7 Home Improvements Just for Your Pets

Renovating & Remodeling

When it comes to your house, there’s no hiding the fact that you have a pet. Between the bed, the food, and the “I Heart Cats” welcome mat, your home practically screams animal lover. So why not take the next step and do a remodel just for your pet? These home improvement ideas for your pets are top on our list!

Pet showers

If your dog loves muddy adventures think about building him his own personal shower. Stake out space in your mudroom or garage where you’ll be able to access the waterline. Make sure you choose a removable shower head so you can easily clean a squirmy dog. Even if you don’t have a pet, this can be a great addition to clean dirty feet or tools without ruining your indoor showers.

Bonus points: Add shelving to store your doggie brushes, towels, shampoos, and treats for a job well done.

Built-in feeding station

This one can be as easy as cutting bowl-sized holes in a piece of wood and installing it in an existing drawer. Or you can go more complex and cut a space into your kitchen island. Don’t go too extreme, or else it’ll negatively affect your home’s value. After all, if your potential buyer isn’t a pet lover (those exist?), will they think your home improvement is an eyesore?

Bonus points: Get a plumber to tap into the water line and add lower faucet that sits right over your pet’s water bowl.

Pet door

Your local home improvement store will probably have pet doors for sale--plus some step-by-step instructions on how to install it. If your pet isn’t trained to stay in the yard, you might want to think twice before adding this remodel.

Bonus points: Use a hi-tech tool to hook your pet door up to your home securitysystem.

Pet cave

Everyone likes a quiet place to unwind from time to time, and your pet’s no different. If a bed in the corner won’t cut it for your furbaby, it might be time to build her her own little cave. The space under the stairs is a great place to start. Think about it, it’s pretty much just wasted right now. But with some power tools and a little work it can be your pet’s secret hideaway. You’ll need to know how to hang drywall for this one, so it can become a real room. You’ll also have to install some type of flooring--we recommend a tile or hardwood for easy cleanup. Since this project is a little more involved, don’t forget to see if you need a permit and think about a licensed contractor!

Bonus points: Add a window or pet door on the inside of the pet cave. That way your furry friend can easily move outside or into the next room.

Dog/cat run

If you’re worried about your dog or cat wandering out of your yard, this is the remodel for you. It’s a pretty simple idea--just a chain link fence enclosure somewhere in your yard. If your pet can climb, you’ll also want to add a roof. This is another project that you’ll want to hire a professional for. And if your fence is over five feet, you’ll probably need a permit.

Bonus points: Make the space a home! Add pet houses and pet ramps to keep your pet entertained. 

Pet-friendly landscaping

Good landscaping is a great way to add value to your home. And there are lots of ways to do it with your pet in mind. First thing’s first, get rid of anything that can be toxic to your pet--check with the ASPCA to get the full list. Once your yard is pet safe, add plants your pets can snack on. Think catnip, rosemary, and peppermint.

Bonus points: Use your pet-friendly plants to make pet treats and toys.

Radiant heat floors

On those cold winter mornings taking off your socks and stepping on the cold bathroom floor to get in the shower is just short of unbearable. Well,  your pet feels the same way, and they spend most of their time on the floor. Our point? This is a remodel that everyone will love. Just keep in mind your climate. Adding heated floors in the South isn’t going to get you a big return on your investment. But adding them in Alaska can be a major selling point.

Bonus points:  Can you really improve on heated floors?

If you're thinking about home improvements before you even adopt the little furball, make sure you also take steps to make the pet comfortable and secure when you bring him home. 

5 Tips for Spring Lawn Prep

The lush lawn of your spring-loving dreams is just a few steps away.

Even if your lawn is made up of weeds more than actual grass, you can turn it around with some basic spring maintenance. Try these five tips to get your lawn ready before the weather warms up and the grass (and weeds) leave you in the dust.

Prevent weeds

Proper mowing, irrigation and feeding practices are the best possible weed prevention, but established weed populations require drastic measures.

Use a preemergent herbicide to stop warm-season weeds before they sprout. And even a weed-free lawn can easily be undone by nearby weeds and their traveling seeds, so remove any weeds in the garden now so they don’t find their way into your lawn.

