Sandy & Pat's Blog

A Diamond in the Rough

Sandy Stinson — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:28:00 GMT

Sometimes you run across an unexpected deal while you're looking for a home. Not every place will be thoroughly de-cluttered, cleaned and staged for the market.The home owner may live far away, or has lost interest in his place and wants to sell as quickly as possible.This gives you bargaining power with the owner and it's a great way to get into the Real Estate market.Look at older homes which do not have structural damage or need a lot of expensive professional attention from plumbers or electricians. A building inspector can help you here.
Try to imagine the house de-cluttered, a fresh paint job, old carpet ripped out, new window treatments. These are cosmetic, inexpensive fix-ups and you can turn the place into a real gem with a little elbow grease and a paint brush. You will not only pat yourself on the back for getting a great bargain, but the improvements will increase your home's value right away.
Good Luck with your house search!
Sandy Stinson
(250) 749-6000

Sightseeing by Houseboat

Sandy Stinson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:20:00 GMT

Lake Cowichan is one of the largest bodies of fresh water on Vancouver Island. It's long narrow shape make it perfect for cruising on a houseboat.

You'll float by green rollinghills, sandy beaches and cottagers enjoying a swim. Drop anchor any time and head to shore for a hike or picnic. Everything you need will be at your fingertips. No need to head back to dock. You can prepare food in the kitchen, BBQ on deck, have a cold one from your fridge or snooze listening to the waves lapping.

Houseboats are also and ideal way to check out properties and imagine how it would be to live at the lake.

If you are seeking a recreational/investment property there are opportunities to use your home as a vacation rental to help offset the costs. Contact your realtor to discuss the potential investment opportunities in this beautiful area.

Sandy Stinson (250) 749-6000

Life on the Lake

Sandy Stinson — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:42:00 GMT

If you're not from the area, you might appreciate living at Cowichan Lake even more than someone who was born here.
You may come to the lake for a visit, then go home and you can't help but start making comparisons.

There are so few places left on the planet where you can slip away from a pristine shoreline in your boat or kayak (even in the month of February!) and enjoy looking out toward a lush green shoreline where water birds are feeding, view a fish or two jumping and if you're lucky even see an otter stretched out on a dock. Some days on the lake are downright magical, like catching sight of a soaring eagle, or gazing into a sunset the colour of a glowing pomegranate.

Those of us lucky enough to live here feel truly blessed but even if you live elsewhere, what a perfect place to retire. There are many opportunities to have this peaceful lifestyle either after you finish working, or own a recreational property to enjoy while you're still working.

It's never too early to plan ahead. Where would you like to spend your leisure years? Think about joining us up here at the Lake. It could be a win/win situation because the more people we attract from diverse locations, the more new ideas and new ways of thinking are brought into our community.

Sandy Stinson

(250) 749-6000

Small Town Sentiments

Sandy Stinson — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:58:00 GMT

You can concentrate on all the things that aren't available when you live in a small town. It's true, that everything you're used to in city life won't be at your fingertips in a small community. But the things that really count are all there. You really have to get out, attend the community events, walk through town and trails, sit at a local cafe and relax, enjoy a simpler less hectic pace of life.No one knew this better than Lake Cowichan's reporter/photographer Doug Marner. Doug left us suddenly due to a stroke on Valentines Day at 54 years old: way too young. But while he was out there, reporting for our town's Lake Cowichan Gazette, there was hardly ever a sports or social event where you didn't see Doug. And he didn't just zoom in, grab a picture or two and disappear. He became a welcome part of every get together, smiling, talking to everyone and relishing the togetherness of the town.I last saw him covering a night of great music sponsored by our Radio Station CICV at the local Lion's Hall. He was doing what he loved best; reporting on music events. As usual, he walked in with the big grin, stopped to chat to everyone in between snapping a few pictures. It was evident that he was so happy that Lake Cowichan had a venue to showcase the local musicians. Right to the end, he represented everything that is special about small town life, and I will think of him with great fondness whenever I go out to any of our town celebrations.

Sandy Stinson
(250) 749-6000

Rain Barrels-A Great Idea

Sandy Stinson — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:29:00 GMT

Installing a rainbarrel at your home will give all kinds of benefits. It is an emergencywater supply when the hydro is out.

It provides manygallons of chlorine-free, oxygen rich water which will benefit your garden andhouse plants.
Watering with warm rain barrel water reduces shock andeliminates a condition called "damping off" when watering newtransplants.

