Prince Charles is a neighbourhood in the central northwest of Edmonton, named after the Prince Of Wales but originally known as North Inglewood. It is bounded on the north by the Yellowhead Trail, on the west by 127 Street, on the east by 121 Street, and on the south by 118 Avenue.

The neighbourhood has an older-school feel, with most of the homes dating back to the late 1940s and early 1950s. Some homes even date back to before the Second World War. Many of these dwellings are single family detached home, with some apartments and duplexes.

Thanks to three main roadways that run through it (Yellowhead Trail, Groad Road, and Kingsway Ave), there is easy access to the downtown core, shopping centres and the hospital.

The remodeling and renovation industry continues to boom in 2022, fueled by the pandemic and Canadians spending more time at home. These are some of the top updates that homeowners are making this year!

Sustainability: With more intense weather patterns this year – from fires to flooding – many Canadians have environmental issues on their mind. That makes sustainable, eco-friendly products and solutions all the more desirable. That includes solar panels on the roof, energy efficient improvements, repurposed flooring with materials like cork or bamboo, and landscaping that acts as a protective layer against fires and floods.

Home offices: With so many of us working from home for nearly two years, having a home office set up is nothing new. But as workplaces become more flexible with work-from-home options and offer hybrid schedules post-pandemic, having an area that’s permanently focused on productivity is highly desirable.

Outdoor Spaces: There has been a surge in outdoor-focused home renovation projects, driven by a need for additional space and a desire to be outside. Porch, deck and patio improvements are some of the most common renovations, but outdoor kitchens and gardening are also very popular.

New Flooring: Replacing old flooring not only improves the interior design, but it also adds value to your home. Homes with hardwood floors typically sell for 2.5 per cent more than homes with other floor types - which can be an 80 per cent return-on-investment. Popular flooring in 2022 includes smoked wood flooring, bleached woods, reclaimed barn wood tiles and weathered wood.

Health and Wellness: Thanks to the additional time we’re spending at home, renovations that improve a homeowner’s health and wellness are in high demand. That can include dedicate space for home gyms, a new steam room or mega-size bath tub to relax in, increased security and home automation features, or simply a lighter, airier décor with some live greenery to chase away the winter blues.

New data about the assessed value of homes in Edmonton is out and all homeowners should have received their notices in the mail earlier this year. Most property owners across the city are seeing a higher assessed value of their homes.

The average single-family, detached home in Edmonton is assessed at $402,000 which is an average increase of $21,500 from last year. These 2022 assessment notices reflect the market value of a property on July 1, 2021.

A common concern among homeowners is what the increase in assessed property values means for their property tax bill, fearing that a big jump in assessed value will mean higher taxes. While that can happen, changes to property assessments do not automatically translate into an increase in property taxes.

In reality, the change in your tax bill depends on your home’s assessed value relative to other homes in the area – if your property’s assessment is similar to the average change for similar property classes around you, your bill will likely remain the same. If your property assessment was higher or lower than the average, your tax bill will likely follow suite.

If you disagree with your property assessment, you must file a formal complaint no later than March 23.

If you are over the age of 65, you may qualify for a grant to help cover part of your municipal property taxes and the education portion of the property tax bill, as well as a tax deferral program.

All homeowners can review their property’s new assessed value by visiting MyProperty for details.

Canon Ridge, located in the northeast of Edmonton, is a longstanding favourite for the city’s residents. It is in a fantastic location alongside the scenic Saskatchewan River and near the Yellowhead Highway, making it a quick and easy commute to get downtown.

The neighbourhood is bounded on the west by Victoria Trail, on the south by Yellowhead Trail, and on the north by Kennedale Ravine. Canon Ridge is one of three neighbouthoods that make up the Hermitage plan area.

Kitchen trends this year are building on the momentum of last year and are on track to be even simpler, cozier and more nature-inspired than 2021. The pandemic fundamentally changed how we live and work inside our homes – the heart of that change starts in the kitchen, a place of comfort and family. This year’s hottest trends focus on simple luxuries with an organic style, putting function and convenience at the forefront.

