A lot of homework needs to be done before one commits to buying a house and making payments.

Buying your first home involves a lot of research and effort. In spite of all the resources available to help First home buyers, people tend to make mistake when they buy a house for the first time. Here are few of common mistakes that you can keep away when you go out to buy a house.

Not collecting adequate information
A lot of homework needs to be done before one commits to buy a house and makes payments. The best way of obtaining relevant information and tips for first home buyers would be to get advised by an experienced realtor. Real estate professionals represent their client’s best interests and not gaining maximum advantage from their expertise can be grave error of judgment for new home buyers.

Forgetting to have a house inspection before closing the deal
One should not buy a house without getting it thoroughly inspected. Home inspectors should be able to describe in advance about their services. Usually home inspectors check the plumbing, foundation, structure, electrical works, roof, heating and air conditioning system and the garage and the basement. Though important, not all home inspectors check the house for termites, radon, asbestos, mold and lead problems.

Not setting a budget before buying a home
Buying a house that is well above their budget is one of the common mistakes first home buyers tend to make. Prioritizing one’s needs and expenses, setting a home-budget that is comfortably within one’s means is critical in home purchasing. Experts say that ideally, one’s total monthly debts, including mortgage, should not exceed 36 percent of one’s income before taxes.

Overpaying for the new house
One of the common mistakes of first home buyers is neglecting to find out what exactly is the cost of the house that they are about to buy. The best way to find that out is to compare the cost of the house with the current costs of similar sized houses in the area.

Everything but the community
As social beings, people have the need to be well adjusted to their surroundings and neighbors to feel satisfied. The cheapest house may not come along with the best locale, good schools or crime-free areas. When you buy a house, the location is also important if the owner decides to re-sell the property after a few years. The best thing is for one to research about the community through the internet, papers, locals etc.

And we’ll add a bonus first-time homebuyer mistake:

Forgetting closing costs
One of the cardinal rules for first home buyers is never to forget that there are closing costs in every home transaction deal. Closing costs can run up to 2 – 5 percent of the home’s total cost. A mortgage lender should provide the home owner with a specific estimate of what costs will be. It is also important to remember that origination (points) on a loan, escrow fees, title and homeowners insurance, legal costs, property taxes, fees to record your new deed and notary fees all can increase the money which is not usually thought of by many people when the housing budget is planned to buy a house.

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Thinking of selling your house? For a variety of reasons, it's best to do so during the Summer.

From the Prior Real Estate Team:

Home buying and selling activity is typically hottest during the summer months. Here are five top reasons you should take advantage of the season and make the move this summer.

1. More homes to choose from
More people choose to sell during the summer due to nicer weather and school schedules. With a larger number of homes on the market, you’re more likely to find a home that suits your lifestyle and budget. If you’re thinking of selling, you’ll find a greater number of potential buyers in the summer.

2. Easier on the kids
The variety of summer programs available makes it easier for your children to meet future schoolmates. Kids are also playing outside more, which gives them lots of opportunities to make friends in their own neighborhood. Not to mention they’ll be able to start in the beginning of the school year and avoid the obvious new-kid syndrome.

3. More daylight
This is a plus for both sides of a transaction—buying and selling. It’s more appealing to show your house in the daylight.

4. Flowers are in bloom
As long as you water regularly, your curb appeal will be maximized by the lush and fragrant summer-blooming flowers. This also gives buyers a good idea of the amount of maintenance to expect to keep your yard looking beautiful.

5. Garage sale season
This is the perfect time to get rid of clutter. Your house will appear more spacious to your potential buyers, plus you’ll have less stuff to haul to your new home. Invite your neighbors to participate and make it a block sale for better attendance.

If you’re planning on buying this summer, get an advantage over the competition by getting pre-approved now. Whether you’re buying your first home, or selling your current home and buying another, the summer is an ideal time to make YOUR move.

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Mold in the shower is gross — having one of the dirtiest things hanging around the place you go to get clean stinks. Depending on the severity of your mold issues, there is a way to get rid of it without resorting to toxic and harsh substances.

