David Gharat : seniors

Showing posts with label seniors. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Your Home, Your Investment: Low Maintenance Gardening

So you want a nice garden or yard where you can relax and entertain your family and friends but you don’t want to be a slave to keeping it looking up. While there is no such thing as a no maintenance garden, you can look at a low maintenance landscaping plan that requires minimal effort to maintain.

What is low maintenance landscaping?

A low maintenance landscape reduces the amount and frequency gardening activities. The type and number of features and plants will determine the amount and frequency of watering, weeding, pruning, deadheading and dividing you will need to invest. The best plan will move the frequency of maintenance activities from daily or weekly to monthly or seasonally. As you plan a low maintenance garden, you will want to consider landscaping design features, plant selection and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Landscaping Design Features

What design features will reduce the gardening activities I need to do weekly or daily? As you plan and continuously improve your garden, consider the following design features:

1)   Outdoor Living Areas: Add outdoor living areas such as patios and porches, to reduce the amount of green space that needs to be maintained. It is critical that patios and walkways be built on a solid foundation and in a proper manner. Otherwise, you will have unwanted weeds and ultimately increase your maintenance.

2)   Plant Areas/Flowerbeds: Establish plant areas or flowerbeds with edging, landscape fabric and mulch or river stone. Avoid over-planting flowerbeds. Plan for the mature width and height of plants. Over-crowding can negatively impact the appearance of your garden.

3)   Ground Cover: Do not overlook a grass lawn as part of your design as ground cover. It takes a lot of plants to cover the same space as a grass lawn. Gardens without grasses tend to be warmer.

Plant Selection

As you establish your garden, it will be important to understand the lot conditions and select plants are compatible with those conditions and easy to maintain. Study the information on specific plants online or on labels attached to plants. Consider the following points.

1)   Light and Soil Conditions: Consider what areas are shady, sunny or partially shady or sunny and select plants accordingly. Know whether your soil is sandy or clay-like and select plants accordingly.

2)   Drought-Resistant Plants: Select drought-resistant plants to reduce the need to water. Here are some to consider: Grasses, Marigolds, Portulaca, Sedum, Cricks & Hens, Daylilies, Lavender, etc. Please note that new plants will require more water until they are established.

3)   Slow-Growing Foundation Plants: Select slow-growing foundation plants to reduce the need to prune and trim plants. Limit pruning to 1-2 times per year. Here are some plants to consider: Green Mountain Boxwood, Peonies, Draft Norway Spruce, Blue Fescue Grass, etc.

4)   Perennials: Select more perennials than annuals. Perennials are planted once and come back year after year. Perennials, once established, will have roots deep into the soil, reducing the need to water and the need to deadhead. Annuals need to be planted each year and will require more watering.

Ongoing Maintenance Requirements

Once you have designed your garden to fit your taste and burden level, you will want to look at preventative maintenance as a key part of your plan. Here are some suggestions to help make the garden maintenance so much easier.

1)   Interlocking Stone: Apply polymer sand to the crevices of interlocking patios and walkway blocks to reduce the growth of weeds.

2)   Flowerbed Mulch or Stone: Replenish flowerbed mulch or stone annually, as needed. This will prevent the growth of weeds and improve moisture retention of the soil.

3)   Pruning: Plan to prune or trim your slow-growing foundation plants in the spring and/or fall according to their specific care.

4)   Weeds and Moss: Spray weeds and moss with vinegar. This will not only look after the menace but also prevent future issues.

5)   Gardening Tools: Invest in the proper gardening tools to do the minimal work you need to do. There is an L-shaped weeding tool you could not live without.

Happy Gardening!

David Gharat

www.housecondopro.com

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Your Home, Your Investment: Preparing your home for summer vacation!

It’s summertime and you may be planning to get away to the cottage, the beach or across the country to visit family and friends. If you are planning to be away longer than 3-4 days, you will want take specific steps to prepare and protect your home for while your away. There are several checklists available on the topic. Here is the one we use for preparing and protecting your home room by room.

General:

Home Monitoring: Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check on your house every 3 days. Investigate installing a security system to monitor your home more closely.

Social Media: Do not communicate beyond a trusted group that you will be away. Avoid posting photos on social media while you are away.

Pets: Arrange for care of pets, if necessary.

Home Insurance: Review your home insurance policy to make sure you comply with insurance company requirements.

Yard and Driveway:

Flowers: Arrange to have summer annuals watered daily.

Lawn: Arrange to have lawn mowed if away longer than 2 weeks.

Flood Lights: Install motion-censored floodlights outside your home.

Windows: Close and lock all windows.

Vehicles: Leave vehicles parked as normal, be it in the driveway or in the garage, if possible.

