Smoke Alarms
It is the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. The law applies to single family, semi-detached, townhomes and apartments (including basement apartments), whether owner-occupied or rented. Rooming houses have specific regulations about smoke alarms or fire alarm systems. In addition to smoke alarms within each unit or suite, apartment buildings and student residences operated by the school may also have a building fire alarm system. Make sure the landlord, administrator or super-intendent identifies and explains the fire alarm and detection features in the building and unit.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The Ontario Building Code requires carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in new buildings that contain a fuel-fired appliance. However, many existing buildings were constructed prior to this requirement and may not be equipped with CO alarms. If the building has a fuel-fired (natural gas, oil, propane or wood) appliance, a CO alarm should be installed.
Fire Separations
Students often find accommodation in older homes that have been converted to apartments or rooming houses. At the time of the conversion, a building permit should have been obtained to ensure that fire safety features such as proper exits and fire separations between units are provided. Ask the owner if the property complies with the Building Code and Fire Code and to explain the fire safety features.
Exits
It is important to consider how people will escape from a room or apartment in an emergency. Every room or apartment requires adequate exits that will permit unobstructed escape from the building. Make sure to ask the landlord or superintendent to identify all of the designated exits. All windows and doors should open fully and easily. Stairways and hallways must not be used for storage as this can pose serious fire safety hazards. Furniture and other obstacles can physically block exits and may fill hallways or stairways with smoke if they catch fire. This practice must be strictly avoided.
Fire Escape Plans
In a fire emergency, everyone must know what to do and where to go. Large apartment buildings and student residence buildings require a fire safety plan, which informs the occupants about emergency procedures. Ask the building administrator or superintendent to explain the procedures in the fire safety plan. Smaller apartment buildings and houses that have been converted to apartments or lodging rooms may not have a fire safety plan, however it’s a good idea to ensure there are two ways out of the unit. The alternate way out can be a window that can be safely exited in an emergency.
Security
Some property owners install bars on windows as a security measure. While this may seem appealing from a security point of view, it can prevent students from escaping in an emergency situation. Security bars on windows should be equipped with a quick-opening device on the inside so the bars can be removed quickly.
Electrical Safety
Many buildings offering lodging to students are older homes that may not have upgraded wiring. Outlets in bathrooms or within one metre of the kitchen sink should be the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) type. Consider the number and location of electrical outlets in the room or apartment. There should be enough outlets so that appliances such as lamps, computer equipment and stereos can be operated without the use of extension cords. If extension cords can’t be avoided, use multi-outlet power bars that are approved and provide surge protection and a circuit breaker. Make sure that electrical cords of any kind are not concealed under carpets or rugs where they can be easily damaged. Avoid overloaded circuits and octopus wiring.
For more information:
Contact the administration offices of the college or university. They will frequently maintain a registry of available accommodation for students. Call the local fire department to determine if the building has been inspected for Fire Code compliance.
Electrical safety tips and information about common electrical hazards can be found at the Electrical Safety Authority website at: http://www.esainspection.net/
Fire safety tips and information can be found at the Office of the Fire Marshal website at: http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/
Cooking
Cooking is the number one cause of home fires in Ontario. If the student accommodation has cooking facilities, there are some basic fire safety rules they must follow to prevent cooking fires:
A stovetop fire can start in a flash, so stay in the kitchen when something is cooking on the stove.
Keep all combustible items a safe distance away from the stove. This includes tea towels, wooden or plastic spoons and paper towels.
Keep a pot lid near the stove to smother
flames if a fire starts in a pot.
Candles
The use of candles is becoming more and more popular, especially among young people. To prevent candle fires:
Use tea lights or votive candles in non-combustible containers.
Place the candles in a location where they can't be knocked over or come in contact with combustible items.
Blow out all candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
Smoking
Fires caused by smoking can be deadly. Even if they don't smoke themselves, chances are the students will have friends that do. To prevent smoking fires:
Encourage smokers to go outside
Keep large, deep ashtrays on hand that will reduce the risk of ashes and cigarette butts falling onto rugs or upholstery
Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing
Electrical equipment
Overloaded circuits and octopus wiring are dangerous electrical hazards that can be avoided. To prevent fires caused by electrical equipement:
Use an approved power bar with a circuit breaker and surge protector to plug in computer and stereo equipement
Avoid the use of extension cords as permanent wiring
Make sure electrical cords are not concealed under carpets or rugs where they can be easily damaged
Space Heaters
The central heating systems in older accommodation is often supplemented with space heaters. To prevent heating fires:
Keep the space heater at least one metre away from anything that can burn, such as paper, bedding, furniture and curtains.
