Edmonton Real Estate News

RealNews

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http://realedmonton.com/search/featured/

This Vancouver article covers stories of families in Vancouver trying to make it with the high cost of housing there, and then typically moving to more affordable cities such as Edmonton.

Here in Edmonton, anyone willing to work for a living can buy a house. We see our move to Edmonton as a permanent exit from the Lower Mainland, with little expectation that we will ever be able to afford to move back. Not a problem though — the sun always shines in Edmonton.

Top three innovations to improve home efficiency

(NC)—Our homes are a great measuring stick of how far we've progressed in the past 20 years, especially when it comes to their efficiency in terms of saving us energy and money.

Here are the top three innovative technologies that can improve the efficiency of our homes:

Home Automation

It wasn't that long ago that an automated home was a focus of science fiction. Today, adding the convenience and control of our indoor climate, lighting, electronic media and home security, is increasingly affordable and accessible through home PCs, smart phone and tablet applications. With home monitoring systems you can track energy and water usage in real time, spot key sources of energy loss and make immediate adjustments.

Insulation

If your home is more than 10 years-old, there's a good chance it has fibreglass or cellulose insulation behind its walls. While these were once the insulations of choice, there are many holes in these technologies. Since they are difficult to install perfectly and can sag or settle over time, they can leave gaps and seams. It's like leaving a window open 24 hours a day in the freezing cold.
Experts remind us that insulation advancements (like those from leading innovator Icynene) have brought us spray foam insulation options that won't settle, sag or leave any gaps. Spray foam acts as an air barrier and can deliver up to 50 per cent energy savings over older insulation options, while making our homes healthier, quieter and more comfortable. You can compare insulation options at www.icynene.com.

Appliances and HVAC

Appliances and heating/cooling systems are essential in Canadian homes—and not surprisingly, they are constantly undergoing improvements. New energy-efficient refrigerators use less than half the energy of models that are 12 years old and use 75 per cent less energy than those produced in the late 1970s. (Source: National Resources Defense Council).
If you have a conventional natural-draft furnace made before 1992 it might only operate between 55 to 78 per cent efficiency. Upgrading to a new induced-draft condensing furnace can increase efficiency to above 90 per cent as a result of more efficient heat exchangers and electronic ignition(Source: Mother Earth News).

www.newscanada.com

Our Edmonton Economy Is On A Roll

According to a report put out by CIBC, Edmonton is the second-best city in Canada, in terms of economic momentum.

"If you look at Edmonton, the labour market is doing much better, population is rising, investment is rising, the real estate market is doing fine," said Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist with CIBC World Markets and author of the report. "Edmonton is still up there."

Read the complete Edmonton Journal story here.

Tips for Buying That Perfect Home

(NC)—You have finished school and you've managed to land yourself a decent job. Finally in a position where you are financially stable, and you may be ready to take the next step in your life and buy a house. No more having to deal with crazy roommates or strict landlords. But first, you have to find that perfect house.

It is often easy to narrow down the specific elements you want in a house, besides providing a roof over your head. How many square feet is it, does it have a lawn, is it in a great location; but it is important to consider your budget when dreaming up your ideal dwelling. Since this is your first house, you can take advantage of the Home Buyers' Plan which allows you to withdraw up to $25,000 from your registered retirement savings plan to buy or build a qualifying home.

Once you've finally chosen a house and put down the deposit, all that's left to do is pack up your belongings. Then, once tax season rolls around, you may be able to claim $5000 as the first-time home buyer's amount. This is a non-refundable tax credit representing tax savings of up to $750. You can find out if you qualify online at www.cra.gc.ca/hbtc.

www.newscanada.com

Save money on your home insurance

(NC)—You can't put a price tag on the peace-of- mind your home insurance offers you. Or can you?

It's true that you can sleep soundly at night knowing that your home, possessions and property are covered, and that your legal liability for injury or property damage to others is covered, but premiums are sometimes expensive. How does one lower insurance premiums without losing sleep?

