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Exterior Cladding – Getting it Right

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The exterior cladding or finishing material of your home has more than just an esthetic value – it is what will protect your home’s structure from the elements, keep critters away and keep you warm and dry on the inside. The kind of cladding you choose will depend on the climate in which you live, your personal style and taste and also on your pocket book. In general, the colder the climate, the more durable a cladding you will want to select for your dwelling.

There are a number of materials that can be used as the exterior cladding for your home. Ranging in choice from natural wood to brick and stone to composite and vinyl, aluminum and metal, the choice is large. Aside from climate and cost, other factors that might play into your decision can include maintenance, durability and environmental impact.

If you are looking for a small eco footprint, then either natural wood, composite or brick and stone would be your best bets. However, bear in mind that when it comes to natural wood and composite, maintenance is quite high and the siding will not last as long as other options. It is also more susceptible to mold, rot and insects. Cedar siding is longer lasting and requires less maintenance and last longer but it will weather to a grey finish that isn’t necessarily pleasing to everyone. When it comes to brick and stone, although the production of these materials is clean, the extraction process isn’t and they are among the more costly options on the list. However, maintenance is very low and it will last for decades.

Some of the more common exterior cladding choices on the market are vinyl and aluminium siding. They are relatively cost effective and highly durable, but they can leave a much larger environmental impact given their production process. Vinyl siding is especially affordable and easy to work with, although it won’t last as long as some other options. Aluminum siding is another very good option, but it is usually used for upper floors because it has a tendency to warp easily when dinged.

If you want to learn more about different kinds of siding and their pros and cons, there is a very good article over here //bit.ly/1FtIJXE and Rona also has a very informative list of sidings over here //bit.ly/1HnmHDp that gives you the more technical specs of the different options availabl.

Lastly, be sure to always check with your municipality’s by-laws concerning external cladding as some materials can be frowned upon

Innovative Roofing Ideas

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Roofing is one of those elements of housing that is often relegated to the back of a homeowner’s mind. The only time that people actually think about their roof is when it is leaking. When it comes to your home’s covering, there are many options on the market from which to choose, however, most people will opt for the most common option just because they are unaware of the other roofing materials available. Let’s take a look at what can cover your home efficiently and attractively.

Asphalt Shingles
The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles. They are inexpensive, durable and easy to install. They come in many different colours and styles, as well as different thicknesses for better durability and are extremely low-maintenance. Asphalt shingles are the go-to covering for the majority of homeowners.

Wood Shingles/Shakes
Wood shingles/shakes are the next most common form of roofing. They have a more rustic and traditional look than asphalt shingles and they allow a roof to breathe better, however, they do require a lot more maintenance in the form of regular washing and oiling to keep them in optimal condition. Most wood shingles and shakes are made from various types of cedar. Shingles are smooth and a uniform thickness and can vary in width and length. Shakes are much thicker and rougher as they are split from logs instead of sawn. Although they are much more expensive to install, well-maintained wood roofs can last up to 50 years – as long as stainless nails are used to prevent rusting.

Metal
The next roofing material of note is metal. Despite traditionally being used for utility buildings, metal has come into its own with powdered versions, painted versions and more sophisticated styling resulting in roofs anyone would be proud to own. Metal roofs have fantastic longevity and, contrary to popular belief, they are neither noisier when it rains nor are they colder in the winter time.

Slate/Fake Slate
Slate was very popular in the past, but because of its weight and the more solid roofing construction it requires, it is not commonly used any more. However, if you are willing to bear the expense of beefing up your roof and of installing slate, then you will have a roof that will last for generations to come, one that sheds ice and snow and one that looks terrific.

Ceramic/Tile
Ceramic and tiles roofs are usually used in warmer climates. They are very expensive to buy and install, but they last a very long time. However, in our northern climates they are rather rare and not necessarily the best choice.

Green Roof
Green roofing options are slowly increasingly in popularity. With the cost coming down every year and the technology for installing living roofs improving constantly, these eco-friendly roofing options are now a viable alternative to conventional roofing. Not only do they look nice but they provide a host of benefits including reduced energy use, reduced pollution and improved human health and comfort. You can read more about the benefits of green roofs over here //1.usa.gov/1A0dXDs, and you can find out the bylaws of installing a green roof in Toronto over here //bit.ly/1cwLIRM.

