When it comes to life events motivating potential purchasers, having a family trumps all, with 70 per cent of real estate professionals say a new baby or growing family is the “most common,” or a “very common” reason buyers search for a new home.

Other major life events include relocation for job reasons (69 per cent), marriage (59 per cent), and divorce (48 per cent).

Buyers’ preferences are also going back to the basics, with value placed on new or updated kitchens, bathrooms, and open floor plans.

In fact, 33 per cent of agents said a new or updated kitchen is the most important feature to homebuyers. No wonder we’re seeing so many gorgeous kitchens in new developments…

The survey also notes that 51 per cent of agents said sellers are more willing to price their homes more competitively than before, and 45 per cent said sellers are more willing to change the appearance of their homes to entice buyers than they were one year ago.

Interested in more stats? Check out the full rundown of the survey over here.

When it comes to the development industry in Toronto, it’s hard to think of a bigger name than Menkes. The family-owned company does everything, from condos to single family homes to commercial real estate.

The first Menkes residential project that Jared spearheaded was Pears on the Avenue, the 20 storey Yorkville meets Annex project that’s currently under construction on Avenue Road, north of Bloor. Jared is currently hard at work on Fabrik, the new condo development at Queen and Spadina.

We speak with him about Fabrik, winter sports, and the ins-and-outs of being the younger guy in an older industry.

BuzzBuzzHome: When you meet a person for the first time what do you tell them that you do for a living?

Jared Menkes: I’m guessing you want me to say I build dreams or something like that *laughs*. No, I tell them that I’m in real estate development.

BBH: When did you decide that you’d get into the family business of development?

JM: I grew up in my “real estate family”, surrounded by two uncles, my father and grandfather who all loved to talk shop. Being a young kid, I always wanted to be part of the conversation. I knew I always wanted to join but didn’t really know when or how.

After university I started working in commercial real estate at CB Richard Ellis. I worked there for a few years and just met a lot of people and got my feet wet in the real estate industry. I also met a lot of people there who had great things to say about my family and that just reiterated how badly I wanted to work at Menkes. After three years I ended up taking some time off and then joined Menkes.

BBH: Where did you go to school and was your favourite course in university?

JM: I went to school in Burlington, Vermont, so in the Green Mountains. It’s a great school and they suck you in by bringing you in in the spring or the fall when it’s absolutely gorgeous. They don’t tell you about the minus 30 degree temperatures they get there sometimes.

It was a great time but one of the reasons I went there was I loved to snowboard and being in the mountains was great. I majored in business and minored in political science. I took a lot of great courses, but the biggest thing that stands out for me was interning at Burton Snowboards. For anyone, whether they’re in business or not, interning is something they should do. You really understand what the real world is like. That was definitely the highlight.

BBH: How does Fabrik fit in to Menkes roster of developments? Is it similar to other projects you’ve done or is it breaking from the pack?

JM: Fabrik is my second project on the residential side. It’s definitely somewhere I would want to live. We’re in the midst of building or have built 21 buildings in North York alone and it’s really been one of our core residential areas. Fabrik is the next step into the urban, downtown core sites that we have a few of coming up in the next year.

The first site I worked on was Pears on the Avenue. I think people have gravitated to that site and I think the same thing is going to happen on Fabrik. They’ll recognize the value and that it’s a long-term site.

BBH: We think the rendering is awesome. Can you tell us more about what went into that?

There's a funny story behind this rendering, says Jared Menkes.

JM: That’s actually a funny story. Our architect Ralph Giannone sent one of his summer interns up into a nearby building to take a photo of the site. It must have been after a storm or something, but the photo he took had the clouds parting and the sun shining right on our site.

We used that as the backdrop for the initial rendering and when the marketing guys saw it they loved it too. They really brought it to another level with the official rendering.

BBH: For the development industry, you’re one of the younger guys in the game. Do you find this gives you a different perspective on the industry?

JM: Definitely. Obviously I want to take away whatever I can from the experience in the room every time I’m meeting with the consultants. The one thing that really differentiates me from the older generations is I’ve lived in condos and apartments since I moved out of my parent’s house. I really understand what it’s like living in condos, not just designing and building them.

