Mike and Crystal Green couldn’t have picked a worse time to look for a new home. In mid-February, Mike was offered a promotion to be a regional sales manager at a computer security company. The catch was the couple would need to relocate 

The Greens accepted an offer on their home two days after it went on the market in early March. But by then, the Greens didn’t feel safe flying to check out houses given the coronavirus pandemic. The government was urging workers to stay home if possible and practice social distancing when out in public to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

That wound up working in their favour. The Greens went online and took a virtual tour of a home they liked. It was in a new development. They were able to choose custom details via Zoom and email—and got a discount on their new home

If they closed in March, and the builder would throw in a free Whirlpool refrigerator, washer, and dryer as well.

The Greens have plenty of company on the receiving end of a wave of aggressive incentives for buyers of new construction. With a global health crisis raging and the ensuing financial fallout with many workers laid off,  homebuilders around North America are offering discounts, throwing in freebies, and covering closing costs to attract buyers and close deals.

They had to do something. Tours of new-homes have dropped and more potential buyers deciding to put off their new home searches until things truly settle.

CMHC

2020 summer edition of the Housing Market Outlook report provides forecasts for Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. It builds on the Spring 2020 edition that focused on housing market activity for Canada and the provinces.

These reports give high and low range projections on new construction, home sales, house prices and rental market activity.

Housing forecast overview for Canada’s major urban centres

Read the full CMHC report here 

Buyers may also get deals on custom homes

While deals on newly constructed homes abound, buyers can also shop around for discounted lots where they can have their dream homes built.

Basement Design Inspiration

Basements can be tough rooms to decorate. They usually just turn into a random storage place with boxes, unused items, and holiday decorations. Let's change that and make it a room you would actually enjoy living in. Here are some of our favorite basement design ideas.

Basement Idea #1: Playroom

If you have younger children a playroom is the perfect basement design idea for your home. Keeping all of their toys and games out of the way and in a neat and organized fashion creates a great use of your finished basement space.

Basement Idea #2: Game Room, Bar, or Theater

If you have older kids a game room or home theater may be a more functional basement design idea. A game room or theater is not only going to be fun for the kids but for you and any guests that come as well. These ideas are ways for you, your friends, and your family to enjoy themselves, relax and let out some stress. A game room doesn't have to consist of much. It can be as simple as a pool or Foosball table. Having a bar close to your game room would be a perfect place to entertain and enjoy each other's company. With a large screen with comfy seating right in the same area, you will be all set to let loose, watch a movie, and play some games.

Basement Idea #3: Wine Cellar

If you are an avid wine lover, then this finished basement design idea is the one for you. Having a place to house your wine collection is a great way to make use of your basement space. Wine can take up a lot of room if you have enough of it, that is why having a way to store them all like with class refrigerated cabinets or wine racks will certainly come in handy.

Basement Idea #4: Home Office

Do you work from home but are lacking a dedicated room? Or do you simply need a quieter space to keep up with household bills? If your answer is yes, then a home office is the ideal basement design idea for your home. A corner space allows you to get creative with your basement office design, while a nearby filing cabinet keeps all your paperwork hidden and organized.

Basement Idea #5: Home Gym

If you are someone who works out you may want to invest in your own personal gym. Finished basements typically offer ample space making it the ideal place for large pieces of exercise equipment and allowing for room to move freely no matter what type of workout you prefer.

Basement Idea #6: In-Law Suite

If you are someone who has your in-laws or guests over regularly but is currently limited on space, converting your basement into an in-law suite would be the best way to use that space.

Choosing Carpet? Western Carpet One Suggests Stain-Resistant 

2020’s top flooring trends are all about combining both style and practicality. After all, what better way to enhance the look and feel of your home than by choosing products that work well with your life and your design goals? By incorporating both together, you’ll be happier, you’ll have more time, and you’ll fall more in love every day with your next flooring investment.

With improving technologies and ever-changing styles, it may seem like there are tons of products to choose from, but there’s one top option that never goes out of style: comfortable, functional carpet. We’ve put together a list of the top reasons why stain-resistant carpet could be just what you’re looking for this year. 

Stain Resistant Carpet and Tough Spills:

One of the many reasons why stain-resistant carpet is increasingly popular is because of its ability to handle nearly any spill, stain, or accident. While there’s no telling when or where a mishap will occur, you can bet that stain-resistant carpet will have your back. Mud tracked in from a guest’s shoes, babies throwing their cheerios on the ground, and dropping a glass of milk won’t wreak havoc when you choose one of our stain-resistant carpets. Unlike in year’s past where a liquid spill would mean a lifetime stain or a professional steam cleaning required, today’s carpet will be ready for whenever life happens – just one of the many reasons to opt for stain-resistant carpet this year! 

Durability of Stain Resistant Carpet:

Not only is stain-resistant carpet prepared for your life as far as spills and stains, but it’s also ready to take on the tough wear and tear of foot traffic, kids, and pets. With extra-durable fibers that are built-in to carpet from our exclusive brand, Relax, it’s…Lees®, you can trust that your home is ready for the most demanding days you’ve ever experienced. Days where puppies, babies, and teenagers make messes all at the same time won’t stand a chance against taking down these stain-resistant carpets. 