Turn off the space heater before going out or going to bed
Social Gatherings
Parties are as much a part of student life as attending classes. While most student parties are harmless fun, the consumption of alcohol combined with cooking or smoking can create a serious fire risk. To minimize the risk of fires during or after parties:
Avoid overcrowding. The more people attending the party, the easier it is to lose control of the situation.
Encourage guests to smoke outside. Consider putting up no smoking signs that direct guests to an outside smoking area.
Refrain from burning candles during parties. They can easily be knocked over or ignite nearby combustibles, unnoticed.
Smoke Alarms
If a fire does occur, it is critical that the dwelling have working smoke alarms to alert occupants as soon as possible.
The responsibility for smoke alarm installation and maintenance lies with the homeowner or landlord, however it is a good idea for parents to provide their child with a smoke alarm for his or her bedroom.
It is against the law for for tenants to disable or tamper with a smoke alarm.
If a smoke alarm activates due to steam from the shower or cooking on the stove, oven or toaster, ask the landlord to move the alarm to a different location, or install a smoke alarm with a pause feature.
Fire Escape Planning
When the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must know what to do and where to go. Encourage students to develop a fire escape plan, keeping the following in mind:
Know two ways out of every room, if possible. The first way our would be the door, while alternate escape may be a window that can be exited safely. Make sure all designated escape routes are accessible and free of clutter.
Leave the building as quickly as possible. Once outside don't re-enter the building for any reason.
Call 9-1-1 from outside the building using a cell phone or neighbours phone.
For more information the "Fire Guy" Paul Schuster or phone (905) 884-4423
Copyright 2000 © P - C & ASSOCIATES LTD.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Smart Home Buyers:
Rightsizing does not have to be “Scary”
Whether you are retiring, considering retirement, becoming empty nesters, developing physical limitations or the large family home is just too big to manage and contains more room than required, then making a change can be a daunting process. It’s an emotional time filled with difficult choices – and each decision you make has money riding on it.
Finding the right home to meet your changing needs is hard enough. But knowing how to find the right home is another job entirely.
As agents who have helped countless buyers find their dream homes, we’ve developed this guide to help you avoid the pitfalls inherent in the home-buying process. We’ll show you not only how to make sure you’ve found the right home, but also how to maintain or increase your lifestyle comfort level. In today’s complex, fast-paced market, you can’t afford to learn these lessons through trial and error. The tips contained in this report will go a long way toward making you a savvy buyer.
Tip No. 1 - Know what you’re shopping for before you start
Rightsizing does not have to be “Scary”
Whether you are retiring, considering retirement, becoming empty nesters, developing physical limitations or the large family home is just too big to manage and contains more room than required, then making a change can be a daunting process. It’s an emotional time filled with difficult choices – and each decision you make has money riding on it.
Finding the right home to meet your changing needs is hard enough. But knowing how to find the right home is another job entirely.
As agents who have helped countless buyers find their dream homes, we’ve developed this guide to help you avoid the pitfalls inherent in the home-buying process. We’ll show you not only how to make sure you’ve found the right home, but also how to maintain or increase your lifestyle comfort level. In today’s complex, fast-paced market, you can’t afford to learn these lessons through trial and error. The tips contained in this report will go a long way toward making you a savvy buyer.
Tip No. 1 - Know what you’re shopping for before you start
Before you begin shopping, understand that there are two homes there vying for your interest – the one that meets your needs vs. the one that fulfills your desires. In a perfect world, you’d find a home that satisfies both. But since this isn’t a perfect world, you are going to find yourself confronted with choices.
Do you choose the three-bedroom with a room for your extended family (grown children’s family, elderly parents), or the one with the big back yard and deck that’s perfect for entertaining? Is having a big kitchen more important to you that a few extra rooms?
When you start shopping, you are going to find homes you fall in love with for different reasons. That’s why you should list the features you want before you start shopping. Use the form provided at the back of this report, break your list into two categories – “Needs” and “Desires” – and then prioritize the items you come up with.
Understanding what you really need as opposed to what you would like to have will help you keep your priorities straight as you shop around. We’ve seen people fall in love with a home for the wrong reasons, then regret their purchase when the home fails to meet their needs.
