Wood fireplaces, what do I need to know. WETT

We love our fireplaces. Fireplaces provide a bear hugging warmth in the dead of winter that just can not be replaced by any other type of heating. This said all fireplaces are not created equal. You have fireplaces that just give you atmosphere, others give a very efficient way to heat your home and some give you both.

When buying a home with a fireplace there is some things to consider. The first question is it safe? The next question is it efficient? What is the benefits?

To make sure the fireplace is safe be sure to have the fireplace WETT certified. What is WETT? From their website it reads:

"Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association managed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by holders of valid WETT certificates. Through its administrative designate, WETT Inc. functions as the national registrar of the WETT program. Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood burning systems in Canada."  http://www.wettinc.ca/what.html

To have a fireplace WETT certified you would hire a certified WETT technician to inspect the fireplace to determine it is safe. If it is safe the technician and company will certify that the fireplace is up to code and safe to use.

The next question is the fireplace efficient. Conventional wood fireplaces are inefficient. They may steal more heat from your home then they produce. In the best case scenario it provides you with a nice light source.

Airtight stoves and inserts are advanced combustion fireplaces that can offer high levels of energy efficiency. These devices can reduce dramaticly the overall demand of other fuels heating the home if not replace them.

 

 

As with anything there is pros and cons. The biggest Pro is the heat is wonderful from fireplaces. Wood is also a renewable source of fuel. Con is wood fireplaces are a ton of work and very messy.

 

If you would like more information please give me a call or email. I have vendors I can refer you to and booklets I can send you!

Winter Moving Tips from AMJ Campbell Vanlines‏

Brrrr! It's getting cold out there!

Although winter is not the friendliest time of year to be doing a move, rates are actually lower in the winter than they are in the summer and with the right amount of preparation, it can work out quite well! Here are some things to consider:

1) Clear all Driveways and Walkways of Snow and Ice

At the best of times, icy and snowy surfaces can be hard to navigate, especially if you’re carrying an armoire! Plan to make sure that all paths are super clear at origin and destination. This includes paths to garages and out buildings, if goods need to be moved to or from there. If you have space in the garage or elsewhere, bring any outside items indoors in advance of the move so they will be free of snow.

Our crews use floor runners to protect your floors inside the home, and clearing snow prevents it from getting on the floor runners and into your home. Have shovels and salt at both ends of your move should a surprise bout of snow show up on move day. Large sheets of cardboard are ideal to use in entranceways to help keep the snow outside where it belongs.

Country homes, long driveways and cottage country - Be sure to clear out a large area where your driveway intersects with the road, to allow a large truck to access your driveway. Start plowing it out wide well in advance of the move. Long or hilly driveways should be cleared out at least 24hrs beforehand and salt should be laid down to dissolve any ice buildup.

2) Be Mindful of Daylight/Weather Limitations

If you have a large-sized move to undertake, or both of your homes are closing on the same day, you may want to consider doing the move over 2 days. Bear in mind that daylight fades away in the early evening this time of year, which means it becomes more difficult to move your belongings in the dark. If you have both your homes closing on the same day, you can load up your existing home on the closing day, and hold your goods on our truck overnight. This would allow you to go over to your new home, clean and make any other preparations you would like, then the following morning your goods arrive at your new home, leaving you the whole day to unpack and get settled.

3) Don’t Pack any Liquids, Plants or Canned Goods

Any liquids will freeze if on the truck for any extended period of time, so it’s not a good idea to pack them. Also, any canned foods should also not be packed, since if they freeze this will affect the sterilization of the food and there is a good chance it will become contaminated.

4) Protecting your Appliances

Any items that have been on the moving truck for an extended period will be subject to freezing temperatures, and when they are brought into your new home they will begin to thaw out. Condensation and moisture will then build up, so it’s a good idea not to use electrical items for 24hrs. after they are unloaded into your home. If you are moving dishwashers, front load washers, fridges with icemakers, pressure washers etc., you will need to take special precautions to drain all water from these units, or run plumbing antifreeze through them. This can be a tricky process, so if you’re not sure, we can direct you to some appliance service professionals in your area.

