First-time home buyers often learn a lot of lessons about homeownership as they encounter challenges and problems, but there are some things that homeowners need to be prepared for from the very beginning. Having a toolbox on hand can help ensure that should something break or need a quick fix before it can be replaced or an expert can come and repair it properly. Here are some of the most useful things homeowners can keep in a toolbox.

A Tape Measure

Need to know how big the space where the refrigerator goes to keep from accidentally buying a replacement that’s too big? A tape measure is the easiest way to that that information. While homeowners may not be able to imagine a large number of scenarios where a tape measure is essential, having

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Insulation is extremely important when it comes to keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It acts as a barrier between the home’s interior and the weather outside, and it can be made from many different materials. Some work better than others, and some are more environmentally friendly, so there’s a lot that homeowners need to take into account when choosing the type that they’re going to buy. Good insulation is also a great selling point when people sell their homes. Here are some of the different types of insulation and what makes them unique.

1. Fiberglass Insulation

Most people are familiar with fluffy pink insulation made of fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation is extremely common, affordable, and it’s difficult to find a

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With so much beautiful wildlife in Canada, it's only ‘natural' that some of those creatures will be more pesky than others. In particular, we're talking about eradicating pests from the home—a process that can be fairly challenging depending on the type and amount of critters to be dealt with. It's no secret that common pests here are cockroaches, fleas, rodents, mites and bedbugs that can cause illness and skin irritation. For the safety of occupants, home pest remediation is a must, so here's a quick guide for conventional and natural eradication methods.

Conventional Pest Remediation for Homes

Conventional pest control methods have been around for decades, and these are often administered via sprays, bombs, traps, powders and other

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With the arrival of our welcome warm spring weather, the market has heated up and real estate signs are popping up along with the spring flowers.   Sales increased 52% in March to 640 sales from just 421 sales in our cold and snowy February, but still down 7% from 688 sales in March of 2018.   The number of listings actively available for sale rose another 14% from 2,131 at the end of February to 2,435 at the end of March and up 38% from the 1,766 available at the end of March 2018. While the supply has increased substantially, it still lags below the 10 year average of 3,403.   Overall with a ratio of 1 sale to 4 listings in March, a 4 month supply, we are experiencing a balanced market. As is normally the case, there are different…

Everyone wants to make sure their home is safe, but there’s a lot of different ways homeowners can go about improving their home’s security. Even homeowners who have just purchased a new construction home should also be interested in the security of the home. From getting new locks to changing the spare key’s hiding spot, homeowners can take simple measures, but that isn’t the extent of what they can do.

Homeowners can purchase a home security system to give them some peace of mind, but there are different types of systems that are each  suited to different types of homes. Here are the three main system types and how they operate.

Highest Security: Wireless Alarm Systems

For homeowners who want the most security for their home and want to

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A home may seem like static structures in a person's life, but the trained eye knows that it changes constantly. From major events to everyday wear and tear, what was safe yesterday may not be safe today. Understanding the safety hazards of a home may mean having to consider some fairly unpleasant scenarios, but it's better to imagine the worst than for it to actually occur. To prevent property damage or bodily injury, here are five hazards that everyone should watch for.

Slippery Floors

Falling on a slippery floor is more common than many people realize. In fact, millions of people fall in their homes every year. One in five falls will result in a serious injury, such as a bone break. And while it's more likely to happen to the elderly,

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Buying a home can be an exciting but complicated time in a homeowners life. Some homeowners may have unknowingly purchased a home with mould while others may see mould appear later on, even in new construction. How concerned should occupants be about mould growth, especially when not all types of moulds are considered to be toxic?

Mould can be a serious issue when it comes to health and home value. When detected, addressing mould at the earliest possible stage often makes for easier remediation. Learn more about why homeowners need to address mould growth in a home.

Mould and Occupant Health

There are different types of moulds that may develop and even when not easily seen, individuals may observe signs of a potential issue. Mould can grow

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The light in your home can have a big impact on your level of comfort and on the functionality of your living space. Having many lighting options and ample natural light can ensure that your house looks spacious, clean and inviting. Great lighting, along with proper staging, helps sell a home. Light is handled differently in each room of the house. This room-by-room lighting guide will help you design a new construction house that is well-lit and attractive.

Living Room

The living room is a place in the home that relies heavily on natural light. Often, living rooms have large picture windows that allow light to enter during daylight hours. When designing a living room with a large picture window, take into consideration the amount of heat

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This is getting repetitive, but again sales are down and listings are up. That's more than 12 consecutive months now of fewer sales and more listings than the previous year.    In February there were a total of 421 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board (Sidney to Sooke to Oak bay to South of Duncan AND the Gulf Islands), that's 23% fewer than the 545 sold in February 2018 but an encouraging and seasonal increase of 28% more than in the month before, January 2019. Condo sales were down 26% from the previous year with 129 sold, also up 16% from the previous month. Single family home sales were down 16% from the previous year with 219 sold.   The supply of active listings available for sale remains historically low but has been…

• This new annual tax is designed to:

  • Target foreign and domestic speculators who own residences in B.C. but don’t pay taxes here
  • Turn empty homes into good housing for people
  • Raise revenue that will directly support affordable housing

  All owners of residential property in the designated taxable regions of B.C. must complete an annual declaration. Over 99% of British Columbians are estimated to be exempt from the tax.

  How to Exempt Yourself

  

  To claim your exemption, you must register your property by March 31, 2019 – and it’s easy to do, either by phone or online. The information you’ll need to register your property declaration will be mailed by mid-February to all owners of residential property within the taxable

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