Royal LePage survey shows a disconnect between attitudes of intended buyers and current owners in regards to renting and priority features.

A survey commissioned by Royal LePage Real Estate Services showed that intended recreational property buyers have different ideas on generating income from their properties compared to the actual decisions of those who are already in the market. Often, potential buyers will consider renting as a means to finance their purchase. The survey, which was conducted by Leger Marketing, polled both current owners and those intending to buy within the next five years. In addition, although many desired features of recreational properties remained the same, the survey showed a difference in priorities among the two groups surveyed.

Among intended buyers, 51 per cent said they would rent their property either to a tenant that was referred by someone they knew, or otherwise, to offset the cost of ownership. The cost of owning a recreational property generally includes mortgages, property tax, and utilities but can also include condo fees and snow removal depending on the property. However, among current owners, more than eight in ten (83 per cent) said they do not rent out their recreational property to offset carrying costs, though one in ten indicated that they would “like to.”

“Many Canadians aspire to own a recreational property because of the lifestyle benefit it provides but potential buyers must understand how they plan to finance their purchase to ensure they can afford it,” said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “While renting out your property is an attractive option to improve affordability, the ability to do so profitably varies by region. Some areas have bylaws that restrict rental activity while other regions have strict noise regulations that might limit your ability to attract renters. It’s important to talk to a local agent to get as much information as possible about the community you are targeting, should you want – or require – rental income to make recreational property ownership possible.”

To make the dream of ownership a reality, potential buyers also indicated they’d be willing to:

• Reduce their discretionary spending (32 per cent);
• Purchase a fixer-upper (25 per cent);
• Purchase only the land at first and then build in the future (23 per cent); and
• Purchase with friends or family (22 per cent).

When asked about the most sought after features of recreational properties, more than half of all respondents (55 per cent) ranked “quiet” as the feature they most desire. Four-season use (38 per cent) and boating/fishing (25 per cent) round out the top three most desirable features.

While the top three were consistent among current and intended purchasers, peace and quiet was more of a priority to current owners (57 per cent) than intended purchasers (47 per cent). Interestingly, four-season use was a greater priority for intended purchasers (46 per cent) than current owners (35 per cent).

“Recreational properties are an excellent way to bring families together and to help reduce the stress associated with city living,” Soper said. “This type of real estate can also be a solid investment, particularly if you are interested in a cottage or cabin on the waterfront. Recreational property supply near Canada’s urban centres is fixed while populations grow. Much like when purchasing a home in the city, it’s important to find the recreational property that will suit your needs and your budget.”

The survey was commissioned as part of the 2012 Royal LePage Recreational Property Report, an annual market analysis of recreational property prices, trends and activity in selected leisure markets across the country.

The survey was commissioned as part of the 2012 Royal LePage Recreational Property Report, an annual market analysis of recreational property prices, trends and activity in selected leisure markets across the country.

The chart below shows the typical price range for standard waterfront, land-access properties across Canada in 2012.

Methodology

The survey was completed online from April 5th to April 12th, 2012 using Leger Marketing’s online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1,000 Canadians who currently own a recreational property or are looking to purchase a recreational property within the next five years.
A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

Royal LePage 2012 Recreational Property Report Price Summary

www.royallepage.ca

Highlights:

• Home sales up 0.8% from March to April.
• Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity stood 11.5% above levels in April 2011.
• The size of the year-over-year increase reflects a slowdown in sales last April following changes to mortgage rules which came into effect on March 18, 2011.
• The number of newly listed homes edged back 0.2% from March to April.
• While still well balanced, the combination of stable new listings and slightly higher sales activity resulted in a tighter national housing market.
• The national average home price edged up 0.9% on a year-over-year basis in April.

Sales over MLS® Systems of real estate Boards and Associations in Canada edged up 0.8 per cent from March to April 2012, putting them on par with levels reported in the same month two years earlier.

Activity was either up or held steady in half of all local markets in April, with Toronto and Calgary posting the biggest monthly increases for the second month in a row. Activity gains in Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, as well as London and St. Thomas also made significant contributions to the national sales increase in April. Increased activity in these markets offset monthly declines in Ottawa, Windsor-Essex, Quebec City, the Fraser Valley, and Vancouver.

