Barry Klatt

855-623-6900
Barry Klatt
Office:855-623-6900

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Over the years, we’ve developed a good understanding of how buildings perform. Construction techniques for new homes have changed rapidly. Most of these improved techniques also apply to renovations.
 

If you plan carefully, you can renovate your home to make it look better, work better, last longer and be more comfortable. Before renovating, it’s important to assess the condition of your home to determine if there are any significant underlying problems that must be addressed before or during your planned renovation project.

Figure 1: Problems that should be addressed

Figure 1: Problems that should be addressed

Common Situations

In Canada, we need affordable houses to provide shelter from the elements. We also want our homes to be pleasant, comfortable and attractive.

Homeowners have higher expectations than in the past, particularly about comfort and interior design. Renovations are an opportunity to address some of these expectations.

Some of the reasons people decide to renovate are to:

  • Upgrade or improve outdated or deteriorated systems — replacing an outdated furnace, old siding or windows are common upgrades.
  • Maintain and repair various elements of their house — reshingling a roof or fixing foundation cracks are typical renovations.
  • Address lifestyle needs — converting unused attic space to living quarters, add a sunroom or build a home office.

Healthy Housing™

Renovating is an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community and the environment. When assessing your renovation project, be sure to consider the five essentials of Healthy Housing™.

House as a System

A house is much more than just four walls and a roof — it’s an interactive system made up of many components including the basic structure, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the external environment and the occupants. Each component influences the performance of the entire system. A renovation provides an opportunity to improve how your house performs.

As you assess your renovation project, ask yourself how changing particular components will affect the performance of the whole house. For example, as part of a bathroom renovation you may want to add a hot tub that will generate large amounts of humidity during operation.Your existing ventilation may be inadequate to handle the increased moisture levels. It will be important to provide proper ventilation to avoid mold growth, indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and damage to the structure or finishes. You may need to consult with a qualified home inspector or a professional renovator.

Avoid Surprises

A systematic and thorough inspection will help you to assess the condition of your home. Look for any signs of deterioration and the possible causes. Start your inspection in the basement. Many problems in other parts of the house originate there. Depending upon the size of your project, you may want to ask a qualified home inspector or a professional renovator to help you assess your building and develop a plan. Here are some of the likely questions that you’ll want to think about.

Foundations
ask
  • Are there any cracks or is there damage to concrete walls or floors?
  • Are there any damp spots, stains, efflorescence (white, chalky stains) or blistered paint on the concrete, finished walls or floors?
  • Does anyone notice bad smells or experience nausea or headaches when in the basement?
  • Is there high humidity, any condensation or visible mold?
consider your options
  • Repair minor cracks if they leak. Seek an engineer’s opinion on serious structural problems such as major or expanding cracks, bowed walls or uneven floors.
  • Clean up mold; discard moldy or rotting materials.
  • Ensure that the floor drain has a trap or install a retrofit backflow preventer. Make sure that all plumbing fixtures (including washer) are vented and have traps. Install a sealed cover on the sump pit.
  • Direct outside surface water away from the foundation. Improve underground drainage.
  • Repair or replace damaged interior finishes.
  • Keep the relative humidity between 30 and 55%. Ventilate and circulate air. Dehumidify or air condition in summer. Clean up mold according to CMHC guidelines.
and if you dont
  • Serious structural problems could cause further damage or collapse.
  • Water pressure on the outside of the foundation can contribute to leaks and structural problems.
  • Odours will continue to be annoying and can pose health problems, depending on the source.
  • Unresolved water sources will cause renovations to deteriorate quickly, whether the water comes from building leaks, plumbing leaks or high humidity.
  • Mold can grow on almost anything and be a source of serious indoor air quality (IAQ) problems.

Basement ceiling or main floor structure
ask
  • Are there any headroom problems?
  • Are there signs of rot, sagging floor joists or twisted beams?
  • Are there water stains on the main floor structure or basement finished ceiling?
consider your options
  • Assess structural problems carefully. Expert help may be required. Repair or replace structural elements so they will accommodate renovation plans and expected loads.
  • Fix any water leaks.
and if you dont
  • Unresolved structural problems, poorly planned structural changes or new loads may cause future settling or collapse.

