Earlier this week, the National Association of REALTORS (American version of CREA) launched a new website, entitled HouseLogic.  This web site is designed to help home owners make smart decisions to maintain, protect, and increase the value of their homes. HouseLogic will help consumers take responsible actions pertaining to what is likely the largest investment of their lives.

With content covering home improvement, maintenance, taxes, finance, insurance, and even ways you can get involved in and enrich your community, HouseLogic can help you increase and protect the value of your home by helping you make confident decisions.  (remember this is an American site so the taxes and finances, insurance may not be applicable here in Canada)

Create to-do lists, and set project reminders, get costs estimates on various renos and home improvements (in USD). A very informative website that has it all.  Be sure to check it out.

But what if you don’t have a lot of time and are on a limited budget? What can you do today to make your home irresistible to buyers tomorrow?  Here are some ideas:

1. Paint
It doesn’t cost much to paint key areas of your home, like the foyer, kitchen or master bedroom.  Yet the impression it makes on buyers is significant. In fact, compared to most other types of home improvement projects, painting gives you the highest payback when you sell.

2. Create space
Homes naturally get cluttered over the years.  Even a double car garage can seem claustrophobic if there are a lot of boxes, equipment and other items stored in it.  Go through each room of your home and do a major decluttering.  It will  make your property seem more attractive and, when you sell, make moving easier too!

3. Clean and tidy
Obviously, you’re going to make sure your home is clean for viewings. But you’d be surprised what a homeowner can miss and a buyer notices. Closets, laundry rooms, side yard, basement furnace room and all other nooks and crannies should be as tidy and clean as possible.

4. Roll out the red carpet
Not an actual red carpet! But you do want the entrance way to your front door and into the foyer to make the best impression possible.  After all, those are the areas that a buyer sees first. Make sure walkways are clear and clean. Ensure that when a buyer opens the front door and walks in, the impression he or she gets is that of a great looking place to live.

These four tips don’t take much time or money to implement. Yet, they can all help make your home even more irresistible to buyers than it is today.

Want more tips on preparing your home for sale?  Curious to know the value of your home? Contact Fraser and Stephen Winters today for a FREE home market evaluation.

Still in the infant stages they are toying with this idea and whether to offer a tax credit for home renovation in general, or merely for retrofits and upgrades that increase energy efficiency.

A few of the negative drawbacks we can expect to see for a national program  such as this reno tax credit is that they are typically difficult to administer, hard to monitor and susceptible to fraud.

Personally I thought this would be accepted with open arms, but after reading some of the comments left on the Globe and Mail article opinions are quite mixed.

Read the full article in the Globe And Mail – Plan offers tax credit for home renovations

The monthly Newfoundland Real Estate MLS housing price break down is showing an increase of 6% in listings this month and an increase of 27% in home purchases.  Year to date, listings are up 1% and sales up 13% compared to this time last year.  Properties sold in St. John’s in the $180,000 to $350, 000 range have doubled in number of units sold.

Total # of New MLS Listings [Sept] = 834

Total # of Sales [Sept] = 606

Number of Active Listings in the NLAR MLS System = 2587

The average price of a home in the St. John’s Real Estate market is now $183,929 year to date for 2008.  Compared to $165,813 9YTD) for 2007.  Remember this is for ALL Newfoundland (nlar.ca)  Prices are closer to the $200,000 average in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and surrounding areas.

Here is a break down by area for the month of September for single family homes

St. John’s Real Estate: Listings = 178 Sales = 122 Sales/Listings Ratio = 67%

Average Sale Price: $192,575

Mount Pearl Real Estate: Listings = 21 Sales = 24 Sales/Listings Ratio = 114%

Average Sale Price: $177,445

Paradise Real Estate: Listings =52 Sales = 32 Sales/Listings Ratio = 61%

Average Sale Price: $210,327

East Extern Real Estate: Listings = 43 Sales = 25   Sales/Listings Ratio = 54%

Average Sale Price: $219,413

Conception Bay Real Estate: Listings = 41   Sales = 41  Sales/Listings Ratio = 100%

Average Sale Price: $197,360

The rec room portion of my basement I want to sub floor is approx 24′ x 24′ or 576 sqft. I was familiar with the “normal” process of strapping my floor with 1″ x 3″ on the Truwall and nailing/screwing 5/8″ plywood on top, but a friend of mine mentioned to me he just installed Platon. So along with the two previously mentioned methods, I decided to toss DRIcore panels in the mix and compare price, functionality and installation ease for each product.

