Home » Decorating & Design » Fall lawn and garden care

Fall lawn and garden care

Published Darla Grant-Braid - August 25, 2016

www.realtorpankajpatel.com

The pop-up grocery store nurseries have all been packed away and the potted mums are out. That can only mean one thing –time to start thinking about fall lawn and garden care. In addition to your summertime routine of mowing and weeding, now’s the time to consider strategies that will ensure the health and vitality of your home’s lawn and garden as they overwinter.

A common misconception is that this is the time to hold back on your yard work because of your lawn’s slowed growth. However, this is the opposite of what you should actually be doing. As Fall approaches, your lawn and garden need more attention than ever.

Here are a few of the ways to keep your landscaping healthy and well-maintained

Fall lawn care tips

Now is not the time to neglect your lawn!

Feed Your Lawn

Lawns are like any other living creatures that goes through a hibernation period. Prior to its long winter’s nap, your lawn is busily enjoying a non-stop Fall feast. It needs to take in as many good, rich nutrients as possible in order to survive the long, cold winter. That’s why it’s essential to provide it with a meal of good quality fertilizer.

Repair Bare Spots

If your lawn is dotted with dead spots, whether from pet urine, a child’s playhouse or inflatable pool, or simply due to the unseasonably dry summer, now is the time to start repairing the damage. Late summer and early fall temperatures allow you to reseed when the weather isn’t too hot or cold. NOTE – don’t use the usual fertilizer on the reseeded spots, or it will burn the new grass. You’ll want to go with a fertilizer specially created for seed starting.

Aerate

Many experts agree that aeration isn’t something that needs to be done every year, but rather every couple of years. If your lawn hasn’t been aerated in recent years, then now is a good time to do it. Core aeration prevents your lawn’s soil from becoming compacted and promotes the improved intake of water, oxygen and nutrients.

To perform this task, you can rent an aeration machine or contact a local lawn care company to do it for you.

Fall gardening tips

September is a big month for working in your flower garden. This is the time to start cleaning things up and preparing not only for winter hibernation, but also spring blooms.  Here are a few tasks to get to in the coming weeks.

Planting

Now is the time to put spring bulbs and new trees or shrubs into the ground. Doing so in September gives their roots about 6 weeks to establish themselves before the frost sets in. However take note, if it seems like the summer is going to be particularly long, you may want to hold off till later in September, rather than at the start. This will prevent them from sprouting in this current season.

Preparing

During the months of September and October (let the weather help you dial in your particular schedule) you’re going to begin preparing your garden for winter. This means fertilizing, pruning and cleaning things up. This is also the time to try and ease the burden of next year’s weeding by removing as many weeds as you can now. Because weeds that aren’t removed can go to seed, and weeds that go to seed equals more weeds next year.

Local Canadian lawn and garden care professionals are right around the corner!

If you don’t have the time or are otherwise unable to take on your own fall lawn prep work, you’ll be happy to know that there are local lawn care professionals nearby who can take care of it for you. Simply browse the lawn care listings here on eieihome.com and to do research and request quotes from some of the professionals who work in your neighbourhood.

Preventive Medicine for Your Home and Wallet

                Preventive Medicine for Your Home and Wallet
                     By Toronto Real Estate Board
                      August 17, 2016TREB WireHome Maintenance, House, Real Estate

                                                                  

The purchase of a home is one of the biggest financial investments that most people will ever make, so protecting that investment is paramount. That’s why it’s crucial to stick to a comprehensive home maintenance plan. Constant upkeep of your home will help it run efficiently, save you money and ensure a painless transaction when it’s time to move on.

Today, I’m going to offer you some advice on how you can implement a long-term, low-cost program that could limit the number of repairs you’ll need to undergo when it’s time to sell.

While most of these tips apply to freehold homeowners, everyone should read on to see what applies to their situation. This article also provides a sense of the financial obligations of good home maintenance for first-time buyers.

