The Agenda examines government changes designed to stabalize Ontario's real estate market.

Here are the top 10 red flags to look for when buying a home. When buying a home, it’s common that a buyer may be overwhelmed with many different feelings, emotions, and thoughts. This can sometimes lead to the possibility of not recognizing some very important things while house hunting. There are certain things that every buyer should be looking for when viewing potential properties. Items such as the ages of the roof, furnace, and hot water heater are just a few of the top things to look for when buying a home. Buyers should also be looking for potential red flags…

A properly installed fuse is just as safe as a circuit breaker, but there are many reasons why fused homes can have problems. Why are people scared of fuses? Many people think that fuses are unsafe, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A properly installed fuse is just as safe as a circuit breaker, but there are many reasons why fused homes can have problems, and I’ll discuss a few of the most common problems. To start, how can I say that a properly installed fuse is as safe as a circuit breaker? A fuse will only handle the amount…

Here are eight tips (myths, really) that most people believe are good advice, but instead will cost you cash you don’t need to spend. You’re always on the lookout for smart ideas and hacks to manage your home (and save money) — whether that means listening to the wisdom of your parents who’ve owned a home longer than you’ve been alive, or scouring every corner of the internet for savvy tips. But just because a tip has been pinned, shared, and Instagrammed thousands of times doesn’t make it smart. Here are eight tips (myths, really) that most people believe are good advice,…

Some sellers just assume that there is nothing they can do to alter the outcome of the inspection, that's where they are wrong. One of the steps in the home selling process is having your home inspected by someone the seller has chosen. The home inspection is important to both the buyer and the seller, but to the seller it represents another hurdle to getting the contracts signed. As an inspector I take people on tours of the homes they are planning on buying and talk them through the inspection process, showing them the good, the bad and the really bad.…

The growth of the condo market is leading many purchases wondering if an inspection is even necessary. Condominiums are becoming more and more popular in the Greater Toronto Area. From Oshawa through to the Niagara Penninsula, condo construction continues at a high pace, both high rises and town homes. Condos are a great way for a young family to start and afford a new home or an opportunity to downsize for those who no longer need or want the space of detached unit. But even if the condo is a brand new construction, there can still be issues creeping behind the…

More than just turning a tap on, the safe and proper operation of a plumbing system is important to every home, and key in a proper home inspection. One of the items that our home inspectors review during a home inspection is the plumbing. Pipes run throughout your home delivering water where you need it. While home plumbing is a fantastic innovation, it also has a down side; wood and water do not mix well. A leaking pipe in your home can create mold and damage your homes structure. Having a home’s plumbing inspected can help you identify issues and address…

Understanding how a certified home inspection evaluates the electrical system. When it comes to powering the home, electricity is what makes it run. But while this technological discovery keeps our devices humming and our bodies warm, it is also very dangerous if it goes unmaintained. If you are worried about your homes electrical wiring or you are purchasing a new home, have an inspection done for peace of mind about your investment and your family. What’s behind the wall? As part of our home inspections, we identify what is going on behind the walls. This is done through inspecting access points that are…

Different kinds of defects carry different obligations, but a good sales rep and skilled home inspector can help keep you informed. If I’m interested in purchasing a home, what does the seller have to disclose to me about the property? When you’re in the process of buying a home, it can be very easy to get caught up in the esthetics of the structure — such as the marble countertops and hardwood floors. But elements such as foundations, wiring, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems are just as important, if not more so. We get a lot of questions about what sellers are…

Condensation on windows tends to increase during the winter. Find out the reasons why, and what you can do in your home. We encourage clients and real estate agents to call us with technical questions. We get lots of them – and it is that time of the year where condensation comes to the forefront. We don’t want to bore you with technical terms like vapour pressure differential. Let’s keep this simple. There are two rules at work here: When warm moist air touches something cool, condensation will form. Warm air can hold a lot of moisture; cold air cannot. (While warm air can hold…

