New Local Home Oct. 21

Display Homes Open1-4pm Monday to Thursday

Noon - 5pm Saturday and Sunday46262 First Ave., Chilliwack BC

Call Now 604-701-6143 or visit us at

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2 BEDROOM HOMES FROM $194,900.LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN.

PEACE OF MIND WARRANTY.MOVE-IN READY.

THE PERFECT PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS!

Residential sales increased for the sec-ond month in a row throughout the prov-ince in September, reports the BCREA.

However, the 5,511 homes sold last month still represent a 36 per cent decline compared to the same month last year.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS (the industry’s listing service) residential unit sales in the province increased two per cent in September compared to August and the average MLS listing price climbed four

per cent to $493,846 last month compared to the same month last year.

“B.C. home sales increased for the second consecutive month in September,” says Cam-eron Muir, BCREA chief economist.

But, he notes, consum-er demand is still notice-

ably lower than last fall’s frenetic pace.“Market conditions have improved, with

the months of supply declining from 11.1 in June to 8.9 in September,” Muir says.

A balanced market typically exhibits five to seven months of supply, says the BCREA.

“The current downward pressure on mortgage rates is expected to bolster hous-ing demand this fall as consumers take ad-vantage of a second opportunity to secure near-record low interest rates,” Muir says.

Year-to-date, B.C. residential sales dollar volume increased two per cent to $29.6 billion, compared to the same period last year, the BCREA says.

Market conditions beginning to improve

MAGGIE CALLOWAY

Thinking new home? Perhaps it’s time to think technology.

Homeowners who are considering build-ing a new house may want to investigate making the home fully automated.

Even thinking about anything high-tech can make some homeowners panic, but hir-ing the right company at the beginning of the design process can help a lot.

Ensuring the new home is wired properly to handle full automation, including new technology and new products that will most certainly come onto the market in the future, makes perfect sense.

Even if the home construction budget doesn’t stretch to installing all the bells and whistles, the new home will be properly

wired to handle installation in increments, as budget allows.

Andrew McCormick and Aris Catevatis, principals with Ace Integrated Systems, make total sense when they explain what is a complicated subject for many: the technol-ogy itself and the installation of automated systems.

The first order of business, says McCor-mick, is to get to know the client.

Homes: get automatedHigh-tech advances can help enhance the home experience

Andrew McCormick and Aris Catevatis of Ace Integrated Systems, outside a show suite they worked on at Millennium Water in Vancouver, say home automation can help make any homeowner’s life easier and more efficient. Martin Knowles photo

Cameron Muir

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Ledingham McAllister offers new homes in an ideal South Burnaby neighbourhood at Reflections ›› p.4

October 21, 2010

2 New Local Home October 21, 2010

“What are their needs? Do they like house-wide audio, lighting control convenience or streaming video ... it’s all scalable,” he says.

“Once you have the backbone of the system, which is the wiring, you can scale your

systems up from there.”McCormick and Catevatis are

qualified not only to advise hom-eowners about different systems but are also electrical contractors, which can help the process move smoothly.“The beauty of us installing both

the electrical wiring system and the various elements of automation is we are 100 per cent accountable,” says Catevatis.

“The client doesn’t have to be involved in countless meetings with the electrical contrac-tor, the security company, the audio installer ... we do it all.”

That allows for the communication between the company and the client to be open, Cat-evatis says.

“The client(s) can articulate their ideas, their imagination, to us and we can make it happen.”

Even in this high-tech industry, there are often new advances – Catevatis has noticed there are more and more wireless compo-nents available for such systems, so the wiring needed is a lot less than even five years ago.

But it is even more important that the electrical installation be compatible for the standard electrical needs of the home and the automation – both systems have to work ef-ficiently together, he says.

And the home automation systems now available encompass a lot – like controlling all the elements of the home from one simple touch pad.

Smart Home technology means homeown-ers can adjust the lighting in the home, turn the entertainment centre ‘on’ or ‘off ’ and fully secure the entire home, not just when some-one is home, but from a remote location.

If anxious parents are wondering when their child gets home from school or a date, the information can be sent to their iPad or cellphone when an exterior door is opened.

A Smart Home can also be programmed to follow certain patterns of energy use through-out the day, and to lower the home’s tempera-ture at night or turn off outside security lights at dawn, if the homeowners wish.

If the family goes on vacation for a week or two in the winter, they can send a signal to their home’s system from Hawaii – before getting on the plane back to B.C. – to slowly warm up the house in time for their arrival home.

