Know The Sources of CO in Your Home

Carbon monoxide has taken the lives of entire families, left scores of people with debilitating physical and mental handicaps, and, sent hundreds more to hospital. So why do so few of us have the one inexpensive safety device in our homes that protects us from this deadly gas?

Carbon monoxide safety comes down to awareness and education. First realize the danger is very real. Second, you need to know the potential sources of CO in your home. Many people think they don’t need a carbon monoxide alarm because they have electric baseboard heaters. But they may have a gas water heater or stove, a gas or wood fireplace, or a garage or carport attached to their house. All these are potential sources of CO.

So long as carbon monoxide is vented outside, there is no danger. But if appliances or heating systems are not properly maintained, or chimneys and vents become blocked or cracked, deadly CO can seep back into your home…and you won’t even know it.

And since exposure to CO mimics the flu, many people make the mistake of thinking the symptoms they are experiencing will just “go away” in time. So they stay home from work or school hoping to get better, when exactly the opposite happens.

Installing protection is easy and inexpensive. You can find CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarms in any hardware store that cost on average about two cents a day to operate over their lifespan.
Installing one CO alarm per floor is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association but, at a minimum, install one outside all sleeping areas. Canadians seem to prefer models that feature a continuous digital readout.

A digital readout shows you any level of CO in your home so you can take action before the gas reaches dangerous levels. Look for models where the display is continuous, not models where you need to physically push a button to get a reading. That way you get instant peace of mind every time you glance at the alarm and see its zero reading.

What are some common sources of carbon monoxide in the home or workshop?

Most carbon monoxide produced in homes comes from combustion of fuel for heating and cooking.
 CO may accumulate in the home when a blocked chimney, broken chimney flue, or damaged furnace heat exchanger allows gases to enter the home. It can also enter the home from the garage when an automobile, lawn mower, or other engine is in operation. Backdrafting chimneys and flues (common when ventilation fans are used in tightly sealed homes) may allow combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, to enter the home.
Gas stoves and ranges can produce CO, which can present problems if the appliances are used for prolonged periods or if they are not operated properly. Gas ranges are not intended to be used to heat the home. Some other common sources of carbon monoxide include unvented fuel burning space heaters and indoor use of charcoal for heating or cooking. (Note: charcoal should NEVER be burned indoors.)
Never run a generator in the home.

Posted on September 1, 2012 in Safety Updates

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How To Improve Your Credit Score

  
Are you being denied for all types of credit? Has that cell phone bill come back to haunt you? Now is the time to finally face it head on and deal with your credit score.  A very daunting task but a task that must be done.

 First you need to know what is in your credit score is all about:
payment history
amount owed
length of credit history
new credit
types of credit used

What can you do to improve it?

Whatever you do it will take some time. It will take patience as you plow away at those credit cards, getting them down to a much lower balance.  All that money just disappearing into those credit cards.  But, in the end you will see it will be worth while and no one will deny you a car loan  or even a mortgage ever again.

A little secret that not many people do not know is that whatever your limit is on your credit card, you should not owe more than 50% of that limit.  So if your limit is $1000.00, the card should never have more of a balance than $500.00. In fact it is better to have 2 credit cards with no more than 50% owed on them than have 1 credit card maxed out.  Go figure.

 What else can you do?

 Make sure you make your payments on time.  Credit companies record when you have late payments.  This is very important. Set up payment reminders.

 Don't close your unused credit cards.  If you must close a credit card close the one that is the newest. It is all about having and managing long term credit is what the lenders want to see,

Check your credit report.  They do make mistakes. Birthdates seem to be a popular one that they input wrong. If you are being denied credit and you believe your credit rating is great order a free report, go over it, making sure all the information is correct.

Store credit cards are not as good as mastercard,visa or american express.  Also store credit cards usually charge you a higher interest. To get a mortgage the lenders/banks like to see at least 2 credit lines in good standing.

Remember , it is all about managing your credit.  Everyone hits a point in their life when for whatever reason the credit managing slides. Could be a divorce, job loss, moving, marriage, etc.