James Savage, executive vice president of Western Financial Group, a leading western Canadian provider of insurance services, points out that we do have options when it comes to home insurance, as follows:

• Shop around. Get quotes from several insurance carriers. Insurance brokers, such as Western, will do the legwork for you, obtaining quotes from several insurance companies and providing you with a comparison so that you can choose the best option.

• Ask about discounts. Some insurance providers offer discounts if you bundle your home and auto policies, if you have a security system, if you stay with that company for a certain number of years, or if you have a sprinkler system. Find out what types of discounts each insurance provider offers.

• If you're in the process of buying a home, choose wisely. The age of a home's heating, plumbing and electrical systems, and the construction and location of your home can make a difference in your premium. Talk with an insurance broker about ideal home characteristics.

• Consider a higher deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket toward a claim before your insurance begins to pay. Raising your deductible—from $500 to $1,000, for example—will reduce your monthly premium. Make sure the deductible is a number you're comfortable with, though.

• Conduct an annual review of your policy. You might find areas in which you can reduce your coverage. For example, if your possessions have depreciated, you might choose to lower your policy limits in that area.

www.newscanada.com

Could a 30-year fixed mortgage happen in Canada?

An Edmonton Journal article asks a valid question, even if the title of the article is a bit misleading…

Turchansky: Do Canadians need 30-year mortgages?

We already have 30-year mortgages in Canada. What the article is actually asking (and what many of the commenters appear to have missed) is if Canada should have 30-year locked-in fixed-rate mortgages (i.e. a mortgage that remains XX% and monthly payments that never change throughout its entire 30 year term).

Edmonton financial adviser Shawn Allen of InvestorsFriend Inc. has been prodding financial writers to lobby financial institutions to offer Canadians an “affordable” 30-year locked-in mortgage, insured and with minimum penalties for refinancing.

Currently, it’s most common to take out a 25 or 30 year mortgage, but with a 5 year term. That means the interest rate (and payments) stay fixed for the next 5 years. But at the end of 5 years, it’s time to renew, and if interest rates have skyrocketed in that time, there could be a staggering increase in monthly payments. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage may be an attractive option for anyone who plans to stay in a home long-term, and who wants the security of knowing their monthly payment will never go up, from the time they buy the home until it’s completely paid off. What are your thoughts?

Read the complete Edmonton Journal story here…

Nice home, quiet complex, rare find

It's not often a home in this well-maintained, quiet complex comes up for sale. Now's your chance to own a move-in-ready home complete with all appliances (1 yr new washer, dryer and stove), newer furnace, hot water tank, shingles, windows, doors, paint, laminate flooring, light fixtures and more. There's even a new free-standing electric fireplace included. The basement is finished with plenty of space for a rec room, theatre room or extra storage. Out front, enjoy the convenience of two parking stalls directly in front of your door. And visitor parking is available just a few steps away for your guests. Your spacious fenced yard features a deck and garden shed. And you're close to plenty of amenities including schools, shopping, transportation and more. Nothing to do here but move in and enjoy. Don't miss this opportunity.

http://realedmonton.com/search/featured/

A Good Edmonton Real Estate Market for 2012?

According to BMO’s deputy chief economist, Edmonton may be one of the hottest real estate markets in Canada in 2012.

“Calgary (average price: $399,000) and Edmonton ($320,000) have seen stable prices in recent years even as Alberta easily recorded the strongest employment growth in the country in 2011," he says. If oil prices hold around $90 US a barrel or more in the coming year, "look for those two cities to lead the way for hottest housing markets in 2012," says Porter.

I guess time will tell.

Read the complete Edmonton Journal story...

Take this insulation tour for a real energy savings trip

(NC)—Did you know that a third of all air leakage in a home can be attributed to walls, floors and ceilings? You might think your home is well insulated, but if it has conventional air permeable fibreglass or cellulose insulation, gaps, seams or damage could compromise its performance.

