Lakeshore Advance, 2012-10-17, Page 5Wednesday, November 2, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 15
Buying a home, going it alone
News Canada
'there are plenty of resources online to help
you in your search fora new home. 1 iowever,
you may want to go further to find a resource
that can save you time, money and help to
protect your investment. "'Che services of a
trusted real estate professional can increase
your satisfaction with the process of buying a
home in a number of important ways," says
Penny Egan, a legal consultant with Royal
LePage Canada. Egan offers these insights:
There's the Internet, then there Is the "pipe-
line." While a quick search on the Internet is a
great place to start, you will still want the
inside track. A real estate professional will
enhance your property search with a "pipe-
line" of properties, often, even before they are
listed.
Opt for the guided tour. When you tour a
landmark or attraction your experience is
enriched when you have someone who is
familiar with the location to guide you. As a
community expert, your "real estate guide"
can provide insights on historical market
values, culture and attractions, as well as local
resources pertaining to your interests and
needs.
A single point of contact. A real estate pro-
fessional will help you to determine how
much house you can afford, alert you to
potential risks, help you find resources and
negotiate the offer. Often, a seemingly simple
transaction can grow legally complex and
risky. Again, this is where the "pipeline"
comes in, as your agent can help you to locate
trusted legal counsel, home inspection serv-
ices, surveyors and lenders.
Negotiating: A real estateprofessional can
help you objectively consider the offer you
plan to put forth. 'Ihey can recognize the vari-
ous strategies of a selling agent, which may
serve to drive up a price. ()r, provide insights
that can help you to submit a competitive
offer on a home you don't want to lose.
If you are about to begin the process of buy-
ing a home, you may find comfort in having a
professional on your side. More information
can be found at www. royallepage.ca.
www.mwscanada.com
Asking the right questions for insulation
News Canada
Choosing insulation that lest fits the needs
of you and your home requires research to
avoid disappointment at a hefty cost. Before
you buy, make sure you're investing in the
right kind of insulation by asking your retailer,
builder or contractor the following
questions:
■ Can the insulation create an air barrier
without the cost of extra finishing materi-
als and labour?
• Will the insulation shift with the home as It
settles, compromising its performance
over time?
• !low well does the insulation control air
leakage?
• How quickly will the insulation pay for
itself?
■ Does the insulation reduce air leakage in
hard -to -Insulate areas, such as around
electrical outlets?
■ Is the insulation a food source for mould?
• Will it improve indoor air quality and how
much will it reduce energy consumption?
Make sure you're asking the right questions
online at www.insulationsmart.com.
wwwnewscanada.com
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