2020

All posts from 2020

Tips on Keeping Your Sanity While at Home

by Bevony on 28 May 2020 Comments Off on Tips on Keeping Your Sanity While at Home

The past two months of 2020 has had the entire world settling into a new norm. We are all now mostly homebound and have accepted that staying in means staying alive. Some of us are all about ready to lose our minds from all this “staying in” and as such we here at Silverbeam Home just want to remind you it is crucial to find things around the house to do. 

So you have cleaned behind the stove, eaten all the food and watched all the Netflix, what do you do now? How about doing some redecorating? If you don’t have the means to actually do this in your home you can have some fun doing it virtually. As as we touch on virtually, think of all the virtual things you can get done – try traveling the globe, visiting art galleries and enjoying tours of a variety of places from the comfort of your living room. 

Paint Your Room Virtually

Check out a variety of color schemes and try them out in your home. You will find that many websites now allow you to upload a picture of your room that allows you to see what color would like on your wall. Check out the Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio in the AppStore to see how different color palettes will look. When you upload your picture, with just the spin of a wheel and you will see your room in the color of your choice. 

Take a Trip to the Most Celebrated Paris Gallery 

You can virtually explore the Louvre. Just visit www.louvre.fr where you can take a look at beautiful works of art. While you are there, check out the Egyptian wing and view the Galerie d’Apollon. You can also take a look at the “Mona Lisa” thanks to the Mona Lisa App. 

Get some Design Inspiration

If you go to www.virtualmuseum.ca to see the Partners in Design exhibit. You will find a number of objects that you can explore that connect with daily life from both the present as well as from the past. You will find all kinds of things from kettles, clocks, toaster sand Inuit paintings. It could really add up to be a fascinating day exploring from your bed. 

Visit an Aquarium 

You can take a virtual visit to the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and imagine swimming with the sharks. Explore the waters of the deep via their live “Shark Cam.” For an even life-like experience stream it to your TV screen and transform your entire living room into an undersea lair. 

Cook Up Some Fun

home sanity tips

Instead of eating the same things every week, why not try some new recipes. Follow the Instagram pages and youtube channels of celebrity chefs or other aspiring chefs receiving motivation from the lockdown. You are sure to find fun and quick recipes that utilize ingredients you already have in your kitchen. 

Become Your Home’s Personal Bartender

Check out again, Instagram pages, Pinterest, and more to find great mixes to get yourself a tasty cocktail. Try your hand at creating your own and share this with the world, why not become a trendsetter yourself after all? 

Travel and Immerse 

There are so many places you could travel to virtually, get comfortable with your favorite beverage, maybe one you made above and immerse yourself into the culture of another nation. Go see the Northern Lights, Glide through the waterways of Venice. Whatever you’ve been dreaming of doing, do it virtually. 

View Available Properties

Visit realtor.ca and view the “open house” tab. Here you will find a number of properties providing virtual tours and visits. They also have a “living room” blog where you can find out more. Even if you are not planning on buying or moving this can give you inspiration on things you can change in your own space. Best of all, there are no costs involved. 

Don’t let the lockdowns all over the glove have you feeling down. Yes, these are serious times, but if you are staying safe, we want to help you stay safe mentally and emotionally as well. Live your biggest dreams at home thanks to the many virtual options you have available at your fingertips. How have you kept your sanity while in lockdown? We’d love to hear it in the comments below. 

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BevonyTips on Keeping Your Sanity While at Home

How the COVID Pandemic is Affecting Home Design

by Bevony on 21 May 2020 Comments Off on How the COVID Pandemic is Affecting Home Design

The home design industry experts have always had to be at the forefront of innovation. It is necessary for the nature of their work. They have to be innovative to find ways around roadblocks such as clients’ budgets, regulation restrictions as well as size restrictions. They have to be creative and quick with their thinking in order to find alternative ways to do things. The current COVID pandemic has made it necessary for those in the home design industry to start thinking of ways for us to move forward with the changes in lifestyle that must be brought about due to the COVID 19 outbreak. 

Home Builders and designers are now having to strategize innovations into new home designs. With many people now needing to work from home there is the need for home offices more than ever. We also find many couples sharing whatever office space was already present in the home. This has created the need for additional space. With many people not having the financial or time capital to expand their homes, now we have to be looking into designing flex rooms. 