Rain barrels divertwater away from the foundation of your house.

They cut down on yourwater bill.

They can help preventflooding and limit run-off in an overburdened sewer system.

Rain barrels reducedemand on the municipal water system, very important when we are havingextremely dry summers.

Tune in again formore of the many benefits of having a rain barrel.

And remember to ThinkGreen!

Sandy Stinson
(250) 749-6000

Waste Reduction

Sandy Stinson — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:06:00 GMT

When building, measure and calculate at least two times to eliminate anyleft-over materials.

Order lengths and sizes that suit the project so that very little ends upin the scrap heap.

Do your homework on local green materials for all your projects. If thematerials have to be transported long distances, the fuel consumption andexhaust fumes produced negate your green intentions.

If you are tearing down an existing structure, consider any usefulmaterials that might be sold or donated to a building recycler. ex. windows,doors, bricks, hardware, lumber. There are more and more of these sites poppingup all over North America, and while you'reout there, check and see if there are any materials which may suit your nextproject.

"Build it Green"

Sandy Stinson

Green Building Products

Sandy Stinson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:39:00 GMT

Many building products on the market claim to be green materials, butdon't live up to their claims. Read carefully and don't be afraid to askquestions.

Try to choose products that contain recycled material. They notonly reduce the strain on landfills but reduce the need to use extra rawmaterials. Any way we can lessen our use of natural resources willbenefit all of us.

Another great choice is using rapidly renewable products such as cork andbamboo, or wood products made from fast growing trees such as alder.

Choosing products that are durable also fits in with our greeninterests. These types of products stand the test of time and requireless money and materials for replacement or repair.

Happy Green Building!

Sandy Stinson & Pat Duringer

(250) 749-6000

Fossil Forts in the Cowichan Valley

Sandy Stinson — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:56:00 GMT

I can not help but think of myself as the producer, director and star in my own little play, this thought pattern is thourally enabled by being smack dab in the middle of one of the greatest forces for change that Canada has ever seen, The Baby Boom. That long winter after World War 2 when our heroes returned triumphantly, ready to engage in the building of a new world must have been especially enhanced by our Long Canadian winters as it is very much a Northern phenomenon. As we have changed the landscape to suit our needs throughout our lives we now enter into our retirement years and I do not doubt for a moment that this too will see a distinct shaking up in the way people view this next phase of our lives. Many of our grandparents sat at home hoping to have the family stop by but many of us are eager for adventure, we want stories to tell. Being a housing professional this is the area of interest that I would like to explore and share my thoughts with you.

Having emerged from one of the biggest financial crisis of our time I believe that people have had a wake up call, I think we will now see, in fact I am seeing, a trend towards people wanting to be done with the big mortgage, the huge house with 4 bathrooms to clean and are sitting up to examine and execute what this next phase of their life will bring. Many of us want to travel, in our own country and around the world, if we do not do it now, when will we do it, time is marching on. However we also want to know we are secure and the way many Canadians view this is through thier Homes. In order to have it all we need to be creative and willing to think outside of the box, we need to work together. I see the Cowichan Valley as the perfect place to live for 6 months of the year but perhaps a warmer climate is in order for a few of those winter months.

The Strata complex started out as a wonderful idea, but quickly got watered down to the bare bones to help the developers make more money, it does not have to be that way. Lets take a small number of rules, truly enforce them and create a environment in which people can fulfill their full potential. A self governing community will always nurture the greatest hearts and minds. When you are part of a community that you have a stake in you take ownership, when you take ownership you feel like you want to make it the best you can. When you start this canvas with an amazing back drop of pristine forest and one of the nicest Lakes and Rivers in Canada and the cleanest water on the planet you have every chance of creating a winning lifestyle.

I would like to take this opportunity to begin to sketch out some possibilities to build on, you could look at the type of community that would best suit your personal lifestyle and subscribe to that in theory, when we gather enough like minded people who agree on a lifestyle that we can all help to create, we could make it a reality.

Celebrate interdependence within a self sufficient unit of your choice.

