Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Transitioning from renter to homeowner is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make throughout your lifetime. It can also be a stressful experience if you don’t plan ahead by building a budget and saving prior to embarking upon homeownership.

Budgeting is a core ingredient that helps alleviate the stress associated with money issues that can sometimes arise if you purchase a home without knowing all of the associated costs – including down payment, closing expenses, ongoing maintenance, taxes and utilities.

The trouble is, many first-time homeowners fail to carefully think about their finances, plan a budget or set savings aside. And in this society of instant gratification, money problems can quickly escalate.

The key is to create a realistic budget based on your goals. Track your spending and make your dollars go further by sticking to your budget once it’s in place. Budgeting offers a step-by-step formula for figuring out how to best save your hard-earned money to invest in homeownership.

Start by listing your household income, then your household expenses, and review your spending habits. All of this can be done on a pad of paper or on a computer spreadsheet.

Keeping receipts for everything that you purchase will enable you to accurately keep track of where your money is going each month so that you can review and make necessary changes to your plan on an ongoing basis.

Examine all areas of your life from entertainment to the type of food you buy, where you buy your food and clothes, and how and where you travel. Also look at your spending personality and make necessary adjustments. Are you a saver, a splurger, a spontaneous shopper or a hoarder? Become smarter with your money and avoid impulse buying.

If you find you’re spending a lot of money in one area, such as entertainment for instance, set aside a reasonable amount each month and prepare to stop spending money in this area once your budget has been exhausted.

Budgeting provides you with the opportunity to re-evaluate your needs and wants. Do you really need the magazine subscriptions, the gym membership and all the other things you may spend money on each month? Although everyone needs some “me time” to wind down, could you not get that by taking a walk or reading a good book you borrowed from the library?

If you can set your budget solidly in place before you head out home or mortgage shopping, you will be far more prepared to purchase your first home.

Following are three top tips to help you prepare for the purchase of your first home:

1. Set up a savings account. You can deposit a predetermined amount into this account each pay period that you will not touch unless it’s absolutely necessary. This will enable you to put money aside for a down payment and cover closing costs, as well as address ongoing homeownership expenses such as maintenance, taxes and utilities.

2. Save up for big-ticket items. As you accumulate money in your savings account, you will be able to also save for specific purchases to help furnish your home – avoiding the buy now, pay later mentality, which can have a negative impact on your credit when you’re seeking mortgage financing.

3. Surround yourself with a team of professionals. When you’re getting ready to make your first home purchase, enlist my services as a licensed mortgage professional and find a trusted real estate agent. Experts are invaluable to you as you set out on the road to homeownership because we help first-time buyers through the home purchase and financing processes every day. Experts can answer all of your questions and set your mind at ease. I have access to multiple lenders, and can help you get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know exactly what you can afford to spend on a home before you head out house hunting, while a real estate agent will be able to match your needs with a house you can afford. Both parties will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the best bang for your buck. And, best of all, these services are typically free. Experts will also be able to refer you to other reputable professionals you may need for your home purchase, including a real estate lawyer and home appraiser.

Source: Souchita Rattanarasy of Dominion Lending Centres Optimum (780) 932-2225

With interest rates at an all-time low, many Canadians are taking advantage of the savings by refinancing their mortgages to consolidate debt, make home renovations, invest in real estate or other ventures, or moving up the property ladder.

Following are ways to take even further advantage of this excellent rate environment by paying down your mortgage faster.

Tip #1

Prepay early in the mortgage

Make extra payments as early as you can after getting a mortgage because the loans are interest-heavy upfront and the faster you pay down your principal, the more interest savings you will accumulate over the long run. Within the first five to seven years of your mortgage is where the largest portions of interest payments are contained. This not only will save you thousands of dollars in interest payments, but it will also increase the speed at which you are accumulating equity in your property. Many mortgage products allow you to make up to 20% more in payments per year.

Tip #2

Make an annual lump sum payment

Whether you use your tax refund, receive an inheritance or get a Christmas bonus, you should apply as much as possible directly to your principal. Most lenders allow you to pay 20% in lump sum payments per year without penalty. I can help you determine exactly how much you can prepay and what maximum percentage of your principal you are allowed to pay without penalty each year.

Tip #3

If your payments go down, don’t lower the payment amount

If you are on a variable-rate mortgage and the rates go down your payment will also often go down. Instead of making the lower mortgage payments, however, it’s best to call your lender and let them know that you would like tocontinue making payments for the original amount. I can help you determine if there is a charge for making the extra payment. Even with the charge, in most cases, it is still worth it and will help you pay down your principal faster.

