Saturday
A Deep Quote
Friday
A Good Real Estate Indicator
ResMor Trust is offering prime rate on their 4 year variable mortgages which is currently the lowest available rate in the market.
Borrowers are happy but it is more than that. ResMor has eliminated the risk premium on their home loans which indicates they believe the Canadian real estate market is stable.
Couple this with the increased volume of home sales in cities like Calgary, shows our economy is improving. Home Renovators, Builders, Realtors and Home Inspectors should have more work in the last quarter. Maybe it is time to buy Home Depot stock?
National Certificate Accreditation
This program is the result of a collaborative effort between CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Construction Sector Council and CAPHI.
The program was set up to ensure competency and professionalism of all Home and Property Inspectors on a national level.
Certification by the National Certification Authority is one of many Home Inspector Certifications available in Canada. ASHI, CAPHI and InterNachi are three other associations that offer certification to their members.
CMHC suggests consumers choose a Home Inspector who is a member, in good standing, of an association.
More Tax Credits Please
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.
Thursday
Go Team Canada
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?
Wednesday
Help a Charity
"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
If you appreciate urban photograph and well written posts, check out Urban Photo
Eco Friendly Building Products
If you are upgrading your HVAC system or building a new home, you should familiarize yourself with LifeBreath products.

Monday
The migration habits of Snowbirds
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
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).
Sunday
Atco, making the world smaller.
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.
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.
Home Electrical Concerns?
- Federal Pioneer (Canadian) Electrical Panels & Circuit Breaker Hazards Federal Pioneer Electric Panel Recall
- How to identify Federal Pacific Electric FPE Stab-Lok electrical panels and circuit breakers
- Recalled Square-D Circuit GFCI Breakers and Counterfeit Square-D Breakers.
- What are the hazards of Zinsco or Zinsco-Sylvania electric panels?
- Kearney electrical panel identification.
Check out Inspectapedia. As always, leave electric repairs to qualified Electrical Contractors.
"As soon as you see a mistake and don't report it, it becomes your mistake".
A.D (Famous Home Inspector)
Grey Water Recycling in the Home
Simple sustainable innovations like this, will one day be mandatory in all new home construction in Canada.
Aluminum Wire
If concerned you should consult with an Electrical Contractor. While in your home, ask to have your GFCI and AFCI circuit breakers checked as well.
"It's a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one's safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract. "
320 Square Foot Home
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?

Saturday
Attic Bypass
Attic Bypass, the movement of heat around or through insulation, is a problem in some Calgary homes. Home inspectors make a visual inspection of the attic, checking among other things, ventilation, insulation and air leakage.
While most Calgary attics are adequately insulated, some problem(s) are often, obvious thermal breaks;
- gaps between batts of insulation,
- compressed insulation ("tucked-in" insulation)
- electric cables "squishing" the insulation,
- gaps resulting from service installations,
- un-insulated skylights.
These few examples of thermal breaks are the easiest to rectify. It will reflect positively on home heating bills.
Home sellers should consider addressing these problems before the buyer's home inspection. Doing so, will help facilitate a "cleaner" report.
I'd like to quote Mike Holmes of "Make it Right" fame.
"I'd hate to guess how many homeowners, ...only ever consider the "lipstick and mascara" and never think about what's inside..."
Reuben Saltzman, has a good post at his Home Inspection Blog, Insulation vs. Air Leakage
Friday
Radon in Calgary Homes
Radon has been linked to Lung Cancer but there is considered debate over Radon levels in the home and the actual impact on occupant's health.
Nevertheless, Health Canada suggests, since there is some risk at any level, homeowners may want to reduce their exposure to radon, regardless of levels tested.
Source: The Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety
Telescopic Ladders
Fenestration - A cool scrabble word
Not an everyday word but sounds cool.
Radon & Canadian Building Codes
"Tough new Health Canada recommendations on radon exposure may soon affect forming and foundation contractors, if proposed changes to the 2010 National Building Code (NBC) take effect."
"Radon is a colourless, odourless gas formed in soil, rock and groundwater as radium decays.
“Recent scientific evidence has conclusively linked long-term exposure to high levels of radon to a higher incidence of lung cancer, said Gary Holub, a Health Canada media relations officer."
Read the rest at The Journal of Commerce - Western Canada's Construction News Paper.
Thursday
Butterfly Effect
The 3 month performance as of Wednesday, August 26, 2009 was 17%. Most of these funds don't have significant Canadian holdings. However, trends are trends and this might be an early indicator that recent activity in the Calgary Real Estate market has some depth.
Calgary Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Builders and Home Inspectors should finish the year with a strong quarter.