Don’t let emotion cloud your judgment. Satisfy your needs first. If you find a home that meets your needs and fulfills some of your desires, so much the better. The important thing is to know the difference before you get caught up in the excitement of the hunt.
Tip No. 2 - Pick a winning team to help you.
From picking a mortgage to finding the right home to inspections to negotiating the best deal, it can be exhausting for even the hardiest souls. That’s why most people have a Realtor in their corner to help with the process of building a successful team. A good agent has the knowledge and experience that comes from years of helping both buyers and sellers.
Most sellers you encounter are certainly going to have professionals in their corner. Having a pro on your team is the best way to make sure you get the best deal and the right deal possible.
Tip No. 3 - Make sure your Realtor knows what you are looking for.
Once you have a clear, detailed picture of the home you want, make sure your agent has the same picture. This communication is critical. Otherwise, you will both waste your time looking at homes you are really not interested in.
Also, make sure your Realtor knows your priorities. Your shared goal is to find a place that meets all of your needs: your Realtor will then try to satisfy as many of your desires as possible.
A good Realtor will ask you several questions about what you’re looking for and what you can afford. And they will listen carefully to your answers.
Tip No. 4 - Hire a professional home inspector
In our experience, spending a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection is the best investment you will ever make. A professional inspector brings experience in examining a great many homes, good evaluation standards and an unbiased perspective.
Tip No. 5 - You are buying a home for changing needs
Remember the reasons why you are in your current home and how your needs have changed or how they will be changing. For a good part of your lives, you have needed room and facilities for a growing family.
Do you need the same features to entertain your friends as opposed to your children’s friends? Were they using the recreation room for different reasons? Would you prefer a large patio as opposed to the recreation room? Do you need a family room, a recreation room and living room to entertain? It was great to be able to go to a different room from where the children were entertaining.
Do you need less of a garage and a smaller driveway if the number of drivers has decreased or, a larger garage due to a new hobby of collecting cars?
All of these questions have to be listed on the needs list and reviewed with your agent.
Tip No. 6 - Know your mortgage tolerance
Money is the single most important part of buying a house. Your money situation has most likely changed significantly over the years and you may not have a mortgage at this time.
Your move to the right size house may not mean moving to a less expensive house. When considering the location, you will pay more for the waterfront location, the lack of neighbors, access to a marina or any other high demand neighborhood.
You may be coming from a house that you have lived in for many years and where it now requires some major repairs or upgrades. The house could be classified as “dated”. Moving, gives you a chance to get all of the modern features that you have dreamed of.
So, going from a large family home to a more comfortable size home in the perfect location and with the modern conveniences, may cost you more. This may take some of your savings or cause you to add or increase a mortgage. This is a major consideration that you need to discuss with your agent.
Tip No. 7 - How many bedrooms do you really need?
You definitely don’t need bedrooms for a growing family. So what do you really need? Will there only be the 2 of you in the house for the majority of the time? Are you either working from home or retired and both living full time at home? If yes to any of these questions, then the master bedroom should be your focus.
This is your time to get what you want. Don’t compromise on bedroom size. If you are use to a king size bed or want a king size bed, then get a bedroom that works.
If you are downsizing to a bungalow and the main bathroom is being used for guests, then you may want to have an en-suite bath for your own privacy. If you are currently using a separate shower then don’t do without. In some cases, downsizing to a small bungalow may require you to go to get a 2 bedroom option as opposed to the same house with a 3 bedroom option in order to get a large enough master with a good en-suite.
Remember, bungalows have a large footprint giving you a large basement. This can be utilized by putting an extra bedroom and bath in the basement along with other utility rooms that you don’t need on a daily basis: exercise room, games room, crafts room, workshop, etc.
If you have not retired and require a home office, then you need to decide whether you want to work on the main floor or in the basement. If you decide on a bungalow this is where your needs have to be thoroughly defined. 2 bedrooms on the main floor with one being used for an office, then the guests use the basement bedroom.
Knowing the greater cost of a bungalow per square foot as compared to a 2 story house, you may decide to downsize to a 2 story to get the required number of bedrooms with a smaller lot.
Tip No. 8 - Location, location, location!
It will cost you.
How often have you stated “if we move, I want to be close to……”. In most cases, great or desired locations cost money. So you have been thinking that downsizing will save you money. Well here is another case of where it will cost you more.
