BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER Jul 24, 2015 Real Estate Weekly
8
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY BURNABY NEW WESTMINSTER FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 info@rew.ca • 604-435-7977 B uyers looking for the benefits a detached home offers without the hassle of maintenance – or the exorbitant prices – are turning in increasing numbers to new townhouse developments. Sales of townhomes currently account for 60 to 70 per cent of new home trans- actions in the Fraser Valley. Townhouse sales in that region jumped nearly 21 per cent in May 2015 compared with the previous May. Those numbers would likely be mirrored in Metro Vancouver except for the limited supply of new townhomes in many of that region’s municipalities. Even so, there were 733 townhouse sales across Metro Vancouver in May 2015 – an increase of 34 per cent compared with May 2014. What’s Driving Sales? “Townhomes appeal to a broad seg- ment of the market... people who want to own a home but not an apartment,” says Scott Brown, president of Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing, a resi- dential real estate sales and project marketing organization. “They want to build equity and have children, but they don’t want such a big financial burden that they can’t afford a vacation.” Michael Ferreira, managing princi- pal at Urban Analytics, a real estate and urban planning consultant firm, says affordability is the primary driver. “Townhomes are fairly affordable, espe- cially in the Fraser Valley,” he says. “It’s the next best thing to a single-family home: you have your own front door, outdoor space, a garage, multi-levels. It’s a no brainer.” Real estate consultant and urban planner Michael Geller notes townhous- es are popular with buyers across vari- ous demographics. “Many empty nesters aren’t ready for an apartment. And for those mov- ing up from an apartment, single-family houses are simply not affordable. They see townhouses as an attractive alterna- tive.” Product Innovation Townhouses have traditionally been skinny, three-storey buildings with tan- dem garages. But designs are changing and bringing more people to the market. “Developers are constantly making notes on unfulfilled needs expressed by prospective buyers at their presentation centres,” says Brown. “Masters on the main floor have come about because of aging consumers telling developers they want that and that they don’t like three storeys with all the stairs.” Rooftop amenities that accommodate outdoor living are also popular. One Langley site, Exchange, has enjoyed such strong sales the developer has accelerated construction to keep up with demand. “Exchange’s rooftop decks replace the traditional patch of grass a townhouse offers,” says Ferreira. “You’re locked in with three neighbours but you still have outdoor space.” It’s not just the Fraser Valley that’s seeing this trend. Marcon, a Vancouver developer, currently has two townhome projects in the design stages – one along Granville Street with 18 homes and one just off Cambie with 24 homes. To date, they’ve built hundreds of townhomes across the Lower Mainland, including the Century Signature and Westchester developments, both in Vancouver. “In the past two years there has been a major shortage of townhomes in Vancouver, which has resulted in fast absorption rates and higher prices,” says Nic Paolella, Marcon’s develop- ment manager. Strata Vs. Non-Strata Most townhouses are strata-titled, with purchasers becoming members of a condominium association. But not all buyers want the associated strata main- tenance fees and restrictions. While they are still the exception rather than the rule, there is an emerging demand for non-strata townhouse developments. Parkside (pictured) and Bedford Landing in Langley are fee-simple proj- ects. And Aragon Homes built a non- strata row house development in New Westminster’s Port Royal community. These projects proved to be highly mar- ketable and more are sure to follow. The Townhouse Mindset The demand for townhouses is not going to decrease any time soon. Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing cites a recent survey of more than 40 indus- try leaders. More than 96 per cent of them believe the townhouse sector will continue to advance to meet growing consumer demand. “It’s going to be the standard mindset for the next 10 to 15 years,” says Brown. “We need to be greener and we need to squeeze more homes onto available land without compromising lifestyle. Townhouses are the alternative that best meets the needs of multiple part- ners.” GO TO REW.CA /NEWS TO READ THESE STORIES AND MUCH MORE REAL ESTATE NEWS AND ADVICE Home Sales Across BC Jump 25.6% in June; Prices Rise 13.5%: BCREA What the BoC Rate Cut Means for the Economy and Housing Market Opinion: Racial Discrimination in BC Real Estate and What We Can Learn The Rise and Rise of Townhomes Looking to BUY or SELL a home? To assist you in making the best decisions, a professional Realtor can provide the most up to date information on the real estate market, price, financing and comparative properties in your area. Find your EXPERT Real Estate professional right here in REW.ca!
