Great news for Wing Creek as we have successfully integrated our blog onto our website! From now on you can access our blog by selecting the News and Updates section of our website or by directly going to:
http://www.wingcreekresort.com/blog
Stay in touch as we will be updating the blog at least 5 times per week.
Cheers,
Steve
Marketing and Sales
Wing Creek Resort
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wing Creek is on Technorati
Soon our blog will be viewed the world over!!!
Claim Token: Z6X8JKGWB2SR
Claim Token: Z6X8JKGWB2SR
Boom Baby!!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Living in a Strata
Understanding the dynamics of a Strata community can be difficult if you have never lived in one. Consider a condominium Strata where owners pay monthly and in return the building is maintained for them. In addition, the residents are only responsible for the interior of their apartment. The Strata ensures that garbage is removed, snow is ploughed, the yard is maintained, common areas are cleaned, and sometimes even more. Sound good? Lots of people are feeling the same way, in fact reports indicate that retirees are leaning towards Strata living, even though they would like their own yard and free standing home, because they like maintenance-free living.
At Wing Creek Resort the Strata acts exactly as it would in a condominium. Instead of hallways you have 20 acres of waterfront property, instead of an apartment you have a luxury timber frame home. The snow is still ploughed and the garbage is still picked up, only here you have an orchard with over 100 fruit trees, a beautiful walking path to 500ft of beachfront, and many more features not possible in a condominium.
How Does Ownership Work?
As an owner at Wing Creek you will receive clear title to your home and the footprint it is on, in addition you will receive a 1/33 share of the entire 20 acre property. 1/33 is a result of the maximum number of dwellings at Wing Creek being 33. You will have peace of mind in knowing that the community will monitor and maintain the exterior of your home and the surrounding area. This offers a perfect solution to those planning to spend the winter months down south and those looking to enjoy their time at Wing Creek without having to worry about the maintenance of 20 acres.
More Questions?
Call or email anytime!
Steve
250.353.8985
stevehoffart@wingcreekresort.com
stevehoffart@wingcreekresort.com
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
LEEDing the Way!
For starters, how to decide on the title when so many opportunities to play on the LEED are available; Born to LEED, Follow the LEEDer, LEED By Example, Taking the LEED, actually I really like that last one...
Taking the LEED
The construction industry is riddled with the word "Green". It often accompanies environmental buzzwords like sustainability, but the real question is what does it mean? The unfortunate reality is that Green has been used as an all encompassing term to describe everything from the use of natural materials, to renewable energy production, to a recycling bin under the kitchen sink. As a result, many companies have become perpetrators of "Greenwashing". Greenwashing refers to those who make the claim that they are using Green Construction or Green Building, when in fact their methods only appear to be in the best interest of the environment.
This brings us to LEED, The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®. This program was developed by the United States Green Building Council and has been adopted by the CaGBC as well. Its goal is to encourage and quantify the global adoption of environmental building and development practices with a specific set of universally understood and accepted criteria. This makes it one of the only programs available that offers quantified proof that construction is environmentally friendly.
The LEED program employs an approach that covers the entire building process and measures efficiencies in design and maintenance. It focuses on five specific areas of human and environmental health:
Taking the LEED
The construction industry is riddled with the word "Green". It often accompanies environmental buzzwords like sustainability, but the real question is what does it mean? The unfortunate reality is that Green has been used as an all encompassing term to describe everything from the use of natural materials, to renewable energy production, to a recycling bin under the kitchen sink. As a result, many companies have become perpetrators of "Greenwashing". Greenwashing refers to those who make the claim that they are using Green Construction or Green Building, when in fact their methods only appear to be in the best interest of the environment.
This brings us to LEED, The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®. This program was developed by the United States Green Building Council and has been adopted by the CaGBC as well. Its goal is to encourage and quantify the global adoption of environmental building and development practices with a specific set of universally understood and accepted criteria. This makes it one of the only programs available that offers quantified proof that construction is environmentally friendly.
- Sustainable Site Development
- Water Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- Materials Selection
- Indoor Environmental Quality
The four levels of LEED Certification identify the depth of the effort and design to minimize the impact on the surrounding environment.
