At Home with Andree

Our beloved Septic System

2010-05-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Our beloved Septic System

With summer just around the corner, many of us are preparing the exterior of our homes for the great days ahead. But not everything that needs tending to is in plain sight. For many homeowners it lurks beneath your feet...Our beloved Septic System.

All of us are very aware of what they do for us, but not what we can do for it.

With the recent sale of her home, a seller decided to have her septic system cleaned and evaluated to make sure all was well. To many of us, the report that is received after the procedure can be overwhelming – or worse, not read! The seller’s report stated that her septic tank was in good condition. As for the weeping field, it showed a high water level. What does this all mean to the homeowner?

The septic system consists of two major components: the septic tank and the weeping field. Septic tanks must have structural integrity and be watertight. Its purpose is to separate the liquids from the solids and to provide some breakdown of organic matter in the wastewater. The most commonly used construction material for septic tanks is concrete, which is pre-cast for easy installation in the field. Other materials include fibreglass and polyethylene. The weeping field (or leaching field) consists of a network of perforated plastic pipes laid in gravel trenches over a layer of soil. This is in brief!!

Many organisms live in and on the weeping field of your septic system and clogging of the weeping field occur gradually.

Overloading can cause saturation/clogging of the weeping field. The wastewater will then either seep to the surface of the ground or into a lake close by or into the ground water or back up into your house – all being hazardous to the environment and to the family’s health – representing an expensive repair bill...

To be sure that this isn't happening to you and your property, you –the homeowner - can and should request a thorough cleaning and inspection be done every two years. And do the necessary repairs/maintenance as required.

To prevent any mishaps and to prolong the life span of your septic system, be sure to flush only toilet paper and its 'friends' down, nothing else! No paper tissues or paper towels, no diapers, no harsh chemicals, paints, solvents, no food, no grease, no coffee grounds. Nothing should be built over the weeping field: no above-ground swimming pools, patios, storage sheds, gardens, trees, etc.

The condition of you septic system plays a big role in your day to day life and in the next owner’s as well. If it isn't maintained over the years, it can impact in the sale of your house: not just the final sale price, but with legal matters resulting if past problems were not resolved or worst still, camouflaged –

For more information on septic systems visit the CMHC website or in French SCHL.

Andree

www.andreelavigne.com

Photo credit: www.funnychix.com

Well Displayed Homes Sell Faster and for Larger Profit

2010-05-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

Well Displayed Homes Sell Faster and for Larger Profit

For this blog post I thought I would try something a little different and invite a guest to write about something that I find very important when trying to sell a home; home staging. Current statistics demonstrate that a well displayed home sells faster and for larger profit. Using home staging as a strategy is something I would recommend to most home sellers.

Mandi Drennan from Mandi Creations is a home stager serving the Hudson, St-Lazare, Rigaud area. From color consultations to prepping homes for re-sale, Mandi has an array of experience in various design related realms. Here is what Mandi has to say about Home Staging...

The term ‘home staging’ is being used a lot these days. You hear about it on the television and read about it in magazines. To many, home staging is just another un-necessary expense while trying to sell your home. In reality it is a great way to represent your home in all its glory. This process does not have to be a costly one. Many people think that they have to get rid of all their old furnishings and spend thousands of dollars renting or buying new ones. This is not always the case. Although that is an option that is used for showing high-end homes, the next best thing is working with everything you have. It is cost effective and you get to bring all the great ideas and looks along with you to your new home.

When a real estate agent suggests staging a home, many may take it as an insult. That their house isn’t nice, or that they have a bad sense of decorating. In fact, the real estate agents wants you to be able to sell your home for all its worth and the quickest way possible. In some cases, it may involve some furniture arranging, de-cluttering and maybe a simple paint job. It needs to be eye pleasing to as many potential buyers as possible, for many can’t look past cosmetic details. They need to be able to imagine themselves building a new life in your home. Many can relate to others home furnishings; most people have a sofa, a television and a dining room table. So potential buyers can then start to envision their own furnishings and can get an idea of size and placement.

Here are some examples of simple staging methods of just working with the sellers current furnishings.

By using white bedding, it gives the room a hotel feel, clean and fresh. The wall curtains add a focal point and also gives the illusion of additional windows and space.

Placing the area rug underneath the dining room table gives a finished look and defines the dining space.