Entry:

Additional key: Have an extra key made for a trusted neighbor or friend.

Mail: Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to collect your mail if you have an outdoor mailbox.

Newspaper: Discontinue the newspaper while you are away.

Air Conditioning: Set temperature 4-5 degrees Celsius higher than normal to save electricity.

Living Room and Bedrooms:

Lamps: Turn on one indoor lamp near a window during the evening hours using a timer or a web application.

Electronics: Unplug all small electronic while you are away to save electricity.

Kitchen:

Perishables: Remove all perishables from your refrigerator that will go bad before your return.

Garbage: Remove all garbage from your inside home. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to put out on Garbage Day.

Recycling: Remove all recycling from inside your home. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to put out on Recycling Day.

Compost: Remove all compost from inside your home. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to put out on Recycling Day.

Dishwasher: Run and empty dishwasher. Leave dishwasher open while you are away.

Basement/Laundry Room:

Laundry: Wash and dry laundry. Make sure last minute dirty items are dry.

Water: Shut off water supply if away longer than 2 weeks. Adjust hot water heater setting to vacation setting, if possible

Relax and enjoy your summer vacation!

David Gharat

www.housecondopro.com

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Your Home, Your Investment: Toronto's Unwanted Guest

What threat causes more damage than tornadoes; hailstorms, windstorms, and hurricanes combined and is not covered by home insurance? It’s Toronto’s Unwanted Guest: Termites.

What are termites and when did they arrive in Toronto?

Termites are small insects that eat wood. This leaves Toronto homes constructed from wood vulnerable to the damage termites can create if left untreated. The damage can range from triggering the need for minor repairs to causing significant structural damage.

Termites are usually found where there is wood to soil contact in sheds or garages, in damp basements and in badly constructed crawlspaces. Termites will not eat concrete, stone, varnish or paint. Termites live in colonies and do not like open air so they can be difficult to spot. To survive, they hide in mud tunnels, wood or soil and build their nests in the ground.

Termites were first found on Cherry Street in 1938, likely coming from the US. From there, termites have spread into several of Toronto’s neighbourhoods, mostly south of Bloor/Danforth Avenues at this point.

What should homeowners know about termites?

Homeowners should be aware that damage caused by termites is NOT covered by most home insurance policies, so homeowners need to detect, treat and prevent termite infestations. Once you know termites are near your home, the sooner you act the better.

How can termites be detected?

Getting a professional termite inspection is the best way to detect a termite infestation. Working from the ground up anywhere wood contacts soil, inspect for the following signs inside and outside of your home:

·      Mud tubes that are brown and clay-like may appear on walls.

·      Termite droppings that look like sawdust piles may appear on the floors near a site.

·      Damage may occur such as peeling paint, rotting wood and sagging floors.

·      After shining a flashlight or banging on a wall, termites themselves may appear.

How are termites treated?

Professional treatment of a termite infestation is recommended. Treatment generally involves safe, odour-free pesticides being sprayed and injected 4 feet into the soil along all exterior walls, the foundation walls and the interior basement floors and walls as well as outside property. Post treatment, you can buy a warranty that can usually be transferred to any future owners. These warranties typically allow for additional treatments, as needed, and also assert that the infestation has been managed.

How is a termite infestation prevented?

After the initial treatment, you will want to look at preventing another infestation. You will want to assess your home and property to identify all areas, big or small, where wood contacts soil. If you have a wood structure that has contact with soil, you will want to place concrete or stone between the structure and the soil. Any cracks in concrete foundations should be repaired as termites can enter your home in this way. These home renovations can go a long way in preventing future problems.

What should potential buyers and investors know about termites?

If you are considering buying a home in a termite-affected area, you should consider doing a termite inspection prior to making an offer. Additionally, if the home has untreated termite damage or has been treated for termites, the seller and the selling real estate agent should disclose this fact. It may not eliminate the home from your list but it is important to be aware of the situation and take into account all factors during the negotiation phase of your purchase.

So remember to treat and prevent unwanted guests, act sooner rather than later and never have any wood contact with soil! Good Luck!

David Gharat

www.housecondopro.com

Monday, July 10, 2017

Driving Around Toronto - For Sale And Open House Signs

Driving around Toronto these days, you actually see For Sale and Open House signs up in neighborhoods. This is exciting! While the last few years have been exciting, I believe his balanced, non-frenzied market is strong with potential benefits for buyers, sellers, and investors.

Whether or not to buy, sell or invest at any given time for any one individual or family depends on many factors. The real estate market and the prices that result from the forces of supply and demand are only some factors to consider. Your current personal, professional and financial goals and milestones will also be key in your decision.

