Important Summer Maintenance For Your Home

This excellent, detailed checklist is from CMHC. Its a great guideline for completing some important maintenance on your home during the summer months. Add it to the "honey-do" list hahaha. 

	Monitor basement humidity and avoid relative humidity levels above 60 per cent. Use a dehumidifier to maintain relative humidity below 60 per cent.
	Clean or replace air-conditioning filter, and clean or replace ventilation system filters if necessary.
	Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping and, if necessary, take corrective action; for example, reduce humidity and/or insulate cold water pipes.
	Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water; refill with water if necessa
	If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap.
	Deep clean carpets and rugs.
	Vacuum bathroom fan grille.
	Disconnect the duct connected to your clothes dryer, and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside.
	Check security of all guardrails and handrails.
	Check smooth functioning of all windows, and lubricate as required.
	Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes of older houses, and replace if needed.
	Sand and touch up paint on windows and doors.
	Lubricate door hinges, and tighten screws as needed.
	Check for and replace damaged caulking and weatherstripping around mechanical and electrical services, windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house.
	Lubricate garage door hardware, and ensure it is operating properly.
	Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain and other moving parts, and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted.
	Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter your house, and make sure there is no water leakage into the house along the electrical conduit. Check for overhanging tree branches that may need to be removed.
	Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed.
	Remove any plants that contact — and roots that penetrate — the siding or brick.
	From the ground, check the general condition of the roof and note any sagging that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from inside the attic. Note the condition of shingles for possible repair or replacement, and examine roof flashings, such as at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leakage.
	Check the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and the chimney.
	Repair driveway and walkways as needed.
	Repair any damaged steps. You can see a complete year-round maintenance list on CMHC's website http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_003.cfm

Mortgage Rules Getting Even Tougher

On June 21st the department of Finance announced another round of mortgage rule tightening. Here are the highlights

• The maximum amortization period has been reduced to 25 years 

• The refinancing maximum dropped to 80% from 85%

• Mortgage payments will now be capped at 39% of gross personal income, and the total debt service ratio will be capped at 44%.

• Insured mortgages will no longer be available for homes priced above $1 million

This could mean that we see  homes sales accelerating very briefly over the next
couple of weeks before the July 9th implementation period.  


Read the whole release here: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n12/12-070-eng.asp

Summer Events Around Town

This past weekend brought a tonne of events and happenings to town and it really started to feel like summer.  We caught a few new movies at the 5 Drive-In on Friday night and strolled the Burlington Sound of Music Festival on Saturday. If you missed it, here is a list of up coming events to check out around Oakville, Milton and Burlington. Cheers!

OAKVILLE
Canada Day Celebrations & Fireworks
July 1st
Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park

Downtown Oakville Midnight Madness
July 20th

Harbour Days Sand Sculpture Competition
August 9
Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park

Jazz Festival
August 10th - 12th
Downtown Oakville

BURLINGTON
Canada Festival
July 1st

 Spencer Smith Park and Downtown Burlington

Country & Blues BBQ
July 13th & 15th
Spencer Smith Park

Movies Under The Stars
Every Thursday night throughout Summer
Click here for dates

Burlington Children's Festival
August 18th
La Salle Park

MILTON 
Carousel of Nations Multicultural Festival
June 24th
Victoria Park

Canada Day Celebrations
July 1st
Milton Fairgrounds

Farm Fun For Kids
July 7th
Country Heritage Park


Also make sure you check out The 5 Drive-In on Dundas in Oakville, it is always a good time! They have three outdoor screens, a playground and bouncy castles for the kids and you can even bring the dogs! Its great to take folding chairs and camp out under the stars while you catch the newest flicks.

Happy Summer everyone!