Mark Kozak - CENTURY 21 Foothills Real Estate

Imagine this scenario ... You purchase a new home and move in. A few weeks later you hear a strange rumbling sound. It's the furnace. It's only a year old, yet it's sputtering like it's twenty. You realize you'll have to call in an HVAC contractor to get it fixed. You're thinking, "Ouch! This is going to be ...

Some people can live in their homes for years without ever experiencing a power outage. In fact, even in  areas prone to serious storms or snowfalls, power loss doesn't happen that often. No wonder so many homeowners are caught unprepared when it does. [photo:listing:133905567:48:Medium]  [photo:listing:131630439:28:Medium] To make ...

Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your home if they see a lot of things they love about it. So what do buyers love to see? One of the main things they like to see is a lot of space. Of course, you can't change the size of your rooms, but there is a lot you can do to make small spaces in your home seem more ...

Electricity in the home is so commonplace that it's easy to forget how dangerous it can be. According to the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, an electrical shock can knock you unconscious, cause a serious burn, or even stop your heartbeat. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk. Install safety ...

If you have a basement, or even just a crawlspace, the last thing you want is water infiltrating the area. Even a minor leak can cause damage to walls and flooring, and may even lead to mould issues. Here are some precautions worth taking: Every spring and fall, check the grading ...

Like heat, water and air conditioning, insurance is a home expense you have some degree of control over. In fact, there are ways to reduce your insurance costs by as much as 20%. The thing to keep in mind is that insurance companies will often reward you – in the form of lower rates – when you do something to reduce the risk ofdamage ...

Can a draft through a window or door cause damage? It can. Damage to your bank account! A single, seemingly minor, draft through a window can increase your energy bill by as much as 3%. In addition, a damp draft can make a room feel colder than it really is, while a dry draft can cause dry throats and skin. So it pays to pay attention to drafts ...

When shopping for a new home, it's a good idea to try and see the potential of the property you're viewing. It may not be exactly what you're looking for "as is", but it may have the potential to become your dream home after some redecorating or renovating. [photo:listing:58569472:23:Medium]   ...

You could get upgraded insulation installed in all the walls of your home, or buy a new high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner. These improvements would certainly reduce your energy costs – but they each require significant investment. What if you don't have the budget? [photo:listing:56312701:23:Medium]  There are a ...

[photo:listing:20126286:15:Large] Most people feel confident about the basics of home security. For example: Keep all doors locked. Have a light on in the house while away. Never hide a key outside in an obvious place, like under the mat. Yet, almost a million and a half properties get burglarized in North America each year. So how can you ...