For peace of mind, whether sunbathing on the beach or at work, the system can send status updates on each home security system.

If homeowners have problems remember-ing garbage day, dental appointments or Mom’s birthday, an automated home system

will remind them in plenty of time to bake a cake or put the cans at the curb.

If the new home doesn’t come with a media room, the homeowners may want to consider building one in order to have a space designed for a range of activities: catching the big game or fight on TV, watching movies, playing video games, air hockey or foosball, listening to music, and just generally spending time with family and friends.

As with any media room, the focus usually revolves around a flatscreen TV, with 3D and four-colour technology emerging as the most popular current trends.

McCormick says they suggest their clients should include certain items in their media room, such as an LCD or plasma display device; a DVD or BluRay player; speakers and subwoofer; an audio/video receiver; a game console; a cable or satellite box and a universal remote or touch-screen tablet.

“You don’t have to sacrifice stylish living to enjoy the excitement of big-screen entertain-ment – style and functionality can go hand-in-hand with a well-designed home entertain-ment system,” says McCormick.

To avoid the frustration of trying to deci-

pher what “mesh network, head end, cat 5e, rg6” means, calling in the experts is likely a great way to avoid the headaches of trial and error.

“That’s our job, to stay on top of new devel-opments in the industry and build systems for our clients that work with the way they live in their homes,” McCormick says.

“It’s all about making life run a little more smoothly and, done right, adding a rich di-mension to the home.”

Across the country, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports housing starts were at 186,400 in September, down 2,900 from 189,300 units in August.

“Housing starts moved lower in September due to an increase in urban single starts in Atlantic Canada and On-tario,” says Bob Dugan, chief economist and CMHC’s Market Analyst Centre.

“Multiple starts were unchanged.”In urban British Columbia – centres

with more than 10,000 people – builders started 2,305 homes in September, push-ing year-to-date starts to 17,791 units, CMHC says.

New home construction in the entire province picked up during the third quarter, climbing to a seasonally adjusted rate rate of 26,500 units in September, from 19,900 in July.

“A pick-up in the pace of multiple-unit starts was behind the upward trends,” says CMHC B.C. regional economist Carol Frketich.

Multiple-unit starts rose to 18,200 units in September, up from 11,700 units in July, says CMHC.

New Local Home ran an article last week that reported Flavia Boffo and ‘husband’ Daniel Boffo run Boffo Homes. Daniel and Flavia are brother and sister, not husband and wife. New Local Home apologizes for the error.

Correction

CONTINUED FROM P.1

Downward pressure on rates will boost demand

Bring your home into the future

Publisher: Fiona Harris • 604-575-5822 • [email protected]: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • [email protected]: Maggie Calloway • [email protected] Advertising Sales: Black Press National Sales • Adrian Saunders • 604-575-5812 • [email protected] Advertising: 604-575-5822Designer: Brad Smith • [email protected]

New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

Control music, temperature, lights and more with a home automation system – you don’t even have to be at home.

Off the front: “It’s all about making life run a little more smoothly.” Andrew McCormick, Ace Integrated SystemsCONTINUED FROM P.1

Andrew McCormick shows how easy it is to set the mood, above. Martin Knowles/Ace Integrated Systems photos

MAKE LifE EASIER

New Local Home October 21, 2010 3


Finding a new home in a quiet Burnaby neighbourhood that is close to all amenities yet removed from the clamour of city life may seem impos-sible.

But with prices starting from $295,800, Ledingham McAllister’s lat-est offering, Reflections, fits the bill in an affordable manner.

Reflections is the last of the high-rises to be built in the Edmonds neigh-bourhood of South Burnaby, meaning the panoramic views are protected.

Close to shopping and SkyTrain, Reflections offers convenience to its residents in the most tranquil setting possible.

“Reflections is situated on a beauti-ful, quiet, gem of property, tucked away from the noise of the city but within walking distance of every kind of shop and service residents need to access including SkyTrain,” says Manu-ela Mirecki, senior vice-president of marketing for Ledingham McAllister Properties Ltd.

Mirecki notes that Ledingham McAllister donated three acres to the municipality to protect Byrne Creek, which runs through the property, so homeowners are able to take advan-tage of the richly landscaped green space.

The location of Reflections is ideal for the sports enthusiast with pools, golf courses, recreation centres and playing fields all located nearby.

Homeowners who’d rather stay in can do a serious workout in the fully equipped gym. Education is easily ac-cessible – local schools, from kinder-garten to post-secondary, are excellent.