A flex room can be used in an office during working hours and can double as a guest room at other times as well as a game or playroom for kids as well. Bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are ideal for cross use as an office as they allow for working individuals the type of environment they need to work in especially if there are kids at home. These bedrooms are also ideal for persons that may need to self-isolate if showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. 

Equipping your Home with a Decontamination Room 

We can kick things up a notch by investing in ultraviolet light incorporations for foyers or mudrooms. Ultraviolet light is currently being used in hospital settings as a means of decontaminating items. There are of course safety implications so these rooms would have to be entirely lockable if ultraviolet light will be used within. 

Equipping Your Home for Deliveries

The option is being explored to have a lockable box built into an exterior envelope on your home. This will allow delivery people to securely leave your deliveries without having to come into contact with you, your home, or vice versa. 

Considering New Materials to Use

Surfaces, paints, and other materials that can handle a lot of cleaning will now be essential. This may mean more synthetic materials than natural products. We would have to be moving away from porous surfaces such as natural stones. The move would be towards surfaces such as standard quartz which may prove more durable to repetitive chemical cleaning.  

When it comes to color, white may be better for kitchens and bathrooms which must be cleaned often. 

New technology comes at a cost. There are now door handles that self sanitize but it is still very early for residential projects. The cost of these times and implementing these new designs could add up and many people are already low on income. We see where people have had to cut costs. We now see more people planting vegetable gardens even when working with limited outdoor space. Those who don’t have space are looking towards growing vertical gardens, garden walls, and garden windowsills.

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BevonyHow the COVID Pandemic is Affecting Home Design

Gardening; the Outdoor Version of Baking During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Bevony on 13 May 2020 Comments Off on Gardening; the Outdoor Version of Baking During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Owner of Bloomsbury Designer Gardens, Kathy Friesen considers gardening the outdoor version of baking. With many people safe at home during the current COVID-19 Pandemic, we have quite a lot of time on our hands. As a result, many people are keeping themselves busy performing a variety of home-based activities. 

The truth is, that as you are going about your regular day to day lives it is hard to find time to do things at home. Between work, kids, and extracurricular activities it can all be a bit much. Now people are staying home, learning new skills and trying out new things to occupy their time. We now find many turning to gardening regardless of the space with which they have to work with. 

Turning Your Small Urban Spaces into Gardens 

If you don’t have a backyard space you can still engage in some gardening. Use your rooftop, patio, balcony, or an outdoor room that you may have. Most people who create a garden want a space that is calm and tranquil, something they have control over while they are living in this scary time that 2020 is proving to be.  

When you look at home ins many parts of Vancouver for example in Kitsilano you will find that most house lots are narrow and small with the houses spaced closely together. This doesn’t mean you can’t get out and get some gardening done. Don’t let the size of your yard or your limited outdoor space deter you from creating your garden. 

You just need a small space to plant vertical vegetables such a cherry tomatoes, kale, peas and beans. Small spaces are ideal for planting blueberries and a variety of strawberries as well. 

Increase Backyard Privacy 

If you have backyard space but find that going outside means being a part of your neighbor’s outdoor socializing, gardening can help provide you with some privacy. You can add privacy screens with evergreen vines on trellises. 

With no traveling for us in the near future, summer will be spent staying home, or should we say with “staycations”. This gives us even more time to spend on our outdoor spaces, tending to plants, and forging quality bonds with our immediate family members. 

What People Want 

Most people want items that are easy to grow. They want colors, many want to try their hands with vegetables since they have experience pay cuts and job losses making it hard for ends to meet. People want plans that will grow easily and with little maintenance. They also want plants that can be easily cleaned out when the winter season comes around. 

You want your home to comfortable and pleasant for you and your entire family. With us all spending more time together it can get a bit much. participating in hobbies can help to take the edge off and gardening is just one avenue you can use. No matter what amount of outdoor space you have, you can plant something. If it is even just a window box with some herbs. 

Tell us, What would you love to plant at home? What are you already planting?

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BevonyGardening; the Outdoor Version of Baking During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Different Types of Roofing and their Advantages

by Bevony on 6 May 2020 Comments Off on Different Types of Roofing and their Advantages

If you find yourself needing a roof replacement there are a couple of options. You will find a number of different roofing materials that you will be able to choose from. You will want to educate yourself on the different types so that you can have a meaningful and well education conversation with your contractor when the time comes for that. 

