One-Weekend Garage Makeover

Garages are the most hardworking spaces in your home. Investing a few hundred dollars in garage organization tools during one weekend will pay off in savings of both time and money.
A clean and organized garage saves you time by keeping essentials in clear view, so you can find what you need without tripping over items or causing an avalanche whenever you pull something from the bottom of a pile.

You'll also save money because your sporting goods and tools will last longer when they’re stored safely from moisture, heavy weights and dust. Even your car will be protected from falling skis.

Step 1: Aim for spotlessly clean and clutter free
Start by cleaning out the junk. Release the clutter of your garage by selling or throwing away the things you never use. Getting rid of unneeded possessions makes more space for the ones you do need and use. Once that clutter is dwindled down to the necessities, organize it by category: athletic supplies, lawn and garden tools, carpentry tools, etc.

Step 2: Use suitable storage units
Take a look at what’s left and decide what storage elements would work best for you.
The essentials include:

• Closed storage: Make sure to include at least one closed-door, lockable unit. It's essential for keeping poisons like antifreeze, plant food or pest control products and sharp tools behind a locked door.
• Open shelving: Shelves are best for frequently used items which you need readily available and within reach. Vented metal styles, wood slats, or vented plastic minimize the volume of dust that can collect.
•  Hooks, clamps, and holders: These allow you to make use of vertical space, getting big items like bikes, trikes and paddles, rakes and brooms off the ground and out of your way.
• Bags: Most wall-mounted garage organization systems include clamp-on mesh bags that make it easy to store soccer balls, basketballs, tennis balls, etc.
• Boxes and bins: Group irregular items and place them in big bins so you can put them under a shelving unit or work table. Group them accordingly so items are easy to find: bags of soil, grass seeds, etc. Boxes and baskets can also hold smaller items neatly on shelves.

Step 3: Paint and stain. The floor can be transformed with acid stain for concrete or a heavy-duty floor paint. If you plan to park your car on your newly painted floor, lay a sheet of cardboard down to catch drips of oil. The garage walls can be painted as well, especially if they still look like they are part of a construction site. Don't feel like you have to limit yourself to the traditional white walls. Get creative!

Step 4: Make it your second home Another major decision to be made prior to purchase is what kind of work areas you will need, and what kind of counter tops are appropriate for those areas. For instance, if you want to use garage space as a hobby area, you might want a sink area or solid surface counters. If you enjoy woodworking, you might need a wooden counter top. Figure out where these areas will be located and roughly sketch out how the area should look. Imagine yourself standing at the work area and think about the placement of things you will use. Thinking through this process will certainly make the space more user-friendly.

Ready to get your garage in order? Following those tips will help you find a place for everything and allow you to transform that dusty garage into something spotless in a short time.

Contact me at www.kimlouie.net for a free home value report or to talk about the current market conditions!

Fire Safety at Home

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

1. Make sure you have adequate insurance
First you need to realize that nothing you can do will possibly reduce the risk of a fire to zero, so you will need to purchase adequate insurance to cover your home. This will help you, in the disastrous event of a fire at your house, cover the costs of the damage and help you get back on track. If you do not have fire protection you may find yourself in a tough situation.

After you have insured your home and belongings, you should begin taking measures to reduce the risk of fire as much as you can.

2. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
The number one cause of total loss and death by fire is the lack of working smoke detectors in the home. Smoke detectors are not expensive. Install good quality smoke detectors in your home and check the batteries at least twice each year.
At a minimum, there should be one smoke detector on each floor including the basement. Ideally there should be one detector in each bedroom as well as common areas like hallways. Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors should be placed by the furnace. A properly installed and working smoke detector can save lives and might save your home.

3. Prevent careless fires
While smoke detectors provide the safety and security of early warning in case of fire, preventing a careless fire from ever starting is another important safety measure you can take. You can easily take fire prevention measures by looking at your house room by room and practicing basic safety rules.
In the kitchen, always double check appliances like stoves, ovens, toasters and coffee pots. Make sure they are turned off when not in use, and unplug small appliances after each use.
Never leave cooking food — whether on the stove top, in the oven, microwave or on your barbecue — unattended. Always keep an eye on food that you are cooking, and keep items that can catch fire away from the stove top.

