Edmonton Spring 2023

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Advice from
someone you trust.
Life’s brighter under the sun
Henry J Barendregt* CHS, EPC
HJB Financial Services Inc.
Tel: 780-591-2401
5110 50 St, Box 3186
Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1Y4
*Mutual fund business is done with your advisor through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.
Advisors and their corporations conduct insurance business through Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc.
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the insurer, and is a member of the Sun Life group of companies.
© Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2022.
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Selling a house in Edmonton - 3
Considerations
Selling a house in Edmonton right now can be challenging due to the
increasing interest rates. As an owner, it is important to understand
the market and how these higher rates can affect your sale.
Higher interest rates can be a boon.
Higher interest rates can be a boon. When buyers are able to secure
a mortgage at an attractive rate, they're more likely to purchase the
home. This helps homeowners who are in need of quick liquidity as
they can find willing buyers and close the deal quickly. Higher interest
rates also tend to drive up real estate prices, making it easier for
sellers to obtain a good price for their property.
Inventory
The amount of inventory in the Edmonton real estate market has
also been decreasing recently, which could help you as a seller
should you decide to list right now. Less inventory means that potential
buyers are more likely to take notice of your property and put
in an offer. Going into winter, housing inventory usually drops even
further so listing now might prove beneficial when it comes time to
sell your home.
Despite these advantages, there are still certain risks associated with
selling while interest rates are high. One risk is that you may need to
lower your asking price in order to move quickly on the sale of your
home - something many homeowners aren’t always prepared for or
willing to do.
Risk
Additionally, if you don’t consider other factors such as local economic
conditions or housing trends, you could end up selling for a
lower overall price regardless of whether or not it happens quickly.
All things considered, selling a house in Edmonton right now with
higher interest rates is risky but could benefit some sellers depending
on their individual circumstances and goals for their sale. If you’re
considering listing during this time, talk with a real estate professional
who can provide insight into current market conditions and
walk through all available options so that you can make an informed
decision about when and how best to move forward with selling your
home.
Tim Grover
Edmonton Real Estate Team is your one-stop source for all your real
estate needs! With expert advice, we are the perfect partner to help
you find or sell a home. Call us at 780-288-5144 and let us help you
make smart and informed decisions about your future today.
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STAYING ALIVE:
TIPS FOR BETTER PLANT CARE IN 2023
Houseplants can instantly transform a space and make your home
feel more stylish and vibrant. That is, if you can keep the plants alive
for longer than a few weeks. If you have fear and anxiety over your
plant-parent ability, you’re not alone, but you’re also not a lost cause.
Emma Terrell is no stranger to helping people tackle their foliage
fears and learn to embrace plants in their homes and gardens.
Emma, known online as The Urban Botanist, has built a career
helping individuals and businesses use the beauty of nature to
elevate their spaces. This spring, Emma is bringing her expertise to
the plant-curious in Edmonton as a featured presenter at the 2023
Edmonton Home + Garden Show, running March 23–26, where she
will share her must-know tips for better blooms and buds.
Ahead of this year’s show, we’ve asked Emma to give us a sneak
peek at her main stage presentation and break down the basics for
incorporating greenery into your home or elevating your outdoor
living space to oasis-like status.
Question: What is the one piece of advice you always give to
people wanting to get into plant care and gardening?
Emma: Your main focus should always be on proper plant care.
Select easy-to-care-for plants and read and follow the plant’s care
instructions. Your first step when bringing a new plant home is to
read the care instructions; this will tell you how much light, water and
food the plant needs. I always recommend quarantining your plant
away from other plants to avoid any unwanted pests from spreading
from your new plant to your existing collection. I like to give my
new plants a bath and a spray to remove any insects that could be
hiding in the soil or on the plant. Finally, get the necessary tools and
supplies for successful plant care.
E: Houseplants can follow similar trend cycles as interior design. I
think macrame is really in right now, and it pairs so beautifully with
plants. I also love to layer design elements and textures into your
plant containers to create visual interest. Add decorative pots,
hanging plants and outdoor containers to make the space feel
inviting. That being said, where you live will influence the plant styles
you should choose. Large, impressive cacti might look cool, but they
won’t thrive in certain grow zones, no matter how trendy they are
on social media. That’s why it’s so important to put care first when
styling your home with plants. It’s always better to have living plants
than dead “stylish” ones.
Q: What is your favourite way to bring life into a home using plants
and greenery?
