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Organizing the Garage in Zones

Most of the time, few of us actually know where to put and where we have put things in the garage. This makes it even harder to find things after the organizing is done. Implementing specific zones in the garage can make finding your items and tools easier. Here are few ideas and simple steps to help take your garage to the next level.

Plan the zones. Before starting to organize anything, plan zones specific to your family’s needs. Your garage could have a mudroom zone, beach zone, snow removal zone, etc. This is a wonderful customized plan that is entirely based on what you actually use.

Start simple. As with anything, don’t stress yourself out so badly that you lose your taste for organizing. There are so many different ways to organize the garage and none of them are wrong, or even right. To find your perfect garage zone organization plan, you are in the driver’s seat. You know better than anyone what your family actually needs when it comes to your garage. Zone your garage in a way that will benefit your family best.

One step further. Take the zoning up a notch by trying the following tips: Start the zoning process by dividing items into piles (or areas) that would make sense together. You have boogie boards and pool noodles? Put them in the beach zone. Don’t try having food storage mixed with the garden tool area. That can cause you an organizing headache in no time. When dividing items, remember to put things together that make sense. Are there loose rakes and brooms? Put them in the yard tool section with your brand new leaf blower.

Place yard and garden items where they are most easily accessed. This is will be one of your highest traffic zones. Place lawn mowers, cleaning supplies and even golf clubs in this area. Placing bins in the same area is a great idea for loose garden and yard items.  Consider hanging your yard tools such as weed eaters, bush trimmers, edgers and leaf blowers.

Try a garage mudroom. Sometimes you don’t have room for a built in mudroom in house. Why not fashion one in the garage? Try having a garage mudroom to make where the garage and your home meet a little less mess and less stressful on the people who clean it. Children and adults can remove their shoes and coats and place them on shoe racks and easily accessed hooks.

Long term storage is a must.  Long term storage is a must have because we all have items that are seldomly used, but we still want them around. Consider your holiday decor in this category. We all love good holiday decorations, but they are really only appropriate within the season. We love this idea for stowing your stuff for the long haul.

Working space needed. The garage is a place for a lot of things, but in reality a lot of our best and largest projects happen in the garage. Don’t forget to leave a little space for you to use for projects. Consider installing a workbench to add more space when it’s tight.

Implementing these simple steps will help you get your garage zoned in a weekend. This will simplify the “finding time” of your items.

In Alberta, real estate professionals can have a licence that allows them to work in a type – or multiple types – of real estate practice.

The four practice areas are:

• residential real estate
• rural real estate
• commercial real estate
• property management.

A real estate professional’s area(s) of practice depends on their pre-licensing education. Industry professionals can be licensed to practice in one of these areas, or in any combination of these areas, depending on the education they completed and the licence they hold. If RECA receives a complaint about a real estate professional acting outside of the scope of their licence, RECA will review their conduct. You can check your real estate professional’s licence by searching for an Industry Professional on the RECA website. The areas of practice attached to the industry professional’s licence will display when you click on their name after finding them in a search. Their areas of practice are listed beside the word “Sector.”

It may seem obvious what type of real estate professional you need (for example, if you’re selling a single detached house you need a residential real estate professional), but sometimes the line is blurry. For example, if you have an acreage property located outside of a city, is it residential or rural? Here is detailed information to help you figure out what type of real estate professional you need.

Residential Real Estate:

Real estate is residential, when:

• the building and the land are intended for residential purposes
• the building has four units or less intended for residential purposes
• the land intended to be the site of a residential building or buildings will eventually have four units or less

What can residential real estate professionals do? 

They can represent buyers and sellers of residential real estate, including

• single-family homes
• residential acreages (country residential) not intended for farming
• duplexes
• four-plex
• townhouses
• condominiums (single units only, not entire condo buildings with more than four units)
• a cabin at the lake used for recreational purposes

Rural Real Estate:

Rural real estate refers to:

• property outside a city, town, etc. that has farming as its primary purpose

What can rural real estate professionals do? 

They can represent buyers and sellers of rural real estate. Typically, rural properties that are intended for farming have a designated land use that reflects that. The rural definition does not include “rural residential” properties. Residential real estate includes rural residential properties, which are also known as country residential properties, such as acreages. These properties have a residential dwelling or are intended for a residential dwelling, and their primary purpose is not farming. Individuals whose license only includes rural real estate cannot represent the buyers and sellers of rural residential or country residential.