Keep flammables, such as drapes and furniture, away from portable heaters or open flame candles. Keep matches away from small children’s reach.
If you need to store combustible materials, carefully read the packaging instructions on how to do so, and follow it! Keep combustible materials away from areas exposed to high heat.

4. Use electrical outlets properly
Do not overload electrical outlets which could cause a fire. If you need additional power from an outlet, either use a power strip with a surge protector or hire a licensed electrician to run additional power to the outlet.

Set up a routine of checking appliance cords every month or so. This should be done for lamps, TVs, toasters, etc. Check the cords for fraying or open areas. If you notice any problem either replace the item, have the cord replaced or cover it with electrical tape.

5. Have at least one fire extinguisher
Always keep a small fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen area in case of accidental grease or electrical fires. Don’t just keep the fire extinguisher handy; make sure you know how to use it.
You should have at least one fire extinguisher in your home. It should be in the kitchen or close by the kitchen. You might also want to keep additional fire extinguishers in the basement, garage and on the second floor if you have one.

6. Plan and practice a fire escape route
Planning an escape route is crucial in being prepared for an emergency and can save you valuable time in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone knows how to escape and keep all exits clear. Always keep keys for doors and windows where everyone can find them.
Be sure to practice your escape plan during the day and at night. Assign an adult to wake and assist each child in the house. Also consider lending extra help to family members who are physically challenged or elderly. Identify a meeting place outside the home. Practice, practice, practice—at least twice every year.

If there is a fire, get everyone out of the house as soon as possible and call 911.

Contact me at www.kimlouie.net for a free home value report or to talk about the current market conditions!

Canada Day 150th Fireworks in Waterloo Region

Fireworks: location and time

Here's a list of daytime events and the evening fireworks that are part of the event.
Kitchener City Hall
200 King St. W., Kitchener, Ont.
A daytime celebration in Kitchener Market will feature live country music, face painting and crafts. The James Barker Band is the main performance at 9:00 p.m. Fireworks:10:15 p.m.
Columbia Lake Fields
Columbia Street W., Waterloo, ON
The festivities begin at 4:00 p.m., featuring performances from Bobs & LoLo, Dwayne Gretzky and student organizations at the university. There will also be food vendors at the event. Fireworks: 10:00 p.m.
Cambridge Riverside Park
49 King St W, Cambridge, Ont.
A parade starting at 1:00 p.m. in Preston will end at King St. and Eagle St, just outside of the park. Inside the park there will be a carnival and a children's area. Fireworks: 9:50 p.m.
Bingemans International Square
425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener, Ont.
Grab a seat at a picnic table or the patio for the evening display. Fireworks: 10:00 p.m.
Calvary in Cambridge
127 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, Ont.
The celebration starts at 6:00 p.m. with food, games and prize giveaways. The fireworks will close the event scheduled to end at 10:00 p.m. Fireworks: 9:00 or 9:30 p.m.
Wilmot Township Celebration
251 Jacob St., New Hamburg, Ont.
You can spend a full day at the New Hamburg Fairgrounds visiting the vendor market to watching a stunt show to witnessing a Guinness World Record attempt of most people wearing red paper crowns (crowns are provided.) Fireworks: Dusk
Schmidt Park in Ayr
53 Hilltop Drive, Ayr, Ont.
Ayr, Ont. residents can avoid the commute to nearby municipalities if they want to watch fireworks close to home. Fireworks: 8:30 p.m.
Riverside Park in Guelph
709 Woolwich St, Guelph, Ont.
Celebrate Canada's birthday with family-friendly festivities at the park starting at 11:00 a.m. From live music to a duck race and to seeing 30 people become Canadian citizens on the main stage, you're in for a full day. Fireworks: 10:00 p.m.
Fireworks in Fergus
550 Belsyde Ave E, Fergus, Ont.
Have a family day at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex with live music from local artists, food vendors and even Zumba. A fee of $2 per person, proceeds to the Groves Building Fund. Fireworks: 10:00 p.m.