Low-maintenance Stain Resistant Carpet:

Who wants to spend hours taking care of a home? When you have other plans for the day, keeping your home in tip-top shape should be quick and easy. Consider stain-resistant carpets because they are low-maintenance, easy to clean, and provide effortless beauty to your space without the excessive cleaning routine. Thanks to the added stain-resistance in these carpets, you’ll be able to clean up spills that sit on top of the surface, rather than having to scrub deep into the fibers and carpet backing below. This makes for a simple cleaning regimen that won’t leave you exhausted at the end of a long day. 

Soft Stain Resistant Carpet:

Because stain-resistant carpet is a soft-surface flooring material, you can expect that it will add warmth, comfort, and luxury to any room. With added softness like the exclusive Innovia Xtreme Clean™ Dream technology, you’ll feel cozy and comfy in any room you install carpet. Your feet will thank you for a soft place to land at the beginning or end of any day, and your home may even experience improved energy efficiency. In the colder months, you won’t have to worry about wearing slippers or socks, as your soft stain resistant carpet will ensure that your floors are just as warm as they need to be. 

Stylish Designs:

While it’s true that stain-resistant carpet provides the practicality that most homes need, it’s also true that the available designs are made to complement nearly any design style. From modern, eclectic styles to bold, bright designs and everything in between, you may be surprised to find that you can achieve the design you’ve always dreamed of while also increasing the functionality of your home. You no longer have to choose between one or the other–you can get both!

Versatility of Installation:

Unlike when carpet first came out into the flooring world, today’s carpet can be installed in a multitude of areas. Because stain-resistant carpets are equipped with stain-fighting technology, increased durability, and impressive strength, they can be installed as not only a feature room flooring but also a whole-home solution. Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, staircases, dining rooms, and offices are just a few examples of where stain-resistant carpet could be perfect for your home. Do you have a playroom for your young children? You can teach them how to crawl and walk on carpet, allowing them to experience a soft place to land, and you can do it all without worrying about what will happen if they spill their milk, which is seemingly inevitable! 

Finding ways to create a space that reflects not only your design goals, but also the needs of you, your family, and your pets, is increasingly important in today’s world. When it comes to selecting just one product, we recommend taking a look at your home’s activity levels, your desired look, and the features that you need out of your flooring. Stain-resistant carpet checks many of the most-needed boxes for homes that want to stay stylish, while also contributing to the overall warmth, visual appeal and practicality of a home. So, what is the best stain-resistant carpet for your home? Check out our exclusive brands, Relax, it’s Lees® and Innovia Touch Xtreme Clean™ to get a glimpse of the beauty and efficiency you could have in your space. 

Western Carpet One Designs Too

To date, 2020 has put many things into perspective. The pandemic has caused many to reflect on how we live in and use our homes. Indeed, being catapulted into a new lifestyle—particularly when change happens quickly—really makes us question and evaluate the choices we have made.

Having a versatile home is more important now than ever. Life has been known to throw us curveballs, and adapting to them is nothing new. Whether it is an adult child who decides to now move back home, or a change in physical abilities as we age, there will always be surprises around every corner. For this reason, our homes need to remain adaptable, flexible and always functional, regardless of what life throws our way.

Building or remodelling a home that can evolve with you will maximize your property investment. An adaptable home is not only useful for the residents who currently live there (you!) but it also works wonders for the home's resale value when you choose to sell. Start by thinking about how your life can change over the next five, 10 or 15 years, and how your home can grow as you do.

Some of our clients ask us for permanent solutions to very temporary pain points that they experience during relatively short periods of their lives. A great example is young children. We often design spaces for families, and given that we also have families of our own, we understand the evolution of a growing child and the different stages that your home needs to cater to. The key is finding the right balance between what works now for your family and what will also still work for the family a few years down the road.

Multi-Functional Spare Room

Whether you’re living in a small condo or a five-bedroom home, maximizing your living area is always a smart move. For example, the guest bedroom. Do you host overnight stays often enough to warrant a dedicated room 365 days a year? Rather than giving up prime real estate for a room that will only be used twice a year, consider giving the space a dual purpose, such as a home-office-and-guest-room, all in one.

Bringing multi-function to the room will accommodate both occasional guests when they drop in, while offering year-round use for additional activities such as work, exercise, relaxation, crafts, sleeping, playing or storage.

Pro Tip: Murphy beds are one of our favorite multi-function pieces, and they've come a long way from the functional but aesthetically challenged design of the past. Modern styles offer both comfort and style, and can be easily integrated into custom cabinetry, seamlessly blending into the existing decor.

Forward-Thinking Bathroom

Adaptability means looking ahead to the future and anticipating the household's needs. For those who are reaching their retirement years and plan to age in place, the bathroom is ground zero for adaptation. Some thoughtful changes can bring peace of mind when elderly guests come to visit, or being prepared for when you might need a helping hand.

Contrary to popular belief, there are many ways to incorporate safety into a bathroom without making it look like something straight from a retirement home. Grab bars can be disguised as sleek towel bars. Instead of doorknobs, install levers. Flooring material can be selected for its non-slip properties. And barrier-free walk-in showers are actually aesthetically more pleasing than those with a sill.

Pro Tip: Consider integrated options such as safety features at the beginning of the construction process. For example, installing a grab bar horizontally instead of on a diagonal is only feasible if the wall is reinforced before it’s closed. Because studs are placed 16 inches apart, in order for an 18- or 24-inch grab bar to be secured to a stud, it usually has to be installed on an angle. Working with a design professional during the planning process will ensure your needs are factored into the design from the outset.

An evolving home is as much about having forethought as it is about creative flair and technical know-how. Working with a professional designer will ensure your needs are being met, both now and into the future.