flash freeze to damage your water lines and cause a pipe to burst. So now that watering the law and garden is done for the season, shut off your home’s exterior water supply and

drain all exterior water lines and hoses. You should leave the taps open a bit – this will prevent any remaining water in the lines from freezing and damaging the water supply line.

If you have an irrigation system to water your lawn or garden, or if you have water features like a pool, pond or fountain, you should make sure all water is drained from those as well.

If you don’t, you will be sure to find damage in the spring.

And finally, have a professional roofing company inspect the roof to ensure that shingles, flashing and chimney caps are all in place and properly sealed.

Once you’re done outside your home, there are a few things you should look after inside.

Clean and test all of your exhaust fans, including dryer vents, stove vents and furnace vents. Look at your furnace filter to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced, and consider having your furnace serviced to prepare it for winter.

Inspect your gas or wood-burning fireplace and chimney dampers and have them serviced or cleaned, if necessary. Then test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in good working order.

And finally, if your home has a sump pump, you don’t want to risk a flood in the winter. Check the sump-pump float and discharge line and then test the whole operation.

If you take some time this fall to prepare for winter weather, your home will withstand the elements and your warranty will be protected.

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.

OPENING SOON. IT’S WORTH THE WAIT.

Intimate, contemporary and situated just steps to the lake, AquaZul is a fresh new condominium that offers an affordable and exciting lifestyle on Grimsby’s multi-million dollar new waterfront. Here Homes by DeSantis offers a wonderful selection of SmartSuitesTM that feature spacious designs, magnificent floor to ceiling windows and fashionable appointments.

Resort-Inspired Amenities Outdoor Pool and Lounge • Exquisite 2 Storey Lobby and Mezzanine • Theater Room • Billiards Room Fabulous Club Room overlooking the pool and courtyard with breathtaking vistas of the lake

SmartSuiteTM units starting from the $200s

With direct access to the Grimsby Casablanca Station slated for completion 2021.

REGISTER NOW! AquaZulCondo.ca

Property Profile | BRANTHAVEN HOMES & BALLANTRY HOMES

cover story

Kitchen in a Branthaven home in Explore

Branthaven Homes & Ballantry Homes offer an adventurous lifestyle to Explore, with luxurious townhomes and semis in Hamilton BRANTHAVEN HOMES & BALLANTRY HOMES are pleased to announce an all-new, amenity-rich community nestled at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, opening for sale in early 2017. New-home buyers looking for a higher standard of living in this destination community in Hamilton will enjoy a naturally-better neighbourhood at every stage of life.

Located directly beside the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre, just off the King Street exit of the Red Hill Valley Parkway, this new home community is unlike any other, offering pathways to everything an active family is looking for. The plentiful natural attributes of the community are perfect for homebuyers looking to “discover living” within steps of their front door. From the existing Red Hill Valley Trails with links to the Bruce Trail and Conservation Lands, to breathtaking scenic vistas, renowned waterfalls, nearby golf 12 YPNEXTHOME.CA

courses and large-scale destination sports complexes, this community truly has something for everyone.

“The Explore community is perfect for everyone aspiring to live a quality, outdoor active lifestyle in a highly sought-after, but still affordable location,” says Mark Lawrence, sales and marketing manager for Ballantry Homes. “Explore is unlike any other new home community in the region.

It offers attainable new home living in an established community designed around a rare escarpment setting.”

Ballantry Homes’ townhome in Explore

Location

Hamilton Builders

Branthaven Homes & Ballantry Homes Development

Explore Home Type

Luxury townhomes and semis Contact

exploretowns.com So, if it’s exceptional affordability you are looking for, both Ballantry Homes and Branthaven Homes offer a range of townhome and semidetached options to suit your lifestyle and budget; Explore has plenty to choose from.

Branthaven Homes offers an award-winning lineup of new home designs, with classic-contemporary style on the outside and plenty of upgraded features at no extra cost on the inside – a Branthaven home

is a perennial favourite across the Hamilton and Stoney Creek regions.

“With prices starting from the $300’s, these are a great choice for first time and move-up buyers alike,” says Kristen Bellamy, marketing manager at Branthaven. “We are seeing a lot of people moving West from the GTA to communities like Explore for its extraordinary value.”

At Ballantry Homes, the company’s all-new collection of homes has plenty of naturally-better benefits, too! “We are finding many single and newly married young professionals are attracted to and investing in Hamilton. These well-designed homes are an attractive and affordable way to get into the housing market,” adds Lawrence.

Both Branthaven and Ballantry agree that the pre-registrants for Explore share the same excitement and anticipation for many built-in community features. “They value the

convenient location off the Red Hill Valley Parkway and ‘Linc’ Expressway, and the abundance of surrounding trails, parks, schools and shopping are a real bonus,” adds Bellamy.

Visit exploretowns.com to preregister and stay informed of opening dates and exclusive, limitedtime offers from both Branthaven and Ballantry.

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 13

Advice | MORTGAGE ADVICE

The 5 biggest mortgage mistakes to avoid

By Alyssa Furtado

MORE ADVICE ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/news/advice

NOW THAT YOU’VE decided to buy a home, there are numerous steps in the process you’ll have to follow.

When it comes to getting a mortgage, it could cost you in the long run if you make a mistake or two.