Penny Lane

Penny Lane is a small 12 unit Riverfront complex that has already sold the 5 existing cabins and is now embarking on the next 7, they are oh so cute, one acre of lovely Riverfront Common property with a shared dock, and there is a walking bridge over the Cowichan River that leads right to all the amenities that Lake Cowichan has to offer. The Trans Canada Trail goes past here leading to some of the countries most beautiful walking trails. They start at $225,000 and go up depending on the quality of finishing you want to see in your unit, most include wood flooring and granite already and are well designed and quality built. Although we have not evolved past what is already a charming setting, my Mom hopes to go into this little community so I can see it evolving into a little Retirement village. It is a strata development with fees at around $110. per month, please visit my website for more informationwww.remaxlakecowichan.com

Stin-qua

Stin-qua is a Lake Front Community in Honeymoon Bay which offers 16 Waterfront or Water access lots that give you full access to our 34 KM freshwater Lake. Enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and only 45 minutes to Ocean fishing in Port Renfrew to catch salmon, halibut and crab. Much more on this wonderful green oriented, gated community on our website as well, close to golfing, dining, and camping, on your way to Nitinat which offers worlds class recreation

Our Eco Centre

Take a look online to ourecovillage this is the type of community that I want to be a part of, Brandy looks like a little Hippie girl but she is a highly educated woman who is devoting her life to teaching people how to live in community and live lightly on the land in a sustainable, respectful way. Brandy has created a new zoning to allow her to do what she does, she has also literally created a new way to finance this type of community. We have a opportunity to create this type of village right here in Lake Cowichan on the Native Land or with patience on a 14 acre piece of land that is coming available. It would be easier on the the Native Land but of course it has its own inherent obstacles. Native Land would be much more reasonably priced for people so there is a opportunity to have both. What it lacked as a long term investment vehicle it would gain in ease of development, the Band does not have to abide by the regular municipal laws and building codes so we could get extremely creative in building green unconventional homes and set up a community in a most unorthodox fashion. Of course everything would have to go through a Lawyer who was well versed in these matters.

North Shore Rd

I have a 1.5 acre Waterfront Listing on the North Shore that is a combination residential, commercial zoning that would likely be easy to build a high end townhouse strata for the more sophisticated among us, the shore line is amazing and there is even some sandy areas in the summer sun, it is close to town and will likely soon be on the town sewer and water. I think if we got 40 people to commit to this development that you could have a top quality project on some of the nicest waterfront available in the area.

Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge and in this world of Google where we have all the knowledge at our fingertips, as amazing as that is we need to put our imaginations to work to make the most of it.

My personal vision is to have a home surrounded by other little homes, tucked in the bush, a place to be alone and a place to be together, in fact many little places, a place to work, a place to garden and a nice organized place to re-cycle, in fact a place to separate our glass for example where we can take it and throw it in a oven that melts it and makes, say glass blocks to build something or to make paving stones for the garden, a little indoor swimming pool, glassed in for garden plants, mostly edible, a big stone oven for pizza or bread, a gazebo to sit and talk or make music, a water feature to enjoy, a place to craft, a place to cook, a work shop to build things in, a place to park our boats and motor homes, maybe we could even share some of these. Often we only need to use something a little, we do not need to own everything, in fact the more we own the heavier that responsibility of taking care of it or polishing it and storing it and insuring it and cleaning it.

We could have a system in place that made it so that we could age in place, perhaps allow a couple of the littles house to go to caregivers, the hospital is only 20 minutes away (13 minutes with our fourth child) and we have a clinic and a wonderful ambulance station in town.

I would love to invite you to comment on these possibilities, in fact lets start a blog to explore the positive and negative aspects, the pros and cons, lets set up a list of people who might want to explore living in one of these various sites and how it would look if it where our home. Just e-mail me at sandystinson@shaw.ca with your personal choice of environment to live in and your views on how we could optimize our chosen lifestyle.

Remax of Lake Cowichan would like to offer a $1000. prize to the person who sends in the most creative, innovative thoughts on the subject. Contest is open to all and the deadline is Thanksgiving October 11, 2010, we will share your ideas with all.

