Shrink Wrapping your windows.

I have decided to post this small blog to help those that have older windows, or not properly insulated windows and like to plastic wrap them for the winter.

I just left a home that had "tried" to shrink wrap their windows(like the image) but like about 60% of the people that try to do this, they had done it incorrectly. So now they have an eye sore of a window that is still losing heat and creating drafts. Here's how to do it right.

- Go get yourself some plastic film from the hardware store, as well as double sided tape.

- put the double sided tape on the WALL all around the window. This is the most common mistake people do, they only tape the windows on the actual window frame, however a LOT of the heat loss and cold air is actually coming from the mouldings and window sill. So you have to wrap over that.

- once the double sided tape is all up, put on the plastic, top first, and then one side, then try to pull it as tight as you can so it still looks transparent.

- to tighten it even more once its all stuck on there, get out a hair dryer and go over the plastic with it, the plastic will shrink further with the heat of the hair dryer, and will get nice and tight. This way it doesnt look quite as ghetto and you can actually see out of your window.

- as a final touch, with a knife or scizzors, cut of all loose ends of the plastic, so that it looks clean and professional.

Shrink wrapping your windows is a great inexpensive way to keep money in your pocket from heat loss of your home. If you have a few windows in your home that you can feel a slight breeze somehow coming through even when the windows are closed, give it a try. It's not hard and its something that even the kids can help with and have fun.

Well I hope this little tip helps you. It's no fun doing things twice so hopefully you can get this done the right way first.

Feel free to contact me if ever you have any questions or need any advice regarding real estate in Ottawa and its surrounding communities.

Buying a Home in Winter

Cold enough for ya yet?

It's December now and with winter coming on and Christmas fast approaching, many people give up on searching for their home now until spring time.
DON'T! You will be selling yourself short, and might miss out on a great opportunity. I'll give you a few great reasons why:

NO COMPETITION - Many buyers were thinking like yourself and decided to duck out. Unlike in the spring, you have less of a chance of getting into a multiple offer situation which in turn could save you money.

SELLER's MOTIVATED - Sellers begin to feel the market slowing down a bit. They see less people coming through their home and begin to get discouraged. Thoughts that they might not be able to sell their property begin to cross their mind. Could lead you to a lower price.

BANKS WANT THEM GONE - One of the best times of the year to be purchasing a bank sale, is in December. The banks fiscal year end is JAN 1st and they HATE to see properties sit in their inventory. They also know that the market is a bit slower in the winter months and will take any reasonable offer seriously.(email me for a list of bank and estate sales)

EFFICIENCY OF HOME - Ottawa is the coldest captital city in the world. Keeping the heat in your home, and money in your pocket is very important. Imagine this; there was just a huge dump of snow and all the homes on the street have snow covered roofs. Except the one that you are looking at? You have a heat loss problem on your hands and may want to think about budgeting for some more insulation. The windows are full of condensation inside the glass? Seals are done and the windows should be probably be replaced. Floors are just freezing in the bedroom above the garage, or somewhere else in the home, could mean another insulation problem. Windows and doors have drafts coming through, you could just need some better caulking or weather stripping, or maybe worse. There are huge icicles hanging from the ease trough, sure looks pretty, but you could have an ice daming problem and when it all begins to melt and then refreeze you will have some bigger problems.

There are many more problems one can notice in the winter months and this being Ottawa, its a good idea to know what to look for.

Please feel free to contact me if you or anyone you know is thinking of buying or selling. I'll make sure that we get you a great deal on the property that you are buying, and you will be confident knowing you are not getting screwed buying something that is not worth the money you are paying.