E: If you want to bring a bit of life into a room, try getting a
houseplant in a decorative pot. This will add a splash of colour and
texture to the space. You can also hang plants from the ceiling or
place them on shelves to create an eye-catching display.
I love bringing herbs into my space as well. They not only add
greenery to my kitchen, but I can also use them when cooking.
Finally, don’t forget to add some plants outdoors. Container gardens
are a great way to add a bit of greenery to a balcony or patio.
Consider planting herbs, flowers or vegetables for a pop of colour
and a hint of freshness.
For more expert plant care tips from Emma, be sure to catch her,
along with more than 200 exhibitors, at the 2023 Edmonton Home +
Garden Show, running March 23–26 at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
Tickets are available online at edmontonhomeandgarden.com.
Q: What are your must-have plant parent tools and products?
E: No matter what type of plants you choose, make sure you have
the necessary tools and supplies for successful plant care. A
watering can, potting soil and fertilizer are essential. You may also
want to invest in a few other items, such as a soil thermometer, a
mister and a pair of pruning shears. It’s also always good to have a
bottle of insecticidal soap for when infestations happen. With these
tools, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful plant
parent.
Q: What are the best plant species for someone new to owning
plants?
E: If you’re a beginner, look for plants that are easy to care for.
Some good options include succulents, spider plants, pothos and
dracaenas. These plants are tolerant of low light and don’t require a
lot of watering. They can also handle occasional neglect, so they’re
a great choice for someone just starting out.
Q: What do you consider to be the most exciting trends for plant
design in 2023?

EDMONTON
EXPO CENTRE
MARCH 23-26
Don’t miss HGTV Canada Celebrity Contractor Bryan
Baeumler on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25!
Real Home Advice from
Local Trusted Experts
Is your do-it-yourself a don’t? Get real home advice from trusted local experts at the Edmonton
Home & Garden Show, March 23 rd – 26 th at the Edmonton Expo Centre. From kitchen and
baths to flooring and more, see the latest trends, get expert advice and find great deals!
Plus, discover new ideas and inspiration for all your home projects.
Sponsors:
.com
Conveniently located on 170th Street
EDMONTONHOMEANDGARDENSHOW.COM
2-FOR-1
*On Regular Adult Admission Only
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PRODUCED BY
BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Promo Code: REALHOME
COURTESY OF:
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WORLD LEADER
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Shop. Donate. Volunteer.
Get ready for huge scores at ReStore! Find grea
value on quality new and gently-used building
materials, furniture, appliances, tools, and uniqu
items. All proceeds from purchases help familie
access affordable homeownership. Four locatio
in the Edmonton area. Open to the public!
20% OFF your next purchase!
Coupon has no cash value. Valid only at Habitat Edmonton ReStores. Cannot be combined
with other offers. One time use only. Coupon must be surrendered to cashier at time of
purchase. Does not apply to items previously purchased at ReStore. Expires Dec 31, 2023.
RHA20
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t
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ns
HFH.org
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Come visit us at our brand new showroom
at 2828 Ellwood Drive SW,
Edmonton, Alberta

Stop by our showroom and Clearance Center located at
2828 Ellwood Drive SW, Edmonton, Alberta
780.457.DOOR (3667)
Support of Mustard Seed, Hope Mission,
Moms Canada, Little Warriors,
Edmonton Minor Soccer Association
and other local charities.
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SCAN ME
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“ Yo u r V a c u u m I s
O n l y A s G o o d A s
T h e I n s t a l l a t i o n ”
B u i l t - i n
V a c u u m I n s t a l l e r L t d
W e I n s t a l l a l l b r a n d s o f
C E N T R A L V A C U U M S
S p e c i a l i z i n g I n N e w C o n s t r u c t i o n ,
R e t r o fi t s , V a c p a n s a n d S a l e s
w w w . c e n t r a l v a c i n s t a l l e r . c o m
RETRACTABLE HOSE SYSTEM.
F R E E Q U O T E - C A L L T O D A Y
7 8 0 . 8 8 7 . 0 3 1 6
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Excavators Reminded reminded One Call one May call Not may Be not
Enough be enough
Rocky Pooke launched 2nd CALL® in 2009, a company that checks for
locatable underground lines and marks them out at excavation sites to
help ensure locatable live and abandoned underground facilities and
hazards are identified. 2nd CALL ® also standardly double checks locatable
underground lines marked by utility owners that are notified when
you make a first call or click.