Mechanical and electrical systems
ask
  • Are there unusually high heating or cooling bills?
  • Are mechanical systems capable of supplying current and future needs?
  • Is the house too dry or too humid? Is the heat uneven?
  • Is there ever a noticeable smoky or fuel smell?
  • Is the electrical service and wiring capable of supplying current and future needs?
  • Do fuses keep blowing or circuit breakers keep shutting off?
  • Are there any exposed electrical wires or crumbled wire insulation?
  • Do any lights dim or outlets spark?
  • Are there leaks from pipes, taps, toilets or the water heater?
consider your options
  • Have a qualified service company inspect your heating system to ensure that equipment is up-to-date, functioning properly and sized to handle current and future needs.
  • Air seal the house to keep it from becoming too dry. Use a humidifier (that has a humidistat) as required. Provide ventilation using exhaust fans or a heat recovery ventilator to reduce humidity in winter. Dehumidify or air condition to reduce the humidity in summer. Check for heat flow to each room.
  • Repair any sources of smoky or fuel smells immediately. The smells could indicate serious fire or health hazards.
  • Have an electrician assess the electrical systems and any problems such as fuses blowing repeatedly, sparking outlets, exposed wires or connections.
  • Repair any water leaks. Repair or replace leaky fixtures.
and if you dont
  • Without regular service, heating systems may gradually deteriorate unnoticed, leading to serious health and safety concerns.
  • Problems can arise if HVAC needs cannot be met by the capacity of the services available. The heating supply must be enough for comfort. Proper ventilation is needed to control excess humidity.
  • Electrical service, wiring and outlets may be unsafe or inadequate for increased loads.
  • Plumbing leaks will continue to damage the finishes and the house structure. The leaks may also contribute to mold growth and IAQ problems.

General living areas, floors and stairs
ask
  • Are floors or stairs springy, sagging, warped or squeaky?
  • Are floor surfaces damaged or carpets musty?
  • Are handrails or guardrails loose?
consider your options
  • Assess the supports underneath the floor. Contact a carpenter for help. Repair as needed.
  • Refasten or shim squeaking floors or stairs.
  • Repair serious safety hazards immediately such as damaged floors or stair boards and loose coverings.
  • Replace damaged flooring. Eliminate moisture sources.
  • Repair loose handrails or guardrails.
and if you dont
  • Damaged or uneven floors and stairs may be unsafe.
  • Musty carpets are usually a source of mold.
  • Loose handrails or guardrails are a safety hazard.

Kitchens and bathrooms
ask
  • Is there any water seepage around fixtures or condensation on windows or toilets?
  • Are floors damaged around bathtubs or showers?
consider your options
  • Repair or replace leaky fixtures.
  • Repair or replace damaged flooring.
  • Provide proper ventilation to reduce humidity, indoor pollutants and stale air.
and if you dont
  • Leaks will continue to cause damage.
  • Excess humidity will continue to cause damage, may cause mold growth and affect the IAQ.

Walls and ceilings
ask
  • Do walls and ceilings have any cracks, holes, bulges, water stains or peeling finishes?
  • Do any doors or windows bind or stick?
  • Are any windows drafty, broken, operating poorly or is there moisture between panes?
  • Are there water stains or rot on windows or walls?
consider your options
  • Repair any holes. Eliminate moisture sources that cause bulges, water stains or peeling finishes.
  • Assess cracks, binding doors or stuck windows for changes in moisture levels or structural movement. Repair or replace as required.
  • Replace broken windowpanes and poorly operating hardware. Replace sealed unit windows that have broken seals or rot.
  • Replace rotted wall materials. Eliminate moisture sources.
and if you dont
  • If the problem sources are not fixed, the bulges, cracks or binding will re-occur.
  • Hiding moisture damage behind new finishes will cause continuing deterioration and mold growth.
  • Faulty windows will eventually result in damage to surrounding wall areas.

Attics
ask
  • Are there water stains or excessive dampness?
  • Is there black mold on any of the roof framing or sheathing?
  • Is the attic adequately ventilated?
  • Are there air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic? Is the attic hatch sealed?
consider your options
  • Find moisture sources. Repair roof leaks. Air-seal the ceiling using polyethylene sheeting, sealed over octagonal boxes for lights, caulk holes for wires through sheeting or wall top plates and weatherstrip attic hatches.
  • Ventilate the attic at the soffits and roof peak.
  • Seal any air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic. Install a sealed attic hatch.
and if you dont
  • Moisture damage will continue to deteriorate the house. Unventilated attics will allow moisture to build up.
  • Air leaks in ceilings below the attic will reduce heating efficiency and can be sources of odours and pollutants.

