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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/</link>
        <description></description>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/would-you-sell-your-home-to-lock-in-profits-before-real-estate-prices-drop.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/would-you-sell-your-home-to-lock-in-profits-before-real-estate-prices-drop.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>Would you sell your home to lock in profits before real estate prices drop?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
OTTAWA — For most Canadians their home is the biggest investment they’ll ever make — but they might be surprised to learn you can use if for more than just sleeping.


People generally don’t think of their homes as a potential pile of cash in the bank, but experts say it’s something worth pondering now that home prices in Canada may have hit their peak.


In fact, analysts say if finance is the only consideration, conditions now and into next year or so form a seldom seen sweet spot for using home equity as a type of asset for investment.


Why might it be a good time to sell?


At about $370,000 average nationally — and just under $800,000 in Vancouver — home prices are already at record levels. Many observers believe prices are long due for a downward correction of anywhere from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, perhaps more in some of the hottest markets.


“Home prices to income, housing price to rent, all the indicators are setting off warning signals,” said Derek Burleton, a senior economist with TD Bank.


“If you are purely in it for reaping profits, now is not a bad time to sell” before prices drop.


The profits from selling a home can be used to build savings, eliminate debt, make traditional investments or, ironically, buy more real estate — albeit in a different market where home prices are lower.


Of course, even if it makes sense financially, selling the family home to rent or move to a less expensive housing market doesn’t make lifestyle sense for the vast majority of Canadians.


Burleton knows how they feel.


“I wouldn’t want to sell my home right now even if I wind up taking a hit on the home price, just because I enjoy where I’m living and moving is a pain,” he said.


While there’s no guarantee of a correction, observers note there are additional signs that the housing market could cool off in a big way.


With ownership levels near a record 70 per cent, demand is expected to wane, making it a buyers market for the first time in years.


And Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney warned last month he was preparing to hike rates, which along with tighter lending rules being applied by federal authorities could trigger a flight from real estate.


In market terms, selling a home at the peak is a way of “locking in” profits accumulated over the past decade of price appreciation — and tax free if it’s the principal home.


Meanwhile, home valuations have been rising far faster than the rent they would fetch since at least 2000. Canada’s home price-to-rent ratio is well above historic norms and among the highest in the advanced world.


That is a hard indicator that homes are over-valued, but also that renting is relatively cheap compared to buying.


David Madani of Capital Economics, who anticipates a 25 per cent price crash over the next few years, cautions that like selling stock shares, timing is always tricky.


“We’re dealing with irrational exuberance. We’ve been treating housing like some magical financial asset that is going to solve all our problems because prices are always going up,” he said.


“Of course, when the turn comes, the over-confidence that drove the market up can turn to fear. You are dealing with emotion … so I don’t believe in a soft landing.”


The market is clearly at or near peak, he said, so soon may indeed be the time to act.


But then again he felt that way a year ago, he points out, and if households had acted on his advice they might not have gotten all the value they could from the premature sale.


Source: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/05/10/would-you-sell-your-home-to-lock-in-profits-before-real-estate-prices-drop/
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            <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 16:45:20 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/the-cab-ride-ill-never-forget.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/the-cab-ride-ill-never-forget.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>The Cab Ride I’ll Never Forget</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I wanted to share this beautiful story by Kent Nerburn with you:


“Great moments often catch us unawares….”


There was a time in my life twenty years ago when I was driving a cab for a living.


It was a cowboy’s life, a gambler’s life, a life for someone who wanted no boss, constant movement and the thrill of a dice roll every time a new passenger got into the cab.


What I didn’t count on when I took the job was that it was also a ministry.


Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a rolling confessional. Passengers would climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity and tell me of their lives.


We were like strangers on a train, the passengers and I, hurtling through the night, revealing intimacies we would never have dreamed of sharing during the brighter light of day. I encountered people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, made me laugh and made me weep.


