There are a lot of things to think about when listing your home for sale. But one thing you may not have considered (at least until your Realtor pulls out the paperwork) is that under the Dower Act of Alberta, you may need your spouse’s permission to sell your home. This is called Dower Consent. What is Dower Consent? The Dower Act is provincial legislation that prevents a married person from selling (or disposing of) a home without their spouse’s consent. In order to “dispose of” the property (list, sell, or transfer title), the non-owner spouse must show that they agree to the disposition. There are several ways to do this, one of which (and common for real estate transactions) is by signing the contract, and then also signing a Dower Consent and Acknowledgement form in the presence of a lawyer or Commissioner for Oaths. This ensures they understand the rights they are giving up. When is Dower Consent needed? For real estate transactions, Dower Consent is only required ...
Will not having permits for home improvements affect the sale of my home?
With home improvement shows and Pinterest being all the rage, plus having access to so many renovation-simplifying products in stores and online, it’s easier than ever to “do-it-yourself” and forget that some improvements and additions to your home require approvals and permits. It’s important to know that even if your home improvements are top-notch, any lack of development permits must be disclosed to potential buyers when it’s time to sell, and it’s possible that the time and money you saved at the time of development could cost you later. Why are permits required? The City of Calgary has processes in place to help ensure that home renovation projects comply with local bylaws and land use restrictions, building and electrical codes, and that they don’t impede on the safety of the home’s occupants or neighbours. What types of developments require permits? Garages, sheds, decks, fences, pools, basements, or any structural and framing changes like windows and external doors will ...
Starting Vegetables From Seed – Tips
Starting Seeds Outdoors Sowing seeds directly into the garden eliminates the need to transplant. The seeds are planted directly into the rows or beds where they are to grow. Most seeds are sold as loose seeds in a paper packet and should be planted at the depth and spacing indicated on the packet. Some seeds are also sold as seed tape, which eliminates the need for spacing. Many plants must be started indoors, in order to do well in our relatively short summers. They should be planted by start dates specific to individual plants. This information can be found on individual seed packets, as well as in Gardensense in the appropriate sections. Seed Planting Steps (Outdoors): Plan area to be planted Work and condition soil. Sow seeds in individually marked rows or beds at the depth and spacing indicated. Water in well and keep beds moist. Plants can be fertilized with an appropriate fertilizer, such as 15-30-15, when they have two sets of leaves Starting Seeds ...
Is Hardwood Flooring Worth Restoring?
Peeling back wall-to-wall carpeting in an older home could mean discovering a precious hardwood floor just waiting to be brought back to life… or a sorry mess that’s simply not worth the trouble. Chances are good that hardwood flooring under decades-old carpet will fall somewhere between the perfect and the disastrous. So, how do you decide whether vintage hardwood flooring is worth restoring? Let’s take a look at the factors to consider when deciding whether to restore an existing hardwood floor: First, take a look! To see what’s under the carpet, look for a floor vent and lift it out. You will often be able to see a cross section of the floor along the edge of the vent hole. If floor vents are unavailable, you might be able to catch a glimpse of what’s under the carpet or linoleum between the ceiling joists in the basement. If the home is yours, you can grab a corner of the carpet with a pair of pliers and pull back gently. Use a butter knife to push the carpet back under the ...
The pros and cons of a pre-possession walkthrough
When writing an offer to purchase on a home, as a buyer, you may want to include a term in the Purchase Contract that permits you access to the property before final possession. This helps prevent surprises on possession day and lets you know that the seller’s commitments to fixing or removing items from the property have been fulfilled before you move in. While it’s a good practice to include a term for a pre-possession walkthrough, it’s also important to manage your expectations and know what options are available to you if you don’t like what you see. Do I need a pre-possession walkthrough? Clause 2.4 of the Alberta Residential Purchase Contract addresses the state of the property upon possession and provides you some protections: The seller represents and warrants that on Completion Day, the Property will be in substantially the same condition as when this contract was accepted and the attached and unattached goods will be in normal working order. So while the pre-possession ...
Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell Like Vinegar?
You should always pay attention when you notice such smells. They could indicate that your AC needs to be repaired. If unpleasant or strange scents are emanating from your air conditioning unit, it is probably time to give the experts a call. Why Does Your AC Smell Bad? Your air conditioner might emit all kinds of smells depending on its condition. The following are some of the most common odours people detect coming from their AC units, as well as some of the potential causes: • Vinegar – When the air coming from your air conditioner smells sour, like vinegar, the problem could be from an electric motor that is emitting ozone. Other possible reasons could be excess condensation on the coils, a malfunctioning filter, a clogged condensate pan, or mold in the ductwork. • Mildew – Do you detect a mildew scent near your air conditioner? The problem could be a clogged air filter. It could also mean that the drip pan or the condensate drain line is clogged. Another possible ...
6 Things To Consider Before Hiring a Basement Renovation Company
Many challenges face homeowners when they start working on the idea of developing their basement. From design ideas to ensuring the quality work done within a specific time frame and budget. The first step to a successful renovation project is choosing the right company. We have put together 6 items to look for that would guarantee the results and the quality you are aiming for. 1-Check for business license Legitimate contractors should always carry a valid business licence. It indicates they have met the municipal requirements and would be able to obtain the necessary construction and trade permits, to verify a business licence in Calgary, you can check the city directory here. 2-Inquire about WCB insurance Make sure the contractor of your choice carries workers compensation board insurance for their crew. A contractor that cares about their crew will care about their clients and their business. And will save you out of trouble if someone gets hurt on job-site. It’s ...
Buying a condo? Make sure your furry friend is welcome too!
If you’re looking to buy a condominium for you and your furry friend (or think you may want pets in the future), it’s important to know the rules about pet ownership before making an offer on any specific condo unit. While some condos don’t allow pets at all, there are many pet-friendly condos in Alberta. But even these will have very specific bylaws governing pet ownership and the presence of pets on common property. No matter how big or small, furry, feathered, or scaled, caged or leashed, you need to know what bylaws could affect you and your pet before buying your new home. Restrictions vary greatly from condo to condo, often placing limits on the weight, size, and number of pets permitted in each unit, as well as the types of pets – not just cats and dogs. Oftentimes the allowance of pets is also subject to “approval of the board”, so if you find a condo you love, you’ll need to talk to the board of directors or property management company to ensure your pet will receive ...
How mom’s CAN lead a minimalist life
Are there hard and fast rules on being a minimalist? Nope. Are there some guidelines I can follow to help me decide? Yep. But everyone is different and you will make choices that matter to you and your family so don’t over analysis what you keep and don’t keep. So what are those guidelines? I listen to The Minimalists describe what it means to them and from my own experiences as a Mom and helping other Mom’s declutter their homes I have come up with some of my own guidelines, especially when it comes to having kids in the home. Set a limit – Really easy to say but can be hard to do BUT you need to set a limit. For example with kids memorabilia only allow yourself to keep 1 box for each kid. This may need to be purged constantly as they are growing up and you want to change out artwork, or projects from school. Keep 1 box for all of your kids for their baby items. With toys again set a limit and if they want to bring new toys in then one must go out. If you can keep toys in a ...
Thinking of selling? Spring clean your way to a faster sale.
Now that the snow is finally melting, many homeowners are starting, or at least thinking about starting, their spring cleaning. If you’re considering selling your home, even if not soon, it’s a good idea to jump on the spring clean bandwagon now so you’re ready later – after all, you’ll have a ton of other things on your mind and to-do list when you put your house on the market and you won’t want to deal with decluttering then. Why decluttering your home matters A cluttered home = a cluttered mind. How often do you stress about the time and effort it will take to organize or clean? Think of this from a potential buyer’s point of view. When viewing your home, you want them to visualize themselves living their best life in your space. It’s impossible to do this surrounded by clutter – especially somebody else’s clutter. If they do decide to write an offer to purchase, their impression of your home will affect the price they are willing to pay, so you may receive lower offers than ...
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