An American Home Inspector

Jim Morrison is a second generation home inspector. After University he joined his father at Allan Morrison Home Inspector, Co. Inc. and is now the President. Recently, Jim described part of the home inspector's job. He wrote,

"A home inspector’s job is to diagnose and document major problems in houses. Most of the time, the people who live in these houses are unaware that the problems exist, making our job more difficult".

"It’s analogous to a physician trying to diagnose an illness in a patient who has no complaints. You have to look closely to pick up on the symptoms and exercise judgment based on your experience in order to figure each puzzle out. It’s even harder for the average person to recognize signs of trouble..."

Read the rest at Boston.com

Price of Oil Going Up?

I recently read that Fort McMurray is Alberta's most expensive residential real estate market. Today, I read about Alberta on Bloomberg News,

"The government of Alberta said today it plans to spend C$241 million ($221 million) in the next five years to develop land for new housing and industrial uses near Fort McMurray, the site of Canada’s oil sands.

"The government will spend C$166 million to develop 450 acres (182 hectares) of [state-owned?] land that will include more than 2,000 new homes and accommodate 6,500 people.."

While it is actually province-owned land, not [state-owned], it is still nice to read about Alberta on Bloomberg News.

Some of the world's largest Oil Sands deposits are situated around Fort McMurray. It looks like our government is betting on a strong demand for oil.

More Tax Relief Requested

Mario Toneguzzi recent article at the Calgary Herald looks at a study prepared for the Canadian Real Estate Association. The study documents the millions of dollars of spin off benefits and direct and indirect employment created as a result of multi-unit residential property transactions.

This is expected and does not come as a surprise. Possibly, the underlying motive of the study was to provide a foundation argument for some kind of tax relief for real estate investors. To quote the article,

"CREA says many income property owners are reluctant to sell and re-invest because of the capital gains tax and recaptured capital cost allowance".

The Home Renovation Tax Credit has been a huge success and it would be nice to see some kind of tax relief passed on to multi-unit residential property owners.

Source Calgary Herald

Developing your Basement

Are you thinking of developing your basement? You might want to check out Mike Holmes article 'This Room Leaves Me Cold ' at the National Post.

Most try use the space in their basement more efficiently. Sometimes we develop the whole basement or just add a new room. Mike Holmes, one the Nation's top renovations experts, concludes, "...when people try to finish the basement they almost always do it wrong ...".

It is something to think about before you try to do-it-yourself or hire a contractor.

Lowest Rates in 30 years

I just read at Canadian Mortgage Trends that the Bank of Montreal lowered it's 5-year variable rate to prime today - 2.25%. It the lowest rate in more than 30 years.

The Bank of Montreal is the first of the big banks to take this step and I imagine others will soon follow.

Memorial Benchs

A few months ago I was walking along the Elbow River path from Erlton to Roxoboro Park. I stopped at bench along the River. As I sat down I read the memorial inscription on the small plaque.

It was an unforgettable moment. The bench was dedicated to the elderly couple who lived next to us when I was growing up. They passed away many years ago. Sincerely, they were the most lovely couple. I had a wonderful moment, sitting quietly at the river, reminiscing.

If you wish to purchase a memorial bench or tree for a loved one, contact City of Calgary Memorial Sales

Canadian Mortgage Bonds

Canada Housing Trust certainly has confidence in the Canadian Real Estate market. They recently offered five year Canadian Mortgage Bonds with 2.75% coupon and a 2.793% yield. These bonds were priced at 21 basis points above Canadian Bonds. The tightest spread in 2 years.

It looks like there will be sufficient funds available to Canadian home buyers at fairly low and steady rates.

Source: National Post

Indoor Air Quality

Since the birth of my son I have made an effort to better inform myself about the Indoor Air Quality of our home. I just read a great article titled, The Current State of the Science: Health Effects and Indoor Environmental Quality. The abstract starts out,

"Our understanding of the relationship between human health and the indoor environment continues to evolve. Previous research on health and indoor environments has tended to concentrate on discrete pollutant sources and exposures and on specific disease processes. Recently, efforts have been made to characterize more fully the complex interactions between the health of occupants and the interior spaces they inhabit..."

You can read the rest at Healthy Living Education Resource Site.

Go Canada

It is old news but I just read,

"In 2008, the World Economic Forum ranked Canada's banking system the healthiest in the world. America's ranked 40th, Britain's 44th."

I knew our friends to the south could deduct mortgage interest on their taxes. I did not know,

"... home loans in the United States are "non-recourse," which basically means that if you go belly up on a bad mortgage, it's mostly the bank's problem. In Canada, it's yours"
Source: Newsweek (Fareed Zakaria) Feb 16, 2009

We are more liberal than the Americans but we forget, some of our policies are very conservative and rightly so.

More Tax Credits Please

The Conservative government is warning a fall election would kill a tax credit that allows Canadians to recoup some of the money they spend on home renovations.

Prime Minister Harper commented,

"This government remains committed to that tax credit. It's a good idea. I would encourage all political parties to support it, and those that supported it in the past to continue to support it,"

Essentially suggesting that the Liberal Party wishes to eliminate the tax credit for home renovations.

A spokesperson for Mr. Ignatieff replied, "Canadians have no reason to worry."

This is not a political blog. I'm not on any "Team". I vote on the issues.

That said, I must say I am am happy the Conservative Party introduced tax credits for home renovations. What qualifies for credit has been fairly liberal. However, I would like to see more credits for energy efficient innovations and products for the home.