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Since 1978 Real Estate Weekly has been synonymous with outstanding coverage of the Greater Vancouver residential real estate market. Today, published with recycled newsprint from its own high-speed presses in Vancouver, Real Estate Weekly is delivered by British Columbia's largest courier force to over 450,000 homes across the Lower Mainland. A total of 11 separate editions comprise the Real Estate Weekly, each featuring homes for sale, new developments and quality editorial coverage of the housing industry and the communities. Real Estate Weekly, quite simply, lists more homes for sale from more Realtors than any other publication in British Columbia. Real Estate Weekly is the number one source for Lower Mainland residential real estate and the first choice of both homebuyers and Realtors for more than three decades.
Transcript of BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER Jul 24, 2015 Real Estate Weekly
R E A L E S T A T E W E E K L Y
BURNABY NEW WESTMINSTER FRIDAY, JULY 24, [email protected] • 604-435-7977
Buyers looking for the benefi ts a detached home off ers without the hassle of maintenance – or
the exorbitant prices – are turning in increasing numbers to new townhouse developments.
Sales of townhomes currently account for 60 to 70 per cent of new home trans-actions in the Fraser Valley. Townhouse sales in that region jumped nearly 21 per cent in May 2015 compared with the previous May. Those numbers would likely be mirrored in Metro Vancouver except for the limited supply of new townhomes in many of that region’s municipalities. Even so, there were 733 townhouse sales across Metro Vancouver in May 2015 – an increase of 34 per cent compared with May 2014.
What’s Driving Sales?“Townhomes appeal to a broad seg-
ment of the market... people who want to own a home but not an apartment,” says Scott Brown, president of Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing, a resi-dential real estate sales and project marketing organization. “They want to build equity and have children, but they don’t want such a big fi nancial burden that they can’t aff ord a vacation.”
Michael Ferreira, managing princi-pal at Urban Analytics, a real estate
and urban planning consultant fi rm, says aff ordability is the primary driver. “Townhomes are fairly aff ordable, espe-cially in the Fraser Valley,” he says. “It’s the next best thing to a single-family home: you have your own front door, outdoor space, a garage, multi-levels. It’s a no brainer.”
Real estate consultant and urban planner Michael Geller notes townhous-es are popular with buyers across vari-ous demographics.
“Many empty nesters aren’t ready for an apartment. And for those mov-ing up from an apartment, single-family houses are simply not aff ordable. They see townhouses as an attractive alterna-tive.”
Product InnovationTownhouses have traditionally been
skinny, three-storey buildings with tan-dem garages. But designs are changing and bringing more people to the market.
“Developers are constantly making notes on unfulfi lled needs expressed by prospective buyers at their presentation centres,” says Brown. “Masters on the main fl oor have come about because of aging consumers telling developers they want that and that they don’t like three storeys with all the stairs.”
Rooftop amenities that accommodate
outdoor living are also popular. One Langley site, Exchange, has enjoyed such strong sales the developer has accelerated construction to keep up with demand.
“Exchange’s rooftop decks replace the traditional patch of grass a townhouse off ers,” says Ferreira. “You’re locked in with three neighbours but you still have outdoor space.”
It’s not just the Fraser Valley that’s seeing this trend. Marcon, a Vancouver developer, currently has two townhome projects in the design stages – one along Granville Street with 18 homes and one just off Cambie with 24 homes. To date, they’ve built hundreds of townhomes across the Lower Mainland, including the Century Signature and Westchester developments, both in Vancouver.
“In the past two years there has been a major shortage of townhomes in Vancouver, which has resulted in fast absorption rates and higher prices,” says Nic Paolella, Marcon’s develop-ment manager.
Strata Vs. Non-StrataMost townhouses are strata-titled,
with purchasers becoming members of a condominium association. But not all buyers want the associated strata main-tenance fees and restrictions. While
they are still the exception rather than the rule, there is an emerging demand for non-strata townhouse developments.
Parkside (pictured) and Bedford Landing in Langley are fee-simple proj-ects. And Aragon Homes built a non-strata row house development in New Westminster’s Port Royal community. These projects proved to be highly mar-ketable and more are sure to follow.
The Townhouse MindsetThe demand for townhouses is not
going to decrease any time soon. Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing cites a recent survey of more than 40 indus-try leaders. More than 96 per cent of them believe the townhouse sector will continue to advance to meet growing consumer demand.
“It’s going to be the standard mindset for the next 10 to 15 years,” says Brown. “We need to be greener and we need to squeeze more homes onto available land without compromising lifestyle. Townhouses are the alternative that best meets the needs of multiple part-ners.”