Do you have questions about your credit score. Contact me and I will help you sort it out.


    

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

 

What's in a Title?

What is a Mortgage Professional?

A mortgage professional is a sub-broker. Since the name sub-broker doesn't sound so great, other names used by a sub-brokers are mortgage professional, consultant, agent, specialist and the list grows. We must pass an education program as well as an exam. We also must be licensed in our province.

We are governed by FICOM The Financial Institutions Commission which is a regulatory agency of the provincial Ministry of Finance.
FICOM is responsible for administering nine statutes that regulate the pension, financial services and real estate sectors in British Columbia. The primary focus of this regulation is to ensure that:

• Institutions and pension plans in these sectors remain solvent;
• Market conduct requirements for these sectors are respected;
• Unsuitable individuals do not participate in financial service markets; and
• Through the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (CUDIC), insure credit union deposits and non-equity shares.

To keep this explanation simple:  A mortgage broker is the company we work for. A mortgage broker over sees the sub-brokers. A mortgage broker in Canada has an overwhelming amount of paperwork, that is why there is more sub brokers then brokers.

Bank representatives are neither mortgage brokers or sub-brokers. They are trained by their bank that they work for.  They could not broker a mortgage as brokering means more than one.  They only sell what their Bank has. They are not unbiased.

A title can be complex to the public as well to the industry that we belong to.   

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

Are you Working For An Award Winning Engaged Company?

The 50 most engaged workplaces in Canada

 

Engagement, which describes employees' passion for their work and commitment to the company's vision, isn’t just a buzzword. Taking time to create a fully engaged workforce, where employees go above and beyond their job descriptions, can not only help boost a company's customer relations but also the its bottom line.

 

Companies that focus on employee engagement tend to perform better financially, attract and retain the best talent and enjoy improved customer service and client retention,” says Razor Suleman, founder and chairman of Achievers, a company that offers social recognition and employee engagement solutions to its clients.

The company recently released its third annual survey of the most engaged companies across the country. A panel of five judges, which included Mr. Suleman, evaluated applicants and selected the winners based on the following eight elements of employee engagement: communication, leadership, culture, rewards and recognition, professional and personal growth, accountability and performance, vision and values and corporate and social responsibility.

The 50 most engaged companies, listed below (in alphabetical order), will be honoured on Nov. 14 at Arcadian Court in Toronto.

1. 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
2. 3M Canada Company
3. Access Communications Cooperative Limited
4. Adecco Employment Services
5. All Weather Windows
6. Apex Distribution Inc.
7. Arrow Professional Services
8. Bayer Inc.
9. BC Housing
10. Bruce Power
11. Ceridian Canada Ltd.
12. CIBC Mellon
13. Contingent Workforce Solutions Inc.
14. Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc.
15. Edelman Canada
16. Eli Lilly Canada
17. Empathica Inc.
18. Enflick, Inc.
19. First Canadian Title
20. FIRMA Foreign Exchange
21. Flight Centre
22. G Adventures (formerly Gap Adventures)
23. Genesis Hospitality
24. GoodLife Fitness
25. Haute Culture Consulting Inc.
26. HR Downloads Inc.
27. Hydro Ottawa
28. IQ PARTNERS Inc.
29. Just Energy Corp
30. KPMG LLP
31. Mayhew
32. MD Physician Services
33. Meridian
34. Molson Coors Canada
35. Monsanto Canada Inc.
36. NetSuite Canada Inc.
37. Nurse Next Door
38. PEER 1 Hosting
39. peopleCare Inc.
40. Polar Mobile
41. PowerStream Inc.
42. Rogers Communications Inc. - Customer Support
43. Ryan, ULC
44. Scotiabank Convention Centre
45. Siemens Canada
46. Starwood Hotels & Resorts
47. TeraGo Networks Inc.
48. The Johnson Corporation
49. The Little Potato Company
50. TribeHR

Special to The Globe and Mail

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

#1 Tip for Consumers Looking to Get a Mortgage

Work with an AMP. 

Accredited Mortgage Professionals

 CAAMP (Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals)  requires that all members with the AMP designation receive ongoing education on industry best practices, government rules and changes, and etc. to help you navigate the mortgage process with integrity, responsibility and ease.

 

How do I know if my mortgage person is an AMP?

 

Usually they have AMP beside their name.

You can ask them.

You can go on CAAMP's website and search their name.

 

http://www.naylornetwork.com/caampdirectory/SearchResult.asp?Lang=&con=angela+kroemer&mem=AMP

 

By clicking on the link above you will find my name, my phone number and my website.

 

Above my name you will find a header search by person, then type the person's name and scroll to AMP.

 

Similarly,  you can find out if  your mortgage person is a member of CAAMP, or if they are a AMP Residential Specialist or an AMP Commercial Specialist.

 

CAAMP also has a wealth of information for you, the mortgage consumer.

http://mortgageconsumer.org/index.php

 

For More Information On Mortgages, Click here.

 

 

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

Facebook Pages

https://www.facebook.com/#!/akroemer

https://www.facebook.com/#!/cvmortgages

https://www.facebook.com/#!/campbellriverbc

 

 

 

Renovations You May Regret

While everyone is in the do it yourself mode, there are certain renovations that you may regret spending money on once you have put the home on the market for resale.
You certainly can renovate your house to a point that you are comfortable with it, but don't take it personally when your realtor advises you on what will get your house sold and what will not.
Some of your loved renovations may have to be torn out to get your home sold as not everyone is a do it yourself type of person.  Potential buyers who have to hire people to do renovations only see more unnecessary money that has to be spent after buying your house.

 Renovation upgrades, such as kitchens and bathrooms, are usually fairly reliable for adding to a home’s resale value. But there are others (and if you’ve gone househunting in the last few years, perhaps you’ve seen a few) that are just plain bone-headed. What’s worth the cost and what isn’t?

Which home upgrades are least likely to return their full investment (or close to it) when you sell, or can even turn buyers off. Some of her answers might surprise you.

Wall-to-wall broadloomOnce considered a selling feature, this is now a liability in many buyers’ eyes. Broadloom is incompatible with pets and people with allergies, and is perceived as hard to clean. If you have hardwood floors, have them refinished or consider installing them if you don’t.

Whirlpool baths, saunas and indoor hot tubsOnce considered chic, these are now often seen as just expensive, energy-guzzling extras.

Expensive built-in sound systems and home theatresSome buyers will be attracted to this, but not everyone is an audio/cinephile, nor will they pay a premium for a house with this feature.

Colourful bath fixturesThese went out with poodle skirts. Chances are the buyer will just see them as a renovation to-do and will plan to get rid of them after the purchase.

Ornate chandeliers, wallpaper and paint treatmentsTaste is very individual and idiosyncratic decorating can turn buyers off; stick with neutral, simple decor.

Odd rooms and wallsA wall bisecting a large bedroom into two unusably small ones or a cramped powder room under the stairs or in a closet … many buyers will see these as merely a future  renovation expense.  (Same goes for inexplicably missing walls, such as a bathroom that is open to the adjacent bedroom.)

Overly fancy appliancesStainless steel-finish appliances are worth paying a few more dollars for (compared to equivalent white or colour models), but six-burner professional stoves, double dishwashers and a fridge big enough for a restaurant rarely recoup their initial cost.

Cheap laminate or vinyl tile flooringSome types of laminate are attractive and practical; others just look cheap and fake. Especially avoid peel-and-stick vinyl tiles or be prepared to replace them when you put the house on the market. For not much more money, choose hardwood, stone, bamboo or cork.

Swimming poolThere is some debate about this among realtors; to some buyers, a swimming pool is a selling feature. But a pool rarely recoups its entire cost, and it will reduce the number of potential buyers interested in your home.

