Archive for the ‘maintenance, repair and renovation’ Category
Posted by Norm Fisher on November 7, 2011
This post was originally published in October of 2009. I thought it might be a good time to kick it back to the top of the list. Like it or not, winter is coming and now is the time to get your home ready for it. A few hours looking after some preventative home maintenance [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on June 16, 2011
This summer home maintenance list was provided to me by Frank Browne and his crew at Pillar to Post Home Inspections. Hope you find it useful. With summer’s kickoff on the way, it’s time to get your home in top shape for the months ahead. Whatever your weather, taking some time to take care of [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on August 28, 2010
When I first entered the real estate business in 1993 it was common to find improvements in homes that were completed without a required permit. At the time, it just wasn’t a big deal to move ahead with your basement development without one. Almost everyone did it. In recent years, the failure to obtain proper [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on April 22, 2010
You don’t have to be an environmental activist to understand that reducing your use of energy at home is good for the earth, and it’s good for the pocketbook. Even small changes can have a significant impact if everyone chips in. Perhaps you’re already well on your way down this path, but if not, here [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on January 30, 2010
The opportunity to take advantage of Canada’s Home Renovation Tax Credit expires at midnight on January 31. Obviously, the clock has run out when it comes to hiring a contractor but a quick trip to your favorite home renovation store might be in order if home improvements are part of your plan over the next [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on November 13, 2009
Vermiculite is a mica-like mineral mined around the world and used in a variety of products including insulation. Vermiculite mined from the Libby Mine in Montana between 1920 and 1990 is known to contain asbestos, which can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in people who are exposed to airborne particles. Vermiculite was one of [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on October 16, 2009
Installing a high-efficiency furnace in your home is certainly good for the environment, and it’s also good for the household budget, in some cases reducing energy costs by more than thirty percent. In fact, according to SaskEnergy, “upgrading your heating equipment is the best improvement you can make to save energy and money.” The chart [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on September 30, 2009
Part of “Canada’s Economic Action Plan” includes a Home Renovation Tax Credit that could help you save up to $1,350 on eligible home improvements when goods are purchased or professional services are performed after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010. The Home Renovation Tax Credit is a federal non-refundable tax credit based on [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on May 24, 2009
People are often curious about how certain home improvements will affect the value of their homes. The chart of percentages displayed here presents some findings compiled by the Appraisal Institute of Canada from their 2008 membership survey. It is intended to give the homeowner a very general idea of the potential that certain improvements have [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on February 13, 2009
Citizens of Canada’s are no strangers to asbestos problems. Used throughout the 20th century as a prominent building material and insulator, health hazards related to asbestos has affected millions worldwide. Highly regarded for its qualities as heat and fire resistant, homes, buildings, and other products built before 1980 could still contain asbestos materials. If you [...]
Posted by Norm Fisher on May 16, 2007
This is not exactly important real estate news but I couldn’t resist writing a small snip about this story. It seems that the popular A&E reality program, “Flip This House” has run a number of episodes which amount to nothing more than a sham. Featuring self proclaimed “real estate developer” Sam Leccima, the episodes represent [...]