All the Best

Sandy Stinson

Broker Owner Remax of Lake Cowichan 250 749 6000 sandystinson@shaw.ca

Cowichan River

Sandy Stinson — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:48:00 GMT

The Cowichan River is the connection from Lake Cowichan to the rest of the Valley, it drops down approx. 400 feet from the mouth of the Lake down to the
Strait of Georgia through forests of Cedar and Douglas Fir, enjoying Canada's only Mediterranean climate this area was the cradle of the ancient and prosperous First Nations civilization, the Valley was rich with fish, fowl Elk and Deer, the Lake was a place where the young men came to envision their futures. The Cowichan basks in its cultural heritage as Khowutzun, the land warmed by the sun. The people used the cedar for their canoes, houses, clothing and tools, there is a lovely lady who makes very stylish hats out of tightly woven cedar, I have personally seen one that is 30 years old and still looks great, it certainly keeps the rain out. The natives used clothes made out of cedar for their ceremonies. I love the cedar baskets made by Fran and Cathy Edgar, Mrs Edgar tried to teach me years ago but to no avail, it is a art form I failed to acomplish you can see their work at the heritage centre in Duncan.

People harvested the salmon and the sea life on the coast for their nutritional mainstay, they used the plants, roots herbs and berries to supplement their diet. They lived life large, with big houses, giant war canoes, which we enjoyed seeing in the opening of the Torch Relay that went through town this past fall, aristocratic Salish chiefs amassed great fortunes of goods and slaves that were used to maintain their high position in the tradition of potlatch. the Cowichan River population became one of the major First Nations tribes of the west Coast.

In 1883 William Forest (perhaps a distant relative our our own Mayer Ross Forest) introduced European settlement on the river he travelled down with a local First Nation guide and convinced the premier of BC to put in a road. Logging quickly became a booming business, they floated the logs down the river to the ocean for shipping around the world, there where some world class log jams that quickly discouraged this practice. It was very hard on the Cowichans internationally renowned sport fishing. We are a fly fishing Mecca once again. Most recently the river has become a tourist destination for tubers, I have been taking my kids down the river since they where very young, it is a most enjoyable experience, and unless you go past Skutz Falls and into Maria Canyon, very safe.

They then brought in the train which opened up the area even more, there is a tale about when one of the first trains was being barged over to Youbou, before the road went that far and they lost it in the Narrows, never to be found. I have heard many stories about life around the Lake at that time, people worked hard and played hard, the landscape was dotted with house boats and float homes, many of which where later dragged up onto the shore and turned into peoples homes. It sounded like a fun time to live at the Lake. Lots of music and dances.

The Nature Conservancy has recently played a huge role to take large plots of land and keep them for the people and animals to enjoy, the Cowichan is now designated a Heritage River. Many including our local Band are stocking the river, there was a initiative last summer to put more gravel right in front of our place on the river and I saw more Salmon spawning this fall than I have in the past 5 years. Many local people go to the mouth of the creeks in the summer and try and save as many fry as possible from drying up in the summer sun, this is a great project for the kids to do.

The areas mountains are rich in granite and marble and iron ore, there are mining claims being held to the tune of millions of dollars at present which makes me think we will soon be replacing logging with mining as a means of employment. There is several world class developments about to happen on the Lake, we are a small resource town about to be discovered again. Visit our website for more information on the area www.remaxlakecowicha.com

Sandy Stinson

Owner

Managing Broker 250 749 6000

Green Trends in Houses

Sandy Stinson — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:30:00 GMT

Indoor Air Quality You really can't control the quality of the air you breathe outside, but you can improve your indoor air quality. Allergy sufferers especially will benefit from these tips. Of course, eliminate indoor smoking, that's a no-brainer, but many don't know the importance of washing all bedding regularly to eliminate dust mites and using special filtered vacuums. Other items that can diminish air quality are air fresheners, many of which are really air polluters and fumes from dry cleaning.(air it out on your porch for several hours before bringing it indoors) Low VOC paints are now used by most builders and home renovators. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds and these are particularly irritating to allergy sufferers. Make sure the products going into your home improve the air quality and make it a safe haven from the questionable air you are breathing outside. It's becoming more and more important to ask questions and do your research before using any products in your home.

Sandy & Pat

Green Trends in Houses

Sandy Stinson — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:31:00 GMT

With all the interest in keeping our planet green, we have been looking for "win/win" building products and designs for homes.

LOW-E WINDOWS

If more winter indoor warmth and less summer warmth, along with a smaller energy bill interest you, look into "low-e" window glass for your building projects.

The "e" stands for emissivity (a surface that emits heat by radiation). The glass is made with a 2 layer coating that reflects heat back to the source, keeping your home more comfortable in a green way.