9 Easy Tips for A Healthy Home

Home is where health begins. From carpets and wall colours to window shades and overhead lighting, your home can play a role in how much you weigh, your mood, and even your cancer risk. It's important to eliminate toxins, pollutants and other health risks from your home. There are many small changes that you can do to make your home healthier and improve your mood. The following recommendations can be implemented immediately and won't cost you anything.

1. Keep Pollutants Outside
With every step you make outside your home, your shoes come in contact with all kinds of toxins (oil, gasoline, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, dirt and more). Leave those pollutants outside.
Make it a habit to take your shoes off as soon as you walk in the door of your home. Place a chair or bench near the door and place a shoe basket or shelf near it to make it easier for your family and visitors to take off their shoes by the door. This will cut down the amount of dirt and allergens brought into your home.

2. Use Natural Cleansers Commercial cleansers may make cleaning easier, but they may also contain carcinogenic ingredients, respiratory irritants and even pesticides. Try safer cleansers such as a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clean tubs and toilets, salt to scrub kitchen sinks and borax for laundry.
Once you try cleaning with non-toxic cleaners you'll find it hard to believe you ever used harsh chemicals. Not only do they work just as well, they smell better, don't make you dizzy and don't pose a health risk.

3. Clean Smarter and More Often
The greatest health risk for children at home comes from the dust that gets on their hands from crawling on the floor and touching dust-covered surfaces, exposing them to dust mites, mould and pet dander, all of which can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

To keep dust to a minimum, dust every few days with a slightly damp cloth, to prevent the dust from returning to the air. Avoid furnishings that trap dust, such as drapes, carpeting, throw pillows and stuffed animals. Wash curtains and slip covers regularly in hot water.

Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, and use it twice a week. If you are building a new home consider a central vacuum system that vents outside. This will help remove dust and debris from settling back into your home.

4. Breathe Fresh Air
Fresh air saturated with oxygen is essential for healthy indoor living. A properly ventilated home will also help release humidity that may build up, condense and cause bacteria, dust mites and mould.
Whenever possible, open the windows to allow old air out and fresh air in. In colder or humid months, use a mechanical ventilation system to help keep indoor air fresh, dry and comfortable.

It's very important to ventilate areas of your home that may have increased air pollutants such as the basement, laundry room and workshop. Glues, paints, solvents, laundry detergents and even just dirty clothes can all cause unwanted air pollution. Keep all of these stored properly in a well ventilated area.

5. Stop Smoking
Take the smoke-free pledge. Don't smoke in your home or let visitors do so. Small children are most vulnerable to the health risks of second-hand smoke such as allergies and respiratory disease. If you must smoke, go outside. Moving to another room or opening a window is not enough to protect your children.

6. Drink Clean Water
Clean water is essential for good health. If your water comes from a municipal supply it is tested regularly by the water authority. If you have a private drinking water well, test it periodically.

On the way to our taps, water can pick up asbestos from old concrete pipes, rust, lead particles and dirt. The glass of water you take from the tap has had a long eventful journey but it is clean enough to drink. However, it could be cleaner and better for you if you use a good in-house water filtering system.

In order to keep your water filter functioning effectively, it is important to change the filter cartridges on a regular basis.

7. Inspire Healthy Eating Habits
Keep a bowl of fresh fruit and vegetables on your kitchen counter to encourage healthy eating and cut down on bad snacking habits.

Fresh fruit is best for you and your kids. Choose different colours to give you the widest variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your body needs. Choose whole fruit over fruit juice. Often juice has lots of added sugar and preserving chemicals. Whole fruit has more fibre and will leave you feeling more satisfied.

8. Give Your House a Mood Boost
Research shows that a naturally lit home will help ease blues, insomnia and may even boost concentration. Whenever possible open the curtains and allow sunlight in. Equip your home with broad-spectrum light bulbs that closely resemble daylight. Research also shows that good lighting helps prevent overeating.

