Winter Maintenance: How to Keep Your House Warm
By Glenn Duxbury
As the winter season approaches and things start cooling down outside, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home for the season. Beyond the usual preparations for temperature change and worrying about a drafty home, it’s also important to consider the fact the winter season means spending a lot more time indoors.
In winter, the furnace (or other heat source) is the heart of your house. Before anything else gets done, make sure you check your filter. If it’s old and dusty, you can either clean it or replace it. If your house /town home runs on forced air, you should spend the money to get the ducts vacuumed. Getting rid of the previous year’s dust, pet dander and other dangerous build-ups, instead of blowing them around your house for another season, is well worth the investment.
Next, make sure you’ve got a good and working carbon monoxide detector & smoke alarms on all levels. If you’ve got such already, make sure they work – you don’t want to endanger yourself or your family with faulty safety equipment.
You’ll also need to take humidity into account. Check the de-humistat connected to the main Bathroom fan is set properly and the fan is clean. If clogged, you can clean it with a vacuum or replace it entirely – especially if excessively NOISY and you cannot stand it. If you live in an apartment with radiators or electric heat, those can be vacuumed of accumulated dust.
Now, before you start sealing up your home for the season, you might want to give your house or apartment a really good cleaning. Get into those small, dusty areas and scrub them well, this way you can start your indoor season with a fresh, clean environment.
Keeping warm in the winter means ensuring you keep the heat inside. This means weatherproofing your doors and windows, plus the attic hatch cover.
Speaking of the attic, is the level of insulation sufficient ? Is your attic healthy (dry and clean) ? Anything living up there ???
For doors, there are a few things you can do to keep the draft from winning the battle for heat:
1. Install a sweep along the bottom of all your exterior doors. The sweep screws into the door and it has an adjustable rubber edge that makes a seal, which stops the draft from coming in under the doorway.
2. Apply “sticky foam” (like tape) to the inside edges of the door trim, sealing up the doorway against the winter winds.
3. Purchase weather-stripping which screws onto the outside edge of the doorway.
For windows:
1. Purchase temporary, removable caulking. Make sure you read and follow the instructions because, when the spring comes around, you don’t want to ruin your walls and/or window panes when you remove the caulking.
2. Use removable draft seal, which is also like tape. Simply tape up your windows in the winter and peel the tape off in the spring.
3. Finally, the old standard plastic (apply by blow-drying) is also an option. If you don’t want to seal up your windows, you can always avoid window drafts are by making use of window coverings like heavy drapes or blinds.
Now, don’t seal up all of your windows! Make sure you can still open one or two of the best which have a good seal when closed because even thought it might be cold, it’s still important to get some fresh air inside.
Now your space will be warm for the season, why not make it cheerful?
Buy some potpourri or beeswax candles (which naturally keep areas dust free) and ‘green up’ your space with some plants, which add some much needed oxygen to any home.
Keeping a warm, comforting and energy efficient home is one way to beat the winter doldrums!
On the outside:
1. Clean debris out of gutters.
2. Have roof checked to ensure no leaks.
3. Bring snow shovels to an easily accessible place near your house door
(i.e. not the crawlspace or the detached garage).
4. Purchase chemical de-icer or salt to have on hand for walkways and driveways. Remember – salt is for pavement and chemical de-icer is for concrete. Never place salt on concrete!!
5. Have your furnace and gas fireplaces serviced if not already done. Change or clean your furnace filter.
6. Turn off your hose bibs (outside taps) and remove hoses to storage. If your hose bibs are not frost protected, either install a heat tracer wire on your pipes or wrap with a cloth or towel to protect them from freezing.
7. Ensure you have working flashlights and candles easily accessible for those unexpected power outages.
8. If you have a wood burning fireplace you should have your flue cleaned and checked prior to using it this winter. Ensure your smoke damper is closing properly – against excessive heat-loss. Also remember not to burn Xmas wrap in your fireplace. This is a major cause of chimney fires.
It is always wise to purchase the items that are necessary, early – so you do not get so surprised at the hardware store after the first snowfall when they have sold out all snow shovels and de-icer.
Glenn Duxbury & Associates- Building Inspection and Consulting
“Uncovering Tomorrow’s Surprises, TODAY !”