Tip #4

Round up your payments even if it’s just a little

If your monthly mortgage payment is $776.22 and you were to round up your payment an extra $23.78 a month to $800 – that’s less than a dollar a day – you would effectively reduce your mortgage amortization from 35 years to just over 32 years right away or from 25 years to just over 23 years.

TIP #5

Increase your payments with your pay increases

If your income increases, try not to keep your mortgage payments the same. Although the disposable income is a joy to spend on unnecessary luxuries in the short-term, the long-term benefits of being mortgage free faster and saving those interest payments will far outweigh the short-term joys. Pretend that your income did not increase and maintain the lifestyle that you are currently living.

Tip #6

Increase the frequency of your payments

You can also change the way you make your payments by opting for accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments. Not to be confused with semi-monthly mortgage payments (24 payments per year), accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments (26 payments per year) will not only pay your mortgage off quicker, but it’s guaranteed to save you a significant amount of money over the term of your mortgage. Basically, with accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments, you’re making one additional monthly payment per year.

As always, if you have any questions about paying your mortgage down faster, I’m here to help!

Source: Souchita Rattanarasy of Dominion Lending Centres Optimum (780) 932-2225

7 Steps to Plan Your Dream Bathroom

For all but seasoned professionals, the idea of renovating a bathroom can trigger nightmares. With thoughts of spiraling budgets and out-of-stock faucets, I chatted with RONA’s handy how-to guy, Chuck LeCouter, to develop seven, stress-free tips to plan the bathroom of your dreams.

Fetch-a-sketch

To start, you need to draw your proposed bathroom on paper. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an architect-it doesn’t even need to be to scale. Still, basic bathroom blueprint will help you make decisions upfront. Changing your mind during construction can dramatically boost final costs.

Set a budget

And stick to it. It’s very easy to get caught up in the magic of modernization and forget that everything comes with a price tag. Unless you’re handy enough to tackle the work yourself, anticipate a starting price of about $8,000 to hire a contractor and purchase all the fixtures, fittings and finishes needed to get the job done. (If this is a bit rich for you, consider cheaper decor boosts such as new paint or towels.)

Go the mile for style

Play it smart and get your inspiration for the whole room from your most expensive purchase. Is it tiles, a tub or lighting fixtures? Choosing your splurge first means you won’t have headaches trying to match tiles to a paint swatch (when it should be the other way around!).

Understand your long-term needs

Plan for the future-is your family growing, or are you planning on selling your home in a few years? Typically you can expect to get close to a 70 per cent return on investment from a bathroom reno at resale.

Measure up

To misquote an old adage, “Measure twice, then order once.” No one wants the pain of trying to return a soaker tub that was ordered and arrived surprisingly too large. Get the specs from the manufacturer, then try taping out the measurements on the floor before you take the plunge.

Don’t jump the gun

Have all the major fixtures in your possession before scheduling a contractor. Some things may need to be special ordered with long lead times. So, check your calendar and make sure you’ll have everything on hand before your contractor is scheduled to start.

Take a vacation, of sorts

If this is your only bathroom, you won’t have access to the loo during the renovation. Check with the contractor to find out how long you’ll be without proper plumbing and make arrangements to stay with friends or family.

Source: Arren Williams Chatelaine.com

The federal tax credit, which could put $1,350 back in your wallet, runs out this weekend. Find out what you can and can’t file for.

Aspiring home renovators have less than a week if they want to get $1,350 back into their own wallets.

On Sunday, the federal government’s vastly popular home renovation tax credit (HRTC) expires. It gives Canadians tax relief for 15 per cent of the renovation costs they incurred between Jan. 27, 2009, and Feb 1, 2010. People can file for a maximum $1,350 non-refundable tax credit on their 2009 income taxes for home renovation projects worth between $1,000 and $10,000.

Although home owners, contractors and retailers are hoping the credit is extended, the Finance Minister has indicated it will expire on the set date. That means Canadians need to get shopping in a hurry.

To help sort out what qualifies and what doesn’t, check out these tips from Brad Cran of Cran & Co., a Vancouver firm that specializes in personal and corporate income tax.

1 You have until the end of the month to use the HRTC.

2 The HRTC covers improvements to your home but not regular maintenance. As an example, sweeping your chimney would not be covered but fixing your chimney’s mortar would be.

