Central Alberta Homes Fall 2012

fa l l 2012 cen t r a l a lb er ta h o m es 5

contentsfall 2012 | issue 01

market overview

11 Who’s building what? And where? A market overview of new homes in Central Alberta

show home profiles

18 Falcon Homes Constructing environmentally conscious homes

of exceptional craftsmanship

20 Abbey Master Builder Soaring vaulted ceilings highlight the Greystone II

community profile

22 Vanier Woods East Melcor ’s newest development appeals

to every lifestyle

community

24 Build and Golf a Kid to Cure Charity event supports cancer research and local kids

25 Building the future Canadian Home Builder’s Association scholarships

support apprenticeships

industry news

26 Workplace safety It doesn’t happen by accident

27 Finalists announced For 2012 CHBA – Alberta Awards

of Excellence in Housing

28 October is Reno Month RenoMark™ brand means you’re in good hands

29 It’s your first mortgage Do you go to a Banker or Broker?

coVer: Photo courtesy abbey master builder

27

18

22

CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION – CENTRAL ALBERTA represents professionals in the housing industry. CHBA – Central Alberta has been in existence for over 55 years and is a network of professionals that manages industry issues to provide value to our members.

10, 7895 - 49th Avenue Red Deer, Alberta T4P 2B4Tel: 403.346.5321 Toll-free: 1.888.346.-5329Fax: 403.342.1301 Toll-free: 1.877.342.1301E-mail: [email protected]

Denie Olmstead | Executive Officer [email protected]

Joan Butler | Excecutive [email protected]

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Central Alberta Homes is published quarterly

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Sincerely,

Denie OlmsteadExecutive Officer

CHBA – Central Alberta

Greetings!WELCOME TO THE very first edition of Central Alberta Homes, the official magazine

of the CHBA – Central Alberta.

Now is an exciting time to be involved in the housing industry, and I am thrilled

to be able to offer this innovative new tool to help connect buyers and sellers in the

Central Alberta Market. Central Alberta Homes is

an important quarterly source of information

on the local new home building industry.

Did you know that, according to the Canada

Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC),

2011 saw 555 housing starts in the Central

Alberta region? For the year-to-date, total

housing starts in the Central Alberta region

are up by 18 per cent from the first seven

months of 2011 to 363 units January to August

in 2012. With so much growth in this region,

it is easy to see why Central Alberta has some

of the best homes in the province. In fact, two

local builders, Colbray Homes and True-Line

Contracting, were finalists in the recent CHBA

– Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing. See the story on page 27.

So many builders and developers in Central Alberta are doing great things out

there! And that’s where Central Alberta Homes magazine comes in: we’ll introduce

you to builders, developers, suppliers and industry service companies; we’ll talk

about construction techniques and safety practices; and we’ll have some helpful

hints for homeowners on various topics. We like to say that Central Alberta Homes

magazine is useful before, during, and after your new home search.

I encourage you to check out the list of CHBA – Central Alberta Region

members on page 10, competent, reputable companies all, and then dig into our

comprehensive market overview to see who is building what in your favourite town.

Most of all, remember that Central Alberta Homes is yOUR magazine. Who knows,

your next new home could be inside these very pages.

6 cen t r a l a lb er ta h o m es fa l l 2012

message from the executive officer


message from the president

CHBA – Central Alberta meeting the challengeTHIS IS A REMARkABLE time for the home

building industry and the Canadian Home Builders’

Association – Central Alberta. I am excited to be

involved at this time of great growth and potential!

There are many notable initiatives that our

Association is working on for this upcoming year,

including the first annual Business Expo. In March

we will be hosting the 34th Annual Red Deer

Home Show, followed by our Awards of Excellence

in Housing which is a great opportunity for us to

applaud our home builders as well as the trades and

suppliers within our membership. On top of these

we are thrilled to publish the first edition of the

Central Alberta Homes magazine.

Although we have been faced with the challenges of

a troubled economy, the Central Alberta home building

industry has experienced signs of growth this year. Total

housing starts in Red Deer were up by 18 per cent from the

first seven months of 2011. The future is looking bright!

In closing, I am happy and honoured to have been given

the opportunity to serve the members of the Canadian

Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta. It is our

people who have made this Association great, and it is

our people who make me proud to be the President of the

Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta.

Lisa Buckingham

President, CHBA – Central Alberta


getting to know…

Lisa BuckinghamPresident, CHBA – Central Alberta

Lisa Buckingham loves Red Deer.

Which should come as no surprise,

really. After all, she was born, raised,

schooled and still works and lives in

Central Alberta’s largest city.

“I love living and working in Central

Alberta,” she says. “And I find the people,

especially in the home building industry,

have a real entrepreneurial spirit and

unwavering sense of community. My

husband Mike and I enjoy all the great

activities and amenities that the region has

to offer. The people and places are truly

unlike anywhere else.”

It’s also no surprise, then, that Lisa’s as

determined to give back to her hometown

and surrounding area as she is grateful for

the opportunities it’s provided her.

And, as President of the Canadian Home

Builders’ Association – Central Alberta,

this Contract Sales Manager with Trail

Appliances is poised to do just that.

“To me,” she says, “this position means

that I am able to provide a voice for

members to our local and provincial

governments. It’s important to me that

we continue to provide great services and

benefits for our members.”

Right now, she says, the biggest

challenge facing the home building

industry is “the constant struggle to find

and retain skilled tradespeople. While

there are very many great programs

offered at RDC and other post secondary

schools in the province, there is still

opportunity for growth in this area.”

Of course, what’s good for CHBA

– Central Alberta members — land

developers, home builders, trades and

suppliers, and professional services — is

also good news for the residents of the

region. Because it all contributes to the

end goal of being able to provide quality

housing at affordable prices.


member list

aabbey homes ltd.alberta new home Warrantyalfano homesall Weather Windowsallrose exteriorsammonite Developments Inc.aires/airflo heating & air conditioningartistic stairs ltd.asset builders corp.atco Gasaudio Innovationsavalon central alberta

bb & b cowie Insulation ltd.ben’s Glass & marblebildex construction ltd.bomaier Developments ltd.bowood Inc.bruin’s Plumbing & heatingburnco rock Productsbusse homes ltd.buylo homes ltd.

ccanada mortgage & housing corp.canadian closet & storage co.can-air heating and air conditioningcandel homescarolina homescarpet colour centrecentral alberta realtors associationcentral alberta flooring mohawk floorscapescentral alberta tile onecentral stoneworks ltd.cheryl Vold Interior Designchristenson Developmentscity of red Deer (Inspections Dept.)cKGY fm/cIZZ fmclearview Glass service ltd.coast Wholesale appliances lPcolbray homes ltd.communications Group red Deer ltd.complete flooring solutionsconsolidated Gypsum supply ltd.cottonwood meadows (heritage land management ltd.)counterscapescunningham electric ltd.

dDeer run homes (1990) ltd.Doormasters Inc.Dominion lending centre regional mortgage GroupDurabuilt Windows & DoorsDynovac Industries Inc.

eeagle ridge homes corp.emco corporationexecutive builders Group

ffalcon homes ltd.fanta homes ltd.fargey’s Paint & Wallcoveringsfindmynew housefresh renovations

gGeneral appliances lacombe ltd.Gienow Windows & DoorsGilmar constructionGlobal overhead Doors ltd.Goodmen roofing ltd.G&r builders Innisfail ltd.

