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The cold weather and storms of the winter season can wreak havoc on the exterior of a home and the surrounding property. Sometimes it isn’t that there is significant damage, but simply the fact that it may have been several months since you last paid attention to or attempted any outdoor maintenance.

Now is the time to do a winter-end check to make sure everything is in order and your home is ready to withstand those spring-time showers and the pending heat of summer.
While all exterior areas should be checked periodically, one area that typically requires special attention at the end of the winter season is the roof. To identify possible roofing concerns, look for:

Ceiling stains – A possible warning sign that your roof system needs repair or replacement. If localized, it may be an isolated point of damage or a flashing leak. Ceiling stains can also be associated with excessive attic moisture and/or ice dam conditions, which may require additional attic ventilation and/or insulation to prevent a recurrence. If there are stains on lower level ceilings, a plumbing leak could be the cause.

Loose or missing shingles – Any loose or missing shingles should be repaired or replaced immediately to avoid additional leakage and damage to the roof deck or interior of your home.

Loose, lifted or cracked flashing – This is the sheet metal or other type membrane found at the base of chimneys and roof penetrations. Damaged flashing should be repaired or replaced to prevent leakage. Any open gaps should be sealed with roof cement.
Lifted or curled shingles – This may be an indication the roof is worn and at or near the end of its service life, or, at the very least, makes it conducive to wind damage. If found just in an isolated area, spot replacement may be possible, but if widespread, get a professional opinion on the roof’s condition.

Heavy granule buildup in gutters or at base of downspouts – The granules on roof shingles gradually wear away to the point where the underlying material is exposed over large areas. Once this happens the rate of shingle deterioration accelerates. If granule loss is excessive, it may indicate aging shingles that need replacement.

Any roof maintenance check should also include gutter cleaning. This is an areas often not paid attention to until an overflow creates problems. Gutters need to be checked year-round to help avoid expensive water damage to the siding or house structure. Extensions or splash blocks at downspouts help divert water away from the house, avoiding soil erosion and infiltration through basement or crawlspace walls.

If you have questions on your roof system, consider utilizing the services of a professional home inspector or qualified roofing contractor to determine conditions.
 

OTTAWA, March 26, 2009 — Today, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) launched a consumer outreach campaign to help borrowers understand the importance of working with lenders to find manageable solutions if they are facing financial difficulties in repaying their mortgage loans.

CMHC Launches Campaign to Help Homeowners

“CMHC has a long tradition of offering mortgage default management tools to lenders to help them assist homeowners whose financial circumstances have changed. We want to remind people that the best course of action is to speak to their lenders at the first sign of financial difficulty. With early intervention, cooperation and a well executed plan, you can work together with your lender to find a solution.” stated Mark McInnis, CMHC Vice-President of Insurance Underwriting, Servicing and Policy.

The campaign includes consumer information on the options available to homeowners who may be having difficulty meeting their mortgage payments. This information is also being provided to government partners and credit counseling organizations.

CMHC advises homeowners to:

1. Talk to your lender at the first sign of financial difficulty
2. Clarify your financial picture, both for yourself and your lender
3. Stay informed about what options and resources might be available to you

For Approved Lenders with CMHC-insured mortgages, we provide tools and the flexibility to make timely decisions when working with homeowners to find a solution to an individual’s unique financial situation. These tools include:

Offering a temporary short-term payment deferral. Lenders may be prepared to offer greater payment flexibilities especially if previous lump sum prepayments have been made, or if an accelerated payment schedule has been previously chosen.

Extending the original repayment period (amortization) in order to lower the monthly mortgage payments.

Adding any missed payments (arrears) to the mortgage balance and spreading them over the remaining mortgage repayment period.

Offering a special payment arrangement unique to an individual’s particular financial situation.

More information and resources are available at CMHC’s website at www.cmhc.ca search keywords “mortgage payment difficulties”, or at 1-800-668-2642.

CMHC is Canada’s national housing agency. For more than 60 years CMHC has shared a wealth of knowledge and housing expertise to help create an informed and reassured homeownership experience for Canadians.

For more information:

Kristen Scheel
CMHC Media Relations
613-748-2799

While some renovations may pay for themselves by increasing the value of your home, others could hinder a resale. Here’s what you need to know before you book that contractor.

By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald March 11, 2009

The ArriVa condo tower stands among a number of condo projects in the Beltline/Victoria Park area.

Photograph by: Dean Bicknell, Calgary Herald

Entry-level purchasers are now the engine driving home buying activity in almost every major centre in the country, says a national real estate report released today.

The 2009 RE/MAX First-Time Buyers Report, highlighting first-time buying in 32 residential housing markets across Canada, found that improved affordability is prompting many first-time buyers to get off the fence, out of the rental, and into the market.

The report said that while a sense of caution still prevails, increased inventory and longer days on the market coupled with the lowest lending rates ever are luring buyers.

"Canadian markets from coast-to-coast are ripe for a reawakening as the weather warms up," said Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. "First-time buyers seem more acclimatized to economic factors, even though the barrage of bad news continues to flow. Those who are secure in their jobs, have accumulated good down payments, and have acceptable credit ratings are continuing to venture forward, undeterred by tighter lending criteria.

"The report said that in Calgary improved affordability levels are bringing first-time buyers into the residential real estate market. Close to 60 per cent of year-to-date sales have taken place in the under $400,000 price point - a 20 per cent increase over last year.

"Spurred by lower housing values, falling interest rates, and a greater selection of homes listed for sale, purchasers are approaching homeownership with caution," said the report.

The price of a single-family home in Calgary has fallen by close to 11 per cent to $414,663 year-to-date compared with last year while condo prices have dropped by more than 13 per cent to $269,751 in February.

"First-time buyers are active in the lower end of the market where listings are a little tighter and prices have less flex. The most sought-after communities for single-detached housing including the city's East End, starting at $250,000," said the report.

"And ample supply of condominiums are currently listed for sale in Calgary's northwest, southeast and north central neighbourhoods, with units prices as low as $200,000. As the traditional spring market approaches, demand for housing in Calgary is expected to increase."

mtoneguzzi@theherald.canwest.com© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald