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"

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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!