Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I.

Each Canadian generates, on average, five tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers 10

simple steps you can take to help keep our planet healthy and make your home more comfortable and healthier, while saving you money, and

increasing your home's resale value.

Step 1 - Switch to Public Transit

By simply switching from a mid-size car to public transit for your local travel, you can save up to 230 kg

of CO2 per year for every 1,000 km you don't drive.

Step 2 - Think Smaller

Downsizing to a smaller car can eliminate 1,100 - 2,600 kg of CO2 each year - and save you dollars

at the gas pump!

Step 3 - Stay Grounded

For short out-of-town trips, taking the bus or train instead of traveling by plane could benefit both the

planet and your wallet.

Step 4 - Reduce Your Home Heating Bills

Improving the energy-efficiency of your home or even just lowering the thermostat by as little as 1°C

can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Step 5 - Reconsider Your Space Needs

Larger homes use a lot more energy so, the next time you move, ask yourself if a smaller home might

better fit your needs.

Step 6 - Buy green

When buying appliances, choose the most energy-efficient ones in order to save up to 400 kg of CO2

a year.

Step 7 - Stay out of hot water

Wrapping your hot water heater in a thermal blanket and installing low-flow shower heads and

water-efficient appliances can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Step 8 - Eat Your Vegetables

Adopting a diet that includes less meat can have a significant impact on your greenhouse gas

emissions.

Step 9 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Cutting your garbage production by just one bag a week could save your family 300 kg of CO2 a year.

Step 10 - Remember: You Have the Power

Many utility companies are introducing Green Power options. By switching to green power, you can

reduce your home's CO2 emissions.

Jennifer Zammit , A.C.C.I.

Executive Salesperson

Realty Executives Elite Ltd.

7-515 Wellington Road S.

London, Ontario, N6C 4R3

Tel: 519-649-6900

Cell: 519-933-5201

Fax: 519-649-6933

jenniferzammit@rogers.com

www.jenniferzammit.homesandlan

d.com

Regular maintenance is an important part of keeping your home in top condition, both for your enjoyment and for the future resale value of your

house.

Spring

Clean or replace furnace filter

Check/clean heat recovery ventilator

(HRV); wash or replace filter

Clean humidifier and turn it off

Check sump pump

Check gutters and downspouts and clean

if needed

Inspect air conditioning; service, as

needed (usually every two or three years)

Inspect basement or crawl space for

signs of seepage/leakage

Ensure that ground slopes away from the

foundation wall

Open outside hose connection

Open vents to outdoor crawl spaces

Clean windows, screens and hardware;

install screens

Check that air intake and exhausts are

clear of debris, nests, etc.

Clean range hood filter

You can turn off your HRV if your

windows are mostly open in the summer.

Run your HRV if you keep your windows

mostly closed

Undertake spring landscape

maintenance; fertilize young trees

Test your smoke alarms. Change the

batteries at least once a year.

Every Two to Five Years

Check and repair driveway cracks

Check and repair the chimney cap and

the caulking between the cap and

chimney; recaulk, as necessary

Refinish wood surfaces, including window

frames and doors

Summer

Check exterior finishes

Check exterior wood for signs of

deterioration

Check caulking and weather-stripping

around windows, including around entry

door from garage and home

Check basement floor drain trap; replenish

with water, if needed

Have furnace/heating system serviced

(every two years for an electric furnace)

Use dehumidifier in damp basements

For central air conditioning; clean filter in air

handling unit

Annually

Dust or vacuum electric baseboards

Vacuum ducts behind warm air and return

air grills

Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure

they are working

Test pressure relief valve on hot water tank;

drain water from tank

Check door hinges and oil, if needed

Lubricate garage door motor, chain, etc.

Check attic for signs of moisture in summer

or fall

Check septic system; clean, if needed

(usually about every three years)

Do safety checks: fire escape routes, fire

extinguisher, door and window locks

Jennifer Zammit , A.C.C.I.

Executive Salesperson

Realty Executives Elite Ltd.

7-515 Wellington Road S.

London, Ontario, N6C 4R3

Tel: 519-649-6900

Cell: 519-933-5201

Fax: 519-649-6933

jenniferzammit@rogers.com

www.jenniferzammit.homesandlan

d.com

When unforeseen financial circumstances impact your ability to make regular mortgage payments, it's important for you to take quick action.

With early intervention, cooperation, and a well executed plan, you can work together with your lender to find a solution to your financial

difficulties.

What can I do to help?

If you find yourself facing financial difficulties, as a result of job loss, family income reduction, or for

other reasons, it can be an overwhelming experience leaving you feeling uncomfortable and unsure of

what to do. By following these three simple steps, you can make a big difference in resolving your

financial difficulties.

1) Talk to your lender

To increase the chance of successfully managing your financial situation through early

intervention, call your lender at the first sign of financial difficulty;

Ask the lender about information on the options available for managing your financial situation;

and

Keep the lender informed as circumstances evolve.

2) Clarify the financial picture

In order to help your lender fully understand your financial situation, before meeting with your lender,

prepare a detailed list of financial obligations including any credit cards, loans, household bills with the

amounts owing and their due dates. Be sure to include information about your current income, savings

accounts, investments, and any other assets.

3) Stay informed

The more information you have at your disposal on managing your finances, the easier it will be to

make the right decisions.

Take Charge of Your Debts is an online tool from the Government of Canada that is designed to help

borrowers like you understand debt problems, and includes information on making a budget, budget

counselling, collection agencies, credit, and credit repair. To view this tool, log on to www.ic.gc.ca

(Industry Canada) and search for "Take Charge of Your Debts".

How can lenders and CMHC help?