Solar shingles
Another alternative to conventional roofing is the installation of solar shingles. Each solar shingle is a photovoltaic cell that converts light into energy, yet they are also a sturdy and durable roofing option. Although they have been around since 2005, they have only now come down in price enough to be a viable option for homeowners who want the benefit of solar energy but want to keep their traditional roofline. There is a good article about solar shingles in Scientific American that you can read over here //bit.ly/1PGycrl.

Given the options available roofing, when it comes time to update your roof, choosing the right material might get a little tougher!

Smart Homes and How to Get One

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Smart home technology used to be a thing of the future – but is it increasingly part of the now. Although not yet as widely available as the wiring for surround sound or an underground sprinkler system, smart home technology is now available to those who are interested in what it has to offer. So, what is smart home technology? It is the technology that allows a homeowner to remotely control various facets of their home’s functioning through an app on a mobile device.

If you are interested in setting your home up as a smart home, the first thing you will need is a hub. The smart home hub is a device that will allow you to add as many devices to it as you want. Once you have added the devices you want to control, then you will just need to download the compatible app to go with the hub and voilà! You’ve got yourself a smart home. If you are building a home, it is possible to have this technology incorporated into the residence’s infrastructure – but be prepared to pay big bucks for such convenience.

Hubs
As with any technology finding the right hub for your smart home will require a bit of homework on your part. There are some excellent reviews of hubs on CNET, which can be found over here //cnet.co/1GMTRtj and also on PCmag, which can be found here //bit.ly/1Ie36Zl. Naturally you will also need the appliances equipped with remote control access features in order to make use of this technology.

Kits
Those who want something a bit easier to work with might want to invest in a smart home kit that bundles a number of devices from the same company into one kit to help you get started.

Entry-Level Smarts
Whether you are aware of it or not, you just might already be part of the smart-home bandwagon. If you have a security system that you can control via your phone or if you have a lighting system or thermostats that you can control remotely, then you are already on the road to smart home ownership!

However, there are a number of ways to up your home’s technology IQ with a few simple inclusions:

Smart thermostats are new and pricier than traditional thermostats, but these clever devices learn your habits and automatically adjusts the temperature accordingly. The cleverest smart thermostats will gain in intelligence the longer you use them and can additionally interact with other household smart tech gadgets.
Home security is another area where smart technology is taking off. The idea of ensuring their family’s security remotely is very popular with people and so are the gadgets allowing them to set up a surveillance system so that they can monitor who is entering their home each time the door opens, who is leaving their home and what is actually taking place in their home.
Certain LED lighting systems are now accessibly through clever apps that allow them to be turned on and off remotely; some of these systems can also offer different lighting options to suit your changing moods.
Smart plugs allow you to plug in appliances and then turn them on or off remotely using your mobile device.
Smart appliances are another way of making your life easier. By being able to turn on your Crockpot or oven remotely, you can prep meals in advance and then cook them while still at work for a ready-to-eat-meal when you arrive home.
Key/door locks have also been smartened up, with many companies now offering the option of having programmable and remote controlled locking options.

While not yet widely used, smart home technology is gaining ground quickly. Just under a year ago, hubs were being developed – today they are available for sale. Although it might seem very futuristic, we are moving towards a far more wired home and in a few years they will likely be standard along with hardwood floors and pot lighting.

Buying a Toronto Condo or House Off-Plan

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Toronto’s property market has yielded excellent returns on investment over the last decade-and-a half, so it is not surprising that so many people are eager to jump into this booming sector before they are completely priced out. As it is the cost of buying a home in the city is prohibitive for many young executives and families. One of the better ways to find the right property in the right location at the right price is to buy off-plan. All this means is that you will be buying the place from the developer’s blueprints and specs.

A Matter of Research
Although buying off-plan might seem like a huge risk, if you do your research properly, it is one of the best ways to guarantee an increase in your investment almost immediately. While there are risks to buying off-plan, you can mitigate them by knowing the developer, researching their other developments, finding out whether they have any outstanding complaints against them, finding out what customers who bought in their other developments have to say about them and gauging the level of interest in the project.

What to look for
Naturally the first thing to look for in an off-plan project is location – this holds true for either condos or single-family homes. You will want the development to be close to shopping and transportation and close to whatever else you might deem necessary such as:
lifestyle services
schools
parks
entertainment

You should also look for the amenities that the project will contain and the number of phases projected for the development. If you are buying off-plan for phase one and there are four more phases planned, then get ready to live with constant construction in your backyard for several years while the rest of the phases are completed. If there are going to be several phases all sharing the same facilities, then you might run into a question of crowding and your complex will have high traffic.

