Burlington Real Estate Blog

10 Ways to Make Your Home More Secure

Home Improvement, Maintaning Your Home / /
How to secure your home
With close to 200,000 house break-ins in 2010, this offence was one of the most common property crimes reported by police, accounting for 15% of all property-related incidents.

Once you go through all the trouble and headache of finding and buying that perfect dream home – you want to enjoy it in peace. Breaking and entering crimes and theft incidents are happening all the time, with close to 200,000 house break-ins in 2010, this offence was one of the most common property crimes reported by police, accounting for 15% of all property-related incidents. In this article I’ll show you 10 top things to consider when make your home more secure and thief-proof.

  1. Get rid of excess shrubbery so you have a better view of the street and your neighbours. The less spots for the thief to hide the better.
  2. Install strong outside lighting with motion sensors and keep few main lights inside and outside on during night. Thieves hate being exposed.
  3. Add bars to your basement windows so nobody can enter through there. Also make sure you take the crank out of your windows if they have it. If you got the twist latch windows – pin two parts of window together. Close the windows, drill holes through the frames where they overlap on each side, then slide in long nails in each hole.
  4. Install a double-cylinder lock that takes keys on both sides. Consider the new safety glass designed for windowed doors. Consider heavy doors with as less openings (dog/cat doors, large mailboxes, etc.) as possible.
  5. Always keep garage doors locked! If you can install a web camera in there. “Recode” your automatic garage-door openers so thieves can’t try to open it using generic factory setting signal code.
  6. Install a solid security system. Make sure you inform yourself with the security company’s reputation and history to make sure you’re dealing with the best.
  7. Be part of the “Neighbourhood Watch” program. Keep an eye on your neighbours’ property, ask them to do the same for you, and call the police if you notice anything suspicious.
  8. Get a dog or at least pretend to have one. It’s a fact – dogs can be excellent watchers and warn you of an intruder.
  9. Hide you money, jewellery and very expensive stuff, either get a safe or put it in a bank vault. Don’t leave it exposed or flash it to everyone. Also lock up your ladders, tools and anything that might help the thief break into your home.
  10. Install a peephole in all solid exterior doors, including the door that connects to the garage so you can always see who’s on the other side.

If you have any great tips or advice on how to make your home more secure, please share it, drop me a line or leave a comment.

 

—
Lori VanDinther is a professional Burlington Ontario real estate agent with RE/MAX Garden City
Realty Inc., Brokerage. If you’re thinking of moving into Burlington or selling your existing home – give Lori a call.

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How to Research the History of Your House

Maintaning Your Home / /
Home History Research
It pays off to do your Home History Research

Researching the history of your home (or your future home) is important, as it can help you better understand the home maintenance schedule and potential problem areas. You could find out when the house was built, how, when was it modified or new additions created. Has it suffered any disasters like fire, flood, earthquake etc. Or perhaps some infestations. Yikes!

Home history research is also an exciting activity and can provide a great deal of fun to everyone who’s participating (everyone can play a role or tackles a certain area). At the end you compile all your research and thus create a chronological picture of your home.

Here is a shortened 10 step list of what you gotta do:

  1. Visit the local courthouse or historical society
  2. While you’re there, get a copy of the original building permit
  3. Dig up or get a new copy of your property’s abstract.
  4. Look through your city’s newspaper archive.
  5. Pay a visit to your local municipal planning agency
  6. Inspect your house closely
  7. Talk to your neighbours
  8. Track down previous owners to find out what improvements were made
  9. Research the history of your neighbourhood
  10. Consider using a metal detector in your yard

Read more at: http://www.wikihow.com/Research-the-History-of-Your-House

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Highlights of Municipal Property Assessment Corporation report which Tracked Home Sale Prices in Ontario over a Four Year Period

Housing Prices, Real Estate Market / /

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation logoThe average sale price for residential properties in Ontario has risen by 17 per cent between January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2012, while home prices in Hamilton have risen 10 per cent over the last four years according to the first report on residential sale price trends published by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) on July 24, 2012.

MPAC analyzes actual sales prices of similar properties to help establish the assessed value of more than four million residential properties across the province. MPAC also assesses more than 800,000 farm, commercial, industrial and other property types across Ontario.

Larry Hummel, MPAC’s Chief Assessor, comments, “The report is good news for most Ontario homeowners. It shows the average sale price of residential properties in most communities has increased since 2008 and that the real estate market continues to be strong”.

“Hamilton has experienced steady measured growth in residential real estate prices as its economy continues to diversify and employment increases”, comments Cameron Nolan President of the REALTORS Association of Hamilton-Burlington.

  • Burlington offers a low tax rate, waterfront parks and other amenities including proximity to both Toronto and Hamilton that make it a desirable place to live.
  • Oakville remains one of the most desirable communities reviewed. Entry level homes are being sold for between $500,000 to $600,000 compared to $350,000 to $400,000 in 2007.
  • Home sale prices in Toronto increased 23 percent over the four year period.
  • The report identified some of the most significant growth in Ottawa and in cities in northern Ontario. Home prices in Ottawa rose 24 per cent, according to the report as a result of a stable and fairly diverse economy.

For the complete report visit: https://www.mpac.ca/

If you’re thinking of buying real estate property in Burlington and surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me: Lori VanDinther – Burlington Real Estate Agent. I will help you find your dream home!

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