Property Management:

Property management is:

• leasing, negotiating, approving or offering to lease real estate
• collecting or offering or attempting to collect money payable for the use of real estate
• holding money received in connection with the rental of real estate
• advertising, negotiating or any other act, directly or indirectly for the purpose of furthering the above activity

What can property managers do?

Property management professionals can work with landlords (property owners) and/or tenants (potential tenants) in the leasing of real estate. A license to provide property management services allows an individual to do so for all types of properties: commercial, residential and rural real estate.

Commercial Real Estate:

Commercial real estate means property intended to generate income. It includes property used for:

• retail
• office
• industrial
• investment
• institutional
• multifamily residential property comprised of more than four units

What can commercial real estate professionals do?
They can assist in the purchase, sale, or lease of office buildings or space, industrial sites and retail.

Home automation allows you to control systems in your home with a touch of a button. Where the first home automation systems were controlled only by a central panel, the latest in automation and mobile technology now allows homeowners to control their system from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Home automation can be installed during construction of a new home and in existing homes. Home automation can enhance your lifestyle and enjoyment of your home by adding luxury and convenience, enabling you to control things like lighting, blinds, temperature, music and video. They can also help protect your home and family through high-tech security systems and help you save on energy bills through energy efficient programming.

What exactly can I control with home automation? 

Temperature: You can program the temperature in your home to increase and decrease during certain parts of the day, helping you to conserve energy and save on your utility bills.

Lighting: You can program your lights to come on when the sun goes down, or when you would be arriving home from work. You can also have your lights automatically shut off during the brighter parts of the day to reduce energy consumption. Lights can be controlled by a keypad in your home or from your smart phone, when you’re at home and when you are away. This is also a great security feature as lights that come on and off indicate to potential intruders that someone could be at home.

Window coverings: Automated blinds can be programmed to open automatically when you come home, close when the sun goes down or to open sporadically throughout the day to make it appear like someone is at home when you are on vacation. You can program your blinds to open and close at specific times of the day to best match your schedule.

Music: Gain automated access to your playlists on your iPod, internet or computer or play radio channels in any room of the house – all controlled by a portable control or your smart device. You can easily turn on some lovely dinner music while entertaining your guests while your kids listen to their favorite tunes in the other room, all coming out of top-quality home stereo and sound system installed throughout the home.

Home theatre systems: Most home automation companies offer home theatre design and installation. Imagine having an authentic theatre experience in your own home! Your family will love watching movies and video complete with quality visuals, surround sound and portable touch controls.

Home security: Automated security systems are superior in a few ways. They allow you to keep an eye on your home, from anywhere in the world, using strategically placed surveillance cameras and your smart phone or device.  Learn how to install a security camera system in a house. You can also control things like your garage and door locks so you can let in a neighbor to check on your home while you are away. Also, most home automation companies have a security division that offers alarm and monitoring services to complete your home security package.

You can have a complete home automation system that is made up of all of these components, and others, or choose the components that best suit your needs and budget. An added benefit of home automation is that it could boost your property value and could attract quality home buyers, should you ever decide to sell your home.

Do you know the signs of mortgage fraud? Do you know how to make sure you don’t become involved in a fraudulent transaction? The Real Estate Council of Alberta has prepared a list of mortgage fraud red flags for consumers to help them protect themselves.

Red flags may indicate there’s a fraudulent transaction taking place; they don’t guarantee a fraud but should raise suspicion. Watch out if:

• someone offers you money to use your name and credit information to obtain a mortgage
• you are encouraged to  include false information on a loan application
• you are asked to leave signature lines or other important areas on a loan application blank
• the loan amount on the mortgage is significantly higher than the value of the property
• the mortgage has been refinanced several times and in each instance, the amount of the mortgage has increased
• a seller or investment adviser discourages you from seeing or inspecting the property you are buying

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Mortgage fraud is not a get-rich-quick scheme — it’s illegal. Getting involved in mortgage fraud can damage your credit rating, your finances, and your current and future employment prospects.

Visit www.reca.ca for more red flags and information.