Varying roofing materials will have their own lifespans and costs as well as a number of other characteristics that will cause them to provide both pros and cons. With an investment as big and as important as a roof you want to make the best decision. Here we will look at the most popular roofing types and all their advantages so you can make the best choice for your needs.

Asphalt 3-Tab Shingles

Asphalt 3-Tab Shingles

This roofing type is possible the most popular when it comes to roofing material. It has been a popular choice for many decades thanks to its durability. This roofing option features shingles made from fiberglass and asphalt as the base. The base is then covered with protective granules that bolster its durability. This type of roofing is also very affordable and is among the easiest type when it comes to installation. These tiles can be installed over your existing shingles as long as the roof deck on your building is in good condition. 

This roofing type is safe as it is considered to be Class A fire-resistant with the ability to withstand fire fora approximately two hours. If you live in an area that is fire-prone there may be better options out there when it comes to fire resistance. If you choose this type of roofing you can expect them to last for 20 to 50 years and you will be able to find them at your local home improvement store quite easily. 

Asphalt Architectural Shingles

Asphalt Architectural shingles are similar to the 3-Tab asphalt shingles discussed above. They are made from the same type of materials and are recyclable. The only difference is that with these architectural tiles, an extra layer is added to provide a better aesthetic appeal as well as to increase durability. The added layer gives this roofing type an added 10 years minimum so you can look for these lasting at least 30 years and up to 50 years. 

Wood Shingles 

Wooden Shingles are often called Shakes and are a type of roofing that has been around for centuries but are still quite common in use today. This option is quite durable as it is made most often from hardwoods. There are also options made from composite wood materials. Their lifespan is longer than asphalt roofing as they can last a minimum of 25 years. In warmer climates, you can find these roofs lasting a minimum of 30 years. Note that the life expectancy is based on the type of wood that is used to make these shingles as well as the thickness of the shingles and the climate of your local area. 

One of the best attributes of wooden shingles apart from their lifespan is their aesthetic appeal. These will provide a natural look and also weigh less than your other roofing types. They still offer the appropriate strength and moisture protection necessary for a fully functioning roof. These roofing options are environmentally friendly as they are made from wood and have that biodegradable nature. 

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are the option that offers the longest lifespan. You can expect these roofs to last anywhere between 40 and 80 years. Bear in mind that the climate conditions in your region will affect their lifespan. Modern metal roofing options are quite versatile. You can find metal roofing that can match pretty much any architectural style and in a variety of colors. 

Today’s roofing options are attractive and can be made fro metals such as aluminum, copper, or steel. 

Aluminum panels are naturally corrosion and rust-resistant. 

Most steel panels are coated with a metallic coating and then completed with a painted finish. This is to prevent rust while also improving the aesthetic appeal of the roof. 

Metal roofing options offer fire resistance and in most areas having metal roofing can lead to the lowering of your insurance rates. Metal roofs also have the ability to increase the resale value of your home. 

Slate Shingles, Concrete Tile, and Clay Tiles

These options are among the most durable roofing types you can find as their lifespans are approximated at a minimum of 100 years. These types of roofing materials are non-combustible and tend to be extremely fire resistant. They will not rot and are resistant to insects 

When you invest in a tiled roof, you can reduce your energy bill significantly. The inherent qualities contained in tile shingles allow for energy reduction. 

Which roofing type sounds like the best choice for your needs? What roofing type do you currently have on your home and what kinds of problems are you facing? We’d love to hear from you, drop a comment down below. 

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BevonyDifferent Types of Roofing and their Advantages

The Future of Freeing up Floorspace

by Bevony on 29 April 2020 Comments Off on The Future of Freeing up Floorspace

With many places on lockdown, many people are spending a lot more time at home. As such the ability to free up floor space is quite appealing. this is so especially to those who live in homes that accommodate extended families. This is especially appealing to those who live in small quarters. 

Freeing up Floorspace

When it comes to freeing up to floorspace the answer lies in the ceiling. This we see from Bumblebee Spaces. The San Francisco based company makes a modular system for storing home furniture in the ceiling. The design allows for accessories and furniture to be stored in the ceiling and to drop down when they are needed. 

With such a design system, when working you need your desk and chair, and not your bed. You also won’t need your dresser or nightstands. With this system, these items can be stored away from sight. That way you only have the things you need to work so you can remain focused while working. 