To help you save money and avoid potential problems down the road, here are some mistakes you should avoid:

1. Not knowing your credit score/rating Lenders love borrowers with a good credit rating. They’re often the ones who pay their bills on time, don’t use a large percentage of their available credit, and have different types of credit, such as a credit card, car loan, and line of credit. If you have good credit, you should be able to qualify for the best mortgage rates. But if you have bad credit, expect to get a mortgage with a higher interest rate. Not sure of what your rating is?

You can get your credit score from Equifax or TransUnion.

2. Not being pre-approved for a mortgage If you’ve been looking at properties for a while, you might suddenly find the perfect home. But it’s possible you won’t be able to afford the place. That’s why it’s best to get preapproved for a mortgage so you’ll know how much you can afford.

Many lenders will guarantee your pre-approved rate for a period of 14 YPNEXTHOME.CA

between 60 and 120 days. That’ll give you time to find a property in your price range.

3. Not shopping around a mortgage If you think you’ll get rewarded with the lowest rate from your financial institution because you’ve been a loyal customer for a number of years, think again. Your institution may not have the best rate while a rival across the street might have a lower rate.

You should do some comparison shopping on a site like RateHub.ca before getting a mortgage. You can also hire a mortgage broker who can do all the legwork at no cost to you.

4. Not making more payments No one really likes to carry a large mortgage. Typically, mortgage payments are made on a monthly basis but there are ways to pay it off faster by using accelerated biweekly payments. For example, if you have a $400,000 mortgage with a 25-year amortization and make monthly payments, your mortgage

won’t be paid off until 2041. We used RateHub’s mortgage payment calculator and found if you make accelerated payments, you’d pay off your mortgage nearly three years earlier and save about $15,000 in interest. Also, most lenders allow you to make lump-sum payments, which will let you pay your mortgage down faster and save you thousands of dollars in interest.

5. Not preparing for extra costs Buying a home can end up costing a lot more than you’d expect. First, there are closing costs, which include legal fees, title insurance and the land transfer tax. You might also need to reimburse the seller for the property taxes and utility bills they’ve already paid. These costs will add up to from anywhere between 1.5 and four per cent of the property’s purchase price.

Alyssa Furtado is the founder and CEO of ratehub.ca, a mortgage rate comparison site that aims to empower Canadians to make smart financial decisions.

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 STEPPING STONES

pre-registration ALCONA SHORES By: Bayview-Wellington Homes City: Innisfil Housing type: Luxury singles on 32-, 40- and 48-ft. lots myalcona.com

THE WEST By: Adi Developments Location: Burlington Housing type: Luxury boutique condos from the $190’s adidevelopments.com

ORIGIN By: Coletara Developments City: Milton Housing type: Multi-building midrise condo development coletara.com

PARADIGM By: Molinaro Group City: Burlington Housing type: Condo suites in midtown Burlington paradigmcondos.ca

CENTRAL PARK By: Losani Homes City: Hamilton Housing type: Towns from low $300’s, singles high $400’s mycentralpark.ca

THE GATSBY By: New Horizon City: Hamilton Housing type: Condos from the low $200’s gatsbycondos.ca

WOODWAY TRAILS By: Eastforest Homes City: Simcoe Housing type: Singles from $327,900 and semis from $224,900 eastforesthomes.com

By: Phelps Homes City: Smithville Housing type: Two-storey townhomes phelpshomes.com

SIMPLY GRAND By: Losani Homes City: Paris Housing type: Townhomes from from the $300’s simplygrandtowns.com

SUMMERLEA WOODS By: Empire Communities City: Binbrook Housing type: Townhomes from the mid $300’s and detached homes from the low $400’s summerleawoods.com

LIFE By: Branthaven Homes City: Winona Housing type: Townhomes from the $300’s branthaven.com

AFFINITY CONDOMINIUMS By: Rosehaven Homes Location: Aldershot, Burlington Housing type: Condos from the low $300’s affinitycondo.com

EXPLORE By: Branthaven Homes & Ballantry Homes City: Hamilton Housing type: Townhomes exploretowns.com

AQUAZUL By: Homes by DeSantis City: Grimsby Housing type: Waterfront condominiums aquazulcondo.ca

SAPPHIRE By: New Horizon City: Stoney Creek Housing type: Waterfront condominiums from $199,999

sapphirecondos.ca

THE BERKELEY CONDOMINIUMS

FALLINGWATERS

By: Carriage Gate Homes City: Burlington Housing type: 154-unit condo carriagegatehomes.com

By: Losani Homes City: Hamilton Mountain Housing type: Two- and threestorey 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

new openings THE PRESERVE By: Mattamy Homes City: Oakville Housing type: Executive condo townhomes from the mid $800’s mattamyhomes.com

THE KINGSWAY AT JORDAN VILLAGE By: Phelps Homes City: Smithville Housing type: Bungalow towns phelpshomes.com

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

LAKE HOUSE By: Branthaven Homes Location: Grimsby Housing type: Waterfront townhomes and condos lakehouselife.ca

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

CENTRE SQUARE By: Homes by DeSantis City: Beamsville Housing type: Boutique and freehold urban towns from the mid $200’s centresquare.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 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

BUILDERS

SITES

Ancaster

CARRIAGE GATE HOMES

Legacy Ancaster

Ancaster

LOSANI HOMES

Astoria Grand

Ancaster

LOSANI HOMES

Augusta

Ancaster

LOSANI HOMES

The Woodlands Ancaster

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Beamsville

LOSANI HOMES

Vista Ridge

Brantford

EMPIRE

Wyndfield

Burlington

ADVERTISERS ROSEHAVEN HOMES

PRICES

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from $900's

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2&3

Affinity Condominiums

Avalon

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from low $300's

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Caledonia

EMPIRE

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Greensville

THOMAS COCHREN HOMES The Greystones

Grimsby

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28&29

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HOMES BY DESANTIS

Aquazul

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11

Hamilton

BRANTHAVEN HOMES

Explore

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28&29

Hamilton

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Central Park

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from low $300's

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Fallingwaters

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Jordan

PHELPS HOMES

The Kingsway at Jordan Village

Niagara

BW HOMES

Passages on the Canal

St Catharines

MOUNTAINVIEW HOMES

Elements

Winona

BRANTHAVEN HOMES

Life

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from $1,400,000

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from mid $200's

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29&29

OAKVILLE, BURLINGTON, HAMILTON, ANCASTER, PARIS, BRANTFORD, STONEY CREEK, VINELAND, LINCOLN, THOROLD, FONTHILL, NIAGARA, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, FORT ERIE

LOCATION

Halton / Hamilton / Wentworth / Niagara:

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

17

Trending

Millennials adopt ‘YOLO’ philosophy despite steep home prices Goal setting: When you decide to buy a home, it is important to make a pros and cons list and weigh them based on their importance. If your goal is to own a home close to work, consider the sacrifices that may need to be made on other desirables such as your targeted neighborhood, or owning a car. Be sure to seek out professional financial advice as well. Talking to a mortgage specialist to get a preapproval can help you understand where you stand financially, and help you shop with confidence.

MILLENNIALS ARE APPLYING the “you

only live once” philosophy to their homebuying approach with nearly half of surveyed Millennials who commute (48 per cent) saying they are likely to spend more money on a home in order to live closer to work, compared to only 34 per cent of Canadians as a whole, according to a new survey from TD. Most Millennials are “sorrynotsorry” about compromising their housing hopes when it comes to purchasing a new home. For example, an overwhelming majority of those surveyed, 80 per cent, said that commute time is paramount when buying a home. With location driving their decision in increasingly expensive urban housing markets, Millennials, many of whom are first time homebuyers, may need to yield, proceed with caution and ensure they understand their complete financial picture.

“While living close to work has many benefits, purchasing a home in expensive urban cities can come at a price,” says Pat Giles, associate vicepresident, real estate secured lending at TD. “Finding your dream location means striking a balance among affordability, your non-negotiables and your financial future.”

A city’s magnet of social activities 18 YPNEXTHOME.CA

and entertainment make it a mecca for life-loving Millennials and they are stretching their dollars to shorten commute times. According to the survey, this younger generation is unlikely to: » Move into a smaller house than they initially desired (68 per cent) » Sacrifice amenities such as convenient access to shops and services (81 per cent) » Compromise on their top choice of neighborhood (80 per cent) » Give up a primary or secondary car (89 per cent) “Of course we want it all when it comes to finding our dream home,” says Giles. “But it’s important to know what trade-offs you’re willing to make based on what you can afford and where you are willing to live. If an urban location is paramount, then saving for a large down payment is important. If you can accept a longer commute time, you may actually be able to afford more ‘you only live once’ moments, like vacations, over time.”

In today’s competitive housing market, TD offers the following tips to help Millennials make the right financial decisions when finding their YOLOcation without mortgaging their financial future:

Affordability map: You no longer have to live in the urban core to enjoy the amenities of urban life. Grocery stores, entertainment, and recreational facilities are available in the suburbs, and in good quantity. While commuting a long distance to work each day may be less desirable to Millennials, sometimes going out of the city by 45 minutes to one hour – an average commute time for many Canadians, according to the TD survey – could mean long term savings on a home, and a stronger financial future.

Firm foundation: Take the time to build up a significant down payment.

With a down payment of at least 20 per cent, buyers can also save on mortgage insurance premiums upfront. Consider setting up a savings account to regularly put aside money, which will not only help you save for your ideal home, but will also help you prepare for other costs such as lawyer’s fees and moving costs.

First-time buyers should also consider contributing to an RSP and benefit from withdrawing up to $25,000 tax-free through the Canadian government’s Home Buyers’ Plan.

“Location drives real estate prices, but so do emotions,” says Giles. “Finding the right home on the right street in the right postal code is possible, especially when you get great advice to steer you in the right direction.”

A N C A ST E R

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 19

GUELPH

HWY 5

HWY 8

GREENSVILLE

HAMILTON

BROCK RD.

PETERS CORNERS

N HWY 6

DUNDAS

HWY 403

TORONTO

GRAND

OPENING SATURDAY, NOV 5 • 12:00 noon

Join us for the Grand Opening of Affinity, a 6-storey condominium designed with unrivalled quality and attention to detail. Two stunning contemporary buildings rise above the tree-lined streets in the rediscovered neighbourhood of Aldershot.

SALES CENTRE 348 PLAINS ROAD EAST BURLINGTON

QEW

Plains Rd E

300’s

Visit AFFINITYCONDO.COM

King Rd

N

Filmandale Rd

Waterdown Rd

403

From the low

SALES CENTRE

North Shore Blvd E LAKE ONTARIO

Specifications are subject to change. Renderings are artist’s concept.

Map is not to scale. E&O.E.

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 21

Property Profile | LOSANI HOMES

Losani Homes Celebrates opening of Central Park Hamilton presentation centre LOSANI HOMES was proud to recently hold a celebratory unveiling of its new Presentation Centre for Central Park Hamilton, the largest and most innovative master-planned community in the heart of booming East Hamilton.