If your lawn has bare spots, fill them in now with sod or seed so weeds don’t sprout and get a foothold.

Start your engines

Much like cars, lawnmowers will stop working without routine maintenance. If you haven’t already done so in the fall, replace the mower’s oil and gas with the types recommended in your mower’s instruction manual.

This would also be a good time to replace that corroded spark plug and dirty air filter. Add a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas from going stale and harming the mower’s engine.

A dull mower blade makes your grass more susceptible to disease with each ragged cut it makes, so sharpen the blade with a metal file when it starts to get dull. Clean your mower often to improve performance and prevent corrosion. If you own a riding mower, air up the tires for an even cut and comfortable ride.

Clear out thatch

You know that spongy layer of dead grass that builds up in your lawn? That’s thatch. A thin layer of thatch is normal and even healthy, because it protects the soil, roots and beneficial organisms. But when that thatch gets about an inch tall, drought, weeds and other problems develop.

Thatch is most likely to build up in lawns that have acidic or compacted soil — or lawns that have been excessively treated with herbicides and pesticides. If thatch is common on your block, prevent it with core aeration. This allows air to reach the soil, promoting organisms that naturally break down thatch. Use a vertical mower or power rake if the thatch is an inch thick or more.

Reseed and resod

None of these tips will do much good without a proper lawn. If your lawn feels beyond hope, consider starting from scratch.

If your existing lawn is an annual one, remove it with a sod cutter. Perennial grasses, like Bermuda or St. Augustine grass, are much tougher to remove, so you’ll likely have to either solarize with clear plastic sheets for several weeks or resort to an herbicide.

Once you’ve dug up the grass or otherwise eradicated it, replace it with soil and a grass variety appropriate to your region. Plan on setting aside a day or two for installation.

Amend the bare soil with topsoil or composted manure, and lay down the sod or planting seeds by following the label instructions. After planting, water it often until the new grass becomes established.

Start good habits

If you’re not already following a fertilizing schedule, start one now by following the directions on your product of choice. You will likely forget this schedule after the first feeding, so pencil in the dates on your calendar so you don’t get off track.

Start the season off right by mowing more often, on a higher setting and in alternating directions. Inspect your sprinklers and pipes for possible breakage — a patch of damp soil or an excessive water bill would be your first clue. If your lawn seems to let into the surrounding landscaping, start edging now to define your boundaries.

A string trimmer is fine for maintenance, but cutting through the dirt with it could get messy. Either rent an edger or purchase a handheld half-moon tool to make deep, clean cuts that persist through the year for easier mowing and trimming.

Six Secrets For Buying An Occupied Property

Auction.com // January 17, 2019

We’ve all heard the horror stories. You tell people you plan to buy an occupied foreclosure or bank-owned home and the warnings start to drop faster than a downpour during a hurricane.

One friend might tell you about tenants that smashed every window in his house, while another might recount the time when she had tenants running a drug lab on her property.

While these stories may sound frightening, they shouldn’t scare you away. You can often buy foreclosure or bank-owned properties for much less than they are worth and with a little work, you can earn a nice return on your investment or build equity for the future.

Here are six tips for minimizing the risk involved with buying an occupied property.  

1. Know your budget

Start with a budget and divide it into these segments: cost of the property, cost of the repairs, buying and selling or holding costs and a cushion. The cushion is important because your rehab costs may be higher than you expected or you may have to sell the house quickly or rent it for less than you planned.¹

2. Determine the property’s value

Make sure you know how much the property is worth now and future price trends, especially if you plan to hold and rent the home. You can do this by researching comparable sales online in the same neighborhood, attending nearby open houses and by contacting Realtors and having them assist you.

3. Investigate the neighborhood

The neighborhood is just as important as the property itself, especially if you plan to buy and keep the home. Check to see if nearby homes are well maintained. Too many abandoned or neglected homes could negatively affect the value of your property. Also find out if the home is located in a good school district and whether it’s close to employment, shopping and entertainment. Typically, if a neighborhood is well kept, it will also have many of the other positive factors.