Being close to a marina or any popular attraction adds value to the property. You would not be the only person with these desires. You do have to determine what your true desires are.
Another consideration is what you do during your free time. You may want easy highway access or you may want to be closer to a cottage as well as being close to your existing popular haunts and being close to your family.
Tip No. 9 - Dining requirements will take some drastic changes
Do you choose the three-bedroom with a room for your extended family (grown children’s family, elderly parents), or the one with the big back yard and deck that’s perfect for entertaining? Is having a big kitchen more important to you that a few extra rooms?
When you start shopping, you are going to find homes you fall in love with for different reasons. That’s why you should list the features you want before you start shopping. Use the form provided at the back of this report, break your list into two categories – “Needs” and “Desires” – and then prioritize the items you come up with.
Understanding what you really need as opposed to what you would like to have will help you keep your priorities straight as you shop around. We’ve seen people fall in love with a home for the wrong reasons, then regret their purchase when the home fails to meet their needs.
Don’t let emotion cloud your judgment. Satisfy your needs first. If you find a home that meets your needs and fulfills some of your desires, so much the better. The important thing is to know the difference before you get caught up in the excitement of the hunt.
Tip No. 2 - Pick a winning team to help you.
From picking a mortgage to finding the right home to inspections to negotiating the best deal, it can be exhausting for even the hardiest souls. That’s why most people have a Realtor in their corner to help with the process of building a successful team. A good agent has the knowledge and experience that comes from years of helping both buyers and sellers.
Most sellers you encounter are certainly going to have professionals in their corner. Having a pro on your team is the best way to make sure you get the best deal and the right deal possible.
Tip No. 3 - Make sure your Realtor knows what you are looking for.
Once you have a clear, detailed picture of the home you want, make sure your agent has the same picture. This communication is critical. Otherwise, you will both waste your time looking at homes you are really not interested in.
Also, make sure your Realtor knows your priorities. Your shared goal is to find a place that meets all of your needs: your Realtor will then try to satisfy as many of your desires as possible.
A good Realtor will ask you several questions about what you’re looking for and what you can afford. And they will listen carefully to your answers.
Tip No. 4 - Hire a professional home inspector
In our experience, spending a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection is the best investment you will ever make. A professional inspector brings experience in examining a great many homes, good evaluation standards and an unbiased perspective.
Tip No. 5 - You are buying a home for changing needs
Remember the reasons why you are in your current home and how your needs have changed or how they will be changing. For a good part of your lives, you have needed room and facilities for a growing family.
Do you need the same features to entertain your friends as opposed to your children’s friends? Were they using the recreation room for different reasons? Would you prefer a large patio as opposed to the recreation room? Do you need a family room, a recreation room and living room to entertain? It was great to be able to go to a different room from where the children were entertaining.
Do you need less of a garage and a smaller driveway if the number of drivers has decreased or, a larger garage due to a new hobby of collecting cars?
All of these questions have to be listed on the needs list and reviewed with your agent.
Tip No. 6 - Know your mortgage tolerance
Money is the single most important part of buying a house. Your money situation has most likely changed significantly over the years and you may not have a mortgage at this time.
Your move to the right size house may not mean moving to a less expensive house. When considering the location, you will pay more for the waterfront location, the lack of neighbors, access to a marina or any other high demand neighborhood.
You may be coming from a house that you have lived in for many years and where it now requires some major repairs or upgrades. The house could be classified as “dated”. Moving, gives you a chance to get all of the modern features that you have dreamed of.
So, going from a large family home to a more comfortable size home in the perfect location and with the modern conveniences, may cost you more. This may take some of your savings or cause you to add or increase a mortgage. This is a major consideration that you need to discuss with your agent.
Tip No. 7 - How many bedrooms do you really need?
You definitely don’t need bedrooms for a growing family. So what do you really need? Will there only be the 2 of you in the house for the majority of the time? Are you either working from home or retired and both living full time at home? If yes to any of these questions, then the master bedroom should be your focus.
This is your time to get what you want. Don’t compromise on bedroom size. If you are use to a king size bed or want a king size bed, then get a bedroom that works.
If you are downsizing to a bungalow and the main bathroom is being used for guests, then you may want to have an en-suite bath for your own privacy. If you are currently using a separate shower then don’t do without. In some cases, downsizing to a small bungalow may require you to go to get a 2 bedroom option as opposed to the same house with a 3 bedroom option in order to get a large enough master with a good en-suite.