604 524-2502 http://www.glennduxbury-inspections.com
Home Buying Tips
Remember the adage that a man’s (or a woman’s) home is their castle? In order to find the best suited castle for you, you need to remember a few tips in purchasing a home for you. While the process may differ, be your purchase is in your own neighborhood or a home half way around the world, there are some basics that never change regardless of territory and it would serve you in good stead to keep them in mind once you decide on purchasing your home where you can put up your feet and rest your weary body at the end of the day.
Having an agent.
This may seem to be not a good piece of advice as agents would certainly add on to the purchase price of your home. This cost though would be well worth it as you save on time in looking at homes that fit your requirements. Also, having an agent would help you find those listings that have not become public, making your search much more efficient in terms of time and gas. Also, their expertise would prove invaluable as to the hidden costs and other repairs that need to be done on the home you eventually choose to become your castle.
Do your research.
Doing your research is not just going online but also doing the legwork at the home you seek on buying. Also, you need to spend time on the paperwork, which you need to prepare for by learning it before the actual sale commences. In doing this, you are able to find the best and most cost effective way of finding your home that is within your budget and your requirements.
Fixing your Loan.
Not everyone has the ready cash to make an outright purchase of a home. Thus before purchasing a home, it would be best to have a loan approved for the purpose. Also, in getting a loan, you would have a limit as to the home price you can purchase, thus giving you a ceiling and not overburden your financial plans in the long run. Having a loan also would help you in making the right purchase since you need to fit the home into your financial resources.
Negotiating the Price.
The common error that many purchasers do is comparing listed prices between homes for sale. The secret here is not on the listed price but in the ability to negotiate the purchase price. Thus it would be better to find out the comparable sale prices for homes similar to your prospective purchase. Also, you can negotiate the price with the owner based on the current condition of the house, the payment scheme and overall goodwill and rapport you can build in order to lower the overall purchase to your advantage as the buyer.
Do a complete inspection.
Don’t just look at the overall look of the house. You need to get into the nooks and crannies of the property you would eventually call your home. Once you agree on the purchase, you cannot go back to the seller to have things repaired at their cost. Thus it is best to do a complete check up of the home before your purchase and have the owner repair what you find before eventually assuming ownership of the property.
The aforementioned are some of the fail-safe tips that home purchasers should do before parting with their money on their future home. In doing these steps, the buyer can be rest assured that their future castle would be well worth the price they have paid for the future.
For more information on home purchases, do visit us at http://www.propertycommunity.com/property-in-the-uk/ditching-the-high-street-agent-saves-property-sellers-thousands-in-fees.html or join the discussions at www.propertycommunity.com.
How to Buy A House: Avoid These Common Mistakes!
By Andrew Black
Finding and buying a new home can be an overwhelming experience. It can be both exciting and stressful at the same time as there are just too many ‘hot’ properties up for sale in the market. Homebuyers, especially the first timers, usually find it confusing and challenging to come up with the best home purchase. With so many homes up for sale, it can be hard to find and buy the best.
Logically, any homebuyer needs to conduct actual and ample research before finally getting into any purchase deal. Experts advise buyers to learn from the mistakes committed by others instead of learning from their own home purchasing blunders. First-time buyers would find it particularly beneficial to do so. There are several usual mistakes committed by homebuyers. It would be ideal if you would strive not to commit the same errors to make sure your purchase is the right one.
Buying Based on First Impressions
Many homebuyers usually commit the mistake of buying a property based on first impressions. In general, buyers are tempted to choose and buy homes that look fabulous. Homes that initially look messy and not properly painted are usually disliked although most of them are of best conditions and are exhibiting ideal interior and structural designs. Likewise, homes that are not well designed and are close to condemnation are preferred because buyers like the new wall paint and other aesthetic features.
The best way to overcome this mistake is to conduct a proper and thorough home inspection before you buy. Many first-time homebuyers fail to do this. It is advisable to hire an inspection professional or employ the services of a home inspection company. Ask for guidance before making the purchase. A good home inspection report should provide you with a comprehensive list of pros and cons of buying the property. Take note of potential setbacks identified that would possibly make you lose your money in futility.