hhabitat for humanity – red Deerharbour spasharvard broadcasting (100.7 fm the river)havan built homeshenry’s eavestroughing ltd.heywood holmes & Partners llPhome building centrehome renewals Windows & Doorshomestead custom carpentry Inc.howard & company Inc.huntwood custom cabinets ltd.

iInland concrete ltd.

jJade stone (red Deer) ltd.Jeld-Wen Windows & DoorsJim Pattison broadcast Group Jorgenson homes ltd.

kKcb cabinetsKnelsen rock Products ltd.

llaebon homeslafarge canada Inc.lakeside rona building centrelandmark homes (red Deer) Inc.larkaun homes ltd.levi-rio custom home builders ltd.

mmalibu communitiesmarshall construction company Inc.mason martin homesm.c. home ltd.,mcGonigal signature homes Inc.mcKee homes ltd.melcor Developments ltd.mr. fireplace

nnational home Warranty northland construction supplies

oolds college-school of agriculture, business & technologyoriel Windows & Doors

pParadise homes corp.Parkland community Planning servicesParkland Drywalling ltd.Phoenix Insurance Group of red DeerPinkwood ltd.Platinum homes & DevelopmentsPly GemPrecision Placement sand and Gravel corp.Proform Precast Products Inc.Progressive home Warranty solutions Inc.

rrainy creek Developmentsred Deer advocatered Deer collegered Deer co-op home & Garden centrered Deer countyred Deer electricred Deer expressred Deer fasteners & toolsred Deer lightingred Deer overdoorriser homes ltd.rona revy Inc.rbc royal bankroyal lePage network realty corp.

sserges homes ltd.servus community credit Unionsiderman ltd.siderman ltd.signs nowsml Games & hot tubssnell & oslund surveys (1979) ltd.soderquist appraisals ltd.sorento custom homes ltd.source media Groupstevenson homesstoneworxsunny 94 fm & Kraze 101.3 fmsylvan lake homes ltd.

ttar-If ic construction ltd.thermo Pro Insulation ltd.timber Wolf truss ltd.touch canada broadcasting (2006) Inc. (shine fm)trail appliancestrue-line contracting ltd.

u-zUnique elevations Inc.Westridge cabinets ltd.Window masters Inc.Windsor PlywoodWolf creek building supplies ltd. Zybertech construction software services ltd.Zytech building systems


Who’s building what? And where?A market overview of new homes in Central Alberta

market overview

By JASOn BRInK

Forget Edmonton and Calgary. If you want to live well and relatively affordably in

our fair province you need look no further south than Olds or north than Ponoka.

We’ve profiled eleven of Central Alberta’s most actively burgeoning communities,

from the biggest of the bunch, Red Deer, to the “don’t call me quaint” hamlet of

Springbrook.

Among active members of the Canadian Home Builders Association – Central

Alberta there are many dynamic homes and home builders to choose from. To help you get

a sense of what’s going on and what’s available in the region, we’ve compiled a snapshot of

each community with descriptions of new subdivisions, nearby amenities and, whenever

possible, actual prices and features of lots and homes being sold.

First, though, are you ready for some fun housing facts? According to the Canada Mort-

gage and Housing Corporation’s latest statistics, Red Deer’s total increase of both single-

detached and multiple-family housing starts from January to June 2012 compared to

last year was 37.7 per cent. Sylvan Lake came in at plus 40.5 per cent and Lacombe

(the only three communities of those we profiled for which CMHC had statistics

available) was up a whopping 175 per cent. With numbers like these it’s clear

that Central Alberta’s new home market is revving up. It also helps explain

how Alberta has achieved the highest increase of total housing starts for

the same period in all of Canada at 49 per cent.

Okay, enough with the stats. Let’s take a closer look at the places

behind the numbers.

red Deer If the Central Alberta new home market is itself a show

home, then Red Deer is surely the bright, sprawling great

room with hardwood floors and crown mouldings. Listed as one

of the top ten cities in MoneySense’s 2012 “Canada’s Best Place

to Live”, Red Deer leads the pack as the most popular option for

Central Albertans wanting a vibrant city lifestyle.

Red Deer is Alberta’s third largest city with a population of

nearly 92,000 and a trade area of approximately 200,000. Many

of Alberta’s largest corporations are based in Red Deer and jobs

are ripe in all industries, including oil field servicing, manufac-

turing, retail, financial, and public sectors. Named Canada’s

Cultural Capital in 2003 by Canadian Heritage, Red Deer also


market overview

nine-foot ceilings and your choice of four

floor plans on designated lots in the mid

$350,000s. Levi-Rio Custom Home Builders

Ltd. has two walk-out lots available: the

first sides and backs a park for $176,900

and the second bigger lot backs onto Piper

Creek for $336,900. Mason Martin Homes

recently sold one of their 1,920-square-foot

custom homes for $590,000, and Sorento

Custom Homes has a bright show home

on Sutherland Close and offers two-storeys

within SouthBrook Villas.

Another vigorously blossoming new

subdivision in Red Deer is Clearview Ridge,

located north of Michener Center at the

corner of 67 Street and 30 Avenue. Clear-

view Ridge is in its first phase and includes

a mixed-use residential commercial Town

Centre, a school site, recreation amenities,

wetlands and easy access to the river val-

ley. Avalon is building single family “Zen”

homes, two-storey, bungalow and bi-level

“Bourdeaux” homes, and a stylish multi-

family project in Clearview Ridge named

“Verde” starting at $239,900. Platinum

Homes & Developments have lots and

homes available in Clearview Ridge with a

1,040-square-foot split level spec home for

$319,900. True-Line Contracting Ltd. has a

show villa open seven days a week at Cody

Place with available adult units in Clear-

view Villas. Unique Elevations’ Clearview

Ridge show home on Clearview Drive is

a 1,562-square-foot modified bi-level, for

$494,900. Landmark Homes recently sold

a 1,360-square-foot, two-storey duplex on

a close in this neighbourhood for $308,800

with other sizes and models starting in the

$270,000s.

Vanier Woods, located on Red Deer’s

extreme southeast just south of the

Lancaster subdivision, has an average

list price of $424,791. Vanier Woods is a

pedestrian-friendly mixed residential

development within walking distance of

East Hill Shopping Centre, restaurants and

Collicutt Centre. Asset Builders Corp. has

a 1,520-square-foot bungalow show home

has a dynamic arts and culture community,

proving the city is more refined than just its

oil, agriculture and hockey.

Red Deer boasts over 100 kilometres of

trails, premium golf courses, skiing and

tons of green space. Recreational opportuni-

ties abound from one end of the city to the

other with the newly revitalized G.H. Dawe

Centre in the north, the Recreation Centre

in the downtown core, and the Collicutt

Centre in the south.

Discussing Red Deer’s array of new subdi-

visions, Howard Thompson, Manager of the

City of Red Deer’s Inspections & Licensing

department, says, “We’ve seen many new

starts, especially in Clearview Ridge, Vanier

Woods and Timberstone. While maybe not

at the peak level of 2007, there is a marked

increase and the lots that developers are

bringing in are being snapped up quickly.”

