No matter who you are or where you are (in Canada), you have a legal obligation to disclose any issues pertaining to your home upon selling. Put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Wouldn't you want to know if there was a homicide or a grow op or death caused by a fire? These situations do not only have financial implications but emotional ones as well.
There was an article in a major publication on Tuesday September 13th regarding a home that was used in the past as a grow op that was sold (without disclosure) and in turn left the buyers with a major financial setback having to repair the house. There were legal ramifications to the seller; they had to award damages (a substantial amount of money) to the buyer.
Now, I want to make something clear...if your home was used as a grow up in the past you must disclose this. If there was a crime committed or any illegal action taking place in the home you must disclose this. If there was a fire and the house suffered major damages and you have put thousands of dollars into renos....you still have to disclose this. Let's just say you HAVE to disclose EVEY THING no matter how long ago the event took place. If you know about it....you had better disclose it or the consequences could be quite dramatic (costly and time consuming).
It is for the seller's benefit to do this. The more honest you are, the better the buyer feels and in turn you will be establishing confidence in the transaction. Doesn't that sound good to you?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Did you know...?
I was just having a conversation with my daughter about the reality of smoke alarms. Little did she know that smoke alarms are an essential element to the home. You do not get home insurance without them. I think she was a little taken aback by this but she does have common sense and it did come clear to her why this is the case. Knowing that she probably isn't alone in the world...by not knowing this critical piece of information made me realize that there are many others out there who might now know this, which brings me to my blog for today; the importance of smoke alarms!
The stats are sad; residential fires account for 73% of all fire-related deaths (fiprecan.ca). Whatever the case may be; the alarm didn't go off because the batteries were removed or have died or aren't working properly or maybe it was the wrong kind of smoke detector...it is very important to make sure that you have the right equipment and that it is in working order.
You should have at least one ionization type smoke alarm. These are the first to respond to fast flaming first that consume combustible materials quickly and spread rapidly. These are the kind of fires that produce a lot of heat and not a lot of smoke. These kinds of fires come from cooking meals with a lot of grease or fat or where there are a lot of easily flammable materials, i.e. office (papers), workshops (solvents, paint), etc. With that said; it is wise to put this kind of smoke alarm in these areas.
Another type of smoke alarm is photoelectric. These alarms detect slow smouldering fires. This is the kind of alarm that we are most familiar with...when you burn toast or are frying something. You must remember that when you are in a fit of annoyance due to the noise of the alarm and shut it off by removing the batteries...you are only doing yourself and injustice. You should keep this kind of alarm close to slow burning material like fabrics (living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens), etc.
Some helpful advice for ya....
1. Have one of each detector on each floor of your home.
2. Replace the batteries every year...no matter what!
3. Test the alarms monthly.
4. Replace the alarms every 5 years.
The stats are sad; residential fires account for 73% of all fire-related deaths (fiprecan.ca). Whatever the case may be; the alarm didn't go off because the batteries were removed or have died or aren't working properly or maybe it was the wrong kind of smoke detector...it is very important to make sure that you have the right equipment and that it is in working order.
You should have at least one ionization type smoke alarm. These are the first to respond to fast flaming first that consume combustible materials quickly and spread rapidly. These are the kind of fires that produce a lot of heat and not a lot of smoke. These kinds of fires come from cooking meals with a lot of grease or fat or where there are a lot of easily flammable materials, i.e. office (papers), workshops (solvents, paint), etc. With that said; it is wise to put this kind of smoke alarm in these areas.
Another type of smoke alarm is photoelectric. These alarms detect slow smouldering fires. This is the kind of alarm that we are most familiar with...when you burn toast or are frying something. You must remember that when you are in a fit of annoyance due to the noise of the alarm and shut it off by removing the batteries...you are only doing yourself and injustice. You should keep this kind of alarm close to slow burning material like fabrics (living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens), etc.
Some helpful advice for ya....
1. Have one of each detector on each floor of your home.
2. Replace the batteries every year...no matter what!
3. Test the alarms monthly.
4. Replace the alarms every 5 years.
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