The signature feature of the Presentation Centre is an eye-catching 12-by-12-ft. “LOVE” sign, inspired by the well-known Robert Indiana LOVE sign in New York City.

This illuminated sign cleverly incorporates both and “I” and an “O”, so it can be read as either “Love/Live” or “Live/Love.”

Inspired by New York City’s iconic Central Park, this transformational residential and commercial community features 15 acres of naturalized greenspace and park at its centre, along with a five-acre community pond, walking 22 YPNEXTHOME.CA

trails, lookouts and seating areas, adjacent to the protected Eramosa Karst Conservation Area.

“I have always been amazed by the foresight of Central Park in New York,” says Fred Losani, Losani Homes’ CEO. “To have the vision to create such a protected natural environment in the absolute centre of such urbanity was what we wanted to duplicate at Central Park Hamilton, and we have achieved this in every respect.”

Located on Rymal Road East in Stoney Creek, Central Park Hamilton

Location

Hamilton Mountain Builder

Losani Homes Development

Central Park Home Type

Modern freehold townhomes and detached homes on 33and 50-ft. lots Contact

mycentralpark.ca

is within walking distance to major retail, a Super Centre, SilverCity Cinema, shops, parks and established schools. The community is only minutes to golf clubs, downtown Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga and the Lincoln M. Alexander and Red Hill Valley Parkways, connecting to both Hwy. 403 and the QEW. Central Park Hamilton will feature four neighbourhoods, beginning with Park Avenue, between Highland Road West and Rymal Road East.

Park Avenue will feature freehold townhomes from the low $300’s, reminiscent of New York’s Greenwich Village, and well-appointed detached homes on 33- to 50-ft. lots from the high $400’s.

“We feel Central Park Hamilton offers incredible real estate value,” says Losani. “Beautiful designer homes located in a safe, warm and welcoming full-service community with prices a third of Toronto in a market poised to explode, is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Future neighbourhoods will include Madison, with a collection of twoand three-storey urban towns, Soho, with midrise condos and clubhousestyle amenities, and Midtown, offering a combination of midrise condos and urban towns.

Central Park in Hamilton will also be a complete access community that will offer barrier-free living for those that require it. “We are committed to working one on one with each home purchaser with special needs to ensure that the home meets all their accessibility requirements,” says Losani. The development will include many kilometres of trails leading to the nearby Bruce Trail. The trail will be modified to accommodate wheelchairs, as well as baby strollers and those belonging to bike clubs.

Designed by Orchard Design Studios, with landscaping by Adesso Design, Central Park Hamilton is being developed by Losani Homes, named one of Canada’s “Best Managed Companies” every year since 2007 by The National Post and Queen’s School of Business, and winner of the Consumer Choice Award for the past five years for Service, Value and Quality.

VIP sales start late October. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a Central Park VIP. Register now at mycentralpark.ca

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 23

Don’t miss our pre construction pricing!

Uncork New Memories in Jordan

Bungalow Towns

Now Selling!

31 Gateway Ave. Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-945-6978 Phelpshomes.com 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

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

By: Tillsonburg Developments City: Tillsonburg Housing type: Single-detached freehold bungalows from $244,500. baldwinplace.ca

WILDFLOWERS

VICTORIA COMMON

By: Mattamy Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Townhomes and 30and 36-ft. detached homes. mattamyhomes.com

By: Losani Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Final release of modern townhomes from the $300’s losanihomes.com

ISHERWOOD AVENUE CONDOS

ROSEMOUNT SEMIS

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

new openings

WESTWOOD MEWS

THE ENCLAVES OF UPPER CANADA

By: CountryGreen Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Urban townhomes up to 1,365 sq. ft. countrygreenhomes.com

By: Menkes City: Georgetown Housing type: New release of 40-ft. lots from the low $800’s menkes.ca

By: CountryGreen Homes City: Kitchener Housing type: Semi-detached homes in the heart of Kitchener from $349,900 countrygreenhomes.com

CLAIRITY By: Reid’s Heritage Homes City: Guelph Housing type: One- and two-bedroom condominiums from the mid $200’s reidsheritagehomes.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

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 27

28

Elmira

ypnexthome.ca Plattsville

Stratford

Baden

Breslau

Acton

STRATFORD, WOODSTOCK, INGERSOLL, TILLSONBURG, ST. THOMAS, STRATHROY, MILTON, GEORGETOWN, ROCKWOOD, GUELPH, FERGUS, ELORA, ALMA, CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, WATERLOO, AYR

London / Halton Hills / Wellington / Waterloo:

SEARCH ONLINE Toronto

SITES

PRICES

PAGE

Cambridge

MATTAMY HOMES

River Mill

Guelph

REID'S HERITAGE HOMES

Clarity 2

Ilderton

SIFTON

Timberwalk

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Innisfil

BW HOMES

Alcona Shores

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Kitchener

LOSANI HOMES

Victoria Common

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Milton

MATTAMY HOMES

Hawthorne South Village

•

North London

SIFTON

Ballymote Woods

Paris

LOSANI HOMES

Simply Grand Towns

Port Elgin

REID'S HERITAGE HOMES

Summerside

South London

SIFTON

Andover Trail

South London

SIFTON

Westwood Village

Tillsonburg

TILLSONBURG DEV.