Regular Improvements

Monitoring your home on a regular basis will help you spot any potential problems before they turn into major headaches. Some suggestions for annual upkeep:

Plumbing

• Test faucets
• Clean drains
• Test main shut off valve & hot water tank pressure valve
• Clean sump pump

Outside Structure

• Replace weather stripping around windows & doors
• Fill cracks with epoxy
• Recaulk foundation
• Lubricate garage door

Roof

• Replace loose shingles
• Schedule chimney cleaning & roof inspection

Foundation

• Fill cracks with epoxy
• Clean up mould & mildew

Electrical

• Check bulbs, outlets & cords
• Check detectors & replace batteries
• Clean lint traps, hood vents and fans

Heating, Ventilation & A/C

• Replace furnace filters (every 3 months)
• Schedule annual furnace inspection
• Cover A/C unit in the fall

Drainage & Landscaping

• Clean eavestroughs & down spouts (twice a year)
• Inspect & patch driveway
• Regrade soil away from home

Long-Term Improvements

Long-term improvements occur less frequently, but may cost a bit more than the average home maintenance routine. Some improvements you may consider working into your long-term budget include:

5 Years

• Replace sump pump

10 Years

• Replace hot water heater
• Install new windows
• Repaint home exterior
• Replace smoke, carbon monoxide & radon detectors 

15 Years

• Replace external doors
• Replace central A/C
• Repave driveway

20 Years

• Replace roof shingles
• Replace furnace

25-30 Years

• Regrade property around foundation
• Replace eaves, soffits & fascia

Other Maintenance Tips

 Consider creating a home maintenance schedule. That way, you’ll ensure you stay on top of your home improvements, and prevent any unnecessary, and potentially costly surprises.

You may want to consider adding a budget for landscaping, fixtures and current finishes. These cosmetic improvements could increase your home’s desirability, and potential value when it comes time to sell.

While this list isn’t all-encompassing, homes are as unique as the homeowners themselves, this list can certainly help guide and ensure your home is more efficient and safe. I hope you’re proud of your investment and wish you continued enjoyment of your home  in the years to come.

The Worst Condo Investing Advice, Ever!

--AUGUST 24, 2016 - 5 MINUTES READ

--Courtsey of Ryan Coyle, Co-Founder CONNECT Asset Management

In real estate, there are wide-ranging opinions on everything. It seems like everyone – even the inexperienced – have an expert opinion on how real estate will perform.

As a result, we’ve heard some pretty bad advice over the years. Some of it is innocent misinformation. Other times it’s completely off the wall. And believe us, we’ve heard some real doozies over the years.

But of all the awful things we’ve heard, there are a few pieces of advice that are head and shoulders above the rest as pure rubbish. Just the absolute worst!

We’ve compiled some of the terrible tidbits we hear. We’re hoping to dispel some of these ridiculous reasons today.

Worst Condo Investing Advice #1:

“The Condo Fees Aren’t Worth It.”

A lot of the poor advice we hear comes from American real estate sites. The truth is that it’s not bad advice. It’s just misguided. For the markets that these American writers are writing about, they’re probably right. Condos aren’t the best choice in some areas of the US.

In Canada — and especially in Toronto — things are a little different. In many US markets, the cost of condos is comparable to the cost of single family homes. Toronto, as you may know, is a different animal.

According to TREB’s last report in June 2016, the benchmark price of a single-family detached home is $826,400. That’s up 18.77% from this time last year!

Condos in Toronto have a benchmark price of $415,326 for Q2 2016. They appreciated at a more sustainable (but still very profitable) 7.1% since that time last year.

Now the majority of the single-family detached homes are VERY old inventory and need major rents and/or upgrades on almost a regular basis. The condo inventory is MUCH newer and come with warranties, so your overhead outside of the maintenance fees is very little if any at all. I’ve owned a beautiful detached home and I can tell you that I spent tens of thousands on upgrades. I’m happy to say I now live in a condo as my primary residence 

At less than half of what a single family home costs, the condo fees are a drop in the bucket. And, those condo fees often pay for great amenities like a pool and an exercise room!

