SPRING TIME and ROOF CHECK

The cold and storms of the winter season can wreak havoc on the outside of a home and the surrounding property. Infrequently it is not that there's heavy damage to fret about, but simply the incontrovertible fact that it might have been 1 or 2 months since you last paid any attention to outside maintenance. Now may be the time to do a winter-end check to make sure everything is in order and prepared to resist those spring time showers and the pending heat of summer. 

While all exterior parts should be checked occasionally, areas that typically require additional attention at the end of the winter season include the roofing and roof drainage system ( gutters and downspouts ). To identify possible roof part concerns, look for : 

Ceiling spots A likely danger signal that your roof system needs leak repair or replacement. If stains are on a lower level ceiling, a plumbing leak could be the cause, put don't rule out a roof source for the water. 

Missing shingles Any missing shingles should be replaced quickly to avoid extra leaking and damage to the roof deck and interior of your home. Ceiling stains can also be linked with condensation due to exaggerated attic room moisture and / or ice dam conditions, that may require air sealing, further loft ventilation and / or insulation to prevent a recurrence. 

Lifted or curled shingles This could be a sign the roof is worn and near or at the end of its service life. If found just in an isolated areas, spot replacement may be possible but if far-reaching, get a professional opinion on the roofs condition. Once this happens the rate of shingle deterioration accelerates. 

Heavy granules buildup in gutter or at base of downspouts The granule on roof shingles gradually wear away to the point at which the fundamental material is exposed over large areas. If unjustifiable, it might indicate aging shingles that need replacement. 

Loose, lifted or cracked flashing This is the metal or other type surface found at the base of chimneys, vents and other roof penetrations. Damaged flashing should be mended to prevent leaking. Most homeowners shouldn't attempt to climb on or walk a roof thanks to the chance of a fall. 

If you have issues with your roof system, we recommend utilizing the assistance of a pro home inspector or qualified roofer contractor to figure out conditions and repair needs. Many conditions can be securely observed from the grounds with a great pair of binoculars. Go to GAF's internet site at www.gaf.com to find the directory. 

GAF Materials Corporation, one of North America's biggest roofing manufacturer maintains a list to help house owners find qualified roofing subcontractors. This site also contains a good deal of info about roofing products, general issues and solutions.

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TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

Popular in Europe and Japan for many years, "on-demand, tankless" water heaters are now becoming more typically found in North America, particularly for new homes. Tankless heaters are relatively compact wall mounted units, fueled either by gas or electricity that are built to produce hot water just when required. When a hot water tap is turned on at a household fixture, cold water starts to flow through coils in the unit and is instantaneously heated to a preset temperature then distributed to the plumbing fittings across the house. But the continued escalation of fuel costs and the redesign of many units to dump some of the earlier issues has led straight to renewed interest, essentially in new construction But for replacement of old or leaking traditional tank-type units also. The key benefits touted in the promotion of these units are their energy conservation, restricted space requirements, and ability to supply hot water whenever needed. Typically, tankless heaters provide adequate hot water at an ordinary water flow rate of 2 to Four gallons per minute. 

While these units will supply hot water on demand, they aren't designed for high water volume. They can offer adequate hot water as long as the draw through the system doesn't surpass design ratings. However, if there is a requirement for hot water from a lot of different fixtures at one time, a tankless heater may be unable to keep up. Hot water will continue to be produced however ; the high volume will end in a lower supply temperature. 

Most of these units also have an effective minimum operating flow rate and pressure. The most important reason for this limit is it's tough to maintain a safe water supply temperature at low water flow rates. At extraordinarily low flow rates, for example, less than 0.5 gallons a minute, the unit may stop making hot water. 

Indisputably, the reduced space need is a plus for nearly all installations not only because the unit takes up less physical space but because the smaller size provides options on placement in many different areas of a house that could not accommodate a big storage tank. 

