Home » Exterior home information » Add colour to your home’s exterior

Add colour to your home’s exterior

Published Darla Grant-Braid - February 10, 2017

When you pull up to your home, does the exterior bring a smile to your face? It should. Even the dull and dirty months that make up our Canadian winter shouldn’t deter your ability to enjoy a beautiful home exterior. One of the best ways to add some excitement to your home’s curb appeal is with colour.

When selecting paint colours for different elements of your home’s exterior, try to maintain a cohesive colour palette. You’ll also want to consider your home’s architecture and age.

Here are a few ways that you can use colour to update your home’s exterior

Front Door

Source: Maria Killam

Your front door provides an excellent opportunity to inject a bit of colour into your home’s first impression. This is also one of the easiest places to do a colour update, since it’s only requires some paint and a couple of hours.  Opt for a colour that makes you happy and also works well with the brick, stone or siding on the house.

Shutters

Source: House of Turquoise

Install new shutters or repaint existing exterior shutters to add an instant update to your home’s exterior. While the shutters don’t necessarily need to be the same colour as your front door, do ensure that the colour you choose compliments the overall look of your home. This can mean different things for different types of homes. For example, an older farmhouse can accept the charm of a brightly coloured shutter more readily than an 80’s era brick home in the suburbs.

Siding

Source: Home Bunch

To make a big change to your home’s exterior appeal, you can opt to replace your existing siding with something more colourful. While you may not realize it, you can get siding in colours other than the standard neutrals commonly seen. Adding new siding in tastefully colouful reds, browns and greens will instantly take years off of an older home.

Porch Décor

Source: Remodelaholic

The easiest way to add colour to our home’s exterior is with porch décor. During the colder months, add weather appropriate accents such as colourful lanterns, signage or even a brightly coloured bench. In Spring and Summer, you can accent with planters, flowers and other fun accents.

But, Don’t Add Colour here!

While you might think that your garage door is another excellent spot to add colour, think again. You might not realize it, but the colour of your garage door can actually have an impact on your home’s resale value, particularly if it’s right at the front of your house. Even if you have a colourful front door, it’s best for your garage door to blend in with the house.

Planning to update your garage door? Neutral colours are the most common option for new garage doors in Canada. Think whites, browns, gray, black and some darker shades of blue or green.

Home » Electrical installation and repair » Common electrical problems found in older homes

Common electrical problems found in older homes

Published Darla Grant-Braid - February 8, 2017

If you’re thinking about purchasing an older home, or have decided to renovate an older home in which you presently reside, it’s important to learn about certain electrical problems that tend to be common in homes of a certain age. Some of the problems you might uncover are minor, and can be easily remedied yourself. However, there are other electrical issues that require the expertise of a licensed electrician.

Here is a look at some of the more common problems homeowners and renovators can uncover in older homes.

No GFCI Outlets

A ground-fault circuit interrupter (or GFCI) is a device intended to protect a person against electric shock, by shutting off an electrical current when something interrupts its intended path.

Chances are, you see a GFCI every time you step into the bathroom at home. It’s that electrical outlet near the sink, with the “Test” and “Reset” buttons in the middle. If you don’t see one in your older home, it means that you need to do some minor installation work.

While GFCIs have been used in Canadian households since the 70’s, they weren’t a requirement until years later. Today, GFCIs are required by Canadian Code for outdoor outlets, bathrooms, whirlpools, and your pool’s electrical system.

If your home doesn’t have GFCIs in the required places, you can easily acquire them at your local home improvement store and install them yourself, or contact an electrician to do it for you.

Double Tapped Breaker

Double tapped breakers are typically discovered during a pre-purchase home inspection. Although they can be discovered anytime work needs to be done on the breaker.

A double tapped breaker refers to the instance of two or more wires connecting to a breaker not designed for multiple wires. It can result in faulty connections and poses a fire hazard. Repairing the problem can be done in an afternoon, but DOES require the services of a licensed electrician. Please, do not attempt to remedy this electrical problem on your own.

Copper vs. Aluminum Wiring

If your house was built anywhere between the 50’s and 70’s, there’s a good chance it may have aluminum wiring. With the price of copper on the rise in that era, opting for aluminum became a popular cost-cutting tactic.

Unfortunately, aluminum wiring simply does not have the tensile strength of copper, which makes it more susceptible to breakage and rust. Aluminum wiring is also more easily loosened, due to its tendency to expand and contract when heated. Unfortunately, these shortcomings can result in overheating and electrical fires.

