When to listen, when not

I'm in the middle of renovating my house. It was build in 1947 and there are "problems". I am glad I bought this house. It has been wonderful.

I was thinking back to the Home Inspection. The home inspector found so many problems it was depressing. I liked the house and the area and decided to ignore his advice - a great decision.

Really good Home Inspectors should not be giving any advice - simply there to tell you what is wrong with the property. Some Home Inspectors overstep their job description.

Home Renovation Shows Evolve

I wrote before that I am not a fan of the show "Flip This House". It was too much about the "money". It could be argued this glorification of money over substance contributed to the American subprime crisis.

I was happy to read in the Globe and Mail,

"... reality-TV executives have been forced to wise up to the sensitivities of the market. Flipping is out and nesting is in".

I welcome this news and look forward to watching programs like HGTV's "Family Renovation" and "Income Property". It is interesting to note, HGTV's most balanced Home Renovation programmes come out of Canada.

Read the rest at the Globe and Mail

Calgary Real Estate Blogs

I am interested in real estate market indicators. I read as much as I can from a variety of sources. I sometimes find real estate blogs usefull. Most Calgary blogs are written by Realtors. One might be suspicious of a Realtor who blogs about real estate but I have found such fears to be unfounded. On the first two pages of a google "calgary real estate blog" search, one will find some informative sites with little "product pushing".

That said, I wish there were more bloggers who were not Realtors. There are few and their views and opinions are diverse and thought provoking. Unfortunately, most of them stopped blogging in the first quarter of 2009.

I follow two Canadian economic bloggers who sometimes touch on real estate. If you are interested check out Canadian Capitalist and Worthwhile Canadian Initiative.

I read the book, Muddling Through, on my last vacation.

About a hundred years ago, two thousand British; bank clerks, butchers, housewives, remittance men and ex-Boer War soldiers followed Isaac Barr, to Alberta.

It turns out Issac was a bit of "dreamer" and exaggerated the living conditions to his compatriots and their skill(s) to the Canadian government.

Only a 100 years ago. Look at the tent above and the sod house to the right. Think of the children and the minus 30 degree winter mornings. Chopping ice for drinking water.

I remembered two thoughts. First, we don't have it so bad today. Second, admiration for the "toughness" and tenacity of the early Canadian immigrants.

Things my Dad taught me

Measure twice, cut once
Think twice speak once
Don't pass the puck in front of your own net
Playing squash - control the T
What ever you do, do with all your might,
...things done by halves are never done right
Never get a second chance,
...to make a first good impression

He was a great guy. I miss him.

A Deep Quote

"Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience. "

Adam Smith (1723-1790)

A Good Real Estate Indicator

I just read some great news at Canada Mortgage Trends.

ResMor Trust is offering prime rate on their 4 year variable mortgages which is currently the lowest available rate in the market.

Borrowers are happy but it is more than that. ResMor has eliminated the risk premium on their home loans which indicates they believe the Canadian real estate market is stable.

Couple this with the increased volume of home sales in cities like Calgary, shows our economy is improving. Home Renovators, Builders, Realtors and Home Inspectors should have more work in the last quarter. Maybe it is time to buy Home Depot stock?

More Tax Credits Please

The Conservative government is warning a fall election would kill a tax credit that allows Canadians to recoup some of the money they spend on home renovations.

Prime Minister Harper commented,

"This government remains committed to that tax credit. It's a good idea. I would encourage all political parties to support it, and those that supported it in the past to continue to support it,"

Essentially suggesting that the Liberal Party wishes to eliminate the tax credit for home renovations.

A spokesperson for Mr. Ignatieff replied, "Canadians have no reason to worry."

This is not a political blog. I'm not on any "Team". I vote on the issues.

That said, I must say I am am happy the Conservative Party introduced tax credits for home renovations. What qualifies for credit has been fairly liberal. However, I would like to see more credits for energy efficient innovations and products for the home.

I am unhappy with the Conservatives using scare tactics to disorientate Canadians. Revoking tax credits for home renovations would be suicide and no party would entertain the thought.

Suggesting otherwise is scare mongering and uncivilized.

Grey Water Recycling in the Home

If I built a new home in Calgary I would insist a Brac Greywater Recycling System be incorporated into the design. Research suggests, it will save 30% of the 335 litres used daily per person on average in a home. While knocking 35% off the water bill. Installation would also score points towards Leed or Built Green certification.

Simple sustainable innovations like this, will one day be mandatory in all new home construction in Canada.

bracsystems.com

Home Inspection in Cambodia?

Of course not. Most Cambodians are happy to have clean drinking water and a roof over their head. A working toilet would be nice too.

I appreciate some in Calgary are hurting financially. I hear about it. I hear, how bad things are. I believe it. Trouble is, I don't see it.

