Homebuilders hope recommendations to lower duties will lead to lower cost for industry, consumers

Recent recommendations by a federal trade tribunal have the homebuilding industry hopeful that high duties on U.S. drywall imports will soon come to an end.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal issued its Statement of Reasons Jan. 19 outlining why it found drywall duties on U.S. imports are negatively impacting Western Canada's housing industry. Yet it also found U.S. manufacturers were indeed dumping drywall into the Canadian market, an unfair advantage over domestic manufacturers.

Annual Calgary Home + Design Show comes to town at the perfect time

Alberta's home renovations sector is booming.

The Calgary Home + Design Show is back for its 34th year.

Seems like a match made in heaven.

Brought about by ongoing economic uncertainty, more Albertans are looking for ways to upgrade their space rather than their place. According to Statistics Canada, investment on residential renovation in the province has increased by 3.8 per cent over the first six months of 2015 to $3.1 billion.

Workshops give show attendees opportunities to get hands-on

Under a cloud of ongoing economic uncertainty, more Calgarians are bringing projects around the home ... well, in house.

"There seems to be a resurgence of making. More and more people want to learn how to make things for their homes or as gifts," said Calgary style-and-DIY-expert Lacey Haskell who will be among a handful of local experts on hand for a series of workshops at the 2016 edition of the Calgary Home + Design Show Sept. 22 to 25.

Seniors officials praise program designed to promote aging in place

Local seniors' housing officials are praising a new provincial government program designed to assist seniors who want to "age in place" in their homes rather than having to move.

The Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP), approved earlier this month, offers low-interest, home-equity-based loans to seniors, which can be used for renovations or repairs to make a home more suitable for their needs.

Province examines low-interest home loans as part of Bill 5

The Alberta government is proposing legislation that could assist seniors looking to age in place.

The proposed Seniors' Home Adaptation and Repair Act would enable a new low-interest home equity loan program to help seniors improve the safety and sustainability of their homes.

Bill 5, the Seniors' Home Adaptation and Repair program, would allow senior homeowners who qualify to finance essential home repairs and adaptations, including widening doorways or hallways, installing walk-in tubs, roof replacements and electrical repairs.

Canadians are choosing to invest in home renovations over new home purchases

Canadian renovation activity is on the rise as the economic lull in the real estate market has left some homeowners reluctant to move, instead opting to update.

In a recent report, Scotiabank senior economist Adrienne Warren found spending on home additions, new installations and replacement of equipment rose six per cent year-over-year through the first half of 2015, with renovation spending up in most provinces and outlays on track to total $53 billion this year.

Warren said current homeowners looking to upgrade are seeing renovations as an attractive option, as industrial price inflation for many renovation-related construction materials, equipment and household goods – such as kitchen cabinets, appliances and furniture – remain consistent.

Why some Calgarians are choosing to stay put 

Our homes are our hearts. They are where we live, where we love, where we raise our families and where we make memories.

And as with all aspects of life, the heart wants what it wants. In many cases, this means a change.

However, instead of packing up our lives in boxes and moving to a new space, many Calgarians are opting to stay put and renovate instead, says Susan Rust of Susan Rust Interior Design.
Emotionally, many homeowners feel connected and sentimental to their existing home.

"They may have great friends and neighbours in the area and feel connected to the neighbourhood," said Rust.

When home becomes an obstacle course

Home is where many Calgarians seek refuge, rest and relaxation. Yet for people with limited mobility, home can become a stressful obstacle course where everyday tasks are nearly impossible.

"People don't know that their neighbour three houses over is trapped in their home, and with an aging population, I think we're going to see it all the more," said Jeff Dyer, executive director of Accessible Housing Calgary.

"The need (for accessible housing) is really great. It's a very hidden problem."

Renovations outpacing new home construction

Canadians spent more on improving homes in 2014 than they did on building new ones, according to a new report by real estate consultant Altus Group.

Spending in Canada reached an estimated $67.8 billion in 2014, reported Altus. In comparison, Canadians spent just $48 billion on new home construction during the same year.

While the number represents a 3.2 per cent increase over 2013, it pales in comparison to the 8.7 per cent annual averages that were seen from 2000 to 2007. Over the last seven years, renovation spending has levelled off to an average increase around three per cent.