If you suspect that your house may contain aluminum wiring, contact a licensed electrician. They can come to your home and do an electrical inspection. If aluminum wiring is found, you’ll need them to do a wiring upgrade for you.

Is this an expensive problem? It can be. However, it’s preferable to the overwhelming costs (both monetary and otherwise) that come with a fire decimating your home.

Knob and Tube Wiring

Over a million Canadian homes built prior to 1945 came standard with knob and tube wiring, and some of those older homes still have it today. Knob and Tube (K&T) wiring is comprised of single-insulated copper conductors, which run within cavities in the wall or ceiling. These conductors pass through holes in the joist and stud via protective porcelain insulating tubes, and are supported along their length on nailed-down porcelain knob insulators.

While many professionals no longer consider knob and tube to be the electrical boogeyman it was once thought to be, chances are, if you’re trying to purchase a house containing it, you’re going to have some problems with your mortgage and/or insurance.

You will need to have an electrician with knob and tube experience come in and inspect the knob and tube conductors, and confirm that best practices are in place.

Even if your wiring is perfectly safe, chances are your home isn’t going to have the electrical capacity required by today’s lifestyle demands. So, your best bet is to contact an electrical contractor and have them perform a wiring upgrade.

To find an electrical contractor in your local area, be sure to browse the listings here on eieihome.com.

Spring into home maintenance

(NC) Renovating is great for increasing the value of your home, but regular home maintenance is the easiest way to preserve your investment. As the weather warms, it is a perfect time to do a quick inspection of your home and catch up on simple seasonal chores.

With a little effort, you can keep your home looking great and functioning well for years to come. Here's a few tasks you should check off your to-do list:

Outdoors

• Clean out the gutters and remove any debris.

• Repair siding and peeling paint.

• Inspect your chimney and roof. Replace or repair loose or damaged shingles.

• Trim overgrown shrubs and trees, keeping branches two feet from the house.

• Inspect deck boards for possible deterioration and rot. Replace damaged boards and seal or re-stain, as necessary.

• Turn on the water supply to hose bibs and exterior faucets. Check for leaks.

• Clean windows and window tracks. Replace any damaged screens.

• Check around doors and windows for cracks and gaps. Caulk, as necessary.

• Clean your outdoor spaces (driveway, deck, porch, etc). Fix any damage. Reseal the driveway, if needed.

• Fertilize and aerate the lawn. Seed to fill any patchy areas.

Indoors

• Inspect the attic for poor ventilation, pests, damaged sheathing, mould or insufficient insulation levels. Top up insulation, as needed, with a mould and moisture-resistant product made of inorganic materials like Roxul Comfortbatt. Aim for a depth of 16 inches and an R-value of 50.

• Replace the furnace filter. Clean air vents, as needed.

• Clear out the dryer vent, removing any lint or debris which can pose a fire hazard.

• Check the washing machine and dishwasher fill hoses to make sure there are no cracks developing.

• Test ground fault circuit interrupters in the bathroom, kitchen, outside receptacles and on the electrical panel.

• Inspect and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries and replace units more than 10 years old.

Since your home tends to be your biggest investment, maintenance is time well spent!

Easily increase your home's resale appeal

(NC) Homes that show well and have great features typically sell faster than their counterparts, sometimes for a premium. If you want your home to stand out, a little effort can go a long way. Try these tips to create an enticing first impression.

1. Clean. A neat, clean home shows pride of ownership and suggests that it is well maintained.

2. Paint. Opt for a neutral color so buyers will feel like there's one less thing to do before moving in. Grey, beige or the popular combination known as “greige” are always a hit. A fresh coat of white paint on trim will brighten the rooms.

3. Highlight your home's energy efficiency and green features. This is increasingly a big selling point, especially among younger buyers. New insulation that offers superior thermal performance and increased fire resistance, like Roxul Comfortbatt and Safe 'n' Sound, represent long-term savings and benefits to potential purchasers. Smart thermostats and low-flow water fixtures are also coveted.

4. Consider replacing worn flooring. Another lower-cost option is to give your floors a makeover by refinishing hardwood or shampooing carpets.

5. Make simple updates. New light fixtures or hardware on cabinetry can provide your room with an instant refresh. Give cabinets a new coat of paint if they look tired or dated.

6. Let there be light. Replace heavy drapes with sheer window coverings or valances to flood the home with as much natural light as possible.

7. Open up space. Remove excess furniture and all signs of clutter. Organize closets and pantries. Open windows to allow the fresh air in.