Remember, bungalows have a large footprint giving you a large basement. This can be utilized by putting an extra bedroom and bath in the basement along with other utility rooms that you don’t need on a daily basis: exercise room, games room, crafts room, workshop, etc.
If you have not retired and require a home office, then you need to decide whether you want to work on the main floor or in the basement. If you decide on a bungalow this is where your needs have to be thoroughly defined. 2 bedrooms on the main floor with one being used for an office, then the guests use the basement bedroom.
Knowing the greater cost of a bungalow per square foot as compared to a 2 story house, you may decide to downsize to a 2 story to get the required number of bedrooms with a smaller lot.
Tip No. 8 - Location, location, location!
It will cost you.
How often have you stated “if we move, I want to be close to……”. In most cases, great or desired locations cost money. So you have been thinking that downsizing will save you money. Well here is another case of where it will cost you more.
Being close to a marina or any popular attraction adds value to the property. You would not be the only person with these desires. You do have to determine what your true desires are.
Another consideration is what you do during your free time. You may want easy highway access or you may want to be closer to a cottage as well as being close to your existing popular haunts and being close to your family.
Tip No. 9 - Dining requirements will take some drastic changes
Your kitchen and dining room requirements are changing. You may require or had required room for a family kitchen and enough room for food for a family.
The stocking of food may not be required and a separate refrigerator in the basement may handle your entertainment needs. The extra small freezer may be enough for most of your needs.
Now looking at the number of rooms is a big concern. Can you do without a dining room and utilize a large kitchen? Can you use a smaller kitchen and entertain in a dining room? These are 2 ways downsize.
Tip No. 10 - Your main living area is simpler with 2 people
Also to consider with the downsizing is the need for both a main floor family room and a separate living room. In some cases you will find a great room replacing the 2 rooms. So instead of downsizing both rooms, you can combine them. Without the family at home on a daily basis, you may only need the use of 1 room. If you still are not sure, then add in the use of the recreation room. Now you have 3 that can drop to 2 with very little inconvenience.
A number of new houses have open concepts with the kitchen open to the family room or great room. This works very well with a couple. What there is to consider is the amount of noise in either room that may disturb anyone in the other room. For example, the noise in the kitchen could bother people watching television.
Tip No. 11 - How to separate you living styles to different areas
A number of new houses have open concepts with the kitchen open to the family room or great room. This works very well with a couple. What there is to consider is the amount of noise in either room that may disturb anyone in the other room. For example, the noise in the kitchen could bother people watching television.
Tip No. 11 - How to separate you living styles to different areas
The basement may take on a whole new meaning and it is now time to take advantage of what you have always dreamed of. Most adult entertaining will be done on the main floor of the house. The dining room, living room, or great room will be where you may want to put your money for upgrades.
The basement, especially with a bungalow, will allow you to put in any hobby that your may have. It is now, not a hiding place for teenagers. This could include the pool table, the dart board, an exercise room, the workshop (one that you only dreamed of) or even an indoor hot tub.
With the size of the basement in a bungalow you can have a spare bedroom and bathroom, along with your hobbies. It also works well if you are using the second bedroom on the main floor as an office.
Tip No. 12 - The master bedroom is both intimate and practical
You have to think about the amount of time you spend in your bedroom and the existing furniture that you have. You may also have a substantial en-suite bathroom that would be difficult to eliminate.
People spend a lot of time during the day either sleeping of dressing or just relaxing. You need to be comfortable. Your cloths need to have room or they will complain. You will have trouble downsizing the closet.
Tip No. 13 - House styles that include the structure
Now with all of the previous considerations within a house you have to determine which style best fits your needs.
There are advantages to a bungalow with main floor access to all rooms. If you or any family members have problems with stairs, this does help accommodate them. It is very
convenient to be able to go from room to room if you are living and/or working from home on a full time basis.
The bungalow also allows you to have a very large basement to do whatever you want. You will have room for storage, especially if you are moving from a larger house or if you are still storing you children’s stuff. You can have any hobby you want as defined earlier.
The advantage of a 2-story, is cost per square foot is less and you require less property to put the house on. You can get a townhouse the same size as a bungalow on half the property. Property costs both in initial costs and with taxes.
Tip No. 14 - What can you tolerate with right sizing?
