As spring approaches and the snow thaws, cracks in the foundation of your home are inevitable which can inevitably decrease your home’s value by 10-20%. Basement cracks are not unusual, but if neglected can cause major problems and added expenses. The problem starts when those cracks in basement walls and floors allow water to seep through. Among the many negatives that come with a cracked basement are additional moisture and the scourge that is mold, also increased heating expenses; inevitably it will all contribute to lowering the price of your home. There are different types of cracks, namely settlement cracks, …

Beware of sewage back-up, The smell of spring is fast approaching, but pleasant as it may seem, homeowners must prepare for the thawing of mountains of snow left behind by one of our roughest winters. Preventative measures should be taken to avoid sewage back-ups following rainstorms, floods and spring thaws. Large volumes of water from thawing and rainstorms entering our sewage systems can cause back-ups into basements and result in extensive damages to dwellings. Corroded sewer pipes, neglected plumbing systems, faulty drainage pipes, can cause sewage back-ups that can contaminate our drinking water. A sewage back-up in the basement should …

Tenants, before renting that apartment do your homework on the potential landlord and the place before signing a lease. Check the potential apartment thoroughly. Check kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, functionality of the toilet, the flooring, check for proper windows and doors, apartment’s insulation, crack in walls, have the landlord or previous tenant explain the reason for water marks from previous leakage (verify that it was properly repaired), check for mildew, painting. If possible ask the previous tenants questions concerning the relationship with the landlord, how often is the building cleaned, maintenance, repairs to the building, check for smoke detectors, how …

Rental of your property is a business, not a non-profit organization Embarking into the business of investment properties and apartment rental can have rewarding financial benefits for some people, for others it can be a nightmare. Investment properties are an excellent source of passive income; it’s also a good way of creating a good retirement nest. But there are some people who prefer renting instead of purchasing a home and do not want to have the headache of having a mortgage and maintaining a home. Before renting apartments to individuals there is homework to be done. I strongly recommend a …

  During these sub-zero temperatures that we are experiencing, often times we hear of fires in homes claiming the lives of neighbors and loved ones. Have you considered fire safety in your home? Most times fires are caused by careless and neglectful behavior. Here are simple steps and guidelines to follow to better protect your house and family from fire. Smoke alarms are of vital importance, it can save lives but when the batteries are dead, we have a tendency to ignore them thus eliminating their usefulness. When your smoke alarms peeps, it’s a warning that it’s time to change …

It save time and time is money It’s big when one makes the decision to sell their home.  Often times we decide to sell because we might be downsizing, job re-location, retirement, divorce or many other personal reasons influences that decision. But once the decision is made, it’s most important to know the real market value of your home and placing it on the market at a price that will cause it to sell within a reasonable time frame. Most sellers have a pre-conceived idea of what his home worth; which is totally the opposite of the REAL MARKET VALUE. …

New government policies might affect housing market in 2015 According to a report in the Financial Post, the CANADIAN MORTGAGE HOUSING CORPORATION  is planning to triple the fee it charges some financial institutions to guarantee loans in the Mortgage-backed securities market. This move could end up costing consumers more. This seems to be the government’s stated goal of reducing its role in the mortgage insurance market. Again, as we can see, the government attempts to relinquish their duty by placing it on consumers’ shoulders. This as an indirect gesture on the government’s part, to pass their responsibility to the consumers, …

Most popular… Least expensive… easy to install There is a reason why asphalt shingle roofs are one of the most common types of roofs used in North America. First introduced in the early 1990s asphalt shingle is an American invention that  has become a favorite for home owners and installation professionals. It is fairly inexpensive and fairly simple to install. The primary purpose in roofing shingles is to serve as a waterproofing agent. Asphalt holds the granules in place and contributes to the overall strength of the roofing shingle.  The superior asphalt will stay flexible, will not dry out, become …

Roof repair is  a lot of work, that’s best done by a reputable company. It’s important to choose well. For home owners, the fear of  having the roof repaired always lurks. It’s indeed  among  your biggest one-time expense in the maintenance and upkeep of your biggest investment. That’s why it is strongly advised that during the process of buying a home you and your real estate broker carefully examine the Seller’s Declaration, where the seller must indicate the year the roof was done or replaced. The document should include the materials used, the years of warranty, and if there has …