Worst Condo Investing Advice #2:

“Developers Are Building Too Many Condos!”

Toronto has some of the lowest vacancy rates in Canada. And condos, too, share these ultra low vacancy rates.

According to a report published by Urbanation, vacancy rates in rental developments are now at 0.5%. Meanwhile, new condo supply has dropped to a 6-year low. We often feel like a broken record, but all the facts are there. We’re in the midst of one hot condo market.

Worst Condo Investing Advice #3

“Rent, don’t buy — real estate is just a money pit!”

This one’s a real gem. The worst of the worst. Real estate is like other investments. It’s possible to get a lemon. And that’s why you protect yourself. We’ve discussed risk minimization at length, and that’s why we’re here to help you.

With new-build condos, Tarion is there to help protect you against shoddy workmanship. If there’s a problem with your condo in the first few years its built, the builder has to repair it themselves. And pay for the repairs, too!

Imagine you bought a condo for $400,000 two years before it was move-in ready. You live in it or rent it out for five years — while covered by Tarion — before selling. At a conservative 5% appreciation per year (remember, GTA condos have appreciated 7% in the past year alone) compounded annually for seven years, you’d be looking at selling your condo for just over $562,000. Now that’s a great return!

The worst advice you can get is to put your head in the sand and not to invest at all. There’s nothing worse than sitting on the sidelines during the golden age of Toronto condo investing. While nay-sayers are crying that the sky is falling, but they’re missing out on the rising tide of Toronto condos.

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Intro to reno: A look at hardwood flooring

Published Darla Grant-Braid - June 16, 2016

                                           www.realtorpankajpatel.com

Under the header of hardwood flooring, there are many different types, textures and wood species to choose from. For new homeowners, or those who have never really given flooring much thought, the sheer volume of choices maybe seem to be a bit intimidating. That is why it a good idea to do your homework first; even though  flooring experts are typically on hand  in both flooring and big box home renovation stores.

With that in mind, here is a look at the different types of hardwood flooring, flooring textures and some of Canada’s most popular woods species for flooring.

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Source: Armstrong Flooring

Solid Wood

Solid hardwood flooring boards are each made from a single piece of wood, which can be sanded and refinished as needed. This type of flooring should not be used in basements or bathrooms.

Engineered

Engineered hardwood flooring is hardwood at its core, with three to ten layers that have been glued together. Engineered hardwood tends to be more moisture resistant, making it less likely to buckle, gap or warp than solid. This makes it a better option than solid hardwood in places like basements or bathrooms.

Reclaimed

Reclaimed wood flooring consists of wood products that have been previously manufactured and are being recycled either intact or as part of a new product. Reclaimed hardwood flooring can be made from wood sourced from old barns and beams, and wood barrels or salvaged logs.

Surface Textures and Finishes

Smooth

Source: Build Direct

Smooth textured hard wood floors are lightly sanded to a pristine finish.  The look is flawless and the feel is soft to the touch. Smooth textured floors are among the most popular, if not the most popular.

Hand scraped

Source: Build Direct

Hand scraped flooring has a rustic, well-worn appearance. The finish isn’t perfectly smooth, but instead looks naturally distressed and often has a distinct waved appearance. This texture is excellent for high traffic areas, since the naturally distressed appearance easily camouflages any minor scrapes, dents or scratches.

Wire brushed

Source: Build Direct

Wire brushed is another distressed hardwood texture. Wire brushed hardwood features a subtle texture, which is the result of a wire brush being pulled across the wood’s surface, leaving the heart wood exposed. Like hand scraped, wire brushed wood floors are great for high traffic areas, due to their ability to camouflage daily wear and tear.

Open Grain

Open-grain is not so much a texture that can be universally applied, but rather a texture that is specific to certain wood species. These woods have large pores, which can lend the appearance of a courser surface than that seen in smooth wood floors. Oak and hickory are considered open grain woods.