The Inspiration Behind the System 

Murphy from the company notes that a move from Maryland to San Francisco meant making do with less space. He is a previous engineer of Tesla and Apple but notes that he had always been interested in home space. His personal frustrations made him even more interested. At the time of his move, the cost of a two to a three-bedroom home in Maryland could only get him a studio or one-bedroom apartment on the West Coast. 

Murphy noted that he had a growing family and also had to deal with parents coming to visit. He got inspiration from the Micky Mouse Clubhouse cartoon and began to prototype a floorplan in his home’s garage. The cartoon had him thinking about how the clubhouse could transform from one space to the next. After mulling over that for a while, he realized the importance of first moving shoes, clothes, etc before being able to move rooms. 

He went on to note how ceilings were really dead space and how they could be unlocked while also having the ability to liberate walls. Not only would this free up floor space but it would also create better air circulation and result in less clutter and less furniture in the home while offering more natural light. 

How their Modular System Works 

The system can work with any ceiling that is 9 feet or higher. Anchors are put in place to distribute weight across the entire ceiling. Modules are added using retrofitted furniture which takes up approximately a depth of one foot. 

The software that Bumblebee Spaces uses allows individuals the opportunity to have insight into what their homes are capable of. Looking at your home through this software will really cause you to take a look at your possessions and how you are using them. It can also help you to get a handle on items that are not entirely necessary within your home. 

Available Bumblebee Modules

Modules by Bumblebee offer desks that descend as whole work stations to include anything you want to leave out on a desk including a computer and even your pens and smaller implements. Items only come down as you needed them so when you want your desk you get only that and when you don’t need it, it won’t be taking up any of your footprints. 

Ultimately Bumblebee is giving people space; physical space which further turns around to provide mental space. This allows people to live their best lives on a budget. They can afford a home without having to invest in larger home spaces.  Future homeowners may find that they have more money to go around. Thanks to having less money going towards rent and mortgage payments. 

Are you considering building a home? Here at SilverBeam Homes, we offer house building services to help make your dream a reality.

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BevonyThe Future of Freeing up Floorspace

Millennials and Home Buying

by Bevony on 22 April 2020 Comments Off on Millennials and Home Buying
Millennials and Home Buying

Sellers are finding creative ways to entice home buyers. You will find anything from apartment builders using clever marketing. Sellers are offering free wine and some go the extreme of offering a lucky home buyer a Tesla! The main focus of this marketing is millennial buyers and renters. These are those people between the ages of 20 and 40 years.  Or if you want to look at it another way; people born between 1980 and 2000. In Canada, that target market makes up approximately 10 million people according to a Nielsen study. This number represents approximately ¼ of the Canadian population so it is a large enough target market.

Why Target the Millenials

The Housing Market is realizing that the Millenials have different values from those of the generations before them. One example of this is the fact that Millenials have a preference for cycling and car-sharing rather than opting to own a car. They are known to be the shoppers looking for organic products, shopping locally and prefer urban lifestyles over rural ones.  

An RBC study done in April 2019, shows a trend of Millenials leaving major Canadian cities for more affordable communities within provinces. Statistics show that on average 9  Millenials are moving from different provinces or countries.  

The statistics show that Millenials are more immersed in the digital age and social media and are inclined to ordering things online. This generation, for the most part, is not looking forward to yard work on a weekend. 

What Everybody Wants

We all want a Happy Family and a Happy Home

Regardless of what era you are born in, there are some things that all potential homebuyers have in common. They want to find homes that are affordable to rent or buy. A CIBC study, published in Bloomberg News shows that 94% of individuals want to buy a home. And there is much variety of available for those who seek homes for purchase. You can find apartments, townhomes, condos duplexes and even have the opportunity to build your dream home from the ground up.

Challenges for Home Buyers

With the stress test that the federal government introduced, some are finding owning a home to be a bit more difficult. As such, one in three Canadians has put off their plans to own a home. This data can be found in a published survey found in the Financial Post. 

After criticism from young voters, the federal government decided to offer the “homebuyer incentive” program. This would mean, one could have a bank mortgage, this “incentive” loan and a student loan. With approximately 35% of millennials still living with their parents, this can be a frustrating thing to consider. This causes a delay for many and their independence which further impacts their lives as they start their families later on in life and thereby produce smaller families. 

