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I recently returned from the Natural Resources Canada ecoEnergy Adviser training in Saskatoon. Being an ecoEnergy Adviser means that in addition to doing home and commercial property inspections in Kamloops and the interior I will also be performing the energy evaluations that help people to access all the government grants and incentives now available.

This program is really a wonderful opportunity for people to upgrade their real estate holdings with more energy efficient furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, tank less water heaters (hot water on demand), improved insulation, new windows, low flush toilets and a whole host of other EnergyStar products. The benefit is some of the costs will be offset by the provincial and federal governments. It’s win win – you help the environment, save yourself a bunch of money in heating and cooling costs, and the government helps you pay for it.

This program is available to both home owners and renters of single family homes, townhouses, and low rise multifamily homes. You don’t even have to live in the house to qualify for the grant, it’s open to landlords as well.

For more info on the program and the combined BC and Federal grants go to the LiveSmart BC website. Also, CMHC insured homes are eligible for a 10% mortgage insurance refund when they meet certain ecoEnergy targets. See the CMHC website for further information.

Don’t forget this money is over and above the federal home renovation tax credit that can earn you up to $1350 back on your tax return. With all these programs in place, there has never been a better time to renovate your home here in Kamloops. All these energy saving renovations are beneficial to both home owners wanting to stay in their home long-term and home owners selling their home. These upgrades will really help showcase your home and make it much more attractive to potential buyers in a very competitive real estate market.

The bathroom is one of the most used and abused rooms in a typical home. Bathrooms have plumbing, electrical and mechanical devices, along with cabinets and floors that need to be inspected. Inspecting the bathroom is a critical part of any general home inspection. A Global Property Inspections professional will check the toilet, the sink and the tub/shower. Although the condition and proper operation of these fixtures are key parts of a functioning bathroom, there are other important things to take note of.

Streaks down the paint where the water has run after condensing on the walls, peeling wallpaper or wet drywall may be signs of moisture damage in the bathroom.  The most common causes of moisture damage in a bathroom are not having an exhaust fan in the room, having too small a fan or not using the fan.

Bathroom Safety

The combination of water, medications and electrical appliances make safety precautions in and around the bathroom essential. The Home Safety Council advises families to follow the following tips for bathroom safety:

Prevent falls in the bathroom by: installing a grab bar by the bathtub and shower; putting non-slip strips in your tub or shower; having a non-skid bath mat; and using nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

Protect young children by: not leaving children unsupervised in the bathroom; being aware of the things in your bathroom that are poisonous; keeping all medications and cleaning products in their original containers with child safety caps; and locking away all medications, cosmetics and cleaning products.

Prevent electrical shock injuries by: keeping hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors away from water; always unplugging appliances after using them; and making sure all electrical outlets in the bathroom have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This tool protects you from a dangerous shock when water and electricity come together.

Going Green In The Bathroom

About 60 percent of a home’s water consumption takes place in the bathroom. Take into consideration the following items in your bathroom to find out ways you can make an environmental difference.

• The toilet accounts for 26.7 percent of water consumption in the home. Replacing your toilet with a more efficient one could save thousands of gallons of water annually.

• Showers waste a large amount of water; multi-head showers can spew 80 gallons per minute.

• Harmful bathroom cleaner ingredients can leave behind traces we end up inhaling when they dissolve in shower steam. Clean the air in your bathroom with green cleaning products. Choose dye-free products free of synthetic fragrances and choose products in packaging that is recyclable in your area.

• You can purchase recycled paper for your household uses, too. A wide variety of paper towels, napkins, toilet paper and tissues can be found to fit your “green” needs. Even eco-friendly bath towels and washcloths can be an easy alternative.

Make a big impact in the environment and in your home by creating a green bathroom.

I have asked a couple of real estate related professionals to join me on my blog. I felt that it would be beneficial to include professionals in both home inspections and mortgages to share their knowledge and expertise. These two subjects are very important and go hand in hand with real estate.

Introducing Todd Hrycenko from Global Property Inspections here in Kamloops. He will share important information a couple times a month and you are free to post any questions that you have for him here.

The big news in the home inspection industry this month is we are now  provincially regulated. What this means for people buying real estate is that EVERY home inspector needs to be licensed by the Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of BC (BPCPA). The requirements include membership in one of three governing bodies, including the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors of BC (CAHPI BC), possession of insurance, and a criminal records check. This is a fantastic step forward for the home inspection industry in Kamloops, British Columbia, and hopefully all of Canada as it requires all home inspectors to meet stringent educational, certification, and continuing education requirements to work in the industry. In the end legitimate, qualified, and knowledgeable home inspectors are thrilled with this development because it provides buyers of residential real estate in British Columbia with a level of protection never before seen in the industry. For more info go to the Home Inspection section of the BPCPA website.