“A number of Canadian housing market trends in April remained intact from the previous month,” said Wayne Moen, CREA President. “Trends in Vancouver and Toronto continue to diverge. These two housing markets have an obvious influence on national statistics and a high profile, but Canada is a big place. Trends in housing markets differ across Canada, and as all housing is local, buyers and sellers should speak to their local REALTOR® to better understand current and prospective trends where they live.”

Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity stood 11.5 per cent above levels in April 2011, reflecting the slowdown in sales following changes to mortgage regulations that came into effect in March of last year.

A total of 157,804 homes have traded hands so far this year, up 6.4 per cent from levels reported in the first four months of 2011 and about four per cent above both the five- and 10-year averages for sales during the first third of the year.

The number of newly listed homes was little changed in April compared to March, having edged back 0.2 per cent on a month-over-month basis. The number of markets in which new listings rose (45) ran almost even with those where new listings eased (54).

The national housing market tightened marginally in April due to higher sales and stable new listings, but remains firmly entrenched in balanced market territory. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of market balance, stood at 55.9 per cent in April, up slightly from its March reading of 55.4 per cent. Based on a sales-to-new listings ratio of between 40 to 60 per cent, the number of local markets that were in balanced market territory in April (59) was up slightly from March (56).

Nationally, the number of months of inventory stood at 5.6 months at the end of April, unchanged from levels reported in March. The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is a further measure of the balance between housing supply and demand.

The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average price for homes sold in April 2012 was $375,810, up 0.9 per cent from the same month last year. While more or less flat compared to last spring on a national basis, average sale prices were up on a year-over-year basis in 80 per cent of all local markets in April.

“It bears repeating that the national average price was skewed higher last spring by record level high-end home sales in Vancouver’s priciest neighbourhoods, and that a replay of this phenomenon was not expected this year,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Sales data confirm that high-end activity in Vancouver is well off the peak levels reached at this time last year, which is exerting a gravitational pull on the national average price.”

“By contrast, activity in Toronto is stronger this spring than it was last spring. Higher-priced sales activity there is on the rise and buoying average prices. As the most active housing market in Canada, Toronto is the biggest factor supporting national average price.”

“Netting Vancouver out of the national average price calculation yields a 4.9 per cent year-on-year gain. Netting Toronto out of the national average price calculation, while leaving Vancouver in, produces a 2.2 per cent year-on-year decline. Netting out both Vancouver and Toronto results in a 3.1 per cent increase in average price. On balance, this points to modest price growth amid balanced market conditions in much of the rest of Canada.”

MLS® is a co-operative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate Boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada’s largest single-industry trade associations, representing more than 104,000 REALTORS® working through more than 100 real estate Boards and Associations.

Further information can be found at http://crea.ca/statistics.

The U.S. housing market is showing signs of bottoming as improving employment and record-low mortgage rates boost demand while inventories of available properties tighten. At the end of March, 2.37 million previously owned homes were available for sale, 22 percent fewer than a year earlier, the Realtors said.

“The housing market is still depressed but it had a good quarter,” Patrick Newport, an economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts, said in a telephone interview today. “We’re on the mend but it’s still something that will take two or three years before we’re back to normal.”

The national median existing single-family home price was $158,100 in the first quarter, down 0.4 percent from the first three months of 2011, according to the Realtors group.

The best-performing metro area was Cape Coral, Florida, where prices increased 28.1 percent from a year earlier. Prices rose 19 percent in Grand Rapids, Michigan; 16.9 percent in Palm Bay, Florida; and 16.6 percent in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Biggest Declines

Kingston, New York, had the biggest decline, with the median selling price tumbling 22 percent in the quarter. It was followed by Stamford, Connecticut, with an 18 percent decline; Mobile, Alabama, at 14.7 percent; and Atlanta at 12 percent.

The median selling price is influenced by the mix of homes on the market and probably was boosted by a smaller share of transactions involving distressed properties. Those homes, which sell at discounts, accounted for 32 percent of first-quarter sales, down from 38 percent a year earlier.

Prices are more volatile than normal because they are affected by the prevalence of distressed sales and “sudden upswings” in buyer interest in some areas, said Lawrence Yun, the group’s chief economist.

‘Broad Shortages’

“We have broad shortages of lower-priced homes in much of the country, with very tight supply in Western states for homes through the middle price ranges,” Yun said in the report. “This is good news for many sellers who wish to list now, or for those waiting for prices to improve.”

Sales of previously owned homes rose 5.3 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to the report. Purchases climbed 11.7 percent in the Midwest, 6.6 percent in the Northeast, 4.1 percent in the South, and 1.4 percent in the West.