In the above report, the comparison was also made with the wealth of Millenials compared to other generations in the Canadian population. The results show that millennials have more wealth, more assets but also more debt than Gen-Xers at their age. The study showed that educated Millenials make more money than their Gen-X counterparts did with 216% for Millenials, 125% for younger Gen-Xers and 80% for baby boomers. 

In addition to the above, there is also a rising tax burden that very often goes overlooked. The taxation of home purchases has increased and is being increased. This has a direct correlation to the affordability of housing options overall. It also has a correlation with the costs of maintaining a home. In Vancouver, we see typical new apartments with government taxes and fees up to 26% of the cost. These fees are often embedded in the final prices of these offerings. 

The Consensus

With all these costs to factor in, most millennials’ only choice is to rent. As per Statistics Canada homeownership rates of millennials versus baby boomers have a noticeable difference. In 1981, boomers of the same age owned homes. The statistics show that in 1981 55.5% of boomers owned homes compared to 30-year-olds today at 50.2%. 

While it is harder for Millenials to purchase a home. They do want to own one. An Environics study shows that they aspire to be financially secure, own a home, have a strong family relationship and achieve in their career. These are the same aspirations of all previous generations. So at the end of the day, we are looking for the same things.

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Refresh Your Bathroom with these Five Quick Tips

by Bevony on 15 April 2020 Comments Off on Refresh Your Bathroom with these Five Quick Tips

Over time your home starts to feel a little drab. Renovations can be extremely expensive so you cant decide to gut the entire house. What you can do is pick a room and make some simple changes to refresh the space. Today we want to look at how you can refresh your bathroom. Keep reading for five ways you can bring new life to your bathroom. Come back next week so we can help you refresh another room in your home.

Get Rid of Some Stuff

This is good advice for refreshing any space in your home. The first thing you always want to do is to clear out. This part is not exciting, at least not until you see the space you are working with. This is especially true if you have a lot of clutter in your space. While the task can be hard and you can find it frustrating to choose which items to let go of you can make it easier. Just think about the treat it will be when you get to go out and purchase new stuff. 

Bathroom design tips

You don’t have to do this task all at once. You can set aside 15 minutes every day where you go into your bathroom and commit to removing items that are no longer needed. Think about the last time you used an item and let that guide you into what can be cleared out.

Choose a Shower Curtain

In most bathrooms, the shower curtain is what stands out the most. As such changing out your shower curtain will make a big impact on the look and feel of your bathroom. Choose your colors and patterns based on the feel you want to get from your bathroom. If you want a zen-like, spa feeling then you want to go for colors and prints that are relaxing and soothing. If you want your bathroom to be vibrant then you obviously go the opposite route. If you want to increase storage you can opt for a shower curtain with pockets.

Change Your Soap Dispenser

When changing your soap dispenser, you don’t have to worry about it matching your shower curtain. You can choose to have your soap dispenser, toothbrush holder and soap dish in a contrasting color to the rest of the items in your bathroom. You have the option of choosing a natural element such as stone, or wood if you are going with a relaxed zen-like bathroom.

Choosing New Towels

Worn out towels can make your bathroom seem drab and downright depressing. The simple task of changing towels can lift your bathroom immensely. Towels are quite inexpensive so you can get a brand new set of towels of various prices without completely ruining your budget. Whether you choose colored towels or a crisp white, you can’t go wrong with new good quality towels.

Sustainable Fixtures

You will find that most interior designers place their main focus on lighting no matter what room in the house they are focusing on. Lighting can have a very significant impact on space within your home. What type of lights do you prefer or what types of light will fulfill the purpose of your room? Do you do your makeup in the bathroom or do you simply shower and use the toilet and leave? All of these need to be considered when choosing a type of light.  Remember you can find lighting solutions that offer dimming features so you can relax and wind down at the end of the day and will also allow you the opportunity to have bright lights when you need them to get ready. 

If you change your lighting fixtures you should try to get more energy-efficient ones. Consider LED lighting options and you can apply this principle to your faucets as well as your showerheads. Both these endeavors will not only refresh the look of your bathroom but will also help to reduce your electricity and water bills as well.

And there you have it, our five quick tips for refreshing your bathroom without renovation. Do you have any tips or tricks on how to refresh your space? Share them in the comments section below.