One of the two hottest new subdivisions

in Red Deer in terms of demand and build-

ing activity is SouthBrook. Located from

north to west of Livingstone Church just off

the Delburne Highway, SouthBrook’s single-

family and multi-family development is

within walking distance of Piper Creek and

the future commercial area along 19th

Street. The first phase, Bower Executive lots,

contains 29 estate lots with widths averag-

ing 66 feet, each backing onto green space

and many allowing for walk outs. Phase

2 on the east side of the neighbourhood

includes 23 single-family homes, 40 town-

houses and an apartment site. SouthBrook’s

third phase has two crescents with lots that

vary in width between 40 and 50 feet with

some backing onto linear green space and a

playground.

Here’s a brief sampling of who’s building

in SouthBrook and what’s available. Abbey

Master Builder offers upscale bungalow

duplexes, “The Brookside Villas”, rang-

ing from 1,092 – 1,350 square-feet, with

One of the two hottest new subdivisions in Red Deer in terms of demand and building activity is SouthBrook.


restaurants, cafes, schools and recreational-

ly abundant Carolina Park. Carolina Homes’

show home can be viewed at 40 Jamieson

Avenue and their 1,215-square-foot, double

attached garage homes go for $300,000.

InnisfailNestled in aspen parkland on the west side

of the Calgary-Edmonton corridor, Innisfail

and its 7,876 residents welcome you to take

a breather and perhaps even stay. Innisfail

is a 20-minute drive from Red Deer and has

many draws for those wishing to relocate.

Grab your checklist and pencil and we’ll

start with their 27-hole golf course and just

keep checking as we cover the other recre-

ational spaces like Dodds Lake, an outdoor

water park, ski hill, BMX course, indoor

pool, arena, bowling alley and curling rink.

Add to that the fact that the average cost

of an 1,184-square-foot house in Innisfail is

$230,000 compared to the national average

MLS price for 2012 of $368,900, with our

provincial average only slightly lower, and

Innisfail, like many smaller communities,

starts to sparkle.

“Innisfail’s housing market is getting

stronger every year,” says Development Offi-

cer, Elwin Wiens. “We’ve got ample employ-

ment with ongoing industrial development

from our major employers, a revitalized

with four beds, three baths, and finished

basement at Voisin Close. Falcon Homes

has lots available from $109,000 with a

two-storey show home at Voisin Close and

a move-in ready 1,868-square-foot, three-

bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home for

$459,900. True-Line Contracting builds its

1,536-square-foot Vanier Woods Villas for

just over $372,000. Unique Elevations has a

1,243-square-foot bungalow on Voisin Close

for $419,900.

Now in phase three development,

Timberstone is close to shopping, two

golf courses, and provides easy access to

Highway 11 and Highway 2. One of Laebon’s

newest show homes is the two-bedroom,

1,207-square-foot “Montego” for $370,000.

Close to Heritage Ranch, the new com-

munity of Westlake offers prime access

to walking and cross-country ski trails,

shopping centres and a quick launch to

Highway 2. Executive Builders Group Inc.

has built a hi-efficiency 1,560-square-foot,

three bedroom, three bath bi-level single

family homes in Westlake that runs about

$450,000.

Garden Heights is Red Deer’s newest

residential land development, located in

the northeast and linked directly to the

Mckenzie nature area — a large node of

the Waskasoo park system. Designed so

all dwellings are within five kilometres of

a commercial service area via linked trails,

Garden Heights consists of walk out R1, R1A

and duplex lots ranging from $25 to $31 per

square-foot.

Creekside in Bower contains 30 estate

lots encompassing a beautiful stretch of

Piper Creek on the City’s south end. Candel

Homes and Platinum Homes & Develop-

ments have lots on Bannerman Close.

And last, but of course not least,

Johnstone Park is a new community in

northwest Red Deer surrounded by trendy

market overview

downtown core, sports facilities and schools

second to none, all of which make Innisfail

a good alternative for families.”

The two newest residential subdivisions

in Innisfail are Hazelwood Estates by Mason

Martin Homes and Madison Park by Laebon

Homes. Hazelwood Estates is a luxury com-

munity on the outskirts of Innisfail on Dodd

Lake with larger homes averaging about

1,400 square-feet while Madison Park is a

single family community nestled on the

northwest corner of town, close to school,

with slightly smaller homes of 1,000 – 1,200

square-feet.

Laebon Homes’ modified bi-level

1,312-square-foot show home is listed

at $319,900. Across town, Mason Martin

Homes has access to all available lots in

phase three of Hazelwood Estates with

homes starting in the high $200,000s.

Penhold Located on Highway 2A between Red Deer

and Innisfail is the true country living-vibed

town of Penhold, with a close-knit popula-

tion of about 2,500.

Penhold is growing at a very steady rate

with housing starts and other projects

within the community easily surpassing

those from the previous year. Mayor Dennis

Cooper announced that last year was a

The northeast community of Timberstone is a Laebon

Developments Ltd. subdivision adjacent to an urban forest that features winding trails

and natural reserves.


market overview

record year for Penhold with $10.2 million

worth of permits issued and he indicated

that the total as of June 30th this year is

already over $10.5 million.

The new subdivision in town is

Hawkridge Estates and it’s within easy

walking distance of the spanky new Penhold

Regional Multiplex with an arena, dance

studio, gymnasium, library and fitness

centre. Featuring interconnected parks,

Hawkridge Estates has residential lot prices

listed from $96,900 to $108,900 in phases 2

through 5 with allocations for commercial

development as well.

Abbey Master Builder is set up at

Hawkridge Blvd., meanwhile, Unique Eleva-

tions’ townhomes in Hawkridge Estates

start at $224,900 with 70 per cent sold

and no condo fees. Asset Builders has a

996-square-foot bi-level show home with

a separate-entranced legal suite, and two

bedrooms on each level at Hawkridge Blvd.

Candel Homes offers a three bed, two bath

1,152-square-foot bi-level for $295,500.

sylvan lakeApproximately 17 kilometres west of Red

Deer is the not-so-little-anymore town of

13,000 known as Sylvan Lake. Resisting the

urge to wax poetic about its magnificent

sunsets and magnetic beach, there are a

few things Economic Devolpment Officer

Matthew Cornall, would like you to know

about Sylvan Lake that extend beyond the

sand in your flip flops.

“Sylvan Lake is moving away from its

lakeside resort reputation as more and

more people make this their year round

home,” says Cornall.

Indeed, with 20 per cent growth over the

last 15 years and building permit values in

excess of $30 million in four of the last five

years it should come as no surprise that the

Town of Sylvan Lake is one of the fastest

growing communities in Canada. Now a full

service community that caters as much to

the needs of residents as vistors, the town

enjoys all the amenities of larger centres

including quality health care facilities,

emergency and protective services, plenty

of restaurants, and big retailers like Sobeys,

Walmart and Canadian Tire.

While Cornall alludes to a prestigious

new marina development of two bedroom

condos with boat slips and “a more urban

living feel” slated to start on the waterfront

in October, he says that with such a high

demand in residential growth the vast

majority of single-family homes are being

developed away from the lake and closer

to Highway 11. These new developments

include Ryders Ridge, Beacon Hill, Vista at

Ryders Ridge and Crestview.