Some buyers also fail to first check out the neighborhood before entering purchase deals. Some homes may appeal to the first impression of prospective buyers although they are located in an area where there is no reliable and sound infrastructure and where amenities are poor. Instead of being influenced by initial impressions, look at a different perspective. Would the home be too far from major establishments and institutions like schools, groceries, churches, or parks? Would it take too long to travel from the house to your work?
Lack of Enough Knowledge About Negotiations
A number of homebuyers believe that the best way to enter a fair price negotiation is to offer low. In reality, such a strategy would just hamper flexibility, possibly polarising the purchase discussions. If you are not very adept and knowledgeable about buying properties, be honest to yourself and employ the expertise and services of experienced realtors. Such professionals have mastered the art and science of winning negotiations.
Another common mistake when buying a home is making an offer based on an asking price instead of a market value. In general, home sellers usually conduct a comparative market analysis before imposing and assigning price tags to any property for sale. It would be best if you would get hold of a similar analysis. You have to first understand the logical prices in the area before making an offer. This could be your best defense against possibly buying a home above normal or market prices. Of course, no seller would dispose a property at below market valuation.
Before making an offer, you as a homebuyer should also know and understand your basic rights as well as obligations in making an offer. Many buyers commit the mistake of overlooking this aspect. Your understanding of the purchase offer and the proposed contract would certainly spare you from getting into friction with other parties involved. Thoroughly check all contract clauses and assumptions as such factors could potentially lead to improperly increased costs. Beware of clauses that could lead to a void contract. In this regard, hiring a professional realtor could still be advantageous. A lawyer’s advice should also be sought.
Andrew is a contributing author in various real estate blogs. Andrew has been working in the finance industry for several years as a refinance specialist and has advised many home buyers on the best solution for their home loans
Home Purchase Inspection: What You Need to Know Before Choosing An Inspector
By Glenn Duxbury
It’s often said that one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make will be your home. However, unlike the guarantee a buyer receives with most purchases, there’s no money-back, guarantee or return policy if you’re not satisfied with your recently purchased home. Once you buy a home, you’re on your own to maintain it, repair it, anticipate problems and pay the bills – assuming there has been no misrepresentation made. This is why it’s best to know as much as you can about potential problems before you make the commitment to buy.
What home and property inspectors do:
One of the best ways to understand about a home’s condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or life-span of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will reveal or uncover the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.
A pre-purchase inspection by a true professional for a basic home (1,800 to 2,200 sq. ft. house) should take at least 4-5 hours, minimum, to be very thorough and should cost upwards of $500 – $600 assuming there is no secondary living suite(s). Following the inspection, the buyer is presented with a written report, consolidating the details of the inspection. The home inspector should be willing to answer any questions a buyer might have and to clarify the limitations of the inspection to avoid misunderstandings. CMHC and many other agencies /consumer-protection sources of information on the subject strongly recommend that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience, to say the least, and is an excellent opportunity to ask lots of questions.
Scope of the inspection:
The home inspector will provide a visual inspection by looking at the home’s various systems, including interior and exterior components. The inspector should check exterior components including roofing, flashing, chimneys, gutters, downspouts, wall surfaces, the foundation, and the grading around it. Note that if the inspection takes place in the winter, the roof and the foundation may not be fully visible for inspection if they are covered with snow and ice. For safety and insurance reasons, the home inspector is not required to climb up on a roof to look at it but will /should make all possible efforts to do so. However, the home inspector should inspect the roof from the ground. This also applies to the chimney and downspouts. If problems or symptoms beyond the scope of the inspection are found, the home inspector may recommend further evaluation by another professional /specialist.
The home inspector will also check interior systems including electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, flooring, ceiling and wall finishes, plus windows and doors. Note that a home inspector is not qualified to inspect a wood-burning appliance such as a fireplace or wood stove unless they are WETT (Wood Energy Technology Training) certified, as a specialist. To be properly inspected, the chimney must first be cleaned.
As with the outside of the home, the inspection of the interior systems is visual, meaning that the inspector will not be able to see behind walls or under the floor. Professional inspectors, however, use specialized detection devices to help “see” behind interior finishes not normally visible such as very sensitive moisture detectors to check for water where it should not be, combustible gas detectors, electrical circuit-testers and infra-red thermometers.