From Re-nest.com:

What you Need:

Materials

Any green cleaner, our recommendations would be one of the following: water & vinegar, Bon Ami, baking soda & water, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, borax & vinegar, grapefruit & salt.

Tools

• Squeegee
• Exhaust fan and/or open window
• Sponge, Cloth and towel
• Toothbrush
• Scrub brush
• Dehumidifier (optional)
• Instructions

Step-by-step

1. The first step to eliminating mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. If your bathroom has fan, use it. If it doesn’t open a window in the bathroom, or open the bathroom door to keep air moving. This is very important and an effective way to prevent mold growth.

2. After each bath or shower squeegee off all surfaces, especially horizontal surface that may have water sitting on it for extended periods of time. If you like the after sprays you can use that too at the end of the shower. If you have a shower curtain don’t leave it open for very long or else mold will grow in the folds of the curtain.

3. It’s easiest to clean right after you’ve taken a hot shower and the room is steamy in the room, which helps loosen mold & dirt from the surfaces.

4. Spray your chosen green cleaner on affected areas and let sit for several minutes up to an hour. Using a scrub brush or a sponge, wipe down the walls of the shower. You might need to put a little elbow grease into it, but don’t resort to bleach, which only temporarily makes the mold disappear. Toothbrushes work great on the mold joints.

Tea tree oil: Mix two teaspoons of tea tree oil in two cups of water and place into a spray bottle — spray onto moldy areas and don’t rinse.

White vinegar: Apply directly onto sponge or spray onto surfaces. Option to add an essential oil for a nice smell and additional mold fighting power.

Citrus juice: Apply juice from citrus of your choice (lemon, grapefruit, orange, etc.) directly to a sponge and wipe surfaces.

Hydrogen peroxide: Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water, spray onto surface and leave for an hour.

Borax and vinegar: Mix 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup vinegar to make a paste. Scrub with a brush or sponge and rinse with water. Let mixture sit for an hour before rinsing with water for stubborn mold.

5. Consider running a dehumidifier in the room if the bathroom’s in the basement, or if you’re lacking an exhaust fan, or windows or doors to keep open.

6. If the mold persists, or doesn’t go away, it’s possible that the grout and caulk may need to be replaced, if so read our series about green cleaning the grout: Part 1 & Part 2.

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Today's post is for those of you with grout in basically good shape, but a bit of nasty stuff growing on the caulk. We're going to go over how to use a grout rake, the tool shown after the jump, to prepare the corners of your shower for a fresh coat of mold- and mildew-free caulk.

From Re-nest.com:

At this point, you’ve used our Part I post to assess the state of your grout.

Today’s post is for those of you with grout in basically good shape, but a bit of nasty stuff growing on the caulk. We’re going to go over how to use a grout rake to prepare the corners of your shower for a fresh coat of mold- and mildew-free caulk.

In this series, we’re also going to sort out the difference between caulk and grout, and where to properly use each one.

Today, we’re focusing on caulk.

You can use a grout rake to prepare the corners of your shower for a fresh coat of mold- and mildew-free caulk.

Caulk is flexible and rubbery. It comes in two basic variations: acrylic and silicone. Green choices include AFM Safecoat Caulking Compound. We also like DAP Kwik Seal 3.0; it’s not particularly eco-friendly, but it cures in 3 hours, whereas other caulks need 24-36 hours before they touch water.

Caulk’s function is to stretch a bit and prevent small cracks from forming due to expansion and contraction. Even teensy cracks can cause big water damage thanks to our friend capillary action. Therefore, caulk belongs where two planes meet — as in the corners of your shower — or where two dissimilar materials meet, such as the ledge where the tub meets tile, as shown by the green line above. It does not belong anywhere else. It especially does not belong around individual tiles.

A grout rake with a carbide tip.

You might find advice to the contrary, but trust us: grout does not belong in those joints. So tape down a few old cardboard boxes in the tub, get a grout rake from the hardware store (shown left; buy one with a carbide tip), scrape the grout out of the corners, and then caulk away.

Tip: to get a perfect looking joint, use masking tape on each side of the caulk, then shape it while it’s still wet with the corner of an old credit card. Remove the tape before the caulk cures.