Types of Mortgage Fraud

Mortgage fraud isn’t a single situation with a single type of transaction. Mortgage fraud occurs in a variety of ways – for a variety of purposes.

Foreclosure Fraud: This type of fraud often targets vulnerable, low-income individuals whose homes are in foreclosure, or who are at risk of defaulting on their mortgage. It happens when:

• a mortgage fraudster approaches a home owner, who is in financial trouble, with a debt- consolidation scheme that typically involves the owner paying upfront fees and transferring the home’s title to the fraudster
• the home owner receives cash from the fraudster to address immediate bills and remains in the home paying “rent” or “consolidated debt payments” to the fraudster
• the fraudster pockets all of the owner’s payments and ignores bills and taxes, which leads to debt-collection procedures against the owner
• the fraudster may re-mortgage or sell the property to an accomplice, which leaves the owner without the property title, homeless and still in debt

Fraud For Profit: Fraud for profit typically involves a number of individuals who work together to artificially inflate the price of a home or get mortgage funds for non-existent homes.

• a straw buyer is a person who makes a purchase on behalf of another person.
• the straw buyer may, for some of the profit, lend his or her identity and good credit to the fraud. If you give your identity or use your credit rating in this way, you are the straw buyer
• the real buyer, who is using the straw buyer’s identity and credit, promises to make all the payments and pay the straw buyer for the use of his or her credit rating – but the real buyer doesn’t make the payments

It’s not unusual in fraud for profit for the fraudsters to pocket the cash, stop making the payments, and the straw buyer is left with the property and no means of paying the mortgage, which is often an artificially inflated amount. Straw buyers can be held legally responsible for the mortgage debt.

Fraud for Housing: It is mortgage fraud if you provide false or misleading information on a mortgage application so that you’ll qualify for a mortgage you wouldn’t otherwise qualify for. It’s also fraudulent if you say you’re going to be living in the property, in order to get the mortgage loan, but you have no intention of living in the home.

Fraud for Title: This is what happens when someone steals your identity, and uses fake documents and identification to “steal” or change the title on a home you own. The mortgage fraudster uses these documents to apply for and take out a mortgage on the home you own. The bank lends the money to the fraudster based on the stolen or fake documents, the fraudster takes the money, and then you’re left with the debt because the mortgage was in your name.

Winter is best spent drinking hot chocolate and building snowmen, not re-roofing your house. Here are the three main reasons why you should postpone your re-roofing project until springtime:

1. Asphalt shingles become brittle when the temperature drops below 10 degrees centigrade. As such, bending, throwing and nailing shingles during delivery and installation may break them, resulting in increased material costs.
2. Low temperatures will affect the asphaltic sealant’s ability to bond and seal shingles together. Experienced roofers pay close attention to the temperature, humidity and sun exposure when re-roofing a home. They may choose not to re-roof if they believe the current conditions will affect a shingle’s ability to form a proper seal and thus compromise the integrity of the roof.
3. You may not be covered by your manufacturer’s warranty. When shingles are not sealed for weeks or months on end, they are at risk of being blown off during windy seasons. Under such circumstances, the standard wind warranty offered by the shingle manufacturer will not cover the cost to repair.

If you have concerns regarding the condition of your roof, your best option is to contact a professional roofing contractor and let them assess the roof condition before starting a project. Take advantage of the winter season to collect quotes, and secure a spot and price with a trusted roofing contractor.

What if I must re-roof during the winter?

If you must re-roof your home, you must manually seal the shingles with asphalt plastic cement as recommended by the shingle manufacturer. This process is extremely time consuming and may increase costs. Additionally, take the extra step in protecting your shingles by storing them in a warehouse rather than leaving them outside. Ask your roofing contractor if their supplier has stored the shingles in a warehouse, as exposure to fluctuating temperatures prior to installation may affect their performance.

Things to consider:

1. Re-roofing during the wintertime is extremely dangerous, especially on sloped roofs. The rooftop must be cleared of snow and ice before starting a re-roofing job, and up-to-date safety training, insurance and proper equipment are a must.
2. During the winter season, ice may build along the edge of a roof and prevent water from draining off the roof. This is called an ice dam. To prevent the water from leaking into your home, consider putting a self-adhesive waterproof membrane along your eaves, valleys, skylights and chimneys.
3. Re-roofing is an excellent time to check your roof ventilation system and attic insulation. An early inspection may catch problems such as improper ventilation, which can increase the risk of condensation and ice damming occurring during the wintertime.