I see nice cars and bars filled with people. The average price of a Calgary home, is north of 400,000 dollars.

What am I going on about?

I was thinking of a trip I took to Cambodia 5 years ago. I met a Brit who was working for an NGO, drilling water wells for Cambodians living in rural communities. I tagged along for a couple of days and met some really happy people, living in dismal conditions. Most seemed satisfied, they smiled and laughed easily. There was no maliciousness or meanness. Always, giving to a fault.

I don't know what their secret was, if I knew I would share it.

Really, what am I going on about?

We should be more thankful for what we have. Things could be much worse.

Marijuana Houses - Better for the Enviroment?

Other than her wacky government conspiracy theories, the cool hippie lady who lived down my street, was right about a few things.

Here are some quotes from Science Daily (UK),

"Hemp, a plant from the cannabis family, could be used to build carbon-neutral homes of the future to help combat climate change and boost the rural economy, say researchers at the University of Bath."

“Using renewable crops to make building materials makes real sense - it only takes an area the size of a rugby pitch four months to grow enough hemp to build a typical three bedroom house.

Will courses be offered by Home Inspection Associations, on how to properly inspect cannabis homes? I suspect, if any, they will be offered in Vancouver before Calgary.

As Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changing".

Retro-future homes

I love these old retro-future ads. Jo Kotula, illustrated this 1958 ad for the Vanadium Corporation of America.

Fifty years ago, futurists saw homes being constructed of metal and glass with solar energy being the sole source of power. There was a lot of optimism back in the 50's. Of course, the 60's were a different story. Later, I am going to search for some retro-future home ads from the late 60's.

It interesting to consider the impact culture and economic cycles have had on past housing designs and consumer demands. Calgary's boom and bust cycles, have had huge impact on urban development and home design in the city.

Source: THE NEW IMAGES BLOG of PLAN59.COM

Aladdin Company Mail Order Homes

Ever since my friend ordered a Cedar Cabin on the Internet I have been fascinated with mail order homes.

I've written about Timothy Eaton Mail Order Homes before. Recently I read about the Aladdin Company that started in 1906. History at Wikipedia.

While researching the company I came across the most impressive virtual book. You can read the old catalogue by turning the pages just like some young husband and wife did 80 years ago.

You have to check it out. Aladdin Homes Sovereign Systems. Trust me it is cool. Try it. Just give the pages a few seconds to load.

I have to do more research though. Wikipedia makes it sound like the Aladdin was an American company. However, the book reads like it was a Canadian company. I will definitely do more research.

Yesterday's Tomorrow Today

More future homes from the past. I once stayed in a Tokyo Capsel that was smaller than this. It was a great experience. It made me really think about how much we take our homes for granted in the West.


Via: Modern Mechanix

From the past, a look to the future

Back in 1956, America's Independent Power Companies made a bold prediction,

"FUTURE HOMES will be able to face any direction, turned from hour to hour or season to season."

It is a pretty amazing vintage ad. The detail is incredible.

Though it is hard for me understand who the Utility companies were marketing to, consumers, home owners, or possibly stockholders?

Usually, vintage ads have a very specific product and an identifiable target market.

Link

T. Eaton Mail Order Homes

I love these old T. Eaton Homes. I think it is pretty cool that people could simply order a home. Pick it up at the train station. Bring it to your piece of land. Build the thing and have a big party.

No permits. No deadly property tax. No Home Inspector...ugg.

This is truly a unique piece of Canadian History. This Home is an original turn of the Century 1908 T Eaton Mail order House...Alberta Farm and Ranch.

House Price Indices Canadian Cities

From my favorite Canadian Economics Blog, Worthwhile Canadian Initative, we get a a good picture of the comparison of the home prices across Canada.

Sorry for the small graphics (click on the graph).

Notice Calgary seems to be drifting lower while the other cities have begun trending up. The X axis seems to end in May. I suspect the next time the numbers are crunched, the Calgary Index will have reversed and also be trending upwards.

It looks like things will be getting better for Calgary Home Inspectors, Real Estate Agents, Lenders, Lawyers, and Home Depot's stock price.

Bathroom Vintage Ads

Retro Renovations is a pretty cool site.

I realize retro renovations are not to everyone's tastes. Lots of people follow the retro movement because it is trendy. I suspect though, there is a bit of counter-culture mixed in.

Check out Retro Renovation here.

Vintage Ads

I love these old vintage ads. While Qualico is a Winnipeg based company they do have an office and projects in Calgary. You can check out more of their history at their web page.

Building Movers

I have secret to share., I have a deep fascination with the Building Mover Industry. How cool is that...moving buildings. Calgary has primarily two building mover companies and only one has a web site. Check out McCann's Building Movers here.