The motivation for Wing Creek Resort to work to certify each of the new homes two-fold. First of all, the passion we all feel towards the natural beauty of the Kootenay region is evident in almost everything that we do professionally and personally. We aren't environmentalists, but we respect and appreciate the untouched nature that makes the Kootenays so special. Second, the steps taken throughout the LEED process to ensure that a home works efficiency and, most importantly, is a healthy home to live in, made it a very easy choice. It gave us peace of mind in knowing that each of our homes have the cleanest possible air, the freshest and healthiest water, and the necessary protection against natural elements such as Radon. LEED ensures that we have all the necessary components and more. Combine that with the quality and luxury of a Hamill Creek Timber Homes and you have exactly what a home should be; a warm, safe, healthy, and beautiful place to live.
Thank you and see you out here,
Steve Hoffart
250.353.8985
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Friday, April 15, 2011
2010 TD Canada Trust Boomer Buyers Report
So maybe not the catchiest title ever, with that said the information contained in this report is indicative of the positive proposition Wing Creek has to offer. The following was taken directly from the TD Canada Trust website and has not been altered in any way.
“Many boomers find that their needs and priorities have changed since they moved into their current home. If you find you have more room than you need, consider ‘right-sizing,’” says Farhaneh Haque, Regional Sales Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialists, TD Canada Trust. “Moving to a smaller home can allow you to free up assets to put towards your retirement savings or enjoy in other ways.”
Retiring with a mortgage?
Three-quarters of boomers say it is important that they pay off their mortgage before they retire, but less than half (44%) have paid off their entire mortgage. Of those boomers with a mortgage, one-third have paid off more than 60%, but one-quarter have a long way to go, having paid off less than 25% of their mortgage.
Haque offers this advice for boomers working to pay off their mortgage: “Talk to an expert about your home financing – you could pay off your mortgage faster with a different payment schedule, such as increasing your mortgage payment frequency from monthly to biweekly.”
Boomers prefer detached homes:
For their next home, the majority of boomers (61%) plan to purchase a detached house. Although condos come in as second choice at 24%, more than half say they are at least considering a condo because they involve less maintenance (84%) and offer better security (54%) and amenities such as a gym or pool (47%). The top reasons that most boomers prefer houses over condos are that they prefer to have a backyard and garden (61%) and don’t want to pay condo fees (57%).
However, some boomers say they will stay put. Forty-nine per cent will not move, either because they want to avoid the hassle of moving (61%), because their house is already the right size for them (43%) or they like having extra rooms for guests to visit (28%).
More than a third of boomers are considering buying a property south of the border. One quarter say opportunities created by the depressed real estate market have sparked their interest, while another 12% were already considering real estate opportunities in the United States. The most important criteria for buying a vacation property include location (99%), price (98%), low maintenance (95%), and the ability to have friends/family visit (92%).
“It is essential to talk with a qualified mortgage advisor if you are considering a property purchase in a different country,” says Haque. “While there can certainly be opportunities, it is important to consider lending rules and taxes. An expert can help walk you through the paperwork and decide whether a property in another country really is an affordable option.”
TORONTO (October 28, 2010) - For their next move, Canadian boomers are looking to downsize to smaller homes. According to the TD Canada Trust Boomer Buyers Report, four-in-five Canadian boomers say their next move will be to a smaller home, either to save money (46%) or to enjoy more luxurious features (34%).
“Many boomers find that their needs and priorities have changed since they moved into their current home. If you find you have more room than you need, consider ‘right-sizing,’” says Farhaneh Haque, Regional Sales Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialists, TD Canada Trust. “Moving to a smaller home can allow you to free up assets to put towards your retirement savings or enjoy in other ways.”
Retiring with a mortgage?
Three-quarters of boomers say it is important that they pay off their mortgage before they retire, but less than half (44%) have paid off their entire mortgage. Of those boomers with a mortgage, one-third have paid off more than 60%, but one-quarter have a long way to go, having paid off less than 25% of their mortgage.
Haque offers this advice for boomers working to pay off their mortgage: “Talk to an expert about your home financing – you could pay off your mortgage faster with a different payment schedule, such as increasing your mortgage payment frequency from monthly to biweekly.”
Boomers prefer detached homes:
For their next home, the majority of boomers (61%) plan to purchase a detached house. Although condos come in as second choice at 24%, more than half say they are at least considering a condo because they involve less maintenance (84%) and offer better security (54%) and amenities such as a gym or pool (47%). The top reasons that most boomers prefer houses over condos are that they prefer to have a backyard and garden (61%) and don’t want to pay condo fees (57%).