What an Inspection Does Not Include
An inspection does not and should not be expected to include appraisal information, exact quotes for repairs, or pointing out non-compliance with building code requirements. A home inspection is not intended to provide warranties or guarantees. A home inspection is intended to help you make an informed decision about buying your home. A home inspection is not to be mistaken as a “warranty” on the home or guarantee against future maintenance and repair needs.
Choosing a home inspector:
Home inspecting is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge, experience and communication skills. While consumers, banks, and the insurance industry have been encouraging the home and property inspection industry to develop standards of practice with a certification program for some time, there is presently no uniform certification and no requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely, asking a lot of important questions. Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or regional industry Association. Each of these Associations has set standards, which, in some cases, are recognized by provincial governments. Some Associations have developed membership categories based on the individual members’ qualifications.
Standards for these Associations currently vary from province to province, but the industry is working toward implementing accreditation and certification standards. To become a member of these associations, an inspector must meet educational requirements followed by a review process. Members of these associations are also required to have errors and omission insurance, as other professions require. Until consumers can identify home inspectors who have achieved uniform certification, it is important to ask lots of questions and choose wisely when selecting a home inspector (NOT just ‘price’), since this is not a ‘commodity’.
- Insured and Licensed ?
- Written Report and when can I expect to receive same ?
- Member of a professional Home Inspector Association ?
- How long will the inspection take ?
- References ? Training (if any)?
- Knowledgeable about Condos /Strata-titled units (if not buying a detached house) and will you look at more than just the Unit interior ?
- Do you allow me to attend, also and ask questions ?
- Will you also check appliances (most do not) ?
-Glenn Duxbury, CHI, License #47730 – Owner
Glenn Duxbury & Associates-Building Inspection and Consulting
“Uncovering Tomorrow’s Surprises, TODAY !””
Inspection Report Saves Woman From Money Pit
By Kathryn Britnell
I recently worked with a new client who was a newly-single woman, as she transitioned her life and became a new homebuyer, Frances, (not her real name) needed help on a rush basis. She had made an offer on a house, at the time, subject removal was within 24 hours of our introduction. She needed advice to confirm whether the house was insurable.
Frances was bidding on an older home, built in 1920′s. This house had an 80-year history of original construction and renovations and some areas where the maintenance information was unknown or placed the property in a class of insurance underwriting known as “special risk”.
Frances did her due diligence and hired a home inspector, which showed issues not visible to the untrained eye.
This property was said to have an old below-ground oil tank (which in the end was not the case), knob & tube wiring of over 15%, required an immediate roof replacement, asbestos, partial vermiculite insulation, cast iron waste pipes, a deck with structural problems and old drain tile which was stated to be of questionable reliability and age.
This potential homeowner viewed this property as a home renovation project on a large-scale. She thought she could repair the issues over time, which worked with her budgetary constraints and once completed she viewed it as a smart investment. It also helped that the house had a self-contained basement suite.
We recommended that this buyer submit the inspection report to the insurance market and ensure that the insurance company acknowledges in writing that they are aware of all the issues with the house and avoid any allegations of non-disclosure which would result in denied claims.
The number of insurers interested in this risk were limited to a handful of insurance companies which provide Special Risks coverage. The terms we received would have required Frances to immediately re-roof and update the wiring. The asbestos and vermiculite would have to be removed by an accredited abatement contractor. The premium was three times what she would have paid for insurance on a home without the extensive list of repairs and the policy was only offered for six months at a time, so if she was unable to follow-through we would have issues with obtaining insurance at the end of six months.
In the end, Frances did not buy this property, which I think was the right decision.
The home inspection not only showed Frances that she had her work cut out for her, the insurance costs were much more than she had anticipated and the Insurer’s terms held expectations on Frances in regards to the renovations, including deadlines for the work to be completed.
In advance of buying a home in need of extensive renovations or construction, it is recommended that the buyer obtain insurance quotes as part of the subject removal to ensure that they are fully informed of the terms and have adequate time to secure an insurance policy.
Further questions or assistance you can view Kathryn’s profile by Clicking Here by phone at 604-250-7530 or by email at kathrynbritnell@gmail.com
Connect With Us!
Subscribe