4. Estimate repairs

Once you are confident in the neighborhood, the next step would be to estimate the rehab costs. This can be tricky without access to the inside of the property, but it can be done. Unless you are a general contractor, you should hire one to help you estimate the costs of painting, replacing the flooring and any other plumbing, electrical or miscellaneous repairs.

This is where your financial cushion is so important, as there may be more repairs than you anticipate. But if the home is occupied and well-maintained on the outside, it’s probably safe to assume that the major systems – such as the plumbing and electrical – are working.

5. Purchase title report

Another very important precautionary step is the title report. You need to know about any liens on the property ahead of time.  For instance, did the previous owners pay their taxes? If the property is located in a homeowner’s association, are the dues current?

Knowing about liens is important because if you purchase the property, you will be responsible for paying for them. Many investors don’t want to spend a few hundred dollars on a full title report, but without it, you may end up spending a few thousand dollars to clear unpaid liens.

6. Develop a strategy for vacating the property

If the property is occupied by tenants and you want to be a landlord, then you’re in luck. You just have the tenants sign a new lease, although it may be wise to hire a real estate agent to help with the leasing materials.

If, however, you want to flip the home or it’s occupied by the former owners who refuse to sign a lease, then you may need to hire a real estate attorney. Sometimes, the strategy may be as simple as offering the occupants money to leave. Other times, though, you may need to evict them. If that’s the case, it would be smart to hire an experienced attorney to guide you through the eviction process.

With the right amount of preparation and knowledge, buying an occupied foreclosure or bank-owned property can be an effective way to invest in real estate and build wealth for the future.

Auction.com has over 30,000 listings of foreclosure and bank-owned properties. Many of these properties have title data, property reports, photos and bidding information, so much of the work is done for you. Why not take a look? Browse properties today. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not meant to be interpreted as legal or investment advice. Please check with an attorney or and/or real estate professional to get advice pertaining to your individual situation.

Why Stage your Home

Benefits of Staging Your Home

Why Stage Your Home?

Don't be insulted if your real estate agent suggests you have your home staged.  They are not implying that your home isn't well kept or decorated distastefully.  Your home will attract more potential buyers if they can envision themselves living there.  Once you make the decision to sell your home, you need to prepare to emotionally detach.

Statistics show that staged homes:

​     -  Show better to prospective buyers

     -  Have less days on the market

     -  Have an increased number of offers

     -  Sell faster for a higher price.

Remberber - The cost of staging your home is always less then your first price reduction!

Steps To Proper Staging

1.  Complete any necessary repairs needed in your home prior to listing.  1% - 6% is what you should be investing in repairs.

2.  Complete extensive cleaning to rid the home of any smells; ie:  pet odours, food smells, or smoking.

3.  Declutter all personal items from the space.  Our homes represent who we are, we showcase all the things that we have accumulated over time, things that speak to us.  the goal of staging is to make the home speak to potential buyers in a captivating and positive way.  Excessive clutter in a home may send a message that you don't have enough space.

4.  Stagers will work with what you have in your home as well as bring in some new pieces.  They will rearrange and relocate your items to present your property at it's best.  In some cases this may mean relocating your favourite lazyboy the garage.  Don't take it personally, their objective is to present your home so that it appeals to the most buyers and get you the most money.

 New life at last for $20-million lost land in downtown Hamilton

Nearly two acres, bounded by Main, Hess, Caroline and George, was nothing but a parking lot for decades. It’s been sold for just over $20 million.

Paul Wilson

Opinion Apr 09, 2019 by Paul Wilson Special to The Hamilton Spectator

At the corner of Main and Walnut, change came fast. Work is now underway on this 25-storey residential tower. - Vrancor Group

This building fell fast at Main and Walnut last year, and was once the handsomely-landscaped national headquarters of an accountants’ society. - Google Street View 

Several decades ago, a developer knocked down apartments along this stretch of Main for a condo that never happened. All these years later, the land has changed hands for $20 million, with big development coming. - Paul Wilson 

This downtown block, bounded by Main, George, Hess and Caroline, has been a parking lot for a very long time. Change is coming at last. - Google Maps 

In the late '80s, before condos came to town, a developer decided he'd be the first. He demolished some walk-up apartments, erected a pink, purple and green sales pavilion and started selling The Riviera — "Hamilton's Premiere Address."