Fannie Mae, the nation’s biggest mortgage-finance company, today reported a $2.7 billion first-quarter profit after a $6.5 billion loss a year earlier, citing smaller declines in home prices as one of the reasons for improvement. The Washington- based company said that it won’t need Treasury Department aid to balance its books for the first time since it was seized by federal regulators in 2008.

• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-09/home..

You’ll receive:

• an information package about the cart program
• a food scrap container
• a small, 80-litre green cart for organics
• a blue cart for recyclables
• a grey cart for garbage

You’ll choose:

• one of four sizes for your blue cart and grey cart that best meets your household needs.

                                   

                     

 When are you getting your carts?
 What you need to know
 Frequently asked questions
 Information sessions and displays
 Financial facts and figures
 Cart size selection form

For more information about the cart program contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598 or waste@guelph.ca.

 

Frequently asked questions

Why Curb Appeal Matters

First impressions are everything — at least when it comes to selling your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, 63 percent of home buyers will drop by after viewing a home they like online. What will they see? The home’s exterior — including the front entry, yard, driveway and sidewalk — should serve as a snapshot of what’s to come when potential buyers enter your home, says Caroline Wilkes, owner of Caroline Wilkes Interiors on Long Island. Read on to learn 10 ways you can wow home buyers from the curb.

#1: Curb Appeal Starts Online

Since 88 percent of home buyers begin the process on the Web, fabulous photos are critical to getting home buyers to the front door, says Jennifer Ames, a top Chicago real estate agent. “Find the best time of day to shoot each room, avoiding too much sunlight, which will give the photo a glow effect,” Jennifer advises. “Overcast days are often the best time for a photo shoot.” Take a digital shot and examine it as if you were a buyer, and get rid of extras — bikes on the front porch, platters stacked on top of the fridge — that don’t show your home at its best.

#2: Act Like a Buyer

Walk around your entire home’s exterior with a critical eye and a notepad and pen, says Paul Brennesholtz, a Keller Williams agent in the Atlanta area. Take notes on what looks “off” and needs repairing, replacing or cleaning. Get in your car and drive by slowly from both directions during the day and night. You might see something you’ve never noticed before, like a Frisbee on the roof or a missing piece of siding.

#3: Look Up to the Sky

Most homeowners don’t give their roofs a second glance, but the roof is an important curb appeal item that buyers do notice, says Jean Miskimon of the Metal Roofing Alliance. Is yours missing any shingles, or is it dingy and streaked? A good cleaning or, if necessary, a roof replacement will up your home’s curb appeal factor tremendously.

#4: Shiny, Happy Numbers

If your house numbers aren’t easy to see or if they’re dirty and dingy, replacing them carries a tremendous impact, Caroline says. Consider the style of your house — traditional, transitional or modern — and create a harmonious or contrasting effect with new house numbers.

#5: Get a Second Opinion

Homeowners often get used to certain defects — chipped paint on the front door from the keys banging against it, cobwebs on the porch ceiling, cracked or stained steps — and might need a new set of eyes to help them prioritize what needs to be fixed and cleaned up, says Kelly O’Ryan, office manager for Coldwell Banker in Lexington, Mass. “Know your budget and how much time you can spend, and get an outsider to help you decide what needs work,” she says

#6: Under Pressure

Budget-conscious homeowners will love this tip: Pressure-washing the dirty siding and deck, as well as the oil-stained driveway and faded walkways is an extremely cost-efficient way to increase your home’s curb appeal, Kelly says. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from your local home improvement store for the day.

#7: Plant Some Color

Except for the dead of winter, some types of annual plants are always in bloom, says Sheri Silver, a landscape designer and owner of Fiori Garden Design. “Spruce up your porch containers, window boxes and front beds with some colorful flowers for instant lift,” Sheri advises. Never plant artificial flowers — a few inches of dark mulch will brighten up the beds without screaming “fake.”

#8: Open Up

Fling open the shutters, curtains and blinds, Paul says. “Homes that are brighter inside sell faster, and open curtains look prettier on the street,” he says. Go outside and look at your window treatments from the street, and try to keep a uniform look throughout.

#9: Light Up Your Landscape

Give your walkway an edge with solar light fixtures, which are affordable and a cinch to install, says Rick Hoffman, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of San Diego County and Temecula Valley. “Solar lights are inexpensive, and you can place them where they highlight your home’s best attributes — landscaping, walking paths and any custom fixtures.