And none of those lives touched me more than that of a woman I picked up late on a warm August night.


I was responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had just had a fight with a lover, or someone going off to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town.


When I arrived at the address, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground-floor window.


Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a short minute, then drive away. Too many bad possibilities awaited a driver who went up to a darkened building at 2:30 in the morning.


But I had seen too many people trapped in a life of poverty who depended on the cab as their only means of transportation.


Unless a situation had a real whiff of danger, I always went to the door to find the passenger. It might, I reasoned, be someone who needs my assistance. Would I not want a driver to do the same if my mother or father had called for a cab?


So I walked to the door and knocked.


“Just a minute,” answered a frail and elderly voice. I could hear the sound of something being dragged across the floor.


After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman somewhere in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like you might see in a costume shop or a Goodwill store or in a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The sound had been her dragging it across the floor.


The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.


“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. “I’d like a few moments alone. Then, if you could come back and help me? I’m not very strong.”


I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm, and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.


“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”


“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. Her praise and appreciation were almost embarrassing.


When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”


“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered.


“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”


I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening.


“I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I should go there. He says I don’t have very long.”


I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to go?” I asked.


For the next two hours we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they had first been married. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she would have me slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.


As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”


We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. Without waiting for me, they opened the door and began assisting the woman. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her; perhaps she had phoned them right before we left.


I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase up to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.


“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.


“Nothing,” I said.


“You have to make a living,” she answered.


“There are other passengers,” I responded.


Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held on to me tightly.


“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”


There was nothing more to say.


I squeezed her hand once, then walked out into the dim morning light. Behind me, I could hear the door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.


I did not pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the remainder of that day, I could hardly talk.


What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? What if I had been in a foul mood and had refused to engage the woman in conversation?


How many other moments like that had I missed or failed to grasp?


We are so conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unawares.


When that woman hugged me and said that I had brought her a moment of joy, it was possible to believe that I had been placed on earth for the sole purpose of providing her with that last ride.


I do not think that I have ever done anything in my life that was any more important.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 11:12:45 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/calgarys-northern-limits-target-of-retail-growth.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/calgarys-northern-limits-target-of-retail-growth.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>Calgary's northern limits target of retail growth</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The amount of real estate development within Calgary and just north of the city limits is quite amazing - particularly in the area east of CrossIron Mills shopping centre.


The shopping centre has done well since it opened in 2009, now boasting 200 stores made much more accessible since the opening of Stoney Trail.


Since then, more shopping opportunities are available at Costco and Lowe's to the north of the original centre up to the intersection of the north/ south major corridor and Highway 566 at Balzac.


I hear that the adjacent lands planned as a thoroughbred racetrack and entertainment centre may still be developed with a less-grand vision, but still to include a hotel and casino.


Immediately to the east along 566 is the new Coptic Church and Wagon Wheel Industrial Park and across the road, Rocky View County is planning to build its new administrative offices.


The next large property under development is High Plains Industrial Park where the massive Target distribution centre is under construction. Exterior walls are up for the facility, which will contain 1.3 million square feet under one roof. The centre will serve Western Canada and is scheduled to be fully operational within the next six months.


It sits on a 32-hectare parcel on the south portion of the 388 hectares that make up High Plains, which offers parcels of land from 1.6 to 32 hectares.


The development area was assembled to design a unique, master-planned medium-to high-density industrial park by an investment partnership that includes Highland Stock Farm and CLT Contracting.


It is a fully serviced, architecturally controlled development being marketed by Wayne Hill, associate broker of Target Realty, who has specialized for the past 20 years in land development for industrial and commercial uses including car dealerships, hotels and design-build projects.


He tells me that interest is high in Phase 2 of High Plains and two parcels are conditionally sold. Major attractions, according to Hill, are the opportunities to purchase fully serviced lots much cheaper than within Calgary, in the municipality where there are lower property taxes and no business tax.