Beacon Hill has two or three bedroom

homes in the low to high $200,000s. Ryders

Ridge, in the centre of Sylvan’s new shop-

ping district and connected to the town’s

parks and pathways, typically has bigger

homes and more three-bedroom, two-and-

a-half bath units. Expect to pay around

$425,000 in Ryders Ridge for a 1,740-square-

foot house. Vista at Ryders Ridge is slated

for a total build of about 713 homes starting

this fall, consisting mainly of low-density

houses, but also duplexes, townhouses and

likely apartments, while Crestview is set

to accommodate a range of 800 units from

multi-family to estates.

Here’s a sampling of what the main

builders in Sylvan are offering. Laebon

Homes has their 1,739-square-foot show

home at Bowman Circle available for

$372,000. Falcon Homes has a 2,098-square-

foot, two-storey show home at Ryders

Ridge Blvd. for $539,900 and two and three

bedroom townhomes up to 1,200 square-

feet for $200,000. Abbey Master Builders’

1,472-square-foot modified bi-level show

home, with 24 x 24-foot garage, can be viewed

at Ryders Ridge Blvd. Sylvan Lake Homes’

has a $379,900 three bedroom, two bath

1,170-square-foot bi-level show home with

covered front veranda and 24 x 20-foot at-

tached garage. Asset Builders offers their 4418

Ryders Ridge Blvd. home, a 1,672-square-foot

modified bi-level show home for $479,000.

Candel Homes, meanwhile, presents a

1,737-square-foot, five bedroom, three-and-

a-half bath, two-storey show home with

large main deck plus covered porch. Mason

Martin Homes has their 1,910-square-foot,

three bed, two-and-a-half bath show home

with attached double garage on Rozier Close

for $479,000. Unique Elevations has a fully

fenced, fully developed 1,041-square-foot

bi-level with suited basement home avail-

able on Radcliff Way for $339,900. And finally,

True-Line Contracting can set you up with

“Sylvan Lake is moving away from its lakeside resort reputation as more and more people make this their year round home.”


market overview

a quick possession 1,312- square-foot, two

bedroom plus den, two bath bungalow with

developed family room at Leaside Crescent

for $438,438.

blackfalds “We’ve had more building starts to the end

of June 2012 than in all of 2011,” beams

Blackfalds Mayor, Melodie Stol. Describing

the pedigree of builders currently building

in Blackfalds, Stol assures potential buyers,

“you know you’re going to purchase a good

home on a quality lot.”

Situated on rolling parkland terrain just

north of Red Deer and south of Lacombe

along Highway 2A this young town of nearly

6,800 is another of Canada’s fastest growing

communities. With a $16 million field house

and outdoor pool set to open in the spring

of 2014, excellent elementary and junior

high schools, and a huge employer in Cord

WorleyParsons, Blackfalds is steadfast in it’s

growth and development.

Newly developed communities in Black-

falds include Cottonwood Meadows and

Panorama Estates, both within a 10-minute

drive to Red Deer. Cottonwood Meadows fea-

tures a school site and will leave undisturbed

a significant stand of trees and wetland in the

southweast corner, while Panorama Estates,

now in phase 6 of 7, has lots with views of the

Blindman valley and the 26.5-acre Centennial

Park. Lots are available in both subdivisions

starting around $103,000.

Numerous builders are in on the action

in Blackfalds. Falcon Homes offers an

1,106-square-foot bungalow plan at Cotton-

wood Meadows for $348,900. Abbey Master

Builder has a two-storey, 1,852-square-foot

show home with 22 x 22-foot garage at

Paramount Crescent in Panorama Estates.

Larkaun Homes has a 1,291-square-foot

walk out bi-level with a large exposed

veranda and open foyer on Palisades St. for

$389,900. And True-Line Contracting has

a1,322-square-foot modified bi-level show

room at Cyprus Road for $449,900. Other

CHBA – CA builders currently building

in Blackfalds include Eagle Ridge Homes,

Homes by Hafso, Laebon Homes and Glenn-

star Homes.

bowdenJust 16 kilometres from Olds, and a

seven-minute drive to Innisfail is Bowden,

population just over 1,200. Bowden, of

course, is known for being home to a

penitentiary as well as the new Star-

lite Diner with the UFO on the roof.

Bowden is another relatively hidden gem

with an abundance of parks, new play-

grounds and all the amenities you would

expect from a larger centre. “I believe that

Bowden’s strongest quality is its small town

feel,” says the town’s Chief Administra-

tive Officer, Andy Weiss. “It’s a community

where neighbours know neighbours and

families feel safe.”

Affordable housing, reasonable taxa-

tion and quality of life is attracting more

young families to Bowden since lots

and single-family dwellings can be had

for significantly less here than in the

larger communities. As Bowden’s re-

sounding real estate mantra goes, “drive

a little and you can save thousands.”

Bowden is about to swell thanks in part

to 200 residential lots being developed

by Stevenson Homes in the new subdivi-

sion of Destination Greens. Expect to pay

somewhere in the mid to high $200,000s

for a decent-sized two bed, two bath house

with quality finishing in Destination Greens.

Amy Gardens is another Stevenson Home

development in town that includes 22 town

home units in collections of duplex, triplex

and fourplex designs. Stevenson Homes

has a 2,377-square-foot home with foor

bedrooms, three baths, and triple attached

garage on a 0.16-acre lot at Westview Drive.

lacombe Lacombe officially became Alberta’s 17th

city in 2010 with a population now edg-

ing towards 12,000. With its iconic Flatiron

building and a remodeled main street of re-

stored Edwardian homes authentic enough

for Hollywood to come calling, Lacombe

distinguishes itself as a culturally aware

community with a keen aesthetic.

“I really think our recreational facilities

push us over the top in terms of attract-

ing families to our community,” says

Guy Lapointe, Community Economic

Development Manager for the City

Cottonwood Meadows features a school site and will leave

undisturbed a significant stand of trees and wetland in the

southweast corner.


market overview

of Lacombe. “We have a new state of

the art athletic park, some of the fin-

est playing fields in the region, a new

skate park, and the Lacombe Memorial

Centre is a constant hub of activity.”

New developments include Elizabeth

Park phases 9 and 10, Mackenzie Ranch,

Henners Lakeside Villas and Ironwolf.

Elizabeth Park is located on the north end of

Lacombe and offers both single family and

multi-family housing opportunities close to

playgrounds, skating rinks, Gwen Badger Fit-

ness Centre, and trails to Henner’s Pond and

Elizabeth Lake. At the top of the spectrum,

Abbey Master Builders have an open con-

cept four bed, three bath 1,392-square-foot

bi-level in show room condition in Elizabeth

Park available at a list price of $454,911 and

smaller homes for less.

Mackenzie Ranch is on the southeast

side of Lacombe with lots available in phase

two directly from the developer starting as

low as $79,000. Unique Elevations Inc. has

several 1,100-plus square-foot bi-levels and

modified bi-levels available in Mackenzie

Ranch located on a quiet crescent priced in

the $280,000s.