8. Neutralize décor. Remove personal photos. Add inviting elements like fresh flowers, throws or toss cushions.

9. Create curb appeal. Clean and pressure-wash the driveway and walkways. Cut the grass, pull weeds, and trim shrubs. Consider planting annuals for fresh pops of color. Paint your front door and house numbers, if needed. Stage the patio furniture to create the feeling of an outdoor retreat.

10. Throw down the welcome mat, and let buyers take it all in.

Not ready to sell? These tips also work well to revitalize a much-loved older home.

DON’T DIY THESE HOME IMPROVEMENTS: ESSENTIAL ADVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS

November 22, 2016, By Teresa Cowart in Blog, For Home Buyers, For Homeowners. Tagged: DIY • Home Buyers • Home Improvement • Homeowners • Homeownership • Teresa Cowart

DIY projects in some cases are more affordable, but some projects should be left to the professionals.

With the easy access of DIY videos and articles, homeowners may have more confidence to tackle home maintenance projects.

DIY projects in some cases are more affordable, but some projects should be left to the professionals.

Changes Made To The Structure Of A Home

Homeowners from time to time will want to add a room or make a room larger by removing walls. Situations like this are best left up to the professionals. The soundness of a home’s structure is extremely important.

Certain walls are considered structural and knocking them down can significantly affect the safety of the home.

An expert will be able to gauge whether walls are structural or not and if they are, proper precautions can be made to maintain the structural integrity of the home. For projects like this, online video training is not a good idea.

Bonus! Realtor.com provides an article on how to open up a room by removing walls safely.

Adding New Bathrooms

Aside from small fixes such as a clogged drain or faucet change, plumbing improvements should be handled by professional plumbers. Adding a bathroom is a common home improvement for homeowners looking to add value to their home.

It is not an easy task and takes professional skills to create it. Depending on where the bathroom is located, plumbing lines will need to be added. Water supply needs to be confirmed. The new lines need to work together with the existing lines. All these things need to done correctly to prevent water damage, leaks and clogs.

Updating Electrical Systems

Anyone with an older home, can tell you that electrical problems can be very frustrating but also dangerous. Updating older systems, adding new electrical wires in walls and laying cable are much more safe if installed by an electrician.

There is a reason professionals go through all the training that they do, to ensure safe and effective installations in homes. Electrical shocks are a scary situation to be in as a homeowner. When faced with an electrical problem in your home, call an electrician, plain and simple.

Bonus! MC2 Home Inspections has written an informative article on electrical problems that can go wrong in an older home.

Cleaning Toxic Mold

When you suspect or find a mold problem in your home, bleach is NOT the answer. Toxic black mold is extremely dangerous to a person’s health. It should be disposed of in the proper manor to reduce the chance of releasing mold spores into the rest of the house.

Many times mold will begin to grow on areas of dry wall, in which case the dry wall will all have to be removed. Professionals know how to demolish, and transport the mold infested items. They also have access to special suits designed to keep themselves safe from mold spores as they clean.

Bonus! Anita Clark (GA Realtor) has provided an article on what to know about mold as a home buyer and seller.

What You Can Do

You may not be able to tackle the above projects yourself, but you can pick out and purchase many of the items needed yourself. Especially if you will be adding a new room to the house. Most things you will need can be purchased from a local hardware store or specialty home improvement store.

Check with the professional you will be using beforehand to ensure that your idea of items matches up with theirs. Other projects like painting, adding crown molding, laying backsplash and similar smaller jobs can be done well by homeowners.

Bonus! Michael Roberts Construction (Coastal Ga area) has written a handy article on how to install crown molding.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of things you can do yourself to improve your home. The key is to choose the ones you can safely (and legally) do. The rest should be left to the pro’s, as they have the expertise and special training you don’t have.

Home » Home Improvement Ideas » How to Add Romance to Your Bedroom Decor

How to Add Romance to Your Bedroom Decor

Published Devon Gleed - February 9, 2017

February is already here, and as some would say, it’s the month of love. Valentine’s Day is a day that some people enjoy celebrating while others prefer not to. Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or not, you should always make sure your bedroom is a romantic retreat for you and your partner.

Make Your Bed

Making your bed may seem like a tedious task in the morning but if you were to ask someone who makes their bed every day, what it’s like to get into bed at night, they’d more than likely tell you there’s nothing better than climbing into a clean, crisp bed at the end of a long day. Making your bed truly takes no time in the morning and studies show that it actually leads to a better sleep and more productive habits. To some up, no romantic evening starts with a messy bed, it just ends with one.