Another plus is that the High Plains community will have access to fully reusable water. A jointventure partnership has been established with Olds College to reclaim and upgrade storm water for use within the park - an industry first.


High Plains is attracting lots of attention and the whole area is buzzing with activity. Besides the racetrack possibility, WalMart's 500,000-square-foot freezer facility is complete; Hopewell, Bentall, WAM, Oxford and Melton have developable lands nearby and we can expect residential to be built on the west side of the highway north of 566 all the way to Airdrie.


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Ewart+Biggest+players+reaping+largest+profit/6527823/story.html#ixzz1tYNMPw3P
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            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:31:28 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/ama-shredding-events.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/ama-shredding-events.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>AMA Shredding Events</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Pile up all those bills, personal documents and paperwork for this event.  Best of all, it's FREE!!!


All dates, venues and locations for Spring 2012 have been finalized.


Events may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, which includes: extreme cold, wind gusts, rain, snow, and extreme heat.  Please check the AMA website 24 hours before an event to confirm it will occur.






Saturday, April 28


Southcentre Mall100 Anderson Rd. SE(NE Safeway parking lot, by Recycling Depot)


10am-3pm


Calgary Police ServiceRCMPShred-ItSouthcentre Mall 






 


 


 


http://www.ama.ab.ca/community-and-ama/ama-shredding-events


 
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            <pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:17:47 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/realty-report-online-april-2012-issue.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/realty-report-online-april-2012-issue.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>Realty Report Online April 2012 Issue</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Articles:


Calgary Sales Looking Up!


An analysis of residential activity in Calgary showed a 12.6 percent increase in sales when comparing March 2011 to March 2012, and an overall increase of 7.3 percent in sales over the first quarter of 2012.


Keep an Eye on your Equity


As a homeowner, you expect, as you continue to pay your mortgage every month, that you are building value in your home. Is it possible to lose equity in a property?


Read more
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            <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:11:02 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/grandma-is-that-you-cba-provides-advice-on-how-to-avoid-the-grandparent-scam.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/grandma-is-that-you-cba-provides-advice-on-how-to-avoid-the-grandparent-scam.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>“Grandma, is that you?”: CBA provides advice on how to avoid the grandparent scam</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Grandparents love to receive calls from their grandchildren, but if you hear the words “Grandma, is that you?” at the other end of the line, beware; it may be a scam.


March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) is helping Canadians educate and protect themselves against fraud and scams as a member of the Fraud Prevention Forum by working with banks and law enforcement across the country. 


Criminals have set their sights on seniors with grandchildren, using a particularly malicious trick known as the “grandparent scam”. A senior will receive a phone call from someone who starts the conversation with, “Grandma? Do you know who this is?” The victim, thinking it’s one of their grandchildren, will respond with, “Yes, I know it’s you (name of grandchild).” The caller will then start using this name to gain credibility with the victim.


The caller will claim to be in trouble and will request money right away. Often they’ll say they were in a car accident with a rental car or they are under arrest and in jail in another city or country. The victim, wanting to help, will withdraw funds from their bank account and wire money to the “grandchild”. The money will be sent through a money transfer service, where the criminal can then pick it up at any location across the world. 


The CBA has released a fraud prevention video aimed at educating Canadians about the grandparent scam. The video can be found on the CBA’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/CdnBankers) and the association is also issuing helpful tips and information on its Twitter page and website throughout Fraud Prevention Month.


“It’s important that people know what kind of scams are out there, and how best to avoid them. Criminals will go to great lengths to socially engineer you.” said William J. Crate, Director of Security and Intelligence at the Canadian Bankers Association. “Banks invest a lot of resources in helping fight financial crime. From new chip and PIN technology on payment cards to investigating scams and ensuring safe online banking – banks work hard to protect their customers.” 


There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from the grandparent scam, including:




Never offer information to the caller. If they prompt you with questions like, “Do you know who this is?”, say no and have them tell you.