3 This is a family credit, meaning a husband and wife who have spent $20,000 can still only claim $10,000 for the $1,350 credit.

4 If you sold your home halfway through the year and bought a new one, renovations to both are eligible but you are still limited to a maximum credit of $1,350.

5 If you have a rental suite in your house, you cannot claim the credit for work done on the suite.

6 It is not uncommon for renters to renovate their own rental units, but you must own the home being renovated to qualify.

7 People living in co-ops or condos can claim the credit on renovations to their unit and/or to a portion of work done on common areas. In order that costs to common areas qualify, you must be informed in writing what your share of the costs are.

8 Supplies and incidentals are covered but tools are not. If you are painting your house, you can cover the costs of paint and incidentals such as brushes, but you can’t buy yourself a $500 band saw to cut a piece of wood to fix a door frame.

9 You can claim the expense for permits and equipment rentals.

10 If you are hiring a contractor to renovate your home, you can only claim the portion of the work that has been completed by the deadline. However, you can claim the cost of any materials that you have purchased before Feb. 1. So, if you were planning to paint your house this summer, you could buy the paint now and still claim the cost for the HRTC on your 2009 tax return.

Final Bonus Tip: Be well organized and tabulate your results. If you turn up to your accountant with a bag of receipts you are going to save with the HRTC but you will have to pay extra on your accountant bill.

Source: Roma Luciw  for Globe and Mail Update (theglobeandmail.com)

Homebuyers want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday’s most popular rooms-such as home theatres-from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles, consumer experts told audiences at the International Builders Show here this week.

“This is a traumatic time in (the United States) and the future isn’t something we’re 100 per cent sure about now either. What’s left? The answer for most home buyers is authenticity,” said Heather McCune, director of marketing for Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Ill.

Buyers today want cost-effective architecture, plans that focus on spaces and not rooms and homes that are designed ‘green’ from the outset,” she said. The key for homebuilders is “finding the balance between what buyers want and the price point.”

For many buyers, their next house will be smaller than their current one, said Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio, Texas. Large kitchens that are open to the main family living area, old-fashioned bathrooms with claw foot tubs and small spaces such as wine grottos are design features that will resonate today, she said.

“What we’re hearing is ‘harvest’ as a home theme-the feeling of Thanksgiving. It’s all about family togetherness-casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces,” Lavender said.

Paul Cardis, CEO of AVID Ratings Co., which conducts an annual survey of homebuyer preferences, said there are 10 “must” features in new homes:

1. Large kitchens, with an island. “If you’re going to spend design dollars, spend them where people want them-spend them in the kitchen,” McCune said. Granite countertops are a must for move-up buyers and buyers of custom homes, but for others “they are on the bubble,” Cardis said.

2. Energy-efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation and high window efficiency. Among the “green” features touted in homes, these are the ones buyers value most, he said. While large windows had been a major draw, energy concerns are giving customers pause on those, he said. The use of recycled or synthetic materials is only borderline desirable.

3. Home office/study. People would much rather have this space rather than, say, a formal dining room. “People are feeling like they can dine out again and so the dining room has become tradable,” Cardis said. And the home theatre may also be headed for the scrap heap, a casualty of the “shift from boom to correction,” Cardis said.

4. Main-floor master suite. This is a must feature for empty-nesters and certain other buyers, and appears to be getting more popular in general, he said. That could help explain why demand for upstairs laundries is declining after several years of popularity gains.

5. Outdoor living room. The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow, even in Canada, Cardis said. And the idea of an outdoor room is even more popular than an outdoor cooking area, meaning people are willing to spend more time outside.

6. Ceiling fans.

7. Master suite soaker tubs. Whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, Cardis said, but “they clearly went down a notch,” in the latest survey. Oversize showers with seating areas are also moving up in popularity.

8. Stone and brick exteriors. Stucco and vinyl don’t make the cut.

9. Community landscaping, with walking paths and playgrounds. Forget about golf courses, swimming pools and clubhouses. Buyers in large planned developments prefer hiking among lush greenery.

10. Two-car garages. A given at all levels; three-car garages, in which the third bay is more often than not used for additional storage and not automobiles, is desirable in the move-up and custom categories, Cardis said.