The Morningstar Fund Indices are Canada's most comprehensive and reliable mutual fund indices. Updated daily, the Morningstar Fund Indices allow you to easily track the various segments of the mutual fund industry
Home Inspection Jobs In Bangkok
One needs a license to be a Home Inspector in Bangkok but not Calgary. Interesting.
Not as interesting as the price of an average Home Inspection in Bangkok, $260 CAD. A bit cheaper than Calgary's average price of $350 dollars.
However, the recent average selling price of a home in Bangkok is about $160,000 CAD compared to Calgary's average of say, $400,000.
Based on selling price, a Home Inspection in Bangkok costs .016% of the selling price compared to Calgary's 0.008%.
Comparatively, an inspection in Bangkok is double the price of an inspection in Calgary.
Below are some more quotes from the Bangkok Post,
"Building Safety Inspectors and Officers Association (BSA) to introduce a used-home inspection service, helping buyers and sellers establish selling prices that are as fair as possible..."
"This programme will enable a buyer to estimate whether the selling price is worth it or not. It will show facts based on a report made by certified inspector and approved by our committee...""Service fees for home inspection are 8,000 baht for a single house with a usable area of less than 400 square metres and 5,500 baht for a townhouse or condominium smaller than 100 sq m..."
"Currently, the BSA has a total of 800 certified inspectors for nine types of buildings covered by the building inspection law. The association expects to train 200 more inspectors during this year..."
4 inch X 4 inch X 6 foot Step Ladder
Wednesday
The 1% Rule
"When you consider the life cycle of every component of a house, a reasonable annual estimate of the cost of normal maintenance is 1% of the value of the house. One year you may replace the furnace; a few years down the road you may re-surface the roof. Throw in the odd unexpected repair in between and you average 1% per year. It’s incredible but this rule is not far off even for very expensive and very inexpensive houses..."
This is great advice from arguably, the most established and respected Home Inspection company in Canada.
Read the rest of the post: In search of the perfect house
Home Inspection in Cambodia?
I appreciate some in Calgary are hurting financially. I hear about it. I hear, how bad things are. I believe it. Trouble is, I don't see it.
I see nice cars and bars filled with people. The average price of a Calgary home, is north of 400,000 dollars.
What am I going on about?
I was thinking of a trip I took to Cambodia 5 years ago. I met a Brit who was working for an NGO, drilling water wells for Cambodians living in rural communities. I tagged along for a couple of days and met some really happy people, living in dismal conditions. Most seemed satisfied, they smiled and laughed easily. There was no maliciousness or meanness. Always, giving to a fault.
I don't know what their secret was, if I knew I would share it.
Really, what am I going on about?
We should be more thankful for what we have. Things could be much worse.
Tuesday
Sustainable Housing - Extention Courses
Many courses are approved for credit by; AIA (American Institute of Architects), USGBC (USGBC-US Green Building Council), ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors), and InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
If you are a home owner and interested in educating yourself about your investment, some of these courses will be of great value.
Certain Teed Building Solutions Continued Education
Marijuana Houses - Better for the Enviroment?
Here are some quotes from Science Daily (UK),
"Hemp, a plant from the cannabis family, could be used to build carbon-neutral homes of the future to help combat climate change and boost the rural economy, say researchers at the University of Bath."
“Using renewable crops to make building materials makes real sense - it only takes an area the size of a rugby pitch four months to grow enough hemp to build a typical three bedroom house.
Will courses be offered by Home Inspection Associations, on how to properly inspect cannabis homes? I suspect, if any, they will be offered in Vancouver before Calgary.
As Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changing".
Monday
Fireplace Inspection & an Offer to Purchace
"I was reviewing an offer to purchase a Toronto house last week and was surprised to see a condition that I had never seen before in an offer on a city home.
The clause made the agreement conditional on the buyer obtaining a satisfactory Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) inspection report for the fireplace in the house."
Read the rest at Move Smartly.
If you need a WETT certified Inspector in Calgary, there is a data base at their website.
Nitpicky People
Note. Mr. Stone writes for the American market. In general, our friends to the south can be very litigious. It is a bit sad that a home inspector is more worried about writing a report, that ensures he or she does not get sued, rather than writing a report that best serves the needs of the consumer. Please read some quotes,
"DEAR BARRY: A home inspector recently came to our house and scared off our buyers with false assumptions about our foundation and with nit-picky disclosures of all kinds..."
"DEAR GINNY: When home inspectors report defects, they should state what they see and limit their conclusions to things they can confirm..."
"...There is a reason why home inspectors try to list every apparent defect. Many inspectors have had claims and lawsuits for problems that were not included in their reports. This is an unfortunate aspect of the business of home inspection..."
"Unreasonable liability pressures are placed on inspectors by a minority of nitpicky buyers. This leads to outrageously nitpicky reports for the rest of us".
Read the rest at New Ok
Without knowing more information, my sympathies are with Ginny.


