The GVHBA Presents the 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes for Greater Vancouver 2009 - June 14th from 10am - 4pm

The 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes 2009 – Greater Vancouver Reno Projects to Admire

Brought to you by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, or GVHBA, the 16th Annual Parade or Renovated Vancouver Homes 2009 is inviting the public to tour seventeen professionally renovated homes throughout the Lower Mainland. These prestigious properties featured at the Greater Vancouver Parade or Renovated Homes 2009 will take place in Vancouver, Surrey, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Mission, Delta, Coquitlam and Burnaby. The actual date of the prestigious 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes Vancouver 2009 will be on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 between 10am to 4pm, so make sure you don’t miss out on this amazing event. With the most participating homes in it’s 16 year history, the Spring Parade of Renovated Vancouver Homes 2009 will present leading edge design, advanced construction and craftsmanship in addition to innovative building products not seen in any other development or redesign of homes in the Greater Vancouver area. The awesome 16th Annual parade or Vancouver Renovated Homes 2009 will provide renovation projects showcases between the price tags of $70,000 to more than $700,000 closing in on $1M per project, which makes for a great taste of what is possible at various reno price points. With BC homeowners set to spend a record $7 billion in 2009 on their home renovation projects this year, the 16th Annual Vancouver Parade or Renovated Homes 2009 will provide a lot of information on new products, new styles, up and coming custom renovations and what’s hot and what’s not in 2009 and beyond. Admission for the Parade of Renovated Vancouver Homes 2009 is only $10 per person and children can view for free. The passport is valid at all featured seventeen Greater Vancouver renovated homes on tour and you can view details about each property online at the Greater Vancouver Home Buidlers’ Association website located online at www.gvhba.org anytime. Professionally renovated homes will be open to the public on June 14th, so don’t miss the 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes 2009 in Vancouver.

2009 Vancouver Parade of Renovated Homes Features North Delta Home Renovation

8761 Delwood Drive, North Delta – North on River Road, and turn right on Delwood Drive. For this thirty year old, two storey home in North Delta, BC, an extensive makeover produces a stunning new look. It is now a contemporary West Coast home, transformed from the dated and worn condition prior to its renovation. Featured at the 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes Vancouver 2009, the North Delta home renovation is brought to you by Canadian Renovations Inc at www.canadianrenovations.com.

Annual Parade of Vancouver Renovated Homes 2009 Presents Surrey Home Renovation

The 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes 2009 features 13224 Coulthard Road, Surrey real estate (from Scott Road, turn east on 58 Ave, turn right at 128th Street, Turn left at 56 Ave, turn right at Couthard Road). This 1970s Panorama Ridge Surrey home renovation received a complete main floor makeover. A gorgeous sunroom addition creates a fabulous kitchen/great room/ outdoor entertainment space which is anchored by a large island and flooded with natural light. View this awesome Surrey home renovation at the 2009 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes 2009 with renovations completed by My House Design and Build Team Ltd. at www.myhousedesignbuild.com.

Coquitlam Home Reno Featured at the GVHBA Annual Parade

2960 Mara Drive, Coquitlam home renovation which was completely renovated inside and out, was featured on the cover of Home Makeover magazine in February 2009 as a finalist for a Georgie Award for best renovation under $500,000. An entire third floor was added for all bedrooms and the master suite, allowing for the main floor to be reconfigured with a new open floor plan family and dining area. View this amazing 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes Vancouver 2009 Coquitlam home renovation by My House Design / Build Team Ltd. at www.myhousedesignbuild.com.

861 Kelvin Street, Coquitlam Spring Parade of Renovated Homes Featured

From Lougheed, go north on North Road and then take a right on Clark Road and from there, turn right onto Como Lake Avenue and then left on Blue Mountain Street and right on Kelvin Street to visit this featured Spring Parade Coquitlam home reno project. All about celebrating family, friends, food and fun, this national award winning renovation is pure West Coast. The existing kitchen, living and dining room were combined into a single social and entertainment space in this prestigious Coquitlam home renovation project. Featured at the 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Vancouver Homes, the reno itself was performed by revision Custom Home Renovation Inc. at www.revisionrenovations.com.

1421 King Albert Avenue Coquitlam Renovation Project at 2009 Parade by GVHBA

From Austin Avenue, turn north onto Schoolhouse street, turn left on King Albert Avenue and you will reach this featured 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes 2009. This Coquitlam home renovation began as a straightforward entry floor replacement, but soon turned into a whole house renovation, as many turn out to be. The kitchen, which had not been changed since the 1980s and in desprate need of an update, was completely gutted and reconfigured, and now showcases a stunning contrast of white cabinetry and black countertops for that gourmet kitchen feel and experience. Find out more by attending the GVHBA Parade or Renovated Homes to view this Birch Creek Renovations or visit www.birchcreekrenos.ca.

34879 Dewdney Trunk Road Mission Renovation Project

From Lougheed, turn north onto Dewdney Trunk Road and turn left and stay on Dewdney Trunk Road. The original 1,000 square foot rancher home in Mission is now a gorgeous 3,100 square foot home. New perimeter drains, sewer and gas connections, and underground hydro and cable connections were installed during this massive Mission home renovation project. The completely re-designed home now features a two sided gas fire unit in the great room and master bedroom and much more. View this GVHBA selected home renovation at the 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes in Vancouver by Awesome Developments Inc. or www.AwesomeDevelopments.com.

3730 Fromme Road, North Vancouver Home Reno Catches Eye of GVHBA

From Mountain Highway, turn west on Weillington Drive and turn right at Fromme Road. The kitchen in the family home was closed in, isolating the at home chef from all other people and activities in this North Vancouver home. A flush engineered beam was installed into the attic allowing the removal of the load bearing wall. The removal of the wall provies the chef with the ability to socialize with family and friends in this luxury North Vancouver home renovation featured at the 16th Annual GVHBA Renovation of Homes Parade 2009 by RJR Construction Management Ltd or visit www.rjrrenovator.com. There are also two other North Vancouver homes for viewing during the GVHBA 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes Vancouver 2009 that include 5311 Malaspina Place by JBK Construction Ltd. as well as 1224 West 22nd Street by CCI Renovations at www.ccirenos.com.