Iron Wolf is also in the southeast corner

of the city, featuring green spaces and

natural pond areas with single-family lots

starting at $88,900 from Glennstar Builders

Group; multi-family sites under construc-

tion and Iron Wolf Villas (condos) with both

creekside and pondside walkout town-

homes priced around $227,000.

Henners Lakeside Villas by Colbray

Homes Ltd. offer beautiful lake views at the

north end of the city with 36 adult (50 plus)

duplex style condos and three single-family

homes. Colbray Homes have their show

home on Ironwood Blvd. and offer energy

efficient homes starting in the $290,000s.

For those wishing to retire or simply say

goodbye to snow shoveling and yard work

there are also two new adult developments

to choose from. The Chateau of Lacombe by

Hafso Developments Ltd. is a 39-unit luxury

45-plus adult condominium featuring

French architectural design, fireplace, large

balconies and five appliances in all units,

with one bedroom units selling for around

$185,000. The Manor at Royal Oak Village

by Christenson Developments is a 73-unit

senior living community outside Lacombe,

near Canadian University College featuring

scenic views and high-end finishes.

rocky mountainhouse

Brad Dollevoet, Director of Planning and

Community Development for the town of

Rocky Mountain House, extols the virtues

of Rocky’s flourishing economy as one of

several factors drawing new home buyers

out west to this wilderness Mecca of 7,300

residents. “Building construction value, ma-

jor community developments like the three

million dollar expansion to the Ford Dealer-

ship and a significant increase in smaller

industrial businesses starting and coming to

town all illustrate Rocky’s continued growth

as an attractive community to work, live

and play.”

The two new communities to consider

here are Creekside and LeCerf. Creekside

is tucked in the quiet southwest corner of

town and will eventually be linked to the

downtown area via 54th Street. With walk-

ing trails, a community garden and home

sites that back onto Trappers Creek and

allow for walkout basements, Creekside pric-

ing for home, lot and GST starts at $235,800.

Laebon Homes, is both the developer and

builder of Creekside. LeCerf has undeveloped

lots available in its phase three north end

neighbourhood from $87,500 to $89,900 and

the newest building in Rocky, LeCerf Point

condos, are priced from the low $200,000s.

springbrook Springbrook, Alberta, population 1,079, still

remains somewhat of a secret to many,

unaware that just minutes between Red

Deer and Penhold is a uniquely designed

community with old-fashioned charm.

Formerly an armed forces base, Spring-

brook’s military beginnings have given way

to a thriving mini-hub of newly designed

homes and distinctive architecture amid

large green spaces and an active Red Deer

Airport-related industry.

Balancing its small town lifestyle with

close proximity to everything the city has

to offer, Springbrook owes much of its

revitalization to its primary demographic of

Lacombe Memorial Centre


market overview

young families. New two and three bedroom

homes typically sell in the high $200,000s to

low $300,000s.

New residential subdivisions in Spring-

brook include Harvard Park phase two

in the northeast sector and Malibu Park

phases one-four in east Springbrook,

formerly Mynarski Park. The total 95-acre

10-phase subdivision of Malibu will consist

of 500 lots once it’s built out over the next

few years. Right now phase one consists of

36 lots close to Airport Drive with site work

completed for Phases two through four.

With these major expansions it is expected

that Springbrook’s population could triple

within the next five to ten years. In prepara-

tion for this growth a $12 million infrastruc-

ture upgrade has been completed to replace

aging water and sewer lines in the older

residential areas, roads have been repaved,

and signs and light standards have been

replaced to reflect the area’s heritage.

Mason Martin Homes is currently build-

ing a new eight-plex of two bedroom, two

bath condos in Springbrook and Serge’s

Homes has single family lots available on

Red Ash Cove and Cypress Lane.

olds Home to Olds College, Canada’s premier

agricultural learning institution, Olds

resides in the heart of the Calgary/Edmon-

ton corridor with a population of 9,200.

Town amenities include an aquatic centre,

sportsplex, skateboard park, golf course and

more than 100 acres of parks, playgrounds

and picnic areas.

With affordable housing prices still

around the 2009 average of $280,000, Olds

beckons those looking for a tranquil place

to retire or start a family. “Our numbers are

as good as they’ve been since our boom

year of 2008,” says Chief Administrative

Officer for the town of Olds, Norm McInnis.

“A lot of people are moving here for new job

opportunities and quality of life, and both

residential and commercial developments

are clipping along nicely.”

Backing this up, the town is currently

redeveloping east Olds and the new forty-

acre Cornerstone Shopping Centre includes

anchor tenants Walmart, Canadian Tire,

Sobeys and Staples.

The Highlands residential development in

the southwest corner of Olds is in its second

phase with Stevenson Homes offering walk

out lots with park, mountain and water

views starting at $101,000. Just east of Olds,

Stevenson Homes is building and develop-

ing Saddle Up Estates, a unique and dedi-

cated equestrian community of fully fenced

acreage parcels with on-site equestrian

facilities in the $397,000 to $516,000 range.

Ponoka If the quality and calibre of new homes

being built in a community reflect its collec-

tive beauty then picturesque Ponoka is be-

coming more photogenic by the year thanks

in part to major builders like Jorgenson

Homes and Laebon Developments currently

sprucing up Ponoka’s landscape.

Straddling the Battle River midway

between Red Deer and Edmonton with a

population of nearly 7,000, Ponoka boasts

six kilometres of river valley walking trails

and the lowest cost of living and lowest

residential taxes of Alberta communities of

comparable size.

Sarah Olson, Economic Development

Officer for the town of Ponoka, describes

a concerted effort on the town’s part to

attract both young families and seniors

into the downtown core. “Old buildings are

coming down and duplexes are going up in

our core area to accommodate affordability,

walkability and ease of access,” says Olson.

Beyond downtown, Ponoka’s three new-

est areas of development include Chicken

Hill, Panorama Ridge and Meadowlark

Estates. Chicken Hill, a name derived from

the land’s previous poultry farm, is a 50

lot residential subdivision located on the

northeast side of the river at the top of the

hill. Meadowlark Estates is on the northwest

end of Ponoka, close to schools and parks,

while Panorama Ridge is on the town’s east

Riverside section. Laebon Homes offers a

mix of smaller single-family homes, larger

move up opportunities, and stylish duplexes

in Meadowlark Estates. In Panorama Ridge,

Jorgenson Homes has a new show home.

In terms of pricing for Ponoka, half

duplexes can be had for $145,000 – $200,000

while the average value of a single-family

house is $264,000, including garage.

If we missed you, our sincerest apologies.

This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list,

although every effort is made to mention as

many communities and builders as possible.

“We have a new state of the art athletic park, some of the finest playing fields in the region, a new skate park, and the Lacombe Memorial Centre is a constant hub of activity.”

Ponoka Centennial Pond


show home profile

Falcon HomesConstructing environmentally conscious homes of exceptional craftsmanship

By TAnIS REID

Want to get the most out of your

home buying experience? Of

course you do, that’s what

everyone wants, and that’s why over 1,100

families and counting have put their trust

in Falcon Homes to fulfill their dreams of

homeownership.

Locally owned, and community involved,

Falcon Homes is a proud Central Alberta

award-winning builder who’s passion is

new home construction. As a home builder,

their mission is to design and construct

environmentally conscious homes of

exceptional craftsmanship. Falcon Homes

is committed to their customers, their

staff, their industry, and their reputation

by providing an exemplary home building

experience in which innovation, quality,

value and service are paramount.

