Housing starts in Alberta in May were at their highest level since 2015.

Construction of new homes continued to be bullish as Alberta’s housing starts (seasonally adjusted at an annual rate or SAAR) climbed 15.2% to reach 46,456 units in May, the highest level since March 2015.

While single family homes ticked up after a short-lived decline in April, the gains were mainly a result of a big jump in multi-family starts in the month.

Averaging 35,100 units, housing starts in the province were up by 4,100 units (+13.3%) year-to-date. In terms of the number of units being built, Alberta posted the largest year-to-date increase of any province.

Meanwhile, national housing starts grew for the second consecutive month, up 8.1% in May with five provinces contributing positively to the monthly gain.

Although new home construction remains on solid footing, we expect rising interest rates to weigh on activity later this year.

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Spring has sprung, so it must be home renovation and/or selling season.  And since the kitchen is the heart of the home, where we all gather to eat, socialize and connect, it’s no surprise that it’s the spot we pay most attention to when it comes time to spruce up or modernize our living spaces, whether to enjoy yourselves or in preparation for putting on the market.

Realtors routinely tell homeowners to invest in the kitchen and bathroom, key to selling a home.  A recent Home Gain national survey showed that upgrading a kitchen, at an average price of $6000 (but usually higher) offers a 75 per cent return on investment.  A sure way to update the home’s kitchen is by incorporating key trends in the market – things like painting with the hot colour of the season, adding interesting and colourful back splashes, and use of LED lighting above counter tops or even inside the fridge or on faucets.

Gurjinder Singh, owner of the Sears hometown store on Inglewood Drive, said touch screens are everywhere in the kitchen and have been for a few years, reflecting the mass use of these in our daily lives – on tablets, smartphones and such.  These first appeared with fridges but are now more prominent on all appliances, from ovens and microwaves to touch-programmable freezers.

“People want the latest gadgets and features – an interactive computer screen inside the fridge is the latest – but you pay a premium for it,” said Singh, adding that most homeowners and builders simply want something is shiny and new in the kitchen, and that usually means stainless steel.  Prices on these appliances, now with smudge-free models, aren’t much more than traditional white, though Singh points to a newer line of white appliances with stainless steel handles, called white ice, for those who cant’s choose.  “These are popular in the U.S., but havent caught on so much here yet.”

Today’s open concept homes, where living, dining and kitchen areas flow together, leads a trend towards unified floors. No more shifting between living room hardwoods to tiles in the kitchen – now every room can become part of one large environment by bringing the hardwood (real, laminate or luxury vinyl ) throughout the space.

Gerry Daechsel, manager of Titan Flooring and Interior Design in St. Albert said traditional, though expensive, hardwood floors aren’t going out of style, but young families are increasingly moving toward luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) as their floor surface of choice.  “You’ve  seen these planks in grocery store produce area, with the farmer’s market wood-look plank floors, but it’s coming on strong in residential applications,” said Daechsel.  “It’s durable, with a realistic look and feel – plus it’s warm and soft to walk on.”

Similarly, the LVT can be installed with grout to fully mimic ceramic tile or other natural scuffs, stains and gouges and start at about $4 per square foot, making it a popular choice for homeowners updating their kitchen decor either as a DIY project or with professional installation.

St. Albert Gazette, Saturday March 29, 2014, article by Lucy Haines, At Home