Your lender wants to establish and maintain a positive relationship with you over the long term. As

mortgage professionals, they are fully trained and have the tools to help you deal with the temporary

financial setbacks that you may be facing.

For mortgages insured by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), CMHC provides

lenders with tools and the flexibility to make timely decisions when working with you to find a solution to

your unique financial situation. These tools include:

Converting a variable interest rate mortgage to a fixed interest rate mortgage in order to protect

you from a sudden interest rate increase, should one occur.

Offering a temporary short-term payment deferral. Your lender may be prepared to offer greater

payment flexibilities, particularly if previous lump sum prepayments have been made, or if you

have previously chosen an accelerated payment schedule.

Extending the original repayment period (amortization) in order to lower your monthly mortgage

payments.

Adding any missed payments (arrears) to the mortgage balance and spreading them over the

remaining mortgage repayment period.

Offering a special payment arrangement unique to your particular financial situation.

CMHC is also willing to consider other alternatives proposed by the lender to resolve or avoid mortgage

payment default. In every case, the options available will depend upon your individual financial

circumstances.

CMHC is Canada's national housing agency. For over 60 years CMHC has shared a wealth of

knowledge and housing expertise to help create an informed and reassured homeownership

experience for Canadians.

Jennifer Zammit , A.C.C.I.

Executive Salesperson

Realty Executives Elite Ltd.

7-515 Wellington Road S.

London, Ontario, N6C 4R3

Tel: 519-649-6900

Cell: 519-933-5201

Fax: 519-649-6933

jenniferzammit@rogers.com

www.jenniferzammit.homesandlan

d.com

We are independent of CMHC and

we are providing this document as

CMHC information only

Buying your first home is one of the largest investments of your life. Canada's Economic Action Plan introduces the First-Time Home Buyers'

(FTHB) Tax Credit and the expansion of the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) to provide you with additional benefits and help you realize your dream of

homeownership.

First-Time Home Buyers' (FTHB) Tax Credit

The costs associated with purchasing a home, such as legal fees, disbursements and land transfer

taxes, can be a particular burden for first-time homebuyers who must pay these costs, as well as save

money for a down payment. To assist first-time homebuyers with the costs associated with the

purchase of a home, the Government of Canada introduced a FTHB Tax Credit in 2009 - a $5,000

non-refundable income tax credit amount on a qualifying home acquired after January 27, 2009. For an

eligible individual,* the credit will provide up to $750 in federal tax relief starting in 2009.

Expansion of the Home Buyers' Plan

To provide first-time homebuyers with greater access to their RRSP savings to purchase or build a

home, the Government of Canada has increased the Home Buyers' Plan withdrawal limit to $25,000

from $20,000 per person for withdrawals made after January 27, 2009.

Looking for More Homebuying Information?

When it comes to buying your home, nothing is more valuable than peace of mind. That's why for more

than 60 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has shared a wealth of knowledge

and housing expertise to contribute to a positive homeownership experience for Canadians. Visit

www.cmhc.ca today, and browse through our wealth of homebuying information. You'll find everything

you need, from homebuying videos, to mortgage calculators, to home hunting worksheets.

CMHC also provides mortgage loan insurance that enables you to buy a home with as little as a 5%

down payment - with interest rates comparable to those with a 20% down payment. Obtain a 10%

premium refund and extend the amortization period without a premium surcharge when using

CMHC-insured financing to purchase an eligible energy-efficient home. This can add up to savings of

$1,688 for a typical $250,000 mortgage with a 5% down payment amortized over 35 years. Ask your

mortgage professional about CMHC.

To obtain more information on the First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit and the Home Buyers' Plan,

call 1-800-O-Canada or visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra.gc.ca.

*To find out if you are eligible, please visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhbtc-eng.html

Jennifer Zammit , A.C.C.I.

Executive Salesperson

Realty Executives Elite Ltd.

7-515 Wellington Road S.

London, Ontario, N6C 4R3

Tel: 519-649-6900

Cell: 519-933-5201

Fax: 519-649-6933

jenniferzammit@rogers.com

www.jenniferzammit.homesandlan

d.com

People are often curious about how certain home improvements will affect the value of their homes. The chart of percentages displayed here presents some findings compiled by the Appraisal Institute of Canada from their 2008 membership survey. It is intended to give the homeowner a very general idea of the potential that certain improvements have in adding value to your home.

Sky lights	0-25%
Swimming pool	0-25%
Landscaping	25-50%
Fencing	25-50%
Brick walkways	25-50%
Home theatre	25-50%
Block paving	25-50%
Concrete paving	25-75%
Central air conditioning	25-75%
Deck	50-75%
New windows and doors	50-75%
New exterior siding	50-75%
Flooring	50-75%
Basement renovation	50-75%
Addition to dwelling	50-75%
Fireplace	50-75%
Garage	50-75%
Roof replacement	50-80%
Heating system/furnace	50-80%
Interior paint	50-100%
Kitchen renovation	75-100%
Bathroom renovation	75-100%
Energy efficient features	Avg. 61%

Other considerations

• Improvements which are commonly found in the area the home is located in will almost always deliver the highest returns.
• Renovations in homes which have a lower market value when compared to other homes in the area generally see a higher return from home improvements.
• Poorly done renovations have a smaller upward impact on the home's value, and can actually have a negative affect on property value.
• Renovations done on a home that is generally in poor repair overall have a minimal impact on its market value.
• It's rare that renovations recover their full cost in added value. Home owners should understand that there is some value associated with enjoyment of the improvement.
• Not all improvements are created equal, even those that might fit in the same category. For instance, in a bathroom renovation a "spa type shower will add roughly 36% of it's cost, while a Jacuzzi or whirlpool type tub recovers approximatly 65% of its cost.