AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME- IS A HAPPY HOME!

DID YOU KNOW THAT MAKING YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT INCREASES ITS VALUE!

According to one study, making no cost/low cost changes can boost your home's value $18,000. Why not implement some of the following suggestions to make your home more energy efficient?

1. Lower the thermostat on your water heater. If your hot tap water is too hot to touch, lower the temperature a few degrees.

2. Check for air leaking around doors. A lot of the air you pay to heat or cool escapes through unsealed doors. Install or replace worn weather stripping. Replace broken or missing storm doors.

3. Close the air vents in rooms not in use. For example, close the vents and shut the door to an unused guest room.

4. Keep heat producers far from your thermostat in summer. Floor lamps and televisions can significantly raise the temperature in the area near a thermostat, turning on your air conditioner too often.

5. Clean your furnace and air conditioner filters. Replace existing dirty air conditioner or furnace filters. During heavy use periods, replacement is recommended every 30 days.

6. Operate large appliances during low-use periods in summer. Use your washer and dryer and other heat-producers early in the morning or late at night. Use the air-dry method on your dishwasher to save energy.

7. Request an energy audit. Contact your local utility company to request a free energy audit. Most electric and gas companies will check for proper insulation, find cracks in the eaves or roof that could leak energy, and make recommendations for improvements. Some electric companies offer low-cost financing for such improvements.

8. Replace existing insulation. A proper barrier keeps heat and cold from penetrating your home's exterior and provides for even temperatures between rooms. The EPA recently reported that proper ceiling insulation may reduce electric bills 20%.

9. Replace existing appliances. If money is no object, replace old appliances with Energy Star appliances, specifically created to optimize energy consumption. If your budget limits you to replacing one appliance, buy a new refrigerator; a new model could knock off 25% of your electric bill.

10. Buy new light bulbs. Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent.

11. When you heat your home, you need to make sure that the heat stays in your residence. Your attic needs to be properly insulated. A well insulated attic will help reduce summer cooling costs as well. You can get about fifty square feet of fiberglass insulation for around fifty dollars. The total cost of the project will depend on the size of your attic space. For smaller areas where air is escaping, you can use cans of pressurized foam. These cans are very inexpensive and usually cost less than five dollars.

Occasionally, the government offers tax rebates on some of these energy efficient home improvements. Before you install any green appliances or home fixtures, do some research to see if you qualify for any of these tax rebates. Even if you do not qualify for a tax rebate, making your home more energy efficient will still save you money. In addition, you will be making your home more earth friendly.

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION: Yesterday CMHC said that construction of 75 new homes began in the area in March 2010, compared to 45 last year in the same period. That's an increase of 66.7%. They attributed the increase to continued employment and income and population growth as well as a very mild winter which enabled developers to dig up foundations the whole winter!!! Looking at buying new home construction, check out our building partner Skymark Homes for more info and to check out new homes for sale in the city! http://www.skymarkhomes.ca/

New Rules for Canadian Mortgages

You’ve probably read about the new regulations for Canadian Mortgages for buyers/ investors and home owners wanting to re-finance. In case you haven’t been following, here is the scoop.

Three changes will come in effect on April 19:

1. Qualification: All borrowers will need to meet standards for five-year fixed-rate mortgages regardless of whether they’re seeking a loan with a lower rate and shorter term.
2. Refinancing: The government is lowering the maximum amount Canadians can withdraw when refinancing a home to 90% of its value, from the current 95%.
3. Speculation: It will be required a 20% down payment for government-backed mortgage insurance on “speculative” investment properties. As opposed to 5% down-payment for investments not occupied by the owner.

You can also check out The Canadian Mortgage Trends for additional important information regarding Canadian mortgages and what's happening. http://www.canadianmortgagetrends.com/

Planning a Smooth Move!

Easy Tips to help get you started from The Williams-Hollett Sales Team...

Moving can be a fun adventure or a harrowing experience. Whether you decide to coordinate your own move or utilize the services of professional Movers it is important to plan in advance to minimize the potential of frustrating set backs. The key to a smooth moving is careful planning. The mortgage industry has adopted several rules of thumb that will help you get the ball rolling.

6 Weeks Prior To the Move: Acquire estimates from Moving companies. Sketch floor plan of new home to determine furniture placement. Create an inventory list of valuables. Take photos and record serial numbers.

4 Weeks Prior To the Move: Notify credit card companies, lenders, banks of your moving date and new address. Contact Utility Companies to prepare for disconnection and refunds from deposits. Complete a change of address form at the Post Office. Notify magazines of change of address. Get any and all typesof records for filing (doctor, dentist, school, , birth certificate, optometrist). Contact your bank for information regarding transferring of funds and deposits. Contact new schools regarding enrollment procedures, if needed.


3 Weeks Prior To the Move: Discuss the move with your veterinarian. Obtain copies of all pet medical records. Ask healthcare professionals (Doctors, Dentists etc.) for referrals to new providers in your area. Return any borrowed items including Library books.


The Week of The Move: Schedule the termination of utilities, newspaper subscriptions, cable and garbage. Fill all needed prescriptions and notify pharmacy of move. Photograph or videotape all furniture for damages to prevent any problems with movers. Contact utilities for new home regarding deposits and schedule new installation. Drain oil and gasoline from lawn mower and other household equipment.


The DAY of The MOVE: Provide the movers with documentation of any existing scratches to personal property items. Provide the movers with any and all contact numbers, if you need to be reached. Complete a final walk-through of your home. Provide family and friends with a specific route and all contact numbers.