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Spring is here, and that means it's time to take a close look at the tile in your tub or shower. If it looks like the image above, it's time to call your landlord...

From Re-nest.com:

Grout is what turns tile into a relatively waterproof surface for the walls of your bathroom or shower.

Note that we said “relatively”: most grout is actually designed to be slightly water permeable. That’s so that any water that gets behind the tile through a small or large crack can get back out instead of contributing to mold and mildew in your wall. That also means that it needs periodic maintenance, or you can end up with a mushy wall.

It’s a good idea to look at your shower or tub walls about once a year and honestly assess their condition. If the grout is intact, good news: all you need to do a deep cleaning.

Green tip: try scrubbing on a paste of 3 cups of baking soda moistened with water before advancing to toxic bleach-based cleaners.

If there are a few spots of grout missing here and there, it’s time for a deep cleaning, as many days of drying out as you can manage (start to befriend your neighbors now!), and a bit of repair. And back away from that tube of caulk you just picked up! We’ll cover why the only place caulk belongs is in the corners.

If you’re the unfortunate soul who happens to own the tile above, we pity you. We hope you’re the masochistic sort who likes mind-numbing, back pain-inducing DIY projects. If not, you’ll want to call a good tile installer… or stock up on your painkiller of choice.

Go to The Grout Chore, Part II to find out more about caulking!

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Without doubt, Ontario's best pinot noirs come from Niagara winemaker Thomas Bachelder (shown in a 2006 file photo). His 2007 Le Clos Jordanne pinot tops Gord Stimmell's list of favourite wines so far this year. He also produced the top chardonnay on Gord's list.

From the Toronto Star:

Wine critic Gord Stimmell’s sampler of the best Ontario wines encountered in 2010 so far. Simply the top 10, no matter what the pricetag, and no matter how limited the availability, broken out by grape variety. This is your chance to capture some of Ontario’s true treasures.

RIESLING

More winners arose in this category than any other. The grand prize goes to virtual winemaker Kevin Panagapka’s Twenty Twenty-Seven Cellars Fox Croft Vineyard 2009 Riesling ($25, rating 92/100) with complex petrol, clementines, jasmine, peach and lemon meringue aromas and flavours. It’s available at 2027cellars@gmail.com. Close runnerup is Tawse 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling ($18, rating 91) with candied jasmine, sweet cling peach and slivered almond nuances, a real charmer. Honourable mention goes to Charles Baker’s 2008 Riesling Picone Vineyard ($35, 90) with its sweet candied lime and petrol licks, made under the umbrella of Stratus Winery.

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Again, a virtual winemaker, Steve Byfield, rules the roost. His Nyarai Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95, 91+) shows piquant peach blossom, pert Anjou pear aromas and full peach, straw and lemon tart flavours. It has wowed sommeliers already, and is gorgeously vibrant and silky in style. This 2009 white releases online May 17 at $18.95 and likely will vanish as quickly as the equally stellar 2008. Also very well made is Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (#53678, $14.95, 90) with its lemony, peach and bin apple juiciness, which is widely available at the LCBO.

PINOT GRIS

Quite a lot of pinot gris is emerging from Ontario vineyards now. The one that caught my tasting attention recently is Fielding Winery 2009 Rock Pile Pinot Gris ($25.95, 90+) from 20-year-old vines in the Jack Rabbit Flats Vineyard. The nose shows pure Anjou pear, spicy apple and stony limestone nuances and the slightly sweet-edged flavours dish up poached pear, fruit salad and muskmelon. What lifts it is its terrific balance between sweet and dry elements. It was released at the winery May 1.

CHARDONNAY

The most amazing chardonnay is from Thomas Bachelder and won the Judgment of Montreal tasting last year when it was slipped blind into contending regal California and Burgundy whites. Le Clos Jordanne 2007 Claystone Terrace Chardonnay (#56929, $40, rating 92) shows a lovely lifted lemony nose, with licks of butter, toast and spice. The flavours are delicately smoky, with elegant lemony apple, peach and slatey minerality heightening the climax. Due to its price, there’s still tons on Vintages shelves, where it was released March 20. I guess folks prefer to pay $150 for the equivalent Montrachet from Burgundy. Perhaps it’s a snob thing. Another contender is Flat Rock Cellars Reserve 2007 Chardonnay ($35, 91) with its elegant floral, toasty crème caramel power.