The plan went bust. And ever since, that key piece of real estate — nearly two acres, bounded by Main, Hess, Caroline and George — has been nothing but parked cars.

Well, the tide has turned for condos and much else in downtown Hamilton. That long-lost piece of land has now sold for just over $20 million. In 1995, it was worth $450,000.

The purchaser is Bentall Kennedy, a $50-billion-or-so real estate investment company owned by Sun Life Financial. They're not ready to say much yet, but a query did bring an emailed statement from Brad Caco, BK's senior vice-president of development:

"There is an excitement in the downtown Hamilton core that gives us a great deal of optimism," he says. 

Factors in the purchase decision include "the emergence of the local technology and life sciences industries and the development of the LRT infrastructure."

The development, he says, "will be considerate of the present and future needs of the community." 

No specifics provided beyond that, but several sources say the goal is two or three residential towers on the site, a project that could be more than $300 million.

Toronto's Otis Group has owned that property for decades. Brian Otis says they've tried to make things happen on the site, including the McMaster downtown health centre that ended up a block east on Main.

Otis is a commercial developer, with projects across the province. So when it looked as though residential was the way things were heading for that downtown land, Otis says, it was time to take the offer. "But I have to tell you, I'm a little disappointed I wasn't the guy at the finish line."

Downtown Hamilton has changed, he says. "It's really coming along now … But it's still a pretty closed market, not the easiest for outsiders." 

One exception, he says, is developer Darko Vranich, who has erected several towers right next door in recent years. Vranich had wanted to buy the Otis land in the past, but the timing wasn't right. 

"Darko has a lot of energy," Otis says. "I should ask him for a blood transfusion."

Half-a-dozen blocks due east on Main, there's a new development where the property didn't sit empty for a minute.

It's another Vranich project — a 25-storey residential tower at Main and Walnut. He bought the property in the fall of 2017. The lawyers there moved out about six months later, demolition was underway by July, and foundation work began in a flash.

Soon a tower crane will arrive on site from a yard in Binbrook. Turns out Vranich recently bought two of these cranes, $750,000 US each, in New York state.

The other crane, now stretched out on Vranich land at King and Queen, will rise soon for a 30-storey student residence and a 10- to 12-storey Hampton Inn at that corner.

Over at Main and Walnut, new development is welcome. That piece of street needs it. 

But please, a quick salute to the building at that corner which fell so fast. Its moment of glory came early in 1964, when mayor Vic Copps officially opened the national headquarters of the Society of Industrial and Cost Accountants of Canada.

The building had been the district offices of Imperial Oil — along with a service station — and later became the Parker's dry cleaning plant.

But the accountants spent substantial money to change all that. As Spec writer Milford L. Smith reported 55 years ago:

"The asphalt pavement, oil-stained by tens of thousands of automobiles in the gas station days, has been torn up. In its place is a raised area in which grass and trees and flowers will be planted, restoring in part the Main Street East scene when palatial residences were set back from the roadway."

Old mansions on that stretch of Main? Hard to imagine. Everything changes, but it's good to know what came before.

PaulWilson.Hamilton@gmail.com

What design elements are millennials looking for in a home?

National consumer survey breaks down interior design preferences by generation

BYDANI VANDERBOEGHStaff Writer

NOV 17

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With millennials becoming the largest segment of homebuyers, it’s critical for homesellers and their real estate agents to know their design preferences. Thanks to the 2017 Taylor Morris Consumer Survey, we know what recent and prospective millennial homebuyers are into.

The 2017 Taylor Morris Survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, surveyed 1,000 American adults who have purchased a home in the past three years or who are likely to purchase a new home in the next three years.

Dani Vanderboegh

Five Ways To Tell If You're Cut Out To Be A Landlord

Bobby Montagne

Investing in real estate by purchasing rental properties can be a smart way to balance your portfolio, hedge against inflation and build long-term wealth. Not everyone is cut out to be a landlord, though — but even if you feel you’re not landlord material, you can get the same portfolio benefits by investing in real estate indirectly through a private loan fund or a real estate investment trust. Here are five questions to help determine if investing directly in real estate is right for you.

