Besides cooling your home, a properly sized air conditioner will remove moisture to maintain a comfortable level of relative humidity.  Your home will be quieter, because your windows and doors will be closed to block outdoor noise and a air conditioner will also add value to your home.

Here are a few tips from Manitoba Hydro that will help you achieve maximum comfort at minimal cost.

Choosing The Right Size – Sizing your air conditioner properly requires calculation of a complete heat gain of the house.  This can be done by a professional.  Air conditioners are generally sized to maintain a home’s temperature at 24 degrees Celsius.  When looking for an air conditioner, you should get several bids from several contractors.  Also keep in mind that a higher capacity unit is more expensive and is not necessarily better than a smaller one.

Check The SEER – Air conditioners are assigned a “Seasonal Energy Effeciency Ratio” that rates their effeciency, and the higher the SEER, the more effecient the unit.

Operating Your AC Efficiently – Never operate your air conditioner without your furnace filter in place.  The cooling coil in the plenum will become unplugged and will require service. Be sure your attic is vented adequately to avoid heat build-up which makes your air conditioner work harder. 

If you require more tips on cooling your home during the hot spring/summer months, or just want to inform yourself on being “Power Smart” or maybe take advantage of Manitoba Hydro’s many programs, visit the Manitoba Hydro website at www.hydro.mb.ca

(article source: Manitoba Hydro Power Smart)

To create curb appeal you need to start with the exterior of you home.  The paint color and condition of your home in need of repair.  If the paint is faded and peeling, it’s an immediate warning sign to potential buyers that your house hasn’t been maintained.  To fix the problem you don’t need to spend a lot of money and you don’t need to paint the entire house if it doesn’t need it.  Just paint the trim, exterior door, garage door and window trim…this will make a big difference.

Look at your landscaping, is it overgrown?  Obviously neglected?  Landscaping is also a large part of making a first impression.  Water your lawn to green it up.  Rake up last falls leaves, trim back any bushes that have gone wild.  And to add some color to your home. plant some flowers or trees.

Clean and organized your yard by washing the driveway, walkway and deck to give it a fresh and clean feel.  Wash all windows inside and out and wash the screens as well.  Stow away your garden and yard tools and remove any clutter  and items accumulated around the yard.

Last but not least…check the night view.  A home that is not well lit will not show well at night.  Replace any burnt out light bulbs and consider adding spot lights to accent trees and shrubs. 

If you need more tips on creating a first impression for you home, let us know….we have the key!

Yesterday, my dad came in to help (while we were at work) and he grouted the bathroom and it looks great.  We let the grout dry and cure overnight.  He also, installed and hooked up the plumbing for the vanity. Connected the tailpiece to the sink drain and connected the braided lines, etc.  When my husband got home from work, he and my dad installed the toilet.  So I now have a semi functional bathroom (YEAH).

Now all that’s left to do in the ensuite bathroom is, clean up the grout, paint and accessories.  The painting will still be a couple of weeks before I tackle that task. I still need to pick out paint colours. 

Today, my wonderful dad, will start working on the main bathroom, removing the vanity and toilet and possible cutting and installing the cement backerboard onto the floor. 

It will be a surprise when I get home from work?

Tools and supplies used for this project:

• Grout
• Gloves
• Sponge
• Bucket (for water)
• Rubber grout float
• Plumbing adhesive
• Wrench
• PVC pipes & P-Trap
• Braided lines

Lori Thurston, Keough & Colleagues

Here is a moving checklist from the Winnipeg Realtors® that will help you make sure your move go as smoothly as possible.

Click here for you copy - MOVING CHECKLIST

4 Step P.L.A.N. To Get Organized 

It’s springtime, and in Winnipeg that means that the real estate market heats up. For the past several years, many home buyers have been challenged with bidding wars on the properties listed on the MLS – which means that the properties are usually sold well over list price. What does this mean to consumers trying to make a home purchase?   

When you’ve found that perfect house you’d like to call home, the last thing you want is to have to compete with other interested buyers. But in hot markets where demand overrides supply, this is the new reality.  

Here are some tips to help you win the battle:  

1. Work with an experienced Realtor. A Realtor with bidding war experience can help you come out on top. In choosing a Realtor, ask what success he or she has had in bidding war situations. You want a Realtor that can negotiate for you and help you formulate the bid they feel will be successful. 

2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. This way you will know the maximum financing available to you. By pre-qualifying for your mortgage loan, you’ll not only be aware of your offers ultimate ceiling, but you’ll shop around and bid accordingly. A pre-approval means that the lender has approved your credit, verified your down payment and employment, and you only require CMHC or Genworth insurance approval of the value of the property. Your Accredited Mortgage Professional can provide you with a pre-approval certificate (subject only to appraisal or CMHC approval). If you provide your Realtor with a copy of this certificate to present to the vendor, this can strengthen your offer. 

3. Have funds available to make a healthy deposit! If you can certify the deposit cheque this will carry more weight with your offer to purchase. If your bid is successful the deposit funds will “flow through” to your down payment and becomes part of the deal, but a certified cheque for your deposit speaks highly of your seriousness to purchase and follow through with the sale. 

4. Bid in uneven numbers. Don’t bid $230,000 on a house whose asking price is $230,000 when you’re in a bidding war. If your budget permits, bid something like $231,200. It may seem as though bidding an odd number would make little difference, but not only will your bid stand out from the rest, it may beat an offer that came in at a slightly lower figure (say $231,000) and give you an edge. 