Ask the caller a few personal questions that a real grandchild could answer but an imposter could not. 


After you hang up, verify the story by calling the parents or other relatives of the “grandchild”.


Never wire money to someone under uncertain conditions. It is nearly impossible to recover or trace money that has been wired




Source: http://www.cba.ca/en/media-room/65-news-releases/610-grandma-is-that-you-cba-provides-advice-on-how-to-avoid-the-grandparent-scam-
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            <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:07:35 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/atb-weekly-economic-bulletin-13-april-2012.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/atb-weekly-economic-bulletin-13-april-2012.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>ATB Weekly Economic Bulletin: 13-APRIL-2012</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Home/4706/17195/link358352/2Weekly%20Economic%20Bulletin%2014-APRIL-2012.pdf


 


 
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            <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:03:38 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/assessing-the-renovation-project.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/assessing-the-renovation-project.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>Assessing the Renovation Project</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 




Over the years, we’ve developed a good understanding of how buildings perform. Construction techniques for new homes have changed rapidly. Most of these improved techniques also apply to renovations.


If you plan carefully, you can renovate your home to make it look better, work better, last longer and be more comfortable. Before renovating, it’s important to assess the condition of your home to determine if there are any significant underlying problems that must be addressed before or during your planned renovation project.





Figure 1: Problems that should be addressed


Common Situations


In Canada, we need affordable houses to provide shelter from the elements. We also want our homes to be pleasant, comfortable and attractive.


Homeowners have higher expectations than in the past, particularly about comfort and interior design. Renovations are an opportunity to address some of these expectations.


Some of the reasons people decide to renovate are to:




Upgrade or improve outdated or deteriorated systems — replacing an outdated furnace, old siding or windows are common upgrades.


Maintain and repair various elements of their house — reshingling a roof or fixing foundation cracks are typical renovations.


Address lifestyle needs — converting unused attic space to living quarters, add a sunroom or build a home office.




Healthy Housing™


Renovating is an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community and the environment. When assessing your renovation project, be sure to consider the five essentials of Healthy Housing™.


House as a System


A house is much more than just four walls and a roof — it’s an interactive system made up of many components including the basic structure, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the external environment and the occupants. Each component influences the performance of the entire system. A renovation provides an opportunity to improve how your house performs.


As you assess your renovation project, ask yourself how changing particular components will affect the performance of the whole house. For example, as part of a bathroom renovation you may want to add a hot tub that will generate large amounts of humidity during operation.Your existing ventilation may be inadequate to handle the increased moisture levels. It will be important to provide proper ventilation to avoid mold growth, indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and damage to the structure or finishes. You may need to consult with a qualified home inspector or a professional renovator.


Avoid Surprises


A systematic and thorough inspection will help you to assess the condition of your home. Look for any signs of deterioration and the possible causes. Start your inspection in the basement. Many problems in other parts of the house originate there. Depending upon the size of your project, you may want to ask a qualified home inspector or a professional renovator to help you assess your building and develop a plan. Here are some of the likely questions that you’ll want to think about.






Foundations











Are there any cracks or is there damage to concrete walls or floors?


Are there any damp spots, stains, efflorescence (white, chalky stains) or blistered paint on the concrete, finished walls or floors?


Does anyone notice bad smells or experience nausea or headaches when in the basement?


Is there high humidity, any condensation or visible mold?















Repair minor cracks if they leak. Seek an engineer’s opinion on serious structural problems such as major or expanding cracks, bowed walls or uneven floors.


Clean up mold; discard moldy or rotting materials.


Ensure that the floor drain has a trap or install a retrofit backflow preventer. Make sure that all plumbing fixtures (including washer) are vented and have traps. Install a sealed cover on the sump pit.


Direct outside surface water away from the foundation. Improve underground drainage.


Repair or replace damaged interior finishes.