To meet a predicted heavy demand, multiple tankless heaters can be installed at one central location, or 1 or 2 units can be distributed across the house. A tankless unit can also be used as an indirect heater by installing an insulated storage tank. The feasibleness of this option Nevertheless, must be weighed against the cost of installing a conventional water heater. 

When considering installing one of these units, house owners must look at all the costs and benefits vs storage tank type units. For existing homes, the routing and size of gas lines and exhaust vents are issues that may add to the price. Review express manufacturer info and understand that, at least at first, switching to a tankless heater will probably mean some adjustments in hot water use patterns .

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Closing day

Closing day makes reference to the date mutually agreed to by the seller and customer for the transfer of funds, title and the keys. This can be a difficult time for both parties considering that this might be the largest sale or purchase of a whole life. A few essential preparations can make the exchange flow smoothly. 

Purchaser Preparations 

The buyer must review the closing statement meticulously and double-check the calculations. Review the bank, title and escrow fees to make sure that what was discussed is precisely reflected in the paperwork. Also ensure that the title or escrow agent has the right title on the deed. 

You should also review the exact legal outline of the property and any liens, encumbrances or other items which may have been discovered in regard to the property. Correcting a vesting on a deed later can be laborious. 

Buyers should also prepare to re-inspect the property just before closing. This can avoid any evil surprises on moving day. On or after closing day, consumers have less leverage to demand that repairs or other guaranteed changes actually be completed. If the vendor promised to paint a fence or empty the pool you have a right to demand that these be done. 

Before signing your name to any closing document make certain that the IRs, various costs and the state of the property are all what you concluded to. Truthful mistakes have been seen to happen but these mistakes can be costly. 

Seller Preparations 

Whenever it's possible avoid closing on a Friday, at the months end, or before long weekends. If anything goes belly-up the banks will be closed. As an example, if you're retiring your home loan you can face addition interest adjustments if the funds reach the bank too late on a Friday afternoon. 

Don't forget your resources. The seller might be faced with 3 extra days of interest ( four days over a long weekend ). Depending on your jurisdiction, the buyer's counsel or notary will contact the local water, electricity and gas firms to have the meters read as of closing day. Nonetheless it may be your responsibility so be sure to check with your property consultant or lawyer beforehand. This avoids any gaps in service for the buyer and extra expense for the seller. 

Most other services into the home are the responsibility of the vendor. At least a week before the closing date, contact your cable television, telefone and Internet service supplier if you have one. Corrections There additionally are a few adjustments to consider. Terminating service on or just before closing day can save you additional charges. These are built to settle any cost incurred ( or earnings earned on rental properties ) by either you or the buyer as of the day of closing-which is what both parties need. Municipal property taxes, school taxes, monthly condo costs, utilities, and fire insurance ( and sales taxes ) are all common costs that have to be changed at closing. 

Any expenses you have prepaid before closing day are pro-rated, with the purchaser reimbursing you for the period in which you no longer own the property. Expenses that have not yet been paid, but which are applicable to the time during which you owned the home are in a similar fashion pro-rated and reimbursed to the vendor. 

Closing day need not be stressful if both parties plan ahead and review all documentation carefully. 

If the purchaser thinks your home loan, the major principal plus accrued interest and any funds held in your tax account are also altered for, as are first and last month's hire on rental properties. In reality with enough preparation, closing day should be the beginning of a new chapter for buyer and seller in their new homes.

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FIREPLACES

Any number of conditions can make a contribution to smoking problems in a wood-burning fireside. In some cases, cleaning or some relatively easy measures may improve conditions. 

Step one in most situations is to make arrangements for an inspection or cleaning of the chimney flue. An authorized chimney sweep is generally the right professional person to contact for chimney cleaning or inquiry of fireside or chimney problems. Many sweeps now have apparatus to take a DVD of the chimney flue so you can see precisely what problems may actually lie within the flue, as well as to confirm if it was cleaned properly. 