DRIcore

DRIcore are 2″ x 2″ engineered tongue and grove panels, 7/8″ in height (~$7 per panel). The bottom portion of the panels is made of a high density polyethylene moisture barrier bonded to the underside of the Random Wafer Board (RWB). The moisture barrier is molded with “dual wall cleats” that act as a raised moisture barrier.

This “appears” to be the easiest method. Lay them down, and click into the adjacent ones.
Even though they say 2″ x 2″ they are smaller then that. (closer to 23 1/4″ x 23 1/4″) On the display pamphlet is said total square footage divided by 3.3. So 576/3.3 = 175 panels. This is approx $1400 with taxes.

Platon

From the website Platon is “a tough, durable, double dimpled, high-density polyethylene air gap membrane”. Found in rolls 6′ wide by 66′ long. (~$115 per roll) The Platon looks VERY similar to the bottom side of the DRIcore panels. Doesn’t appear to be as sturdy.
The concept behind Platon, is roll it out, over lap the edges and seal with Tuct Tape or Chaulking. This creates the raised air gap / moisture barrier. On top of the Platon you have to install 4′ x 8′ plywood sheets. I chose 5/8″ thickness. (~$30 per sheet) For my area I would need about 18 sheets + 2 extra. So 20 sheets * $30 = $600. Plus the 2 rolls of Platon.
Note: in this method you would need concrete nails or my personal favorite, my 22 caliber single shot Hammer Tool. Cost for 100 inch and a half nails = $15 and about $10 for the 100 shots. Grand total for this method is approx $1000.

Truwall, strapping, and plywood method

This method is by far the most time consuming. You have to first layout your Truwall (complete with strapping grooves). You then have to lay the 1″ x 3 ” strapping in the grooves and while using your trusty 22 cal hammer tool, fix to the concrete. On top of this you then lay your plywood. Again, using 5/8″ thickness. At this point I would screw the plywood to the strapping holding it firmly in place.
4′ x 8′ (1 1/2″ thickness) Truwall = $16 (Need 20)
4′ x 8′ x 5/8″ Plywood = $30 (Need 20)
1″ x 3″ x 8′ strapping = $1.50 a piece (Need 60)
100 1 1/2″ nails = $15
100 22 cal shot = $10
1 1/2″ screws = $30
Grand total = $1200

Conclusion

I opted for the DRIcore Panels.  For the extra cash I hope they are as easy to install as they say they are. (100sqft per hour)  I opted for the panels for the overall funcationality.  I also liked the ease to access my floor drain and my main sewer clean out pipe incase of an emergency.

UPDATE: As an update I did buy and install the DRIcore panels.  Man…..the easiest thing to use.  You can install them wearing a shirt and tie and not even break a sweat.  HIGHLY recommend them.  The slight difference in price was well worth it in “man hours”.  I installed 12mm laminate flooring over it and it’s was a perfect combination.  And on the feet….perfect.  Nice and firm and toasty on the feet. ( Of course laminate in a basement will appear “cool” to the feet anyways)

Would I use it again?  Absolutely.  Even convinced 2 other friends finishing their basements to use it, and from the results I’m sure they will be referring it to others.

These tips are curiosity of the Home Depot.

• Turn up the heat

Basements are the coldest areas in the home, yet with the potential of becoming the most inviting.  A fireplace will instantly add warmth to this cool area, providing direct heat into the room. There are several different styles available ranging in price range and total square footage it covers.

• If these walls could talk

New paint on walls is like an instant facelift for your basement. Painting is an effective and quick way to change the look and feel of the room – making it a more inviting place to spend time. There are also several different styles of wallpaper available at The Home Depot that will help give your basement a fresh and updated look.

• Walk this way

Keep your toes warm and toasty by installing subflooring on top of the cold basement floor. Once installed, cover it with carpet, wood, laminate or tile – whatever suits your style.

• Let there be light

Many basements have little or no available natural light, which can make the room gloomy.  Consider installing pot lights or track lighting across the ceiling.  These types of light fixtures will instantly brighten the room by giving it a warm glow.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Did you know that after furnaces and water heaters, household appliances are the biggest energy users in the average Canadian home?

Major electrical appliances (think kitchen and laundry room) consume on average up to 14 percent of the total energy used in the home.

Although the upfront costs can be a little more expensive, over the long haul you will save. Compare a $1 old fashioned 100w light bulb to a $7.50 23watt fluorescent bulb. Times that by 15 bulbs and the price difference is quite significant.

Not only will you save in the long haul, there are government incentives to help reduce the upfront costs.

ecoENERGY Retrofit provides federal grants and incentives to homeowners and small and medium-sized businesses, industry and public institutions to help them invest in energy and pollution-saving upgrades. In addition to the grants available under ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes, selected provincial, territorial and municipal entities also offer grants and incentives to homeowners who conduct energy saving upgrades.