That is reason enough to consider its use, but there are added bonuses as well. The glass coatings reduce sun damage on window treatments, furnishings, carpets, artwork. Plus, this glass greatly reduces fogging and condensation on your windows, and these conditions form mould- a known health hazard.

Happy Building in 2010, Sandy & Pat

Tips for a Green Christmas How to save the planet and celebrate the season

Sandy Stinson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:08:00 GMT

With so much added waste floating around at the Christmas season it can be difficult to celebrate the holidays with an environmentally friendly edge. Here are the top tips for caring for the environment while you enjoy the holidays:

Don’t give gifts. Donate to an environmental charity instead.

Give environmentally friendly gifts that don’t increase waste.

Bring your own reusable bag to the store when you are Christmas shopping.

Don’t use paper to wrap your gifts. Put them in a reusable bag or wrap them up in a second gift like a scarf or hat. Or don’t wrap them at all!

Use rechargeable batteries in all your Christmas electronics and gifts.

Use garland instead of lights to save energy.

Only use your outdoor lights for two to five hours a day or when you are having company.

Decorate with pieces that can be used in other seasons.

Compost left over holiday foods.

Decorate your home with natural ornaments: holly, evergreen, cranberries, popcorn and fruit are all compostable.

Put up an artificial tree.

Buy a live tree and replant it after the holidays.

Recycle your Christmas tree.

Save your Christmas wrap, decorations and cards to reuse next year.

It is easy to shape your Christmas celebrations with conservation in mind. Encourage your friends and family be environmentally friendly and Christmas time will no longer seem so wasteful.

What Christmas Means for the Planet

If we don’t watch our consumption over the holidays, it can mean real consequences for the environment. Recycling is the best way to show your environmentally friendly Christmas spirit.

Without recycling, up to one billion Christmas cards and as much as 83 square kilometers of wrapping paper could end up in landfills

Excessive consumption will kill the planet. It is estimated that the pollution from the manufacturing, transportation, use and disposal of Christmas gifts is greater than that caused by automobiles each year

Christmas lights left on for ten hours a day over only twelve days will produce enough carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons

All these damaging effects can be avoided if everyone pays attention to consumption over the holidays.

Have a Merry Christmas

Sandy Stinson & Pat Duringer

Geothermal Heating Systems

Sandy Stinson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:37:00 GMT

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Geothermal heating systems, also known as geo-exchange, ground source pumps, or earth-coupled pumps, take advantage of the earth's nearly constant temperature (45-75 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on latitude) to heat and cool buildings. They work by pumping water and antifreeze or a refrigerant under the ground to be heated or cooled by the earth and then pumped back through piping in the house. In the winter, the earth is used as a heat source, and in the summer as a heat sink. These systems are effective in any climate. The systems pollute less than traditional fuel-burning systems and are about three times more efficient. They are also more efficient than air-to-air exchange heating/cooling systems because water can transfer a greater amount of heat than air. They also have a longer lifetime than either system because almost all system components are indoors or underground. The average lifetime is 25 years for outdoor components and 50 years for parts that are installed indoors or underground.

Geothermal systems reduce the probability of a fire or carbon monoxide leak in a home because they do not require any combustion. Another huge benefit is the reduction of pollution. According to the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, geothermal systems reduce CO2 emissions by about 1.1 million metric tons over 20 years, which is "the equivalent of converting about 58,700 cars to zero-emission vehicles, or planting more than 120,000 acres of trees." Geothermal systems have the EPA ENERGY STAR® label, which not only indicates that using these systems benefits the health of our planet, but also that there may be incentives associated with installing the system, such as tax benefits or lower mortgages. Geothermal systems are also better at controlling relative humidity in buildings compared with other systems.

There are two different types of geothermal heating and cooling systems: open-loop and closed-loop. Open-loops systems require a body of water, and work by pumping water from this source through the house and then back into the body of water. In closed-loop systems, closed-loop piping through which water flows is buried under the ground. The piping for closed-loop systems may be installed vertically or horizontally, with vertical piping requiring a deep but thin trench and horizontal piping requiring a wide but shallow trench.

Geothermal systems are very popular among people who have used them. In fact, the California Energy Commission's Consumer Energy Center reports that 95 percent of people who have installed these systems would recommend them to others.