When a home inspection is waived prior to purchasing a house, it is very difficult to win a lawsuit down the line. What happens if you discover water flowing below the floor in a newly-purchased house and you have to completely gut the basement to remove toxic mold? Who is responsible? That was the problem facing Eric Brown and his mother, Louise, after they bought a house on MacHenry St. in Forest, Ont., from Gary and Kim Cassidy in October 2011. During his first inspection of the house, Eric asked Gary if he had ever had any water problems in the basement and…

Besides your fuzzy slippers, do you have what it takes to defend against winter’s chill? Snow and cold sure are a whole lot more tolerable when you’re anticipating a snow day (no need to go the office!) instead of suiting up to catch the bus. The freezing temps seem to seep right into the marrow of your bones. That happens to your home, too. And like you, if you don’t protect it from the elements, the results would be, well, let’s just say, not good. Here’s how to keep your home safe and your bones warm. How to Prepare for Blizzards The Get Prepared…

Don’t break your back shoveling snow. Try these tips to make winter less of a burden. If you’re a homeowner in Niagara or any snowy climate, chances are good you disdain winter: All that snow has to get shoveled, and it’s not drifting off your driveway itself. Cue the snow shovel. Barring a move to the Carribean or barricading your family inside all winter, there’s no way to avoid the endless task of shoveling snow. There are, however, ways to make the process much easier. Here are three simple hacks to make the morning after a snowfall much less stressful. 1. Spray Your Shovel…

Your roof is a critical component to keeping your home protected, but gets little love. Here is what an inspection of your roof should include. Some people generally make a habit of taking a good look at their roof in the autumn, before a long winter sets in. Unfortunately, many others do not. Unless you are having trouble with visible leakage, checking the roof a bit more often than once a year is advisable. Roofing material, like anything else, is subject to wear and tear, and is your first line of defense from the elements. Because every region of the country…

Many Canadians are looking to renovate older homes that contain lead paint. Here is what you need to know. The risks of lead Some older homes in Canada may have lead-based paint on the walls. Removing, repairing or disturbing this paint through normal wear-and-tear (such as paint on doors, windows, stairs and railings) can expose you and your children to serious health risks: lead poisoning can cause anaemia (a deficiency of red blood cells) as well as brain and nervous system damage. The risk is greatest for children because they are growing and absorb lead easily. Even small amounts of dust with lead…

Avoid winter’s nastiest tricks. Wintry weather is great at turning up problems you didn’t even know you had. Like that first snowy night in front of your fireplace that you thought was pure bliss — until you noticed a leak in the ceiling corner, which apparently was caused by a lack of insulation. How were you supposed to know that? Many homeowners don’t realize they’re making critical missteps that can cost a ton when winter sets in. Here are seven wintertime mistakes homeowners often make (and what they could cost you!): 1. Not Buying a $2 Protector for Your Outdoor Faucet What It’ll Cost…

A New York City designer shares secrets to making a small bath both functional and beautiful. Got a small bathroom to renovate? Go wild with texture and colours if it's a rarely used guest bath, but stick to clean and simple in a master bath. That's the word from designer Jamie Gibbs, who transforms incredibly small New York City bathrooms into beautiful spaces. "I like being shocked by details in a little space, especially if it's not going to be used much," Gibb says. His small-bath secrets: Avoid textures in bathrooms that get daily use. In a heavily used bathroom, anything with texture becomes…

Common maintenance tips on getting your dishwasher to wash the dishes properly, and reduce the amount of detergent that you need to use. The most common cause of a dishwasher not washing the dishes well is improper loading- so if you're letting the kids load pot on top of pan covered by a bowl, you might experience food and waste stuck on the dishes after the wash. If you load your dishwasher properly, and it still doesn't wash dishes quite the way you would like, read on! (You may even save some money on detergent by following this maintenance tip) Assuming you…