#10: Add Some Polish

Paint is only about $25 per gallon, and painting the front door, trim and shutters is a great way to polish the look of your home, Kelly says. Other inexpensive fix-ups: a new mailbox (research your city’s regulations to make sure you’re up to code first), a new porch light fixture and a cheery new welcome mat.

www.hgtv.com

Canadian housing starts rose to the highest since September 2007 last month, led by multiple-unit projects, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp. said Tuesday. The annual pace of home starts rose 14% to 244,900, Ottawa-based CMHC said.

Participants at Bloomberg’s Canada Economic Summit in Toronto said talk of a housing bubble is overblown.

“When we look at the overall marketplace, there might be pockets of vulnerability but we remain quite comfortable,” said Gordon Nixon, chief executive officer of Royal Bank of Canada “Frankly, I’d like to see the rhetoric come down a little bit.”

A residential real-estate boom in the world’s 10th-largest economy has prompted senior policy makers such as Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to warn that Canadians may be taking on too much debt.

Mr. Carney told lawmakers April 24 that high levels of household debt remain the greatest domestic risk to Canada’s economy. In an appearance before a parliamentary committee, he reiterated that a rate increase “may become appropriate,” and warned Canadian families to exercise “caution” with their debt levels.

Mr. Carney has kept his key lending rate unchanged at 1% since September 2010 in the longest pause since the 1950s.

10% overvalued

Housing prices in Canada are probably about 10% overvalued, economist Paul Fenton said at the Bloomberg summit.

There doesn’t seem to be a sense that there’s been overbuilding, and housing doesn’t pose a systemic threat to the function of the nation’s financial system, said Mr. Fenton, senior vice-president and chief economist at Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec.

The 244,900 housing starts last month released Tuesday beat economists’ expectations. The highest forecast in a Bloomberg economist survey with 21 responses was a 222,600 rate.

“Wow. This report reflects unbelievable strength in Canadian housing starts, and all of the gain was in multiples again which reflect the ongoing condo craze,” Scotia Capital economist Derek Holt said in a research note.

Sales of new condominiums in Toronto reached 6,070 units in the first three months of the year, a record for the first quarter, market research firm Urbanation Inc. reported May 7. As many as 40 new projects with more than 11,000 units could come on the market in the second quarter, a trend that may cause inventory of unsold units to approach a record set in 2008, Urbanation said.

Risk Averse

Condo builders “tend to be risk averse,” insisting that 70% of a project is presold and buyers put down at least a 20% deposit, according to Jim Ritchie, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Tridel, a Toronto-based real estate developer.

“It’s all about managing risk,” Mr. Ritchie said. There’s a market for condos because average house prices in Toronto’s 416 area code are about $830,000, compared with $400,000 for a new condo, he said.

Almost 60% of people buying condos in that area are either single or couples without children, said Mr. Ritchie, who said concerns about foreign buyers are overdone, given about 95% of purchasers are “locals who have social insurance numbers and local addresses.”

No Bubble

The increase in housing prices in Canada is unsustainable, said Finn Poschmann, vice president of research at the Toronto- based C.D. Howe Institute. It’s difficult for market participants to tell a bubble has formed before it has deflated, he said.

“The big question people ask is, is Canada’s housing market in a bubble. Our answer to that is no,” said Jim Murphy, chief executive officer of the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals. The association’s research suggests growth in mortgage credit is below average, he said.

Canada’s housing agency said Tuesday there is no compelling evidence of a price bubble based on factors such as household income and interest rates.

“Clear evidence of a bubble is lacking,” Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp. said in its annual report. “CMHC continues to monitor very closely housing prices and underlying factors such as demographic and economic fundamentals and financial conditions across all major urban centers, including condominium markets.”

business.financialpost.com

Please donate any of your gently used items to the
ROYAL LEPAGE 4TH ANNUAL NATIONAL GARAGE SALE FOR SHELTER!

SATURDAY MAY 12TH 7am to 12 Noon

Royal LePage Royal City Realty
25 Waterloo Avenue
Guelph, ON
(Corner of Waterloo Ave & Dublin)

We need your toys, books, games, tools, furniture, sports equipment, household items, small appliances, pictures and movies.

100% of the proceeds go to Women in Crisis – our local women and children’s shelter. In the last 4 years Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has raised 12 million dollars for 200 shelters across Canada.