Estimated Cost Savings:
Geothermal heating systems can save between 30 and 70 percent on heating and cooling costs compared to traditional fuel-burning systems, and are estimated to use an average of 25 to 50 percent less electricity. These systems are often able to generate excess heat in the summer or even the winter, and a device called a desuperheater can use this excess heat from the system's compressor to heat water at no additional cost. These systems are expensive to install, costing about $2,500 per metric ton of unit, which works out to about $7,500 for the average-sized American home. This is nearly double the price of installing a traditional air conditioning unit. Closed-loop systems require an additional cost for drilling the trench in which the piping is laid, which can cost $10,000 to $30,000, although the costs of installation have decreased in recent years and are expected to continue falling. Overall, the long-term monetary benefits of transitioning to a geothermal system outweigh the initial cost. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the installation costs will pay for themselves in five to ten years, and then building owners will actually profit from the system for the remainder of the system's life. Schools and businesses, which will probably be using the system for a long time, could take special advantage of this profit to purchase new school or business necessities.

Besides saving money on monthly energy bills, geothermal heating systems are usually more durable and require fewer maintenance and repair costs compared with other units. Having a geothermal system adds value to a property proportional to how much monthly energy bills are reduced. Some states also offer monetary incentives for installing these systems.

Property owners who want some of the benefits of a geothermal system but simply cannot afford installation can consider an air-geothermal hybrid system, called a dual-source system. These systems are less efficient than a pure geothermal heating and cooling system, but more efficient than a pure air-based or fuel-based system. Also, dual-source systems are cheaper to install than pure geothermal ones.

Issues:
It is very important to get a qualified contractor to look at the building and land around the building to determine the best kind of geothermal system to maximize comfort, efficiency, and savings. All systems should be customized to a particular situation. It is very important to make sure the contractor is knowledgeable and qualified.

Open-loop systems are initially cheaper to install because they do not usually require drilling; however, it is important to note that these systems work only where there is a sufficient amount of fresh, relatively clean water available. If this is the case and an open-loop system may be used, you must research local regulations on discharging water and make sure these regulations are met.

Regional Issues:
Geothermal heating systems work in all climates, even extreme ones. Good contractors should be able to give advice on specific regional issues that affect drilling and installation, for example, very hard ground.

Installation:
Installation and installation costs of geothermal systems vary, depending on the type of system installed and the availability of a water source. All installations, however, involve installing some type of piping and units for converting and distributing heat. The ductwork used in these systems is the same as that used for traditional systems, so no change is required during installation. The most important thing about installation is finding a good contractor.

More Information On This Topic:

"Geothermal Heating/Cooling Systems" - Residential Environmental Design

"Geothermal Heat Pumps" - U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium

"Geothermal or Ground Source Heat Pumps" - California Energy Commission, Consumer Energy Center

Your own private Eco System

Sandy Stinson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:54:00 GMT

The relationship of one component in your house hinges on the other components in the same system. The construction, the heating and cooling systems, the sun, the time of year, the behavior of the people living in each house all work together to create a tiny eco system. Changing one component without looking at the big picture can be a waste of time and money. As we approach our Canadian winter things like storm windows and increasing the weather-stripping are all useful however to really understand and optimize your home you might want to find a Energy advisor in your area, check out www.newhomes.nrcan.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000 . As I shopped for a new appliance this week I was happy to see the Energy Star sticker on many makes and models. Every little bit helps.

THE SUPREME REALITY OF OUR TIME IS THE VULNERABILITY OF OUR PLANET

John F. Kennedy 1962

Energy-Efficient Housing Made More Affordable with Mortgage Loan Insurance

Sandy Stinson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:24:00 GMT

More than 17 percent of the energy consumed in Canada is used to run our homes. Buying an energy-efficient home or making energy-saving renovations can offer big savings. A 10% CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium refund and extended amortization period without surcharge may be available when you use CMHC insured financing to purchase an energy-efficient home or make energy-saving renovations.

Mortgage Loan Insurance

For most people, the hardest part of buying a home — especially a first home — is saving the necessary down payment. To help, CMHC offers lenders Mortgage Loan Insurance, which allows you to buy a house with as little as 5% down payment. Offered through most financial institutions, this simple solution has enabled millions of Canadians to realize the dream of homeownership.

CMHC made dreams of homeownership easier to obtain by allowing qualified home buyers to use additional sources of funds for down payments such as a loan or lenders' cash back incentives.

