If you’re embarking on a home improvement project to simply make your home more comfortable and enjoyable to live in, then when you’re looking at the cost it’s a matter of what you can afford, and what you’re prepared to pay for the benefits the improvements will bring.

In contrast, if you’re having work done with a mind to increasing your home’s value in a future sale, then you need to take a somewhat harder-headed approach. Contrary to popular belief, not every improvement to your home will be reflected in its sellable value, so if you want to realize a return on your improvement budget, here are four types of project to avoid – and two others to give more serious consideration.

Home Improvements That Make a Poor Investment

#1 A Home Office

In most property transactions the word appraisal comes up sometimes more than once.

As a home buyer you may hear the word appraisal, if you are getting a loan to buy your house, an appraisal could be part of the process. Your lending institution may demand an appraisal on the property if it thinks that the house is not worth what you have offered for it.

This is a professional appraisers estimated value. The appraiser will use recent properties that have sold in the area to help determine the value of the home you choose. The appraiser will also consider the condition of your home, age, size and so forth in determining the value. To better understand what an appraisal typically looks like let me list a few parameters: Sales typically can’t be more

An in-depth look at the foundation of a design for a typical septic system design in BC

With BC regulations, prior to moving forward with a septic system design BC, an authorized person, typically a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP), will perform what is called a site and soil evaluation.

Typical requirements in data are obtained to properly incorporate a septic system design BC, this will include checking the siting of the septic system to ensure that it will comply with any restrictions registered against the land title.

Identifying boundaries for horizontal separation from the system components to such things as property lines, water bodies drilled wells and break out points in the topography.

Looking for potential site

So, working with your real estate agent, you have found your new home and, with assistance of your mortgage professional, you have arranged for a mortgage. What’s next?

It’s time to hire a lawyer or notary public to help with the legal process to finalize the purchase of the home.

Here are the eight steps you will need to go through.

Step 1: Retain the services of a lawyer or notary. Ask your other professional advisors for a referral or family and friends that have gone through the process. Make sure you are hiring someone with experience in real estate closings. Most closings go smoothly but if something unexpected happens you want to make sure your lawyer or notary public has the necessary expertise. You should contact your lawyer or notary as

Many homes in the Kamloops area built before 1957 were originally heated with furnace oil. When natural gas became available, the oil storage tanks, which were normally located underground in backyards, were filled with sand or capped.

However, as these unused buried oil tanks start to corrode and rust, the remaining oil can leak out and flow onto the rest of the owner's property, the neighbour's property, storm sumps and waterways, resulting in contamination of soil and water. Apart from the negative financial impact on the market value of the property, the owner can face substantial legal liability under various statutes and bylaws for such contamination.

The BC Fire Code and bylaws of twelve municipalities (including the City of Vancouver) all

You’ve bought the house — it’s all yours. However, something’s not quite right. When you walk in, there’s a funky odor, and you’ve noticed some gunk in the air filters. These are signs that all is not well, as a little bit of dirt can hide a lot of pollutants and allergens. That problem needs to be nipped in the bud with a deep cleaning before the movers show up with your furniture.

Before you bust out the mop and bucket, here are a few tips to make sure you do it right. In the end, you’ll have a home with pure air that’s healthy to live in.

Test for Radon

To find out more about Radon gas see our BLOG article here

Radon is a radioactive gas created by the decay of uranium in the natural environment, and it can easily enter your home without

One question that pops up constantly from both first-time and seasoned homeowners alike is "When is the best time of year to buy a home?"

Potential homeowners want to know the best time of year to get the best home for the lowest price - and ideally, at a time that makes sense for their life. It would be great if there were a simple and straightforward answer, like "the best time of year to purchase a home is between April 1 and April 7." But unfortunately, it's not that simple. Let's take a look at the factors that play into answering the question "when is the best time of year to buy a home?"

Convenience

The first factor to consider when buying a home is convenience. This is particularly important if you have a family. If you have school-aged

Under new federal legislation, Canadians will be able to grow up to four marijuana plants in their private residence.

But a lack of protections and awareness could cost them thousands – or even their mortgage.

Sentiment on smoking and cultivating marijuana at home still largely negative, finds new Zoocasa survey.

With the new cannabis laws coming into force, would growing pot at home reduce your property’s value? What about smoking weed at home? Do you think a new cannabis store in the neighbourhood would help or hinder a home sale? A majority of Canadian homeowners (64 per cent) believe that a home where the owners smoked pot would see a decreased value, according to a survey released October 16 by real estate website Zoocasa.

And 57 per cent

Are you thinking about a separation from your spouse? How does that effect real estate?

Then you need to know the legal ins and outs when it comes to separation under Canadian law. This article will go over some ideas that many people have about separation so that you will know exactly what your Separation Agreement must include.

Always take professional legal advice

There is much to consider during a divorce, but one of the most basic questions is “Who gets what?” For some couples the division of property can get very messy, while others are able to deal with it quickly and easily. Under Canada’s Constitution, each province and territory is responsible for laws regarding the division and/or equalization of family or marital property, and these

BC Assessment notices arrive in the mail, giving some homeowners a big smile and a bit more spring in their step (increased property taxes aside), while others wilt and lament at a modest gain or decrease in assessed value. Do these numbers make you more interested in selling your home?

Wait a sec. Neither this assessment document, nor either parties’ emotions, are tied to a current true market value. In fact, provincial property assessments can be significantly too high or too low. Values are determined in July of the previous year, and properties are rarely visited in person by provincial appraisers.

For this reason, provincial property assessments should never be solely relied upon as any sort of relevant indicator of true market value for the