Here are some possible practical answers to irritating smoke problems : 

Raise the hearth. A fireplace opening that's too big compared against the opening of the chimney flue can lead to poor drafting ( the movement of the gases that come from the burning wood up the chimney ). By building up the base of the fireplace, the opening will be reduced. To try experimenting with this approach, a sheet metal hearth can be supported on bricks placed on the present hearth. If this change improves the draft, the hearth can be raised using firebrick masonry. The hearth extension may also be built up to the same level. 

Add a cover hood. Try numerous designs and sizes. An experimental model of a canopy hood can be made from sheet metal and briefly attached overboard of the fireplace opening. The higher the chimney, the better the draft. 

Extend the chimney. If the existing chimney is short a good draft could not be able to develop. A good draft is generally provided by a chimney which is Twenty feet or even more higher than the hearth. Several metal chimney sections can be momentarily installed on top of an existing chimney to check whether the draft is improved before a more permanent ( and costly ) fix is attempted. Wavering smoke patterns above the chimney may indicate that tall trees are causing a downdraft ( air forced down the chimney by the wind ). 

Trim surrounding trees. The surrounding trees should be trimmed and / or the chimney flue height extended to prevent this condition. 

Add a chimney cap or flueguard. If a downdraft appears to affect the exhaust gases, adding a chimney cap or flueguard of metal or stone may help deflect the air before it entering the chimney. 

These recommendations for applying amendments to smoking fire conditions could be only the first step sometimes. If there are major fire deficiencies or the chimney is deteriorated, more drastic measures will be required. The only practical options in serious cases could be to reconstruct the fireplace and / or chimney. A more cost effective option is to retrofit a masonry fire or chimney with a gas-powered fire coupled with a new metal flue inside the flawed chimney or to use an electrical fire and seal off the old chimney. Simply maintaining a tiny fire may help also.

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Real Estate Profession Has Much To Offer

March 23, 2013 -- The traditional Chinese thinker Confucius once said, "Choose a job you adore, and you will never have to work a day in your life" and for the men and women who have built careers steering you through one of life's most critical transactions, more true words were never spoken. 

Many of our city's more than 36,000 REALTORS set out on different career paths but before transitioning into the real estate profession. It is so widely recognized as an interesting second career option actually that provincial funding can be had through the Ministry of Training, Schools and Varsities to those who'd like to hound the profession's tutorial needs. 

Bigger Toronto REALTORs' sundry backgrounds mean that diverse skill sets are available for you to tap directly into across the course of your exchange. It is not uncommon as an example, for those from the legal, information technology and money services sectors to cross over into the real estate profession. Entrepreneurs and creative types, like home stagers and selling corporate executives regularly forge a path in real-estate also. These pro pasts transpose into particular strengths in areas like analysis, negotiation and show. 

In a 2010 survey of Larger Toronto REALTORS 52 percent of respondents indicated they'd achieved a varsity degree while another Twenty-seven % had made a university diploma. Although many such areas of study may represent steps in prior career trajectories, property is also increasingly being offered as a course of study at post secondary instructional establishments - a mirrored image of the incontrovertible fact that the business demands a gigantic body of skills and knowledge. 

You will find real-estate related courses and programs at York College, the College of Guelph, the School of Western Ontario, Queens Varsity, Ryerson University, and the University of Toronto. 

Regardless of their past academic and career accomplishments though , every person who practices real-estate in Ontario is needed to complete a challenging course of study set out by the profession's regulatory body, the real estate Council of Ontario. Community universities like Seneca, Humber, Centennial, George Brown and Durham now offer courses and programs as well. Thereafter, they must also get up to speed with the numerous tools used in the trade like the Multiple Listing Service, the buyer Registry Service and office communication systems, all of which are in place to help your transaction proceed as efficiently as practical. 

If you're planning on buying or selling a home in the approaching months consult with family, buddies and co-workers for referrals to their preferred REALTORS and spend a little time to ensure your REALTOR's strengths correspond with your concerns. By sharing your values and goals with the REALTOR you choose, you will establish the foundation for a successful outcome. 

