Bamboo Flooring: Why or Why Not

Bamboo has become the hot new flooring, so here is a little information that will help you decide if it is for you. Bamboo flooring is a cost-effective and environmentally sensitive choice among traditional hardwood flooring options. An appealing building material, it is very durable, strong and long-lasting. Bamboo, a grass product and not a wood product, is harvested every 5 years without damaging the actual bamboo plant, and does not require pesticides due to its hardiness. It comes in four different types of flooring: natural, carbonized, vertical, and horizontal graining. The LEED program recognizes bamboo flooring as a green building material and permits points for the use of this flooring. There is debate over agricultural and manufacturing issues related to the production of bamboo floors. These issues include deforestation and the use of carcinogenic chemicals.

Estimated Cost Savings:
The pricing of bamboo flooring is comparable to the pricing of hardwood flooring.

Issues:
Verify the age of the bamboo. Often bamboo that has not had adequate time to harden (up to six years), will dent more easily. Avoid denting by checking with the manufacturer on the age of the bamboo.

Installation (Getting It Done):

Bamboo flooring is installed in a similar method to hardwood floors. The flooring will need to be acclimatized to the appropriate conditions before it is installed to avoid any potential damage. The planking can be glued, nailed, or stapled. Work with experienced contractors who specialize in the use of bamboo flooring to ensure beautiful, long lasting floors.

Studio City/Silver Triangle Home for Rent

Our 1948 Bungalow in Studio City, CA is going up for rent. It has 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms, Redwood Floors, Off Street Parking, 2 Car Garage. Main intersection is Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd. The primary school is Carpenter Public School. Short drive to many major studios. 

Greater Toronto Green Building Tour - Friday, May 29, 2009

Join the Canadian Green Building Council of Greater Toronto as they tour across the city to view the best examples of Green Building. This full-day "Green Coach" tour promises to give you a first hand experience with leading edge green-building technology and practices. You'll be able to share this opportunity with other like-minded sustainability and green building professionals.

The following buildings will be on the tour.

• 483 Bay Street ("Bell Trinity Square") - First in Toronto to receive Gold LEEDS certification
  
• Earth Rangers Centre - A "living lab" of leading edge green design and technology
  
• The Archetype Sustainable House located on the TRCA Living City Campus
  

Included on the tour is a fully catered lunch. Space is limited to 50 people. To register log on to: http://www.greenbuildingontario.ca

Jewel of Westmount - Open House 2-4PM

Every once in a while you come across a jewel of a home: great upgrades, but more important then that great style in a smaller size. This is what 2251 Briarwood is with beautiful rich hardwoods, porcelain tiles, and were there is carpeting it has been upgraded  to give it that luxurious feel. The colour palette is neutral where it needs to be, and charmingly cheerful in a few select locations with periwinkle blue or ruby red. From top to bottom this house is complete, and move in ready. The back and front gardens are fully landscaped with beautiful perennials adding colour throughout the seasons. There is a substantial front porch to sit and relax while talking in the neighborhood activities, or the more private back brick patio with ample room to spare. There are 4 Bedrooms, and 2 full bathrooms, and one half bath. The master-bedroom does have an ensuite with soaking tub as well as a separate walk-in shower. The kitchen of warm maple cabinets has a built-in desk, substantial pantry, and large eating area looking over the family room with gas fireplace. 

I hope to see you at this jewel of a home!

A Lesson in Service from the Master

When people think of luxury service, the name Four Seasons is likely among the top brands that come to mind. It took Isadore Sharp 40 plus years to go from start-up to number one. I'm grateful that Mr. Sharp decided to let us in on how he did it, since I for one always am looking for ways to provide my clients with the best service. I also  look at profits from my real estate business as a direct benefit from putting my client's needs first. It is reassuring that this formula works right from the beginning, since it is what I've based my business on. 

So, if you are in a service business like I am, I would highly recommend reading "Four Seasons: The Story of a BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY". There are nuggets of excellent information about working with clients, partners, as well as employees.

I would love to hear what you think of this book.

Twittering with the rest of the world

I'm finally twittering with the rest of the world. So if you get a chance and want to keep up-to-date with what I'm up to, please follow me. I'll let you know what areas are starting to heat up, and if I happen among some interesting properties.  I'm listed under my name: Nolan Machan.

Take care,

Nolan

Another Stunning Day in Downtown Oakville

Hi,
I'm doing office duty today from 1 to 3 PM at the Royal LePage office at Lakeshore and Reynolds. Coming in to see a realtor with what ever real estate question you might have will provide you with a better insight to what is happening in the market in Real Time. Currently, the market is bouncing lightly along the bottom. Prices are at there lowest point in years, and the cost of borrowing money is so cheap it is hard to believe. The Fed has indicated that the Bank Rate is going to stay at this level until the second quarter of 2010. So you are safe. My mortgage rate which variable sits at 1.6%. Now I'm not going to get this rate for ever, but it sure feels good.

So if you're waiting for the perfect time to buy, and you are moving up, this is your opportunity to buy at the best prices. I'm seeing properties listed for $2.2 Million selling for $1.8 million. Not everyone is in this snack bracket, but you likely get the point. The more expensive the house, the larger the savings you're going to see.

In Oakville properties are now selling comfortably in the $500K to $1 Million range. There is limited activity above this price point. I'm thinking that prices between $1 million to $2 million will start to move this fall, and then in spring '10 the next level of homes will start moving. However, I just heard an interesting story about the butterfly effect, which is an analogy for lack of predictability for long term weather forecasting. In a nut shell, a butterfly might flap its wings in a particular direction in Africa causing the start of a Hurricane in Caribbean. It is an interesting concept, especially when you consider how many highly intelligent investors were caught flat footed during this stock market reversal.

So if you are interested in the current market, I'm happy to help you out, but long term forecasting in real estate is anyone's best guess. All we can do is use our knowledge, and provide an educated as well as thoughtful perspective.

Have a great day,
Nolan