Keep a bright bunch of flowers in the living room. A vase of vibrant flowers along with green plants help generate a positive mood around the house and helps reduce stress, fatigue and illness. Indoor green plants also help reduce carbon monoxide.

Cut down on heavy and loud music. Play soft, classical or country background music to create an easy atmosphere to help you unwind.

9. Encourage Family Activities
Reduce the use of TV in your home and encourage family activities. Excessive TV watching has been linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Place a Chess or board game in your living room. Playing board games familiarizes young children with letters and numbers, builds hand-eye coordination and encourages kids of all ages to interact with others. Board games can be a stepping stone for discussion about almost anything. Strategy games like Chess or Monopoly provide opportunities to talk about not only the game itself, but how it applies to the real world, real problems, etc. and most importantly helps build family bonds.

The choices we all make on a day-to-day basis can make a huge impact on living a healthy lifestyle. With just a little forethought and initiative, we can make our homes healthier and happier for all family members.

Things to Consider When Buying an Older Home

It's like a love affair; some older homes make your heart skip a beat. It is hard not to fall in love with an older home’s historic unique architecture, gabled roofs, hardwood floors, crown moldings and antique light fixtures—older homes definitely have their charm.

The plastered walls, leaded glass windows, original chandeliers, and oak paneling make an old home as attractive as it can possibly be. If you found your love you should be aware of the following money pitfalls of old houses. You do not want to discover that beneath the surface of your dream home lays a dilapidated wreck.

This article provides you with some valuable tips to help you identify potential problems and some renovation rules, should you decide that this love affair is going to be your Gold Mine.

Foundation The foundation is the most important aspect of any home especially for older ones. One problem that is common for older homes is called the “sulphate attack”. This can occur as a result of a chemical reaction between the soil and the concrete, which causes the foundation to crack and crumble and that can be very problematic. Another major concern with older homes is that the centre beam of the home can begin to sink. This can result in a sagging roof, bowed walls, and sloping floors. If the old house has a bad foundation then renovating it can be very expensive where the cost can range from several thousand dollars to approximately $50,000 depending on the size of the home. Also, in some cases, one might need to jack up the house to replace the foundation and shore up the centre beam.

Electrical Wiring When buying an older house, it is very important to find out if there are any problems with the state of the electrical and lighting system. Do the lights flicker? Is the current steady or do the lights fluctuate between bright and dull? Is there adequate lighting in the home? It’s important to have the wiring carefully inspected. Also, many older houses use aluminum wiring, which is cheaper than copper wiring but it is a serious fire hazard. Ensure that you factor the cost of rewiring into your offer price. Also, you should consider whether there are enough outlets in the home to suit the needs of a modern household. Install more outlets in order for you to run a number of devices at once like a television, computer, stove, etc.

Lead Paint In older homes, lead paint is very common as lead was used as a white pigment in paint until the mid-1950s. If you are planning to repaint the home, call in a professional renovation firm as they know the safety precautions needed to be taken when repainting the house. Children and pregnant women should not be in the home during renovations.

Asbestos Asbestos is a mineral that makes a very effective fire and heat-resistant material that was discovered to cause lung disease. When the tiny particles of this mineral are inhaled, over a period of years they begin to damage the tissue of the lungs. In old homes, asbestos was used in carpet underlay, textured paints, roofing felt, electrical wiring insulation, acoustic ceiling material and insulation. Getting the house checked for asbestos is critical.

Galvanized Pipe Galvanized pipes are known to rust very quickly. Most insurance companies now refuse to cover water damage caused by leaks in a home with galvanized pipes.

Condition of the Older Home Just like people, years will eventually take a toll on homes as well. An older home may begin to sag and slope, which is why it's very important to know about the conditions of the house you’re planning on purchasing.

Older homes may be beautiful, but they aren't designed for modern living without a total update or upgrade. Make sure the house structure can be modified easily to suit a current living style.

For older homes, renovations are a challenge. To determine the price you are willing to pay, add up the estimated costs to renovate the property based on a thorough assessment of the house. Then, subtract that from the home's market value after renovation. Allow for an additional 5% for cost overruns and unforeseen problems plus inflation.

