Preventing and Adressing Rodents in the Home

As much as homeowners enjoy the shelter and comfort of their home, mice, rats, and other rodents do, too. Not only do rodents make a mess, they can carry and spread diseases, contaminate food, and cause property damage. The first step in keeping rodents out of the home is prevention. Rodents commonly enter homes, garages, sheds and other structures through small cracks and openings. Even a dime-sized hole is large enough for a mouse to get through. Common entry areas include behind stoves and refrigerators, around where water pipes enter the home, attics and crawlspaces, basements, and laundry drains. Outside the home, look for openings around windows and doors, gutters, and places where wiring, plumbing, and gas lines enter the home. Small holes can be stuffed with steel wool, which rodents cannot chew through, and caulked into place. Larger holes may require patching with metal, hardware cloth, or lath screen.

Removing food sources is another key to prevention. Pantry foods should be stored in metal or heavy plastic containers with tight fitting covers. Food-soiled cookware and dishes should be washed and kitchen surfaces cleaned soon after use, and pet food should not be left out overnight. If food waste is kept inside, it should be stored in a metal container until it can be disposed of outside in a rodent-proof trash can. If homeowners enjoy feeding wild birds, feeders should be located away from the house as spilled bird food is a real treat for rodents.

If rodents are present, it is extremely important that they be removed properly prior to sealing holes and gaps. Snap traps are the most effective method of catching rodents; follow the manufacturer's instruction for best results. It can take several days for rats to respond to a baited trap. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, snap traps are preferable to live or "humane" trapping, which can cause stressed rodents to urinate and increase possible exposure to disease. Once a rodent is trapped and killed, it should be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of in the trash. Any rodent - dead or alive - should not be handled with bare hands; Puse disposable rubber or vinyl gloves. Rodents are carriers of Hantavirus and other viruses and bacteria that can cause serious, even deadly, diseases in humans. A person can become exposed to Hantavirus while sweeping or cleaning up rodent droppings as particles become airborne and are inhaled. In addition, fleas, mites, or ticks may be present on the rodent, providing an additional carrier for the spread of disease.

What appears to be minor infestation of rodents can quickly grow into a serious problem. With trapping, sealing, and diligent monitoring, homeowners can keep rats and mice at bay.

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434 Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/ 
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Fall Home Maintenance

The leaves are falling, the air is cooling off - autumn is here at last. Now is the perfect time to get your home in shape before winter starts to take its toll, and while the weather is still pleasant enough to spend time outdoors.

Seal it up: Caulk and seal around exterior door and window frames. Look for gaps where pipes or wiring enter the home and caulk those as well. Not only does heat escape from these openings, but water can enter and cause structural damage and mold problems.

Look up: Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles. Water, wind, ice and snow can cause serious damage to a vulnerable roof, leading to a greater change of further damage inside the home. It's best to have a qualified professional inspect and repair the roof, but you can do a preliminary survey from the ground using binoculars.

Clear it out: Clear gutters and eaves troughs of leaves, sticks, and other debris. Consider installing leaf guards if your gutters can accommodate them - they are real time-savers and can prevent damage from clogged gutters. Check the joints between sections of gutter, as well as between the gutter and downspouts, and make any necessary adjustments to tighten them.

No hose: In climates with freezing weather, drain garden hoses and store indoors to protect them from the elements. Shut off outdoor faucets and make sure exterior pipes are drained of water. Faucets and pipes can easily freeze and burst, causing leaks and water damage.

Warm up time: Have the furnace inspected to ensure it's safe and in good working order. Most utility companies will provide no-cost inspections, but there can often be a long waiting list come fall and winter. Replace disposable furnace air filters or clean the permanent type according to the manufacturer's instructions. Using a clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, saving you money and energy.

Light that fire: If you enjoy the crackle of the fireplace on a chilly fall evening, have the firebox and chimney cleaned before using it this season. Creosote, a byproduct of wood burning, can build up to dangerous levels and cause a serious chimney fire if not removed.

Happy Fall to you

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Bus Ph: 905-828-3434
www.zeeniakola.com
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October Mid-Month Sales Release - 2012

GTA REALTORS® RELEASE MID-MONTH RESALE FIGURES

TORONTO, October 16, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 2,961 sales through the

TorontoMLS system during the first 14 days of October 2012. The number of transactions was down by

10.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2011. New listings were up by 5.5 per cent year-over-year

to 6,505.

“Some households have put their home purchase plans on hold in response to the higher cost of home

ownership brought about by the recent changes to mortgage lending guidelines. Both first-time buyers

and existing home owners have been affected, given that sales were down across house types and

geography,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah.

The average selling price for sales reported from October 1 through October 14 was $501,146 – up by

almost six per cent in comparison to last year.

“The average selling price grew well above the rate of inflation in the first half of October due to relatively

tight market conditions from a historic perspective. However, the market continued to become better

supplied, pointing toward a slower pace of price growth as we move into 2013,” said Jason Mercer,

TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

If you wish to get more details feel free to contact me!

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434 Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/ 
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Strong Average Price Growth in September 2012

GTA REALTORS® RELEASE MONTHLY RESALE HOUSING FIGURES

TORONTO, October 3, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 5,879 transactions
through the TorontoMLS system in September 2012.  The average selling price for these transactions
was $503,662, representing an increase of more than 8.5 per cent compared to last year.
The number of transactions was down by 21 per cent in comparison to September 2011.  However, it is
important to note that there were two fewer working days in September 2012 compared to September
2011. The majority of transactions are entered on working days. On a per working day basis, sales were
down by 12.5 per cent year-over-year.