Roofs
ask
  • Does the roof have any curled or cracked shingles, bare patches, leaks, moss, or damaged flashing?
  • Do eavestroughs and downspouts direct water away from the foundation?
consider your options
  • Repair or replace damaged roofing.
  • Clean leaves and debris from eavestroughs every spring and fall. Extend downspouts to direct rainwater away from the foundation.
and if you dont
  • Roofing will continue to deteriorate.
  • Surface water near the house can put undue stress on the foundation and is a primary cause of water entry problems.

Exterior walls
ask
  • Is there any blistered paint, rotted wood, buckled siding, stained or crumbled brick or damaged stucco on exterior walls?
consider your options
  • Find and eliminate the source of water penetration. Repair or replace damaged exterior finishes.
and if you dont
  • Water penetration may lead to more serious siding, structural and interior finish problems.

Rewards

  • Undertaking maintenance and repair projects such as correcting structural flaws, fixing leaks and making sure that all services are safe and adequate will make your home safer, more efficient and more durable.
  • After you have ensured safety, efficiency and durability, other renovations can be done to make your home more pleasant, attractive and suited to your lifestyle.

Skills to Do the Job

You can assess most of your house with the help of one of CMHC’s inspection checklists. Professional home inspectors are also available to do a thorough inspection for you.

Repairing serious structural, mechanical or electrical problems will require the help of an expert.


Use the House Assessment Worksheet to record the present condition, any problems in your home and to help set priorities for your renovation.

House Assessment Worksheet
  Present Condition / Problems Renovation Priority
Foundation    
Basement Ceiling or Main Floor Structure    
Heating, Cooling and Ventilation System    
Electrical Service and House Wiring    
Plumbing and Fixtures    
Floors and Stairs Structure/Finishes    
Wall and Ceiling Structure/Finishes    
Kitchen    
Bathrooms    
Attics    
Roof Structure/Finishes    
Exterior Wall Finishes    
Windows and Doors    
Other    

Costing Your Project

The cost of your assessment will depend almost entirely on how many professionals you need. They might include an engineer, architect, electrician, plumber, carpenter or professional home inspector.

Additional Resources

Developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the ecoENERGY initiative provides a residential energy assessment service delivered by local organizations across Canada for a fee. Retrofits may be eligible for grants. To find a local service organization or grant information, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000.
 
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In a growing trend, on the cusp of RRSP season, yet another poll shows that Canadians, by and large do not feel prepared for retirement.

 
A recent survey from CIBC shows that while Canadians do not feel prepared for retirement, many of them plan to do something about it- starting now. Many identify retirement planning among their top priorities this year.
 

Furthermore, many do recognize the link between retirement success and developing and implementing strategy: “Planning ahead makes a significant difference, according to the poll - among Canadians who say they have a long term investment plan for retirement, 76 per cent say they are financially prepared for retirement, versus just 25 per cent among those who don't have a plan.”
 
“Planning for retirement is something almost every Canadian thinks about at this time of year, and our poll results show that many would like to be further ahead when it comes to their retirement plans," commented Christina Kramer, Executive Vice President, Retail Distribution and Channel Strategy, CIBC. "Our poll results reveal a split in the country when it comes to retirement, with those who are actively planning ahead are about three times more likely to feel prepared for their future retirement than those who have not yet mapped out their retirement strategy."
 

For Baby Boomers who feel panicky, and that time has run out in advance of their retirement, fear not. There is no time like the present, even when it comes to retirement saving and planning.

Furthermore, previous CIBC research shows that 69% of Canadians intend to keep working through retirement age, so for many there is flexibility in terms of saving deadline.
 
There is also benefit, no matter what stage of life you are in, to understanding what you are investing in, and how that fits into your overall planning. The temptation for many is to wait to the last minute of the RRSP deadline, which can sometimes result in rushed decisions.
 
“We're all busy, and some Canadians have fallen into the habit of making their RRSP contribution just before the deadline without taking the time to sit down and understand where they are versus their goals, and what they might need to change to keep making progress," added Ms. Kramer. "We encourage Canadians to make this the year you use the time before the contribution deadline to look at your broader financial picture, particularly given the difference we see it making in the confidence people have in their retirement plans."
 
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With all the Grow Ops being busted these days, I thought I should bring to your attention the ones that were not busted but instead moved.  In this case, how can you tell if a house was a former marijuana grow op if the police did not catch it first?  Here are some signs that you can look for. 
 
IDENTIFYING A FORMER GROW OP
 
Never assume the location is too bizarre or inconvenient to be a grow op. Police
have found grow operations in new housing developments, in large and small
homes, in basements and attics, in high-rise apartments and warehouses, and
in outbuildings. Marijuana grow operations have even been discovered in
vehicles like tractor-trailers, campers, motor homes and railroad cars.
 