• Vintage is in. It started out of necessity because of supply-chain issues and quickly became a design choice to go vintage over big-box store, adding charm and character to the kitchen with antique and vintage pieces. Try an heirloom table or a cabinet filled with handcrafted ceramics.

• Natural colours. White, of course, is a kitchen classic. But this year, try a splash of brightness to bring the colours of nature to your home: sunny yellow, burnt orange, moody blue, sandy browns and calming greens are all sizzling hot in 2022.

• Bold materials. Traditional tile has had its day. Now, bold materials that evoke a certain sense of rawness are in. Try stone countertops like marble balanced with a modern wood finish in light or medium tones (grained walnut and white oak are gorgeous).

• Arches and curves. Elegant, rounded curves – like a rounded pantry door – provide a distinct contrast to the more typical square doorways and cabinets.

• Accent lighting. Lighting can make all the difference to the mood of a room. Try smaller table lamps on countertops, warmer-coloured LED bulbs and decorative hanging chandeliers.

• Kitchens as multipurpose rooms. Adults working and children learning from home during the pandemic changed how we use our homes: the need for multifunctional design has become more important than ever and that trend continues in 2022, making functional design a must. Try a bar or kitchen island with stools or a small breakfast table tucked in a nook.

It’s a new year and a new tax season! Although your 2021 tax return isn’t due until April 2022, the sooner you start preparing the better. It pays to learn how to keep more of your hard-earned money in your own pocket and these tax credits for homeowners are a great way to start. Don’t forget to keep all receipts and documentation when you submit your tax return in case the CRA requests more information.

• First-time home buyers' tax credit: You can claim $5,000 if you bought your first home last year (or if you haven't lived in a home owned by you or your spouse in the last four years). It must be a qualifying home though.

• GST/HST new housing rebate: If you paid Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on a home that was newly built or substantially renovated, you may be eligible for the new housing rebate on part of the tax. 

• Home buyers' tax credit for people with disabilities: You may be eligible for the Home Buyers' Tax Credit even if you aren't a first-time home buyer, if you or your spouse/common-law partner meet the CRA’s eligibility requirements for a person with disabilities. 

• Home accessibility tax credit: In the same vein, if you meet the CRA’s eligibility requirements for a person with disabilities or you are over the age of 65 (or you are eligible to make the claim for someone else), and you make permanent renovations to your home in order to make it more accessible. 

• Deductions from moving: If you moved to attend school full-time, launch a new business or take a new job, your moving expenses could be tax-deductible. 

• Working from home: If you work from home, you may be able to claim eligible home office expenses. 

• Rental income: If you are renting out all or part of your property (including short-term rentals), don’t forget to declare the income earned. On the flip side, don’t forget to allowable expenses such as property taxes or interest. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please seek professional advice for your own personal situation.

If you are not proactively trying to save on utilities, it’s easy for your bills to creep up during the colder winter months – on average, Canadians spent more hours of the day at home during the winter and the chillier outdoor temperatures make it easy to crank up the heat. Here are a few ways to save money on utilities this winter:

• Strategize with your dishwashing: Dishwashers use a lot of energy so make sure you are taking full advantage when you run it – only run full loads and let your dishes air dry to save up to $10 a year.

• Replace your lightbulbs: Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are up to 75% more energy efficient and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This can add up to savings of $25 per year.

• Microwave to save: Microwaves use up to 80% less energy than a standard oven.

• Check your fridge temperature: Set your refrigerator to 2–3 degrees Celsius to minimize the cost of an appliance that is always running. This can save you $10 per year.

• Check your water temperature: For every 10 degrees reduction in temperature, you can save from 3%–5% on your water heating costs. Setting it to 50 instead of 60 degrees can save a good portion of your bill. Just make sure you don’t reduce the temperature too low because it can allow bacteria to grow in your tank.

• Unplug vampire electronics: Televisions, computers and gaming consoles can continue to use electricity even when they are turned off. Unplug these devices when they are not in use to save money.

• Do an energy audit: The best way to know where to save is by doing an audit of where your highest energy costs are currently at. This will help you find inefficiencies and tackle them head on.