Price
The cost of buying off-plan will be another consideration. Naturally you will want to bargain for the best price, but don’t be afraid to ask the developer to throw in upgrades such as better appliances, counters or finishes.

Price will be easier to negotiate on projects that are not selling as fast as hot-properties. Also, the number of upgrades you want will affect your bottom line. However, keep in mind that getting the upgrades you want now is far smarter than renovating later on, so spending a bit more up front is definitely worth it in the long run.

Included in the price category are the ancillary costs that you will be called upon to pay later on – maintenance fees, utility fees and infrastructure fees. Make sure that those costs won’t negate any savings you made in buying off-plan.

Buying off-plan guarantees you a minimum 10% return on your investment. As most people are skittish about investing in something that hasn’t yet been built, developments are always priced about 5% lower than when it is built. When a project is finished the price increases by about another 5%. So, if you are willing, buying from a plan is one of the best ways to ensure your real estate buying dollar goes as far as it can.

Family Living in a Toronto Condo

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Toronto, and most big cities, have traditionally been home to singles and couples who enjoy city life and the convenience that it offers them. In the past, singles and couples who decided to have families would move out of the urban environment to the suburbs where they could afford bigger housing and more land. However, the tide is slowly turning as greater numbers of families are deciding to stay put and to raise their children in the city. As single family housing is not only scarce in the city, but also prohibitively expensive for the average person, condos have started to see a rise in the number of children who live there.

The number one reason most families cite for remaining the in the city is the shorter commute to work. Increasingly people are foregoing the long drive in to simply remain close-by. Another big reason for remaining in the city is lifestyle – people aren’t willing to give up the lifestyle they lead when living within walking distance to so many services. If you are considering staying in the city with your family, there are things to keep in mind so that you have an easier time of dealing with the changes that children will bring.

Just as you would when shopping for a home elsewhere – check-out the neighbourhood and surrounding services first. If you want to send your child to a particular school, makes sure that the school will accept children from the neighbourhood in which you plan to live so that you don’t have any surprises later on. Look to see whether there are green spaces or parks nearby where children can play and find out whether there are day care services close by as well.

When it comes to the actual condo, look for complexes that offer:

Party rooms where you can host play dates and birthday parties
Games room for teenagers
Fitness amenities such as pools and/or gyms so that children can burn their extra energy
Green spaces with playgrounds for their littlest residents
Day care centres

Inside your unit you’ll need to ensure:

Versatile spaces that can serve double duty, ie: dining room that can be used as a homework/crafts area
A networking room where all computers can be hooked up for strict monitoring of internet usage
An open concept that maximizes space for moving around
Storage

Some condo townhouses have even opted to start reducing their monthly maintenance fee for families, which is a very attractive incentive for people to stay in the city with their kids.

Once you do find the right condo for your needs, remember that children can be noisy and to ensure friendly relations with your neighbours, keeping noise levels low is essential. A good tip is to lay down carpet on heavily used areas and in children’s rooms to muffle footsteps. Investing in some good over-the-ear headphones for them to use when gaming or watching TV/movies is another good idea.

Despite the perception of what family living might be like in a condo, there are success stories everywhere. As long as you are prepared to give up space for the convenience of a shorter commute, proximity to a large number of services and the improved lifestyle that these elements will bring, you are ready to raise a family in Toronto’s urban core.

Tips for Buying in a Hot Toronto Market

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Anyone looking to buy a home in Toronto will want to know anything they can do to get the edge on their competition – especially given how hot the market it and how it really doesn’t show signs of slowing down.

While it is true that you can always find a deal or two during the dog days of summer or the coldest months of winter, selection will be limited and you will have to fall in love with whatever is on offer or wait until the busy selling season starts.

One of the best least known ways to close a deal in a hot market without too much competition is to make an offer on days when no one else would even consider being in the market – Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving weekend and Labor Day – in that order.

While it might seem sacrilegious to suggest making an offer on a holy day, for non-Christians, the first two are just regular days and open for business. Most people would rather be celebrating with family and friends but if you want to jump the queue and get in at the front of a line on a new listing, then making an offer when no one else is likely to do so is the best way to do it. By making an offer on a holiday day or weekend, the sellers are going to be in a more open and receptive mood and are more apt to entertain all kinds of offers.