Vancouver Home Renos Make the Grade for the 2009 Spring Parade

There are a host of Vancouver home renovations that have been recognized by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association for their 2009 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes and the addresses for these awesome reno projects include: 3015 Discovery Street, 2834 West 6th Avenue, 4855 Puget Drive, 1784 East 13th Avenue, 1734-1738 East 1 Avenue, and 3190 East 7th Ave. The Vancouver renovation teams include RJR Construction Management Ltd., Kerr Construction (www.kerrconstruction.ca), Quinton Construction Ltd. (www.quintonconstruction.com), Briar Design & Construction Ltd. (www.BriarRenos.com), Intermind Design Inc. (www.interminddesign.com) and T.Q. Construction Ltd. (www.tqconstruction.ca).

3995 Dundas Street Burnaby Renovated Home for Viewing

From Hastings Street, turn north on MacDonald Avenue and turn left on Dundas Street and you will get to the featured 16th Vancouver Annual Parade of Renovated Homes 2009. In 2003, the home owners worked with the renovator to complete an upper storey and front entry exterior renovation. This year, they wanted a main floor Burnaby home renovation with a focus on the kitchen. See what the home renovators have come up with by visiting them during the Spring Parade GVHBA of Renovated Burnaby Homes. Renovation by T.Q. Construction Ltd.

811 York Street, New Westminster

From Canada Way eastbound, turn left onto 8th Avenue and then left on York Street, New West. A desire to maximize daylight and seamlessly unite old and new has transformed this 1950s rancher style New Westminster home into a modern oasis. While maintaining sensitivity to the existing context, the New West renovated house fuses innovative uses of modern and standardized materials to complement the existing home. By Basil Restoration Ltd or visit www.basilrestorationltd.ca.

Home Renos and Upgrades Through Sears Custom Kitchens & Renovations, Custom Window Coverings and Global Exteriors KasselWood Steel Roofs

Take advantage of the new Canada Home Renovation Tax Credit by using the following services and companies for home renovation projects and upgrades to your suites.

Sears Custom Kitchens and Renovations

From refacing cabinets to complete kitchen and bathroom renovations, go with a name you can trust. Flexible financing options to suit every need by Sears custom kitchens and renovation project. The Sears designers and Sears contractors take care of the demolition, construction and installation of kitchen cabinetry and other customization and renovation projects around your home. Visit the Sears on Robson Street kitchen and bath showroom or call now to discuss your home project and arrange an appointment. Until August 16th, Sears will pay the GST on your kitchen or bathroom renovation! Here are the 4 rules of the custom kitchen and renovations community at Sears. Visualize – your dream kitchen or bathroom show us your picture at Sears! Prepare – review contemporary, modern or traditional styles and materials to meet your needs! Design – Sears Kitchen & Interior Designers will provide you with a complete design! Acquire – Take advantage of the Sears “No GST” offer and they will manage your entire home reno project, from Day 1 through to completion. Products and services from the company you can trust. Sears on Robson at 701 Granville Street, Vancouver BC or 604.685.7112. You can also contact the Sears Kitchen, Bathroom and Renovations Staff at 1.800.4-MY.HOME or 1.800.469.4663.

Custom Window Coverings by The Bay

The Bay Custom Interiors offers a complimentary in home serice that allows you to view the selections available in the comfort of your own home. Matching and enhancing present décor is easy when the Bay Custom Interiors store comes to you. From shades to shadings to blinds of all kinds, Hunter Douglas products are truly the place where great rooms begin. You get all the benefits of dealing with The Bay Custom Interiors Custom Window Coverings staff, a company that’s been here for you since 1670. Free installation of all Hunter Douglas blinds and shades by the Bay Custom Interiors store. Place any new order over $1000.00 for any Hunter Douglas products including: Alouette, Duette, Luminette, Pirouette and Silhoutte. Place any new order and pay no additional charge for the unit installation by the professional staff at The Bay Custom Interior Store. Trip charges apply. Offer expires November 30, 2008. No Charge on Duette Honeycomb Shades, Child Safety LiteRise and Operating System when you place any new order with The Bay Custom Window Coverings, Custom Interior Store for Duette Honeycomb Shades and receive the cordless LiteRise operating system, where available, at no additional charge. A $58 to $136 value. Offer also expires November 30, 208. Earn valuable HBC Rewards points with each purchase. The Bay Custom Interiors division accepts payment by HBC Rewards card as well as all major credit cards. Call to arrange your complimentary in home consultation by calling 604.257.0100 (Vancouver), 250.480.4972 (Victoria), 250.707.1639 (Kelowna) or toll free 1.800.818.7779.

Global Exteriors Inc introduces the KasselWood Steel Roofs

Never Re-Roof Again! This is according to the marketing ad by the KasselWood roofing that has the beauty of wood but the strength of steel. The affordable KasselWood steel roofs by Global Exteriors Inc. is for your future peace of mind and respond immediately to receive up to $1500 off. If you’re thinking of re-roofing your home in Greater VAncouver, be the first installation in your neighbourhood and receive huge show-home discount savings on Kasselwood roofing products through Global Exteriors. In addition, reduce your energy bill by as much as 20% if you use these affordable roofing products by KasselWood Roofs. No payments for 12 months o.a.c. and call today at 604.534.0120 or 1.800.961.0121, respond to this ad by quoting promo code HCN100 and receive $1500. If you reply immediately an dyou may qualify for additional savings on your new roof by Kasselwood Roofing by Global Exteriors Inc. With a fifty year transferrable warranty, traditional look and appeal, weather tight design and highest fire rating, these are only some of the many impressive features of steel roofing by KasselWood that is meant to be very durable and last a lifetime. In addition, these new KasselWood roofs can withstand hurricane force winds, impervious to hail, lower energy costs and a lighter yet stronger product than traditional roofing products. The Myths about Kasselwood Roofs include: metal roofs cost more. FACT: Using Life cycle cost, a KasselWood roof stystem costs less than a conventional roof. Our investment grade system increases your home’s value. Metal Roofs Will Rust – FACT: KasselWood roofing is made of 29 gauge galvanized steel. The galvanizing process has been a proven rust inhibitor for more than 300 years. Couple this with the latest Kynar 500 product, cool pigment coating technology, makes the new KasselWood steel roofing a rust free system. Metal Roofs are Heavy – FACT: Metal is one of the lighter products in use: KasselWood *85 lbs/square) compared to standard composition at 210 lbs/square, cedar shake at 220 lbs/square, arhictectural shingles at 340 lbs/square, slate at 600-700 lbs/square and clay or concrete tile at 600-1000 lbs/square. The Facts about new Kasselwood roofing products. Insulation: Noise – sound tests show that noise levels are indiscernible between homes with a typical asphalt shingle roof and a Kasselwood roof. Aesthetis – KasselWood offers the strength and the durability of steel with the natural beauty of wood shake. Lightning – metal roofing does not in any way increase the risk of a structure being struck by lightning. Hail, wind, rain – Kasselwood roofs achieved the highest classification in scientific tests for hail impact, wind uplift and wind driven rain resistance. Energy Efficiency: roofing by KasselWood roofs have proven to lower the ambient temperature of a dwelling which can reduce energy bills by as much as 20%, reduces heat island effect in urban areas and reduces our contribution to global warming. With 0 down, 100% financing o.a.c. and flexible payment plans by Global Exteriors Inc, please call 604.534.1201 for more details regarding the KasselWood steel roofs system.