Baldwin Place

West London

SIFTON

Evergreen at Warbler Woods

West London

SIFTON

Riverbend Golf Community

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West London

SIFTON

Warbler Woods

•

Woodstock

SENATOR HOMES

Havelock Corners

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47

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from mid $300's

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from mid $300's

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from mid $300's

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from mid $300's

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STRATFORD, WOODSTOCK, INGERSOLL, TILLSONBURG, ST. THOMAS, STRATHROY, MILTON, GEORGETOWN, ROCKWOOD, GUELPH, FERGUS, ELORA, ALMA, CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, WATERLOO, AYR

BUILDERS

London / Halton Hills / Wellington / Waterloo:

LOCATION

D et .

Se m Bu i ng a To low w C nh on om Ad do e ul tL ife st yle

ADVERTISER'S MAPPING INDEX

29

Townhomes in Port Elgin 2-3 Bedrooms from the $240s

The Clearwater Interior Unit

• 1,377 sq ft

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

BASEMENT

MAIN FLOOR

STANDARD SECOND FLOOR (Second Floor Options Available)

ReidsHeritageHomes.com

NEW BLOCK UNDER CONSTRUCTION

LAKE HURON

SALES CENTRE & MODEL HOME 409 Joseph Street, Unit 63, Port Elgin Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 12 – 5 pm

C. 519.385.0044 P. 519.389.4848 jkrysko@heritagehomes.com

Prices and specifications subject to change. Renderings are artist’s concept. See sales consultant for more details. E. & O.E. October 2016.

Qualified Homes

Trending

Habitat for Humanity Canada to undertake biggest build project ever Habitat’s 34th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project to build 150 homes over six days in 2017 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Canada

has marked World Habitat Day – by announcing that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn will be in Canada for Habitat for Humanity’s 34th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in July, 2017 to help build 150 homes for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

This will be Habitat Canada’s biggest build project ever and will take place in every province and territory across the country with President and Mrs. Carter focusing their efforts in Edmonton and Winnipeg.

“It is an honour to host President and Mrs. Carter. We are grateful for their support and the many volunteers whose commitment to Habitat’s mission has helped us empower communities through affordable home ownership,” says Mark Rodgers, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “These are homes that provide families with the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life.”

Habitat Canada has a long history of creating affordable housing opportunities. One in seven households, including 735,000 children, do not have a decent and affordable place to call “home” in Canada. Every day thousands of families are forced to decide between paying rent or putting food on the table. Habitat’s model of affordable home ownership helps to change that.

People living in Habitat homes not only help to build their own houses, they also pay affordable mortgages.

Habitat for Humanity’s innovative approach helps working families on 32 YPNEXTHOME.CA

MORE TRENDING ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/news

a new path to better, affordable living conditions that lead to improved health and stronger childhood development. Access to affordable home ownership can help decrease a family’s reliance on food banks and allow them to move out of social housing which frees up space for those on waiting lists.

Everyone in Canada has the right to a safe, affordable and decent place to live in and yet so many families do not have that. By supporting the Carter Work Project, Canadians can help build a more caring nation through volunteering – where neighbours help neighbours build homes that provide a safe and affordable foundation for a better life.

Since 1984, President and Mrs. Carter have traveled around the world with Habitat, to build and improve homes. Their time and effort helps to raise awareness of the critical need for affordable home ownership around the world. Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside nearly 100,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair more than 4,000 homes.

Participating affiliates are now working on identifying and procuring build sites as part of the Carter Work Project.

To learn how you can become a part of the 34th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, visit habitat.ca/cwp. Information on future build sites will be updated as it becomes available in 2017.

BALDWIN PLACE TILLSONBURG

HOME SWEET HOME But Hurry!

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 $269,500 (incl.hst)

3 ESSELTINE DRIVE, TILLSONBURG

Call us now at 1-800-265-5709

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.

baldwinplace.ca

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 33

Homes built for life.

Sunday will always be special.

Bring little ones and parents together to celebrate family in a home built by Sifton. From open concept designs, to solid construction and high-end finishes, Sifton concentrates on craftsmanship, so you can concentrate on life.

Energy StarÂŽ Homes. Private DĂŠcor Centre.

Building in 8 Great Communities.

519.850.0756 Sifton.com

OUR MOST AWARDED COMMUNITY NOW OFFERS NEW CONDO TOWNS

Mattamy Model Home

DISCOVER THE BEST OF MILTON UNDER THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT Discover the modern appeal of our new Condo Townhomes in Hawthorne South Village. Explore our thoughtfully designed plans created to maximize your usable space. Hawthorne

MILTON

South Village offers all the attractions of convenience and

SALES CENTRE 10180 Derry Road

Condo Townhomes

From The Low $400’s

community in contemporary master-planned living. For your best selection visit our Sales Centre today.

‘COLONIAL’

VILLAGE HOME, THE NETHERBY ‘COLONIAL’ 1,415 SQ.FT. ‘CRAFTSMAN’

2-STOREY TOWNHOME, THE KINGSBRIDGE ‘CRAFTSMAN’ 1,541 SQ.FT.

SALES CENTRE HOURS

Monday - Thursday 1 pm-8 pm; Friday 1 pm-6 pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 11 am-6 pm

All illustrations are artist’s concept. All dimensions are approximate. Prices, specifications, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. E.&O.E.

Proud Partner of the Canadian National Track Cycling Team

Inspiration

Framing alternatives for your artwork

By Jackie Marchildon

ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, I came

up with the bright idea to pick up something for my walls every time I traveled. Great idea, right? Art would cover my walls with travel memories and it would make for interesting decor. What I didn’t think about was how hard it would be to bring artwork home on a plane or while roadtripping. Needless to say, my idea was shut down pretty quickly. But, I remained confident that I would one day start doing this.