With the right sizing of any house and with what we just reviewed, you have to determine how much less house you would be satisfied with.
Tip No. 15 - Is the garage for hobbies or just storage?
The basement, especially with a bungalow, will allow you to put in any hobby that your may have. It is now, not a hiding place for teenagers. This could include the pool table, the dart board, an exercise room, the workshop (one that you only dreamed of) or even an indoor hot tub.
With the size of the basement in a bungalow you can have a spare bedroom and bathroom, along with your hobbies. It also works well if you are using the second bedroom on the main floor as an office.
Tip No. 12 - The master bedroom is both intimate and practical
You have to think about the amount of time you spend in your bedroom and the existing furniture that you have. You may also have a substantial en-suite bathroom that would be difficult to eliminate.
People spend a lot of time during the day either sleeping of dressing or just relaxing. You need to be comfortable. Your cloths need to have room or they will complain. You will have trouble downsizing the closet.
Tip No. 13 - House styles that include the structure
Now with all of the previous considerations within a house you have to determine which style best fits your needs.
There are advantages to a bungalow with main floor access to all rooms. If you or any family members have problems with stairs, this does help accommodate them. It is very
convenient to be able to go from room to room if you are living and/or working from home on a full time basis.
The bungalow also allows you to have a very large basement to do whatever you want. You will have room for storage, especially if you are moving from a larger house or if you are still storing you children’s stuff. You can have any hobby you want as defined earlier.
The advantage of a 2-story, is cost per square foot is less and you require less property to put the house on. You can get a townhouse the same size as a bungalow on half the property. Property costs both in initial costs and with taxes.
Tip No. 14 - What can you tolerate with right sizing?
With the right sizing of any house and with what we just reviewed, you have to determine how much less house you would be satisfied with.
Tip No. 15 - Is the garage for hobbies or just storage?
What are you planning on using the garage for?
If you spend a lot of time in the yard you may need extra room for garden equipment. As we age, we like to get more power tools or riding lawnmowers. Where are you going to store the equipment?
If you spend a lot of time in the yard you may need extra room for garden equipment. As we age, we like to get more power tools or riding lawnmowers. Where are you going to store the equipment?
Some of us have hobbies that include cars. Will you go for a third vehicle that gets stored for the winter? Will you want the 3 car garage or can you even get one? One consideration that gets overlooked is the size of the newer garages. Some have corners cut off for house living areas and all of the newer garages are smaller. If you even consider a classic full size car, you may have trouble putting it in the garage.
Tip No. 16 - Don’t be pressured into a quick deal
While you want to move expeditiously once you are in negotiations, don’t let the other side pressure you into a quick close. It may be a sign that there’s something you should know, but don’t. And the reason could be worth money.
Tip No. 17 - Know your hidden costs
There’s more to buying a home than the mortgage. Don’t forget to factor in inspection fees, transfer taxes, title insurance, and every other dollar you will have to spend in order to know what you are really paying for your new home. Review these items with your agent.
Now armed with this knowledge, you stand a much better chance of avoiding overpaying for your home.
As you can imagine, there is no learning curve that forgives mistakes made during the home-buying process. If we had to choose only one tip from the several we just listed, it would be this: get yourself a good Realtor – someone whose sole interest in the deal is to watch out for your interest. If you take this advice, the rest will follow. A truly sharp agent will make sure that you follow all of the other suggestions that we have included in this report. And please feel free to use the checklist we’ve supplied with this report to help in your home search.
Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation of any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to area home owners. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home buyer.
Peter Dewsbury
peter@dialthedewsburys.com
Now armed with this knowledge, you stand a much better chance of avoiding overpaying for your home.
As you can imagine, there is no learning curve that forgives mistakes made during the home-buying process. If we had to choose only one tip from the several we just listed, it would be this: get yourself a good Realtor – someone whose sole interest in the deal is to watch out for your interest. If you take this advice, the rest will follow. A truly sharp agent will make sure that you follow all of the other suggestions that we have included in this report. And please feel free to use the checklist we’ve supplied with this report to help in your home search.
Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation of any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to area home owners. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home buyer.
Peter Dewsbury
peter@dialthedewsburys.com
www.DialTheDewsburys.com
Sales Representative
Sutton Group-Heritage Realty Inc.