SEMILLON

I was going to do gewürztraminer in this space, but aside from a decent Rosewood Estates 2008 and a nice Thirty Bench Small Lot 2009, which nudged gold status, none quite qualified this year. So instead, I give you my favourite eclectic white, Rosewood Estate 2008 Sémillon (#177758, $18, 90) which arrives at Vintages on June 12. This shows peach, lime and stonefruit aromas and crisp lemony apple, ginger and peach flavours. It has a vibrant vein of acidity that refreshes the palate, yet the overall impression is mellow and minerally.

PINOT NOIR

Without doubt, the best pinot noirs sculpted in Ontario are from Burgundy-trained Thomas Bachelder. His Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir (#160572, $40, 92) yields classic beetroot with smoky vanilla and wild black fruit aromas. The flavours are mouth-filling and complex, with beetroot, vanilla wafer, leather, wood spice and raspberry elements spanning the marriage of delicacy and power. My second-highest-rated pinot is Tawse Winery 17th St. 2007 Pinot Noir ($58, 91+), which is more New Worldly in style, with big black cherry, licorice, smoky oak and coconut lushness. Available at the winery or website.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

This is a tough field, even with the sun-stroked 2007 growing season, which allowed full ripening of classic Bordeaux red varieties. One rose above the rest, Peller Estates Winery 2007 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon ($35, 92) with its dusty cassis, black cherry, lush blackberry and chocolate layers. I note the 2004 is still listed on their website, but watch for the emergence of this 2007. It is worth the wait. Runner-up cab is Creekside Estate 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.95, 90+) with coconut, mocha, cigarbox and black cherry prowess.

SYRAH/SHIRAZ

In two separate blind judgings, the Cuvée Awards and the Ontario Wine Awards, one syrah stood above the others in my personal tasting notes. It is Jackson Triggs Niagara Proprietors’ Grand Reserve 2007 Syrah ($32.95, 91), with plush mocha, blackberry, coconut, violets, cola and smoky plum depth. A hedonistic red, indeed. Runners-up include Fielding Estate 2007 Syrah ($27.95, 90) with succulent cassis, plum spice and chocolate accents. I note the 2006 Syrah is on their website, so you may have to wait for the 2007 to emerge. Also excellent is Nyarai Cellars 2007 Syrah ($18.20, 90) with smooth and mellow tar, black cherry and blackberry stylings.

MERLOT

Two worthy contenders emerged at the top of my tastings, with identical ratings. Lakeview Cellars Estate 2006 Merlot Reserve ($22.95, 91) with rich mocha, kirsch, vanilla bean, cassis and coconut power. And Peller Estate Winery Signature Series 2007 Merlot ($35, 91) showing mahogany wood spice, coconut, black cherry, vanilla bean and sweet plump plum richness. Merlot is one of the vines that suffers massive die-off in our coldest winters, so this is vindication for growers’ persistence in nurturing a grape more suited to hothouse climates like California.

RED BLENDS

There are a ton of fruit bomb meritage-style reds on steroids out there, with pumped-up prices to match. Meritage means Bordeaux styled, often a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, plus other grapes. However, the blend that seduced me is virtual winery Nyarai Cellars 2007 Cabernet Merlot ($18.20, 91) which is succulent and unpretentious. Winemaker Steve Byfield’s posh red shows effusive black cherry, licorice, cedar and sage aromas, and refined but opulent black cherry, licorice and vanilla laden flavours. It’s very limited edition, and a steal at that price. Bravo!

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From YourHome.ca:

It’s set amidst breathtaking scenery, close to countless lakes, home to a championship 18-hole golf course – and even has a ski hill in the middle of town. But about 20 years ago, Elliot Lake was facing extinction.