5. Try to meet the vendor’s closing dates – this could be an important trigger.

Before you engage in battle, arm yourself with a pre-approved mortgage, a little research, financial strategies, market value awareness and a great Realtor from Keough & Colleagues. With the right tools and team, you could land on top of the bidding war and be in the home of your dreams. 

If you have questions? Or would like more information on mortgages Contact the experts at VERICO One Link Mortgage & Financial today!

(article source: One Link Mortgage)

Though, approximately millions of homes get robbed each year.  So how can we prevent that from happening to you?  Here are 5 tips on home security:

1. Never hide a house key outside your home.  Thieves always know the hiding places.  Instead make sure a family member or neighbour has a key.
2. Homes usually get burglarized during the day when you’re not home.  Be extra attentive about making sure the doors and windows are locked when you are away.
3. Don’t show off your possessions. A top of the line audio system clearly seen through the window is an invitation for burglars.
4. Re-assess your out door lighting around your property, are there spots where thieves can easily hide, if so, make some changes.
5. When planning a trip, have a housesitter stay at your home, or have your neighbour pick up your mail.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service, a burglar’s worst enemy is time, noise and light.  Thieves seek the easiest opportunity or point of entry to gain access to a home.  So recognize what could be an opportunity to a criminal and take action.

For more tips on crime prevention and protecting your home visit the Winnipeg Police Service website (click on link)

(article source: The informed Buyer/Seller, Morris Marketing & the Winnipeg Police Service)

• Assess your affordablilty.  Housing costs, mortgage payments, utitility costs and property taxes should not take up more that 1/3 of your income.   Also you need to consider your overall debt of loans, credit card payments, etc.  Your debt should not account more than 40% of your income.  
• A pre-arranged mortgage establishes the amount you can afford to pay for your first home.  You will be protected from interest rates rising with a fixed rate and you will still benefit if the rates fall.
• The bigger the down payment the better.  You will have less interest to pay over the life of your mortgage. 
• Choosing the right mortage is also very important, it needs to fit in with the rest of your financial priorities.  Choosing a mortgage with a 25 year amoritization rather than a 30 year can save you money on interest and help you build your equity.

Talking to your mortgage specialist before heading out into the housing market will give you peace of mind, knowing what you can afford will make homeownership more realistic.

If you’re a first time homebuyer and are not working with a real estate agent, we’d be happy to help you find the right home.  Give us a call…we have the key!

One of those neighbourhoods is Sage Creek.  Located in the south-east corner of the city, Sage Creek is a pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood where nature is part of the plan.  Here you’ll also find a warm, vibrant community with a diverse selection of well-crafted homes, apartments, condominiums, and single-family residences set in a serene landscape of wetlands and parks.  All are connected by an inviting network of trails that converge on the growing Village Centre where you can shop, play and work.

In your search for a sustainable neighbourhood, here are some questions to ask:

• Are stores, schools, recreation facilities, restaurants and health services within walking or cycling distance?
• Where will you children go to school and how will they get there?
• Are there bike paths or bus stops nearby?
• Do the homes and buildings have a friendly & welcoming feel.
• Are the roads easy to walk along or cross? Are they safe for pedestrians?
• is there adequate street lighting?
• Are there safe places for children to play?
• Do natural drain ways lead to streams, ponds or park land. Is there native vegetation and woodlands?

If you’re considering a move to a sustainable neighbourhood, let us help you find the right home for you.  Give us a call….we have the key!

(article source: CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp)/ Winnipeg Real Estate Guide/ SageCreek.ca)

Started the project on Friday, my dad started working on installed the cement backerboard onto the floor.   Apparently you need to this if you are laying tile.   Mixing the mortar according to the directions, he then spread a thin layer of the mortar onto the floor with a trowel, then laid and screwed the backerboard onto the floor, filling the seams and joint with the same mortar, letting it dry over night. 

The next morning, we were up bright and early (7:00 am is bright and early), getting a head start on the project.  First thing was installing the new bathtub faucet, before they installed the cement backerboard to the tub surround.  Next the boys moved on to the toilet area.  We ended up purchasing two new toilets, one for each bathroom, a dual flush one piece toilet.  After accessing the situation, they decided to re-use the old flange, but needed to replace the wax ring and also the supply pipe/tube which extends from the shut off valve to the toilet. 

Once that was done, they started on tiling.  My dad brought his electric tile saw, which is a lot better than using a scoring tool and they spent the entire day measuring, cutting, preparing the layout and installing the tile with tiling adhesive onto the floor letting it dry over night.  I was surprised at how long it took, cutting tile is a slow and steady process. 

Sunday, they were back at it tiling around the tub surround and wall by following the same steps as they did with the floor and they managed to get a lot done.

I am glad a portion of this project is almost over, just need to add a few more tiles onto the wall, and then we’ll be able to grout the tile, and install the sink and toilet. 

Tools and supplies used for this project:

• Wet tile saw
• Circular hand power saw
• Work bench
• Power drill
• Screws
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Gloves
• Wrench
• Measuring Tape
• Trowel
• Carpenters Square
• Rubber Mallet
• Notched Trowel
• Tile adhesive (mortar)
• Rags
• Tile spacers
• Tiles
• Toilet wax ring
• Toilet supply tube

Lori Thurston, Keough & Colleagues