For years people have been told to call before they dig, but what many
don’t realize is there should be at least two calls made before breaking
ground.
Most are familiar with making a first call or click, which are notification
services that allows people to make a phone call and have registered
utility lines in the ground marked by the utility agencies who own them,
like Fortis, ATCO or Telus.
The problem is, there are a lot of things in the ground that typically
won’t be checked by only making one call, such as Shaw Cable fibre,
Alberta Transportation lines and any other underground lines that are
not registered because these underground lines and hazards are not
registered with all notification services.
That’s where Rocky Pooke and his Alberta wide company come in. He
founded 2nd CALL® - The Next Generation Locating Service because
one call or click is not enough to check for both registered and unregistered
underground lines and hazards as required by Alberta Occupational
Health and Safety.
“Through the 80s and shortly thereafter most, but not all, basic utilities
became registered with a provincial notification center,” said Pooke.
“The problem is, the world has changed and there’s a lot more stuff in
the ground now that isn’t registered anywhere. And it isn’t law that it has
to be.”
As a trained fireman, master electrician and safety codes officer, safety is
of utmost concern for the owner of 2nd CALL.
While notification centers use maps of reported registered lines and
contacts those owner companies when needed to go out and mark their
underground lines. Pooke said it’s not always 100 per cent.
“Even though a company may be part of a notification center there’s no
guarantee they’ve reported all their utilities to the center,” he said. “The
other issue is just because everything is reported it doesn’t necessarily
get marked, because there’s no other check. If something is not on a
map it typically is not checked for.”
His company got its start after a disturbing incident in 2008. An excavator
in the Vegreville area had struck a miss-marked underground facility,
and a local utility company was allegedly found guilty of negligence for
improperly mapping the line – which wasn’t its own. It had been doing a
favour, something commonly done back then, said Pooke.
With several trenching and commercial jobs on the go, Pooke decided
he couldn’t put his employees in danger and began looking for companies
that would look for everything, if making one call wouldn’t be. All
he could find was companies who did locates for notification centers,
but nobody who went out on their own and scanned randomly for evown,
and 2nd CALL was born.
His biggest concern was with mismarked lines and abandoned lines and
unregistered lines which wouldn’t typically be reported by a provincial
notification center response.
“Abandoned lines are all over Alberta and once utilities abandon line
they typically come off the maps,” said Pooke. “Is it possible an abandoned
line has enough product in it to hurt or kill you still? Absolutely.
“So there’s still lines out there that could have gas in them, or at least
enough gas for a flashover, and there are power lines that are still energized,
and we know because we find them and we know they’re down
there.”
His company typically goes out with both a transmitter and receiver
and two people, who walk the area in a grid formation and flag anything
their equipment picks up, rather than relying on what comes up on a
map and only tracing it. They’re looking for anything locatable that gives
off a signal, he said.
“If it’s possible to distinguish what it is – power, water, sewer, gas – it is
marked accordingly, and if something is picked up but unidenti-fied, it’s
marked with a neutral colour so excavators know there is an unknown
hazard underground,” he said.
“Making a first call or click is a great first step,” said Pooke. “But you
need at least another call or click.
“If you do a single call or click it checks about half the stuff that’s down
there. If you do 2nd CALL it double-checks the first stuff and checks for
the rest of the locatable lines.”
His interest was piqued after a ruptured gas line northwest of Turner
Valley resulted in a fatality.
He said he spoke with Turner Valley RCMP and the fire department to
find out whether locates had been done, but it’s unclear what had been
marked.
“My big thing when I was checking it out was – was this preventable?”
said Pooke. “People still largely aren’t aware, and they don’t know that
two calls should be made – at least.
“We’re way past the need for two calls or clicks. This should have been
happening 10 to 20 years ago, so we’re behind the eight ball but thankfully
we’re here now, it’s just to get the awareness out to everybody and
educate them on why they should be doing it.”
A letter was sent to contractors notifying them of the practice, and
stating utilities owners would no longer be marking lines for other
agencies – in other words, information on some other lines lurking
underground would not be provided if the company that had installed
it wasn’t responding to a notification or they were simply unregistered
underground lines.
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GET UP TO $5000 BACK WITH
THE CANADA GREENER HOMES
GRANT!
Now is the best time to upgrade to New, Energy Efficient Windows
and Doors
New windows and doors do more than give your home a face-lift.