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BevonyRefresh Your Bathroom with these Five Quick Tips

The Current Condo Insurance Crisis

by Bevony on 8 April 2020 Comments Off on The Current Condo Insurance Crisis
Condo Insurance Crisis

British Columbia owners of Condos and Townhomes are seeing a crisis with some insurers pulling out of the market. Those that remain are hiking up their prices. In a bid to address the problem, the relevant authorities recently held an online meeting. The meeting lasted for 4 hours and addressed the crisis that is facing BC stratas regarding building insurance. Condo owners are seeing the price of insurance increases, as well as insurance options, are simply disappearing. Meeting attendees came from various sectors of the market. They included officials from real estate, insurance, government along with other businesses and other stakeholders. The meeting took place online in light of the current COVID-19 crises. 

One-third of the residents in British Columbia live in townhouses or condos. They are faced with this crisis of wether their building will be able to find insurance. There is also the problem of affording the premiums when they do find an insurer. This along with the COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of stress on the residents.

Don Forgeron, the CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada noted that it is unfortunate that no immediate relief could be reached. The Insurance Bureau of Canada noted that this crisis did not just occur overnight. They also note they have made recommendations to both the stratas and the government. However, currently, time is necessary to bring forth the required change. They note these measures will provide help in the future. They are also, hoping for spillover into the short term and medium term. The impact of these changes for right now is hard to measure or predict.

Horror Stories from Residents

Over the last few months of 2020, residents have shared a number of horror stories. With approximately 1.5 million British Columbians calling strata corporations their home, a large majority. Residents told stories of increases of up to 400% in their insurance fees. They also noted a staggering increase in deductibles. We heard stories of buildings only receiving partial policies and in some cases, while some received no policies at all. 

British Columbia is not the only province in Canada that suffered a hit. Notably, though, it is the one that has taken the hardest hit. This is because of the large number of stratas that are contained in British Columbia. Factors that affect this include;

  • Where the stratas are built
  • The standards to which the stratas are built
  • Type of construction used for the buildings
  • British Columbia’s risk of earthquakes

These factors make this a bigger problem for British Columbia than that of other provinces.

One metro Vancouver condo owner of 16 years shared her story. Her building’s insurer notes they will not be renewing the policy. Because of this, her strata council will have to find a new insurer. As she lives on a fixed income, this owner is fearful of any increase to her fees that may arise from the strata finding new insurance. 

Many residents are facing similar issues and they are looking to the government for protection. We are all looking for concrete action from the government. It is expected that more stratas will start experiencing these problems as the future unfolds. As a result, there are more people paying attention to the details of this conversation.

Recommendations from the Insurance Bureau of Canada

  • Making education for risk mitigation mandatory for strata councils 
  • Amending building codes to prevent extensive water damage with the mandatory installation of leak detection devices
  • Passing legislation to avert Stratas from deferring depreciation reports
  • Prevent strata from putting off long-term maintenance with proper legislation
  • Make definitions in the Strata Property Act to define a “standard strata”
  • Make it clear in the Strata Property Act what damages are the responsibility of the strata lot owners separate from those of the strata council

Current Measures to Address the Crisis

The Minister of Finance, Carole James, noted that they are in the process of exploring ways to address the crisis. A spokesperson from the ministry further tells how discussions are underway with the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The main focus of these discussions is to ultimately make strata insurance costs more affordable.

The BC Financial Services Authority is the insurance regulator for the province. They are continually gathering data on the rate hikes and average increases across the province. They intend to determine how many of the 300 British Columbia insurance companies have stopped offering services to condos and townhouses.

This also affects renters of townhouses and condos as their landlords may have to pass the increases to them. Forgeron notes that no one should be forced from their homes because of these insurance issues. As such they are motivated for a solution to be found and implemented soon. We hope that the changes made will attract insurers to come back to the BC market. We hope that with demand taken care of, the cost of insurance will fall to more affordable prices.

The matter is indeed urgent and we can only hope that the government will heed the recommendations of the Insurance Bureau. We hope the necessary changes will be made to help keep BC residents in their homes.

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BevonyThe Current Condo Insurance Crisis

Housing Regulations Around the Globe

by Bevony on 1 April 2020 Comments Off on Housing Regulations Around the Globe

If you thought British Columbia had a lot of housing regulations, you are in for a shocker. Today we bring you a different type of blog post. When you learn what other places have for their regulations you will understand that BC regulations are not too extreme.