GO TOREW.CA /NEWS
TO READ THESE STORIESAND MUCH MORE REAL ESTATE
NEWS AND ADVICE
Home Sales Across BC Jump 25.6% in June;
Prices Rise 13.5%: BCREA
What the BoC Rate Cut Means for the Economy and
Housing Market
Opinion: Racial Discrimination in BC Real Estate and What
We Can Learn
The Rise and Rise of Townhomes
Looking to BUY or SELL a home? To assist you in making the best decisions, a professional Realtor can provide the most
up to date information on the real estate market, price, fi nancing and comparative
properties in your area.
Find your EXPERT Real Estate professional right here in REW.ca!
•2 REW.ca » BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER » FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015
6785 AUBREY ST.Custom built European home, Seller is the 2nd owner, purchased from original builder. Quality construction throughout. 8 Bedrooms, 6 baths, 10 car parking on large 60' x 122' level lot. Minutes to SFU, shopping, freeway and schools. Don't be deceived, drive by then call Agent to view the mortgage helper suites below. 4 wood burning fi replaces, huge cool room, workshop and double remote garage. Fully landscaped and fenced, quiet street, elementary school across the street. Hot water heating, entertainment size kitchen and family room for the larger family. Priced for quick sale. Allow 24 hours for all showings. Move in by Summers end.
104-555 DELESTREOnce in a while we list a Real Bargain, "This is it!", Ideal starter, investor Pty minutes to Lougheed Mall, sky train and future Evergreen Connections. Intergulf Built Development, quality throughout. Our Corner unit located on ground fl oor. Features 260 sq ft private patio, 2 large bedrooms, 2 baths, and a den upon entering. 2 parking stalls, storage locker and for your convenience situated near main entrance. Gym and party room. Wheel chair accessible (no stairs) were needed. Defi nitely not a drive by, you will not be disappointed, priced for quick sale. Allow 24 hour for all showings. Quick possession possible!
4309 PENDER ST.,NORTH BURNABY
Prime Willingdon Height building lot or investment property. Zoned single family with legal basement suite. 33x122 lot. Conveniently located for shopping, bus, schools and highway access. Priced for quick sale. Drive by, then call Fernando. Please do not disturb tenants.
PRICE REDUCED $1,688,800PRICE REDUCED $1,688,800 $950,000$950,000
604-255-8779
FERNANDO MORETTI
www.normflockhart.com
NORM FLOCKHART(604) 261-7275
12 Year Member of MLS Medallion Club
PREC
OPEN SUN 3-5! $330,000
UNIQUE REVERSE PLAN! 388 SQ.FT. PRIVATE DECK!Almost 1100 sq.ft.on the top 2 fl rs at The Beresford! Living Space on top fl oor w/superb sundeck. 2 BRs & a semi-ensuite bath on the 3rd fl oor level. Newer kitchen & bath. Dog/ Cat Allowed. Stunning, resort-style courtyard. 7377 Salisbury Ave.
★
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320 - 10707 139th St.Surrey - Whalley
1 bedroom condo with in-suite laundry, 633 sq ft, 1 parking,1 locker.www.GeorgeGomory.com
$179,000
7785 16th Ave. Burnaby East
Quiet Street,3 level home,7 bedrooms,
6.5 bathrooms,fenced yard,3700 sq ft.
www.GeorgeGomory.com
$1,298,000
7129 Dow Ave.Metrotown
SubdividableR5 zoned
66 x 183 lot with lane
Do not bother tenants
www.GeorgeGomory.com
$2,200,000
104 - 15 Smokey Smith Pl.New Westminster - Glenbrooke North
Spacious 686 sq ft garden level 1 bed-room condo with 9 ft ceilings and
gas fireplace,1 parking, 1 locker.
www.GeorgeGomory.com
$249,900
156 14600 Morris Valley Rd.Mission - Lake Errock
Trailer on Strata Pad in great yearround vacation spot, Golf, Ski, & Fish.