Help the Planet, Help Your Wallet

CMHC has added environmentally friendly features to the Mortgage Loan Insurance it offers. If you use CMHC insured financing to buy an energy-efficient home, purchase a house and make energy-saving renovations or renovate your existing home to make it more energy-efficient, a 10% refund on the Mortgage Loan Insurance premium may be available. You could also have the added flexibility of a longer amortization (the period of time required to repay your mortgage) from 25 years to a maximum of 35 years for loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80% (or 40 years for loan-to-value ratios of 80% or less), significantly reducing your monthly payments.

The Government of Canada actively promotes energy conservation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

How It Works

Obtaining an energy assessment through an NRCan qualified energy advisor.

NRCan has developed an energy assessment and labelling system to help homeowners make energy-saving choices when buying a home or renovating. For a fee, a NRCan qualified energy advisor will evaluate the house to determine its energy efficiency rating on a scale of 0 – 100.

For more information, including information on the Government of Canada’s ecoEnergy initiatives, please visit:

http://ecoaction.gc.ca/buildings

If You're Thinking of Buying or Building a Home

Step 1: Find out how energy-efficient it is

If the house you're considering buying is:

an energy-efficient R-2000 model;
has an energy efficiency rating of 77 (on or after July 27^th, 2005¹) or above;
was or will be built under a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program; or
the building in which the condominium unit you're buying (on or after July 27^th, 2005¹) is 25% more energy efficient, than if constructed to meet the requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB), you could be eligible for a 10% mortgage loan insurance premium refund and extended amortization when you use CMHC insured financing to purchase that home or condominium unit.

The house's energy efficiency rating can be obtained by:

having an energy assessment completed by an NRCan qualified energy advisor;
obtaining an R-2000 certificate or CMHC declaration from your R-2000 certified builder;
obtaining a CMHC declaration from your builder that is a member of a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program;
or for condominium units, a letter from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) or the project engineer for condominium units must be obtained.

If you are planning on building a new home and your builder is not R-2000 certified or a member of a CMHC eligible energy-efficient building program, you should have an energy advisor evaluate the building plans before the house is built. This can help you ensure that you will meet CMHC's requirements once the construction of the home is complete and it is evaluated.

¹ An energy rating of 80 is required for purchases occurring on or after November 18^th 2004 and until July 26^th 2005.

Step 2: Boost your energy efficiency

If the house you plan to buy has an energy rating below 77 (effective July 27^th, 2005. A rating of 80 is required for purchases and renovations occurring on or after November 18^th, 2004 and until July 26^th, 2005), to be eligible for a 10% premium refund, you will need to obtain an energy assessment through a NRCan qualified energy advisor and renovate using part of the CMHC insured funds based on your energy advisor's list of recommendations in order to increase your score by at least 5 points and to at least 40 overall.

Step 3: Discuss and arrange a CMHC-insured mortgage

Talk to your lender and ask for a CMHC insured mortgage.

Step 4: Confirm the improvement

After you make the renovations recommended by your energy advisor, you will need to have a second assessment done to determine the energy-saving effectiveness of the renovations. To be eligible for the 10% premium refund, the second rating must show that the house has achieved an increase of 5 points to a minimum overall rating of 40.

Step 5: CMHC 10% Premium Refund

Download and print the form:

Energy-efficient Premium Refund Form

Follow the instructions on the form to apply for your refund.

If You Own a Home and are Thinking of Renovating

Step 1: Obtain an energy rating for your home

If you plan to use CMHC insured financing to make energy-saving renovations, a 10% mortgage loan insurance premium refund may be available.

Contact an NRCan qualified energy advisor to obtain the current energy rating for your home. You will receive a list of straightforward recommendations to increase your energy rating.

Step 2: Discuss CMHC insured refinancing

Talk to your lender or your financial institution about which options are available to you.

Step 3: Improve your rating

Using your energy advisor's recommendations, renovate or upgrade to increase your energy rating using CMHC insured funds. You'll be amazed at the difference a more efficient furnace, better insulation or simple draft-proofing can make. Not only will you be reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but you'll also see welcome reductions in your monthly utility expenses.

Step 4: Confirm the improvement

Your energy advisor will assess your home again after the energy-saving renovations are finished. If this test shows that the house's energy rating has improved by at least 5 points and has achieved an overall rating of at least 40, the 10% premium refund may be available.

Step 5: CMHC 10% Premium Refund

Download and print the form:

Energy-efficient Premium Refund Form