I am unhappy with the Conservatives using scare tactics to disorientate Canadians. Revoking tax credits for home renovations would be suicide and no party would entertain the thought.

Suggesting otherwise is scare mongering and uncivilized.

Go Team Canada

The 40th World Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta, showcases the best young talent from around the world in the trades, technologies and service industries.


From September 1 to 7, 2009, 900 participants representing more than 50 countries/regions will compete in 45 skilled trades and technology categories ranging from welding to cooking, auto body repair to landscape gardening, and plumbing to Web design.

Team Canada's 38 members will be competing in 35 contest areas.

And, from Mike Holmes,

I'm proud of these young people, and their passion and commitment to 'make it right.' I look forward to seeing how well they all do in the World Skills Competition this year."

I'm proud of Calgary for hosting this event. I also think our Government is doing the right thing by giving a $,2,000 grant to students who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and become certified journey persons in a designated Red Seal trade.

I wonder if Home and Property Inspection will ever be a Red Seal trade? Should it be?

Help a Charity

I just donated 20 dollars to Make a Wish charity by simply mentioning Hotels Combined on my little blog. What a great idea. Thanks for the email Chloe.

"Mention Hotels Combined and our spread the word for charity program on your website and we will send $20 to a supported charity of your choice!

Calgary bloggers, Home Inspection bloggers...all bloggers. Take a moment and help a charity. Contact Hotels Combined

Urban Photo - Calgary

I love Urban Photo. They have over 500 pictures of Calgary and tonnes of urban pics from around the world.. Trouble is, I can't show you the ones I love, they are all "space balled" via Flicker.

If you appreciate urban photograph and well written posts, check out Urban Photo

Eco Friendly Building Products

I was researching approved eco-building products at the Built Green website. I came across a heat recovery ventilator that has been on the market for some time. Which really is, a stamp of approval. There are 18 authorized dealers in Calgary

If you are upgrading your HVAC system or building a new home, you should familiarize yourself with LifeBreath products.

The migration habits of Snowbirds

There is a new trend in the Snowbird community. Semi retired and retired Calgarians are scooping up homes down in the States for bargain based prices.

Columnist, Ellen Roseman recently wrote an article in The Star.com discussing some "traps" to avoid when buying property in Florida. She does mention being wary of homes with drywall imported from China, but does not suggest hiring the services of a Home Inspector - probably an oversight.

Washington State Adopts Home Inspection Licencing

Calgary Home Inspectors are not required to be licenced by the province. I suspect that will change. In Canada, British Columbia is the only province that requires licencing.

In America, thirty-five States require Home Inspectors to be licenced. Washington is the most recent State to add legislation. Arguably, it has the "toughest" pre-licencing requirements of any jurisdiction in North America.

This is not to say Calgary Home Inspectors are not certified. There are a number of Home and Property Inspection Associations in Alberta that offer certification. ASHI, Caphi and InterNACHI to name a few.

The Canadian National Certification Program is not an association per se. It's function is to certify Home Inspectors on the national level. The certification process is the most stringent in Canada and is recognized by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Atco, making the world smaller.

Once in Shanghai, I met a medical exchange student from Ghana. He asked where I was from, I replied, "Calgary". He smiled and asked, "Do you know Mr. Atco? He is a great man".

I smiled knowingly. I spent four summers during University living and working in Atco trailers.

My Ghanaian friend went on to tell me the hospital and school in his village were both Atco structures. For a time he thought "Atco" was the English word for house or building. One day his teacher informed him "Atco" was the name of the owner of the company that built "traveling" homes. Further, Mr. Atco came from Calgary, the same city the missionary teacher was from.

I explained to my new friend, there had been a misunderstanding. Mr. Southern and his family were the primary owners of Atco Group and the original name was Alberta Trailer Company. And, I did not know the guy.

For those that don't know, Atco Group started in Calgary during the late 1940's and evolved into a globally diversified and well respected company. The Southern family also built Spruce Meadows, an international equestrian facility. Go Calgary.

Get a grip. Prevent a slip. Install hand rails.

Every summer, Calgary DYI types are building home decks. Depending on design and location, it is not rocket science. There are resources available on the web.

Hand rails on the steps are often overlooked and are later noted by a potential buyer's Home Inspector.

Some general guidelines below. Please check building codes specific to your location.

• No handrail required for deck stairs with 3 risers or less
• One handrail, if stairs are less than 43” wide
• Two handrails if stairs are 43” or wider
• Hand rail must have a graspable profile,
• 2X2 or a 2X4 sitting on edge, are not graspable
• Hand rails should be 32-36" above the stairs
• Baluster spacing should be 4 inches.

Home safe--not just for baseball.

Grey Water Recycling in the Home

If I built a new home in Calgary I would insist a Brac Greywater Recycling System be incorporated into the design. Research suggests, it will save 30% of the 335 litres used daily per person on average in a home. While knocking 35% off the water bill. Installation would also score points towards Leed or Built Green certification.

Simple sustainable innovations like this, will one day be mandatory in all new home construction in Canada.

bracsystems.com

320 Square Foot Home

A family of five live in this 320 square foot home in Japan. Clearly, it is possible to live with less - of everything. It is easy to forget, in our daily lives.

Sitting in traffic, on their way to their suburban homes, I suspect some Calgarians think about downtown condos and wonder - how small is too small?