The best time to re-roof is spring, summer and autumn. Winter is not a good time to do it. The shingle product will not perform well and good workmanship is at risk. A little knowledge goes a long way. Understanding what could go wrong when re-roofing during the wintertime can save you weeks of stress, headaches, and extra costs.

What is radon gas?

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that comes from the ground. You cannot see or smell it. When inhaled, radon breaks down into further radioactive particles, releasing burst of radioactivity that can cause injury to lung tissue. Exposure to high levels of radon causes lung cancer, the second leading cause after tobacco smoking.

When it gets into homes through places where the house comes into contact with the ground, it can accumulate into high levels and pose a health risk to home occupants. The level of risk from radon exposure depends on how much radon one is exposed to and the length of time of that exposure. Your risk of developing lung cancer is especially high if you are a smoker and are also exposed to high radon levels.

The only way to find out if your home has high levels of radon is to have your home tested. A reading of 200 Bq/m³ or higher indicates that you should reduce radon levels.

How to reduce high radon levels in homes

High levels of radon can be successfully reduced by installing a radon reduction (mitigation) system. Typically, this involves installing a vent pipe that exhausts radon from underneath the house to outside, preventing it from getting into the house. Such a system is a one-install solution that becomes part of the house systems, just like a furnace or water heater.

The type of radon mitigation system depends on the construct of the home where the house meets the ground. Homes with slab foundations are typically mitigated by installing the vent pipe through a hole made in the foundation slab (also known as active sub-slab depressurization or ASD). This method has been shown to reduce radon levels in homes by an average of 91%.

In Canada, radon is recognized as a health risk. Despite radon exposure being responsible for more deaths (more than 3,000 per year) than carbon-monoxide (50 per year), awareness levels still remain low among Canadians. However, various prevention strategies have been developed, included changes to building codes.

New Alberta Building Code requirements to protect against radon

The Alberta Building Code 2014 has adopted new requirements to protect new homes from radon. These requirements came into effect on November 1^st, 2015. The aim of the requirements are to minimize radon entry into homes, and to provide for a radon mitigation rough-in pipe to make it easy to install an effective radon reduction system should testing reveal the presence of a high level of radon.

The new building code requirements relating to radon require new homes to be built with the following features:

• Gravel sub-membrane layer: allows for proper venting of the whole sub-floor from suction through one hole should an active mitigation system be installed (vent pipe with a fan).
• Poly-membrane beneath the slab: provides an air-barrier that minimizes radon entry.
• Proper sealing around wall-floor joints: requires sealing up to the foundation wall to minimize radon entry
• Properly sealed and labelled radon pipe: the radon pipe should at least 100mm in diameter and should run underneath the floor up to the mid-point of the home. Sealing the pipe prevents inadvertent radon entry. Labelling clarifies purpose of pipe to prevent inappropriate use, like hook up a toilet.
• Properly located radon rough-in or passive pipe: makes it easy to access and install an active system, should one be required.

These requirements apply to homes where the building permit application was received on or after November 1^st, 2015.

What you will see in new homes

If you are buying a new home built according to the new standard, you should expect to see a sealed and labelled rough-in radon pipe in the basement.

It is important to note that this is not a mitigation system. It is a rough-in mitigation pipe that can be linked to a radon mitigation system should it be needed in the future.

While the building code provisions will greatly reduce the chances of radon getting into a home, it is impossible to prevent radon entry completely. Radon is a gas – a million radon atoms can fit into a hole the size of the width of a human hair. It may still find entry into a home despite best preventative efforts.

Homeowners should understand that they should test their home for radon to decide if they need to complete the radon mitigation system. If testing reveals high radon levels, a mitigation system can be activated on the rough-in by extending the rough-in with a vent-pipe and a fan to discharge radon outside of their home.

There are important considerations involved in properly installing an active mitigation system that is effective, efficient and long-lasting. Homeowners should look for a mitigation professional that is certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) to complete the job.