Keep the relative humidity between 30 and 55%. Ventilate and circulate air. Dehumidify or air condition in summer. Clean up mold according to CMHC guidelines.















Serious structural problems could cause further damage or collapse.


Water pressure on the outside of the foundation can contribute to leaks and structural problems.


Odours will continue to be annoying and can pose health problems, depending on the source.


Unresolved water sources will cause renovations to deteriorate quickly, whether the water comes from building leaks, plumbing leaks or high humidity.


Mold can grow on almost anything and be a source of serious indoor air quality (IAQ) problems.















Basement ceiling or main floor structure











Are there any headroom problems?


Are there signs of rot, sagging floor joists or twisted beams?


Are there water stains on the main floor structure or basement finished ceiling?















Assess structural problems carefully. Expert help may be required. Repair or replace structural elements so they will accommodate renovation plans and expected loads.


Fix any water leaks.















Unresolved structural problems, poorly planned structural changes or new loads may cause future settling or collapse.















Mechanical and electrical systems











Are there unusually high heating or cooling bills?


Are mechanical systems capable of supplying current and future needs?


Is the house too dry or too humid? Is the heat uneven?


Is there ever a noticeable smoky or fuel smell?


Is the electrical service and wiring capable of supplying current and future needs?


Do fuses keep blowing or circuit breakers keep shutting off?


Are there any exposed electrical wires or crumbled wire insulation?


Do any lights dim or outlets spark?


Are there leaks from pipes, taps, toilets or the water heater?















Have a qualified service company inspect your heating system to ensure that equipment is up-to-date, functioning properly and sized to handle current and future needs.


Air seal the house to keep it from becoming too dry. Use a humidifier (that has a humidistat) as required. Provide ventilation using exhaust fans or a heat recovery ventilator to reduce humidity in winter. Dehumidify or air condition to reduce the humidity in summer. Check for heat flow to each room.


Repair any sources of smoky or fuel smells immediately. The smells could indicate serious fire or health hazards.


Have an electrician assess the electrical systems and any problems such as fuses blowing repeatedly, sparking outlets, exposed wires or connections.


Repair any water leaks. Repair or replace leaky fixtures.















Without regular service, heating systems may gradually deteriorate unnoticed, leading to serious health and safety concerns.


Problems can arise if HVAC needs cannot be met by the capacity of the services available. The heating supply must be enough for comfort. Proper ventilation is needed to control excess humidity.


Electrical service, wiring and outlets may be unsafe or inadequate for increased loads.


Plumbing leaks will continue to damage the finishes and the house structure. The leaks may also contribute to mold growth and IAQ problems.















General living areas, floors and stairs











Are floors or stairs springy, sagging, warped or squeaky?


Are floor surfaces damaged or carpets musty?


Are handrails or guardrails loose?















Assess the supports underneath the floor. Contact a carpenter for help. Repair as needed.


Refasten or shim squeaking floors or stairs.


Repair serious safety hazards immediately such as damaged floors or stair boards and loose coverings.


Replace damaged flooring. Eliminate moisture sources.


Repair loose handrails or guardrails.















Damaged or uneven floors and stairs may be unsafe.


Musty carpets are usually a source of mold.


Loose handrails or guardrails are a safety hazard.















Kitchens and bathrooms











Is there any water seepage around fixtures or condensation on windows or toilets?


Are floors damaged around bathtubs or showers?















Repair or replace leaky fixtures.


Repair or replace damaged flooring.


Provide proper ventilation to reduce humidity, indoor pollutants and stale air.















Leaks will continue to cause damage.


Excess humidity will continue to cause damage, may cause mold growth and affect the IAQ.















Walls and ceilings











Do walls and ceilings have any cracks, holes, bulges, water stains or peeling finishes?


Do any doors or windows bind or stick?


Are any windows drafty, broken, operating poorly or is there moisture between panes?


Are there water stains or rot on windows or walls?