Falcon Homes offers designs for every

lifestyle and budget with unmistakable

value in the most desired communities in

Central Alberta, including Red Deer, Sylvan

Lake, Blackfalds and Springbrook. With a

Falcon Homes sales team member in each

of their beautiful show homes in these

communities, they provide potential home

buyer opportunity to view the craftsman-

ship of their homes and get to know their

builder.

The “Newcastle” model at 3 Voison Close

is the newest Falcon show home which re-

cently opened in the community of Vanier

Woods East in Red Deer. This fabulous

two-storey home boasts 2,120 square-feet.

divided into three bedrooms, two-and-

a-half bathrooms, a family bonus space

and a magnificent entrance, staircase and

open kitchen, living room and dining room

layout.


shower and quartz decking around the

soaker tub to match the vanity — where

you find his and hers sinks divided by great

storage space.

Every part of this home, including the

garage, draws you in with style, elegance

and a sense of home. The show home is

stunning and full of dream ideas, and it’s

only just a small sampling of what Falcon

Homes offers their customers.

With a full array of floor plans, including

two-storey, bi-level, and bungalow, Falcon

Homes is able to work with you and your

budget to build the perfect home for you.

Having an in-house draftsman also allows

Falcon Homes the ability to customize your

home with all your dreams in mind.

At Falcon Homes, the priority is a quality

built home and a positive experience along

the way. The team at Falcon Homes work

tirelessly to earn the opportunity to work

with new and repeat clients and ensure the

homes they build exceed their customers

dreams.

The eye-catching curb appeal invites

you inside the moment you first glimpse

the home. From the exposed aggregate

driveway, to the beautiful landscaping

and upgraded custom exterior details,

including the chic modern stone, deep

tone siding, and the sealed cedar board

and baton surround the metal clad

windows. Tradition meets modern and

leaves you green with envy for this

brand new design by Falcon Homes.

Entering through the custom stained

fibreglass front door, you are welcomed

into a grand foyer that sparkles with

natural light pouring in through the

sky high windows.

The custom finishes around the windows

and large crown moulding on the painted

ceiling give elegance to this space. Soft tones

of polished tile with small innovative design

styles show off the unique entrance to the

home. Every step through this home reminds

customers of Falcon Homes’ high expecta-

tions of their finished product.

High contrast between the black cabi-

netry and tile works well in the kitchen

while a full wall of tile in the living room

makes the fireplace mantel pop. Glamorous

chrome finishings pull everything together

a give these rooms some serious pizazz!

Head up the grand staircase to find the

large multi-use bonus room at the back

of the home, then down the hall to find

two bedrooms — each fitted with walk-in

closets — and a stunning master suite.

Contemporary comfort living is the feel of

this gorgeous space.

The ensuite adds even more glam to

this already fabulous home, with marble

tile floor-to-ceiling in the walk-in custom

For more information please visit

www.falconhomes.net

Falcon Homes offers designs for every lifestyle and budget with unmistakable value in the most desired communities

in Central Alberta.


show home profile

Abbey Master BuilderSoaring vaulted ceilings highlight the Greystone II

By SHELLEy nEWMAn

Sales & Marketing Co-ordinator with Abbey

Master Builder. “One of my favourite aspects

is the vaulted ceiling, which floods the house

with natural light throughout the day.” The

vaulted ceiling begins in the entry foyer and

continues into the great room, seeming to

bring the natural beauty of the outdoor set-

ting inside the home. The bright, breezy feel-

ing is partly from the thoughtful design and

partly from the well-placed windows located

on three sides of the room.

Inevitably, the soaring ceiling of the

great room will draw your attention up, to

the stairway and second floor landing and

to the stylish light fixtures that adorn the

space. Looking back to solid ground, you’ll

see that the flooring throughout the main

level is presslock vinyl laminate, which has

the look of wide-plank hardwood floors, but

the durability of laminate — an ideal option

for active households.

The great room is an open area that’s

perfect for entertaining or family fun, and

it flows smoothly into the other main area

of the home — the kitchen — as two wide

doorways lead to the kitchen and dining

areas. Large windows and light-coloured

cabinets continue the bright, airy feel of the

great room, and the kitchen has a funky

yet classy look with crown moulding on

the cabinets, stainless steel appliances and

modern hardware on the cabinetry. The

thoughtful kitchen layout can accommo-

date one chef or multiple cooks, as the cor-

ner pantry and large island with a breakfast

bar offer space for all.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining area

has a large window overlooking the back

yard and an upgraded garden door leading

to the deck.

When you open the door of the

Greystone II show home by

Abbey Master Builder, your

senses awaken to the fresh, inviting, bright

world that you’re stepping into. The house

is spacious yet cozy, classy yet comfortable.

Located at 2 Windermere Close in

Westlake, it’s a short walk to Heritage

Ranch and the beauty of Red Deer’s

renowned trail system. In this park-like

setting, the 1,570-square-foot house is an

ideal home for couples or families, and you

get that sense as soon as you walk in.

“This house is loaded with must-see fea-

tures and upgrades,” says Alicia Demchuk,

The thoughtful kitchen layout can accommodate one chef or multiple cooks, as the corner pantry and large island with a breakfast bar offer space for all.


For more information please visit

www.abbeymasterbuilder.ca

Branching off the opposite side of the

kitchen are three doors: one leading to

the half bathroom, one to the double-

attached garage, which is fully-finished

with a hot shot heater, and one to the

basement. In the basement, you’ll find

a high efficiency furnace and a direct

vented 40-gallon hot water tank. The

space can be finished to suit any needs,

and it’s roughed-in for underslab heat-

ing to provide a cozy living area.

Back on the main level, the stairway to

the second floor is located off of the entry

foyer. As you travel up the stairs and turn

right down the hallway at the top, you

overlook the great room below. The master

bedroom at the end of this hall features

a large, three-piece ensuite that is sure to

please, complete with a west-facing win-

dow, tile floor, extended vanity, linen closet

and walk-in closet. The fully-carpeted

second level is rounded out with the main

bath, two more bedrooms and additional

closet space.

This Greystone II show home, which has

over $22,000 worth of upgrades, is avail-

able for $404,477. Potential buyers can

purchase this home directly, have it built

at another location or adapt a plan to suit

their lifestyle.

“Abbey Master Builder can customize any

floor plan for our clients,” says Demchuk.

“We work with customers from the begin-

ning to the end of the process to ensure

people get the best home for their needs.”


community profile

Vanier Woods East Melcor ’s newest development appeals to every lifestyle

By LESL IE GREEnTREE

named after former Governor

General of Canada George Vanier,

the new Vanier Woods East

subdivision is a community inspired by the

traditions of the past and designed to be a

place where homeowners can create their

own traditions.

Vanier Woods East is the south half of a

master-planned area and Gregg Broks, De-

velopment Manager for the Red Deer region

for Melcor Developments Ltd., says the lin-

ear nature of the land parcel will make for

a beautiful community. “There is no school

site designated for this area and so the land

accrues to the benefit of the neighbour-

hood,” Broks says. “There are parks, natural

woodland areas, a constructed wetland

and environmental reserves, and they’re

all connected by a linear park system with

multi-use trails.” The neighbourhood is


road. “These features all bring significant

character to the neighbourhood,” he says.