Source: Steve Kerch of Marktwatch (Yourhome.ca)

Taking Care of Stainless Steel

To keep your stainless steel bright and clean, Adam Kamens of Amuneal Manufacturing Corp. suggests using a light mist of wax-based aerosol spray once or twice a week. Don’t put on too much – you don’t want to soak the surface and make it greasy. Wipe the mist with a clean, lint-free cloth, and never use oils to keep away fingerprints – lint will stick to the oil. Also, don’t use cleaners with bleach after you’ve put on the waxy layer, or it will dry out and lose some of the luster. And finally, don’t use anything abrasive, not even mild products like Soft Scrub or Scotch-Brite pads. You don’t want to scratch or ruin the surface.

Organizing Closets

Organizing your closet is the first step to organizing the rest of your home. Get rid of unused clothes and accessories, and organize the rest by how you get dressed in the morning and by color. Your closet will look appealing, and your everyday routine will be easier.

Removing Stains and Odors

Ruth Travis, president of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, says that to remove stains and odors, blot up as much of the smelly mess as you can right away. While you’re blotting the upholstery, put a plastic liner or a garbage bag between the cushion and the fabric so you don’t push the contaminant into the cushion. Then flush with cold water as best you can. Blot and flush again. Cold water doesn’t set stains as much as hot water. You can also use a portable spot cleaner or wet/dry vac. If there’s still a residual odor, use a half-vinegar, half-water solution and rinse again. If that doesn’t work, call in the professionals.

Cleaning Painted Walls

To clean your painted walls, Carl Minchew, director of Product Development at Benjamin Moore, suggests starting with a clean cloth or sponge and water. If that doesn’t work, dip the rag or sponge into water mixed with a little dishwashing liquid, the milder the better. If the stain persists, apply a few drops of soap directly onto the wet sponge or cloth you’re using. For more stubborn cases, you could apply a little soap right onto the stain. If you need to resort to a stronger product like Fantastik or Formula 409, realize they have strong solvents in them and can soften the paint surface. Make sure that whatever you do to get rid of the stain, you rinse the wall afterward with plain water.

Creating a Different Mood

For easy makeovers, designer Thomas O’Brien says, “I’ve always collected textiles, and you can make a fast, easy change with bedding, towels, and table linens to create a different mood. Switch things out seasonally, or for a special event, or whenever you want to play with a certain color or pattern.”

Cleaning Your Carpet

To keep carpets looking nice, Paul Iskyan, owner of Rug Renovating, suggests taking off your shoes when you get home – but leave your socks on because walking around in bare feet leaves natural oils that attract dirt. Try to vacuum every day and use a top-load vacuum, so the dirt falls inward, and HEPA filters. Change the filters often, so you don’t blow pollutants back into the air. For less-trafficked areas, you can get away with cleaning the carpets once or twice a year, and every 18 months for a bedroom. For higher-traffic areas, the most often you’d need to bring in professionals would be three or four times a year, although once you see that your carpet’s dirty, you probably should have it cleaned for health reasons.

Caring for Your Tiles

Marty Hoffman of Hoffman Brothers Floors suggests cleaning bathroom and kitchen tiles with a cleaner that has “neutral pH” on the label. You can also mix baking soda and water for a homemade cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into 2 gallons water and mix very well. Then apply the liquid with a string mop or sponge mop. For grout, use the same baking soda and water mixture, but for tough stains, call in the pros.

Removing Stains from Countertops

Getting rid of stains on granite can be tricky, but the key, according to kitchen designer Florence Perchuk, is to wipe up stains ASAP. Also have your countertop sealed a few times as soon as it’s installed. You’ll know it’s sealed properly when water beads and forms droplets on the surface. Then have it sealed again a year later. You can poultice away rust, and you remove soap scum or mildew with a solution of 1/2 cup ammonia in a gallon of water. For most coffee or juice stains, you can use a little hydrogen peroxide in water, plus a few drops of ammonia. For everyday wear-and-tear, buff away small scratches with superfine dry steel wool, called “grade 0000.” For all other stains, check out the Marble Institute of America’s Website or call in the professionals.

Reorganizing Bookshelves

Sort books by size and subject. Remove and discard any ripped dust jackets (unless you think they might have value). Line books, some vertically, some horizontally, in a rhythmic pattern. This will relieve the monotony of rows.