 

Other tips for buying in a hot marketing include:

Having all of your finances in order. Make sure you are pre-approved for a mortgage so that sellers can see that you are serious and have come to play.

Know what you want in a house and be prepared to make an offer when you find it. Waiting for even a day can push you to the back of the line and drag you into a bidding war.

Showing the sellers that you are serious by scheduling a home inspection and providing all of the necessary paperwork.

If you find yourself in a bidding war, make the seller’s life easier. Offer to pay their closing costs, offer to take the home off their hands sooner if needed, offer to rent it back to them if they need to find a new home themselves; in short do whatever necessary to get the edge on the competition.

Finding a house in a sizzling market can be tricky and sometimes heartbreaking, but knowing how to go about securing your dream home can mean homeownership regardless of the hurdles.

Best Time to Buy A House in Toronto

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With Toronto’s housing market showing no signs of slowing down, it is not surprising that home buyers might be wondering just when the best time to buy a home might be. Although the housing market in Ontario is cyclical – much like any market is, when it comes to real estate, there is no definitive best time despite having distinct busier and slower months. However, there are a couple of things to consider when you plan on jumping into the housing fray:

1) Are you looking for the best deal possible
2) Do you want the most selection from which to choose

Answering those two questions honestly will likely determine when the best time would be to buy for you.

Here are the considerations when it comes to looking for a house – the busiest buying months are in the spring and the fall when listings abound and it seems like every realtor’s phone is ringing off the hook. During the high summer months sales tend to languish as people are off on holiday – the same holds true for December, January and early February, so listings are few and far between.

If you want plenty of selection, then you will want to begin your property search in late February/early spring when homeowners start polishing up their listings to cash in on the buying frenzy that starts when the warmer weather rolls around. If you start your search early, then you might get some of those choice pickings that come on the market before the others and you’ll have more options from which to choose. Should you find nothing to your liking during the spring season, then you can always look forward to the fall season when homeowners are again thinking about selling.

If you simply want the best deal possible and don’t really care about selection then looking during the months of July and August or December to early February is your best bet. However, be prepared for very limited selection. Regardless of what is on offer, you will be able to more likely make a deal with sellers during these months as they are probably wanting to sell their homes for specific reasons and will be more willing to entertain low offers.

So, while there is no definitive answer as to when the best time to buy a house in Toronto is, there are better times depending on your needs.

First Time Fixer-Upper In Toronto

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First-time homebuying in any city can be stressful, when it’s in a city like Toronto where the property market is sizzling, the pressure to find a good deal is even greater. Many buyers who want the best value for their money opt to invest in a fixer-upper. Here are some answers to the concerns you may have as a first-time home buyer of a property with potential.

The number one piece of advice for anyone buying a fixer-upper is to find a good inspector in your area qualified for the type of house you are buying. If you are thinking about buying an older home, make sure you tell the inspection service that you are in need of someone who is knowledgeable about homes of that age. If you suspect that there are structural problems, then calling in a contractor to check out the property is a good idea. In fact, having a contractor take a look at the house will also get you get a better estimate of what you might expect to spend.

When it comes to renovating a fixer-upper, be sure to know your budget and how much each project will cost. The very first thing you should do is to ensure that your infrastructure is solid. If there are any electrical problems to address or plumbing kinks you want to work out, then that is what you should tackle first. Once your infrastructure is good, then you will want to start with the projects that are most important first. Kitchens and bathrooms are where the bulk of your money should go after infrastructure as these two areas will immediately boost the resale value of your home. Budget according to what each project should cost, but allow room for unforeseen problems that might arise.

While renovating a home may seem like the easy route to your dream house, you have to be aware of your financial boundaries. Over budgeting or cost overruns can creep up on you and can cause major dilemmas. Making sure that you do not face these potential problems can be as simple as planning for contingencies, paying a lot of attention to project planning and constantly tracking your progress. If you do get in over your head, take a deep breath and consider the following options: seeking more funding, reducing the project scope, and reassigning your resources to lower cost ones.

The next crucial piece of advice to remember is to be realistic about how long it will take to renovate – usually double what you estimate as most projects will take longer than anticipated. Deciding if you want to live in a house under construction or want to find somewhere else to stay while doing major work is essential to maintaining your sanity and relationship (if you are in one) intact. Unless you’re okay with sleeping in an unfinished house with sawdust and power tools hanging about, finding a place to recharge comfortably every night would be a good idea.