Drop off your donations to 25 Waterloo Avenue on these specific dates & times:

•  Saturday, May 5th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•   Wednesday, May 9th 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

•   Friday, May 11th 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Pick up can be arranged – just call our office at 519-824-9050 or 519-821-6191.

(Due to health & environmental concerns we cannot accept electronic equipment, bedding, adult clothing, upholstered furniture or child car seats.)

Help us with the largest garage sale in Canada.

Will you join the cause?

GEORGIAN STONE ESTATE – ST. GEORGE’S PARK
Historically called “Huntley House” this limestone home built in the Georgian style in 1869 is now ready for a new owner.  You too can enjoy endless summer days relaxing on the 94 foot long wrap around verandah while admiring the gardens and mature trees. As you enter the four paneled front door you will be impressed by an eight foot foyer, sweeping staircase and centre hall floor plan.  Formal dining and living rooms bring elegance to the home while the 26×14 family room with its original wood burning fireplace brings a casual coziness to this 3172 square foot home.  Throughout, you will find 10 foot ceilings, deep window sills, original fireplace mantels, high baseboards and magnificent trim work. The kitchen occupies the back of the home and with its wood floors, sun filled windows, exposed stone wall and access to an outdoor patio is sure to be a gathering place for large parties.  Upstairs you can take your pick as to which of the 5 bedrooms will be yours.  The current owners have renovated the two upper bathrooms – one reflecting days of old with the original claw foot tub and exposed stone wall and the other with modern glass shower, bidet, custom wood vanity with vessel sink and ceramic floors. As you descend to the basement area, be prepared to be impressed with its walkout door that leads to the underside of the verandah….an ideal storage spot for all your outdoor tools and gardening items.  Mechanically sound, Huntley House has had these significant updates:  rewired to 200 amp service; updated plumbing; a rebuilt and underpinned verandah; updated insulation; stripped and re-shingled roof (1999); furnace boiler and piping replaced (1997) and furnace pump and motor replaced (2011).  Outside, the 97×150 lot is an oasis of mature plantings and perennial gardens highlighted by stone patios, a recirculating fish pond, upgraded retaining walls, large parking area and wrought iron front gate  All of this just blocks to the river and Guelph’s dynamic downtown with its bistros, boutiques, River Run Centre,  as well as schools including French Immersion and the new transportation hub/Go Train that can quickly whisk you to Toronto.  Now is your opportunity to call this elegant home yours!

Tip #1 – Make your home fire safe
Whether your smoke detectors are wired or standalone, ensure that they have functional batteries by testing them monthly and replacing the batteries twice a year. You must have at least one smoke detector on each floor, but we recommend more.

One of the biggest causes of fires is trapped lint inside a dryer exhaust hose catching fire. This occurs most often when homeowners use plastic vent hoses. We recommend non?corrugated metal to use for dryer exhausts. Also make sure combustible materials are well away from combustion appliances such as furnaces and water heaters. Have fire extinguishers in your kitchen and mechanical room.

Light fixtures in closets should be encased in a metal cage, as exposed bulbs in closets can start a fire. Ensure you have two clear paths of escape from anywhere in the house, should there be a fire. This is especially true if you have a finished living space in the basement. Basement and accessory apartments may require special escape windows and additional fire safety requirements. If you have one of these,
ensure that yours complies with the building code.

Tip #2 – Protect yourself from gas and carbon monoxide
Although natural gas and propane are used residentially, their explosive nature makes them inherently dangerous. These gases are naturally odorless, but our utilities add a ‘rotten egg’ odorant to allow occupants to detect a leak. If you smell this, you should open your windows and contact your gas company immediately.

One of the other safety aspects of using fuels such as natural gas is the release of byproducts such as carbon monoxide. This gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but high concentrations can be deadly. Young children and seniors are especially vulnerable.

Most homes contain one or more of the following gas appliances which have a potential for the release of carbon monoxide: furnaces or boilers, water heaters, fireplaces and ranges. Appliances using wood or oil can also be a risk.

Similar to smoke detectors, it is very important to make sure carbon monoxide detectors are placed throughout the house, and that their function and batteries are periodically tested. If you have an attached garage, ensure that there is no way for exhaust fumes from cars to enter the house. If you have a direct entrance door from the garage to the home it must have an automatic closing mechanism.