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$92,000
4872 Carson Pl.South Slope
Spacious 3000 sqft home with walk outbasement. Easy to Suite Down. www.GeorgeGomory.com
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Subdividable66 x 183 ft
Lane
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REW.ca » BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER » FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015 3•
Top 1% of Realtors for 2014Top 1% of Realtors for 201420142014 2014201420142014 20132013
[email protected] [email protected] www.monettyler.com
SussexSussex
604.763.4307604.763.4307
TH4-2789 Shaughnessy St. $588,000
10 Hickory Drive $988,000
57 Fernway Drive $838,000526 April Road $1,188,000
NEWLISTING
48 Greenleaf Drive $998,000
NEWLISTING
NEWLISTING
1326 Fifeshire St., Burke Mtn $1,038,000
1503 Southview St., Burke Mtn $1,188,000
SOLD
201-701 Klahanie Drive $369,900
SOLD
#906 9222 University Crescent $468,000
NEW PRICE
#87-55 Hawthorn Drive $538,000
NEW PRICE
www.dexterrealty.com
604-689-8226 Yaletown
604-336-3539 Main Street
604-263-1144 KerrisdaleTaking our
Listings Global
$458,000
GREAT NEW WESTMINSTER LOCATION - GREAT VIEWS
$458,000 2 Bdrm, 2 bathroom, excellent fl oor plan. 1,007 SF Recreation facilities and gar-den. 1 parking, 1 storage locker. Shown by appointment.
1803 - 39 SIXTH ST.Christine Wardle 604-263-1144
$224,900
PRACTICALLY PERFECT!Outstanding, up-to-date, reno-vated 737 sq.ft. 1 bdrm. Roomy, open plan with West exposure. Walk to skytrain, Lougheed Mall & Cameron Rec. Centre. Inves-tor Alert - no rental restrictions, 2 cats ok.905-9541 ERICKSON DR.Su-Marie Baird 604-263-1144
OPEN SAT/SUN 2-4:30PM
START THE CAR! CALL THE MOVERS!! This 1,450 sq.ft. townhouse is totally renovated. Two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms. Large outdoor patio to sip your morning coffee. New stove & updated counter tops and backsplash in the kitchen. Beautiful laminate entrance and carpet throughout. Very close to shopping at Highgate and transportation. Please pass by for our fi rst open houses Sat & Sun, 2-4:30pm. 7445 13TH AVE.ESTHER TWERDOCHLIB604-689-8226
★
OPEN SAT 1-3PM
★
Michael Langdon604-836-1300
DEXTER
ASSOCIATES
REALTY
MACPHEARSONWALK
$409,800
Park-like setting & close to all amenities.
201-5775 IRMIN ST.
$298,000
TOP CORNER UNIT
Sunny, S.W. facing 2 bed/2 bath with 2 park-ing stalls. Gas fi replace, newer fl oor, partial view of New Westminster Quay. #401-211 TWELFTH ST.
THE GO TEAM
$299,000
Desirable courtyard-facing 2 bed/2 bath in Discovery Reach by BOSA. Walk to sky-train, shopping and more. 2 pets allowed.#408-211 TWELFTH ST.The Go Team
507-215 TWELFTH ST $238,000
TOP FLOOR OASIS
Discovery Reach by Bosa. Top fl oor unit with lots of updates. N.W. facing, open con-cept, parking, storage and more!
The Go Team
$432,500
SPACIOUSTOWNHOME
Spacious 3 bdrms, 3 baths, 3 level end unit townhouse, conveniently located minutes away from Coquitlam Town Centre, T & T Superstore, Recreation Center, City Hall, Library, parks, schools (incl Douglas College), transit and future Evergreen Line station. Newer roof, and gutters in this family oriented complex. Situated in a greenbelt, this home is ideal for young growing families, retirees, and investors. Hurry and call for a private showing before itʼs gone!28-1216 JOHNSON ST.
$289,000
GARDEN OASIS
2 bed / 2 bath elevated garden suite in Discov-ery Reach by BOSA. Pet friendly, parking, locker and close to all amenities. 204-215 TWELFTH ST.
The Go Team
$329,000
BURQUITLAM STATION
SEDONA, well maintained 2 bed / 2 bath concrete low rise in Burnaby/Co-quitlam border. Steps to all amenities including new Burquitlam skytrain station.204-522 SMITH AVE.
•4 REW.ca » BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER » FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015
www.TsawwassenSprings.ca / [email protected] - 5099 Springs Boulevard, Tsawwassen V4M 0A2
Yvonne Lynch | Sarah Toigo Haley Chang | Jim Dawson
Sales Centre Open 12-5pm Tuesday-Sunday
604-948-4663 Regency Realty Ltd.
#205 – 5099 Springs BoulevardPrice: $879,900
• This 2 bedroom + den at 1555 SF is a prime corner suite at Tsawwassen Springs.
• This rare northwest corner suite fetches premium views of water, sunsets, mountains & golf course.
• Oversized north and west facing balconies allow maximum outdoor enjoyment.
• Includes large insuite storage space and open-concept kitchen & cozy great room with gas fi replace and MORE!
