All Blog Entries by Justin Havre

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Found 131 blog entries published by Justin Havre.

Buying Land in CanadaThere are many reasons to buy land in Canada. Some are looking for acreage for a farm or ranching. Others need a parcel for residential or recreational purposes. Depending on the area, it may be important to review specific rules and bylaws that apply to a province or territory. However, it is possible to invest in land in Canada using a few important considerations. And buying land is not the same as buying a home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Are You Interested in Rural Land?

Some may be looking for significant space to set up a homestead or to ranch. There are differences between buying land in a major city or in a large open

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Boost interior home comfort by adding addition insulation.Providing shelter from the storm is more than just a catchy phrase when it comes to enjoying the benefits of a Westridge CA home and hearth. But if your home is drafty in the winter or overly warm during the summer months, it might benefit from additional insulation. It's entirely possible to boost the R-rating of attic and wall insulation. Additional benefits are a higher comfort quotient and lower utility bills. Older homes typically had less insulation in walls and attics than is required under current building codes, but modern options can remedy that situation.

Adding Wall Insulation

The ideal time to add insulation is during a renovation project on an older home. If there are already walls and ceilings open as part of a home addition,

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How to Eliminate Pests from Your HomePests are more than just a nuisance for homeowners—bugs and rodents can actively destroy your property if owners don't notice the problem quickly enough. The best remediation tips will always be proactive ones. And selling a home with pests can be a real challange! Once the pests have taken over the home, an owner may have no other choice but to call a professional. Learn more about what to do both before, during, and after the infestation.

Seal and Clean

Sealing any cracks in the home and cleaning up any stray crumbs are both time-consuming activities, but both can really help an owner fend off a line of marching ants or termites. It's especially helpful for keeping the larger rodents away from the premises. Now is a good time to recaulk the

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What Types of Home Security Systems Are the Most Common?Home security is one of the more intimate subjects a person can think about when it comes to homeownership. These systems are designed not just to protect your belongings, but to protect loved ones and guests as well. Some people may think that home security begins and ends with a traditional wired system, but this isn't always the case. A homeowner's research should start with learning the types of systems available to them before they make up their mind.

Do-It-Yourself Home Security

There's no need to purchase expensive systems. Homeowners can often have DIY projects for home security. Here are a few precautions:

  • Using floodlights in dark areas of their lawn
  • Upgrading locks and doors to stronger materials
  • Putting interior lights
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How Green Technology Is Changing Home BuildingCanadians have been largely conscientious about their impact on the larger world around them, and it's really starting to show in both residential and commercial buildings. Standards for new construction homes and commercial buildings become ever more stringent, as legislators find new ways to regulate how construction companies carry out their designs. Find out more about how the green movement is starting to make its way into residential construction.

Efficient Heating and Cooling

There are two major forms of energy-efficient heating and cooling:

  • Solar panels: Solar panels have become far more efficient in recent years, allowing them to generate energy even in areas with heavy cloud coverage. They use solar cells to turn light photons
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Information for Constructing an Outdoor Living AreaOutdoor living rooms and kitchens are very popular with homeowners. A proper outdoor living space makes it easier to spend time relaxing and enjoying time outside. They also help sell a home faster and possibly for more money. If you're a homeowner trying to decide how to construct an outdoor living space on your property, here's what you need to know.

Install Power

Nearly any outdoor living space needs power to be installed in order to be functional. Many homes have at least some power going to their yard, but if the outlet is not in the proper location, one must be installed near the outdoor living area. Without an outlet, watching television, installing lighting and installing a heater is difficult or impossible. An electrical outlet needs to

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How To Winterize Your HomeIt’s no secret that winter can do a lot of damage to everything it touches—just look at the potholes that form in roads thanks to the constant cycle of freezing and thawing. While potholes aren’t an issue inside homes, winter can still cause a lot of damage to them. Before winter arrives or before you put a home up for a fast sale, homeowners can take steps to winterize their homes so they’re better prepared for the cold weather. Here are some easy ways homeowners can help protect their homes during the harsh winter months.

1.  Insulate Pipes to Prevent Cracking

In extremely cold temperatures, it’s possible for even metal pipes to break, and that can spell disaster for a home. To help prevent pipes from breaking in the cold weather, homeowners

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How Credit Scores Relate to MortgagesBuying a home for the first time is typically the biggest expenditure in a person's life thus far. It's a huge commitment, and lenders want to be sure that borrowers are up to the task of paying off their loans. Credit scores and credit history are the way that banks can figure out which home buyers are likely to make good on mortgage payments and which are more of a risk. Cultivating a positive credit score is the way for a buyer to communicate that they are ready for the task of buying a home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

How Credit Scores Affect Home Buying

A good credit score can make or break a person's ability to buy a home.

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Home Lighting Tips for HomeownersLighting affects the way people feel and function in their home. Without proper lighting, a home can look dark, unclean and smaller than it really is. Good lighting can boost a person's mood, make them more productive and can even make the home look more spacious.

Homeowners who have just purchased new homes often overlook lighting when they're decorating or making home improvements. Failure to take lighting into account can negatively impact the homeowner's experience of the space.

Living Room and Family Room

A combination of natural lighting and artificial lighting makes the living room and family rooms a pleasant place to spend time at all hours of the day. Large picture windows are common in living rooms and when fully utilized, these

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Everything You Need to Know About Mold in the HomeMold is a problem that can occur in homes when moisture becomes a problem. Selling a home with a mould problem can almost be impossible, or until the mold is remediated. Understanding the cause of mold and what you can do about this problem can help you take care of your home. Below are the basics of mold problems and how they affect homeowners.

What Are the Health Risks of Mold?

Mold can have different effects on health depending on the severity of the mold and the sensitivities . Many people experience breathing problems because of mold, some experience chronic congestion or a cough. Other signs of mold exposure include:

  • Trouble remembering things, problems focusing
  • Muscle cramps
  • Eye sensitivity
  • Exhaustion
  • Night sweats
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