So, when I went to Chicago a couple years ago, I picked up a beautiful print that I hoped to hang above my fireplace. It’s an unconventional size but I opted against buying the frame with the print since we were driving back… what a mistake that was. Custom framing for this piece was priced at more than double the cost of the actual print and its unique size made it difficult to find anything else. Luckily, I discovered some great framing alternatives that don’t break the bank and that are also useful if you’re just looking for a new way to hang things on your wall.

Use an easel Granted this look isn’t for everyone because the easel will take up some space, but it adds personality to any room it’s in, and can help bring together the overall look and feel of a room, too. Different easels work for different rooms, but generally speaking there is something for everyone.

Use clips This can definitely feel reminiscent of a dorm room if you don’t choose the appropriate clip or suspending 36 YPNEXTHOME.CA

MORE INSPIRATION ONLINE nexthome.yp.ca/news/inspiration

material, but there are ways to make this classy, easy and unique. This works for prints, photos and even children’s artwork. You can hang clips simply with wire on a nice background or you can make a sort of frame-clipboard out of wood and take advantage of being able to change the photos you hang. You can also use an iron rod, string or even branches as the base for your clips and customize the look you want.

around that you can’t bring yourself to throw out, but that is collecting dust in storage, this is the perfect solution.

You can utilize the clips mentioned above and hang a print within the frame on the wall. Antique stores will often have old windowpanes for sale and they create a great vintage look when placed over a photo. Plus, they are normally quite big so they work well for large scale photos you might want to display in a unique fashion.

Recycle an old frame or windowpane If you have a vintage frame lying

Jackie Marchildon is a freelance writer in Toronto.

Property Profile | SENATOR HOMES

Senator Homes’ Havelock Corners Phase IV release coming in spring 2017 WITHOUT A DOUBT, Havelock Corners

has quickly become one of the most desired new neighbourhoods in Southwestern Ontario. In just one month, 90 per cent of Phase III – the Parkside Collection – has sold.

There are only 10 remaining homes available.

Following the success of Phases I, II and III at Havelock Corners, Senator Homes is thrilled to announce that Phase IV will see a spring 2017 release. These new homes, starting in the $300,000s, will offer something for every family. A delightful 38 YPNEXTHOME.CA

collection of townhomes, and single-detached homes on 30-, 36-, 42- and 50-ft. lots, plus an exclusive collection of executive homes on 60-ft. lots with three-car garages will again make Havelock Corners a special destination.

Senator Homes has helped turn heads with homes featuring all-brick, and all-brick with stone exteriors – all either at front, back or steps away from parkland and conservation lands: there’s no need to rush to the cottage for the weekend when you own one of these spectacular homes.

Since its inception, Havelock Corners has been the talk of the town, thanks to Senator Homes’ modern twist on classic home designs for all who visit this neighbourhood.

In fact, with more than 40 years of building excellence, Senator Homes has a flair for innovative design, countless industry awards plus a solid reputation as a family builder.

Ann Parsons, regional sales manager for Senator Homes, is proud of how this new neighbourhood has quickly become a community staple. Adjacent to the lush Pittock

Location

Woodstock Builder

Senator Homes Development

Havelock Corners Home Type

Phase IV townhomes, singledetached bungalows and two-storeys on 30- to 60-ft. lots.

Sales Centre

251 Pittock Park Rd. (at Oxford Road 17), open by appointment only Contact

519.539.5010 havelockcorners@senatorhomes.com

Conservation Area, and overlooking the winding Thames River, Havelock Corners is rich in character and distinctive charm.

It’s where homes designed in classic Olde Ontario-style architecture fit perfectly within a town that is steeped in history.

On the inside, new homes at Havelock Corners include a gas fireplace, hardwood on the main floor and oak staircase. Outside, the Havelock Corners community parkland provides endless outdoor fun. There are two playgrounds and junior park areas for young children, which will be accompanied by two skating rinks for winter adventures, a half-court basketball court, zip line plus community gazebo backing onto the conservation area.

Senator Homes is the largest homebuilder in Woodstock. Each of its new homes at Havelock Corners provides you with a spacious backyard.

Senator Homes offers a sales centre and furnished models for your viewing pleasure. In addition, the Senator Homes Decor Centre is your one-stop shop for everything you need to finish your new home.

Havelock Corners is surrounded by Mother Nature’s best offerings. Pittock Conservation Area is a 2,000-acre playground offering hiking, camping, boating, swimming, picnicking, mountain biking, birding and much more. In addition, Havelock Corners is a golf course community, with 13 golf courses in Oxford County, including Oxford Golf and Country Club/Craigowan, Woodstock Meadows and Sally Creek Golf Club, just minutes from your front door.

As well, the beauty of living in Woodstock is enjoying the best of both worlds: small-town friendliness with nearby rural enjoyment, coupled with every modern amenity. There are endless shopping and dining opportunities in this growing city, which boasts the easiest access to Hwys. 401 and 403 among any Southwestern Ontario community – travel to Toronto or Niagara with ease.

Register now for Senator Homes’ VIP event at Havelock Corners Phase IV, and find your new home today. Register at senatorhomes.com OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 39

City Focus | KITCHENER-WATERLOO

History, culture and prosperity abound in

KITCHENER-WATERLOO

By Wayne Karl

KITCHENER-WATERLOO may have once been best known as the home of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, meat processor Schneider Foods and the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers. But while rich in German heritage and other culture, the town of about 220,000 has more recently gained a reputation more for high technology and education than pork sausage and beer-inspired oompahs.