Caring for Your Area Rugs

Philip Costikyan of Restoration by Costikyan says you should clean your area rugs every four or five years – or every 10 years if a rug is not walked on much. Overcleaning contributes to wear and tear. Really fine silk rugs need be cleaned only every 20 or 30 years. For treating stains at home, keep a bottle of club soda on hand. Stains caused by pets, coffee, orange soda, red wine, and anything with dye or an acid base are the hardest to remove, and the key is to act quickly. Pour club soda directly onto the area, let the soda absorb into the yarn, and the salt in the soda will neutralize the acid. Blot again and again, until the residue is gone. For bloodstains, you should use milk instead, and for soil and grease-based stains, mix 1 part Ivory soap detergent with 16 parts water. If you still see residue when it dries, call an expert.

Caring for Wood Floors

The keys to keeping your wood floors looking new are to avoid oversanding, use trivets or saucers under plants to avoid water damage, use furniture protectors to avoid scratches, and damp-mop once a week with a mild soap like Murphy Oil Soap.

Polishing Silver

Metal restorer Paul Karner says to use a toothbrush and Hagerty Silver Foam on your silver because it’s not too abrasive and it’s water-soluble. For really bad black tarnish, Simichrome Polish is great. He also says to never put your silver in the dishwasher and store it in anti-tarnish cloth bags when you’re not using it.

Source: Housebeautiful.com

1. Maximize wall space in an entryway with cut-to-fit lattice from your local home-improvement store or garden center. Thread S-hooks through the slats to hang baskets filled with scarves, hats, and Rover’s leash. Lattice; Lowe’s stores. Green “Carrie” baskets; unicahome.com.

2. Do one small organizational task daily, no matter how small. Clean out one drawer or the top tier of the spice rack. Just think: After a month, you’ll have checked 30 things off your to-do list.

3. Open the mail over the shredder or recycling bin, and get rid of the junk immediately. This forces you to make quick and definitive decisions so nothing piles up in your hallway or anywhere else.

4. Keep each kid’s tests, drawings, and papers in a large art box, and go through the boxes with your children at the end of each school year. Holly Bohn, founder of seejanework.com, allows each child to pick one thing to save. She chooses one special item as well, then everything else gets pitched. “This way you don’t have to make immediate decisions when they bring something home,” she says.

5. Store all your notes, lists, and ideas in one small three-ring binder you keep in your purse. Periodically recycle outdated pages (last week’s grocery list) and keep others (that million-dollar idea that came to you at the doctor’s office).

6. Separate bras and undies with drawer dividers. Home and lifestyle editor Wendy Manwarren uses velvet dividers (available at organize.com) to sort her lingerie into sections according to type (bras, undies, and camisoles) and function (everyday garments stay up front; strapless bras are tucked in the back).

7. Once or twice a year, host a shop-my-castoffs party. Turn on the tunes, open a bottle of wine, and let friends take what they like – from purses and baubles to frocks and shoes.

8. Give yourself recognition for your organizing accomplishments, suggests Gail Blanke, author of Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life. Show off your solutions and brag a little. You’re more likely to maintain order in a space if you’re truly proud of it.

9. Treat organization the same way you would a diet or exercise plan: as a lifestyle change. To maintain results, you have to do a little bit, often, says Meryl Starr, author of Home Organizing Workbook.

10. Hang two canvas totes, embroidered with REPAIR and DONATE, from hooks in the laundry room, suggests seejanework.com‘s Holly Bohn. She tosses too-small, worn-out, and snagged clothes into the bags as soon as they come out of the dryer to keep from stumbling across these mini-projects all the time.

11. Stash a permanent marker in the bathroom cabinet and mark makeup, sunscreens, and medicines with the dates of purchase so you know when they should be tossed. In general, mascara shouldn’t be kept for more than three months, and sunscreens and medicines should be pitched at the end of a year, advises Lorie Marrero, creator of The Clutter Diet. Look for POA (“period after opening”) icons, like the one at right, on packaging; “3M” means a product lasts three months.

12. No bathroom storage? Hang a canvas shoe organizer on the back of the door, says Julie Edelman, author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife. Put dental-care items in one row of pockets, makeup brushes in the next, your husband’s shaving gear in another, and so on.

13. Get a clutter buddy. “You’re a better editor with someone else’s stuff,” says stylist Christine Cameron, of mystylepill.com, who regularly helps one friend clean out her closet. “I insist she let go of that when-I-lose-five-pounds skirt, and she reminds me that a girl doesn’t need 10 pairs of black pants.”

14. Store frozen foods and meats in easily accessible, labeled plastic bins, as REDBOOK reader and organizing pro Sue Becker did here. You’ll never freeze your fingers hunting through your well-stocked but overpacked freezer again.