Repair any holes. Eliminate moisture sources that cause bulges, water stains or peeling finishes.


Assess cracks, binding doors or stuck windows for changes in moisture levels or structural movement. Repair or replace as required.


Replace broken windowpanes and poorly operating hardware. Replace sealed unit windows that have broken seals or rot.


Replace rotted wall materials. Eliminate moisture sources.















If the problem sources are not fixed, the bulges, cracks or binding will re-occur.


Hiding moisture damage behind new finishes will cause continuing deterioration and mold growth.


Faulty windows will eventually result in damage to surrounding wall areas.















Attics











Are there water stains or excessive dampness?


Is there black mold on any of the roof framing or sheathing?


Is the attic adequately ventilated?


Are there air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic? Is the attic hatch sealed?















Find moisture sources. Repair roof leaks. Air-seal the ceiling using polyethylene sheeting, sealed over octagonal boxes for lights, caulk holes for wires through sheeting or wall top plates and weatherstrip attic hatches.


Ventilate the attic at the soffits and roof peak.


Seal any air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic. Install a sealed attic hatch.















Moisture damage will continue to deteriorate the house. Unventilated attics will allow moisture to build up.


Air leaks in ceilings below the attic will reduce heating efficiency and can be sources of odours and pollutants.















Roofs











Does the roof have any curled or cracked shingles, bare patches, leaks, moss, or damaged flashing?


Do eavestroughs and downspouts direct water away from the foundation?















Repair or replace damaged roofing.


Clean leaves and debris from eavestroughs every spring and fall. Extend downspouts to direct rainwater away from the foundation.















Roofing will continue to deteriorate.


Surface water near the house can put undue stress on the foundation and is a primary cause of water entry problems.















Exterior walls











Is there any blistered paint, rotted wood, buckled siding, stained or crumbled brick or damaged stucco on exterior walls?















Find and eliminate the source of water penetration. Repair or replace damaged exterior finishes.















Water penetration may lead to more serious siding, structural and interior finish problems.

















Rewards




Undertaking maintenance and repair projects such as correcting structural flaws, fixing leaks and making sure that all services are safe and adequate will make your home safer, more efficient and more durable.


After you have ensured safety, efficiency and durability, other renovations can be done to make your home more pleasant, attractive and suited to your lifestyle.

















Skills to Do the Job


You can assess most of your house with the help of one of CMHC’s inspection checklists. Professional home inspectors are also available to do a thorough inspection for you.


Repairing serious structural, mechanical or electrical problems will require the help of an expert.









Use the House Assessment Worksheet to record the present condition, any problems in your home and to help set priorities for your renovation.






House Assessment Worksheet




 


Present Condition / Problems


Renovation Priority




Foundation


 


 




Basement Ceiling or Main Floor Structure


 


 




Heating, Cooling and Ventilation System


 


 




Electrical Service and House Wiring


 


 




Plumbing and Fixtures


 


 




Floors and Stairs Structure/Finishes


 


 




Wall and Ceiling Structure/Finishes


 


 




Kitchen


 


 




Bathrooms


 


 




Attics


 


 




Roof Structure/Finishes


 


 




Exterior Wall Finishes


 


 




Windows and Doors


 


 




Other


 


 






Costing Your Project


The cost of your assessment will depend almost entirely on how many professionals you need. They might include an engineer, architect, electrician, plumber, carpenter or professional home inspector.


Additional Resources


Developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the ecoENERGY initiative provides a residential energy assessment service delivered by local organizations across Canada for a fee. Retrofits may be eligible for grants. To find a local service organization or grant information, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000.


Source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_002.cfm




 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:22:04 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/stress-busters.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/stress-busters.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>Stress Busters</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Stress is like dark chocolate. A little of it won’t kill you. In fact, small blocks here and there can be good for you. But chronic and severe stress can damage your body and mind, blocking the fluid communication to and from most organs–especially in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and in the limbic system, the brain’s emotional center. You want these two systems running as smoothly as possible, with low levels of the delinquent stress hormones in your bloodstream. 