Ultimately the rough-in reduces the time and effort required for installing an active mitigation system, thereby reducing costs associated with radon mitigation.

If you call a mortgage advisor and the first thing they do is quote you an interest rate, you may have picked the wrong mortgage advisor. A professional would not quote a rate without know your individual situation. This should come as a warning to home buyers.
When a mortgage advisor quotes a rate to a client without knowing all of the circumstances, they are doing them a disservice. An expert will take the time to ask questions and learn more about the person’s situation. They can then recommend a mortgage product relevant to a person’s future plans, risk tolerance and growing needs.
The high interest rate you pay on a mortgage product will depend on a number of factors. The three key factors are length of the term, open or closed mortgage and fixed or variable product. You need to choose a term that works with your future plans. Typically longer terms have higher rates, but offer longer payment security. Lower terms usually offer lower rates, but need to be re-negotiated sooner. When you select an open mortgage you can pay off the balance with no penalties, but you will pay a higher interest rate for this feature. A closed mortgage will offer a lower rate because you are committed to the bank and cannot pay off the mortgage without paying penalties. The last key factor is choosing a variable or fixed rate product. Variable rates fluctuate with the bank’s prime rate and need to be managed by the client. A fixed rate will always stay the same during the term, giving you more payment security.
The interest rate is not the only thing to consider when it comes to finding the right mortgage product for you. You will also need to be aware of the mortgage features, as well as mortgage terms and conditions that could become costly down the road. Rates are just one part of the total borrowing cost. Other costs to consider are fees, penalty calculations, prepayment restrictions, completely closed terms and portability restrictions. The lowest advertised interest rate may not be the best option if there are extra costs involved. It is very important to ask your mortgage advisor about additional fees such as appraisal fees, underwriting fees, broker fees, additional closing costs and increased lawyer fees. These extra costs can significantly drive up the overall cost of a mortgage.
Mortgage services should go beyond rates. A mortgage specialist should bring value with the brand they carry, experience in the mortgage business and most important, they need to be reputable and trustworthy. Choose someone you can trust and has the knowledge to recommend solutions based on your individual needs. We understand how important interest rates are, but rates aren’t everything – flexibility and service matter as well.

Buying or selling a property is probably one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. This explains the different relationships you can have with a real estate professional. Each has its own legal meaning and responsibilities, so it’s important to understand them.

There are three kinds of relationships you can have a real estate professional.

1. A real estate brokerage can act as your agent. This is called common law agency relationship and it includes all brokerage real estate professionals and staff.
2. An individual real estate professional can act as your agent. This is called a designated agency relationship.
3. You can be the customer of a real estate professional.

An agent is someone who acts on your behalf with your permission. If the agent is an individual, the agency relationship is between the individual and you. If the agent is a brokerage, the agency relationship is between the brokerage and you. When you appoint an agent, you’ll be asked to sign a written agreement that explains both the agent’s responsibilities and yours. In agency relationships, you are the client of a real estate professional.

A sole agent acts for either the buyer or the seller (the client) in a trade or possible trade, and has a duty to protect that client’s interests. In this relationship, the real estate professional has the highest level of legal responsibility to you. These responsibilities include:

1. Undivided loyalty The agent must act only in your best interests and put them above their own and those of other people. The agent must avoid conflicts of interest and must protect your negotiating position at all times.
2. Confidentiality The agent must keep information confidential, even after your relationship ends. Confidential information includes your personal information, information about the property, and information about the transaction (except information the law says must be disclosed or information you agree to disclose).
3. Full disclosure The agent must tell you, in writing, about the services they will provide. They must also tell you everything they know that might affect your relationship or influence your decision in a transaction, even if they don’t think it’s important. This includes any conflicts of interest, for example when they act (or are planning to act) on behalf of any other person in a transaction. The only information they can’t give you is confidential information from another agency relationship.
4. Obedience The agent must obey all your lawful, reasonable, and ordinary instructions. If you insist on something unlawful, the agent must refuse and consider ending your relationship and the agreement.
5. Reasonable care and skill The agent must exercise reasonable care and skill in all their duties. They must meet the standard of a reasonable and competent member of the real estate industry.
6. Full accounting The agent must account for all money and property they receive while acting on your behalf. Everything a client puts in the care of an agent—for example, money, keys, or documents—is returned when the agreement ends.