“While sales have been lower due to stricter mortgage lending guidelines, we continue to see substantial
competition between buyers.  The months of inventory trend remains low from a historic perspective,
which explains the strong price increases we are experiencing,” said Toronto Real Estate Board
President Ann Hannah.
September average selling prices were up compared to last year for all major home types.  Price growth
was strongest in the City of Toronto, including condominium apartments with eight per cent year-overyear growth.  All benchmark home types included in the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI)
experienced year-over-year price increases, with substantially stronger increases for low-rise home types.
“Barring a major change to the consensus economic outlook, home price growth is expected to continue
through 2013.  Based on inventory levels, price growth will be strongest for low-rise home types, including
single-detached and semi-detached houses and town homes,” said TREB’s Senior Manager of Market
Analysis, Jason Mercer.

If you wish to get a full detailed market watch for Septemeber 2012, feel free to contact me!

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
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Thinking of selling your home in the next 1 or 2 months? For free and confidential Market Evaluation of your home click here!

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Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving in Canada is on Monday October 8, 2013. Here is a list of what is open and closed on the holiday.

What’s closed:

• LCBO outlets and Beer stores (Some LCBO agency stores will observe their normal hours of business on Monday. Agency stores are locally-owned retail establishments that contract with the LCBO to sell alcohol and other products in communities that are too small to support LCBO stores.)

• Banks, government offices and libraries

• No mail delivery

• Most malls

• Most grocery stores

• Most drug stores

What’s open:

• Eaton Centre (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• VaughanMills (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

• Square One (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• Pacific Mall (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

• TTC is running on a holiday schedule

• GO Transit is running on a Sunday schedule

• Select tourist attractions including the CN Tower

If you're planning on going to the U.S. during the holiday, border wait time information is available on the CBSA web site

Hourly border wait time updates are available on Twitter at:

Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Queenston, ON/Lewiston, NY
@cbsa_qlb

Rainbow Bridge,Niagara Falls, ON / Niagara Falls, NY
@cbsa_rbb

Peace Bridge, Fort Erie, ON / Buffalo, NY
@cbsa_pbr

Ambassador Bridge, Windsor, ON / Detroit, MI
@cbsa_abb

Detroit and Canada tunnel, Windsor, ON / Detroit, MI
@cbsa_dct

Blue Water Bridge, Sarnia, ON / Port Huron, MI
@cbsa_bwb

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! Stay safe.

Warm Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
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Thinking of selling your home in the next 1 or 2 months? For free and confidential Market Evaluation of your home click here



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SEPTEMBER 2012 RELEASE MID-MONTH RESALE FIGURES

GTA REALTORS® RELEASE MID-MONTH RESALE FIGURES

TORONTO, September 18, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 2,544 transactions through the TorontoMLS system in the first 14 days of September. This result was down by 15 per cent compared to the 2,995 sales reported during the same period in 2011.

“The combination of stricter lending guidelines, rising home prices and the added upfront cost associated with the land transfer tax in the City of Toronto resulted in a slower pace of sales during the summer of 2012 compared to a year ago,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah. The average selling price for sales during the first two weeks of September was $496,786 – representing an annual rate of increase of more the 9.5 per cent. Average selling prices were up for both low-rise and high-rise home types, including condominium apartments sold in the ‘416’ area code.

“Price growth continued to be strongest for low-rise home types during the first two weeks of September. This segment of the market has been very tight, with months of inventory remaining low from a historic perspective,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

 

If you require further details feel free to contact me.

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
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Thinking of selling your home in the next 1 or 2 months? For free and confidential Market Evaluation of your home click here

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August 2012 Market Update

Low-Rise Home Sales Drive August Price Growth

TORONTO, September 6, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 6,418 sales through the TorontoMLS system in August 2012, representing a year-over-decline of almost 12.5 per cent compared to 7,330 sales reported in August 2011. The number of new listings reported in August was down by 5.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.

"Residential transactions were down in August compared to last year. Stricter mortgage lending guidelines, which came into effect in July, arguably played a role. In the City of Toronto, the additional impact of relatively higher home prices coupled with the upfront cost associated with the City’s Land Transfer Tax led to a stronger annual decline in sales compared to the rest of the GTA," said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah.

The average selling price for August 2012 transactions was $479,095 – up by almost 6.5 per cent compared to August 2011. The annual rate of price growth was driven by the low-rise home segment in the City of Toronto, including single-detached homes with an average annual price increase of 15 per cent. The MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI)* composite index, which allows for an apples-to-apples comparison of benchmark home prices from one year to the next, was up by 6.3 per cent year-over-year.

"While sales were down year-over-year in the GTA, so too were new listings. As a result, market conditions remained quite tight with substantial competition between buyers in the low-rise market segment," said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "The trends for sales and new listings are moving somewhat in synch, suggesting that the relationship between sales and listings will continue to promote price growth moving forward."

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
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Thinking of selling your home in the next 1 or 2 months? For free and confidential Market Evaluation of your home click here

Are you looking to buy your dream home. Contact me today!