Home stagers offer a variety of staging techniques and procedures. By having an at-home consultation with your home stager, you can then decide on the appropriate changes that may need to be made, all with your budget in mind.

Another bonus to home staging is it makes your moving experience, quick and organized, for you will have less to pack come the big day of finding not just any house, but your home. Happy Staging!

To find out more about Mandi Drennan visit www.mandicreations.com

Increasing mortgage rates: be aware of all your options...

2010-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

Increasing mortgage rates; be aware of all your options...

With the recent announcement of increased mortgage rates, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss how it might affect present and future homeowners.

Interest rates usually will stay low when the unemployment rate is high. When more jobs are created and the unemployment rate goes down, the interest rates will start going up which is what we are presently seeing. Although it is impossible to know how high the interest rates will go in the future, it is prudent to get informed and get a clear picture of all your options.

To stimulate the economy, the Bank of Canada has kept its key overnight rate at a historical low for over a year but is now expected to be raising lending rates in the coming months in order to bring the inflation pressure down in the financial system. The housing market has been extremely strong recently which was driven by a great number of homebuyers who were ready to pay a premium for homes in order to avoid the imminent rise in interest rates. According to an article from the Canadian Press, CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld believes that the rate increase could help dampen the house price inflation seen over the past several months.

Homeowners and people looking at purchasing a home in the next few months should consider the following points.

If you are considering buying a house it is suggested to visit your financial institution and get a pre-approved mortgage. You will increase your negotiating and bargaining power by showing the prospective seller that you are serious and will allow you to better focus on homes that are right for you. Your financial institution can not only pre-approve your mortgage (under certain conditions) but can also guarantee a rate for a certain period of time usually around 90 days, protecting you against rate fluctuation and giving you peace of mind throughout the home-buying process.

Consider Locking in variable rates. Although research shows that holding a variable rate mortgage is more cost effective than a fix mortgage over time (in 82% of the time), taking into account the currently record low interest rates, chances are that you might be better off locking-in your mortgage rate at this point. The decision to hold a fix or variable rate mortgage is a personal one and will depend on your financial situation and flexibility to handle higher monthly payments in the event of a rate increase.

Re-negotiate your mortgage. If you are close to the end of your mortgage term, you might want to look at the cost of breaking your current mortgage. Every institution has different policies but you can enquire with your lender and see how much interest you would save by renegotiating with the best possible current rate.

In any case, now is time to meet with your lender and review your options so that you can still take advantage of the low interest rates before the looming changes in the housing market take place.

Andree

www.andreelavigne.com

Common-Law Couples: What you should know before you buy a house...

2010-03-22T18:41:00.000-07:00

Common-Law Couples: What you should know before you buy a house...

Quebec has the highest number of common-law unions (28.8%) in Canada. Although these unions are often short-term or transitory and some will end up in marriage these marriages tend to have a high divorce rate. Since the divorce rate in Quebec was 48.4% in 2009, it is not unreasonable to assume that more than half of the common law couples will end up in a breakup.
In Quebec, common-law partners are known as de facto partners and do not have the same rights as married couples.

There are many common beliefs about common-law unions such as:

• After 3 years, couples who are living together have the same rights as couples who are married.
• Common law couples who live under the same roof are considered in a common-law relationship by the income tax department – therefore must have the same rights as a married couple.
• Couples with children who break-up: the common-law “wife” assumes she can get an alimentary pension.
• Couples who own a home and break-up: the proceeds are equally split between the 2 spouses.
These commonly held assumptions/beliefs have no basis in the Civil Code of Quebec.

So when I meet couples who want to want to buy a house I always ask if they are married, if not…I recommend the following:

1. The house should be in both names.

2. The down payment each puts in should be documented by the notary or lawyer because if they split up and the house is sold, the amount each invested will be returned as well as any profit accrued on same percentage as the investment.

3. They should each have a new will made leaving the house to the surviving spouse. Why? Because if a common-law spouse dies intestate, his/her portion of the immovable assets does not go to the surviving spouse but to his/her family….