When uranium all but dried up in the late 1980s in what had become the “Uranium Mining Capital of the World,” mining companies Rio Algom and Denison Mines had no choice but to shut down their operations – leaving about 4,000 people out of work and a community of empty homes, at least half of which were owned by the companies.

“Essentially what happened was the mining companies wanted out of the housing business, because they had no need for them if they don’t have employees, and the city was in a situation where obviously it didn’t want to turn into a ghost town,” says Marielle Brown, manager of marketing and sales with Elliot Lake Retirement Living.

“So one of the ideas they came up with was: Who needs housing that’s very affordable but doesn’t need a job? The logical answer was retirees,” she says. “The whole baby boomer thing was years and years away from being realized. (The idea) was extremely revolutionary and I think for some people it was a silly idea.”

The whole baby boomer thing is now very much in the present, and it turns out that the small city of about 12,000 people, located 540 kilometres northwest of Toronto, was ahead of its time in creating a community that caters to older adults. Since 1990, Elliot Lake has successfully marketed its affordable housing and amenities to those close to retirement or already retired.

Its latest endeavour is a popular waterfront development project. About 400 lots on surrounding lakes have been sold – about 70 per cent of them to retirees or the almost retired – and cottage construction has been fuelling the building industry.

In the past 10 to 15 years, the number of adult lifestyle communities in Ontario has exploded, and today it’s estimated there are well over 250 developments built for people over 50, especially retirees, including Brampton’s Rosedale Village Golf and Country Club in Brampton.

If demographic projections bear out, the number of such communities should continue to grow as more people seek to downsize and simplify their lives.

According to Statistics Canada, in 1951 about 1.1 million people in the country were over the age of 65, accounting for 7.7 per cent of the population. Forty years later, the number had grown to 3.1 million people, making up 11.6 per cent. By next year, the percentage of the population over 65 is expected to rise to 14.4 per cent, followed by 18.7 per cent in 2021, 23.4 per cent in 2031 and a full quarter of the population in 2041. Next year is also the first year that the oldest baby boomers – those born in 1946 – turn 65, setting the stage for about 20 years of a corresponding seniors boom.

“It’s certainly going to diversify the types of development, since there’s going to be a greater demand for different types of housing,” says Andrew Ramlo, a demographer with Urban Futures, a Vancouver-based non-profit research institute and consulting firm that works with municipalities, provincial governments and developers in planning for growth. “One of those specifically, if you look at the eldest segment of the population, is going to be things like retirement communities.”

But Ramlo says a couple of other factors need to be considered. One is that people are living longer, healthier lives, which means that “the point at which people may choose to make that decision is getting pushed off later in life, because we’re healthier.”

He also points to StatsCan’s mobility statistics, which indicate the share of people in a particular age group who change residences. “From every age group after the age of 35, the likelihood that you are going to move actually declines pretty significantly,” he says.

The 2006 census found that while only 22 per cent of those Canadians between 30 and 34 stayed in the same dwelling from 2001 to 2006, the rate was 62 per cent for those 50 to 54, 67 per cent for those 60 to 64, and 70 per cent for those 65 to 69. For seniors 70 and older, 74 per cent had stayed in the same dwelling during the period in question.

Despite these findings, Ramlo says there will be a need for new types of housing for the 50-plus group simply because of their sheer numbers.

Ben Myers, executive vice-president of Urbanation, a condominium market research firm in Toronto, says with the growth in the over-45 population in the Greater Toronto Area, there will be plenty of people “looking to move out of their detached or semi-detached homes into a more maintenance-free lifestyle.”

Developers, he says, have been catering to those buyers in Toronto with highrise condos, and in such outlying communities as Milton, Brampton, Clarington, Bolton and Aurora with low-rise developments. “People can trade down, sell their larger houses in Mississauga or Toronto, cash out a bit and take advantage of that lifestyle.”

While the homes of older adults in Elliot Lake are integrated with the larger community, adult lifestyle communities tend to be self-contained condominium developments, with bungalows, semi-detached homes and townhouses surrounding recreational facilities like a rec hall or clubhouse and maybe a golf course. For many of these developments, some of the facilities are open to the public, but there are also those where residents and their guests have exclusive access.