Preserve the Charm of Your Old HouseIf you have already fallen in love with this old house, then make sure you follow the golden rules in repairing your dream home and preserve its historic features and value.

1. The golden rule of remodeling is, "do no harm". As you update your older home, make sure to preserve its historic details. Reuse existing materials. Keep historic moldings and hardware. Wire gas lamps for electricity. Keep distinctive examples of craftsmanship. Restore marbling, stenciling, and carvings.
2. Don't try to undo long-ago renovations. Most buildings change over time, and alterations to your house may have historic significance in their own right.
3. Whenever possible, repair rather than replace. Don't throw away that old claw foot bathtub—have it re-glazed. Fix damaged doors, refinish old cabinets and patch cracking plaster.
4. If historic features cannot be repaired, look for a similar item at an architectural salvage centre, or buy a new item that matches the old in design, colour, texture, and other visual qualities.
5. And best of all make sure you hire a contractor that shares your passion and understands your love affair with your old house.

Good luck, you may have found your Gold Mine.

Spring Cleaning to Cheer Up Your Home!

 Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the hectic seasons of spring and summer.

As the signs of spring make their first appearances in nature, it is time to pay tribute to the joy and jubilance of nature. It’s also time to wake up your home with a new, modern and fresh look.

Here are a few tips to help you cheer up your home this spring:

1- Organize, clean and de-clutter
Spring decorating begins with cleaning and de-cluttering. Extra clutter and crowding in your home décor can drain your energy. Remove any forgotten autumn, winter, Christmas and Valentine decorations and pack them away. Clean and polish surfaces including shelves, tabletops, end tables and countertops. The point is to lighten and brighten up the appearance of the areas you want to redecorate. Clean your windows and open them up to air out the staleness left by seasons of hibernation and closure. You want to bring the outside in.

2- Rearrange furniture
Start to change the feel of your home, or a specific room or two, by bringing in some very simple key elements to modify your surroundings. Your aim is to change from cold and closed in colder seasons, to warm, fresh air and brighter for the spring season. It is both a change of season and a change of mood.

Most of your furniture has probably been in the same position for years. Simply switching the placement of a couch, or repositioning the TV can make you feel like you have a whole new room. If you don't have much room for movement, change and update the smaller things, like pillows, throws, and lamps. Remember, even a small change will do you good and will brighten up your home.

Informal table settings are on the menu for spring's more relaxed approach to entertaining. Lose heavy tablecloths for casual placemats, and experiment with colour by mixing-and-matching dishware in pretty patterns. Simple things like changing throw pillows on chairs and couches, to brighten the furniture and room, can put new spots of colour throughout the room.

3- Give your home a new feel
Nothing brings the feel of spring in like the colours and textures of the season. Keep a spring garden in mind and pick the colours and flowers you like the most from the spring garden colour palette. Choose the ones that look best with your overall colour schemes, already in place.

And, nothing says spring more than fresh flowers. Make sure to be consistent with creating arrangements. Choose a colour scheme, like all white, instead of mixing bouquets. Use the same type of flower in one glass container with a beautiful white satin or grosgrain ribbon wrapped around it.

Make your home sing by introducing some pretty, spring colours and textures and get happy. The infusion of brighter colours and fresh flowers and plants reinforce your seasonal changes and gives your home a new relaxing look and feel.

4- Brighten up your rooms
New, updated window treatments can make one of the most profound changes to the look and feel of a room. With spring in the air, you want to maximize the natural light that flows into your rooms. Choose something light and airy, like a soft drapery or a sheer window shading. If you are worried about privacy, you can place room-darkening blinds that you can adjust for a look and feel that is tailored to your unique needs. In addition, sunscreen window shades are especially popular options that will prepare your home for the glare of the sun and the heat of the upcoming summer.

5. Think outside the home
After winter has left its cold and dingy mark, the outside of your home will also need some touching up. Be sure to wash the doors and windows, and touch up the paint if necessary. Hang a wreath of silk spring flowers, or place real potted plants on your porch!

Hopefully these tips will help inspire you to refresh your home for spring without spending too much money.