“We designed it to be pedestrian-scaled,

focusing more on the walking experience

than on driving.”

Melcor’s focus on pedestrian networks

includes widening the sidewalks wherever

possible and bringing the trail network

into the neighbourhood. Traffic calming

features will also contribute to the char-

acter they’re developing by slowing traffic,

adding more greenery, and enhancing the

pedestrian experience. A five acre parcel

has been set aside for a grocery store and

other shopping, and plans are also under-

way for a church.

Broks describes Vanier Woods East as

a place where people can grow. “It’s not

just for those starting out or moving up,”

he says. “young people can buy their first

home here and then move into something

a bit larger when they have kids. Eventu-

ally, they could move up to one of the

large homes backing onto a wooded area

or wetland.” And all without leaving the

neighbourhood and the friends and tradi-

tions they’ve developed there.

Partway through Phase 1, 70 homes

are already out of the ground, and Broks

estimates that by year-end builders will

have started more than 100. The parade of

homes began mid-September and features

a record number of 13 show homes. The

parade of homes will last for a year and,

within walking distance of St. Francis and

Mattie McCullough elementary schools.

With 21 different builders, Broks says

Vanier Woods East offers style and price

ranges for everyone. “Our intent is to

develop a balance of uses and recreational

opportunities with a mix of low, medium

and high-density dwellings to meet the

needs of every buyer in the market,” he ex-

plains. The starter market will find a range

of townhouse projects in the $250,000

range, and duplexes under $300,000.

An exciting feature in Vanier is the result

of new zoning by the City: some narrow

lots have been zoned R1G to allow attached

front-facing garages on homes that are

still priced under $400,000. “It isn’t usual

to get an attached garage in that price

range, and the feedback from our build-

ers is that it’s very popular,” Broks says.

But the neighbourhood doesn’t just offer

homes for young buyers. An impressive ar-

ray of larger, high-end homes backing onto

scenic wooded areas or the wetland will

also be available, for prices around the one

million mark.

Broks is confident the level of the ameni-

ties will make the entire neighbourhood

stand out, citing superior fencing book-

ended by masonry posts, an arresting

entry feature, directional signage, natural

areas and a trail system that allows people

to bike from Vanier Woods East all the

way to Bower Mall without biking on a

community profile

For information on the 21 builders involved

and details on the range of homes available,

visit www.vanierwoodseast.ca.

over the next 18 months, Broks says the

neighbourhood area structure plan calls

for 758 dwelling units to be developed.

He describes the neighbourhood’s

namesake, George Vanier, as having been

focused on family, community and faith.

Melcor thought that translated well into

themes for a community, and the entry

feature was designed to come out of the

ground in a way that evokes a feeling of

history, incorporated into a modern

neighbourhood.

“It’s a celebration of the values of our

past, combined with the best modern

conveniences,” Broks says. “It’s an innova-

tive, carefully designed community with a

variety of builders and housing styles. It’s

the perfect place to call home, and start

creating your own traditions.”

“Our intent is to develop a balance of uses and recreational opportunities with a mix of low, medium and high-density dwellings…”


had spread through the community.

The teens envisioned a fundraising golf

tournament titled “Golf a kid to Cure”;

their efforts raised $90,000. The annual

fundraiser expanded to include Build a kid

to Cure when a local builder approached

them, pitching the idea of building a home

in 30 days with the various tradespeople

donating labour and as much materials as

they could. Once the home was completed,

it would be sold and any profits would be

given to their charity.

CHBA – Central Alberta has been the

presenting sponsor every year, with this

year’s house, completed by Laebon Homes

in a record five days, coming on the

market in August.

Build and Golf a Kid to Cure Charity event supports cancer research and local kids

By LESL IE GREEnTREE

2012 marks the 10th anniversary of

Red Deer’s Build and Golf a kid to

Cure fundraising efforts, and Dave

Wild couldn’t be more proud. A mortgage

broker with Dominion Lending Centres

Regional Mortgage Group, Dave and his

colleagues have helped build this grassroots

effort into two annual events that have

raised a total of more than $1.2 million

toward supporting Central Alberta children.

“Ten years ago, three Red Deer teenagers

won their battles with cancer and decided

they wanted to give back,” says Wild.

One of those teens was the son of Wild’s

colleague and, before they knew it, their

cause had been taken up by Regional

Mortgage brokers, staff and friends and

Over 10 years, Build and Golf a kid to

Cure has supported local cancer efforts and

research toward finding a cure. Red Deer

Regional Hospital has received funds for

new rooms, new beds and new equipment,

and funds for the past few years have gone

toward Red Deer’s Ronald McDonald House.

This year, funds return to the two

core sources Build and Golf a kid to Cure

has supported from the beginning: kids

Cancer Care and children’s programs at

the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency

Shelter.

For updates and to find out how you can get

involved, check out their Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/BuildAndGolfAKidToCure.

community


community

of taking time away from a job for training.

“The scholarships help get people

trained and help them further their educa-

tion,” he says.

Erin Schulha, an awards and scholarship

advisor at RDC, says partnering with the

CHBA builds capacity for skilled labour.

“When the community partners with

RDC it creates opportunities for students

through increased funding and potential

employment upon graduation. It opens

doors to industry connections for skilled

workers and shows that the community

supports lifelong learning,” Schulha says.

Joan Butler, Administrative Assistant

with the CHBA – Central Alberta, echoes

these sentiments.

Building the futureCanadian Home Builder ’s Association scholarships support apprenticeships

By GREGORy SAWISK y

The CHBA has been funding student

scholarships in Central Alberta for

more than 20 years.

Supporting apprentices through schol-

arships is a way for the Canadian Home

Builders’ Association to give back to Cen-

tral Alberta while fostering the growth of

the construction workforce.

Sponsoring eight $500 scholarships at

RDC in carpentry, electrician and plumbing

and one $1,000 bursary at Olds College,

the CHBA – Central Alberta hopes that an

investment into education will mean more

skilled labour further down the road.

Denie Olmstead, Executive Officer with

the CHBA – Central Alberta, says that the

scholarships aim to offset some of the costs

Butler’s own son is an apprentice and

she knows full well the effect a little extra

funding can have. “Scholarships like these

definitely help with the costs,” she says.

For some apprentices that cost can be

significant. “When you have a family and a

mortgage it makes it tougher to try and get

your apprenticeship done,” Olmstead says.

“Partnering with our regional colleges

gives our association another opportunity

to give back to our community, allows

us to promote interested in working in

a rewarding career in the residential

construction industry.”


implemented nationally and locally by the

Canadian Home Builders Association. The

Central Alberta chapter of CHBA works

closely with the Alberta Construction

Safety Association, Occupational Health

& Safety and the Workers Compensation

Board, all sharing the common mandate of

injury reduction and prevention.

krahn says the organization’s goal is

to ensure all members strive towards

getting their provincial certificate of

safety recognition and follow the CHBA’s

commitment to professionalism and safe

work practices.