As a initial step, be absolutely certain to go visit TorontoRealEstateBoard.com where you'll find a wealth of info including market updates, simple language explanations of frequently utilized property forms and details of state programs which will be of benefit to you.

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Safe and healthy home

Maintaining a safe and healthy home should be everybody's goal. Just as the right function of a home involves the interaction of countless systems, there are numerous factors that really must be addressed to ensure your home provides as safe and healthy an environment as practical. Here are just a few items of the many items to think about. 

Order a radon testing kit for your house. January was Nationwide Safety Radon Month nonetheless it is certainly never really too late to test your home for radon. Whether or not you tested your home one or two years ago or a recent test of a neighbor's home did not suggest a concern, it does not mean that present conditions in your own house are the same. House restorations, energy retrofits, and weatherization projects can all contribute to changes in radon levels. The only real way to find out if radon levels are elevated beyond the commended action point is to check for it. Pros guesstimate that radon causes more than Twenty thousand deaths from lung cancer each year. 

Make your home smoke and particulate free. Never let any person smoke in or near your home particularly if someone in your circle of relatives is pregnant, has asthma or other respiration issues. But it's not just ciggie smoke that will create a health jeopardy. Poorly vented fireplaces, unwarranted candle burning, the over-employment of aerosols and products publicized to "clean" the air all add potentially harmful suspensions. If you are not concerned about your own health, realize that folks control Ninety percent of their children's exposure to secondhand smoke and other airborne hazards. 

Check for fall dangers. Do a 3-minute "clean sweep" of your home, particularly the steps and corridors and especially if kids or older pals or kin spend some time in your home. Frequently pick up clothes, shoes, bags, and any other mess and clear it out of the way so it will not cause falls. Make sure guard rails and hand rails are present and soundly attached. Accidents on steps are a top-rated reason for a serious number of accidents in houses. Falls, especially on stairs, are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for adults over age 65. 

Test your smoke alarms. If they aren't working and you can't replace the battery or alternatively get them working correctly again, don't delay. Call a friend, relative, professional electrical craftsman or your local fire department and ask for help right away. Don't let one night go by without protection. Having working smoke alarms in your home cuts your risk of dying in a fire in half. 

Note : These tips are only general rules. Since each scenario is dissimilar, contact a pro if you have questions about a particular issue. 

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Toronto Land Transfer Tax March 20, 2013

TORONTO, March 20, 2013 -- In light of a suggestion to cap the Toronto Land Transfer Tax, being considered by the City of Toronto's Executive Committee today, the Toronto Real Estate Board is restating its powerful belief that this tax should be phased-out. 

"The Toronto Land Transfer Tax should be dumped, not capped. We are inspired that the Executive Committee is considering action on the Land Transfer Tax, not only is capping not quite enough to correct the problems this tax is creating for our City, it could make this bad tax even worse," claimed Ann Hannah, President of the Toronto Real-estate Board. 

In a letter to the Executive Committee, TREB has indicated that, based primarily on reported details, the suggested capping scheme could create substantial uncertainty for house buyers, if, as proposed, surpluses in Land Transfer Tax cash are devoted for reducing the tax in the subsequent year. Under this scenario, house buyers may be artificially inspired to obstruct home purchases, so interfering with the natural operation of the real estate market. The only possible way to really answer the problems this tax is creating for our Town is to get shot of it ; and with a predictable phase-out technique, home buyers could make intelligent choices and City Council could set a fair schedule, which would make market distortions unlikely," declared Von Palmer, TREB's Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer. 

Research has proven that city land transfer taxes have a unwanted effect on home sales. Howe Institute lately released an evaluation of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax, which shows that this tax has hurt Toronto's economy by dampening home sales by 16 %. The C.D. This is supported by a recent poll conducted by Ipsos Reid, which discovered that 77 per cent of GTA residents planning to get a home in the subsequent two years are more likely to purchase outside Toronto specifically to get around paying the Toronto Land Transfer Tax. This poll also discovered that virtually 7 in ten Torontonians, 68 per cent, support plans to eliminate the Toronto Land Transfer Tax. The public has continually made it clear that they require the Land Transfer Tax scrapped," said Palmer.