Taking a tour of your home's insulation may not sound like much fun, but it could be a sound investment in energy and money savings. Here's a checklist for the four key stops to make on your tour, courtesy of the industry specialists at Icynene and at www.icynene.com:

Stop #1—The Attic

• Look out for sagging insulation batts or gaps.

• Are there any signs of moisture or mould on the insulation?

• Make sure soffit vents are not covered by insulation to maintain airflow.

Stop #2—The Basement

• Check insulation around the rim joists (where your first floor meets the basement foundation walls) for gaps.

• Seal any penetrations that go through the basement ceiling to the floor above, including those for electrical and plumbing service.

• Look for signs of moisture or mould on the insulation.

Stop #3—The Crawl Space

• Make sure the floor above a crawlspace is well insulated to keep heat from escaping into the crawlspace and to make your floors more comfortable.

• Check to make sure insulation has a moisture barrier or consider Icynene's closed cell spray foam insulation option that can provide a built-in vapour barrier.

• Check for signs of moisture or mould on the insulation.

Stop #4—The Room Over the Garage

• Is the room too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer? It might benefit from spray foam insulation for complete air sealing and proper adhesion to the garage ceiling.

• Look for sagging insulation batts and gaps.

• Check for signs of moisture on the insulation.

www.newscanada.com

Canadian real estate in the “middle of the pack” globally: Report

A report from Scotiabank Group says average house prices in Canada continue to rise, although Edmonton was the only city listed that prices actually fell from 2010 to 2011.

Of the major Canadian cities listed in the report, Edmonton was the only city to experience a real estate price drop between 2010 and 2011.

Housing affordability improves slightly

RBC has put out a new report indicating low interest rates are keeping house prices in Canada affordable.

A new report finds low interest rates are keeping Canadian house prices within reach of homebuyers in many markets.

Read the full article...

Winter Grilling Tips & Tricks

(NC)—Barbecuing isn't just for the lazy days of summer. Delicious grilled meals are easy to prepare year-round. Here are a few tips for winter barbecuing that are important to remember before you get the snow shovel out.
• Always pre-heat your barbecue. Pre-heat to 400º f – 450º f at minimum, and adjust the temperature from there. Remember, if food doesn't sizzle when you put it on the grill, your barbecue is not hot enough.
• If you are grilling with charcoal, include more charcoal for increased pre-heating time and extra heat while grilling.
• Cooking times may change with extreme cold; always use an instant read thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked thoroughly.
• Grill with the lid down – heat loss on a cold day is significantly greater than a warm summer day – keeping your barbecue at a consistent temperature will be very difficult with the lid open.
• When grilling on a windy day, try to reduce your exposure to the wind – if grilling at lower temperatures, keep an eye on your barbecue to ensure that it does not blow out. If you do need to move your barbecue out of the wind, keep minimum clearances in mind to avoid damaging your deck or home.
• Clear a work area around your barbecue – this won't impact cooking time, but having enough room to work without filling your boots with snow makes for a much more enjoyable barbecue experience and avoids any untimely slips or falls.
• Lighting – several lighting options are available – some barbecues have built in lighting, and add-on handle lights are available so you're not grilling in the dark. Broil King offers a variety of lighting options for their barbecues.
• Never use your barbecue indoors, in your garage, or in an enclosed area. Carbon Monoxide accumulation, accidental fire damage, and smoke damage are all possible – it's not worth the risk.
More information on grilling and great recipe ideas is available at www.broilkingbbq.com
Clear off that barbecue and get grilling!
www.newscanada.com