Avoid Clutter

A collection of things lying around your bedroom is the last thing you should have piling up in this room. It makes the space unnecessarily messy and diminishes any romantic vibe you’re trying to create. Along with clutter, you should avoid doing chores in your bedroom like piles of laundry or other household projects. Even if you’re in the middle of making decisions for a home renovation – avoid bringing those items into your bedroom. When you remove clutter, you remove the thought of projects that loom over you and provide more mental and physical space for relaxation.

Keep the Office at the Office

If you’re thinking of bringing a home office into your bedroom, think again. Bringing a home office into your bedroom is a negative option for multiple reasons. Doing so emits stress and reduces a romantic ambiance. With a desk always in sight, your mind will wander and mentally take you away from your rest and your partner.

Mood Lighting

Ceiling lights are bright, daunting and unflattering. Add side table lamps or a dresser lamp to create mood lighting in your bedroom. Mood lighting is exactly that. It makes the space feel warmer and cozier which is extremely necessary in the long, cold days of winter. Find elegant bed-side table lamps that create glamour and style to the space – they’ll automatically make the room feel more appealing.

Decorate with Memories and Lavish Details

The bedroom you share with your significant other should not only be a relaxing space, but a space that exudes love, without going overboard. Place wedding and family photos in elegant picture frames and put them on display on everyday surfaces so they can be seen and admired.

Details like mirrors and trendy headboards are a great way to elevate the element of desire in your bedroom. Headboards can be treated like art in the bedroom. You can find stylish pieces that will pull all the décor elements of your bedroom together – similar to artwork.

5 ways to avoid problems during closing – CREA

CREA > CREA Cafe > Open Mic > 5 ways to avoid problems during closing

5 ways to avoid problems during closing

Mark Weisleder - Open Mic - May 5, 2016

As we head into the very busy spring and summer real estate markets, here are some tips to remember when you are putting your deal together in the first place, to avoid problems at closing.

1. Avoid buying and selling on the same day

Clients believe they will save money when they buy and sell on the same day. This is incorrect both in actual costs they are likely to incur but, more importantly, considering the unnecessary risks they are taking. Imagine the buyer who does the following: they have the movers arrive at their current home early in the morning to pack up and head over to their new home only to find out that the earliest they will receive keys will be late in the afternoon. This means they’re now stuck paying extra in moving costs for the wait time and – even worse – if their buyer cannot close for any reason, they won’t be able to move into their new home or could default completely on their purchase if the seller does not agree to extend.

To avoid this, we often encourage bridge financing: close the purchase first and then close the sale a few days later. The entire risk is removed and they can move in slowly without any added moving costs.

If the client has no choice but to do both on the same day, do some research with the other buyer and seller to ensure they are not also buying and selling on the same day to avoid a chain reaction of deals not closing. It would also be worth negotiating with the moving company in advance to obtain a storage fee in writing, should this be necessary.

2. Remember to ask for two sets of keys

I can’t tell you how many times buyers have complained when they have not received two full sets of keys, garage door openers and FOBs on closing. How about using the following language:

“Seller agrees to deliver to buyer on closing two complete sets of keys, garage door openers and FOBs for complete access to the condominium unit, the mailbox, the building, parking garage, all common areas and the locker unit for the property purchased. If the seller fails to provide any key, garage door opener or FOB, then the Seller shall immediately pay the Buyer the actual replacement cost of any such key, garage door opener or FOB or the Buyer shall be given a credit for this amount on the final statement of adjustments.”

3. Conduct due diligence on any rental contract

Many sellers are now buying more than the hot water tank on rental. Find out in advance about any contract that must be transferred to the buyer on closing so there are no unwelcome surprises – the gas bill is a great place to start as this is where most of these charges appear. Then consider using the following clause to properly protect both the seller and buyer:

“Buyer acknowledges that if there is an existing hot water tank, water treatment system, furnace, HVAC, alarm system and/or propane tank that may be subject to a rental agreement, lease agreement or conditional sales contract, (the Rental Agreements”) notice of which may be registered against title to the property, then the Buyer shall, upon closing and thereafter, be solely responsible for all future costs and other obligations related to the Rental Agreements. In the event the obligations under any such Rental Agreement are not effectively assumed and/or transferred to the Buyer on closing, the Buyer agrees to indemnify the Seller in respect of all such obligations and to reimburse the Seller for any payment or payments made by the Seller under the Rental Agreements for the period after closing. This provision shall survive and not merge on closing.”