Laebon Homes was the winner of the

first Safety Leadership Award, sponsored

by Atco Gas. Nominees for the award this

Workplace safety It doesn’t happen by accident

By JASOn BR InK

Gone are the days when the only

thing that mattered in home

building was getting it built right

and on time.

According to Wes krahn, the Safety

Committee Chair for Canadian Home

Builders Association of Central Alberta,

the attitude towards safety has changed

gradually but dramatically over the past

ten years. “Builders recognize the value in

sending everyone home at the end of the

day and we’re working hard to cultivate

a culture of safety with our team and our

subtrades.”

Much of the progress that has been

made in enhancing safety on home sites

can be attributed to safety programs

year include the Carpet Colour Centre and

Falcon Homes.

When asked how safe building practices

affect homebuyers, krahn says that

safety harnesses, hard hats and steel toes

being worn consistently on a build site

reflect a meticulous work environment

and a conscientiousness that inevitably

gets reflected in the work and the overall

quality of the finished home.

Wes Krahn

industry news


industry news

Finalists announcedFor 2012 CHBA – Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing

The Canadian Home Builders’

Association – Alberta (CHBA –

Alberta) is pleased to announce

the finalists of the 2012 Alberta Awards

of Excellence in Housing.

The Alberta Awards of Excellence in

Housing, presented by RBC Royal Bank,

honour the top builders and renovators

from across the province during a special

ceremony on September 21 in Jasper

as part of BUILD 2012 CHBA – Alberta

Conference. Winners of each category

will be rewarded and one builder will be

recognized as the winner of the prestigious

Ralph Scurfield Builder of the year Award.

CHBA – Alberta had record-breaking

383 entries this year from builders and

renovators across the province.

CHBA – Alberta also announced the

Safety Leadership Award finalists. The

Safety Leadership Awards are sponsored

and communicating important safety

messages. This year’s finalists include to

CHBA – Central Alberta members: Falcon

Homes and Carpet Colour Centre Winners

will be announced at the Industry Leader

Awards Breakfast on Saturday, September

22, at the BUILD Conference in Jasper.

tWo central alberta comPanIes are fInalIsts In theIr cateGorIes:

• multi-family townhome or Duplex Under $325,000: colbray homes - chateau (top photo)

• renovation over $200,000: true-line contracting -

melynchuk residence (left photo)

by ATCO Gas as part of their corporate

commitment to safety through partnering

with key industry safety initiatives

Colbray Homes

True-Line Contracting


education; and maintain a safe and

organized worksite.

Proud to be one of many RenoMark™

renovation providers in Red Deer, Rick

Sauvé of kCB Cabinets explains the

significance of the program. “It’s important

to me that we have integrity with our

customers,” says Sauvé. “Go to the Better

Business Bureau site and look at the top

ten complaints they have each month and

many times renovators are listed right

up there with used car salesmen.” That

October is Reno MonthRenoMark™ brand means you’re in good hands

Leaves are falling, and so may be your

enthusiasm for certain elements

of your home that have gone from

eye-catching to ho-hum, impractical to

annoying, or have simply entered the

“we gotta do something about this now”

phase. Whether it’s replacing plastic tub

surround with tile, or switching from

lino to hardwood, October is Reno Month

and that’s all the reason you need to get

started.

Maybe you want to do the work on

your own; maybe you want to hire a

professional to do it for you. Whichever

route you choose, the Canadian Home

Builders’ Association urges homeowners

looking to renovate to do it right the first

time. Because the only thing worse than

ending up on an episode of “Canada’s

Worst Handyman” yourself is recognizing

the contractor you’ve just hired in the

opening credits.

One way to avoid either scenario is to

look for a reliable and reputable renovator

identified by the RenoMark™ logo. Quickly

becoming recognized as an important

standard amongst professional renovators,

RenoMark™ is a CHBA – Central Alberta

program in which members commit to a

detailed code of conduct in the delivery

of quality renovation services to their

customers.

Abiding by the CHBA – CA’s Code of

Ethics, RenoMark™ members provide

detailed contracts for all jobs; offer a

two-year warranty on all work; carry

$2 million liability insurance; possess

applicable licenses and permits; maintain

a professional level of knowledge of

current building codes, permit procedures,

and technical skills through continuing

impression exists, he says, because a lot

of people have been burned. “RenoMark™

gives consumers that extra level of

confidence that they’re dealing with a

reputable business rather than a fly by

night operation.”

For those looking to renovate, Sauvé

encourages homeowners to think about

what they’d like to have done and develop

a wish list. That’s the fun part. The tricky

part, of course, is fitting as many of those

items from your list into your budget.

“RenoMark™ gives consumers that extra level of confidence that they’re dealing with a reputable business rather than a ffly by night operation.”

rick sauvé

industry news

By JASOn BR InK


Bankers and brokers agree that the purchase of a home is likely the single biggest investment you will ever make. They also agree that education is a critical factor and that understanding all of the complexities of such a huge purchase is of utmost importance. rob stryker

Jean-Guy turcotte

mortgages

It’s your first mortgage Do you go to a Banker or Broker?

By JOCK MACKEnzIE

When looking for your first

mortgage, should you choose

a banker or a broker? What do

they both say? What do the bankers say?

What do the brokers say?

Bankers and brokers agree that the

purchase of a home is likely the single

biggest investment you will ever make.

They also agree that education is a critical

factor and that understanding all of the

complexities of such a huge purchase is of

utmost importance.

Those interviewed concur that the

relationship one establishes with the

person who finds them a mortgage is a

key element. Whether through a banker

or a broker, the relationship should be

with someone who is experienced and

knowledgeable, and questions in this

regard need to be asked.

Clearly, there are differences. For banks,

a common statement might be, “It’s not

just about the mortgage.” Rob Stryker, Vice

President with Servus Credit Union said,

“you need full financial advice not only for

the house but also so you can continue to

save for RESPs, RSPs, and tax free savings.”

He also noted that, “At Servus, we have

branch staff who give you full advice

and will build a long term relationship ...

and that you should focus on the whole

financial need not just one product.”

Banks like those in the Big Five (RBC,

BMO, TD, CIBC and Scotiabank) have what

they consider an advantage because they

have branches in numerous locations

as well as being able to offer Internet

access. In addition, banks feel they can

provide excellent after-sales service in that

they continue to be a major part of the

relationship.

out for your best interest (pun intended),

both on the rate side and also on the

service side.”

Is there a clear answer? No. Circum-

stances and goals vary. A bank may be the

best choice for some, the broker the best

choice for another.

Brokers, of course, see their role as being

different. Perhaps the biggest difference

is choice. Mortgage brokers have access

to a large number of lenders. Each lender

has different policies so a broker can look

at the client’s situation and determine

which lender would be the best fit. Another

advantage a broker can offer is the ability

to negotiate with the lender, convincing

the lender the client is a good risk, and

dealing with what can be stressful issues

for someone without experience.

Brokers describe themselves as

“mortgage professionals.” They don’t sell

GICs or RSPs. They need to know the

policies of lenders inside and out, from the

banks to the trust companies to the private

lenders. If a client can’t get a mortgage

from one lender, a broker can keep looking.

Jean-Guy Turcotte, an Accredited

Mortgage Professional with Dominion

Lending Centres states, “Our job is to look

Central Alberta Homes Fall 2012

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