This is why I always keep some stress busters handy. Here are nine of my favorites.


1. Simplify.Cut your to-do list in half. Ask yourself this question after every item: Will I die tomorrow if this doesn’t get accomplished? Every morning I immediately jot down my to-do list. Once I experience the first heart palpitation, the list gets cut in half. 


2. Prioritize. Let’s say you’ve got five huge work projects due next week. Record all the tasks and give each one a number from 1 and 10: 10 being life threatening to 1 being that stupid thing I signed up for. Start with the 10s. If you never get beyond the 8s, that’s okay!


3. Use Pencil, Not Pen. Start using pencil instead of pen to stay as flexible as you can. Things change! And change is not your enemy. You want to be able to erase a task or reminder at any time, because who knows what your day will be like.


4. Give Away Your Cape. You are not a superhero and don’t possess supernatural qualities and capabilities. Join the race … the human race. Surrender to limitations and conditions–like the number of hours in a day (24) and the amount of time it takes to get from point A to point B - in your car - not in your Batmobile. 


5. Laugh. When people laugh, the autonomic nervous system mellows out and the heart is allowed to relax. Laughter can boost the immune system and the levels of stress hormones. Plus it’s just fun to laugh. And having fun is its own stress buster. 


6. Excercise. Exercise relieves stress in several ways. First, cardiovascular workouts stimulate brain chemicals that foster growth of nerve cells. Second, exercise increases the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine. Third, a raised heart rate releases endorphins and a hormone known as ANP, which reduces pain, induces euphoria, and helps control the brain’s response to stress and anxiety. A quick stroll in the morning or in the evening might be just enough to tell the stress hormones in your blood to scatter..


7. Stop Juggling.I realize some multi-tasking is inevitable in our rushed culture. If you have trouble chewing gum and walking at the same time like I do, you might try your best to concentrate on one activity at a time.


8. Build Boundaries.Designate a place and time for certain things so that your brain doesn’t have to wear so many hats at the same time. Make yourself abide by some rules: computer is off when I’m not working, and computer stays off in the evening and on weekends.


9. Think Globally.This is a simple reminder that compared to other problems in our world today, the things that we stress about are pretty minor. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and most of it is small stuff.


Source: http://www.pillartopost.com/postnotes/postNotes-pillarToPost-newsletter-july-2011.php#safety
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:48:03 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/wisest-new-home-upgrade-investments.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.davegreenwood.net/blog/wisest-new-home-upgrade-investments.html</link>
            <author>davegreenwood@shaw.ca (Dave Greenwood)</author>
            <title>Wisest new-home upgrade investments</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
New-home shoppers, take note: When navigating the wide world of upgrades, it's best to put your money where you can walk all over it.


Carpet, tile, wood, whatever - slather your upgrade budget all over the floor.


If you've purchased a new home, that big trip to the design center is exciting but can leave you wondering where to start. Cabinets and appliances? Landscaping and a swimming pool? One of those gorgeous vessel sinks?


New-home sales are down in this real-estate market, but they are happening. We polled builders and real-estate agents to find out which upgrades are most wanted and wisest for starter homes and luxury new builds alike.


First up: floors, and here's why:


"Flooring is something you never want to do again," says Chad Christian, an agent with Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty in Phoenix. "It's expensive."


In the future, potential buyers will walk through the house staring down. Neutral flooring in good condition will be a happy discovery, whatever the home's price range. More-expensive carpet often lasts longer. Go for the thicker pad. Install tile in high-traffic areas.


Of the buyers at Shea Homes who spend between $90,000 and $350,000 on a home, 87 percent put money into upgraded floors, spending an average of $9,800, spokeswoman Mary Garrett says. 


Second: Keep that flooring consistent. 