When you get a mortgage on your home check out CMHC’s Mortgage Loan Insurance Rebate for energy efficient homes. If you use CMHC insured financing to buy an energy efficiency home, purchase a home and make energy-saving renovations or renovate your existing home, a 10% refund on the mortgage loan insurance premium may be available.

Newfoundland Light and Power has a Wrap Up for Savings Rebates & Financing. If you upgrade the insulation in your basement, attic or crawl space, you may be eligible for a cash rebate.

While Home sellers flooded the markets in Toronto and Saskatoon last month, causing the number of listings to surge to a record level in Canada. Kitchener-Waterloo, St. John’s Newfoundland, and Thunder Bay actually saw a decrease in the number of homes on the market.

It appears that throughout most of Canada we are seeing a pull back in prices and real estate sales, a cool down. But not in Newfoundland. The only thing cool in Newfoundland right now is the temperature. Prices are continuing to rise. Buyers are continuing to flood the market and investors are still looking for rental properties.

In Saskatoon where prices are continuing to sky-rocket, buyers seemed leery about the idea of purchasing a new home. “70 per cent said it was not a good time to make a purchase.” In contrast to Atlantic Canada where 49 per cent were positive towards the idea of owning a new home.

CREA released it’s First Quarter Forecast 2008 earlier last week and as expected, MLS home sales are forecast to ease gradually in all provinces in 2008, but record-level activity in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland & Labrador during the first quarter will result in new annual records in these provinces.

Source: Homes Market Flooded by Sellers – Globe and Mail

Not all contractors play by the same rules, though, and if you get stung by one of these underground contractors, you could lose everything – your peace of mind, your savings, even your home. Sound serious? It is. As the owner of the property where the work is taking place, you are legally responsible and liable for any damages or injuries that occur on your property, regardless if someone else is doing the work. If that contractor becomes injured, or causes a life-threatening hazard due to sloppy work, you can be sued. A professional contractor is covered by his own liability insurance.
Without a paper trail – no contract, no warranty, no estimate or invoice – there is absolutely no record that the work was done, who did the work, or that they were even paid.

The contractor you hire should have the technical, business and interpersonal skills, the tools and the experience needed to do the job you want done. Hire a contractor who has experience with projects similar to yours. This contractor will know what materials and techniques are needed for your work; and even better, about problems with similar work — and how to solve them.

You want to find out as much as you can, so ask a lot of questions, such as:

• How long have you been in business?
• What work are you, or your subcontractors, licensed to do, e.g., electrical, plumbing?
• What kind of work do you specialize in?
• Have you done a similar job before?
• Will you use your own crew for the work or will you subcontract all or part of the job?
• How would you handle a specific problem related to this project (e.g., installing kitchen cabinets on your sloping floor)?
• How will you deal with the health and energy efficiency aspects of the job?
• How and when do you clean up, particularly fine dust?
• What work schedule will you follow?
• What kind of warranty do you offer and what does it cover?
• Do you carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance?
• Will you provide a written contract?
• Will you take out all required permits (e.g., building, plumbing, electrical)?

Regardless of your approach to hiring a contractor, the most important fact to remember is…..do as Mike Holmes does “GET IT IN WRITING”

I looked into mine and it was determined that I had one of the HRV’s in question. (Model: 43720) You can fill out the Request Form Product Recall – Safety Upgrade Program and find out if your model is listed as well.

The recall is for models manufactured between 1991 and 2001 as well as between October 2006 and August 2007.
Owners of air exchange systems that are covered by this Safety Upgrade Program must immediately turn their unit off and unplug it, and contact Venmar as soon as possible. (1 866-441-4645) or by visiting their website at www.venmar.ca

It has come to Venmar’s attention that an unlikely series of circumstances could lead to a motor overheating in certain models of air exchangers that may result in a potential fire hazard. For models manufactured between 1991 and 2001 Venmar will provide a safety upgrade device, called Power Plug Adaptor free of charge. For models manufactured between October 2006 and August 2007 Venmar will send a field technician who will inspect and fix the affected units, free of charge.
The Safety Upgrade Program affects certain units distributed under the names: Venmar, Venmar AVS,Flair, vänEE, Sears, Guardian by Broan, NuTone, Conformax, Payne, Day & Night, Carrier, Bryant, Heil, York, Rheem, Ruud, Protech and Weatherking Heat Recovery Ventilators sold in North-America. This program covers units with the following model numbers only. This model number is located on a silver or a black label positioned on the outside panel of the unit.