Our Summer 2024 issue is now available!
Trevi Pools
A nationally recognized, premiere designer and developer of
wonderfully wet home getaways, this purveyor of family fun knows how to build crowd-pleasing entertainments.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
For almost two decades, The Garage Store has been at the forefront of redefining the garage. Fulfilling visions from concept to completion, their innovative designs reflect lifestyle, personality, and function.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
For nearly thirty years Touchtone Flooring has been providing quality products and a great selection, evolving into a major one-stop shop for everything flooring.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
BREEZEWOOD FLOORS
In the last decade, buying local has been the mantra of many and today, more than ever, Canadians are choosing to spend their dollars within borders, proving that homeowners are walking the talk and supporting Canadian-made products.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
Established at the turn of the century with the purpose of manufacturing German engineered windows and doors that would outperform the competition, today Innotech Windows & Doors continues to reach beyond industry standards.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
A company whose creative offerings are often extraordinary elements in Calgary’s custom homes, Sculptural Design provides a unique and personal perspective with signature features.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
After Eight Interiors goes that extra mile in providing the best value and up-to-date flooring solutions available.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
For over 50 years Contempa has brought its own brand of top-notch service and range of premium products to Calgary's custom homes.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
Danver creates the calibre of outdoor kitchens that are stylish, durable, and captivatingly creative.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
Formica brings durability and innovation to all vertical and horizontal surfaces in your home.
Our latest issue is currently out on newsstands. A digital issue can be purchased from our store here.
Urban Edge
North Pointe Homes brings style and integrity to the soothing setting of White Mud Ravine.
This issue is now available at your local newssstands such as Chapters, Indigo, and others.
The digital issue can also be download at our store here.
An Elegant Arrangement
Trademark Renovations proves their appeal with an inspired new build in Aspen Estates that targets style and creature comforts.
This issue is now available at your local newssstands such as Chapters, Indigo, and others.
The digital issue can also be download at our store here.
A Cut Above
Baywood Estate Homes takes lakeside living to the next level with interior views that reveal astounding layouts from above and below.
This issue is now available at your local newssstands such as Chapters, Indigo, and others.
The digital issue can also be download at our store here.
The Ins & Outs of Home
Ultimate Renovations displays its consistent, award-winning talents in yet another award-winning home.
This issue is now available at your local newssstands such as Chapters, Indigo, and others.
The digital issue can also be download at our store here.
Creek Stone Fine Homes
Creek Stone Fine Homes hits its mark in a play that depicts how a renovation of Farmhouse flair can embrace the heritage of a community.
This issue is now available at your local newssstands such as Chapters, Indigo, and others.
The digital issue can also be download at our store here.
Visit your local newsstand and grab the latest issue from Best Home. A digital version can be downloaded directly from our store here.
Our next issue will be available on newsstands on July 1st. Digital issues can be downloaded on Magazine Cloner, Press Reader and through our online store.
By: Suzie Wilson
Regardless if it’s your first or nth time buying a house, one thing remains the same, and that is you need to get the most bang for your buck. After all, you want to make sure that your property is exactly what your family needs or what potential renters want. However, an economic downturn can throw curveballs on what should be a straightforward enough transaction. Consider the following steps, brought to you by Best Home Magazine, to ensure that, recession or otherwise, your home purchase is a breeze.
Determine what you can afford.
When you’re on the market for a home, you likely already know that you can afford it. Exactly how much you can afford is another story. As a rule, CNBC notes you should keep the 30/30/3 rule in mind to determine affordability. For starters, your monthly mortgage payments should be, at maximum, 30 percent of your income. This is especially important in a recession when mortgage rates are lower and the temptation to spend more is real.
Next, it’s smart to have 30 percent of the property value saved up in cash. This is because you need to pay a downpayment to get the best possible mortgage rate, as well as a handful of other fees. Note that investment properties generally require higher down payments than properties that you, the owner, will occupy. This can be as much as 15 to 25 percent on an investment property loan—a far cry from the 3.5 percent required for a primary home on an FHA loan.
Finally, it’s smart to keep your home purchase at no more than three times your annual income. To simplify the math further, make use of an online mortgage calculator to give you a clearer picture.
Make location a priority.
For most real estate experts, location is the most important factor in choosing property. If it’s a home for you and your family, you will definitely want it to be in a safe neighborhood, as well as close to schools, the office, and myriad conveniences. If it’s a rental property, most of the same will attract potential renters.
Home prices do vary from area to area. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the current home prices of the housing market you prefer. Researching home prices online will, in fact, give you a better idea of what you can afford while also eliminating much of the legwork, so you can narrow down your options.
Work with a realtor.
Whether you’re an old hand at property investment or a first-time buyer, know that you are infinitely better served when you work with real estate professionals. They can provide much-needed guidance from start to finish. And they’re an absolute must if you’re planning on buying a distressed, foreclosed, or as-is property to flip or as a rental property. They’ll help you negotiate the best starting price so that you have plenty to invest in the necessary fixes for the home. You not only avoid buyer’s remorse, but your home-buying experience will be a positive one.
In essence, buying property in a recession is not that much different from buying at any other time. But it’s also likely that you will have to take extra care and additional steps to protect your investment. Ultimately, it’s this care that will ensure the best possible purchase.
LEDUC, AB – On Wednesday, May 12th, 2021, BarrierTek initiated a first of its kind in Canada, large-scale burn experiment. The company performed a full-scale field test at a local fire training facility designed to demonstrate the efficacy of BarrierTek products – a made-in- Alberta invention that promises to defend wood structures – against nature's most devastating force, fire. Further to this, the demonstration provided empirical results that will greatly benefit the wood construction industry and enhance the work of fire prevention professionals on a provincial and national level.
The large-scale burn experiment provided a comparative analysis between two three-story wood buildings – one constructed with BarrierTek fire-proof coating and the other, untreated standard construction. Both buildings were identical in construction and were ignited with an equal amount of fuel-load. Untreated wood buildings are at risk of catastrophic fire both during and after construction and this experiment demonstrated that structures treated with BarrierTek coatings eliminate that risk. BarrierTek treated structures do not allow fire to leave the point of origin, dramatically reducing fire damage and posing absolutely no threat to the surrounding community or any adjacent buildings.
"At BarrierTek, we deeply care about the safety of our communities and we are passionate about influencing the built environment by developing high-performance, fire-resistant products. This experiment is our chance to show the industry and our communities that fires are a preventable tragedy and an opportunity to change the wood construction industry for the better. We hope that this one-of-a-kind demonstration will give the industry, code developers, and the general public a sense of real-life impact and demonstrate how each building is assessed for damage," says Mike Baker, CEO of BarrierTek.
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, this demonstration will be broadcasted as a virtual event. Government officials, industry professionals, business leaders and the general public are invited to observe the demonstration virtually on June 16th at 11:00am. For more information about the event and to register, please visit: https://www.barriertek.com/sciencevsfire
B-roll footage and photography from the experiment is available exclusively to media at: https://www.barriertek.com/media/
North Pointe Homes features The Aurora at Craford Rise that hosts its own distinctive Farmhouse flair next to White Mud Creek Ravine!