Piano Finish

A high-gloss finish that makes the floor look as if it has been covered in glass. This finish tends to be fairly high maintenance.

Low-Gloss

A more causal, matte appearance than the very formal gloss of a piano finished floor.

Pickled

Pickling is also known as white-washing. This finish is created when a liming solution or wax is applied to the wood to give it a faded, aged appearance.

Common Hardwood Flooring Species

Different species of wood flooring are chosen based upon graining, colour variations and Janka hardness rating. The Janka hardness test measures the wood’s resistance to denting and wear. This is measured by embedding an 11.28 mm steel ball into wood to half the ball’s diameter. The higher the score, the more able the wood species is to tolerate wear and tear.

Ash – Janka Hardness 1320

The #3 hardest North American hardwood species, Ash is both stain and wear resistant.

Birch – Janka Hardness varies

There are two types of birch hardwood flooring: yellow birch and red birch. Yellow birch is made from the sapwood of the birch tree and is lighter in colour. Red birch is derived from the heartwood of the birch. Graining of Birch is generally fine with uniform curls and some boards may appear to be almost clear with little to no graining at all.

Cherry – Janka Hardness 950

Cherry wood flooring is much softer than many others; however, it has exceptional graining and colour.

Exotics

A varied selection of different exotic hardwood species imported from countries around the world. Brazillian cherry, Tigerwood, Bamboo, and Tiete Rosewood are all types of exotic hardwood.

Hickory – Janka Hardness 1820

An extremely versatile hardwood flooring option, hickory has natural colour variations that can range from pale white to dark brown. Its higher Janka hardness rating also makes it a popular choice.

Maple – Janka Hardness 1450

Maple is a very pale, creamy white hardwood. Maple flooring can contain minimal to extreme brownish/black mineral streaks. Graining is very light and fine to the point of being barely discernible.

Red Oak – Janka Hardness 1290

Moderate to heavy grain, with moderate colour variations.

Walnut – Janka Hardness 1010

Walnut flooring has a rich, dark brown colour, with fine, straight graining. An exotic variation of walnut is Brazilian walnut, which has an exceptionally high Janka hardness rating of 3680. This high rating makes it an ideal choice for high traffic areas.

White Oak – Janka Hardness Rating 1360

White oak is similar to red oak but boasts a higher hardness rating on the Janka hardness scale. White oak flooring featured moderate graining with moderate colour variations.

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What you need to know about mould in your home

What you need to know about mould in your home

Published Andy DeSantis RD MPH - June 12, 2016

                                                        www.realtorpankajpatel.com

This is not the first time you will hear about the effects of mould growth in your home, and it probably won’t be the last.  The damp and humid conditions that accompany the warmer and wetter summer weather increase the likelihood of mould formation in your home, and this is a tangible concern not only for your home itself but for the health of you and your family. In order to get a better understanding of how to address mould issues, eieihome.com spoke to mould inspection expert Tony Muscat of Inch by Inch Healthy Homes.

Mould and Health

“Many people underestimate the negative health effects that mould can have on their families” Muscat says.  Mould release spores that can be inhaled and may lead to an increased likelihood of experiencing respiratory issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation and even allergic reactions.  This is especially true if you have children or the elderly living your the home as they are at the highest risk.

Moisture equals Mould

“ Mould needs moisture to grow and a thorough mould inspection is your best bet to identify and eliminate problem areas in your home.” Muscat says. Poor ventilation, excess moisture from bathrooms and kitchens and water leakage are all primary culprits.  Mould can live on wood, carpeting, furniture and drywall among other places where moisture builds such as attics, closets and basements. A thorough home mould inspection carried out by a professional is your best bet to ensure the problem is properly addressed.

The importance of professional inspection

“Mould growth may not always be easy to identify and remove, especially since it can occur within walls or even in your ceiling.” Muscat says.  Relying on experts and expert technology to carry out a mould inspection will ensure both the correction of the causes of mould growth as well as the proper removal of the mould itself. Inch by Inch Healthy Home technicians are trained to the highest standards in mould remediation and will carry out the processes that are most appropriate for your specific situation.