Tips and Tricks in Selling Your Home Faster in the Vancouver Re-Sale Real Estate Market - Curb Appeal and Summer Decks

Property Curb Appeal Magic

By S. Boyce for Homebase. The three principles of Earth Inc. each serve up a trio of their top tips for enhance curb appeal. James Dale- A separate pedestrian entrance to your front door lessens the impact of a large driveway – after all, people are more important than cars. Proper lighting enhances curb appeal by creating a sense of welcome and increasing viewing hours well into the evening. Lighting also provides incredible curb appeal during winter interest that’s often overlooked. Sometimes a planting scheme for curb appeal may be completely offensive to a viewer on the opposite side of a fence or property line. A quick discussion of your intentions not only makes better nieghbours but the end result may end up complementing both your homes better in terms of property curb appeal. Kennedy Mcrae – Plant both sides of your driveway with similar plants and it will frame your house like a picture to add property curb appeal for your home. If you have a stone house, vines will instantly give it warmth and comfort. Just remember not to let the vine touch the windows. Architectural structures like benches or screens can create a beautiful courtyard and draw out the arechitecture of your house for added real estate curb appeal. Joel Loblaw – Spaces that can’t be seen from the curb but make people wonder what’s there give a garden interest, intrigue and a sense of wonder. Sculpture, urns, or water features add zing to any front yard to add curb appeal for your property – especially when you are willing to take a few risks by thinking differently. Remember plants grow. An evergreen tree is a perfect example of something that looks great initially, but can ultimately overwhel a residence decreasing the curb appeal of your home through time.

The Home Sale Starts Outside – Curb Appeal Importance

Curb appeal can be the defining factor in selling your home according to HouseLeague Ryan D. for the Metro Newspaper. Staging, renovating, and updating a home’s interior seems to be second nature for many when it comes time to list that property, but what most people tend to forget is that the first and last impression in property makes is from the outside curb appeal. Whether you live in a house, or a condo, there are some simple rules to keep in mind when getting your property ready for sale. One of the most important is going to be ensuring that the outside brick or paint work is fresh, updated and neutral. Lime greens and dusty roses do not do much to convince the average home buyer, so seek out the potential gem inside. In fact, you may find that purchasers will not even make it to the front door if you have bad curb appeal: Throwing on a coat of paint and repairing any damaged brick or siding is the first place you should start when prepping your home for the real estate market. Plants are another easy way to spruce up that dreary property and turn it into the palace you want to portray through curb appeal. Even if you do not have the greenest of thumbs, a dead garden, or one overgrown with weeds and plants can make the most diligent homeowners appear lazy. If you are useless in the garden, plant local species of shrubs and flower for better curb appeal. Just remember even the simplest of gardens need to be pruned every now and then. Finally, whether you live in a house or a condo, bed sheets and tacky drapery panels will never do as window coverings. Pay attention to the fact that these can be seen from the outside, as well as the inside of the property. Make sure that if you are putting up drapes that match an unusual colour plalate inside, you have a neutral backing facing out. You do not want your home to look like a carnival fun house.

Take It To The Deck For Summer Entertaining

Fro 24Hrs. Building a sturdy deck is one way home owners in Greater Vancouver are creating a home they can enjoy more now, while looking smartly ahead in case they want to sell later. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value report, adding a deck built with composite decking, a deciking material made of combined wood and plastic, can be expected to yield an approximate 77 per cent cost recovery on average at resale. Composite decks rank higher than the national average of cost recovered for a major kitchen remodel, which are two types of projects homeowners often undertake in Greater Vancouver real estate to make their homes more appealing during resale. One consideration for homeowners in Vancouver property market for homeowners planning to add a deck is to look at other decks in their area to determine the approximate size and scope of their deck project for their neighbourhood. Vancouver home owners should also consider a decking material that will last in the long term. Not only will homeowners in Greater Vancouver real estate enjoy a durable, inviting deck while they livei n the home, but the type of material they use can help determine how well it will retain its value over time. Many Vancouver homeowners are turning to wood-plastic composite decking for durable decking material that doesn’t require staining or painting. Composite decking is also resistant to moisture and decay. And, the composite decking material will not splinter or crack. For Greater Vancouver home owners searching for environmentally responsible materials, some wood-plastic composite decking is made from recycled materials, potentially keeping unused waste out of landfills. From ARA Content.