Tip #3 – Avoid electrical shock or electrocution
Because electricity is invisible, people often ignore how dangerous it can be. Many falsely assume that 120?volt power in most North American homes is not dangerous. It is the current (amps) that presents danger. Typical household circuits can deliver up to 15 amps before tripping at the main panel. It takes less than 0.1 amps to stop a human heart. Electricity in a home must be respected. Take the time to do a quick inspection around your house to make sure there are no poorly secured or exposed wires.

Outlets, switches and junction boxes should all have proper cover plates. Check that there are no unprotected openings in panels where children might insert their fingers. And do not overuse an outlet! If a circuit fails to trip at the panel, you can cause an overheated wire and start an electrical fire. Do not ignore vermin residing in your attic or roof spaces, as they can cause damage to wiring which can also result in electrical fires.

Invest in having an electrician check inside your service panel to verify the safety of your connections, and that wiring, breakers and fuses are properly sized. If you own a home with older knob?and?tube or aluminum wiring, you may be more vulnerable to electrical accidents if wires are poorly connected. A home inspection should help you identify if this type of wiring exists, but you should have an electrician do a thorough inspection for any work needed to bring it up to current safety standards.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are special outlets for safety and are required in all new construction. They take the place of standard outlets where they are close to sources of water such as bathrooms, kitchens and the outside. Older homes don’t have these but we recommend making this upgrade for additional safety.

Tip #4 – Address mold and hazardous materials
Hazardous materials, which may include asbestos, lead, and certain types of insulation may be present in older homes. If you are concerned about mold and hazardous materials, you should contact an environmental consulting company. While we do not specialize in this area, we wanted to bring these issues to your attention.

Since mold is the result of water and moisture, there are some precautions you can take to minimize the chances of having mold in your house. Finished basements are especially vulnerable between the foundation and finished wall. Ensure all water is well managed from the exterior, which includes properly functioning gutters and downspouts, and good grading to keep water from collecting near the house. Areas of high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens, need to have adequate ventilation. Have a peek inside your attic to make sure there is proper ventilation, as moisture from inside the house is constantly leaking in.

Hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead may be present in insulation, piping, paint, siding, flooring, duct and radiant piping insulation, and many other facets of the home. They are generally not a concern if left alone. However, they can be an issue if they are disturbed inadvertently by homeowners or contractors performing demolition work as part of renovations. Make sure to take proper precaution before any work begins if these materials are in your home.

Tip #5 – Keep the bad guys out
One of the unfortunate realities of living in dense cities is the threat of crime. The sad fact is that break?ins and home invasions do occur. To protect yourself, create a deterrent for such activity. If you have neighborhood watch in your community, be a part of it. This topic is outside the expertise of home inspectors, but we have some basic information to share.

One of the first things you should do is minimize or trim trees and shrubs surrounding your house. This gives criminals less of a hiding spot. Install lights that turn on with motion sensors outside. Exterior doors should have deadbolt locks and their frames should be attached with longer screws to minimize their chances being easily kicked in. Patio doors  should have a bar that prevents them from sliding open.

Have timers that turn lights on and off when no one is home. Finally, invest is a good home alarm system and have it monitored by a reputable security company. These systems can include motion detectors, glass break sensors (great for basement windows), contacts for doors and windows, and even cameras that can be monitored on your smartphone! Having a backup cellular signal in case your phone line or cable gets damaged is a good idea when installing an alarm system.

Tip #6 – Research other safety concerns
What we have discussed are some of the primary safety concerns in a house. There are numerous other issues that are better addressed by experts in their industry. However, if you follow the advice provided above, you will be part of a minority that have already taken extraordinary steps to ensuring that your house is safe for you and your family.

The following are a list of other safety issues that you should do further research on to see if they are things that need to be addressed in your home.

- Exterior structures including decks, balconies, steps, and porches
- Pools and hot tubs
- Interior components such as stairs and railings
- Structural deficiencies due to poor workmanship or damage (mechanical and water)
- Use and maintenance of fireplaces and heating stoves
- Poorly installed plumbing systems resulting in cross contamination
- Safety measures if the home is occupied by children or seniors
- Emergency contingencies in case of a power outage

Tip #7 – Schedule safety meetings

Schedule a time with your family twice a year to sit down and go over safety around the house. This is especially important regarding fire safety. Although we all know that safety is important, it can be a boring topic. If you get everyone involved, it can be fun!

http://www.carsondunlop.com/