Suspect mould? Act now

Due to the health risks involved, it is important to act promptly if you suspect mould growth in your home. When you rely on Inch by Inch Healthy Homes you are putting your family’s health in the hands of an organization with years of experience and a strong reputation within the GTA.  You can reach Inch By Inch today for a free estimate by contacting them via their listing, here on eieihome.com.

7 tricks to help you spend less on natural gas

     (NC) With thermostats turned down and windows pushed open, most people aren't thinking about their natural gas bill during the spring and summer months. But did you know that, next to home heating, the greatest source of natural gas costs comes from heating water and swimming pools?

Here are some tips from Enbridge Gas to help you manage your energy use through the warmer months:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    www.realtorpankajpatel.com

Install a smart thermostat. Unlike ordinary thermostats, smart thermostats adapt to your routine by learning your schedule and temperature preferences. They automatically deliver comfort when you're at home and savings when you're out. Some utility companies even provide financial incentives for their customers who purchase these devices. Enbridge is offering their customers a $100 credit on their bill. Learn more about the Enbridge program at knowyourenergyscore.ca/smart-thermostat.

Keep drapes and shades closed. Even if your windows are closed, they can still let a lot of heat into your home. When the sun is shining in, close your drapes and shades to keep your house cool.

Use a solar blanket on your pool. Cover your pool overnight to keep the water warm and reduce evaporation.

Wash clothing in cold water and hang to dry. Hot water is rarely needed for your laundry. Once clean, hang your clothes outside on a clothesline to dry.

Install low-flow showerheads. Low-flow showerheads help reduce water consumption and lower natural gas use.

Keep your furnace filter clean. Make sure your furnace is working at peak efficiency by cleaning or replacing the filter regularly. A clean filter will help a central air conditioner provide better airflow throughout your house.

Plug the leaks. Use the nice weather as an opportunity to weatherize your home. Small changes, such as caulking or weather-stripping doors and windows, can provide energy savings when the weather cools. More significant changes, like installing Energy Star windows, will help keep the cool air in during the warmer months.

Learn more about energy-efficiency programs, reducing your energy use and saving money online at knowyourenergyscore.ca.

Know the roles of both deposit and down payment when buying a home

(NC) They both start with the letter 'd', and they both require a large sum of money to secure the purchase of a home. However, a 'deposit' and 'down payment' are very different.

“A lot of my first-time home buying clients ask me what the difference between a deposit and down payment is,” says Ray Ferris, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). “Simply put: a deposit is associated with your offer to purchase a home, while the down payment is associated with your mortgage. The deposit will go toward the down payment.”

Here is more information to help you decide how much to contribute to each:

Deposit – When you submit an offer, normally you are requested to include a deposit to demonstrate a serious intent to buy the property. This deposit will usually be in the form of a cheque, payable to the listing broker, who will place it in a trust account until the deal is completed or terminated. Your deposit provides the seller with some assurance that you will go through with the sale when the day of completion arrives.

When an agreement is reached and the transaction is completed, the deposit will be credited in full towards the purchase price. There is no standard amount for a deposit, but the size of it says something about how serious you are about buying. Your Realtor can help you figure out the right amount to offer.

Down payment – This is the money that you pay at the time of purchase toward the price of your home. Your mortgage loan covers the rest.

How much you contribute as down payment depends on upon your specific financial situation. The more you put down, the lower your monthly payments will be. But before you contribute every penny you have to the down payment, set aside a cash reserve for other costs, including legal fees, land transfer taxes, closing costs, moving expenses, and any improvements or renovations you plan to make in your new home shortly after you move in.

More information is available at www.wedothehomework.ca.

Add eye-catching design trends to outdoor spaces this summer

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(NC) Outdoor living continues to evolve, as Canadians are expanding their living spaces into the front and backyards at an increasing rate. Design enthusiasts are always looking to industry experts to discover what's new and hot in outdoor design. Here to share some of this year's latest outdoor design trends is Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert for Benjamin Moore.