5) Have Extra Gloves, Sweaters and Warm Clothes

Bear in mind that when moving, your door will be open more often then closed, so have extra clothing on hand, especially gloves, hats and sweaters.

6) Have Rags, Cleaner and Mop Handy

Before you depart the origin residence, there may be some minor cleanup required if there’s snow on the ground. Keep mops, rags and cleaner on hand to give floors a quick wipe.

Here’s wishing you a safe, worry-free and successful winter move! Please do not hesitate to give me a call if you would like a free in-home estimate.

Best Regards,

Frank Will

Senior Moving Consultant

Toll Free 1-800-267-7222 x 217

Cell (705) 931-2300

www.amjcampbell.com Household and Office Moving Specialists

Great read for first time buyers. Great questions, great answers!

 

A home can be one of the most personally and financially rewarding investments you'll ever make. But if you've never bought a home before, the process may seem a little overwhelming.
We have answered the most frequently asked questions of first-time home buyers.

Q: How can a mortgage specialist help me?

A: Working with a mortgage specialist has a number of advantages, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. Mortgage specialists have access to an entire network of resources to draw from on your behalf. They'll not only help with your pre-approval but also look at your whole financial picture and provide personalized advice based on your needs. That includes reviewing your mortgage options with you and making sure you get the mortgage that's right for you.
Once your mortgage specialist says you are preapproved, you are - no last-minute surprises to worry about. This allows you to go shopping with confidence.

Q: Why should I use a real estate agent?

A: A real estate agent makes it easier to find the right home and will offer you advice on what price to offer and any conditions you might want to consider including in your Offer to Purchase. If possible, get referrals from friends, family and co-workers.
It's important to choose an agent who is familiar with the area where you are searching for a home. You may be spending a lot of time with your agent checking out homes, so be sure to choose someone you feel comfortable working with.

Q: Is my credit good enough for me to be approved for a mortgage?

A: One thing your lender will look at before approving you for a mortgage is your credit score - your record for paying your bills and repaying loans on time.
In Canada, there are two main credit-rating agencies, Equifax and Tran-sUnion. These companies keep records of missed payments and overdrawn credit accounts. If you've ever had a credit card or applied for an account with a major utility, chances are your payment history is on record with one or both of these companies.
If you have a good track record - that is, you've always paid your bills on time and made at least the minimum payment due on your credit cards - you will have a good credit rating.
If your track record isn't perfect, that doesn't mean that you won't get approved for financing. If your late payments are in the past or date back to your student years but have since been paid on time, then you may not have difficulty in arranging financing. Your lender can help you assess your situation and provide advice as to how to improve your credit rating to get you ready to purchase your first home.
You can get a free copy of your credit file by mail just by asking. For details, visit Equifax.ca or TransUnion.ca.

Q: What is mortgage insurance?

A: If your down payment is less than 20 per cent of the purchase price of your home, you will require a mortgage that's insured against default. This insurance protects the lender in case you default on your mortgage payments and is required by law. There are two main mortgage insurers in Canada (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Genworth Canada). The cost will vary from 0.5 per cent to about three per cent of the total amount borrowed. The amount is usually added to your mortgage and the cost added in your regular payment.
 

Q: What are "closing costs," and how much money should I set aside for them?

A: Closing costs are those additional expenses that come due when you complete the purchase of your home. They include:
. Lawyer's or notary's fees. When you buy a home, you need to hire a lawyer to complete a title search (to make sure there are no outstanding liens against the property and that the vendor actually owns the property), ensure all the documentation has been accurately completed, register your mortgage and register you as the new owner of the property.
. Disbursements. These are costs that the seller has paid in advance, such as property taxes and utilities. You reimburse the seller for any prepayments that come into effect after you take possession of the home.
The amount of these costs will vary, depending on where you live and what kind of home you're buying. As a guideline, you can estimate that closing costs will be about 2.5 per cent of the purchase price of your home, though this may vary greatly. In addition to closing costs, remember that you may also need to budget for appliances (if not included with the home), utility hook-up, redecorating and paying a professional mover.

This article was found in the The Vancouver Sun

By Barbara Hitchens, Postmedia News November 30, 2012