4. Know when to ask for help

Issues regarding parking pads or permits, basement apartments, zoning, building permits and lot coverage are not easy to figure out. If you are not sure, make the deal conditional upon lawyer review or further due diligence. Consider hiring a private planner who is experienced with the applicable city by-laws to assist you. If you have an issue with a tree on or near the boundary line, contact an arborist as cities have different by-laws when it comes to taking down trees or cutting roots or branches.

5. Little things matter

Is the closet organizer or television bracket included? Being clear about all the little things in your deal will help your buyers and sellers avoid aggravation after closing.

By being properly prepared when you sign your agreements in the first place, your clients will appreciate your services even more, which should lead to more repeat business and referrals.

The article above is for information purposes and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.

GTA REALTORS® release monthly resale housing market figures for January 2017

== TREB NEWS RELEASE ==


Source: Toronto Real Estate Board
TORONTO, February 3, 2017

                            Watch this video for Market Figures for January 201

GTA REALTORS^® RELEASE MONTHLY RESALE HOUSING MARKET FIGURES

TORONTO, February 3, 2017 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerqua announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 5,188 residential transactions through TREB's MLS® System in January 2017. This result was up by 11.8 percent compared to 4,640 sales reported in January 2016. Annual rates of sales growth were higher for condominium apartments than for low-rise home types.

January 2017 picked up where 2016 left off: sales were up on a year-over-year basis while the number of new listings was down by double-digit annual rates for most major home types.

"Home ownership continues to be a great investment and remains very important to the majority of GTA households. As we move through 2017, we expect the demand for ownership housing to remain strong, including demand from first-time buyers who, according to a recent Ipsos survey, could account for more than half of transactions this year. However, many of these would-be buyers will have problems finding a home that meets their needs in a market with very little inventory," said Cerqua.

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark price was up by 21.8 percent on a year-over-year basis in January.  Similarly, over the same period, the average selling price was up by 22.3 percent to $770,745, with double-digit gains in the average prices for all major home types.

“The number of active listings on TREB’s MLS® System at the end of January was essentially half of what was reported as available at the same time last year.  That statistic, on its own, tells us that there is a serious supply problem in the GTA – a problem that will continue to play itself out in 2017.  The result will be very strong price growth for all home types again this year,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.

Summary of TorontoMLS Sales and Average Price January 1 - 31, 2017
	2017			2016
	Sales	Average Price	New Listings	Sales	Average Price	New Listings
City of Toronto ("416")	1,904	727,928	2,886	1,684	635,702	3,737
Rest of GTA ("905")	3,284	795,569	4,452	2,956	627,055	5,169
GTA	5,188	770,745	7,338	4,640	630,193	8,906

TorontoMLS Sales & Average Price  By Home Type January 1 - 31, 2017
	Sales			Average Price
	416	905	Total	416	905	Total
Detached	466	1,795	2,261	1,336,640	999,102	1,068,670
Yr./Yr. % Change	-5.5%	11.9%	7.8%	26.8%	27.8%	26.3%
Semi-Detached	118	305	423	902,688	661,545	728,814
Yr./Yr. % Change	-3.3%	-6.7%	-5.8%	26.4%	28.5%	28.1%
Townhouse	183	594	777	658,349	604,263	617,001
Yr./Yr. % Change	7.6%	7.0%	7.2%	26.1%	27.8%	27.4%
Condo Apartment	1,125	511	1,636	471,409	379,169	442,598
Yr./Yr. % Change	26.8%	26.5%	26.7%	13.1%	18.5%	14.5%

January 2017 Year-Over-Year Per Cent Change in the MLS® HPI
	Composite (All Types)	Single-Family Detached	Single-Family Attached	Townhouse	Apartment
TREB Total	21.82%	25.32%	22.74%	22.71%	18.70%
Halton Region	22.63%	22.85%	23.54%	21.53%	-
Peel Region	22.66%	23.17%	24.76%	22.58%	20.63%
City of Toronto	16.33%	23.54%	20.41%	21.28%	20.99%
York Region	21.34%	29.03%	26.23%	18.69%	13.89%
Durham Region	26.43%	26.30%	26.16%	35.34%	25.94%
Orangeville	24.80%	24.99%	21.18%	-	-
South Simcoe County1	28.46%	28.16%	29.91%	-	-
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board
1South Simcoe includes Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Essa, Innisfil and New Tecumseth