Vancouver Home Renovations 2009 - The Art of Small Condo Living plus Kitchen Islands and Appliances top list of DIY home renos

The Art of Living Small – Condo Living

A great article in the Home Section of Look Magazine by Deborah A. Only a decade ago, purchasing a single family home was still a realistic dream for first time buyers. However, rising real estate costs have since forced many to downsize their square footage dreams and settle for something smaller. But smaller doesn’t have to mean “less,” and townhouse and condominium developers are offering creative interior designs that maximize usable space and are adding external amenities that create a resort-like feel. “Living small” has become an emerging lifestyle in its own right. There are 100 little tricks to making a small space look bigger, but real estate property developers have, for the most part, concentrated on two main things, says Adera president Norm C: “Making the living area bigger by creating open, flow-through designs and making everything else that can be shrunk, smaller.” Adera helps home buyers adapt to a smaller space by offering a line of customized, built-in options to replace freestanding furniture, including wall units for condo living. Space-saving features for condos inherent in their designs include extra wall mounting for flat screen TVs, breakfast bars in some units, rooftop decks called “lanais.” “On the West Coast, people spend more time outdoors,” says Couttie. “The outdoor lanai becomes an extension of indoors-an extra room to relax in and entertain.” Resort-like external amenities in condo living – including pools, hot tubs, and on-site theatres are becoming more common in condominium developments, says Mark B of Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing. “Condo living is more of a lifestyle choice and a more liberating experience than it was in the ‘90s. When you come home to your condo, it is a place where you can literally decompress.” Kitchens, where guests typically gravitate toward at a party, have become the entertainment focal point and the true “living room” of the home. As space decreases, the gourmet aspect of the kitchen has increased. “Kitchens have become more designer oriented and functional. Every square inch is utilized. You feel like you’re on a ship’s galley where everything is compact and accessible,” says Beilling. He adds that designers have also focused on making kitchen esthetics more sophisticated. “Finsishing materials are broader in scope and can be co-ordinated to fit with other areas of the home.” If you’re purchasing a condo unit in an older property, some redecorating may be necessary to achieve optimum streamlined functionality. “Designing small spaces often requires choosing comfort over an established idea of what ‘home’ has to have,” says Mila D of Intermind Design. This can be as simple as replacing a traditional coffee table with a few cube-shaped ottomans that can double as seating, or can be moved into corners when space for a larger gathering is required. “Moving into a small space calls for decorating solutions that allow for multiple uses of space and furnishings,” says Djuras. And, she stresses, “You need to think outside the box.”

Making Small Condo Spaces Even Bigger

BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE. Let your décor mirror your outside view to make one a continuation of the other. Trees and flowers or sky, glass and concrete can be reflected in building materials, furnishings, accessories and colour palette. UNIFY FLOOR AND WALL COLOUR COMBINATIONS. Create a feeling of richness and open space using a variety of shades of the same or similar colour for both walls and flooring. Continue the same flooring and colour palette throughout the condo unit. STRIVE FOR A CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED LOOK. Choose modular and/or multi-purpose furniture. Reduce visual clutter by limiting artwork to only a few large pieces. Accessorize with complementing, rather than contrasting, colour accents. CUSTOMIZE AND COMBINE STORAGE SOLUTIONS. A floor-to-ceiling wall-to-wall built-in unit in the bedroom can serve as a wardrobe, TV stand, bookshelves and general storage area. The design can combine “behind the door” and open shelving. ADD REFLECTIVE FINISHES. Mixing reflective finishes such as metal, glass and leather with natural finishes adds to the illusion of additional space in your condo. Choose only a few finishes and apply them consistently through the condo living space. SOFTEN THE UTILITARIAN LOOK. Replacing standard doors with those that have textures and patters such as sandblasted glass or interesting wood panels will help to minimize the utilitarian look of your condo home. CREATE NEGATIVE SPACE. Use small-scale streamlined, movable furnishings that have raised or taller legs. The negative space beneath will add visual depth. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE. Keep windows clear of obstructions and add as much artificial lighting as you can. Track lighting, wall lamps (up lighters), or cabinet lighting add light without taking up space. Generously provided by Intermind Design – Mila D.

Home Designers say Kitchen Islands and Appliances Top List

A kitchen island and updated appliances should be among the first items changed during a kitchen renovation, according to a survey of registered Canadian designers. The kitchen island is the ofcal point for kitchen design. Forty two per cent of designers predict that kitchens will be built around this central workstation, according to the survey, that was conducted by Jenn-Air. More than half of the home designers, however, also recommended going with new appliances, noting that fresh new designs are now hitting the real estate property market. Warm tones like bronze and copper will continue to be a colour trend in the kitchen through 2008, but they’re not the only colours being used. Home designers identified a wide range of colours fro the kitchen this year including greys, red, greens, blue and white. But they note, “the timeless look of stainless steel also remains popular.” Forty two per cent of registered interior home designers recommend that their clients splurge on appliances, rather than other kitchen design elements such as flooring, fixtures and countertops. “Capturing clients” vision for their dream home kitchen is about piecing together svera design elemtns to create a cohesive environment that is both funcitional and stylish,” said Alexandre Blazys, a Montrel based kitchen home designer. From the Real Estate Weekly of Vancouver Newspaper.

Inexpensive Tips For An Interior Home Makeover

As the cold winter weather becomes a faint memory, urbanites in all price ranges are catching the makeover bug. This spring, don’t let financial woes discourage you from adding flair and funciontality to your apartment or condo. Below are five ways to inexpensively upgrade your apartment’s interior, inspired by the residents of Flatbush Garden, group a New York city dwellers who are looking to save money on housing:
1. Plant Life: Adding live plants to your apartment décor is an inexpensive way to provide color and aroma. Makes ure to do your research to find a plant that fits your needs. For example, a bamboo plant does not aggravate allergies, is easily cared for, and costs very little.
2. Change fixtures: cabinet and doorknow fixture options can be found at all price ranges and are simple and fast way to spruce up an apartment.
3. Anything can be turned into art: Expensive artwork is not the only thing worthy of hanging on your walls. Why not hang a patterend blanket?
4. Utilize your wall space: Mounting shelves, baskets, and cabinets allow you to maximize floor space and will greatly open up a small apartment.
5. Pick a theme and stick with it: even if you do not purchase an entire bathroom or bedroom décor, choose two or three colors per room, and keep them in mind with every home furnishing purchase. The theme will boost your appearance of your apartment as well as reflect cohesion and organization.
Locally, Delta contractor and designer Jeffery Rebiffe says that today’s materials mean it is possible to get a great look, even a kitchen makeover, without spending a lot. He advises, thought, that even a low-cost renovation should have a flash of sophistication. In a kitchen, for example, adding a true slate backsplash or an expensive, high-quality lighting can raise the standard without breaking the bank. For more great renovation ideas, visit the 15 houses on the annual Parade or Renovated Homes, held Jun 8. For details, see www.gvbha.org.