I also am kind of “the young professional” so I have that viewpoint. I’m the target buyer or renter of all these projects that are being built downtown today. I live the condo lifestyle and do love it. That’s really the feedback I bring, from the amenities to purchasing the site to designing the building. We don’t need to bring a focus group in. We have a number of young people working here who also live in condos so it’s great to pull the information firsthand.

BBH: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

JM: The opportunity to be creative and work with creative types. All the consultants, whether it’s the architects and interior designers or the marketing team, they’re all creative and they all come up with creative designs that fit the project. Getting to work with everyone is definitely rewarding, but working with my family is also one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. I really see them in a whole new light working here.

BBH: What else is on the horizon for Menkes? Can you give us any inside info?

JM: Fabrik is our newest project, but after that we’re going to have another one in the next couple months in the Entertainment District. It’s going to be quite a sexy tower and a great design. After that we have a much-talked about Harbour Street development right across from the Air Canada Centre. Stay tuned for that!

BBH: If you could buy a plane ticket to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

JM: I think it’s snowing in Utah, so probably somewhere over there for a little snowboarding!

Thanks for buzzing with us Jared!

You’re probably well acquainted with Summerlea, the master planned community in Binbrook that blends small town charm and urban sophistication. If not, you have some serious reading to do. Check out our stories on the development here and here.

We’re not giving preferential treatment to Summerlea though. The title says “quartet of low-rise projects” and a quartet is what you’re going to get! Riverland, the Estates of Wyndance and Wyndfield (rendering on the left) round out the quartet and each have their unique attributes.

Wyndfield offers prospective homebuyers a wide variety of home sizes in Brantford. Single homes range from 1,178 to 2,799 square feet while town start from 1,003 square feet and top off at 1,732 square feet.

Over in Kitchener, Riverland boasts some premium natural scenery, backing onto the Grand River. The community of houses and townhomes also gives residents the option of easy-peasy day trips to St. Jacob’s and Stratford.

Riverland in Woolwich

If east is where it’s at for you, then Wyndance in rural Uxbridge will be more your style. The private gated community features 125 estate homes and has more natural scenery than your Planet Earth box set. There’s also the championship golf course designed by Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman for you mini-putt fans out there (just kidding, guys!).

Wyndance has two, three and four bedroom designs ranging in size from 1,973 to 4,265 square feet. Prices start from the $900s to more than $1 million.

Uh-oh, we got too low-rise and now we can’t get up. It’s okay though, these Empire Communities projects make for good company. Stay tuned for more buzz on these four low-rise projects!

For more info on Summerlea call 905 692 6000 or email summerlea@empirecommunities.com. For info on Wyndfield call 519 756 4554 or email wyndfield@empirecommunities.com. For more on Riverland call 519 648 9762 or email riverland@empirecommunities.com. And for info on Wyndance call 905 649 8197 or email wyndance@empirecommunities.com. Visit the Empire Communities website by clicking here!

Here’s the rundown:

The B.C. government has announced plans to implement a temporary BC First-Time New Home Buyers’ Bonus, effective February 21, 2012, to March 31, 2013.

The bonus is a one-time refundable personal income tax credit, calculated at 5% of purchase price, worth up to $10,000.

So who qualifies as a first time new home buyer? Well you do if you fit these guidelines…

• You purchase or build an eligible new home located in B.C.
• You, or for couples, you and your spouse or common law partner, have never previously owned a primary residence
• You file a 2011 B.C. resident personal income tax return, or if you move to B.C. after December 31, 2011, you file a 2012 B.C. resident personal income tax return (you will not be eligible for the bonus if you move to B.C. after December 31, 2012)
• You are eligible for the B.C. HST New Housing Rebate
• You intend to live in the home as your primary residence

Check out the Fact Sheet for all the nitty gritty details about the bonus.

With all the news lately it seems like everything is coming up roses for the BC building industry. What’s your opinion on this new rebate? Weigh in over on our forums or in the comments!

The verdict? Prices will not suddenly crash, but the Canadian government will make it more difficult for many homebuyers to get mortgages this year.