Fantastic Find in Hairsine

Fantastic find in Hairsine. Welcome to your 4 level split with lots of room for the whole family. Brand new Ikea kitchen with plenty of cupboard space, large dining room for your oversized table, beautiful living room with bay window and fireplace. Upstairs you will find a 4 piece master bathroom with new toilet, sink and cabinets, large master bedroom with a 4 piece ensuite with jacuzzi tub. The master bedroom can be converted back to 2 bedrooms. On the third level you will find the 3rd bedroom, 2 piece bathroom with new toilet and sink, washer and dryer and access to the attached insulated and drywalled garage. At the back of the garage is plenty of storage with access to the outside. The basement is almost finished with plenty of storage under the stairs. The back yard is full of beautiful perennials ready to go. Two storage sheds are included. The furnace is about 10 years old, there is new flooring and fresh paint throughout the home. Play centre in the back yard is included.

http://realedmonton.com/search/featured/

Tips for a Greener Edmonton Lawn

Click photo to watch video

There are a few tips to mowing lawns correctly. Done right, mowing can reduce the need to use any additional herbicides in your Edmonton yard. Growing a good stand of healthy grass makes it more difficult for weeds to sprout. Mowing too seldom or too short can cause the yard to turn brown and permit lawn diseases to attack the already stressed grass.

Preserving a proper height is essential. Most varieties of turf ought be cut when the blades grow to four inches high. Allowing a lawn to grow higher than this may cause a lawn to go into shock when it's finally cut. Using mulching blades return the grass clippings to the soil where they become their own fertilizer.

Except for a few short southern grasses, the mower height should be set to three inches. Many home owners clip the grass too short, thinking that they will not have to mow again so soon. But trimming it too short can also shock the grass. Taller grass will stay greener. It shades the soil and prevents weeds from germinating.

Grass grows at different rates throughout the growing season. Differences in the amount of rain, light, and temperature all influence the rate of growth. Your mowing schedule needs to adjust to the height of the grass and not be scheduled to conform to a calendar. When the lawn grows most quickly in the spring, it usually needs to be cut more often. During a dry season, it may require cutting only every other week.

Maintaining the lawn properly and on a regular basis will save work in the long run.

Copyright AgentMapIt AgentMapit BlogEasy

How to Tile a Bathroom Floor

If laying ceramic tile in your Edmonton and area home is a mystery to you, you're not alone. This video should help. If you're not sure of yourself you should probably try this out on a floor area that isn't so obvious as a bathroom or kitchen.

This video from Home Depot shows how to lay tile in a bathroom floor in your Edmonton and area home. The demo uses 2 inch x 2 inch mosaic tiles pre-mounted on mesh-backed sheets. Consult with any established building materials store in the Edmonton area for details and prices.

Copyright AgentMapIt BlogEasy

Selling your home begins in the kitchen

(NC)—The home seller understands the way to any potential homebuyer's heart is through the kitchen. Over the years, the kitchen has shed its once humble beginnings as a place to simply prepare and serve meals, to more of a place where friends can socialize over a glass of wine or where children can do their homework. With the kitchen becoming one of the most multi-dimensional and functional rooms in the house, kitchen renovations have attracted the attention of many who are looking to increase their home's resale value or would simply just like to enjoy the improvements to their home.

Nevertheless, many sellers would rather not deal with the expense and length of the project before they sell their home. But for many, kitchen renovation can mean top return for the prospective home sellers. According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, kitchen renovations represent a 75% - 100% return on investment, which is the second highest return in the home, next to bathroom renovations.

Fortunately, home renovation is not as difficult as one might expect; the recent expansion of renovation centres across the country has led to a burgeoning “do-it-yourself” project culture. The “do-it-yourself” renovation can be a cost-effective way to increase the value of your home without the high price of a trained professional.

Here are a few steps you can take to increase the equity in your home.

According to Rona.ca, kitchen cupboards are one of the best investments one can make in terms of return on investment on the home. Many homebuyers' first impressions of the home take place in the kitchen, and much of that is highlighted by the kitchen cupboards. By spending a few more dollars on high quality cabinetry and hardware (knobs and handles on cabinets), you can expect your investment to reward you handsomely.

By either painting the walls and/or cabinets, it will update the look of the kitchen with minimal costs and make the room more spacious.

