An article for you ... http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/593173 . I guess all the chat about the makeover of Gordon Pinsent's condo is interesting, but the most important line in the article is:
"I contacted my real estate agent and Janine was at the top of the list." I'm sure Leah's actual words were "my amazing incredibly excellent real estate agent Lee Martin..." but magazines will insist on editing.
Congratulations Gordon and Leah. Good work Janine, Trinity Gallery et al.
Showing posts with label renovation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label renovation. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Federal Budget -- more of your money for you
As noted in a previous post, there is money available to you from government programs for energy efficiency upgrades.
The new federal budget added a tax credit for renovations that goes beyond specific energy upgrades -- just do something ! spend money ! hire somebody ! NOW ! ... you get the idea. Here is a useful Q&A on how the HRTC (Home Renovation Tax Credit) works: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhmrnvtn-eng.html
While we're at it, here are a couple more info documents on budget stuff that relates to real estate:
... Not Really First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (you can actually quality if you haven't owned a home recently)
... Looting your RRSP to help with a home purchase (OK, they call it the Home-Buyers Plan , and it does make sense FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE, but be careful...)
The new federal budget added a tax credit for renovations that goes beyond specific energy upgrades -- just do something ! spend money ! hire somebody ! NOW ! ... you get the idea. Here is a useful Q&A on how the HRTC (Home Renovation Tax Credit) works: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhmrnvtn-eng.html
While we're at it, here are a couple more info documents on budget stuff that relates to real estate:
... Not Really First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (you can actually quality if you haven't owned a home recently)
... Looting your RRSP to help with a home purchase (OK, they call it the Home-Buyers Plan , and it does make sense FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE, but be careful...)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
"Saving Money while Saving The Planet"
The title is stolen from a CarsonDunlop report. If you are looking for a good summary of all the grants currently available for doing energy efficient upgrades (furnace, air conditioner, insulation, windows, even toidies !), you may want to start at a good CarsonDunlop page .... http://www.carsondunlop.com/ecoenergy/rebates.html
As you will see, it's not just the feds giving grants. The Province, provincial and municipal electric utilities, Toronto Water, and gas utilities are all giving loot out in different ways for different things. It's your money, go get it!
Nothing is exactly free here -- all will require a pile of your money too. But they make the changes easier and will save you money every month on your utility bills while doing less damage to our one-and-only world.
By the way, we are just completing our training and will become certified "NAGAB" green agents. It doesn't mean we will show up with a hammer, but we will have a lot of information to help you determine what you might be buying or what you should consider doing.
[UPDATE: ANOTHER GOOD PLACE TO CHECK OUT THE FED/PROVINCIAL OPTIONS: http://www.homeenergyontario.ca/]
As you will see, it's not just the feds giving grants. The Province, provincial and municipal electric utilities, Toronto Water, and gas utilities are all giving loot out in different ways for different things. It's your money, go get it!
Nothing is exactly free here -- all will require a pile of your money too. But they make the changes easier and will save you money every month on your utility bills while doing less damage to our one-and-only world.
By the way, we are just completing our training and will become certified "NAGAB" green agents. It doesn't mean we will show up with a hammer, but we will have a lot of information to help you determine what you might be buying or what you should consider doing.
[UPDATE: ANOTHER GOOD PLACE TO CHECK OUT THE FED/PROVINCIAL OPTIONS: http://www.homeenergyontario.ca/]
Friday, September 19, 2008
Getting Tanked
Tankless Water Heaters, pro and con...
Tankless water heaters are becoming more common and somewhat more affordable. Their appeal is based on the idea of continuous hot water and space savings.
The Europeans have had lots of good experience with tankless water heating for years and years. BUT, their energy costs have been much higher than ours for years and years. And they typically use less hot water and use it in smaller spaces.
The space-saving benefit could make them a great choice in a reno or a small space. The energy savings are real and maybe it's worth a premium to you for just that reason alone -- they use less energy. The dollar savings will get even better as our energy costs rise.
BUT ... right now, the economics are barely there or not there at all. The higher initial cost of a tankless heater can eat up ALL the energy savings over the ENTIRE LIFE OF A WATER HEATER !!
Consumer Reports has done the lab work and I encourage you to do the research if you are thinking of installing one of these products. See their report HERE
Helping You is What We Do !!
Tankless water heaters are becoming more common and somewhat more affordable. Their appeal is based on the idea of continuous hot water and space savings.
The Europeans have had lots of good experience with tankless water heating for years and years. BUT, their energy costs have been much higher than ours for years and years. And they typically use less hot water and use it in smaller spaces.
The space-saving benefit could make them a great choice in a reno or a small space. The energy savings are real and maybe it's worth a premium to you for just that reason alone -- they use less energy. The dollar savings will get even better as our energy costs rise.
BUT ... right now, the economics are barely there or not there at all. The higher initial cost of a tankless heater can eat up ALL the energy savings over the ENTIRE LIFE OF A WATER HEATER !!
Consumer Reports has done the lab work and I encourage you to do the research if you are thinking of installing one of these products. See their report HERE
Helping You is What We Do !!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
"Granted", it's not free but it IS a good deal...
If you've been thinking about energy costs and conservation, you may have some reno or upgrade projects in mind. Perhaps you've just bought a house that needs a little work, or are getting your own place ready to sell in the next few years, or the thought of firing up the old furnace in the Fall is keeping you awake at night.
You may have heard that the federal government is doling out money to help. You're right. The basic idea is you get an evaluation done. They "qualify" you for certain improvements. If you make thos improvements, they come back to check and you get a government cheque.
One small caveat: The companies doing the evaluations are often also in the business of doing the improvements. They may or may not be your best contractor option. You should probably do a little shopping before just blindly signing on with the evaluators' firm.
That said, here's where to go for the program info
You may have heard that the federal government is doling out money to help. You're right. The basic idea is you get an evaluation done. They "qualify" you for certain improvements. If you make thos improvements, they come back to check and you get a government cheque.
One small caveat: The companies doing the evaluations are often also in the business of doing the improvements. They may or may not be your best contractor option. You should probably do a little shopping before just blindly signing on with the evaluators' firm.
That said, here's where to go for the program info
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