Get The Most Out of Your Living Space
From Metro News of Greater Vancouver Newspaper: Here are some easy-to-do tips to help you put a lot of stuff into a little place. By Interior Divine Colin & Justin. Fancy, ahem, cramming in a little extra where you, ahem, need it most? Stick with us kids – we’ve got it sorted. However, crammed your house or tight your condo, here’ show to mac up and make it, at least feel, far more dommodious …

Be Flexible
Use “smart double-duty furniture such as sofas which unfold into beds, coffee tables that raise to become dining tables or upholstered ottomans with removable tops that would make the perfect seat, toy box or foot stool.

Make a wheel difference
Position wheeled storage cubes, side lamps atop, either side of your sofa for a slick modern aesthetic. Fancy a change? Remove lamps and push into the centre of your space to make the perfect coffee table. But there’s more. Lift the lids for immediate access to magazines, books and newspapers. Bingo!

Small scale thinking
To maximize space, lose that “big box” PC in favour of a small, sli laptop that can be stored away when not in use. Or swap elaborate outsize squashy chesterfields for smaller compact sofas and chairs.

Behind closed doors
We recently created a glorious white galley kitchen in a tiny London condo and, because our client works from home, assigned on side of the room to food prop and the other to his stock-market business. On first glance, the long white room looks like kitchen heaven, however, open doors on one side and computer, files, and photocopier suddenly appear. Also, a section o worktop pulls out by 18 inches to create a desk where our chap can go about his business! Close the doors back over, push back the counter … and culinary calm is restored.

Discover you’re big downstairs!
Don’t ignore one of your biggest assets! Instead, dive below into the great Canadian basement to create awesome possibilities chez vous. Rather than languish in what’s little more than a dank, messy storage room, consider the benefits of a finishe basement. We’re thinking guest suite, home office, children’s play room, spa bathroom… The choice is, and the added flexilibty will be, yours!

Here’s a hit list of double duty kit that will help you shop “smart”:
Storage Ottoman – seating, storage and table all in one
Kitchen Storage Bench – cook books, and baking trays, housed casually within kitchen table seating
Sofa Bed/Murphy Bed – a guest suite in minutes and no extra room required
Coffee Table With Stashable Stools – additional seating when you need it
Extendable Dining Tables – office/work space as required
End Tables With Drawers Or Shelves – a stylish way to introduce extra surfaces and extra storage
Armoire – use a multimedia housing, TV disguise or clothes storage. Particularly good for bedroom offices. Don’t forget to pins sleeves to the inside of the doors to stash flast files etc.
Stackable Chairs – enough said!

Colin and Justin’s Home Heist airs Tuesdays at 6pm, Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays at 11am on HGTV. www.hgtv.ca

Vancouver Home Ownership Made Easy by Manulife One Financing on Home Buying and Investment Real Estate

Manulife one Financing of Investment Real Estate and Improving Home Ownership

Location, Location and Manulife one. Introducing a new addition to the golden rule of real estate investing. Manulife one is much more than a mortgage. It takes the increasingly popular home line of credit one giant step further by allowing your income and short-term savings to be applied to the account. With Manulife one, every deposit you make automatically lowers your borrowings and, as a result, you play less interest. This “one way” provides three easy ways to improve your home and real estate investments. Manulife one Makes Home Ownership More Affordable. Manulife one’s ability to consolidate all your debt at one low rate could free-up hundreds of dollars in monthly cash-flow. You may have a choice of paying off your mortgage sooner or looking towards purchasing a more expensive property. What would you do with a couple hundred extra hundred dollars per month*? Simplify your life with Manulife one. Manulife one is more than a revolutionary approach to managing finances. Life is simpler when every dollar you deposit immediately reduces the amount of money you’ve borrowed. Having less debt saves you interest cost and could even reduce financial stress through Manulife one program. With 24 hour online banking and just one comprehensive monthly statement, managing your daily finances is so much easier with Manulife one. Managing the financing of investment real estate property. Manulife one for investment proeprties provides you with an all in one package to anage and monitor the finances of an investment real estate property. You could have your mortgage, taxes, income flow, monthly expenses and maintenance costs managed through this one account. Not only is the interest rate competitive, but the range of payment options through Manulife one program allows you more flexibility with managing your investment in real estate. And real estate investors can always access the accumulated equity (up to your established credit limit) for property maintenance and repairs. To learn more, visit www.manulifeone.ca or ask your financial advisor for a Manulife one referral.

The Dream Home Purchase with Manulife one

The dream home purchase: let’s say you own a home with a mortgage at current rates. You also have money in savings, a good income and you carefully manage monthly expenses. Like most Canadians you probably have a car loan and may have borrowed from a line of credit. With Manulife one’s power of consolidation, account flexilbility and ability to maximize your income, you could pay off your debts in significantly less time and save thousands in interest costs. Or, if you’re comfortable continuing to pay the same amount as you are currently paying with your traditional mortgage, and unconsolidated debts, you coule turn that payment towards buying a larger home using the power of Manulife one. Result. Although you’ll be paying the same overall debt payments, the power of the Manulife one account enables you to purchase a home worth more-maybe your dream home! By taking advantage of the flexible mortgage account and reduced borrowing costs, you could “trade-up” to a bigger house through Manulife one program yet there may be no extra cost when compared to your current debt repayment. *Manulife one is designed to help save Canadians thousands in interest costs and help clients become debt-free sooner, but individual results may vary. Manulife one is offered by Manulife Bank of Canada. Manulife, Manulife one, the one logo and the block design are registered trademarks of the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and its affiliates, including Manulife Bank of Canada. $48,496 – Hi, I’m Bob and this is my Manulife one number. It’s the interest my family could save over the life of our mortgage. By combining all our income, loans and savings into one single Manulife one account we could be debt free years sooner. This innovative money saving account with Manulife Bank of Canada called Manulife one comes with infinite possibilities. It coule mean a better education for my kids, a few more relaxing vacations or some renovations we’ve always put off. It’s not just y Manulife one number. It’s my life in dollars and sense. Every Canadian homeowner has a Manulife one number, what’s yours? Discover it today at Manulifeone.ca. Manulife one is offered through Manulife Bank of Canada. Ask your financial advisor for a referral or call 1.877.765.2265.