Lighting is often one of the last fixtures to be considered, and often forgotten when the kitchen is remodeled. But by adding new light sources to the kitchen, it can be a great way to bring together architectural and decorative balance to a room. Good lighting can highlight certain features of a kitchen such as the backsplash to create a more colourful and robust look.

Every kitchen needs a sink and faucet. But when it comes to the resale of the home, few home sellers see the value of replacing the sink. “The faucet and sink are one of the most important features of a kitchen. When homebuyers enter the room, they naturally gravitate toward the sink and test out the faucets”, says Mike Mazza of Mazza Renovation Group Inc, “it provides a sense of hearth for many buyers because they spend a majority of their time in the kitchen”.

Financing your “do-it-yourself” project can be quite overwhelming. Many renovation centres offer financing options, but usually charge up to 18% interest rate after the introductory “interest-free” period is over. For a more prudent option to finance your project, visit your local financial institution. Financial institutions such as CIBC can offer a lower interest rate than those typically found at renovation centres. The CIBC Home Power Line of Credit allows would-be renovators the option to pay a lower rate of interest (because it uses the equity in your home) and offers the flexibility of interest-only payments. By going to your local financial institution rather than the renovation centre for your financing needs, you can save hundreds of dollars on interest.

More information on CIBC lending products can be found at your nearest branch, toll-free at 1 800 465-CIBC (2422) or online at www.cibc.com/ca/loans.

Home inventories add peace of mind

(NC)—Every day we see news reports of homes being destroyed by fire or devastated by flood waters. Even more numerous are the unpublicized instances of break-ins and home thefts. For the most part, these accounts fade into the background as we think to ourselves –“it's okay, I have insurance.” And while the peace of mind that property insurance provides allows us all to sleep at night, most don't realize what a traumatic experience these events can be.

“Trying to remember all of the items in your home can add to an already stressful event. Having an inventory of items in your home is one of the best ways to prepare yourself,” states Stefanie Hay, insurance and claims expert with Aviva Canada.

Besides helping ensure you have the right amount of insurance, an inventory will help settle your insurance claim faster and verify losses for your income tax return.

Sure, but who has time to go through every item in their home? The task need not be onerous and can be as easy as taking a video account of each room in your home.

Many insurance companies also prepare content lists that can act as a helpful starting point. A list from AvivaCanada.com recommends separating the contents into categories:

• Clothing, books, tools, toys, bicycles, and other items

• Jewelry, silverware and other valuables

• Computer equipment, gaming consoles and software

Whether you conduct a video or written inventory of your home, don't forget to keep your inventory in a safety deposit box or at a trusted home. That way you'll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is damaged. You should also keep a record of legal documents, such as birth certificates and passports, and financial documents, such as bank account and insurance policies on your inventory.

Rate guarantees can save thousands on your mortgage

(NC)—If you could save about $1,800 on your mortgage over the next five years with one simple step, would you? Most Canadians don't, because they don't take full advantage of mortgage rate guarantees offered by banks.

A recent Angus Reid survey commissioned by ING Direct found that 40% of Canadians wait until the last minute to apply or get pre-approved for their mortgage. Getting ahead of the game by applying for your mortgage sooner will enable you to guarantee the best rate at that time which can save you money over the long term.

A rate guarantee is a bank's commitment to mortgage applicants that guarantees their lowest rate for a set period of time – usually up to 90 days, and in some cases 120 days before they fund their mortgage. You secure their best rate and are protected from rate increases when you apply or get pre-approved for a mortgage, and if the rates go down during the guarantee period, you automatically get the lowest rate.

To save money. The survey found that many Canadians wait until 30 days or less before their closing date to apply or get pre-approved for a mortgage, meaning they only use about a quarter of the time available. Analysis shows that if you used the full rate guarantee period, you could save another 0.18 per cent on average – about a $1,800 over five years on a $200,000 mortgage balance with a 25 year amortization, five year fixed term, paid monthly with 6.96% rate (average posted five year fixed rate over last 10 years).