To Buy a Rental Property or Not?

Buying rental property can be one of the most secure and fastest ways to build wealth. However, before you begin your entrance into real estate investing you should consider the following pros and cons.





Main advantages:

1. Tax advantages
You can deduct certain expenses from your income – reducing the taxes you owe. Deductions can include mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utility bills, maintenance/upgrades and property management fees.

2. You may be able to deduct losses for tax purposes
If your expenses exceed your rental income, you may be able to deduct that loss from any other sources of income you have. This could reduce your total tax bill.

3. You get a regular monthly income
Other kinds of investments may pay out less often or income may be less predictable.

4. Real estate value usually appreciates over time.
You may end up with a sizable profit when you sell your property after a few years. However, this is only true as a long term investment.

As a landlord, you can deduct certain property expenses from your income – reducing the taxes you owe. If your expenses exceed your rental income, you may be able to deduct that loss from any other sources of income you have.

Key disadvantages:
1. You take on the responsibilities and challenges of a landlord
Rental units need repair – sometimes on an emergency basis. Dealing with tenants can be challenging, especially if they don’t pay their rent on time and cash flow is tight. If you hire a property manager to take care of these things for you, their salary is an added cost.

2. It may be difficult and costly to sell the property later
Real estate is not a liquid investment. That means it can take time to sell, depending on market conditions. It can also be costly to sell due to real estate and legal fees.

3. It may be difficult to finance the purchase
You must have a down payment of at least 20% when you buy a second property. You may need a mortgage. And, you will have high monthly expenses to cover when you own a building. Of course, you hope the income you receive from your tenants will cover this.

Buying and then renting a property is a lot more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds. Talk to an accountant, lawyer, mortgage broker or other financial expert about how it may affect your taxes and financial situation and be sure it is going to be a worthwhile investment for you.

Contact me for a Free Home Value Report or to get answers to your real estate questions at www.kimlouie.net!

Average price drops slightly for Homes in Waterloo Region as the number of Listings surges

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 5, 2017) ––There were 816 Residential properties sold through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in May, an increase of 8.2 per cent compared to May 2016, and a 6 per cent increase compared to the previous month. This is the second consecutive month unit sales have hit an all-time high.


Home sales in May included 493 detached homes (up 3.8 per cent compared to May 2016), 180 condominium units (up 7.8 per cent) which includes any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 64 semi-detached homes (up 39.1 percent) and 70 freehold townhouses (up 22.8 per cent).

"With the persistent buyer demand we’ve been experiencing these past several months, it was great to see that spike in residential listings enter the market in May, as we’ve had a severe shortage of inventory," says James Craig, President of the KWAR.

REALTORS® listed 1,271 residential properties in K-W and area last month, a 38.6 per cent increase compared to May of 2016, and a 29 per cent increase compared to the previous month. It’s the first time in two years that the number of new listings put on the market has exceeded the 1,000 unit mark. The five-year average for new listings in May is 989.

While more homes were listed in May, it continues to be a seller’s market in Waterloo region and across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) as inventories remain tight at near or less than one month of inventory.

The average sales price of all residential sales increased 31 per cent to $496,664 compared to May 2016. Detached homes sold for an average price of $594,047 an increase of 35.3 per cent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $293,158, an increase of 25.8 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $361,198 (up 30 per cent) and $383,819 (up 29.3 per cent) respectively.

Ongoing demand for homes in Waterloo region has resulted in a shorter sales cycle. The average days on market in May was 12, compared to 24 days a year ago. On a month to month basis, it took two additional days on average from list to sale date in May compared to April.

Addressing the Fair Housing Plan that was announced by the Ontario government in April, the president of the KWAR notes that it is still too soon to know if the measures will have the intended cooling effect on the market. "For now, home sales are still booming, and prices are going strong. While we continued to see big year-over year price gains in May, the overall residential average price did dip 3 per cent compared to April." One month does not make a trend Craig concedes, but the spike in listings last month may have contributed to the flatter prices.

Contact me at www.kimlouie.net for a free Home Value Report or to chat about the real estate market in your neighbourhood!