What is a customer relationship?

You can choose to represent yourself in a purchase or sale when a real estate professional represents the other party. In this case, you have a customer relationship with the real estate professional. They can’t give you the services they give when acting as your agent, but they can help make the purchase or sale happen. For example, they may agree to give you statistics or the names of appraisers, mortgage brokers, or other service providers. They may also help you complete standard forms. When a real estate professional works with you as a customer, they have a responsibility to act honestly, use reasonable care and skill, and make sure any information they give is correct.

When you’re the client of a real estate or mortgage professional, they have an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of your personal information (including finances), as well as information about the property or transaction.

Your industry professional can only disclose your personal information to others if you give them permission or it is required by law.

Personal Information

Personal information is any information about an identifiable person. This could include:

Property Information

Property information includes:

Transaction Information

Transaction information includes any information you give to your real estate or mortgage professional through the course of your client relationship. It includes service agreements and communications, such as text messages, email, verbal conversations, etc.

Are there exceptions to confidentiality?

Material Latent Defects

If your property has a material latent defect, you must disclose that to your real estate professional, and your real estate professional must disclose this information to a potential buyer or the buyer’s representative. This disclosure does not require your consent.

If you are not sure if the defect is material or latent, you should discuss this with your real estate representative.

Ability to purchase or lease a property

If you’re in a transaction brokerage agreement, the brokerage must disclose any known material facts relevant to your ability to buy (if you’re a buyer) or lease (if you’re a tenant) to the seller or lessor, as the case may be.

Does your industry professional’s obligation to keep your information confidential, end when the sale is completed?

Even after your transaction is done, your industry professional is still required to keep your information confidential. The requirement to keep your information confidential does not have an expiry date.

From the beginning of your home search, particularly as a first-time buyer, you probably realize you’re going to need a mortgage to make your home ownership dream a reality. Do you know what documents you’ll need to provide to the lender? Do you know how the lender will determine how much mortgage you can afford?

Mortgage Pre-qualification
Your mortgage broker has tools to help you in your home search. Before you go house shopping, you want to know how much of a mortgage your income will support, and what affect your current debt load will have on a possible mortgage amount. You can find this out by getting a mortgage prequalification.

• A mortgage prequalification is tentative approval from a lender for a mortgage based on your qualifications (i.e. income, down payment amount) made in advance of a real estate purchase. The prequalification will provide you with the information needed to know how much of a mortgage you will likely be approved for; it’ll help you ensure you’re shopping for homes you can afford.

A prequalification is not the same as receiving approval for a mortgage; it is not a guarantee a lender will enter into a mortgage contract with you. Once you make an offer to buy a property, you will formally apply for a mortgage, and you will have to submit supporting documentation that confirms your financial position. A lender might choose not to approve you for a mortgage after it more closely assesses you and/or the property.

After you choose either a bank financial specialist or a mortgage broker to work with, get your paperwork in order. You may need to have certain documents available when you seek a mortgage prequalification, and you will definitely need them when you apply for the mortgage – these include:

• proof of employment (for example, a letter from your employer)
• most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment
• confirmation of income (for example, pay stubs or a T4)
• gift letter (if you’re using a gift as your down payment)

Lenders will review these documents, along with other items such as your credit report, in order to determine how much of a mortgage you can afford. They will also review a couple of key calculations to make that determination:

Gross Debt Service (GDS) Ratio: Lenders use a borrower’s GDS to determine whether the borrower has an acceptable debt level. Your GDS is the percentage of your gross monthly income required to cover payments associated with housing. Payments include mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, heating, and half of your condominium fees (if applicable). Generally, for a lender to consider you for a mortgage, your GDS should be no more than 32% of your gross monthly income.

Total Debt Service (TDS) Ratio: Lenders also review your TDS ratio. Your TDS is the percentage of your gross monthly income needed to cover your monthly debt load, which includes your housing costs, plus all of your other debt payments (car loan or lease, student loans, lines of credits, etc.). Your TDS should not be more than 40% of your gross monthly income.

It is unlikely a lender will approve a mortgage if the mortgage puts your GDS above 32% and your TDS above 40%.