If you are buyer, here are some positives to consider:

· Recent requirements for 20% down payment protect prospective buyers from over-extending their debt.
· With increased supply in the housing market, prospective buyers have more choice, more time to consider different homes and review home inspections.
· Increased tax requirements for foreign buyers tempers the foreign demand somewhat and may be beneficial to buyers who reside in Canada.
· Overtime, once the forces of supply and demand set in, prices may become more stable and predictable and potentially, more affordable.
· Real estate, over time, appreciates and continues to be a very good investment.

· Interest rates remain historically low and any anticipated increase would likely be modest.

If you are a seller, consider the following benefits:

· With more days on the open market, sellers will be in a position to consider best offers over the course of days, not hours.

· Home prices (otherwise seen as asset value) may be more stable and predictable, allowing for better financial and retirement planning.

· If you have been in your home for a while, you can use the value from your home to downsizing and fund an earlier retirement or you can leverage the value from your current home to upsize to your future home.

David Gharat

www.housecondopro.com

Friday, June 30, 2017

Canada’s 150th Birthday

As you celebrate Canada’s 150^th birthday, you may wonder how Canada got started and what we are marking.

First, let's review Canadian history. Back in 1867, following a series of proposals and conferences (Quebec City and Charlottetown), what is now Canada with 10 provinces and three territories was started. The federation, a political union of self-governed provinces under a central (federal) government, included Canada West (Ontario), Canada East (Quebec), New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. These four regions came together and agreed, under the British North America Act, to come together and be called Canada. While Queen Victoria, the British monarch at the time, signed it into law on March 29, 1867, it came into effect on July 1, 1867.

Additional provinces and territories joined the union over time Manitoba and Northwest Territories in 1870, British Columbia in 1871, Prince Edward Island in 1873, Yukon Territory in 1898, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1905, Newfoundland in 1949 and Nunavut in 1999.

Beyond the historical milestone, I believe we are celebrating Canadian values and the richness this union brings to our lives. Although it is somewhat hard to express, you will perhaps view this richness is hinted at through our symbols: the maple leaf, the beaver, the flag or on logos on t-shirts you can buy at this time of year. They read “True North, Strong and Free”, “No matter where I roam, Canada will be always be home” or the simple “Canadian, eh?” For my part, I am grateful to live in a strong country where I am free and encouraged to practice my religion, speak my candid options and pursue my business goals and dreams.

God Bless Canada!

Monday, June 26, 2017

Your Home, Your Investment: Stay Cool with Central Air Conditioning!

Your Home, Your Investment: Stay Cool with Central Air Conditioning!

Summers in Toronto are usually sunny, hot and humid. Even though we love it, the high humidity, hot air temperatures and bright sunshine can sometimes combine to make an uncomfortable indoor environment. An air-conditioning system provides relief by lowering the air temperature and the humidity level your home.

There are a few options open to you and qualified HVAC Specialists can help you determine the system to cool your home. Some options to consider include: a room air conditioner (either window or wall-mounted), a central air conditioner or a heat pump. A room air conditioner works if you are cooling 1-2 rooms. A heat pump may be an option if you are looking for a new heating and cooling system. If you want to cool the entire space of 4 or more rooms and your home already has a furnace to heat your home, investing in central air conditioning may be the best option for you.

How does a central air conditioning system work? Air conditioners, working in conjunction with your existing heating system, manufacture cool air by evaporating refrigerant such as Freon. Basically ,there are coils both inside (for cold air) and outside (for warm air). The units contain a compressor to change Freon into hot, high-pressure gas that travels through the coils. As it does so, it loses its heat and becomes liquid; the liquid in turn goes through a valve and evaporates into cold, low-pressure gas. When it enters the coils, it absorbs the indoor heat and lowers the temperature.

What factors should you consider when selecting a Central Air Conditioning system? There are five factors you should consider when selecting a central air conditioning system: 1) Size, 2) Energy Efficiency, 3) Budget, 4) Manufacturer’s Brand and 5) Installation. Let’s consider each factor in more detail.

1) Size: Determining the size of the system that best fits your home is key. Factors such as number of rooms, number of windows, ceiling heights external temperatures should be considered.

2) Energy Efficiency: Residential air conditioners use the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) as a measure of their efficiency. This measure shows the number of British Thermal Units (BTU) of cold air provided for each watt of electricity. Higher EER is more efficient and more expensive units.

3) Budget: There are two costs associated with installing a central air conditioning system: equipment cost and installation labour costs. To help reduce the costs of the system, ask about Manufacturer, Installation Vendor or Government of Ontario rebate programs.