15. Record birthdays, anniversaries, and other key dates at sites like americangreetings.com or giftelephant.com, which can send you reminders when someone’s special day is approaching. Some even set up an automatic free e-card delivery.

16. Employ one system to help organize favourite recipes. The Recipe Nest (available at reciperelish.com) is a binder with six tabbed dividers that you can customize with your own categories, such as Grandma’s Secrets or Entertaining Menus. It’s nearly two inches deep, so there’s plenty of room for you to add to your collection.

17. Make yourself a YNK (you never know) box, says Alicia Rockmore, cofounder of Buttoned Up organizational products. Here’s how: Empty the contents of a drawer (the kitchen utensil drawer, or a junk drawer) into a box. Then, every time you need one of the items, remove it from the box and return it to the drawer after you use it. After two months, whatever is still left in the box should be thrown out or donated.

18. Dangle necklaces and baubles from pushpins on fabric-covered bulletin boards, as REDBOOK editor-in-chief Stacy Morrison did here. She hung boards on a wall between two windows and now can always find the perfect accessory. (When the curtains are in place, the treasures are out of sight.)

19. Edit, edit, edit. How many pots can you fit on the stove at once? How many free pens do you really use? How many old T-shirts do you really need to save for the next paint project?

20. Sift through your ever-growing stack of magazines and catalogs while on a plane, train, or bus trip. Bring a few clear plastic envelopes (available atseejanework.com) along with you to stash recipes you want to try, decorating ideas, and reference articles you tear out.

21. Give yourself permission to regift. Just because someone you care about gave you something does not mean you have to hold on to it for the rest of your life (even if you have room for it!). Pass it on to someone who will appreciate and use it.

22. Corral clutter where it lands. Keep containers near mess hot spots, such as the front door, the bedroom dresser, and the kitchen counter. Then empty them once in a while (or when they get full), put the items away, and start over.

23. As soon as you upload your new photos to the computer, create a digital photo book. As for old photos that never made it into an album, Donna Smallin, author of A to Z Storage Solutions, suggests organizing them in photo boxes, categorizing by vacation or time period so they’re easily searchable.

24. Repurpose your old TV cabinet as a hideaway bar, suggests REDBOOK reader and organizing specialist Grace Brooke. Here, she installed inexpensive hanging glass racks and used three-tiered stacking shelves and trays to maximize the vertical space inside the cabinet.

25. Clean house like you’re moving. Keep only those things you’d take if you relocated.

26. If you travel a lot and collect cards and brochures from favorite restaurants, shops, and activities, throw them all into one box when you get home. When a friend is headed someplace you’ve visited, you can sift through your box (like the one below) to pass along some suggestions. Everyone wins: You have one spot where stockpiling a mishmash of info is allowed, and friends get travel tips from someone they know and trust.

Source: Redbookmag.com

Custom-engineered solariums have an average cost of $40,000 to $130,000. You can try to build one yourself, but it’s not “a quick-fix weekend project.”

Solariums are custom-built rooms that provide owners with a view throughout the year

What if the biggest window in your house was a roof — a dazzling geometric framework that offered you a front-row seat when stars fell, meteors blinked or the moon eclipsed? And when the next Alberta storm unleashes its fury, you would have a panoramic view from the comfortable warmth of your own home.

Solariums are a resplendent winter sanctuary, and the ultimate fantasy for sun lovers, gardening aficionados and nature enthusiasts — all of whom seek solace in a custom-built room with a view.

The winter months are the most popular time of year for homeowners to think solarium. Just ask engineer Andy Banack, owner and president of Edmonton’s Apollo Sunrooms Inc. Banack says a good first step for potential buyers is to understand the riddle of how a sunroom and a solarium are the same, yet different.

“The key to understanding the difference between a solarium and a sunroom is the roofing. A sunroom is any room with an abundance of glass to allow sunlight in. A solarium is a sunroom, but it’s a specialized sunroom because it has a glass roof enclosure.”

Although Banack will demolish walls and furbish fresh foundations to kick-start your renovation, he says that homes best suited for solariums are those with uncomplicated roof lines. Capable of building any size solarium, Banack adds that it’s a misconception to believe solariums must ultimately “face south.”

“What is more important than facing south is how a solarium attaches and matches architecturally to your home,” says Banack. “Our goal is to make it look as though this addition has always been part of your house. And some clients want them facing west, others east. In the end, the best location to build a solarium is the area that offers the best view, while allowing continuity through the rooms of your house.”