Most banks offer pre-approvals to help determine how much you can afford on your new home. All you need to provide are some basic details such as available down payment and household income. With a pre-approval, you have the piece of mind to shop with confidence knowing how much home you can afford.

To give Canadians even more piece of mind and the opportunity to get the best rate available for a first mortgage or for those with an existing mortgage looking to switch lenders, ING Direct offers a rate hold. The rate hold only asks for a few details such as your contact information and the approximate amount you want to borrow, while allowing you to secure that best rate for 120 days. It is a great option if you're not ready to apply for a pre-approval or for a mortgage.

If you're in the market for a mortgage, play it smart and take advantage of all the available tools to get the best rate you can. Applying early is the easiest way to save your money on one of the most important purchases you'll ever make.

Electricity: Better safe than sorry

(NC)—Today's life is chock full of a multitude of small repetitive acts, most of them completely ordinary, where electricity plays a lead role. Now, although “Electricity” is not a synonym for “danger”, it can nevertheless bring about accidents of many kinds, from insignificant to life threatening.

By following Hydro-Québec's tips for household security, you will be able to avoid accidents and truly enjoy a power source that will give you both comfort and well being.

• Keep your eyes open at all times. In your home, there are many sources of danger, and the possibilities of an accident wherein electricity is a causal factor are numerous. Rooms where water is present – bathrooms, kitchens – require greater vigilance because the presence of water increases the risk of electric shocks. Be careful when using electrical equipment in these rooms: dry your hands as well as possible, and do not allow any electrical appliance or tool to make contact with water.

• Do not use any electrical apparatus whatever – hair dryer, razor, etc. – in the bathroom if the electric outlet is not equipped with a protection system (differential circuit breaker).

• Always unplug electric cooking devices (electric frying pans, casseroles, etc.) before cleaning them.

• Always disconnect the humidifier, steam iron, and coffee machine before filling them with water.

• Do you use several electrical devices? Use several different electrical outlets.

• Do you have unused electrical devices? Unplug them.

• Do you need additional outlets? Use a power bar equipped with a surge protector.

• Is your device already plugged in? Use extra caution.

• Did a slice of bread get caught in the toaster? Disconnect the toaster BEFORE removing the bread.

• Does a light bulb need to be changed? Unplug the lamp BEFORE removing the old bulb.

Preparing your home for spring

(NC)—The beginning of a new season is the time to inspect your home to help flag potential trouble areas and identify opportunities to freshen up its look. To help take the guesswork out of home maintenance this spring, the team at Canadian Tire has the following maintenance checklist for the interior and exterior of the home.

• Inspect furnace filters to assess if the filter should be replaced. Filters should be changes every 90 days or sooner. As a tip to remember – write the date on the front of the filter when installing it so you know when it is due to be replaced

• Replace batteries and check all smoke detectors, CO2 monitors and fire extinguishers. Also re-assess your planned fire escape route to ensure it is still the most convenient and safest option for your family.

• Check that home security alarms as well as interior door and window locks are in good, working condition.

• Adjust thermostat for seasonal temperature changes. The honeywell 7-day programmable thermostat, available at Canadian Tire, is a great option as it can be programmed to provide optimal comfort and energy savings for each day of the week.

• If your home has a basement, walk from corner to corner of the room, looking for any signs of cracks or leaks.

• Spring is the perfect time to do some cleaning and organizing. Canadian Tire has an entire assortment of garage organization products to help organize any garage and maximize space.

• Inspect the driveway for any cracks. Paving the driveway will keep it looking new and protect against weather-damage. While there many options for re-paving the driveway, asphalt is a more cost effective option, making it one of the more popular choices.

• Check the exterior of the home for peeling paint. The average exterior paint job lasts five to eight years, but can be prolonged with annual touch-ups. Scrape, sand and repaint any patches that are peeling before the wood deteriorates.

• Trim bushes, shrubs and plants back at least 18 inches from the house, as they can cause moisture damage.