Modern window and door designs deliver superior energy efficiency
which in turn saves you money and creates a more comfortable
living space. Making the decision to upgrade your home’s windows
and doors can be a significant financial investment. The Canada
Greener Homes Grant was developed to make it more accessible and
affordable for you to choose energy efficient upgrades, such as new
windows and doors, for your home.
How To Qualify for the Greener Homes Grant?
The Canada Greener Homes Grant is accessible to all eligible homeowners
in Canada. There are, however, specific eligibility criteria that
must be met to receive funding for your home’s upgrades.
Proof of Ownership
- You need to provide proof of ownership with your property tax
number.
- The home you are performing upgrades on also must be your primary
residence.
- New homes are not eligible for the grant program.
Complete a Pre- and Post-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation
- You must register for a pre-retrofit evaluation through the Government
of Canada website. This evaluation is important to determine
recommended upgrades for your home based on its current energy
efficiency rating. You are then required to complete at least one of the
recommended improvements to remain eligible for reimbursement.
- Once the work is completed, you will need to book the post-retrofit
inspection which will determine how much your home’s energy efficiency
improved with the upgrades that were performed.
Maintain Records of Project
The Greener Homes Grant allows for Canadians to receive up to $5600
in reimbursement for eligible retrofits. The EnerGuide evaluations
make up $600 of that total, with the remaining funds allocated to the
actual implementation of upgrades. When replacing windows and
doors, homeowners can receive up to $250 per rough opening up to
cap of $5000. The final reimbursement amount will depend on the
type of replacement windows or doors that are chosen.
Replace your windows or sliding glass doors with ENERGY STAR
certified models
Amount ($) Per Rough Opening | $125
Replace your windows or sliding glass doors with ENERGY STAR Most
Efficient Models:
Amount ($) Per Rough Opening | $250
Replace hinged doors, with or without sidelites or transoms ENERGY
STAR certified models:
Amount ($) Per Rough Opening | $125
2. A rough opening is the structural framing in a wall or roof separating
a heated from unheated space that creates an opening for the
installation of a window, door or skylight. For example, a bay window
with three window units installed into one rough opening is eligible
for only one grant.
3. ENERGY STAR certified means that the model meets or exceeds the
ENERGY STAR levels. Each certified model comes with a temporary
label showing that the unit is ENERGY STAR certified.
You must keep copies of all documents – including your energy reports
and receipts – until March 31, 2028.
Important Details About the Program
You must complete the entire grant process to receive reimbursement,
so it is important that you follow the eligibility criteria listed
above carefully.
For window and door replacement there are additional requirements
that must be met, as well:
- All products must be purchased in Canada.
- Equipment must be selected from the pre-approved list of windows
and doors.
- ENERGY STAR labels must remain on windows and doors until the
process is complete.
- Must replace full window unit, not just glass.
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Get mortgage insurance that puts your family first
For most Canadians, a home is their biggest investment. Mortgage
Guard® from Co-operators can protect your home, and your finances,
by securing your mortgage with term life insurance. What’s more,
our plans come with optional extras – like critical illness and disability
benefits – in one flexible, convenient plan.
What we offer
When it comes to mortgage insurance, you may be wondering how
much you need. Or if it’s even worth it. As with all types of insurance,
the answer depends on many factors. Read on for an overview of our
mortgage coverage, and why it could make sense for you and your
family.
Mortgage Guard® If you’re shopping for mortgage protection insurance
in Canada, Mortgage Guard® is a great option. It lets you decide
how to protect the financial well-being of your loved ones, your lifestyle
and your financial future. Because, unlike mortgage insurance
from other providers, our coverage puts you in total control of your
policy. Here’s how:
- You own your policy, and only you can cancel it.
- Your policy stays in effect, even if you switch lenders.
- In the event of your death, your family receives the benefit directly.
- The funds can be used however your family decides, whether it’spaying
off the mortgage, investing for the future or maintaining their
quality of life.
- Your premium rate is guaranteed for the term of the policy.
- The benefit amount is level for the term of the policy, unless you
choose to reduce it (which also reduces your premium).
- If your situation changes, for example you pay off your mortgage
or sell your home, you can convert your policy to a permanent Life
insurance plan, as permitted.