And the homes themselves are at-tractive, inside and out.

The exterior is a stunning combina-tion of concrete and glass; a soaring lobby with an impressive fireplace welcomes its residents home.

The attention to detail continues in each home, with expansive windows

Find a fab home at Reflections

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Ledingham McAllister’s Reflections offers new homes starting from $295,800 in the quiet, yet connected South Burnaby neighbour-hood of Edmonds. Homes feature amazing views, high-quality con-struction and upscale features in a location that is close to SkyTrain, transit and transporta-tion routes as well as all community amenities imaginable. Reflec-tions homeowners also have access to a fully equipped gym if they prefer exercising indoors.

Burnaby living at its best


ONNI.COM *Please contact an Onni sales representative for details. This offer only applies to select homes. Onni reserves the right to make any modifi cations and/or substitutions to this offer, without notice, should it be necessary, or to cancel this offer in its discretion. E.&O.E.

COQUITLAM’S BEST VALUE FROM $226,900

At 37 stories, Oasis is the tallest tower in the heart of Coquitlam’s latest residential village. Centrally located across from the 175 shops and services of Coquitlam Centre; shopping, dining, transit and more are minutes away!

One and two bedroom homes now selling!

Call or Visit Us Today2950 Glen Drive (directly across from Coquitlam Centre)Open daily (except Fridays) 12-6pm

604.461.2750

COQUITLAM

Everything will be at your doorstep including Thrifty Foods, Cobs Bread, Starbucks, TD Canada Trust and much more!

One, two, and three bedroom homes plus Skyhomes ranging from 1,600 – 1,900 Sq Ft now selling!

Call or Visit Us Today395 Capilano Road (off Murray and Ioco)Open daily (except Fridays) 12-6 pm

604.552.0552

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The Maples is launching a new series of homes, located next to Brennan Park off Finch Drive. Close to all amenities.

Ranchers and two-story single family homes ranging from $499,000 to $579,000. Financing packages are available.

For more information call 1.888.262.2808 or go online to www.fintreypark.com

or visit our Presentation Center on the corner of Finch and Bryson in Squamish. ( See hours and location

under “Find Us” on the website).

Close to Vancouver. Close to Whistler. Closer to nature.

$20,000 in purchase credits available for the first 10 buyersNow selling new homes in Squamish . . . just 45 minutes to Whistler or Vancouver on the new Sea to Sky Highway

to capture the views, hand-set porcelain tile flooring in the entry foyer, kitchen, ensuite and master bathroom, flat-panel suite entry doors and interior doors with hardware by Taymor, and a choice of two custom-designed colour schemes – traditional or contemporary to fit each homeowner’s personal taste.

In the living room the elegance continues with a contemporary electric fireplace with custom mantle, perfect for cozy winter nights; all baseboards and door mouldings are wood throughout, while a private balcony invites outdoor living.

The kitchen comes with cabinets in a choice of traditional, white shaker style, or modern, flat-panel wood grain fitted with stylish brushed-nickel pulls.

Granite or stone composite counter-tops paired with hand-set ceramic tile backsplashes complement each colour scheme.

A premium quality under-mount double-bowl stainless steel sink with convenient in-sink waste disposal fin-ished with a single lever faucet by Kohler is enhanced with a pull-down spray nozzle.

Reflections homes come with contemporary electric fireplaces that can make cold winter evenings cozy.CONTINUED ON P.7

‘Gem of a property’

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Reflections homes offer more


The stainless steel appliance package by Whirlpool is second to none, and includes a self-cleaning slide-in gas range and an 18.6 cubic foot bottom drawer refrigerator with glass shelves.

There are no compromises in the master bedroom, which is big enough for a king-size bed and comes with a walk-in closet with built-in shelves that offer extra storage.

The ensuite features a luxurious soaker tub with ceramic tile surround, complemented by a single-lever pres-sure balanced shower control and tub spout in polished chrome.

The vanity countertop is granite or stone composite with an undermount sink.

All homes come pre-wired for an in-suite security system and a security camera allows residents to pre-screen visitors.

With its large master bedroom and dining area that is spacious enough to take the family dining table, a Reflec-tions home is a home any family can settle into for the longterm.

Reflections homes are priced from $295,800.

Visit www.ledmac.com for more information. Kitchens come with stainless steel appliance packages second to none, granite or stone composite countertops, and hand-set ceramic tile backsplashes.

Affordable Burnaby livingCONTINUED FROM P.6

Choose a lifestyle to love


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New Local Home Oct. 21