CanuckInUSA 0 #26 January 18, 2007 Hey Turtle it's really not all that cold here. Yes every once in a while a blast of real arctic cold air does hit us. But you'd be surprised at home much building is going on this this province even now during the winter months (especially here in Calgary as well as up in Fort McMurrary where the oil is). Being in Alberta is less than ideal for us skydivers. But from an economic point of view, it is the fastest growing economy in North America and there is no shortage of work. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #27 January 18, 2007 QuoteThat's a long commute to Calgary. I'm 2.5 hours NORTH of there! He'd enjoy those mid winter drives up and down highway 1. Calgary is also shielded from a lot of the Siberian cold by the Rockie. Get up north around Edmonton and you've not got the mouttains to shield you. It's fucking COLD up there. I don't care who the hell you are. It's cold. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #28 January 18, 2007 QuoteThen buy a toque. OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!! Its a TUQUE! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #29 January 18, 2007 QuoteQuoteThen buy a toque. OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!! Its a TUQUE! It's a BEANIE! Stupid Canucks! "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #30 January 18, 2007 Quote...timing is everything...maximize your debt shortly before you die. If I die before my wife, I'd rather she have my assets than my creditors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #31 January 18, 2007 QuoteQuoteThen buy a toque. OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!! Its a TUQUE! Either/or, my dear Remi. You've just been Americanized! 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #32 January 18, 2007 QuoteQuoteThat's a long commute to Calgary. I'm 2.5 hours NORTH of there! He'd enjoy those mid winter drives up and down highway 1. That would be the QE II, formerly known as highway 2, often referred to as the Crown Royal Highway (by my friends and I) because the lovely new signs they put up when they renamed it look exactly like that purple felt bag. QuoteCalgary is also shielded from a lot of the Siberian cold by the Rockie. Get up north around Edmonton and you've not got the mouttains to shield you. It's fucking COLD up there. I don't care who the hell you are. It's cold. Wimp. 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #33 January 18, 2007 Didn't house prices rise by over 100% in Calagray this year? I would say investing in your house is a relatively safe way to spend your money in Calgary. You must be happy you held on to that house when you moved to the US. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #34 January 18, 2007 QuoteUsually, buying a home is a good thing. Renovating a home is different - some things you won't make money on. Thanks for your input and I agree with much of what you've said (plus much of what you've said is already very much public knowledge for anyone who paid attention to the HGTV type home reno shows). My house is not a million dollar house, so I won't be outfitting it with million dollar type features trying to fool people into thinking it's a million dollar home. But I do want to upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms to (possibly) get into into that 1/2 million dollar range and I'm all about upgrading my windows and exterior doors for pure efficiency sake as one only needs to be seated next to one of my leaky windows on a cold Canadian night to see how inefficient they are. As far as some of the other ammenities (new doors, electrical switches and light fixtures) those are all just relatively inexpensive upgrades to match the new bathrooms and kitchen. The electrical switches have already been swapped out and the existing light fixtures are rather dated. The interior doors aren't cheap. They are supposed to be these pseudo sound proof or at least they are not hollow doors and are supposed to have some sound proofing qualities. I'm supposed to be taking delivery of the new doors this weekend (I already have all of my new closet doors piled up on my living room floor ready to be painted once I finalize my color schemes). My garage door is showing some warpage, but it's still very much functional and I may or may not replace it. It's low priority right now just as the deck is low priority. But I do need to figure out (pretty soon) if I want to keep the flooring in my bathrooms and laundry room or if I want to tile them or do something else to them. But believe it or not I am looking at these reno projects as ways of having some fun, occupying my free time and empowering my homebuilding knowledge and experience. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #35 January 18, 2007 QuoteYou must be happy you held on to that house when you moved to the US. Best investment I've ever made. The house has easily double since I purchased it and I'm hoping to have trippled my investment once I'm done. I miss skydiving, but there is more to life than jumping right. I didn't just say that did I? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #36 January 18, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteSilly Silly Girl . . . You don't get the luxury, when you are trying to make a living as a General Contractor, of picking only inside or outside jobs and expect to make it, excpecially as a newcomer to the area. Then buy a toque. 'Shell Nah. I'll just move in with you and your dog. That's a long commute to Calgary. I'm 2.5 hours NORTH of there! I won't be working for half the year - I'll let you support me during that time.There ARE fringe benifits . . .I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #37 January 18, 2007 That kind of work is actually kind of fun in some ways, and the sense of accomplishment is nice, and the ROI isn't particularly bad for what you're doing. The only thing that really sucks about it is paying for it, but almost all good things cost money. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #38 January 18, 2007 Quote Usually, buying a home is a good thing. Renovating a home is different - some things you won't make money on. But some things you don't directly make money on will help it sell faster in a buyer's market. I doubt we spent $500 replacing every wall plate, light fixture, towel rack, and TP holder in our last home. We had the counter tops relaminated and new tile back splashes installed for $1000 (replacing with pre-laminated particle board would have been cheaper). We had an acceptable contract within a week after listing. Our neighbors who had also replaced carpet, floor, and paint but didn't address the details sat for a few months. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
