Did you know that, next to heating and air conditioning, your lights consume
most of the energy in your home? In fact, you can lower your electricity bill
quickly – and substantially – simply by being smarter about lighting.
First, consider replacing your conventional light bulbs with the energysaving
variety. You’ve probably seen these at your local home improvement
centre. Compact florescent light bulbs, for example, use up to 75% less
energy.
Second, lower the wattage in some outlets. Is it necessary to have a 100
watt bulb in the furnace room? Try a 60 watt bulb.
Finally, think before you turn on the lights. Do you really need them on?
Perhaps there’s an alternative, such as opening a window blind to let in
more sunlight.
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When you see a new home you like on the market, it’s easy to get distracted
by all the features you love – the wrap-around backyard deck or the
spacious rec room with plenty of space for entertaining. You just need to
make sure that in all that excitement you don’t overlook any expensive
maintenance issues that could be just around the corner.
Nothing lasts forever. The major components of every home – from the
furnace to the roof shingles – need to be replaced eventually. Knowing
when such maintenance issues are likely to arise can help you make a
smarter decision about the home you’re considering.
How do you do that?
When viewing a property, ask for the age of the major components of the
home, such as the roof shingles, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, and
appliances. Roof shingles may look merely weathered in spots – and you
might think they have years of service left – when, in fact, they’re due to be
replaced in a year.
Also pay close attention to the backyard deck, fencing, flooring, and
windows. Do any of those components look aged, worn, and in need of
repair or replacement sometime soon?
Finally, don’t forget to check the kitchen and bathrooms. Sinks, faucets,
bathtubs, showers, and cabinetry have a life-span of about 10-15 years.
Of course, there are things you can’t see, such as wiring, plumbing, venting,
and other components of a property that may require maintenance soon.
That’s why it’s so important to make any offer to purchase a home
conditional on passing an inspection by a qualified home inspector.
Want more ideas on buying the right home for you? Call today.
Like heat, water and air conditioning, insurance is a home expense you have some degree of control over. In fact, there are ways to reduce your insurance costs by as much as 20%.
The thing to keep in mind is that insurance companies will often reward you – in the form of lower rates – when you do something to reduce the risk of damage to your property. That’s why you can often get a discount when you install smoke detectors on all floors. Other discounts may be available if you get better door locks, an alarm system, upgraded wiring, and so forth.
Contact your insurance company and ask how you can lower your
insurance costs. Sometimes just a few minor changes can save you a
bundle.
When you’re shopping for a new home, you want to find a property that has
all the features and characteristics you want. A large deck surrounded by
picturesque landscaping … a beautiful kitchen with gleaming marble
countertops… a cozy finished basement with fireplace….
You should look for the ideal home. You deserve it! But some home buyers
make the mistake of becoming fixated on finding the “perfect” property, and
passing too quickly on those homes that don’t quite measure up.
Why is that a mistake? Because some of those less-than-perfect properties
have the potential of becoming your next dream home.
First of all, a home that is lacking some desirable features, such as a
finished basement, will probably cost less. Those savings may be more than
enough to cover any needed upgrade or renovation.
Secondly, if you look at a home in terms of its potential, rather than the
features it happens to have now, there will be more properties available on
the market for you to consider.
If you’re determined to have a large wrap-around deck for entertaining, for
example, don’t cross homes that don’t have this feature off your list. At least
not yet. Instead, view these properties with an eye on potential. Is the
backyard big enough to accommodate a large deck? How would a deck like
that look if added to this particular property? How much would such a
renovation cost?
There’s no doubt about it. You want to find a home that has all the features
and characteristics you want. If you work with a good REALTOR®, there is
a good chance you’ll find a property that has most of them.
But keep an open mind. Sometimes a “diamond in the rough” can – with an
upgrade or renovation – become a home you’ll treasure for years.