1. Do you have 20% down payment and 5% to cover repairs and unexpected expenses?

Buying a rental property takes a much bigger down payment than buying a personal residence. Most lenders want at least 20% down, even if the property will generate enough income to pay the mortgage plus expenses like property taxes and hazard insurance. Having another 5% set aside to cover repairs and big-ticket expenses, such as replacing a roof or an HVAC system, may keep you from having to dip into personal funds to pay for unexpected problems.

2. How will you handle renters who don’t pay and the possibility of evicting tenants?

At some point, almost every landlord has to deal with tenants who stop paying rent. Eviction is a financial decision with emotional underpinnings. When tenants don’t pay rent, you still have to pay the mortgage, the property taxes, the water bill and all the other holding costs. But sometimes, nonpaying tenants are families with children or have unexpected circumstances like a serious illness or accident occur, leaving them unable to pay rent. If it’s too emotionally taxing to handle the eviction yourself, you can hire an attorney to represent you in court and movers to remove the tenants’ possessions from the property. Before becoming a landlord, you should know that the possibility of evicting a tenant might become a reality.

3. How do you feel about other people using your stuff?

Landlords hold security deposits because damage happens. Carpets get stained, hardwood floors get scratched and there is a fair amount of general wear and tear that should be expected in and on your property. As long as the cost to repair damages doesn’t exceed the security deposit, there shouldn’t be an issue. The real question becomes, what happens when the cost of repairs required exceed the security deposit? How will you confront your tenant to address these issues?  If contemplating this (somewhat common) scenario is stressful, becoming a landlord may not be an optimal option for you.

4. Can you wait at least 15 years for your investment to pay off?

Real estate is a long-term investment for a couple of reasons. First, the transaction costs are high. Real estate sales commissions, state and local transfer taxes, appraisals and settlement costs all reduce your resale profit. Second, the length of your mortgage dictates the monthly payment. The longer your keep your mortgage, the lower the monthly payment.

When buying a property, landlords typically choose a mortgage payment that can be covered by the monthly rent, plus expenses. When rents are relatively high compared to home prices, you might squeak by with a 15-year mortgage. In a market where rents and home prices are balanced, the monthly payment that best matches the rent price is typically tied to a 30-year mortgage. Both factors make investing in rental properties a long-term play.

5. What’s your risk tolerance?

All investments carry some level of risk, meaning how likely you are to lose your entire investment or even owe more than you invested. Real estate falls in the midpoint of the risk range. It’s less risky than commodities futures but more risky than investing in Treasury bills.

There are property owners whose home values still haven’t recovered from the real estate crisis a decade ago. And when property values fall, rents can fall, too. When rents fall, you can find yourself having to pay out of pocket to cover the monthly mortgage and expenses on your rental property. If the thought of declining property values will cause you to lose sleep, owning real estate as an investment may not be for you.

Purchasing a rental property with a mortgage timed to pay off before you retire can create a steady retirement income stream that rises with inflation. However, direct investment in real estate investment is unlike the other investments in your portfolio because it’s not a buy-it-and-forget-it proposition. It requires hands-on management of tenants, repairs and ongoing expenses. If becoming a landlord doesn’t seem like the best fit for you but you still wish to incorporate real estate in your investment portfolio, private loan funds and real estate investment trusts may be alternatives to investigate. With either option, investing in real estate can balance your portfolio and help you build wealth.

Home Owner

6 ways to pay off your mortgage faster

Stop focusing on the rate and pay attention to prepayment options 

by Romana KingFeb 15, 2017

While the Bank of Canada has yet to raise their overnight rate—a rate that dictates what happens with variable mortgage interest rates—there are changeswithin the current Canadian mortgage climate.

In late 2016, TD Canada raised it’s variable rate mortgage—not just for new mortgage business, but also for existing mortgage holders. The rate increase was in response to three factors: the new mortgage rule changes introduced by the federal government in early October 2016, which add extra costs to lendersand these costs are then passed down to borrowers; the increasing probability that fixed mortgage rates will soon rise, following an increase in U.S. treasury bond yields; and TD Bank’s current exposure to the residential mortgage market.