This vibrant community located in the Region of Waterloo in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, helps form the three point-towns that make up “Canada’s Technology Triangle.”

Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge today comprise one of Canada’s most diverse economies, evolving from a reliance on manufacturing into a balanced economy that crosses many sectors. Today, the area boasts a thriving advanced technology sector and a highly skilled workforce in the IT, automotive, business and financial services sectors.

Complementing these strengths is a naturally advantageous location off Hwy. 401, close to major Canadian cities Toronto and Hamilton, as well as to entry points to the U.S. at 40 YPNEXTHOME.CA

Michigan and New York.

All of this has the region poised for long-term economic health.

Employment and population growth, two key factors in housing demand, are both doing well in the area, though they are not without their challenges in the short term.

Residential construction is experiencing a shift in the new home market, from single-detached homes to condos, and demographic changes will support this continuing trend, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

In terms of population, net migration accounts for more than 50 per cent of the growth, CMHC says, and is expected to average more than 3,000 annually. The city, in fact, is second only to Toronto in attracting immigrants, with almost all of them under the age of 45. In addition, the 2011 Census showed population in the Triangle grew 5.7 per cent to 477,160 in 2011 from 451,235 in 2006.

In addition to growth in high tech, the region has also seen expansion in the educational sectors in recent years. A new health sciences campus of the University of Waterloo, located in downtown Kitchener,

has inspired social and economic spin-off benefits. Redevelopment of the downtown block includes new condo, retail and hotel projects and other improvements.

Transit expansion, an important element for any growing city, has also been a focal point for KW. This facilitates transportation not just within the city but also eases commuter traffic to Hamilton, Oakville, Mississauga and Toronto.

GO Transit is also expanding to the area, with extended bus and train services.

As for entertainment, Kitchener has a lot more going for it than just Oktoberfest. From Bingemans camping resort and family playground, to Chicopee Ski Club, to the Children’s Museum, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and the Farmers’ Market, there is always plenty to see and do in town.

And, of course, there are the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, a fixture in town since 1963. Playing out of the storied Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, the Rangers are especially noteworthy because they are a publicly-owned team, operated by a 40-member board of directors

comprising season ticket holders.

This a rarity in sports today, and speaks to the level of community spirit and involvement in Kitchener.

What does all this mean for prospective homebuying in Kitchener-Waterloo? For one thing, KW-Cambridge is ranked as the number two investment area in Ontario through to 2018, according to the Real Estate Investment Network. In addition to the strong economy, a commitment to infrastructure improvements and transportation projects will help drive the economy and real estate market in this area, the group says.

Builders seem to agree, as all of Mattamy Homes, Losani Homes and Mountainview Homes all have developments underway in Kitchener.

The area is proving to be a top performing market in Ontario. The latest House Price Survey from Royal LePage, for instance, confirms the housing market is being boosted by employment growth in the

technology sector.

The survey shows healthy price growth across all housing types surveyed in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. During the third quarter of 2016, condominiums saw a significant 7.8-per-cent increase yearover-year to $234,436, bungalows appreciated 6.1 per cent to $341,857, and two-storey homes rose 10 per cent to $392,169.

Despite the growth, Kitchener remains proud of its German ancestry, harking back to its founding in 1854 as the Town of Berlin. Today, about 25 per cent of residents are Canadians of German descent.

Oktoberfest still serves as an annual celebration of this heritage. The nine-day event, based on the original German Oktoberfest in Munich, is the largest Bavarian festival in the world outside of Germany, and runs every October from the Friday before Thanksgiving to the Saturday after.

All told, it sounds like a recipe for continued prosperity – and “ein prosit!”

Neighbourhood Profile Waterloo Park In the formerly industrial shadow of Uptown Waterloo, there’s a bit of a renaissance going on. There’s more to Waterloo Park than the greenspace itself, however. Everyone’s on the move here, whether running or hiking, stopping to smell the roses and feed the goats, or heading to the Uptown core for some live music after dark.

Vibe Innovative, energetic and idyllic, Waterloo Park feels like a community of the future.

There’s a lot to love, from the repurposing of former industrial buildings and brownfields into smart and sustainable condo projects, to the intersection between academia, government and business success.

Meet the Neighbours It’s a smart and generally upscale crowd, with the exception of the students. While there’s a lot of family activity in the area, this neighbourhood probably holds more appeal for single professionals who prefer to live, shop and eat out close to work.

Academics and business types from all over the world have settled here.

In The Area The vast Waterloo Park contains the Lions Lagoon splash pad, the Eby Farm Zoo, playing fields, baseball diamonds, a tennis bubble and courts, Victorian gardens, walking trails, the Park Inn concession and grill, and picnic and event areas. In addition to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, there are three public elementary schools in the immediate area, with several private, separate, and secondary schools just a few blocks away.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles Waterloo Park is a highly walkable neighbourhood, and the city has posted signs throughout advising residents and visitors of the best routes for pedestrians.

Cycling is a popular means of getting around, either for pleasure or commuting.

City buses serve the area extensively, while for out-of-town commutes, there’s easy access to Hwys. 7 and 85, and Hwy. 8 takes you right to the 401.

Real Estate Waterloo Park offers a pretty broad range of housing prices, from the inexpensive to the luxurious, and neighbourhood businesses also reflect this reality.