• Clear the roof of all debris. Look for missing, slipped, sagging shingles on the roof and replace as necessary. Also, be sure to clean out the eaves trough as this is a popular spot for leaves and twigs.

Don't let rodents rule your home

(NC)—Rodents remain a year-round threat to Canadian homeowners. Unfortunately, your home provides everything a rodent could ask for – ample access to food, water and shelter.

During the colder months, warm-blooded rodents head indoors just as humans do. Once inside for the winter, they loathe to head back outside, where accommodations are not so cozy and meals not so easy to come by.

Known disease carriers, rodents can threaten the health of your family by spreading Salmonella, Hantavirus and other disease-causing germs. They also have been known to cause fires by gnawing through electrical wiring.

“Rodents can reproduce rapidly once inside your home,” says Bill Melville, a 35-year pest management veteran and quality assurance director for Orkin PCO Services (orkincanada.com). “Just one pair of mice can produce up to 200 offspring in four months.”

To help prevent rodent infestations, Melville suggests the following:

• Seal any holes around the exterior of your home with copper wool and weather-proof sealant. Rodents only need a hole the size of a dime to enter.

• Trim back landscaping. Rodents don't like to be out in the open and will use overgrown shrubs as cover when trying to enter your home.

• Store all food in re-sealable containers and cover trash receptacles with a tight fitting lid.

• Vacuum regularly to eliminate food debris and never leave dirty dishes in the sink.

“By eliminating pests' access to food, water and shelter you can significantly reduce your chances for an infestation,” says Melville. “Prevention goes a long way in keeping rodents out of your home.”

Think you already have an infestation? Melville points to these signs indicating rodents are in the home:

• Chew marks – Rodents gnaw constantly, so keep an eye out for chew marks around baseboards and door frames.

• Droppings – Rat droppings are the size of a raisin while mouse droppings are the size of a grain of rice.

• Rub marks – Rodents have poor eyesight so they tend to rub against a wall while traveling and use the same path repeatedly. Look for greasy rub marks along the wall.

If you spot any of these signs, call a licensed pest management professional to evaluate the problem and determine the best treatment options for your home.

Outdoor room trends

(NC)—This summer, many Canadians may be considering staying closer to home and enjoying more time with family and friends right in their own backyard. With a wide assortment of affordable yet stylish products, the outdoor room team at Canadian Tire has the following trends to help homeowners create the perfect relaxing and stylish backyard.

Comfortable furniture is vital to creating a relaxing outdoor space. When choosing outdoor pieces, approach the selection the same way you would with indoor furniture. Look for items that are both stylish and comfortable. Available at Canadian Tire is the enso daybed - ideal for curling up with a good book or for using as a couch for guests.

Due to its versatile seating options, modular furniture continues to be a popular trend in patio collections. The enso conversation set, available at Canadian Tire, includes pieces that can be separated or combined with other sets to fit any size and shape backyard. Made with a resin wicker base, the enso conservation set features brightly-coloured thick, red cushions that inject colour and life into any space.

An emerging trend in outdoor rooms is conversation sets that can be used for both relaxing and dining. They often have cushioned seats for optimal comfort, while still conveying a contemporary and stylish look. Canadian Tire has some great conversation sets this season, in particular, the jameson la-z-boy collection which allows for superior comfort and relaxation.

Whether it be solar LED's, battery-operated lights, string lights or candles, creating ambience is essential for outdoors. Use lights to illuminate a pathway, create a fun visual for a party or set the mood for an intimate dinner party. Candles or lanterns can be grouped together on tabletops, placed about the yard or deck, by the poolside or staggered down a stairway. Solar lighting is a particularly good option as it not only helps homeowners save money on their electricity bill, but is also convenient, turning on and off automatically.

Add that personal flair to your outdoor space with accessories such as lawn ornaments, and stepping stones. Complete the look for dinner parties by choosing a coordinated, acrylic dining set complete with tableware, stemware, placemats and napkins.

