Land title transfers are seriously delayed at the moment; according to the Alberta Registries Site, they are currently registering Land Title Documents received on February 16th and Survey Plans/Documents received on March 9th, which places the current processing times well above the industry standard. Below we dive into what land titles are, why they are important, the cause of these delays, the issues the delay may cause and what home buyers and sellers can do to protect themselves. 

What is a Land Title?

A land title is a document that proves ownership of a piece of land and the specific interests (such as mortgages, caveats and easements) registered on them. When a home is bought or sold, the land title is transferred to the new owner, which…

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Whether you’re remodelling to enhance your family’s treasured home for your own enjoyment or to increase resale value, it is bound to be a vast undertaking. To adequately prepare yourself for the project that lies ahead, consider the following common renovation problems and the best solutions to fix them.

Being Caught Off-Guard by Hidden Issues

Sometimes, once the renovation project is underway, problems surface that require further attention, time and money. Be aware of the following issues that could pose extra work during your remodel process:
  • Carpentry – When a floorboard is removed, other surprises often lurk, such as rotten framing or unleveled areas.
  • Glazing on windows is often thin in older homes and can break easily.
  • Asbestos…

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Building a fence around your property has many benefits. A solid fence is both decorative and practical as it adds visual appeal, security and privacy to your yard. A fence will provide your family with a safe and secluded outdoor living space for entertaining, relaxing, gardening and for your children to play in. An attractive fence will also increase your property value and make your home more marketable when it comes time to sell. Hiring a fence contractor in Edmonton will ensure that your fence is built properly, that all local regulations are met, and that building permits are obtained. Alternatively, you could choose to build the fence yourself. Here are some DIY tips on how to build a fence:

Obtain a building permit.

In most municipalities,…

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What is radon gas?

Radon is an invisible, odourless, cancer-causing, radioactive gas that comes from the ground. When inhaled, radon breaks down into radioactive particles, releasing bursts of radioactivity that can cause injury to lung tissue. Exposure to high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. Radon enters homes where the house comes into contact with the ground and can accumulate into high levels, posing health risks to the occupants. The health implications of radon exposure depend on both the level and length of exposure, and the risk of developing lung cancer is especially high for smokers. The only way to find out if your home has high radon levels is to have your home tested. A reading of 200…

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There’s nothing like natural light to brighten up your home; that is until the sun’s rays start to highlight all of the dirt, spider webs and fingerprints built up on your windows. Don’t start wishing for clouds and rain just yet, though; we’ve got seven simple tips to keep your screens and window glass clean year-round. Read on, so you too can look forward to sunny days and open windows.

Save Yesterday’s News

This one might come as a surprise, but it turns out yesterday’s newspaper can come in handy when it’s time to wash and dry your windows. A black-and-white sheet of newspaper is sure to give you a streak-free finish! Of course, you could also use a squeegee if you don’t have a paper handy.

Screen Queens

Window screens are vital for keeping the…

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We love the crisp air and warm colours fall brings, but it also comes along with a hefty list of maintenance jobs to get your home and yard ready for the changing weather. We've compiled a comprehensive list of jobs to ensure your home is prepared for winter and your yard is set up for a successful spring.

Exterior Home Maintenance

  • Clean gutters
  • Check your roof
  • Make exterior repairs
  • Check the weather stripping on doors and windows
  • Seal gaps where critters can enter: Steel wool is great for keeping mice out. Fill cracks and small holes with steel wool, then use caulk or expanding foam filler to fully close up the area.
  • Clean out dryer vents

Lawn & Yard Maintenance

  • Prune Trees & Shrubs
  • Clean out your garden beds

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A brand new driveway will improve the curb appeal of your home, extend your outdoor living space, increase property value and even help with resale. If you're installing a new driveway for a brand new home or want to replace your current damaged and cracked driveway, there are two main materials to consider: concrete and asphalt. Here are the pros and cons of each.

Concrete Driveways

Concrete driveways are aesthetically pleasing and versatile. There are multiple finishes to choose from, including tinted or stamped finish, broom finish or an exposed aggregate finish which gives it that pebble-like look. Whichever finish you choose, the concrete takes several days to cure.  Cold Canadian winters and the freeze-thaw process can cause concrete driveways…

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We know it’s been a long hot summer, and summer floods are the last thing from our minds, but those summer storms can sneak up on us here in Edmonton. Is your home ready for it? One way to protect your home from flooding is having a backwater valve on your main sanitary sewer pipe. While these are required and come standard in newer homes, homes built prior to 1989 may not have this device.  If you own an older home and don’t have a backwater valve, don’t worry, you’re not out of luck; you may qualify for the EPCOR Backwater Valve Subsidy Program.

What is a Backwater Valve?

A backwater valve is a device with a flap that floats up and closes off the pipe when there is backflow from the sewer. This ensures that sewage only flows one way, out.

What is…

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With the weather finally warming up, and the days getting longer, it’s time to move the party outside. But is your outdoor living space ready? Here are 4 quick and easy ways to refresh your outdoor living space - and you won’t have to break the bank to do it.

1. Add an outdoor area rug

Outdoor area rugs are great for centring your patio furniture, upping the cozy factor and adding a pop of colour.

2. Change out your accent pillows

Accent pillows are great for sprucing up your patio furniture, making it more comfortable for lounging and even adding a pop of colour if you choose to.

3. Add Lights:

String Lights: String lights are a fun way to light up your outdoor space for those summer evenings. You can hang them on a pergola, across the fence,…

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Welcome to the final segment of our 3-part spring cleaning series. So far we have covered decluttering and deep cleaning your home - linked if you missed them and want to check them out. In this post, we are going to cover everything you need to do to get the exterior of your home ready for Spring.

First up: Assess.

Look over the following areas of your home’s exterior to make sure that your home weathered the winter months and came out intact. Check eavestroughs and downspouts and remove any built-up debris. Inspect your roof shingles. Inspect your driveway and sidewalks for cracks - not all cracks need to be fixed, but it is good to be aware of any smaller cracks so you can monitor them. Inspect your fences and deck along with any other outdoor…

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