Critical illness protection
If you are diagnosed with one of 25 covered conditions and the waiting
period (30 days, in most cases) has passed, our Critical Assist®
Rider provides you with a lump-sum payment – between $25,000
and $2,000,000, depending on the level of coverage you select. This
rider also offers the option for a partial payment, if you are diagnosed
with one of four Early Assist covered conditions. The partial payment
is 10% of the policy face amount, up to a maximum of $50,000 and
allows your policy to remain in force should you need to make a claim
for the full amount in the future.
PLUS! Access to Teladoc Medical Experts®
When you add the MDI Rider and/or Critical Assist® Rider, you’ll also
gain access to Teladoc Medical Experts®, an international roster of
top medical experts that can provide advice and support when you
need it. You can use this resource with Mortgage Guard® insurance
as well.
Secure your mortgage today!
View our Getting Started Guide to initiate the life insurance discussion
with your loved ones.
Download our Advisor Discussion Guide to help start the conversation
with your financial advisor.
Talk to us today
For personalized solutions to fit your needs and budget, connect with
a Co-operators financial representative
What else should you know
Our Mortgage Guard® comes with two optional add-ons:
Disability protection
Our Mortgage Guard® Disability Insurance (MDI) Rider provides a
monthly income benefit to help you maintain your family’s lifestyle,
if you become disabled and lose your job. The benefit can cover up
to 125% of your monthly mortgage and/or line-of-credit payment
(including property taxes, if desired), to a maximum of $3,500 per
month. You can choose either a 24- or 60-month benefit period,
which can remain in effect up to age 60. MDI is available as a rider on
Versatile Term®, Infinity Term®, and Universal Life policies.
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Now Booking For The Summer 2023 Edition
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180 Kitchens: Turning Your
Space Around Responsibly
Wanting to create your dream kitchen does not have to be a struggle
with your environmental conscience. 180 Kitchens can turn a tired
kitchen into the stunning heart of your home without sacrificing your
values.
180 Kitchens specializes in cabinet refacing, a process that is kind
to the environment and your wallet. It’s one of the most innovative
and efficient ways to get that kitchen you dream of. You get a new
kitchen in less time than a full renovation, with less waste, and usually
without losing the use of your kitchen during the few days it takes to
change your kitchen.
Refacing is More Eco-Friendly
In a standard renovation, the full cabinet boxes come off the walls
and go to the dump. You may have seen home reno shows where
the contractor comes in with a sledgehammer and tears the kitchen
apart. That’s all done for dramatic effect. The wreckage ends up in the
landfill. But it doesn’t have to!
If cabinet boxes are in good shape, they can be refaced with the exterior
finish you choose and new doors and drawer fronts in the same
finish installed. They can also offer a hybrid option where they can
use some of your existing cabinets and build new ones too!
Refacing is More Economical
180 Kitchens can certainly do custom work and extend your kitchen
reno to the bathroom or other rooms in your home. But if you prefer
to keep it simple and like the layout of your kitchen, refacing can be
done quickly and often for half the cost of a complete tear-out and
replacement.
design choices. They’ll bring samples of door profiles and finishes to
your home so you can see how they’ll look in your space, suiting your
new kitchen look with your home’s aesthetics. You’ll get as much or as
little advice as you want. Did we mention that service is free?!
Refacing Takes Less Time
You may have heard horror stories about renovations that dragged
on and on and what seemed like a simple job turned into weeks or
months of inconvenience. More time means more stress. 180 Kitchens’
professional installation team will work around your schedule,
completing your kitchen renewal to a high standard. If you’re simply
refacing your cabinets, they’ll complete the job in two or three days.
If your job is more complex—replacing countertops, backsplash,
shelves, or electrical work —180 Kitchens can coordinate that for you,
saving you time and hassle.
A beautiful new kitchen with less waste, less money, less time. Winwin-win!
Contact 180 Kitchens at https://180kitchens.com to turn
your space around responsibly!
180 Kitchens
Edmonton & Surrounding Areas: (780) 868-0196
info@180kitchens.com
To schedule a free in-home consultation or if you have any questions,
please fill out this form, and we will contact you right away.
A free in-home consultation with 180 Kitchens’ designer starts the
process. You won’t be on your own to sort through your options and
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Industrial Palettes
One way to master the industrial look in your home is to limit your colour
palette! Black, grey, and white are staples of industrial style. You can paint
anything black to give it an instant industrial upgrade. Try painting radiators,
trim, picture frames, really anything! Just remember to use the black
as a contrast against the large amount of white in your house – your don’t
want your space becoming too dark!
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Now Booking For The Summer 2023 Edition
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