Most Popular Condo Plan#401 – 5055 Springs Boulevard
Price: $879,900• This spectacular 3 bedroom concrete condo boasts ultimate great room,
over 23’ wide! • Gourmet kitchen includes Fisher & Paykel stainless steel appliances, walnut
cabinets, quartz counter tops.• Easy transition from inside to out with 23 ft + wide south facing balcony—
great for entertaining!• Large laundry room, large master bedroom and walk in closet and spa like
ensuite. Comes with 2 parking stalls!!
3 Bdrm, South Facing Condo, 1655 SF#609-5055 Springs Boulevard
Price: $729,900• 2 bedroom + 2 bathroom• 1201 SF Condo in 6-storey Concrete Condo Building• Views of the Golf Course & North Shore Mountains• Penthouse inside corner unit • 15’ pop up ceiling • Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances • Air conditioning
Penthouse Suite
#109-5055 Springs BoulevardPrice: $728,000
Ground Floor Suite, 1201 SF
5036 Springs BoulevardPrice: $889,900
Rancher Style House
1626 Birch Springs LanePrice: $818,800
Most Popular House Plan!
#106-5055 Springs BoulevardPrice: $749,900
2 Bedroom + Den, 1461 SF
#111-5055 Springs BoulevardPrice: $519,900
1 Bedroom + Den, 1053 SF
SOLDSOLD
SOLDSOLD
SOLDSOLD
SOLDSOLD
SOLDSOLD
Upgrade your lifestyle! Don’t miss the opportunity to own a beautiful Arts & Crafts home. These Houses and Condos offer all the benefi ts of living in a resort but with very little maintenance--worry free living at it’s best! All plans offer open concept layouts, stainless steel appliances, engineered hardwood fl oors, oversized covered patio, plumbed for a built-in outdoor heater & BBQ outlet, and every detail you want in a sunny Tsawwassen home, all on freehold land. Move in this summer!
5036 Cedar Springs DrivePrice: $1,989,900
Golf Course View House
• 4 bdrm + den + fl ex, 4.5 bathroom • South facing golf course view
House• 3004 SF 2 level + casita• Casita – What’s that? Could be a
guest room, offi ce, gym• Gourmet kitchen: quartz
countertops, walnut cabinets• Fisher and Paykel stainless
appliances — gas range!• Lyonstone gas fi replace• Grand 20 ft ceilings in great room • Media room upstairs
5060 Cedar Springs Drive Price: $1,369,900
Golf Course View House
• 2 bedroom + den + fl ex,
3.5 bathroom
• Sunny south facing home
with gorgeous golf course
views
• 2094 SF, 2 level house
• Fisher and Paykel stainless
appliances — gas range!
1636 Fir Springs LanePrice: $939,900
Rancher Style House
• 2 bedroom + den + 2 bathroom
• Beautiful 1773 SF rancher
• Amazing sense of space with 10’ throughout + 11’ coffered ceilings in your great room
• Private backyard
• Enjoy morning sun
• Fisher and Paykel stainless appliances — gas range!
#409-5099 Springs BoulevardPrice: $839,900
Penthouse Suite
• 2 bedroom + den penthouse suite
• Vaulted ceilings to allow maximum sense of space & natural light
• Walk in closet & spa like ensuite
• White shaker cabinets and granite counters
• Fisher & Paykel appliances - gas range
• Golf Course & North Shore mountain views
• Air conditioning
JUST SOLD
JUST SOLD
PENDING
PENDING
PENDING
PENDING
REW.ca » BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER » FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015 5•
1708–55A STREET AT 18 AVENUE, TSAWWASSEN
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A rare find in sunny Tsawwassen, CityHomes offer the perfect blend of condo and townhome living. Private entries mean no communal hallways. The variety of spacious open floor plans offers plenty of choice. Secure underground parking and minimal maintenance complete the lock-and-go lifestyle.
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•6 REW.ca » BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER » FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015
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Ask us about our complimentary in-house interior design consultation.
REW.ca » BURNABY / NEW WESTMINSTER » FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015 7•
WELCOME TO BURKE MOUNTAIN
PRESTIGE PARKSIDE SINGLE FAMILY HOMESComing this September – Larchwood is a collection of 33 craftsman-style homes of unparalleled quality and design. Nestled in the heart of Burke Mountain, a master-planned community renowned for its natural beauty and modern conveniences, the spacious 3 and 4 bedroom homes offer an exceptional quality of life.