Ownership structure can also vary, from vacant land condos, where residents own their homes and lots in the private development, to residential land leases, where people own their homes but lease the lot.

Ballantrae Golf and Country Club is an example of the former. In its tenth year of operation, the gated adult lifestyle community in Whitchurch-Stouffville has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and a recreation centre with an indoor pool and many other amenities. The golf course, which is open to non-residents, also has a clubhouse with a restaurant. About 150 homes are left to be built in the 170-hectare development of 900 detached homes.

“It’s a good lifestyle, and it’s nice because you get the cross-section of people living here,” both retirees and those in their 40s who are still working, says Hugh Macklin, the project manager. “It keeps everybody young.”

He says condo fees cover the recreation centre, and snow shovelling, grass cutting and landscaping of both common areas and owners’ property. That’s also the case at Rosedale Village Golf and Country Club in Brampton. Unlike Ballantrae, the nine-hole golf course is open only to residents and their guests. Both developments have no fences between properties, and rely on landscaping, like shrubs and flowers, to provide privacy. Macklin calls the look “seamless.”

Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities uses the residential land lease approach in its roughly 25 adult lifestyle communities in Canada, the bulk of them in Ontario. Residents own their homes but purchase a lease, usually for terms of 21 years less a day, for the land. Leases can then be renewed for shorter terms.

Like other developments, most Parkbridge communities have a recreation centre or clubhouse, and residents have a choice of getting their snow shovelled and grass cut, or doing it themselves.

Bill Wells, senior vice-president of Parkbridge, says one of the main benefits for residents of the leasing structure is that “we maintain greater control over the community. We would maintain attention to the adult component of the lifestyle. So we would be making sure that those people moving in fit with the adult component.”

That’s because Parkbridge has the right to give final approval when residents buy or sell their homes. “I hate to pick on kids, but the main reason that a lot of these people are moving into these communities is they want an environment where there aren’t a lot of children or teenagers,” Wells says, noting that the grandkids are welcome to visit. The communities, he adds, are set up to provide municipal services for no more than two people per household.

“Most of our communities don’t even have basements (in the homes). The goal is to get away from the stairs.”

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From InsideHalton.ca:

Ground was broken Friday afternoon for a new affordable housing project that’ll allow at least some low-income seniors and people with disabilities to remain in Milton.

Dignitaries gathered at the Childs Drive and Ontario Street site, behind the Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre, to announce approximately $4.8 million in federal and provincial government funding for the project.

“This is great news for people who need a hand up and for Milton itself,” said Halton MP Lisa Raitt.

The project will stimulate the local economy and create jobs, she said.

Continue reading the article

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Casserole, house plant or just a friendly hello - what IS the best way to greet new neighbours?

From the Associated Press:

“If strangers move into a neighbourhood, it is not only unfriendly but uncivil for their neighbours not to call on them.” — Emily Post, Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage, 1937

When we moved across the country to our new town, many friendly neighbours stopped by to say hello. Some brought pastries from a bakery; others offered advice on grocery stores, dentists and hardware stores.

One neighbour, with whom I’d established email contact before the move, even stocked the fridge and pantry with the essentials so we wouldn’t walk into a completely empty house. There was a small table with chairs, utensils, toilet paper, an inexpensive shower curtain, and soap and towels in the bathrooms. Mrs. A was a one-woman welcome wagon.

Some of us remember the official Welcome Wagon ladies coming to our childhood door; the company, started in 1928 by Tennessean Thomas Briggs, was such a cultural fixture that even the Kennedys and Nixons received visits when they moved into the White House. Now the firm operates primarily via the Internet.

In these modern times, what’s the best way to greet our new neighbours? Many people aren’t sure how much to do and when. Do you head over as soon as you see the van arrive, or wait a week, or wait for them to make the overture? Casserole, house plant or just a friendly hello?

Chicago-based residential real estate expert Mark Nash advises waiting till the moving van has gone. “Give them a couple of days to get somewhat settled,” he says.