Your Money: Should you Buy or Rent?

Falling rental vacancy rate shows home buyers are more cautious according to Andrew Allentuck. In the current housing market more people are choosing to rent, either giving up on buying or postponing the decision until prices drop. It appears prices in the formerly booming Canadian home market have reached a peak and are descending. Lower prices are a good thinkg for first time home buyers, but in the face of lower auto sales in the U.S. (a big factor in the auto parts economy of Southern Ontario) and lower commodity prices (a big factor in the mines and oil fields of B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan), potential home buyers are being more cautious. The feeling is that times will get tougher. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s June 2008 housing survey shows more people are choosing to rent or being forced to rent. Nationally, vacancies decreased to 2.6 per cent in April 2008 compared to 2.8 per cent a year earlier. The lowest rates in the 2008 survey were in Victoria (0.3%), Kelowna (0.3%), Sudbury (0.7%), Vancouver (0.9%), Saskatoon (0.9%) and Winnipeg (1%). By comparison, high vacancy rates were in places like Charlottetown (5.3%) and Moncton (6.1%) where mining, oil and car making don’t take place. Falling vacancies can indicate many things, but in the present housing market, the fact it’s getting harder to find a house or apartment to rent implies that many people are waiting for prices to drop or are unable to come up with the downpayment for homes of their own. This is cautious behaviour, an indication that the rush to buy a home is ebbing. The feeling that if one does not buy now, a home will be unattainable is waning, replaced by hesitation to take on debt for a home that could fall in price. AT the same time that vacancy rates drop in Ontario and in the western Canadian provinces, prices of houses and condos show signs of cooling. “The much anticipated housing market slowdown in Canada has arrived,” said a May 2008 report from the Royal Bank’s Economic’s Department. In April 2008, resale activity of existing homes dropped 6% compared to the same period a year earlier. Listing of homes for sale rose 18% year over year an dprice gains rose 3% compared to 10% a year earlier. Speculative housing listings moved far ahead of prices. For example, in Saskatoon, listings rose 121% in April 2008 compared to April 2007. That amount of rise in offerings suggests that owners of homes were anxious to score capital gains. Saskatchewan has had increased activity in potash and uranium mining and oil production. But commodity prices have dropped drastically since May 2008 and with them, homes prices in the West.

Nationally, home construction has declined. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp said 185,600 new homes were built in July 2008, a 13.6% drop from June. Home buyers are taking a wait and see attitude. Falling prices offer them an incentive to be patient. Interest rates are still in a low range. Open mortgages with rates around 4% to 4.75% can be found. But bank lenders have tightened lending standards in the wake of the U.S. created credit crisis and money is harder to get. Zero down mortgages have been terminated by CMHC, a factor that reduces the number of people who can bid for homes. Nationally, housing is shifting from a seller’s market, in which potential buyers have had to bid over offering prices, to one in which it will be possible to get a home by bidding under the asking prices. For home buyers and sellers switching homes in the same area, trend changes should not matter much. For those buyers entering formerly hot markets like Saskatoon, Regina, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary there is potential to score a bargain. For home buyers who can afford to wait or who, for lack of downpaymetn, must wait, the question is: when will the market bottom out? Canada has no crisis like that in the U.S. says the Royal Bank’s economics department, but caution in the face of tougher times in understandable and evident. Timing markets is tough to do as well. With the economics of Canada, the U.S. the European Union and most emerging markets in difficulty, asset prices are headed lower. In this time of trouble, a house still represents a solid asset. For anyone who wants to keep a house for years or decades, the time is ripe, or at least near ripe, for a good purchase. For sellers, things could get worse. For folks thinking of renting until the economy improves, there are transitional costs, such as moving expenses, breakage and even the bother of changing addresses. The Canadian housing market is shifting to a buyer’s phase. Timing the bottom is tough, but a couple of years from now, it may seem to have been a fine moment to have bought. Andrew is the author of Bonds for Canadians: How to Build Wealth and Lower Risk in Your Portfolio, published by John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd.

Renovations in Vancouver real estate: Dale Construction, Shakespeare Homes, Home Renovation Tips, Vancouver Specials, North Shore Georgie Award Winner

North Shore Homes Win Georgie Awards!

The North Shore is well known for its beautiful architecture, so it’s not surprising that a handful of properties from North Vancouver and West Vancouver in the North Shore real estate market were honoured with Georgie Awards at a ceremony last week. The awards, which have been given out by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association every year, recognizes the best and most innovative real estate development in the province including everything from single family homes to townhouses and apartments and renovations of all kinds. Winners from the North Shore real estate market for the Georgie Awards 2009 include: North Vancouver: Best residential renovation $250,000-$499,900 by RJR Construction Management Ltd. and residential renovator of the year award to CCI Renovations. West Vancouver Georgie Award winners 2009 include: Best single family detached home valued over $3 million by Best Builders Ltd., Best kitchen over $40,000 (new) by G.D. Nielsen Developments Ltd. and Small volume single family up to 15 units (customer choice award) to G.D. Nielsen Developments Ltd again. Premier Gordon Campbell attned the Georgie Awards event – held a the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, along with several ministers and partners in the BC home building industry. For more information about the Georgie Awards and the North Shore award winners, please visit www.chbabc.org. By Manisha.

