MOLD IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN HOMES!

Mold can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces if it is not controlled. Mold begins growing indoors when spores come in contact with wet surfaces or substances. Mold that gets established can be very difficult to remove so preventing it from happening in the first place is the key. Most molds that we find on window sills and in the showers can be cleaned with detergent and brush. Some Big Box Stores carry cleaners with concrobium that are designed to kill the mold and leave an invisible film behind that will kill spores for a short period of time.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has a good publication that can be downloaded from cmhc.ca called Fighting Mold the Home Owners Guide # 60516or simply send me an email I can send one to you.

MOLD PREVENTION

Mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. Moisture can take the form of leaks, spills, condensation, and humidity, so controlling sources of moisture is the most important step in mold prevention. Here are some ways to avoid creating conditions in which mold will thrive. Look for signs of leaks in supply and waste lines for bathrooms, kitchens, utility sinks, and laundry areas. Have any leaks fixed and dry the area thoroughly.

• Check the condition of grout and tile on shower walls, floors, and around bathtubs.Repair damaged grout, and seal it to prevent mold from being absorbed.
• Increase ventilation to the outside by using exhaust fans, attic ventilation Regularly empty and clean drain pans and hoses for air conditioning units and dehumidifiers.
• Check for roof leaks that allow water to enter attic spaces or build up under roof shingles.
• If possible, lower the overall humidity in the home to decrease condensation and create a less mold-friendly environment.
• Open blinds and Curtains to let the air dry out damp areas.
• Open closet doors to ventilate these spaces, discard moldy boxes.

Be especially diligent in and around areas of your home that tend to stay or are damp. Bathrooms and shower areas may be more difficult to keep entirely free of mold. Diligent cleaning, opening a window or installing a suitable sized ventilation fan are often enough to keep mold at bay.

MOLD REMOVAL

Once mold has become established in the home it can be difficult to eradicate. Depending on the location and severity of the mold problem, a homeowner may need to engage a professional certified in mold remediation to remove it. A qualified professional will also take preventive measures to lessen the likelihood of recurrences.

Customer Satisfaction is More Important Now Than Ever.

Service is king, and it can make or break a Realtor’s relationship with clients. Nothing beats knowledge, experience, problem-solving and responsiveness. Combining that with good manners will usually endear you to any client and creates the opportunity to have a client for life. It is one thing to talk about excellent customer service, but it is another to make it happen and maintain it in all aspects of business.

Consumers Change Providers Based on Bad Service Nearly As Much as on Price!


It does not matter if I am representing my clients on the Buyers side or on the Sellers side; I always try to provide the best customer service by providing relevant research, information and insight so my clients can make their decisions with confidence


A recent report ranked consumers responses to the top characteristics of companies with "great service" were:


• Resolving questions and problems (66 %)

• Knowledge of the product or service (49 %)

• Being easy to reach (35 %)
• Understanding requirements (35 %)


 Conversely, top characteristics associated with "bad service" were:


• Inability to resolve questions or problems (46 %)

• Being unavailable/difficult to reach (38 %)

• Needing to deal with multiple people/departments to resolve problems (37 %)


Real Estate is a great career and job and I love it and it is reflected in the service I provide my clients.




Watch this Great Video

SCOTT ROY
RE/MAX JAZZ
21 Drew Street
Oshawa, Ontaio
(905)728-1600 Office
(905)435-7355 Direct

First Time Home Buyers Report

Click on the title of this article to watch the video prepared by Michael Polzler


Despite homeownership rates approaching 70 per cent, there is clearly room for growth as entry-level buyers make their moves from coast-to-coast, undeterred by higher housing values and changes to lending criteria” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada.

Michael went on to say that Inventory levels, while tight in several larger centres, are more balanced overall, giving first-time buyers a good selection of housing product from which to choose. Not surprisingly, condominium apartments and town homes have become the first step for many entry-level purchasers.

There are many pockets in Whitby and Oshawa that have Townhomes available. Simply Contact me and I can help you or someon you know find that entry level home you have been looking for.

SCOTT ROY

RE/MAX JAZZ 

21 Drew Street

Oshawa, Ontaio

(905)728-1600 Office

(905)435-7355 Direct

First Time Buyers in the GTA

The Following Information was taken From a recent RE/MAX Article about First Time Home Buyers across Canada in 2011 - it targeted specific areas across Canada. This section is specifically about the GTA but only mentions the Suburban areas in a fleeting second (see the bold areas) I have used this article to help support the premise that First time home buyers should look to areas such as Whitby Oshawa, Brooklin, Courtice and Bowmanville. Not Mention some of the areas to the north of there such as Uxbridge or Port Perry. many of these areas will be a very short commute to Toronto when the 407 is completed. Take for example the Express Go train departing Oshawa Station can have you Downtown in 45 Minutes. What's even better is most of these areas are becoming areas of employment and have many of the conveniences offered in the city of Toronto.

RE/MAX Article:

First-time purchasers, working in tandem with move-up buyers, have bolstered home-buying activity in the Greater Toronto Area so far this year. While the 10,518 sales recorded to date are 14 per cent off the 12,176 reported during the same period one year ago, the strength of the market overall has been hampered by limited inventory levels. In February alone, new listings were off by nine per cent and active listings were down by one per cent. As a result, 14 key districts in the east, west, and centre core experienced sales to list ratios of 100 per cent or more. Days on market have fallen to 27 in February, down from 36 one month earlier. Average price continues to climb, up five per cent in February, and five per cent year-to-date, now hovering at $442,978. For buyers entering the market for the first time, freehold opportunities in the city are few and far between under the $300,000 price point, about two thirds of average price. Condominiums have become the first step to home ownership in the GTA, with approximately 63 per cent (1,927 units) selling under the $300,000 threshold, compared to freehold properties at 37 per cent (1,128 units). C01, bordered by Lake Ontario to the south, Yonge St. to the east, Dufferin St. to the west, and Bloor St. to the north, home to Toronto’s condominium boom, is the hub of new and resale activity in the GTA. Just 77 resale apartment and town house units are currently listed for sale under $275,000 in the district, which has prompted competitive offers in recent weeks. King St. West and Liberty Village attract the lion’s share of first-time buyers, many of whom are young, single, and work in the downtown core. To the east, the Distillery District (Corktown) is gaining traction with entry-level purchasers who are drawn to product and price. Buyers on a tighter budget can reduce the cost of owning a condominium apartment by foregoing the parking spot, which could add as much as $40,000 to the final price tag. Young families seeking affordable freehold properties may find older homes in neighbourhoods like East York, Leslieville, parts of Scarborough, Humewood, Weston, New Toronto, Mimico, and Longbranch, starting at $400,000. Although greater value can be realized in the city’s suburban communities, some first-time purchasers are digging deep to live in central core neighbourhoods, especially those located on the subway line. It appears that today’s real estate purchasers are prepared to make sacrifices to realize homeownership, much like previous generations. Many now come to the table with a reasonable down payment —with a little help from their parents—and realistic expectations. As such, recent changes to mortgage rules have not deterred purchasers in the GTA. Given an improving economic picture and the threat of higher interest rates, home-buying activity is expected to continue unabated throughout the remainder of the year.