Offer to take some of the cardboard boxes to the recycle depot, he suggests, and if they have a dog, offer to introduce them to fellow pet owners. Nash says that thoughtful housewarming gifts after the chaos eases could be a nice bird feeder, or a gift certificate for a home improvement store, local spa, dog walker or window washer.

Minneapolis-based psychologist and HGTV.com contributor Dr. Bra Vada Garrett-Akinsaya suggests some inexpensive ways to offer a friendly hand to new families:

• Make a picnic hamper. Include maps for local parks, disposable dishes and some outdoorsy snacks.
• Make a kids’ activity box. Include markers, puzzle books and juice boxes to keep children busy while parents unpack.
• Make a neighbourhood look book: a three-ring binder filled with neighbour contact info, trusted medical practitioners, recommended local businesses.
• Make a kid’s look book. Include photos, names, ages and contact info for neighbourhood kids, and perhaps a calendar to add play dates.
• Make magnets. On a craft store magnet, glue names and numbers of babysitters, yard services and reliable handymen.
• Offer to be a guide. Make a fun coupon good for a personal tour of the area.

Should you take over prepared food? Today we worry about allergies, religious restrictions and taste buds. While most people agree that the gesture’s what counts, it’s probably better to take something neutral rather than your famous tuna broccoli casserole. Nash suggests baked goods, fruits and vegetables, specialty coffees or teas.

Some people favour a festively wrapped bottle of bubbly or good wine. New Yorkers Bob and Christina Agnew fondly recall the elderly next door neighbour who brought over a bottle of fine Scotch.

“It was clearly her favourite because she often stopped by to help us consume it!”

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Other than enjoying the freshly blooming flowers, around the house, Spring is the time to assess winter damage, start repairs and prepare for warmer months.

From Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):

Regular Maintenance is the Key

Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices are the best way to protect your investment in your home. Whether you take care of a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it is important to get into the habit of doing them. Establish a routine for yourself, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time-consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur. If necessary, use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later.

By following the information noted here, you will learn about protecting your investment and how to help keep your home a safe and healthy place to live.

If you do not feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or do not have the necessary equipment, for example a ladder, you may want to consider hiring a qualified handyperson to help you.

Seasonal Home Maintenance

Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which can be the most gruelling season for your home. During winter months, it is important to follow routine maintenance procedures, by checking your home carefully for any problems that may arise and taking corrective action as soon as possible. Spring is the time to assess winter damage, start repairs and prepare for warmer months. Over the summer, there are a number of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to look after, such as repairing walkways and steps, painting and checking your chimney and roof.

While most maintenance is seasonal, there are some things you should do on a frequent basis year-round:

1. Make sure air vents indoors and outdoors (intake, exhaust and forced air) are not blocked by snow or debris.
2. Check and clean range hood filters on a monthly basis.
3. Test ground fault circuit interrupter(s) on electrical outlets monthly by pushing the test button, which should then cause the reset button to pop up.
4. If there are young children in the house, make sure electrical outlets are equipped with safety plugs.
5. Regularly check the house for safety hazards, such as a loose handrail, lifting or buckling flooring, inoperative smoke detectors, and so on.

Timing of the seasons varies not only from one area of Canada to another but also from year to year in a given area. For this reason, we have not identified the months for each season. The maintenance schedule presented here is, instead, a general guide for you to follow. The actual timing is left for you to decide, and you may want to further divide the list of items for each season into months.

Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist:

1. After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. Caution: This test may release hot water that can cause burns.
2. Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.
3. Have fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.
4. Shut down, drain and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
5. Switch on power to air conditioning and check system. Have it serviced every two or three years.
6. Clean or replace air-conditioning filter, if applicable.
7. Check dehumidifier and drain — clean if necessary.
8. Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.
9. Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.
10. Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries.
11. Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
12. Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.
13. Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.
14. Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
15. Re-level any exterior steps or decks that moved as a result of frost or settling.
16. Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests, such as bats and squirrels.
17. Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
18. Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
19. Repair and paint fences as necessary — allow wood fences to dry adequately before tackling this task.
20. Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.

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