If you are in a de facto union, you should have a cohabitation contract which will lists the items owns by each “spouse” before they started living common-law. It is also recommended to keep receipts for items acquired during cohabitation which are included in the contract. A cohabitation contract is the only protection a common-law couple can have in terms of a legal framework for their relationship.
Quebec has the “Civil Code”. The rest on Canada has “Common Law”, two entirely different legal systems…

Andree
http://www.andreelavigne.com/

Source: www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/english/accueil.asp

http://www.common-law-separation-canada.com/
http://wwweducaloi.qc.ca/

Spring Cleaning: Tips to Prepare to Sell Your Home

2010-03-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

Spring time is probably one of the best time of the year to sell your home. The snow is melting, the sun is warming up and the energy level is back up. If you are looking at selling your home, take this opportunity to showcase your house at its best potential and sell faster and bring top dollar. Start with one room at the time so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Here are some tips you can follow to get started with your spring cleaning so that your home is ready for showings.

Indoor:

• Professional carpet cleaning should be done every 12 to 18 months. If you think that’s too much, check out the color of the water after it has been cleaned, you will be amazed to see how much dirt accumulates over the year.

• Dust everything; ceiling fans, furniture, above kitchen cabinets, baseboards, doorways and light fixtures. Take everything off shelves, tabletops and dressers to dust. Move furniture away from walls and clean underneath.

• Open up the windows to air out thoroughly.

• Get rid of pet smells, hair and stains.

• Ensure smooth-sliding windows and patio doors by running a bar of soap along the tracks.

• Here’s a good tip to clean your indoor plants from tipnut.com; gently run the inside of a banana peel along the tops and undersides of leaves for an all-natural clean and polish.

• Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms buyers pay the most attention to and can make or break your sale. Bathrooms should represent the feeling of privacy and relaxation whereas the kitchen should convey a feeling of family and entertaining.

• Buyers love to snoop and will open every closet and cabinet door so make sure to throw out all expired food and organize and clean all your cabinets. Donate old clothes and hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction. Using all identical hangers such as white plastic hangers (I really can’t stand those ugly metal hangers) will make your closets look more organized and neat.

• Spring is also a perfect time to change your bedding. You can opt for the inexpensive bed in a bag solution using neutral and light colors to brighten up your room.

• Here’s another great tip from tipnut.com to clean your shower door tracks. First clean out as much as you can, then stuff the track drain holes with small, tight wads of toilet paper or chunks of paper towel. Pour preferred grime buster solution such as Coca-Cola, Vinegar, Denture Tablets (first dissolved in warm water) or Bleach & Water in the track to completely cover without flowing over the track, and then allow soaking for an hour or two. After soaking, unclog the drain holes and allow cleaner to flow out of the tracks. Rinse well with hot water. Then get your tools out and dig into the little corners and crevices. Caution: the suggested cleaners might react with all the various metals and finishes used for shower tracks, please test first before using to ensure the tracks or the finish won’t be damaged.

• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks if need be and polish chrome faucets and mirrors. Don’t forget to hang fresh towels.

• Be sure your sump pump works properly. To test, fill the sump pit with water and go outside to make sure the pump is actually discharging water. You can also eliminate any build-up in the system by pouring white vinegar through the unit.

• De-personalize and de-clutter. If you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it. Buyers want to imagine their own pictures on the walls; they need to see past your own personal artifacts and family heirlooms.

Outdoor curb appeal. The first impression really counts and if the outside is not up to par, potential buyers might pass by your house without even giving it a second look.

• Don't leave exterior painting for the hot, humid, hazy days of summer. Para Paints advises tackling an outdoor paint update after a minimum 24-hour period of temperatures between 15 and 25 C.

• Examine your asphalt driveway’s surface for damage. Regular resealing is the best way to protect the surface and keep it in good shape.

• Wash every window in and out. You can use this environmentally friendly recipe: Use 2 cups of water, 3 TBS Vinegar and ½ tsp liquid dish detergent.
• Give your roof a “once-over” for damage inflicted during the winter.

• Use a pressure washer and spray sidewalks and exterior. Don’t forget to clean the cobwebs.

• Clean up the garage and landscaping. Planting yellow flowers such as marigolds has been said to evoke a buying emotion and is an inexpensive way to make a great impact.

Having a clean home reflects the owner’s level of activity when it comes to maintenance and keeping up with the property. Finishing touches does matter and your home can never be clean enough for the discriminating buyer. With careful planning and a little elbow grease, your house should sell in no time.

Andree
http://www.andreelavigne.com/

Source: http://homebuying.about.com/

http://tipnut.com/