While Banack’s top-of-the-line, custom-engineered solariums have an average cost of $40,000 to $130,000, some consumers prefer the do-it-yourself dollar savings of building their own. With average costs of $10,000 to $15,000 and up, solarium kits are a popular alternative for acreage owners, rural denizens and those with professional building experience.

Paul Doerksen, owner and manager of Ideal Sundecks, says a quality Canadian kit product should respect three things: snow load (the weight of snow on the roof area); wind load (wind pressure against the walls); and wind lift (wind pressure lifting the roof area). Doerksen cautions buyers that different kits are designed for different climates.

“Because snow loads differ from region to region, some kits are manufactured for different climates and are not conducive to Alberta weather. Banff, for example, has a snow load of

120 pounds per square foot while Edmonton is

25 pounds per square foot,” explains Doerksen. “So purchasing a product designed for Florida may not work in Edmonton.”

Although solariums can be built by anyone, with an average cost savings more than 25 per cent, Doerksen doesn’t recommend it for everyone. Because “90 per cent of solarium leakage is instalment related,” Doerksen says that practising due diligence sometimes means hiring a qualified installer to assemble your kit.

“These are not a quick-fix weekend project,” warns Doerksen. “People have to determine if they are handy enough to measure, cut and erect a structure and have it perform in the Alberta climate with the snow loads. With my company, the benefit of professional installation is a full warranty that includes the installation itself.”

Retired couple Mike and Betty Gibbins didn’t want a do-it-yourself solarium. Instead, they opted for a custom-engineered job and a unique protective glass that blocks 90 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet light. Keeping out dangerous UV rays, “Conservaglass” coatings retain heat in the winter, while reflecting heat excess each summer.

The Gibbins’ cactus plants like it, too.

“We built our solarium for two reasons. One is that we wanted to open the house up because the dining room was cramped. The other reason was because we collect plants and this is a nice place for them,” says Gibbins.

“We have about 250 cactus and 150 related cactus succulents. As members of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Alberta, we see this as a great place to hold cactus house parties. We’ve had three so far.”

During the day, if it’s really cold outside, Gibbins says he might use a fan booster to increase heat flow to the room. But as temperatures softly chill at night, the cacti thrive.

“It cools at night and this is nice for the plants because they like cool nights,” notes Gibbins.

How easy is it to change solarium infrastructure into a greenhouse? To change any solarium into a greenhouse, just add plants, says Banack.

To protect your floor and foundation from water spillage, however, he suggests incorporating a tile or concrete floor that’s been sealed and is permeable.

“We get a lot of people who like plants and we’ve built three solariums that are orchid houses,” says Banack. “And one of the reasons is that orchids do quite well in this environment.

“But rose trees, banana trees, jade trees and even orange trees also do very well. You name it. I’ve seen two orange trees in our solariums now. The oranges are small, but they do turn orange.”

Realtor Peter Schalin says a solarium absolutely increases the resale value of your home.

“Generally I’ll add $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the array of options included. But keep in mind, there are people who build solariums bigger than most homes.”

Banack’s advice to future owners is that the sky is the limit. “If you have preconceived notions limiting you, get rid of them. Think about what you want, not what you think you can get. We have clients and their home backs onto the North Saskatchewan valley. They watch deer from the comfort of their easy chairs.”

Banack warms to his favourite topic: “That’s the beauty of solariums. You can take a vacation and you never left home.”

By Linda Alberta, Freelance

Breakthroughs in technology mean homeowners in older houses can now enjoy the same advantages in home automation formerly available only in new homes.

The heart of home automation is the ability for a homeowner to control or monitor, sometimes remotely, electrical devices in a home. Practical applications include the control of lighting, draperies, audio systems, the monitoring of home security and the adjustment of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.

It used to be that only new homes being built were connected digital homes, sometimes referred to as Smart Homes. The systems were typically controlled and interconnected by wire; installation was easy to do only before the drywall was put up in the construction of new homes. Retrofitting an existing house was theoretically possible, but the added labour drove up costs.

“The availability of wireless systems has made a big difference when updating and retrofitting older, frequently heritage, structures,” says Paul Titterton, general manager of Lenius Osborne, an electrical contractor who specializes in home automation systems. “While you just can’t beat wire in some applications, wireless systems are usually cheaper. Jobs that now cost $10,000 used to be in the triple digits.”