Outdoor art such as wall plaques and ornaments also add interest and personality to any space. While you don't want to clutter your look by choosing too many pieces, selecting a couple of unique signature products will help bring out your personality and take your stylish backyard to a whole new level.

Finally, if you are decorating on a budget conscious wallet, choose furniture with timeless frame colours such as taupe, chocolate brown or black and update or refresh the look by adding colour with new throw cushions.

Build the ultimate outdoor retreat

(NC)—When renovating a home, people often forget one of the most important components: the outdoor space. If done right, your yard can become more than an extension of your home - it can be your very own private escape! An outdoor space needs to be designed and decorated with the same care and attention as a kitchen or bedroom. From choosing the right furniture, to adding the right decorative compliments, here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when creating an outdoor retreat.

Do you want to use your space to host parties, relax in a zen-inspired garden, or give your children a space where they can play? How you plan on using the space will determine what type of furniture you need. And with outdoor furniture, you can be a little more creative: chairs can be replaced with recliners, swings, loungers or even hammocks. Decorative accents are also essential: throw a few colourful pillows on your outdoor furniture or put an area rug under your outdoor patio set. As long as fashion meets function, almost anything goes.

While you don't have to worry about rain resistant finishes on your living room couch, the same cannot be said for your patio furnishings. It is important to keep the climate in mind when choosing your outdoor furniture. For example, if you live in a windy area, select heavier furniture as lighter plastic chairs are likely to turn up on your neighbour's lawn! If you experience heavy, regular rainfall, try to stay away from materials like rod iron that are more likely to rust. And to lengthen the life of your outdoor pieces, make sure to store your patio furniture when weather isn't in your favour.

The days of hiding outdoor pillows in a boring and old plastic bin are long gone. If you build storage needs into your outdoor design, your weather sensitive pieces – such as pillows and tablecloths – will have a home all season long. And today you don't even have to worry about finding the perfect match as many outdoor furniture sets include beautiful deck boxes that help pull the look of your outdoor space together.

Like any room in your house lighting is key and when it comes to the outdoors, solar powered lights are a great option. Solar lights are environmentally friendly – which is great news for the green-minded consumer who's looking to save on their energy bills. Installation is also easy as there is no wiring or plugs to worry about! And with so many styles to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect one to brighten up your own outdoor space.

With the right tools and tips, setting up a fun and functional outdoor space doesn't need to be an overwhelming project. For more tips on how to create the ultimate outdoor retreat, visit www.homedepot.ca.

Mark Cullen battles the myths of green gardening

(NC)—Coast-to-coast, Canadians are searching for new ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Springtime provides an opportunity to extend environmentally-friendly practices to the outdoors, but many homeowners question whether they can achieve lush results without pest-fighting chemicals.

“There's a myth that eco-friendly gardening equals sparse lawns and feeble plants,” said Mark Cullen, Home Hardware's gardening expert and author of The Canadian Garden Primer. “Homeowners can create a healthy and natural environment by focusing on eliminating toxins through pesticide-free solutions and incorporating robust native and indigenous plants that do not need an abundance of water to survive the summer heat.”

Mark Cullen gives gardeners the facts when it comes to gardening:

False. Conserve water by using mulch to keep soil moist, capturing rainfall in water barrels and placing soaking hoses in your garden to uniformly soak the soil. For best results, install hoses beneath a layer of mulch to further reduce moisture loss.

False. Think local and cultivate native and indigenous plants to increase natural biodiversity cycles. Best suited to survive local weather conditions, native plants also have a greater tolerance towards local pests.

False. Cultivate an organic food source and grow vegetables and herbs in your garden or in a container. Not only is this a practical approach, but the plants will complement your overall garden and ease the pressure on your bottom line.

False. Use compost materials to help cultivate your garden by naturally enriching the soil with nutrients that will enable your plants to thrive.

More information on how to create an environmentally-friendly garden is available online at www.homehardware.ca.

Edmonton Real Estate News and Information

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