Bring indoor luxe outside: Glamourous, multi-functional and classic are all key traits to keep in mind when updating the interior of the home, and the same applies for outside. “Outdoor living spaces are an extension of the home,” says Grech. “Creating backyard living rooms with sectionals and coffee tables, and front yard grand entrances with stunning doors and accessories is the new norm. Install shutters, add more trim around windows or switch out the hardware on your front or back door for something more sophisticated. It's the little updates that have the biggest impact and will bring the flow from your home's interior to the exterior.”

Design more with less: This year, it's all about simplicity in design. Eliminate clutter and select sleek furniture to achieve a minimalistic look. Go through outdoor furniture and don't be afraid to get rid of the items that don't serve a purpose. Throw out patio chairs, tables or accessories that are old and clunky. Use only a few select varieties of flowers in the garden and keep garden accessories to a minimum.

Go contemporary with pops of colour: Although designers often share their favourite neutrals, it's crucial to strategically add pops of colour to any space. Light, airy shades and dynamic jewel tones are the go-to palettes this year. Incorporate these trendy colour schemes not only with accessories, but try painting architectural features like the front or back door. To easily add a trendy splash of colour to your doors, Grech recommends English Scone or Crete Countryside from Benjamin Moore.

For best results, Grech suggests using a premium paint designed for doors, such as Aura Grand Entrance, which is specially formulated to retain colour integrity and gloss and is easy to apply.

More information is available at www.benjaminmoore.ca.

Energize your outdoor living space

Published Darla Grant-Braid - April 8, 2016

Home » Decorating & Design » Energize your outdoor living space

With the arrival of spring, homeowners are looking to revive and refresh different parts of their home —and the outdoor living space is no exception. In fact, Canadian homeowners are dedicated to turning their decks, pools, and gardens into truly spectacular spaces.

With that in mind, EiEiHome spoke with Hannah Taylor of Hotwire Electric, a GTA electrical company specializing in custom homes and new construction, about some creative ways that an electrical contractor can help energize a home’s outdoor living spaces.

“Adding lighting and accents throughout the space is usually started by a consultation with a lighting expert like we have at Hotwire,” Taylor says. “Or even in collaboration with your landscape architect or designers”.

Gardens and Walkways

Landscape lighting in gardens and walkways creates a magical palette of shadows and light. The interplay allows you to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor space in a different way than you would under the sun.

“[To make this happen] we work closely to integrate the space, the use, the client’s vision along with the latest in lighting products,” Taylor says.
“We assign a foreman and lighting expert to the site to conduct a thorough needs analysis. [During this meeting] we discuss the vision and bring along samples of products so the client can see the actual fixtures we will install”.

Decks

What we are seeing now is that the deck is truly a room on its own. The old, dusty patio set is now a sectional that rivals the living room seating, the bbq has become an outdoor kitchen, and those old patio lanterns are now a beautifully integrated lighting scheme.

“Decks are a fantastic use of space,” Taylor states. “[When it comes to lighting] how about adding stair lighting? Or perhaps in-floor lighting?

“So many options are available and with the right design, lighting is everything to space”.

Pools

Of course, lighting isn’t the only way that an electrical contractor can help homeowners maximize their outdoor living spaces. If you have a pool or are thinking about having one installed, you’ll want to speak with an electrical contractor about heating technology, even if you’ve been considering heating with solar.

“Like other heating methods, solar heating does have its drawbacks: What if the sun’s not out? On windy or cloudy days solar energy obviously, won’t do the job adequately. [It’s] best to have a backup natural gas or electric heater if you want to swim on those days”.

For those with concerns about the cost of using a traditional pool heater, Taylor explains how recent advancements have improved their efficiency.

“There are now automation panels that save energy and are on schedules all automated from a touch of a button on remote,” Taylor says.

To learn more about how Hotwire Electric can help energize your outdoor living space, view their listing here on EiEi Home.