Home automation systems are popular with security-minded people. Titterton recalls one client who installed a home system with cameras so he could make sure his 17 year-old son didn’t drive his Porsche when he wasn’t home.

Owners have the ability to monitor and control their home system or view images from video cameras, from anywhere in the world via a personal computer or iPhone over the Internet. Sensors can detect movement and alert a user by phone or an e-mail message. “With these systems, you can turn off your house lights from beside your bed or from anywhere in the world,” says Titterton.

Systems can be programmed to do just about anything, he says. Sensors can warn of fire, water leaks and sudden temperature drops.

A hard-of-hearing owner can program the system to flash lights in the house instead of having an audio alarm to warn of any impending emergency. It can turn down the audio or shut off the home theatre automatically to warn of a fire or burglary in progress.

People with pre-existing medical conditions, such as a patient hooked up to a portable EKG machine, can program the home system to monitor signals and automatically summon medical personnel if pre-established limits are exceeded. Patients can also carry a panic button with them in case of emergency.

The applications run from life-saving to lifestyle.

“The whole industry is moving to automation,” says Nigel Brown, co-owner of Ruffel & Brown, a window-covering store. “Twenty-five years ago you had to get out of the car to open the garage door. Now there is a greater expectation … that pretty much anything can be automated.”

Curtains, window blinds and shades all can be tied into smart homes. With a touch of a button, curtains close, lights dim, the TV turns on and a DVD loads in a home-theatre system. Window coverings are the latest items to join programmable indoor and outdoor lights to give a house a “lived-in” look, even if owners are away.

A remotely controlled 10-foot motorized track for a curtain, wired into a home

automation system, can cost $1,000 to $1,500. Stand-alone systems, some solar-powered, are also available. Smaller blinds and shades in difficult-to-reach spots with no existing wiring can be powered by batteries.

Brown says sun sensors let you program drapes to close either at night or in strong sunlight.

Smart Home systems are ideal for video and music lovers. By connecting an iPod dock to the system by hardwire, tunes can be played in any room of the house or even outside. A central hard-drive and signal distribution allows video to be viewed on multiple televisions. If somebody comes to the door while a television program is in progress, an image from the front door camera can be displayed on the television.

“Just about anything can be integratable (into the system),” says Titterton. “It doesn’t take more than programming for anything with an integrated circuit.”

Victoria Times Colonist

“Less is only more where more is no good.”

Every so often, someone comes along who just makes you question every purchasing decision you’ve ever made. Like Miami-based designer Marianne Cusato, whose home design philosophy embodies living better with less.

Working with a team of designers, Cusato created the Katrina Cottages: attractive, affordable homes between 300 and 500 square feet. That’s not a typo. I don’t know how big your place is, but my kitchen and eating area is around 300 square feet, and I still trip over my dogs.

Her team’s task was to design an alternative to the FEMA trailers that housed those left homeless after hurricane Katrina. The Katrina Cottages are well-designed and apple-pie cute to boot. They won the Smithsonian Institution’s National People’s Design Award in 2006.

Of course, Cusato’s not the first build-better-not-bigger disciple. Sarah Susanka, author of The Not So Big House, also reveres architectural quality over quantity.

But regardless of whether your home is big or small, its design — far more than its size — determines how well you live. Bigger isn’t always better — though it can be.

Here are some ways Cusato says we can work around common design flaws in newer homes that may negatively affect how we enjoy our spaces.

– Mistake: Dominant garages. As people began to rely more on cars for daily living, garages started taking over the front of the house. Next, people retreated further inside their homes and became less connected with their neighbours and communities.

– Fix: Enhance your street connection. Consider how your home meets the street. It should pull you in. Punch up your home’s curb appeal. Focus on the front door and your porch if you have one. Make the path to your door say, “Welcome.”

– Mistake: Focus on size. To max out square footage, many builders have opted for bigger houses at the expense of high end finishes.

– Fix: Upgrade door handles and knobs that feel flimsy for ones that look and feel solid. Similarly, trade hollow core doors for solid ones.

– Mistake: Tacky add-ons. Among Cusato’s many peeves are tacked on architectural details that are just for looks. Specifically, she’d like to abolish fake shutters and three-foot porches.

– Fix: Use it or lose it. “A home should have nothing gratuitous,” says Cusato. “Either the shutters work or they go.” Even her 300-square-foot cottage has an eight-foot-deep front porch (not included in the square footage). “Keep it authentic.” Now think about that while I go take the fake shutters off my garage.

Marni Jameson, Calgary Herald