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Greater Toronto Area REALTORS-March 18, 2013

March 18, 2013 -- Greater Toronto Area REALTORS reported 3,594 transactions through the TorontoMLS system during the first 14 days of March 2013 down 11.5 percent compared with the same period last year. This fact notwithstanding, there has been enough competition between consumers to market moderate to robust upward pressure on average selling costs for most home types on a yearly basis," said Toronto Property Board President Ann Hannah. The quantity of new lists was up by less than two %. 

"The average cost for condominium residences in the City of Toronto was up over last year. If this price expansion continues, it may indicate that conditions are tightening a touch in this segment," added Ms. 

The average selling price for the 1st fourteen days of March was up by nearly 6 per cent year-over-year to $532,102. Hannah. Average costs were up for all of the major home type classes. 

"Due to tight supply, the average annual rate of price expansion for singles, semis and towns continues to far outrun the rate of inflation. The condo loft segment has been a lessening factor, which explains why our outlook for price growth in 2013 stays at approximately 3.5 % or $515,000 for all home types combined," related Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

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CREA-The Homebuyers' Road Map is available

March 8, 2013 -- Perhaps you are feeling nervous about your understanding of the financial implications of homeownership. 

Homes are a major asset, and for most Canadians, represent the single largest financial investment of their lives - and most purchasers must finance their purchase using some kind of credit. While homeownership could be a important source of equity over the long term, Canadians need to stay watchful about their finances at this imperative call point in their lives. This figure is especially suggestive as many in this age group are on the cusp of buying a home for the first time, and need to make smart financial decisions about their future. 

In a recent survey commissioned by The Canadian Real estate Organisation ( CREA ), Seventy percent of young Canadians between Eighteen and 29 indicated a "major need" for the details about the financial implications of buying a home. 

Many householders with locked-in rates may not feel the impact of market fluctuations until their mortgage comes due for renewal. Buying a home is certain to be a big decision. Whether or not it is your first time, or your 3rd or 4th home, it's a big investment that warrants careful fiscal planning and consideration. We are homebuyers' first line of contact, and as such, we want to continue using our information and experience of the home purchasing process to enfranchise Canadians to make sensible financial decisions. 

Representing 35,000 REALTORS, TREB recognizes members of arranged property have a vital role to play. 

REALTORS, and their nationwide organisation CREA, have collaborated with the Financial Buyer Agency of Canada ( FCAC ) to develop and provide a resource for Canadians to help them more easily understand and navigate the home purchasing process. The Homebuyers' Road Map* summarizes the financial facets of the home buying process as well as the importance of bargaining with lenders and utilizing govt programs. Our industry's target is to enfranchise Canadians with data, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions about homeownership, one of the most important financial and approach to life calls most will ever make. 

*The Homebuyers' Road Map is available free of charge on www.CREA.ca / resources.

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The Bank of Canada and its key policy rate

The Bank of Canada kept its key policy rate at One per cent on March 6th 2013. It has been unvaried at this level for at least 2 years, marking the longest period since the early 1950s that rates have been left untouched. 

While the Bank did maintain its previous steerage that the next move will likely be a rate jump, one way in which the Bank did take a rather more dovish stance was by way of what it didn't say this time, namely the warning it issued in January that raised rates could be required if shoppers continued to accumulate debt. The Bank referred to recent developments in the housing sector as "constructive", and reasserted its expectancy that household credit expansion would continue to moderate, with the household debt-to-income proportion stabilizing near current levels. 

This looks like an indication that the Bank is starting to become more relaxed with consumer borrowing and the housing market. 

The Bank announced its expectations for overall fiscal drag coming from the U.S. 