905-619-9942
Your Home Buyer’s Comparative Shopping List: Needs vs. Desires
My Needs in a Home WHAT DO I ABSOLUTELY NEED IN MY NEXT HOME
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________
My Desires in a Home WHAT DO I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IN MY NEXT HOME
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________
Sales Representative
Sutton Group-Heritage Realty Inc.
905-619-9942
Your Home Buyer’s Comparative Shopping List: Needs vs. Desires
My Needs in a Home WHAT DO I ABSOLUTELY NEED IN MY NEXT HOME
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________
My Desires in a Home WHAT DO I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IN MY NEXT HOME
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________
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Friday, August 3, 2007
Creating curb appeal!
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. But when it comes to houses, the exterior can be just as important as the interior if selling or buying.
When selling, it is the outside, or the home’s curb appeal that often determines whether the inside is ever seen. How a house 'shows’ from the street can tell a potential buyer a lot about what it may be like inside. Even if the inside is the sparkling, charming, structurally sound dream home they’ve been searching for, a buyer is not going to forget a cracked driveway, fallen shutters, overgrown grass and flower beds.
That’s why most REALTORS recommend a house not be seen for the first time at night. If you have no choice but to view homes at night, always be sure to drive past them during the daytime before making any final decisions.
For sellers, there are many ways to enhance the exterior of a home to achieve the curb appeal necessary to attract prospective buyers. Start by taking a close, objective look at your home from the curb. Be sure to view it from different angles. Ask friends and neighbors for their unbiased opinions. What are the appealing features? What’s not so appealing? What can you do to improve its appearance?
Are the shrubs untrimmed? Are there broken doors and windows, loose screens and railings? Does the exterior trim, or entire surface, need a paint job?
The interior may be clean, without a leaky faucet, cracked floor or loose door hinge in sight. But if the exterior roof, gutter, walls, driveway, garage and yard look dirty and untidy, chances are you’re not going to get a lot of potential buyers knocking at the door.
Creating curb appeal is making your home inviting from the outside -- where first impressions begin. This doesn’t mean spending a great deal of money remodeling and renovating. Adding a new front verandah might add a lot of curb appeal, but so will a couple of wicker chairs and potted flowers by the front door - at a lot less cost.
Here are some more tips for making the outside of your home attractive and inviting:
Clean up the yard Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, weed the flower beds, get rid of dead trees and shrubs; get rid of any broken lawn furniture; shovel the walk and driveway in winter; rake the yard in the fall.
Repair any problems If the roof is damaged, repair it. Also repair any doors and windows that have loose hinges or other damage; fix storm doors and window screens; caulk window exteriors; clean and repair sidings and other structural flaws.
Eliminate clutter If you have yard and construction debris piled up along the side of the house, or elsewhere, get rid of it. The exterior of your home should be as uncluttered in appearance as the interior. This includes cleaning out the garage - a major breeder of clutter. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used something in a year, give it to charity or recycle it.
Give siding a fresh new look Cleaning the exterior surface is all your home may need for a fresh new face. Before rushing to paint siding, try washing it. For painted wood siding and aluminum siding, use a solution of one cup strong detergent and one quart chlorine bleach in three gallons of water. Be sure to wear rubber gloves, goggles and other protective garments. Work from the bottom up and rinse thoroughly.
To spruce up vinyl siding, hose it down, sponge it with a mild liquid detergent and rinse.
Use paint to brighten, re-proportion exterior A paint job can do wonders for the exterior of a home. A low house can look more graceful and tall from the curb by emphasizing its vertical features. Paint elements such as doors, shutters and corner trim in a color that contrasts with the siding material or color. On a high home, emphasize horizontal by using a contrasting paint color on window sills and fascia boards. You can also make a tall house look lower by painting it a dark color, provided that the roof is dark too. Conversely, a light color will make a home look larger.
Co-ordinate the exterior 'look’ The more co-ordinated your house looks from the outside, the more appealing it will be. Co-ordinate the 'look’ of your home by painting the garage, tool shed, playhouse and other outdoor structures with the same color schemes as the house. If your house is a mixture of conflicting textures - vertical siding, shingles and brick, for instance - try painting them all the same color, or in two related shades of the same color, to create a harmonious look. Dark tones work best when working with conflicting textures.
Use flower power Well-placed flowers, trees and shrubs can really make the outside of a home look inviting. Not only does attractive landscaping invite buyers, it can increase the value of a home. Even without major landscaping, flowers can make a yard look colorful and pleasant. Plant them in garden beds, hang them from railings and porch ceilings, add flower boxes to window sills. There is no limit to the power of flowers.