Ten of the fourteen polled answered yes when asked whether Ottawa would tighten mortgage rules within the next 12 months.

Steps that the government could take include raising the minimum down payment to buy a home from the current 5 per cent or reduce the maximum amortization period from 30 years.

Such a move would likely come before the prime spring real estate season (read: sooner, rather than later).

In a Reuters article economist Benoit Durocher speculated that the action would occur “sometime between now and the next budget.”

The Canadian government is expected to unveil the budget in late March.

Nothing beats a good budget to clear up what ever is left of those winter blues, right? Right!

But you will be once you step foot into the exclusive Armony Cucine kitchens found only at The Guardian.

The Hon Towers project is the first to feature Armony Cucine kitchens in Calgary. The open concept designs are a perfect social space with flawless execution, allowing your kitchen to be both a work of art and a place of gathering.

Need to see it to believe it? Check out this video of the amazing designs! And then stop by in-person on March 3 and 4 for The Guardian’s Grand Opening.

For more info visit the website or call 1 866 225 0920. Email inquiries can be sent to michelle@theguardiancalgary.com.   

No, that’s not all of it. We’re just testing out a new rendering unveiling technique. Can you feel the anticipation building for the full reveal below?

We sure can! PSV stands for Posh Style Vibe and will be officially released in and around the end of April so look out for more info on it in the upcoming months.

Once it’s completed Parkside Village will feature 6,000 high-rise, mid-rise and townhouse units in an 11 block, pedestrian-oriented development. PSV is the most recently unveiled high-rise tower.

Enough yakking though… We have a rendering to reveal!

For more info on PSV and the rest of the Parkside Village projects email sales@lifeatparkside.com or visit the website.

Right now, only homes up to $525,000 qualify for the rebate program, but the increase will make 90% of newly-built homes eligible.

The move is intended to ensure fairness and equity as BC transitions back to PST, so whether a newly constructed house is built fully or partially under HST people will pay an equal amount of tax.

“The relief measures announced today are a boost to home buyers purchasing either a  new primary residence or a secondary home. At the same time, they help an important job-creator in all parts of the province,” explained Finance Minister Kevin Falcon.

Want to weigh in on the subject? Head over to our forums and join the discussion!

Ain't no party like a Breeze by Adera party! The model for Breeze's entertainment and health club

We stopped by the Grand Opening of Breeze’s presentation centre, a new development by Adera Development in South Surrey, on Saturday and grabbed some pictures of what these awesome homes have to offer. Have a look!

Breakfast in bed in Breeze's comfy master bedroom. Ensuite to the left, ginormous closet behind!

It might just be Adele on the TV, but we love this cozy room for lounging, reading, and entertaining

Spacious kitchen and eating area, with bar stools for kitchen conversations

We loved the spacious layouts, state-of-the-art kitchens, and awesome location in the heart of Morgan Crossing. But don’t just take our word for it — Breeze’s presentation centre is open daily from noon to 5pm, and you can check out floorplans in 3D on their Facebook page.

This has been an assumption for most Torontonians for awhile now and it was made official back in late September when the Hamburg-based Emporis released their data on high-rise construction in North America.

While Toronto deserves the attention — after all, it beats New York City 132 to 88 — we feel like the fact that Mississauga ranked in the Emporis top ten list was overlooked. Mississauga’s high-rise figure isn’t as gargantuan as Toronto’s — a solid 7 high-rises were under construction in September 2011 — but we think its position is still worth highlighting.

Mississauga is a city on the (high) rise and it’s quickly developing its own unique personality, independent of Toronto’s. Along with the 7 projects currently under construction (as of September ’11), there’s more on the way soon.

Here’s a few of our fave high-rise developments currently on the go or in their planning phases in Mississauga:

• Pinnacle Grand Park and Crystal at Pinnacle Uptown by Pinnacle International
• Absolute World by Cityzen Developments and Fernbrook Homes
• The Park Residences at Parkside Village by Amacon
• Westwood by Alterra
• ONYX by Davies Smith Developments
• Limelight by The Daniels Corporation

Graphic courtesy of the Globe and Mail