We went around the globe to see what kinds of limits have legislators have placed on potential homebuyers and renters.

Housing Regulations

We found that China and  India do not allow non-residents to purchase real estate. Now, China and India are the most populous countries in the world. Their regulations protect the residents. It also allows them a better chance of being able to afford a home whether they are renting or buying.

In Berlin, we see where they froze rental prices for a period of five years. This is a legislation that protects some 1.5 million tenants.

In the Netherlands, the law protects tenants from eviction by a renovation. This legislation requires a minimum of 70% of tenants to agree with a landlord’s improvement plans. “Reno-victions” are very popular in a number of countries. As a result, this practice often displaces tenants and disrupt their lives extremely.

British Columbia Housing Restrictions

The Most Rigorous Housing restrictions in Canada today can be found in British Columbia. You should be familiar with the speculation and vacancy tax as well as the 20% foreign buyers tax. Many people do not like these measures but when you take a look at other rules that have been mandated in other places to deflate housing bubbles you find that our rules are not that bad.

Asian countries are not giving foreign nationals the ability to invest in their land. This gives them control over their property values, preventing them from going up. This is not the case in the western world. Instead, we allow foreign nationals to purchase real estate. This, in turn, has a very big impact on the value of our property.

European countries have a number of hard caps on rent. They also have direct financial top-ups that are offered to tenants who have to pay more than 30% of their income towards housing costs.

Canadian Housing Pressures

We see where a lot of the most desirable cities in the world are facing a lot of housing pressures similar to the ones being seen in Toronto, Victoria, and Vancouver. These places are seeing skyrocketing prices in homeownership and in rent. While these prices are increasing, wages are staying the same. The government must now implement policies that will provide protection to vulnerable tenants.

The regulations and taxes that are put into place are supposed to help to ensure that housing prices don’t continue to drive up. With a sharp rise in the number of global millionaires and an increase in flights from Asian countries into Western countries, coupled with a record low on interest rates for megaprojects, we see some amount of negative effects.

Population growth is a benefit to developers. They respond to this growth by building housings to increase density. But is this the true solution? If there is a continuous flow of cash into the markets house prices won’t fall.  And that is why going through the tax system is the choice of most governments. When there is no money to be funneled into expensive areas, the market will be forced to keep prices from rising.

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BevonyHousing Regulations Around the Globe

How is Your Home’s Air Quality?

by Bevony on 25 March 2020 Comments Off on How is Your Home’s Air Quality?
Home's Air Quality guide

As we move towards spending more time indoors, air quality is of utmost importance. It is noted by theWorld Health Organization (WHO) and the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that indoor air quality is often up to five times worse than the air quality outdoor. 

One of the highest contributing factors to the poor quality of air indoor is VOC off-gassing. This can come from a variety of materials including glues used in your cabinetry and from your carpets as well. 

What can you do? Well now you know, you want to always try to find low-VOC options when shopping for materials for your home. Wood is always a healthier choice than concrete. It is also beneficial in that it is lighter, warmer and won’t give off the type of dust that concrete will give off. All of these attributes allow the wood to be a better choice and to have a better effect on the air quality on the interior of your home.

How to Tell if You Have Poor Indoor Air Quality

Do you find yourself getting sick every time you get home? Do you get immediately sick and start having symptoms such as dry eyes, sore throat, headaches, problems sleeping and problems concentrating? These all are symptoms of inhaling air that is poor in quality.

How to Improve Air Quality without Going to the Store

One of the best things you can do to improve the air quality in your home is to let in the fresh air. Open up your windows or any doors if possible so that fresh air can circulate throughout your living space.

Other Things Impacting our Air Quality

With changes in our environment, the way we heat and cool our homes is also changing. We find more people installing more air conditioners in their homes which in turn leads to more global warming. In Vancouver alone, there are air conditioning units in 20% of homes. In Kelowna, you will find 80% of homes are already using air conditioning. With the planet warming up, more people are trying to combat this with the use of air conditioners. This, in turn, increases emissions which ends up contributing to climate change. A situation that looks like it will continue to spiral this way. As more changes in the natural climate take place, the dependence on air conditioners will only increase and the effects this will have on air quality are currently unknown.

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BevonyHow is Your Home’s Air Quality?