Turning a three-bedroom into a two-bedroom homeEven if that third bedroom is very small, it’s still a bedroom. No matter how spacious your newly enlarged master bedroom or how luxurious that new spa bath, the demand for two-bedroom homes is significantly smaller than for three-bedrooms, and they command considerably lower prices.
List supplied By Martha Uniacke Breen

For information on mortgages

 

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

Facebook Pages

https://www.facebook.com/akroemer

https://www.facebook.com/#!/cvmortgages

https://www.facebook.com/#!/campbellriverbc

 

Your Personal Mortgage Shopper

A mortgage professional, in theory, is educated in all aspects of mortgages.   By working closely with one, you access this specialized knowledge and experience.

Imagine if you could turn to an expert when you wanted to make a major purchase. He or she would visit stores, collect the important information about the product and then help you make the best choice. When you’re buying a new home or renegotiating your mortgage, this is what a mortgage professional can do for you.

Basically, we shop around and find you the best deal. When you walk into your bank to discuss mortgage options, the banking officer can only offer you the products from that bank and, depending on your credit history and the product, knock a few points off the interest rate. But a mortgage professional has access to a wide variety of products because he or she can work with any bank, credit union or trust company. They also know who is offering the best rates for the type of mortgage you need and know how to negotiate for a lower posted rate.

A mortgage professional, in theory, is educated in all aspects of mortgage.   By working closely with one, you access this specialized knowledge and experience. This is especially valuable for those who have hard-to-place mortgages—such as the self-employed or people with poor credit history. A mortgage professional will know what banks will be more favourable to the client or be aware of alternative ways to secure a mortgage.

Another benefit is the reduced impact on your credit score.  Every time you go to a bank and they check your ability to get a mortgage, it’s a hit on your credit score. A mortgage professional will check your credit score once and then shop it to five or more banks at once.   If you do plan to comparison shop, this is one way to protect your credit from taking an unnecessary dive.

But how much will all this cost a homebuyer? Brokers are paid a “finder’s fee” — about 0.8 per cent to 1 per cent of the mortgage amount — by the bank or institution, which is not passed on to the person buying the mortgage.  The bank can afford to do that because of the volume they get.   Since they don’t have an in-house person managing the account, answering questions, taking calls and sending paperwork back and forth, they save on costs and pass that on.

With so many mortgage professionals on the market, it can be a challenge knowing which one to pick.  Ask friends and family for recommendations and meet with potential mortgage professionals to see if they are a fit. Follow blogs and websites of mortgage professionals. Ask lots of questions.

For Mortgage Information

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

 

Facebook Pages

https://www.facebook.com/akroemer

https://www.facebook.com/#!/cvmortgages

https://www.facebook.com/#!/campbellriverbc

 

 

Published on Thursday August 30, 2012

Leigh Doyle

Chris Young for The Toronto Star

 

 

Mortgage Renewals

Is it that time? You have just received a mortgage renewal notice in the mail?  Read on to see if you should sign and send it back or maybe take another course of action.

When a term is coming to a close, most banks will send a mortgage renewal notice in the mail a few months earlier then your renewal date.  The banks tend to take advantage of our busy schedules to assume that you will sign on with them for another term. At this point the banks take advantage of your customer loyalty and don't even give you a discount, if they do not a great one.  Almost 60 percent of their customers sign this renewal without researching what the competition has to offer.

When you went shopping for your first mortgage you asked questions, did research, talked to any one who knew anything about mortgages and found the best mortgage rates and options. Why should the renewal process be any different? Interest rates are at an all time low, take advantage of the current market.  Get a better mortgage rate that could save you substantially in the long run.

Renewing your mortgage means one term has come to an end and it is time to start another term. Usually it is a 5 year term. At renewal time it is the perfect opportunity to shop and get a lower interest rate or better options that suits your lifestyle better. 

You have already paid 5 years worth of mortgage payments and deserve to get a discount on your mortgage rate.

For more information and a free quote without obligation, send me an email, phone or text.

My website has invaluable information.
www.KROEMERmortgages.com

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com