4) Manufacturer’s Brand: There are multiple air conditioning brands and each brand manufacturers different units to meet different needs. Warranties are pretty standard at 10-year parts and labour.

5) Installation: After you determine the size, energy efficiency and budget, selecting the installation vendor may be your most important decision. Good equipment can be installed improperly, creating short and long-term problems.

David Gharat

www.housecondopro.com

Saturday, June 24, 2017

228 King Edward Ave - David Gharat (RE/MAX All Stars Inc)

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Be Prepared and Be Safe!

Do you have the proper number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home to protect your family? This question became a priority at our home when the carbon monoxide detectors sounded on a Sunday morning. Wow! Are those things ever loud! After some frazzled nerves, a 911 call and a visit from Toronto’s finest firefighters, we been reminded about the importance of these detectors and learned more about the requirements.

How many smoke detectors do you need and where should they be placed? Smoke detectors sense smoke from typically a fire. Ionization sensing smoke detectors will even detect smolders from the beginning of a fire. We have even had a smoke detector detect a leak in our roof but that is another story entirely!

Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. As smoke rises, smoke detectors should be installed on the ceiling or, if necessary with a slopped ceiling, on the top 1 foot of the wall. Also, avoiding installing smoke detectors near the kitchen or bathroom where smoke or steam can trigger a false alarm. Are you all set from a smoke detector perspective?

How many carbon monoxide detectors do you need and where should they be placed? A carbon monoxide detector is a device that detects carbon monoxide gas in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide exposure at certain levels and lengths can lead to deadly poisoning. Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches and stomach sickness. As you sleep, you would not be aware of these symptoms. It is known as the “silent killer” as it is undetectable without technology. Consequently, it is important to have fully functioning detectors installed.

In Ontario, carbon monoxide detectors must be installed outside bedrooms on each level where you sleep. Having one carbon monoxide detector in a furnace room is not sufficient to wake people in the night. Is your household protected from the “silent killer”?

Once you have your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed, how do you maintain them? There are five key steps to maintaining your detectors:

Test the units and know how they work.
Replace the batteries at least once a year, less frequently for lithium batteries than can last the lifetime of the alarm.
Replace units every 10 years, sooner if it isn’t working.
Regularly dust or vacuum the units.
Keep the unit free of paint, stickers, or other decorations that may prevent it from working properly.

What do you do should an alarm sound?

First, have a fire escape plan that you practice. Identify two ways out of each room and an outdoor meeting point away from the home. In the case of a fire, once you are out of the house, call 911. For carbon monoxide alarms, if you are not feeling ill first check the battery. If you are feeling ill and the battery is fine, leave the home and from your meeting point, call 911. Although you want to avoid false alarms, do not hesitate to contact emergency services. Better safe than sorry.

Be prepared and Be Safe.
David Gharat www.housecondopro.com

Monday, June 19, 2017

Cleaning Your Eaves trough

Now that the weather is warm, there are a few things you should do to maintain your home. Cleaning your eaves troughs is one important task. With the rain we have seen this spring, this is even more important.

What is eaves trough? Eavestroph is the gutter that is fixed underneath your roof. As rainwater falls, it is collected in the gutters from your roof and is drained from the gutters to the ground through downspouts. To best protect your home’s foundation, it is best that your downspouts be disconnected. If your downspouts are connected to your drainage system, you should have them disconnected. Over several months, debris such as leaves and twigs will accumulate in the eaves troughs. As this builds up in the gutter or downspouts, it will prevent proper drainage and will need to be cleaned out. The amount of debris depends on how many deciduous trees surround your home.

How do I clean my eaves troughs? Cleaning eaves trough for single-storey houses is fairly easy. If you clean them regularly in the fall and in the spring, each cleaning will be easier. To get started you will need some simple tools. You will need a sturdy ladder, heavy-duty work gloves, a garden trowel, two buckets, a yard waste bag and a garden hose.

There are 3 steps:

1) Setup your ladder with 2 buckets, one for your tools and one in which to collect debris. Remember to never use the top two steps on the ladder and to not over-reach when on a ladder,

2) Remove debris from the eaves troughs and downspouts using your trowel into your debris bucket,

3) Pass water through the eaves troughs using a hose to clean remaining debris and make sure your downspouts are properly draining.

To make completing the job easier, you may want to look at some eaves troughs or gutter cleaning tools. You can get gutter extensions for a leaf blower or for a water pressure to help with job. You can also find special gutter cleaning trowels.

If you are uncomfortable climbing ladders and your home has more than a single-storey, it may be in your best interest to hire this cleaning out at a cost of approximately $100-200, depending on the size of your home.

David Gharat www.housecondopro.com