It’s still important to negotiate the best rate possible (read more on how to do that, here), but now, more than ever, it’s vital that we consider how to crush the mortgage debt.

Here are six simple strategies for paying off your mortgage faster:

1. Add an extra sum each month

Each month add a set amount to your regular mortgage payment. Even an extra $15 or $25 per payment adds up. For instance, if you paid bi-weekly and added an extra $25 per payment, after five years you would have reduced the principal loan by 2.5% over the life of the debt (assuming a 2.85% fixed five-year rate on a $450,000 mortgage amortized over 25 years), for more than $7,350 in savings.

• Crush your mortgage » 

2. Put your raise to work

Do you get a bonus from work? What about an annual raise? When your annual, monthly or hourly payroll increases, consider applying the extra to your mortgage. You won’t miss the money as you’re already disciplined about living on the original sum you were earning—and the extra funds will go a long way to reducing the principal mortgage debt.

• What to do with your raise »

3. Make a safe bet

If you want to pay-off your mortgage debt faster, a good, safe bet is to double-down on your regular mortgage payments in any given year. By paying double the amount you typically owe, say four times per year, you can shave a thousand or more off what you owe and this translates into months or even years off the amortization.

• Understanding how mortgage payments work » 

4. Use your tax refund

Getting a refund this year? Use your refund to pay down your mortgage. Your regularly scheduled payments won’t change, but when it comes time to renew you’ll be thankful for the lump-sum prepayment.

• Pay down mortgage faster to save in interest » 

5. Retire your fixed income

If you invest in bonds or GICs, consider using these investments to pay off your mortgage principal once they mature. You’ll be trading in one low-risk investment—for another low-risk investment (a return on bonds or GICs for a paid off mortgage), so you won’t be adding risk to your expected, future return.

• Invest or pay off debt? » 

6. Use a windfall

If you recently came into some unexpected money—say, through an inheritance or because you won the lottery, or even an unexpected investment gain—use the sum to pay down your mortgage principal. Keep in mind that every lender and every mortgage have their own prepayment rules. Some allow monthly double-up payments, some allow as much as a 20% lump-sum prepayment (of your original mortgage principal). To save yourself from incurring a prepayment penalty read your mortgage document or contact your mortgage lender.

Support for First-Time Home Buyers

Improving Affordability Today: Support for First-Time Home Buyers

To help make homeownership more affordable for first-time home buyers, Budget 2019 introduces the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive.

• The Incentive would allow eligible first-time home buyers who have the minimum down payment for an insured mortgage to apply to finance a portion of their home purchase through a shared equity mortgage with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
• It is expected that approximately 100,000 first-time home buyers would be able to benefit from the Incentive over the next three years.
• Since no ongoing payments would be required with the Incentive, Canadian families would have lower monthly mortgage payments. For example, if a borrower purchases a new $400,000 home with a 5 per cent down payment and a 10 per cent CMHC shared equity mortgage ($40,000), the borrower’s total mortgage size would be reduced from $380,000 to $340,000, reducing the borrower’s monthly mortgage costs by as much as $228 per month. Terms and conditions for the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive would be released by CMHC.
• CMHC would offer qualified first-time home buyers a 10 per cent shared equity mortgage for a newly constructed home or a 5 per cent shared equity mortgage for an existing home. This larger shared equity mortgage for newly constructed homes could help encourage the home construction needed to address some of the housing supply shortages in Canada, particularly in our largest cities.
• The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive would include eligibility criteria to ensure that the program helps those with legitimate needs while ensuring that participants are able to afford the homes they purchase. The Incentive would be available to first-time home buyers with household incomes under $120,000 per year. At the same time, participants’ insured mortgage and the Incentive amount cannot be greater than four times the participants’ annual household incomes.

Budget 2019 also proposes to increase the Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawal limit from $25,000 to $35,000, providing first-time home buyers with greater access to their Registered Retirement Savings Plan savings to buy a home.

Sliding/Stackable Glass Doors Erase the Boundary Between Inside and Outdoors

 By Terri Williams  February 22, 2019 in Architecture / Renovations

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