REGISTER TODAY LARCHWOODISBOLD.COM | 604 800 0481Site located at 1431 Dayton St. Coquitlam, BC
3 BEDROOM TOWNHOMES FROM $669,900.Parkgate is one of the North Shore’s fi nest walkable neighbourhoods. Comprising of only sixteen
Built Green® townhomes, Parkgate is a rare opportunity to own at a price you can aff ord. Behind the
contemporary brownstone exterior, Parkgate is future designed, and detail engineered for the
ultimate in care-free living.
8 Designer appliances | Mitsubishi heat pump air conditioning system
Between Northlands and Mt. Seymour golf courses. Five min walk to Parkgate library and the village shopping.
Model home | Open daily noon - 6PM (except Tues & Wed) | 3508 Mt Seymour Parkway
Texor Homes (Parkgate) Inc. 245-9600 Cameron St Burnaby BC 604 422 8718. Prices do not include GST. Sales by disclosure statement. Broker: Red Dot Real Estate Marketing Ltd 604 209 3142. Realtor cooperation welcome.
3508 MT SEYMOUR PARKWAY
PA
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AV
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Stay cool in the North Shore’s only new townhomes with air-con.
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F R I D A Y , J U L Y 2 4 , 2 0 1 5BURNABY • NEW WESTMINSTER
Looking for a newhome? Start here.
R E A L E S T A T E W E E K L Y
I n P r i n t > O n l i n e > I t ’ s A l l H e r e
Building Vancouver’s Eco-Friendly Houses
Nick Kerchum’s journey to success as an award-winning home builder in Vancouver meant setting a new standard for eco-friendly developments.
He founded Natural Balance Premium Home Builders in 2009 with a fresh emphasis on both contemporary design and environmental preservation
without sacrifi cing quality. Five years ago, Natural
Balance, with architect Frits de Vries, built the fi rst LEED Platinum house in British Columbia on West 21st Avenue in Vancouver (see below).
More recently, his company’s project on West 15th Avenue in Vancouver connected the split-level home with surround-ing topography, including pic-turesque downtown views and optimum solar exposure. Strategically placed overhangs enabled light from the sun to fl ow into the home, and pas-sive design principles were employed to naturally heat and cool.
“It was a really fascinat-ing design because the lot is sloped,” Kerchum said. “The split-level home is celebrated by huge pieces of glass, bringing a lot of light into the centre of the house. The exterior has been molded to provide privacy from the neighbourhood while maxi-mizing downtown views. A study
was done to understand how the sun would aff ect the home.”
And it was all done with sus-tainability in mind. As certifi ed green builders, Natural Balance consults with an independent third party advisor to ensure all the homes it builds meet or exceed city code.
During preliminary consulta-tions with clients, Kerchum and his staff create energy models and sustainability reports that result in a series of tailor-made recommendations for clients. Customers can select design fea-tures such as insulation types, window styles, and mechani-cal systems that impact perfor-mance and cost of their home.
“The goal is to cost eff ectively increase the energy effi ciency of the house,” Kerchum said. “You can show the client what their return on investment is.”
Building a LEED Platinum House
Natural Balance, with archi-
tect Frits de Vries, built Western Canada’s fi rst LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum home. Here is how they did it:
Passive Solar Design: The house is designed to maximize passive solar gain allowing for natural heating and cooling, reducing the need for mechani-cal systems. Entire main fl oor uses natural basalt stone which holds a signifi cant amount of thermal mass.
Infl oor radiant heat with an air-to-water heat pump: A new technology from Europe is a cost eff ective way to be deliver home heating.
Evacuated roof top solar tubes: These are used to spe-cifi cally heat the domestic hot water.
Triple-glazed Fresinger win-dows: German made and consid-ered among the most effi cient on the planet. The house has a huge amount of glass yet still remains effi cient with low heat loss.
Icenine spray foam insulation:
Used in all wall cavities.Natural ventilation and
a heat-recovery ventilator: Design allows for natural cross-ventilation in summer months, all mechanical air-handling systems tested and monitored to meet LEED for Homes certifi cation.
Green roofs: Four green roofs, including on the garage, for water retention, energy savings and a sanctuary for bees and birds.
Lighting: LED bulbs with automatic switch-off .
Green landscaping: Drought-tolerant, non-invasive planting and a garden with vegetables, fruit and herbs.
Water saving: Dual-fl ush toi-lets and low-fl ow plumbing fi x-tures.
Health: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certifi ed (urea formaldehyde free) mill-work and cabinets. No VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in paints and millwork coatings throughout the house.
By Michael Vanden Bosch