For some couples, rebuilding a home is a fantastic bonding experience, for others it can cause tension and tears. Couples often forget or may not even know that remodeling a home is extremely taxing on a relationships and can put a huge strain on the people involved. Your tolerance will be put to the test through the demanding and strenuous work in renovating your first house together. Making compromises, communication, picking your battles, knowing your limits and not being afraid to ask for help are some key factors in having your relationship survive a remodel.

Choosing to buy a fixer-upper has its rewards; while it may involve hard work, careful planning and patience, it will all be worth it in the end when you have the house of your dreams at the price you wanted.

Hidden Defects and Your Toronto Home

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Buying a home in Toronto can be expensive enough as it is – the last thing any new homeowner needs is to suddenly find themselves faced with the unenviable task of repairing a hidden defect. If you are not familiar with this term, hidden defects are faults with a property that cannot be seen through regular visual inspections. Usually they involve incorrectly wired electricity, mould problems, plumbing issues, roofing defects, foundation cracks, etc… While discouraging, the potential of having to deal with such defects can be minimized by doing your due diligence.

In Ontario there are two types of defects that can crop up on a property sale – patent and latent. A patent defect is something that you can see easily when you walk into a home or that can be uncovered by a good inspector. For instance, if a window latch is broken and the window does not close fully, you cannot then claim damages from the seller to have it either changed or fixed. A patent defect is covered by caveat emptor, which basically means that you are soley responsible for ensuring the quality of the property you are buying.

The other form of defect is the latent defect, which is something that you cannot see easily. Regardless of the problem, you will need to establish whether the seller was aware of the issue and tried to conceal it from you during the sale. If you can prove that the seller was aware of it and either did not declare it or tried to hide it from you, then you can pursue the seller for the cost of repairs and/or damages.

For buyers, it is essential to request that the seller fill out a form called Seller’s Property Information Statement (SPIS). The form requires sellers to fill out “yes” or “no” answers to questions regarding different aspects of the home. While these forms used to be regularly filled out previously, in recent years, sellers have been cautioned away from them for liability reasons. However, these forms can work for the seller’s benefit as well. It is also essential to have insist that the sale only be concluded once a proper home inspection has been done to ensure to surprises down the road.

For sellers, by declaring whatever you know about your property, you are actually protecting yourself by demonstrating good faith. It is best to be upfront because it will minimize the chances of being sued after the fact and of having to return to repair or pay damages. It will also allow you to ask for a higher asking price.

In the end, it is hard to completely protect yourself from defects, but by doing your homework you should be good to go!

For some good reads on this topic go //bit.ly/1xhL1OE and also here //bit.ly/1BZMfT2.

Toronto Down Payments and Closing Costs

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The Toronto real estate market is a very competitive one with housing prices being the second highest in Canada. Therefore knowing how much you should save for a down payment can be a tough decision. After all, conventional wisdom says that 20% of the house price is what you should typically put down when buying. However, when the average house costs nearly $700K, that means you would need to save up $140,000 to put down on a property; add to this the closing costs of the home sale and you might be looking at several years of saving before you are able to fund your real estate dreams.

Down payment
For most people saving up such a sum of money will take far longer than they want to wait when looking to purchase in Toronto and it is why the minimum down payment required for a home sale is 5% of the asking price. However, remember that putting anything less than 20% down on a home will put your purchase into the “high risk” category and require you to have mortgage insurance from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The lower the percentage of your down payment, the higher the insurance that you will have to pay. The insurance can be paid up-front in cash or added to your mortgage amount. If you aren’t sure from where you will be able to save up for your down payment, there is a very good article on this very subject written by Gail VazOxlade over here //bit.ly/1xCOcUU.

Closing Costs
The costs that most first time buyers forget about when purchasing a home are the closing costs. These include all of the fees you will be called upon to cover in order for the purchase to go through. They include everything from notary fees to home inspector fees to the reimbursement of any monies paid towards property taxes. Here is a shortlist of the costs you can expect to cover:

House Inspection
Notary
Property valuation
Property survey
Land transfer tax where applicable
GST/HST where applicable
Title insurance
Interest adjustments
Prepaid property and utility adjustments
Mortgage life insurance
Movers/van rental for moving

A good overview of what to expect when it comes to costs can be found over here //bit.ly/14ibgPb. Also keep in mind that you’ll need money for renovations, paint, window dressings, etc…

As long as you are prepared with your down payment and the extra costs needed when buying a house, you will have an easier transition when the time comes.