Buying a House with an Oil Fueled Furnace
If you are looking at homes in older neighbourhoods such as the Glebe, Old Ottawa South, Alta Vista and Centre Town/ Golden Triangle, you might find a home that you want with an oil fueled furnance. Oil fuel, 
unlike gas, is trucked to the home and a tank is normally located in the basement where the fuel is stored. In the past, the tanks were buried outside. This is now illegal and very costly to remove. Most homes have had the tank removed and an interior tank installed.
Many people have grown up with oil fuel and have no concerns. Others find it unsettling to have to remember to have the tank filled and to have a tank of oil in the basement. With the cost of oil increasing substantially, there are buyers who are planning to convert to gas.
If you are buying and plan to convert to gas immediately, this reminder is for you. Ensure that your offer to purchase the home includes the instructions that the owners are NOT to fill the tank before possession. As a buyer, not only would have to pay for the full tank, as part of the adjustments, but then you will have to pay an additional $500.00 (approximately) to have the tank drained and removed.
If gas lines have not been run into a rural community, oil is one of the most common heating fuels. Conversion is not possible until the gas lines are installed.
Talk to plumbing and heating specialists to find out what kind of furnace is best for you and your heating needs.
Photo credit: 58 E. Mountain Street @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/richspk/2579445904/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Ontario ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Property Tax Assessments Demystified - President of Ottawa Real Estate Board
Assessing a property’s value for the purpose of calculating property tax is a complicated process involving many variables (and a lot of math). Fortunately, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has recently made some changes that can help homeowners gain a better understanding of how their property is assessed - and what that means for their tax bill.
A three-year freeze on property assessments ended on January 1 of this year, and MPAC staff is currently engaged in reassessing every property in Ontario. New assessments will be mailed to property owners in September, and will be effective for the 2009 through 2012 tax years. From now on, property values will be reassessed regularly every four years.
Assessments are intended to determine the “current value” of each property. Current value means the price a property might reasonably be expected to sell for, in its current condition, on the open market. The newly-redesigned MPAC web site (www.mpac.ca) contains a wealth of information about how properties are evaluated. According to MPAC, the 5 major factors that account for about 85 per cent of the value of any residential property are:
* Quality of Construction
Other features that may affect value include number of bathrooms, fireplaces, garages, pools, and whether the property has water frontage. All these features are analyzed with sales of comparable properties in the community to determine the current value assessment. That number is used by the City of Ottawa to calculate the owner’s property tax bills for the next 4 years. (If a property increases in value, the increase will be phased in over the 4 years; if it decreases, the entire decrease will come into effect immediately.) The city multiplies a home’s assessed value by the tax rates for each of the municipal and education portions of the bill, and adds the two numbers together to determine the amount an owner pays.
A section of MPAC’s web site called “About My Property” allows any property owner to review their assessment, along with those of up to twelve other properties of their choice, to compare assessment information for similar properties and help determine whether their property’s assessed value is accurate.
What if an owner feels that his or her assessment is inaccurate? A brochure sent out with all assessment notices includes information about how to report inaccuracies and file a complaint or challenge. A page on MPAC’s web site called “Resolving Assessment Concerns” offers a direct link to the Request for Reconsideration form, as well as details on how an appeal to the Assessment Review Board (ARB) can be made.
In the case of an appeal, a REALTOR® member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board may be able to provide some assistance; as with any professional advice, there may be a cost for this service. Anyone, including a REALTOR®, may be called by an appellant to provide evidence at an ARB hearing. Whether they will be considered to have sufficient expertise to offer opinion evidence as an expert is up to the ARB.
The President’s Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the April 1 issue of the EMC community newspapers.
The Ottawa House - Efflorescence is a Symptom Not a Sipping Drink
Last week I was at a friend’s house. I noticed that there was a white build-up on the bricks near the top of her front stairs. She said that it was a salt build-up due to the brick facing on her home near that spot not having enough ventilation. I thought, given that I have seen this before but usually in basements, that I would add efflorescence to the Ottawa House series.
I started looking for pictures of efflorescence and came across a wonderful “Information Blog” written by a home inspector, Charles Buell , who lives in Washington State U.S.A. The bouquet is to thank him as he has kindly allowed me to use his pictures in this article and I have quoted him on the source of efflorescence.
As Charles said, “Most people have seen “efflorescence” even if they didn’t know what it was or that it even had a name. The whitish build-up visible on masonry structures is caused by moisture moving through the material. As the moisture evaporates from the surface, the salts carried in the moisture builds up to create what we call “efflorescence.” It is very common on foundations below grade that have not been adequately sealed on the exterior or that are for some other reason being impacted by sub-surface water. Moisture can also wick up through the foundation footing and then evaporate out through the wall. While mostly cosmetic (in some cases it can lead to spalling and weakening of the concrete or brick structures), the main thing that is indicated by efflorescence is: “there is moisture in the material.” The picture … shows typical efflorescence on a basement wall. …”
The photo below shows efflorescence on exterior brick chimney.
Don’t let the home inspector surprise you with the news of a moisture problem. When you see efflorescence you will already know there is an issue. Look wise. Ask the inspector if he or she can tell you the extent of the problem. The hidden or future cost may be repairs to reduce moisture penetration.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
The Ottawa House - Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Wired in Ottawa. When moving to Ottawa, many people are attracted to the older neighbourhoods and older homes. One reason, of course, is the proximity to the downtown area, especially for Federal Government employees as many of the government office towers are in the downtown area. Look at the wiring when looking at a home. Yes, even buyers can see knob-and-tube and not be surprised when the house inspector tells you it is there.
What is it. This type of wiring gets its name from the ceramic knobs that secure the wire and the ceramic tubes that are used to pass the wire through joists and other wood framing.
Insurance Issue. More and more, insurance companies are hesitant or refusing to insure a home with knob-and-tube wiring. This type of wiring, in itself, is not dangerous but because of the age (installed pre-1950s) there could be insulation breakdown. Also, during that construction period, most homes had 60 amp service. With our increased use of electrical appliances and gadgets, there are an increased risks of overload. If knob-and-tube wiring is in the basement near heating ducts and copper plumbing pipes, it will probably have to be replaced.
Be cautious when looking at any home to purchase. Don’t let the home inspector surprise you with the news of knob-in-tube. Look wise. The hidden or future cost may be an electrical upgrade for the home.
Photo Credit: Knob, Tube at http://www.flickr.com/photos/editor/117327462/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
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Welcome
My name is Valerie Zinger. I am a Realtor in Ottawa. I look forward to listing your property or helping you find your home.
Phone: 613-723-5300 Click here to contact Valerie by Email at:
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