In one Montreal raid, a grower used his own basement but tapped the
electricity from the adjacent garage of his neighbor. In another, police
discovered that every second new house on a street in a new subdivision
had been converted into grow ops — six houses in all. Police have noted an
increasing sophistication in illegal operations.
 
Grow ops often require extensive cleanup and repair. It is possible that these
repairs were never made and the real damage is hidden. Noticeable signs that
you may be dealing with a former grow op include:
 
• Mould in corners where the walls and ceilings meet.
• Signs of roof vents.
• Painted concrete floors in the basement, with circular marks of where
pots once were.
• Evidence of tampering with the electric meter (damaged or broken
seals) or the ground around it.
• Unusual or modified wiring on the exterior of the house.
• Brownish stains around the soffit that bleeds down along the siding.
• Concrete masonry patches, or alterations on the inside of the garage.
• Patterns of screw holes on the walls.
• Alteration of fire places.
• Denting on front doors (from police ramming the door).
 

It is our responsibility as both Listing and Buying Agents to do our due dilligence for our Clients to fully disclose any grow op activity in properties.  However, in some cases, we are not aware of this if the house has no record.  It is always BEST and advised that you request a full home inspection by a reputable and certified inspector.  By doing a thorough examination of the vents and electrical, the inspector may be able to spot a former grow op. 

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Tips to get approved for a mortgage
 
If your home ownership fantasies have been rudely awakened by loan officers denying your application, it’s time to take control of your situation and learn what you can do to turn that rejection into an approval.

What are your options? Everyone’s financial situation is unique. With that in mind, here are five different options for making your homeownership dreams a reality.

1. Get a Co-signer

If your income isn’t high enough to qualify for the loan you need and if you can find a co-signer with enough disposable income, part of that person’s income can be considered toward your loan amount regardless of whether
the person will actually be living with you or helping you pay the bill. In some cases, a co-signer may also be able to compensate for your less-than-perfect credit. Overall, the co-signer is guaranteeing the lender that your mortgage payments will be paid. If you decide to go this route, just make sure that both of you understand the financial and legal obligations the co-signer takes on when he or she signs the loan documents.
 
http://www.castanet.net/news/Home-Finance/59053/Tips-to-get-approved-for-a-mortgage

2. Wait

Sometimes conditions in the economy, the housing market or lending business make lenders less generous with loans. If you’re in a climate where everyone is panicking, then it may be best to wait things out. When conditions improve, lenders may become more accommodating. In the meantime, you can work on improving your credit score, reducing your debt and increasing your savings. While you’re waiting, home prices or interest rates could drop. Either of these changes could also improve your mortgage eligibility.

3. Set your Sights on a Less-Expensive Property

If you can’t qualify for the amount of mortgage you want and you aren’t willing to wait, switching to a condo or townhouse instead of a house, accepting fewer bedrooms or bathrooms, or moving to a less attractive or more
distant neighbourhood may give you more options. As a more drastic option, you could even move to a different part of the country where the cost of home ownership is lower. When your financial situation improves down the road you might be able to trade up to the property, neighborhood or city where you hope to end up.

4. Ask the Lender for an Exception

Believe it or not, it is possible to ask the lender to send your file to someone else within the company for a second opinion on a rejected loan application. In asking for an exception, you'll need to have a very good reason, and you'll need to write a carefully worded letter defending your case. Your letter should avoid excuses and sob stories and focus only on the facts. Explain how the incident that is preventing your loan from being approved, such as a charged-off account, was a one-time event that will never occur again. This one-time event should have been caused by a catastrophe such as a large and unexpected medical expense, natural disaster, divorce or death in the family. The blemish on your record will actually need to have been a one-time event, and you'll need to be able to
back your story up with an otherwise flawless credit history.

5. Team Up With Someone Else

Two incomes are better than one, so if you can't qualify on your own, perhaps you have a family member or friend that you trust enough and like enough to make a major purchase with and live with. It won't be enough to just put them on the loan, of course - they'll need to actually help with the mortgage payments to make it work, and chances are they won't want to pay half the mortgage unless they're living in the new home with you.

Conclusion

To go from rejected to pre-approved, it's important to know what lenders are looking for in an applicant. If you've been turned down for a mortgage, make sure to ask your mortgage professional plenty of questions about things you could do in your specific situation to make yourself a more attractive loan candidate. With time, patience, hard work and a little luck, you should be able to turn the situation around and become a residential property owner.
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