Dale Construction: Builder, Renovator and Contractor

Dale Construction – a family business built on repeat clients and lasting relationships. An advertisement from the Canadian Real Estate Magazine. “Home is where the heart is.” And for most, it’s also our largest single investment of our lifetime. So it’s no wonder that year after year millions of Canadians decide to expand, improve, or build their place. But unless you’ve had extensive home building experience, one of the most difficult steps is finding a company that understands your vision and has the experience to create it. It’s been almost 15 years since Dale Construction’s founds Marshall and Pauline completed their first real estate project. And over the years, this family run company at Dale Construction has become a fixture in several Toronto neighbourhoods. “We’ve gotten tok now many of our clients’ homes inside and out because we keep getting invited back,” says Marshall McCarroll, President of Toronto Dale Construction Ltd. “For some customers we’ve done everything from building their new home or addition to adding a third washroom. And while we’re just as comfortable building a dream home as we are creating a dream kitchen, what we really build is relationships.” “People like working with us at Dale Construction Toronto. They like the way we keep the job site clean, the like the team that’s been with us for years. But most of all what clients appreciate is that we can look deeper into a real estate project that merely surface improvements. WE know foundation. We know Structure. We understand building codes. And we’re detail oriented. All of which means we can customize the job to closely match our clients’ vision. Because Toronto Dale Construction has a “one job at a time philosophy,” clients have the comfort of seeing the same team on the job day after day and they know their home project is progressing on schedule. “We walk customers thorugh the real estate phome project one step at a time. No homeowner wants to be in the middle of a project wondering when the crew wil be back. That’s right, right from the start, I promise my customers that we’ll be there from day one until the job is complete. It’s the lack of stress that always makes us a huge hit.” And what’s construction company like Dale construction Toronto renovators, contractors and builders without tools? Because of the wide scope of their work, Dale Construction in Toronto real estate builders, contractors and renovators has it sown light and heavy equipment and that’ sabove and beyond the arsenal of power tools. “We have a passion for what we do. It’s not a quick in and out mentality. It is the workmanship that clients come for and that’s what we deliver. That’s why we always get referrals and why so many of our customers count on us time after time. Find out more about Dale Construction Toronto builders, contractors and renovation people at www.daleconstruction.ca or call 416.266.4039 for your next home project.

Dale Construction Toronto’s Marshall’s 3 Tips For Selecting Your Renovation Partner
You’ll be working with your builder or renovator for a while, so getting your relationship started on the right foot is important. Aside from experience, you’ll also want to evaluate these points: 1. Does the Contractor listen? Make certain they really understand your wants and needs. Be aware of repeated misunderstandings. 2. What do past clients say about them? More than being satisfied with the home project, find out if they enjoyed the experience. Would they hire the same Contractor again for another job or prefer to avoid a repeat experience? 3. Ask for supplier references. It’s not just about paying the bills on time – is the Contractor a difficult customer? And would the supplier rather miss a sale then have to deal with that person?

Slowdown Helps Homeowners Renovate For When the Property Market Heats Up - By Shakespeare Homes North Vancouver

When real estate is the news, friends and acquaintances often press me to forecast the future of home prices ont eh North Shore real estate market. Further up? Steady? Down? A great article by Mark Cooper for the North Shore Magazine. I tell them that my daily dealing with homeowners on the North Shore, realtors and builders here hasn’t given me a crystal ball, but they still ask. My responses these days are fairly positive – the North shore real estate market is in a great position to weather any real estate storm in Vancouver, and to continue to more than capitlize on any general upswing. But if my friends get any value from my musings, it may be from my opinion about how construction and renovation could affect value in the various possible futures of the North Shore real estate market. Turmoil and dropping prices in the US are having some effect here, but in the longer term, things are looking good. We’ve had a pre-2010 boom. The real effect of the Olympics, though, will come a eyar or two after the games. Expo 86 boosted prices after millions saw the West Coast. In 2010, TV and the internet will beam our beautiful North Shore mountains to billions of people worldwide. Vancouver is always in the top three most livable cities, but North Shore homes here are still less expensive then most of the top 10. In London, a basic one bedroom flat can go to $2 million. The Thames may be nice, but it’s not Ambleside and you can’t ski 10 minute from home. In San Francisco any real estate property with just a glimpse of The Bay gets $3 million… the price for sweeping views of ocean and city o the North Shore property mansion. Prices here have some room to grow. North Shore homeowners have made sizable gains in their home equity positions in recent years and, with softer markets elsewhere, many are tempted to cash out. But it can be scary to give up a home now – it’s expensive to find another home here, and even more expensive to trade up. So, if you are happy with what you have in the North Shore real estate market, the neighbourhood, the neighbours, schools, etc, you have an incentive to re-invest in your own North Shore home. Besides, if you buy a different house, you’ll probably do some renovations anyway. Selling and buying means a myriad of costs: agents’ commission, lawyers, transfers, taxes, moving costs, refinancing fees and possible penalties. Add it up and think about renovation that money could buy for your new North Shore home. Kitchens and bathrooms continue to be the renovations that produce the most value. Ont eh North shore property market, renovations that add alevel or part level to take greater advantage of views are smart. And just opening up a floor plan can make your home feel huge. Enlarge for a growing family, or for your entertainment space. But be sure your renovation makes your home “cool.” Green building used to be mainly about saving on energy costs, although renovations usually cost ore than savings on heating. Now, eco-friendly North Shore condo buildings is valued just on its own. Exotic hardwood floors still look nice, but home buyers in North and West Vancouver want materials to be environmentally responsible – they don’t wan tot help destroy the Amazon. To look at what’s happening with green building here, chech out. This may be something that’s like the dramatic change in the North American vehicle market – a few months ago – almost overnight, bit trucks and SUVs stopped selling. Part of that has to do with the cost of fuel, but is’ also about what’s now cool. In a recent column Peter Simpson, head of Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, pointed out that there’s no slowdown in the North Shore real estate market for homes that have what buyers now demand – advanced technology, sustainable construction method and eco-friendly materials. As he quotes business guru Tom Peters,” Cool stuff is cooler than stuff that’s not cool.” Mark Cooper is president of Shakespeare Homes and Renovations Inc. at www.shakespearehomes.com or 604.970.2281.