At night, highlight garden features with spotlights and floodlights. Well-lit paths and entrances promote safety, discourage burglars and are an added feature to any home. A pretty wreath on the door and a welcome mat will finish things off. Source: OREA
When selling, it is the outside, or the home’s curb appeal that often determines whether the inside is ever seen. How a house 'shows’ from the street can tell a potential buyer a lot about what it may be like inside. Even if the inside is the sparkling, charming, structurally sound dream home they’ve been searching for, a buyer is not going to forget a cracked driveway, fallen shutters, overgrown grass and flower beds.
That’s why most REALTORS recommend a house not be seen for the first time at night. If you have no choice but to view homes at night, always be sure to drive past them during the daytime before making any final decisions.
For sellers, there are many ways to enhance the exterior of a home to achieve the curb appeal necessary to attract prospective buyers. Start by taking a close, objective look at your home from the curb. Be sure to view it from different angles. Ask friends and neighbors for their unbiased opinions. What are the appealing features? What’s not so appealing? What can you do to improve its appearance?
Are the shrubs untrimmed? Are there broken doors and windows, loose screens and railings? Does the exterior trim, or entire surface, need a paint job?
The interior may be clean, without a leaky faucet, cracked floor or loose door hinge in sight. But if the exterior roof, gutter, walls, driveway, garage and yard look dirty and untidy, chances are you’re not going to get a lot of potential buyers knocking at the door.
Creating curb appeal is making your home inviting from the outside -- where first impressions begin. This doesn’t mean spending a great deal of money remodeling and renovating. Adding a new front verandah might add a lot of curb appeal, but so will a couple of wicker chairs and potted flowers by the front door - at a lot less cost.
Here are some more tips for making the outside of your home attractive and inviting:
Clean up the yard Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, weed the flower beds, get rid of dead trees and shrubs; get rid of any broken lawn furniture; shovel the walk and driveway in winter; rake the yard in the fall.
Repair any problems If the roof is damaged, repair it. Also repair any doors and windows that have loose hinges or other damage; fix storm doors and window screens; caulk window exteriors; clean and repair sidings and other structural flaws.
Eliminate clutter If you have yard and construction debris piled up along the side of the house, or elsewhere, get rid of it. The exterior of your home should be as uncluttered in appearance as the interior. This includes cleaning out the garage - a major breeder of clutter. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used something in a year, give it to charity or recycle it.
Give siding a fresh new look Cleaning the exterior surface is all your home may need for a fresh new face. Before rushing to paint siding, try washing it. For painted wood siding and aluminum siding, use a solution of one cup strong detergent and one quart chlorine bleach in three gallons of water. Be sure to wear rubber gloves, goggles and other protective garments. Work from the bottom up and rinse thoroughly.
To spruce up vinyl siding, hose it down, sponge it with a mild liquid detergent and rinse.
Use paint to brighten, re-proportion exterior A paint job can do wonders for the exterior of a home. A low house can look more graceful and tall from the curb by emphasizing its vertical features. Paint elements such as doors, shutters and corner trim in a color that contrasts with the siding material or color. On a high home, emphasize horizontal by using a contrasting paint color on window sills and fascia boards. You can also make a tall house look lower by painting it a dark color, provided that the roof is dark too. Conversely, a light color will make a home look larger.
Co-ordinate the exterior 'look’ The more co-ordinated your house looks from the outside, the more appealing it will be. Co-ordinate the 'look’ of your home by painting the garage, tool shed, playhouse and other outdoor structures with the same color schemes as the house. If your house is a mixture of conflicting textures - vertical siding, shingles and brick, for instance - try painting them all the same color, or in two related shades of the same color, to create a harmonious look. Dark tones work best when working with conflicting textures.
Use flower power Well-placed flowers, trees and shrubs can really make the outside of a home look inviting. Not only does attractive landscaping invite buyers, it can increase the value of a home. Even without major landscaping, flowers can make a yard look colorful and pleasant. Plant them in garden beds, hang them from railings and porch ceilings, add flower boxes to window sills. There is no limit to the power of flowers.
At night, highlight garden features with spotlights and floodlights. Well-lit paths and entrances promote safety, discourage burglars and are an added feature to any home. A pretty wreath on the door and a welcome mat will finish things off. Source: OREA
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