Despite the weak, though mostly anticipated reading for Canadian economic expansion in quarter 4 of 2012, the Bank asserted it still expects Canadian commercial growth to pick up through 2013 driven by "solid business investment" and "a recovery in exports". Over the next two years were principally unchanged, although it is now certain to be more front-loaded owing to sequestration spending cuts. This, combined with the weak handoff for growth from late 2012 into 2013, could mean a downgrade to the Bank's current prediction for expansion of Two percent this year ; however that outlook may not be revisited till the Bank's next Monetary Policy Report slated for release on April 17th. 

All that said the base line remains unvaried, specifically that business growth is predicted to stay modest but positive, consistent with low inflation and low interest rates. Growth in household debt burdens, which the Bank has frequently flagged as a major risk in this low rate of interest environment, continues to show positive indications of topping out as housing market activity continues to stabilize at a rather more sustainable levels. 

At the exact same time, expectancies for inflation remain amazingly well anchored, so that the Bank will be in no rush to raise interest rates anytime soon. At about that point, the 1st such policy move not likely until 2014 at the earliest, and even that presupposes that some of the more recent developments are basically a temporary soft patch, which remains to be seen. It has been unvaried at this level since the beginning of June 2012.

 

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TORONTO, March 5, 2013

TORONTO, March 5, 2013 -- Greater Toronto Area REALTORS reported 5,759 sales through the TorontoMLS system in February 2013 a decrease of Fifteen per cent compared with Feb 2012. It should be noted that 2012 was a leap-year with one additional day in February. A 28 day year-over-year sales comparison led to a smaller decline of 10.5 percent. 

The average selling price for Feb 2013 was $510,580 up 2 percent in comparison to February 2012. 

"The share of sales and dollar volume accounted for by luxury detached homes in the City of Toronto was lower this February matched against last. This contributed to a rather more modest speed of overall average pricetag expansion for the GTA as a whole," related Toronto Real Estate Board ( TREB ) President Ann Hannah. 

"Stricter mortgage lending guidelines that precluded central authority backed mortgages on homes sold for over one million dollars and the City of Toronto's extra up front land transfer tax possibly played a part in the slower pace of luxury detached home sales," added Ms. Hannah. 

The MLS HPI Composite Benchmark price covering all of the major home types eliminates fluctuations in price growth because of changes in sales mix. The Composite Benchmark price was up by more than 3 % on a year-over-year foundation in February. 

"We will unquestionably experience some volatility in price expansion for some market segments in 2013. However, months of inventory in the low-rise market segment will stay low, resulting in average cost expansion above 3 percent for the TREB market area this year. Our current average cost outlook is $515,000 for all home types mixed in 2013," claimed Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Executive of Market Analysis.

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  33 Elm Dr. #1505 Mississauga ON $234,900

 416-992-5010

YOUR HEATING SYSTEM

Both new and old forced warm air systems need some attention to help in keeping them running efficiently and smoothly in the season. Even though you'll have a comparatively new system, a regular check and maintenance is crucial. 

To preserve energy during the active part of the day, it is advisable to set the thermostat at a reasonable comfort level and leave it alone instead of steadily adjusting it. 

To further conserve fuel, install an electronic programmable thermostat to automatically raise and lower temperatures according to your family's schedule while everyone is out throughout the day and while sleeping during the night. 

Check the filter at least monthly in the heating ( and cooling ) season. Permanent, cleanable filters should be cleaned frequently ; expendable type filters should get replaced when grimy. 

Make sure all heat supply dampers on room registers are in the open position and not blocked by furniture or drapes. While a properly designed and installed heating system should supply uniform heat distribution throughout the house, in a few cases a diverter or booster fan may be needed to boost distribution. 

Consider a yearly service contract with a local utility or service company, particularly if your system is fueled by an oil burner. A certified service technician will clean the burners and the heating surfaces ; check for back drafting ( which can make a carbon monoxide danger ), check for balanced air distribution ; check safety controls ; and lubricate motors and fan if required. 

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