However, some boomers say they will stay put. Forty-nine per cent will not move, either because they want to avoid the hassle of moving (61%), because their house is already the right size for them (43%) or they like having extra rooms for guests to visit (28%).
Boomers heading South:
Nine per cent of boomers currently own a vacation property and a further 12% plan to buy one for their retirement.
More than a third of boomers are considering buying a property south of the border. One quarter say opportunities created by the depressed real estate market have sparked their interest, while another 12% were already considering real estate opportunities in the United States. The most important criteria for buying a vacation property include location (99%), price (98%), low maintenance (95%), and the ability to have friends/family visit (92%).
“It is essential to talk with a qualified mortgage advisor if you are considering a property purchase in a different country,” says Haque. “While there can certainly be opportunities, it is important to consider lending rules and taxes. An expert can help walk you through the paperwork and decide whether a property in another country really is an affordable option.”
About the TD Canada Trust Boomer Buyers Report
Results for the TD Canada Trust Boomer Buyers Report were collected through a custom online survey conducted by Environics Research Group. A total of 1,000 completed surveys were collected between Sept. 30-Oct. 9, 2010. All participants were screened to have been born between 1946-1964 (“Baby Boomers”). This is the third report in a series on the life stages of Canadian home buyers. It follows the first time home buyers report and the repeat home buyers report.
Results for the TD Canada Trust Boomer Buyers Report were collected through a custom online survey conducted by Environics Research Group. A total of 1,000 completed surveys were collected between Sept. 30-Oct. 9, 2010. All participants were screened to have been born between 1946-1964 (“Baby Boomers”). This is the third report in a series on the life stages of Canadian home buyers. It follows the first time home buyers report and the repeat home buyers report.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Love is in the Air
Valentines Day is just around the corner, although Wing Creek can take any day and make it as romantic as February 14th. Since my first visit to Wing Creek, almost two years ago, I still feel the romance of the property every time I step into one of the cottages, walk down to the beach, or sit and watch the stars.
Steve, Wing Creek’s very own Marketing and Sales Specialist, brought me here and I fell in love with this hidden jewel of the Kootenays. The rental cottages are quaint and intimate and set the tone for a perfect stay for you and your other half.
Last March Steve brought me to Wing Creek for an anniversary get away and still to this day I cannot think of a better place for such an occasion. On the Saturday morning Steve woke me up and said I had to come down to the beach to see the new sign. When I was ready he picked me up in the Wing Creek golf cart and we made our way down the windy path to the secluded waterfront. Steve led me over to where the creek meets Kootenay Lake and got down on one knee.
“I got you this box.”
Needless to say there was a ring inside that box, so shortly after we popped open a bottle of bubbly and Wing Creek became even more beautiful and romantic to us both.
Valentines Day doesn't need to be the one day a year for love. At Wing Creek, every day is as romantic as February 14th.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Asia Snook
Monday, January 10, 2011
1 Part Campfire, 5 Parts Laughter
This past summer, Debra’s mom Shirley came out to Wing Creek for a couple of weeks, and as excited as she was to see everyone and discover what was new at the resort, there was one thing she was most excited to do: have a hot dog roast.
For Shirley, it would be her first campfire in over 65 years. For those of us who are a part of the Wing Creek community, the hot dog roast is part of our weekly routine; they bring out the inner child in each one of us and create wonderful lasting memories.
After a few low-key nights on her deck overlooking beautiful Kootenay Lake, Shirley was bound and determined to roast up dinner. We packed up the electric golf cart and made our way down to the private beach where there are several private fire pits. As the golf cart made each turn down the beach path, Shirley became more and more excited.
That evening Shirley regaled us with her fondest memories of childhood times and we all swapped our favourite campfire stories. With each tale she became more youthful. And Shirley didn’t have just one hot dog: she had two, plus a few s’mores to top off her evening, making up for lost time.
As I sat around the campfire overlooking the still lake and rugged mountain tops with my future husband Steve, as well as Kevin, Debra and Shirley, I realized how lucky I am to be able to be a part of such a simple but amazing experience: beach campfires at Wing Creek Resort.
Can't wait to see you enjoying your own hot dog roast at Wing Creek.
Asia Snook
on behalf of the entire Wing Creek team
on behalf of the entire Wing Creek team
See you soon!
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