Make your home more Energy-Efficient

        10 Ways to make your home 

                                   more energy-efficient

1 Conduct an energy audit. If you're serious about improving your home's efficiency, start with an energy audit by an NRCan certified energy advisor - you can search for an advisor in your area at www.nrcan.gc.ca. You'll get a list of recommended upgrades to help you plan, and you may qualify to receive up to $2500 from the Home Reno Rebate by Union Gas. According to Natural Resources Canada, the average retrofit may yield a 30% reduction in energy use.


2 Seal up those drafts. Drafty windows and doors can be a major source of energy loss. If an upgrade isn't currently within your budget, you can still save energy and make your home more comfortable by using simple weather-stripping and caulking as an economical way to reduce air leaks.


3 Upgrade your heating system. In older homes, the savings over time from installing a new high-efficiency condensing gas furnace may be the best investment you can make. Talk to a certified heating contractor (Like COAD) to help research which heating system is best for your home and climate, and use the search tool at www.nrcan.gc.ca to find the handy "Home Heating System Cost Calculator".


4 Add insulation. An uninsulated basement in a home can increase annual heating costs by 10% to 30%, since base concrete conducts heat outward. Call Ritchie's Insulation & General Contracting 519-633-3461 for insulation information!


5 Curb your hot water use. In a typical Canadian home, water heating can account for up to 20% of total utility costs. Switch out an older water heater for a more energy efficient model, or consider a new tankless water heater that warms water on demand, only as needed.


6 Replace energysapping appliances. If you've got an old clunker or hand-me-down appliance in your basement or kitchen, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in extra operating costs over the years. Clothes dryers are about...

for the complete list of Energy Saving Tips 

email Ainslee@ISellStThomas.com

Subject Line "More Energy Tips"

Content Provided by Genworth Canada

25 Summer TO DOs in Elgin County!

While the temperature rises, the kids get bored and summer starts to pass us by…why not explore some of the great attractions we have…RIGHT HERE IN ELGIN COUNTY! Kids attraction, farms, shopping, arts and more!

We are very fortunate to live in an area that offers so many unique things to do, explore, enjoy and experience. I have compiled a list of 25 things to do this summer in Central Elgin & East Elgin…but remember, there are LOTS of others things to explore!

5 Kids Days
        - Clovermead Adventure Farms
        - Train Rides (St.Thomas or Port Stanley)
        - Visit and explore HMCS Ojibwa in Port Burwell
        - Great Lakes Farms
        - Splash Pads (Pinafore or Waterworks)

5 Farms to visit
        - Berry Hill Fruit Farms
        - Wild Flowers Farms
        - Heritage Line Herbs
        - Howe Family Farm Market
        - Steed & Co Lavender

5 Arts Attractions
        - St.Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
        - Art Emporium Gallery
        - Clay Works Studio
        - Portside Gallery
        - Ruby Eyes Kraftwerks

5 Shopping Attractions
        - Concreations
        - Anything Used / Sparta Country Candles
        - Pinecroft (and grab a bite to eat!)
        - Port Stanley Shops (don't forget Stan Portleys!)
        - Minerva Art Gallery

5 Adult Attractions/Activities
        - Port Stanley Festival Theatre
        - Aylmer Performing arts
        - Quai Du Vin Estate Winery
        - Kettle Creek Inn
        - Windjammer Inn 

Why Use a Mortgage Broker?

There are many things to think about when you decide it's time to purchase a home. Getting your finances in order is the most important part of the process -- without financing, you cannot get the home that steals your heart.

There are many different options for financing, but with all these options come many rules, regulations and sub-options…not to mention all the clauses and fine print. To help you navigate through the financing of homeownership, why not consult an expert. Here are some of the many reasons and advantages to using a Mortgage Broker/Agent.

They work for YOU…Mortgage brokers/agents are not tied to a certain bank or company. The options they have available to them include EVERYTHING that is available (Banks, Credit Unions, Trust Companies, Lending Companies, and more). They are able to find the BEST financing for YOU!

Get your credit checked ONCE -- it actually hurts your credit to have it checked multiple times. When shopping around, you are having your credit checked at every stop -- by the time you find the mortgage you like, you might not have the required credit score.

TIME is precious -- save YOUR time for house hunting and not researching and looking for the perfect mortgage. This is exactly what a mortgage broker does…they search all the options for you.

Leave the NEGOTIATIONS to the experts -- they have the knowledge and know how to negotiate competitive rates as well as terms and conditions that suit you…things that your bank may not be able to offer you. There are also add-ons or special deals that may be attractive to you or possibly only available to brokers.

UNDERSTAND your mortgage -- A mortgage broker will be able to help you understand all the financing jargon and be able to explain it to you in plain language. Your home is a huge investment - you want to ensure that you fully understand all the terms and conditions as well as the fine print on your mortgage.