– Anne Marshall

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 41

OCTOBER 2016

Model Home Photo Compliments of Eastforest Homes | www.eastforesthomes.com

The Magnolia, 2047 sq. ft, Highland Ridge, Cambridge. With over 8000 homes built throughout Southwestern Ontario and a wide variety of choice from condos, towns, semis, single detached homes to luxury custom homes, Eastforest Homes stands for quality, value and innovation.

Eastforest Homes has been featured as “Model HOME Of The Month� as seen in the New Home & Condo Guide model home calendar

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3.49

3.69

3.79

3.14 3.35

3.25 3.5

3.95 3.7

4.39 4.3

4.74 4.35

2.69 3.14 6.30op 3.29 6.50op

2.14 3.09

2.34 3.39

2.59 3.89

2.49 2.45

3.09

3.39

3.89

4.49

2.79

2.69

2.49

2.69

2.48

2.84 6.30op 2.29 2.89

2.89

2.95

2.99

2.89

2.24 2.79

2.39 2.89

2.49 2.95

2.59 2.89

3.14

3.09

3.39

3.89

4.74

3.25 6.25op 2.84 6.30op 2.99 6.30op 2.8 2.95op 2.39

3.2

3.65

4

4.5

2.79

2.64

3.89

2.44

2.69

3.49

3.99

4.54

2.85

2.95

3.05

3.15

2.39

2.39

2.49

2.49

6.95op 4.55 6.45op 4 6.30op 6.95op

Equitable Bank HSBC Bank Canada

2.79

ICICI Bank Canada Manulife Bank

2.75 2.6

National Bank President’s Choice Finan Royal Bank TD Canada Trust Tangerine

n/a 6.70op 2.7 2.6 6.75op 2.6

4.45 6.20op 4.45 4.4 6.70op

3.14 6.75op

2.7

TRUST COMPANIES Community Trust Effort Trust Home Trust Investors Group Trust MTCC

n/a n/a 6.30op 2.25 n/a 2.9

6.5 4.45 6.30op 3.95 4.2 6.50op 4.55 6.45op

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Alterna Savings Comtech Fire C.U. First National Fin. LP IC Savings London Life Luminus Financial Meridian Credit Union

2.45 6.30op 2.45

2.7 6.50op n/a 6.50op 3.25 2.4

PACE Savings & C.U.

4 6.30op 6.2 6.40op 3.1 4.25 6.50op 4.2 6.30op

4 5 6.70op

Parama Credit Union

2.65

Steinbach Credit Union

2.25

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 October 6, 2016. Prepared By http://www.FiscalAgents.com/mortgage/rates

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 43

Ad Index

ADVERTISERS

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5

Phelps Homes - The Kingsway

26

Reid’s Heritage Homes - Clairity 2

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Branthaven Homes - Corporate

Carriage Gate Homes - Legacy Ancaster

Empire Communities - Multi-Site

Homes by DeSantis - AquaZul

Losani Homes - Central Park

24 & 25

19

2&3

11

7

Reid’s Heritage Homes - Summerside

9

30 & 31

Rosehaven Homes - Affinity Condominiums

21

Senator Homes - Havelock Corners

37

Sifton Properties - Corporate

34

Mattamy Homes - Hawthorne South Village

35

Thomas Cochren Homes - The Greystones

20

Mattamy Homes - River Mill

47

Tillsonburg Developments - Baldwin Place

33

44 YPNEXTHOME.CA

Advice | FUNDAMENTALLY SPEAKING

What type of home should you buy?

By Wayne Karl

MORE ADVICE ONLINE ypnexthome.ca/news/advice

WHAT TYPE OF HOME should you

buy? This question used to be a lot easier to answer. First-time buyers would often prefer a townhome or semi. Downsizers might also like something smaller, such as a condo.

Move-up buyers quite likely would go for their “forever” home.

The answer has always depended on buyers’ situations and preferences – everything from the amount of down payment to where you work to whether you have kids.

But increasingly, people’s decisions are being influenced by factors beyond personal choice.

Government policy and the impact on prices is shaping the housing landscape like never before. Of course, most of us would love a large house on an expansive property on a quiet cul-de-sac in the best neighbourhood. But that’s looking less and less likely – at least as a first choice – for many buyers.

All of this puts increasing focus on buyers’ decision-making.

Where do you want to live?

This question is becoming more important, influenced primarily by where you work, how much of a commute you want and what your transportation options are.

Indeed, proximity to mass transit is something more and more people

are looking for in their new home location. It may not be as simple as choosing to live in the city, suburbs or small town.

What type of home do you want?

Single-family detached, semidetached, townhome or duplex?

While you may have a strong preference for one or the other, your realistic options might be determined by a combination of where you want to live, and, most importantly, how much you can afford. It may not be as simple as selecting the type of home you were really hoping for.

How much can you afford?

Experts agree it is never a good idea to make yourself house-poor, and it is a very common mistake, particularly of first-time buyers, to buy more home than you can really afford. Meeting with a mortgage broker or your banker will help determine your full financial picture,

assessing everything from your credit rating to how much you have saved for a down payment.

And with tougher mortgage rules recently taking effect, buyers should “stress-test” their plans – seeing how well you could cope with higher mortgage payments brought on by rising interest rates.

Some many questions, so many choices. The good news is, home builders today are in sync with customer preferences for location and amenities, and with market realities with regard to pricing and needs for energy efficiency, so your options for new-home product have never been better.

Wayne Karl is an award-winning writer and editor with experience in real estate and business. In Fundamentally Speaking, Wayne explores the basics – such as economic fundamentals – 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

OCT 22 - NOV 5, 2016 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 45

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