Low Cost Renovations Can Pay Off Big in the Vancouver Real Estate Resale Market

How can a homeowner add real value without overspending on a renovation asks the question in the latest REW newspaper. A report in Home Makeover magazine says that often the least expensive work can actually pay off the most on sale day. For do it yourselfers, the key is to only tackle work that is easy to handle, or that you are extremely good ad. “Renovations offer a relatively affordable means to boost the value of a home,” said Lisa da Rocha, vice presient, marketing and sales, Royal LePage Real Estate Services in Vancovuer. “Do-it-yourself tasks such as painting walls, changing cupboard knobs or laying new flooring will make a house not only more appealing to home buyers, but also offer a great return on investment.” According to a survey of Vancouver realtors and appraisers, by Royal LePage published in Home Makeover, the following are the top five smaller projects for the best return on real estate investment:

Paint: Adding a new coat of paint to your Vancouver home can freshen up a house and make the interior or exterior look like new. For homeowners looking to sell in the near term, neutral colours are most preferred.
Hardwood Floors: If genuine hardwood exceeds budgets, laminate flooring works well. Home buyers like to see hard flloors throughout, so try to lay down laminate in dining rooms, living rooms and eve bedrooms.
Lighting: Old or standard grade light fixtures, and cover plates can date a house. To modernize, install new light fixtures. Remember to go green, and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, where possible.
Front Lawn: to increase curb appeal and entice buyers, ensure front lawns are tidy and gardening is minimal. While there is no need to go overboard, adding some standard shrubs and flowers will make a home more inviting.
Kitchen Upgrade: replace the cabinet knobs wit more modern styles repaint the cabinets. Install a modern new faucet set and if you can do it on your budget, upgrade to stainless steel appliances, including a new range hood.

Renovation Dollars and Sense

A great article published in the North Shore News and written by Kevin Vallely in the Architecturally Speaking section of the Vancouver home guide on September 10, 2008. Virtually everyone with eyes to building a new home in Vancouver or renovating an existing one has the limitations of budget. There are many things one can do to maximize their construction Vancouver dollar but one of the most important is to learn the conventions of the Vancouver construction industry. We can build almost anything these days. New methods and materials allow us to build Vancouver real estate that would have been deemed impossible just a short time ago. But utilizing this technology comes at a cost. The further we move away from conventional building practises in the Vancouver real estate market of construction the further we move away from economic ones too. It’s essential in the Greater Vancouver real estate market to understand where the benchmark lies in the residential construction industry so that the decisions you make are grounded with the knowledge of convention. Foundation walls support the structure of a home and are typically built to be eight inches wide. Since formwork needs to be constructed before the pouring of concrete begins, a complex Vancouver layout will require more time to build and will result in additional costs. Most Vancouver homes today are built using 2x6 wood studs for the exterior walls and 2x4 wood studs for the interior walls partitions. A 2x4 is actually 1 ½” x 3 ½” in dimension with all the larger 2x members being 1 1/2'” by X ¼”. Ceiling heights in your Vancouver home construction project will vary but the conventional floor to ceiling height is eight feet to accommodate standard sheet sizes of interior finishing materials. Ordering eight foot studs for a typical ceiling height seems logical until you realize that a wall is constructed with floor plate and a double header plate made of the same 2x members. Calculate for a three quarter inch floor thickness in your Vancouver real estate construction project and a half inch drywall ceiling and you realize that to get the exact floor to ceiling height of eight feet you need studs of 7’ – 8 ¾’. Knowing this before hand is helpful as you can order the stud sizes. It may seem like a small thing at first but thorugh the construction of an entire Vancouver house, this little thing can become a significant cost savings. Understanding Vancouver construction conventions helps the homeowners appreciate what’s involved in the building process and allows them to make the most rational and budget conscious choices for their project.

Making that Vancouver Special Pop Through Renovations

A great article published in 24Hrs Vancouver by Carly K. ‘Special’ isn’t always a compliment. And never has that rung true than with the Vancouver Special, a box-like home that popped up all over the Lower Mainland in the 1960s and 70s. But these mid-century Vancouver Special gems are right on trend with the current love affair with all things retro. And as it turns out a little more paint, and a lot less picket fence, are all that’s required to make a Vancouver Special home, if not extraordinary, a lot less of an eyesore. The Vancouver Special “was designed for the unique needs of the immigrant working class in Vancouver,” says Elana of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. “They were really designed to maximize the building code. But how far can you go with the sidewalk? How close can you be to your neighbours?” This boundary-pushing, along with an almost flat roof to maximize the second floor’s ceiling, a second-floor veranda and mirror-image (including two kitchens) top and bottom floors, is what makes the Vancouver Special architecture practical, flexible and to be honest, a little ugly. But there’s no room for name-calling in today’s Vancouver real estate market. Scott and his wife were shopping in the Strathcona neighbourhood three years ago and found themselves in a bidding war hell until they settled upon a Vancouver Special home. “Economically for us, the Vancouver Special was a much better option,” says Plumbe. Not because he got it for a song, or rents out the lower level (he and his wife use all 2,200 square feet) but because renovation-wise, all it requires was a little aesthetics. Vancouver Specials were often owned by immigrant families, says Plumbe. “They were their pride and joy. They put a lot of care into maintaining them,” he says, and as a result, the oak flooring in his home was like new. The “curb appeal” however for the Vancouver Special home, however, was a definite obstacle to Plumbe and his wife, who’s a jewelry designer. “We’re very visual people,” he laughs, “but [we] live in a Vancouver Special.” Plumbe went to work on the front garden right away. An offensive fence was removed from the Vancouver Special. And the Funky brick pattern on the façade, typical of a Vancouver Special home, was painted out to a subdued charcoal grey. The difference, he says, is phenomenal. And historically speaking, the Vancouver Special house can hold its head high above its snooty Victorian, Edwardian or Craftsman neighbours, says Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s Zysblat. “Those styles came from other cities or other countries,” she says, “but the Vancouver Special is unique to us. It was designed for and exists only in Vancouver.” Attend a public lecture and open house to see how architect Stephanie Robb turned her Vancouver Special home into an inspiration award winner. Lecture about Vancouver Special house renovation is Tuesday September 23rd at 7pm at the Unitarian Church at 949 West 49th at Oak Street and costs only $12. The Open House for the renovated Vancouver Special home is Saturday, September 27th at Robb’s Lakewood Residence from 1 to 4pm and costs only $15. For registration to these Vancouver Special home renovation lecture and open house, please visit www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org. Seen a few of these boxes around? Architect Stephanie Robb took this drab old Vancouver Special home and turned it into something amazing. Robb’s award-winning changes to the old Lakewood Vancouver Special house breathes new life into the entire property.