QUICK & EFFICIENT -- Once you have made an offer on a home, things can move very quickly. A mortgage broker works quickly and efficiently to ensure that your financing is right for you and secured in time to meet conditions. They also ensure that the mortgage transaction happens on-time and without flaw on closing day.

So…yeah there are lots of advantages to using a mortgage broker…but at what CO$T??!? NOTHING out of your pocket!! They are paid by financial institutions a commission like your real estate agent. They only get paid once you are happily in your new home!

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!

Santa came and visited us at Royal LePage Triland St.Thomas this week. Check out our visit with Santa....WATCH NOW!

Did you notice someone new? That's right! My granddaughter, Ainslee, will be joining me in the new year. She can be contacted at 519-636-5717 or Ainslee@ISellStThomas.com or facebook.com/ISellStThomasAinslee

If you are interested in the home on Ainslee's wish list, check it out! 15 Aspen

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

-Jim Harris (Broker, MVA) & Ainslee Dempsey (Sales Representative)

Winter Ready Your Home

As the winter is fast approaching we always ensure that our vehicles are winter ready – snow tires, the snow brush packed, fluids good, winter boots by the door to clean off the snow covered vehicles or shovel the drive....but what about our home??!?

Just as your vehicle needs a few things to be checked off the list to be winter ready, your house has a list of things to do as well:

•  Check for and seal leaks – around windows/doors, ducts, damper on your fire place and vents
•  Clean out the gutters – clear all debris and ensure no moss
•  Check or Add insulation if needed – in the attic, around windows/doors, outlets or vents
•  Maintain your furnace – change the filter, check-up, re-set your thermostat for the time change
•  Reverse Ceiling Fans – should be reversed (clockwise or pulling the air up and out)
• Turn off outdoor water spigots –drained to prevent freezing & bursting, also drain & store hoses
• Test Smoke Alarms and CO2 detectors

How to Save Money as a FIRST TIME Home Buyer

Buying a home will be one of the largest investments you will ever make. It can be a very costly adventure if you are not prepared and know some helpful money saving tips!

1 – Be Prepared. Take some time to look into what money you will need, and know your own financial situation.  Look for ways to save, and most of all be prepared for additional costs.

2 – Understanding a “mortgage”. Oh “mortgages”, a very important and necessary component of buying a home, yet probably the most misunderstood. Be sure to ask questions of various professionals as well as understanding all the lingo.  Know exactly what you are comfortable spending and do not waiver.

3 - Know your costs. We are not just talking about what you will spend monthly on your mortgage. There are a lot of other costs such as deposits, down payment, house inspections, lawyer fees, title insurance, taxes, utility transfer/set up fees, moving costs, insurance, changing locks, small repairs/updates, furniture/appliances, monthly utilities, and paint/decor.

4 – Finding Savings. Although there may be many costs, there are many ways to save money—as a First Time Home Buyer. To receive your copy of “Saving Money as a First Time home buyer” email  jharris@royallepage.ca  with the subject line “Saving Money as a First Time Buyer” and I will send you this free, no obligation PDF guide.  Don’t miss out on an opportunity to save as you make one of the largest investments of your life.  Remember absolutely no obligation—100% free—“Saving Money as a First Time Buyer”.

Myth or Fact? Spring is the best time to buy a home

The simple answer: Neither. 

The best time to buy a house depends on your personal situation. Factors such as finances, availability of the right home, and your readiness to commit can affect your optimal time to purchase. However, there is debate on both sides to the above statement. 

Myth – There are many buyers looking to purchase at this time of the year. Houses show better in the spring and more people have recovered from the Christmas/Holiday Season expenses; however, this means that there are more bidding wars and more competition for buyers creating higher prices. The other con with more buyers is that there may be a lot of pressure to make quick or rushed decisions. This being said the best time according to this theory would be in the early months of the year when there is less competition from other buyers. 

Fact – Spring brings many new beginnings. Sellers are more motivated to sell during the spring which is beneficial to buyers. Typically there are more homes on the market in the spring making it easier to find the right home to suit your needs and wants. Also, the spring time allows you to see a home to its full potential. In the winter you do not get to see the fresh gardens or what the yard of a home truly looks like, but in the spring you get the opportunity to see the whole picture of what you are looking at purchasing. Plus if you have children, buying at this time of the year allows the children to finish the school year and if a school transfer is needed they are able to make that transition in September. Another added bonus would be not having to move in the snow, but being able to move during nicer weather. 

With both sides considered, the right time to buy a home is truly dependent on you. When you are ready to make that step, ensure that you have the right agent and are an informed buyer! 

  Happy House Hunting!