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Renovation and Moving Tips
Thinking of renovating or otherwise improving your Comox Valley home? Many of these tips have been used by others and they may help you. Start with these from Home and Garden TV.
A Green Comox Valley Home can save you money and provide you with a healthier home environment. While there continues to be debate on exactly what constitutes “green” from a real estate perspective, there is some agreement that a green home is one that:
Efficiently uses Resources – click on the following links to access:
home energy savings information
energy efficient product information and the
Live Smart BC Efficiency Incentive Program
Renovation Home Topics
The following subjects are discussed on the CMHC Website:
New to Canada?
Choosing a Comox Valley neighbourhood with sustainable features
Your Home-Windows
Your Home-Mechanical Systems
Your Home-Mechanical Systems Retrofit
Your Home-Replacing Your Furnace
Your Home-Roof Repair or Replacement
Rural Considerations-Wells and Septic Systems
Rural Considerations-More on Septic Systems
Renovations-Assessing the Project
Renovations-Kitchen
Renovations-Bathroom
Renovations-Windows and Doors
Renovations-Painting
Renovations-Flooring
Renovations-Additions
Renovations-Basements
Renovating for Energy Savings-Pre World War II Homes
Renovating for Energy Savings-Post War 1.5 Storey Homes
Renovating for Energy Savings-Post 60s Two Storey Homes
Renovating for Energy Savings-1960s or 70s One Storey Homes
Renovating for Energy Savings-Split Level Homes
Renovating for Energy Savings-Duplexes and Triplexes
Renovating for Energy Savings-Row Houses
Renovating for Energy Savings-Homes with Walkout Basements
Some residents of British Columbia may be considering the British Columbia Property Tax Deferment Program As homeowners, it is worth asking a few questions about the program to ensure that you understand the benefits and the drawbacks. For example, when the deferred tax comes due, will interest apply? As well, if you have a Comox Valley mortgage on your home and you defer the property tax, what are the implications on the mortgage at time of renewal?
Moving Tips
Whether you are a Comox Valley buyer or a seller you likely will have to move into or out of your current home, and potentially, some distance to your new home. The following tips may be of some value to you if you are moving:
Moving With Kids can be a challenge if you have not done it before. Consider the move in three stages – before, during and after, and think about your children’s needs during each stage.
Before – tell your children about the move as soon as possible so that they can get used to the idea, welcome their questions, be positive about the move, and let them know how they can help. Do your homework about the new community so that you can answer their questions.
During – keep your children engaged and involved. Prepare a packing checklist and get things ready for the first night. Don’t forget to bring some entertainment for the trip. Complete positive farewells to friends and your old home.
After – have some way of welcoming your new home. Keep some familiar things accessible until all of the unpacking is done. Prioritize the unpacking and re-establish routines as soon as you can. Get the kids involved in setting up their bedrooms. Help pets settle in and while meeting new friends, keep in touch with the old ones.
When you move to new locations within Canada you will need to submit an Official Change of Address Form – Canada. If your move is to Canada from the US, you will need to fill out an Official Change of Address Form – USA. These forms are available at the post office.
Moving with Pets
Moving With Pets can also be challenging and stressful. Make sure your pet is wearing some form of identification, get a copy of the pet’s medical history to bring with you, observe them while preparing to move – stress may cause them to misbehave or try to run off. After the move give them time to adjust and get to know the new home and then area.
Almost all moves involves some type of Preparation and Packing. There are a number of tips that will help you get things ready for the move.
Notify your telephone, electric, gas, water, and credit card Companies.
Forward necessary mail to your new address.
Discontinue service on a specific date.
Notify former employers. This will make tax time less taxing.
Be there and give the movers direction. Let them know what you want loaded first and loaded last. Get a copy of your inventory sheet from the foreman. Double check his notations about existing damage to your goods. Have your insurance plan readily available.
Devise a system. You should label your boxes with their destination in your new home. Hang numbered signs on the doorposts of each room and write the same numbers on the appropriate boxes. (Example: “2nd Fl./Room 4”) If you’re handy with a pencil, sketch a sample layout of your house, number the rooms on it, and post the layout on the truck for reference. Load the rooms to be unloaded first—last. Whatever room is furthest from the entrance in your new home should be that room. In other words, unload back to front. The kitchen should be done at the very end though, because heavy appliances should go in the truck first. -Don’t forget to have your tools ready when you start unloading. You should put your tool box in when everything else is loaded in the truck. Take all your valuable documents and jewelry with you!
Don’t forget about your plants either. Most are too sensitive to make a long journey in a hot, dark truck. If you can take them with you do so.
After the Move
You have just moved to the Comox Valley but what do you do After Your Move? There are normally a number of things that should be dealt with during the first week after a move:
Organize your unpacking
Arrange furniture
Help children settle in
Help pets settle in
Several other bits of information may help you during a move. Keeping in touch with what is happening is easier than it used to be and you can even access News and Newspapers Online, undertake a Cost of Living Comparison for Canada (Obtainable through the Economic Research Institute at www.erieri.com) or a Cost of Living Comparison if you are moving to the USA (View it at www.bankrate.com).
You can also find things such as Currency Converters, Area Codes, Postal Codes for Canada and Zip Codes for the USA online.