Creative homeowners often get a little nuts with marble here and wood there, maybe slate in the kitchen and travertine in the entry. You shouldn't just because you can, Christian says.


"You want the tile everywhere to be the same," he explains.


Starter homes often come with a tile entry but linoleum in the kitchen. Tiling the kitchen as well is a smart and popular move.


In more upscale homes, many buyers are going for the decorative tile medallion in the entry.


"The tile itself can be a piece of art," says Dawn Anderson, design center manager at Superstition Mountain Homes in Gold Canyon. 


Third: Think kitchen.


At William Ryan Homes at Estrella Mountain Ranch in Goodyear, even the starter $169,000 houses have a cool kitchen option: the "castle" look, where cabinet heights and depths are varied to add interest. Granite is the standard kitchen countertop, though some buyers are upgrading that to quartz, says company Vice President Corbett McCallum.


At Shea Homes, 92 percent of buyers spending between $350,000 and $500,000 on a house give their kitchen cabinets some love, spending an average of $9,500. 


"Darker stained woods are popular right now," says Shea Homes spokeswoman Garrett, along with pullout shelving, tip-out shelves by the sinks, and concealed pullout garbage and recycling containers.


Countertops also are important to this group, with 82 percent spending about $3,400 to trump basic Formica. 


"Granite is still very much in style," Garrett says, as is ceramic tile. And many of these buyers take their tile up the walls; pretty kitchen backsplashes are popular and chic.


In starter homes, real-estate agent Christian recommends that buyers take cabinets up a notch or two, trying to get beyond that basic, oak-trimmed laminate. In this market, you want your home to have as much added value as possible. 


In Shea Homes' starter market, the average countertop upgrade is $4,200, and the average spent on cabinets is $3,400. More than 80 percent of buyers go for both.


In luxury homes, like at Anderson's Superstition Mountain community, buyers "want their cabinets to mimic a piece of furniture," she says. The island might be a different color than the cabinets that line the walls, and distressed and antiqued finishes are welcome. The appliances might be paneled as well.


But here, too, real-estate agent Christian says, suppress your urge for variety.


"Don't have contemporary cabinets in a bathroom and a really traditional kitchen and Southwestern cabinets in another bathroom," he says. "They don't have to all be the same," but they do need to be consistent in style and color.


And don't forget the appliances. At every price point, more than 70 percent of buyers choose to purchase more luxe models. 


From here, upgrades depend on your market. If you're purchasing a starter home, Christian says, put money into the backyard.


"One of the things that really plagues new homes is those horrible dark backyards," he says. "People don't know or appreciate how much it costs to get that" landscaping done. 


Christian recommends that you try to negotiate a landscaping package with your builder. Get sprinklers installed, at least. For the uninitiated, that can be a daunting job.


Look for ways to make your home special


At William Ryan Homes, where prices range from $169,000 to $305,000, the focus is on energy-wise building, with standard offerings at least 25 percent more energy-efficient than is required. Many buyers choose to take that even further, upgrading to tankless water heaters and air-conditioning units with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of 15 or 16. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy-efficient it is. 


"The money they recoup over time really makes it worth it," William Ryan's McCallum says.


In Shea Homes' midprice models, 74 percent of buyers add extra style to their bathroom vanities with tile countertops or cool sinks, Garrett says.


And at luxury Superstition Mountain Homes, where prices range from the high $400,000s to more than $1 million, upgrades get a little wild: receding glass walls that open onto the patio; air-conditioning units that cool pool areas and even portions of the backyard; misting systems; and home theaters galore.


These days, with resale competition fierce, it's smart to plan ahead and upgrade wisely in ways that will make your home stand out. 


Shopping for a house, Christian says, "is kind of like a beauty contest."


The prettiest almost always wins.


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/decor/articles/2009/07/04/20090704upgrades0704.html#ixzz1luBXw59Z
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:07:38 -0600</pubDate>
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