Hello, I have a small older house in Caswell Hill that we have just extensively renovated and would like to sell. Any recommendations for a good realtor who perhaps specializes in inner city starter homes? Thank you,

Wondering if anyone with experience getting an insurance payout when a bank is named on the policy can help? We have a property with a detached garage that burned down. As the insurance payout is not enough to cover replacement (should have insured for replacement cost!), we are just going to...

We had a sewer backup (tree roots) in a house in Edmonton last year, which was covered by insurance. Since then we had a backwater preventer installed, but the insurance company is insisting they won't cover sewer backup any more, unless we also install a sump pump. I provided them with a...

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone owns a property in Sifton Park Acres, and can tell me who the condo manager is? I've just found out that my condo fees are not being deducted from my account, and when I contacted the condo managers (Aim Real Estate), they told me they were no longer managing it -...

Hello, I had to replace a washer & dryer for a property last year, but I still have UCC (undepreciated capital cost) for the previous washer & dryer. From what I've read, the class (Class 8) is still in use, so it can't be a terminal loss. Do I enter $0 in Area D - Proceeds of disposition and...

Hello, I'm looking for a recommendation for a good property manager for a couple of houses in Saskatoon. Please help! Thanks!

Hello, Can anyone suggest some good places to advertise a suite for rent in Saskatoon? Thanks! Nicola

Hello, Does anyone have (or know of) a pet-friendly short-term rental (probably one week, maybe two) in Edmonton. It is for a couple, their three kids and a small dog (Scottish terrier). They are our tenants and we need to find a place for them while we have some work done on their...

Hello, We have some recent water damage in our walls and floors due to roof leakage, ice damming etc. Before doing anything the contractor is saying we need an asbestos inspection (from an independent tester - not cheap!). It is a townhouse in NE Edmonton, built in 1979. Is this a...

We have a prospective tenant who looks good on the surface. However, she will not consent to a credit check, as she is afraid numerous inquiries will negatively affect her credit (which is true). She has supplied a copy of one she obtained for herself (it looks good) but of course, it is...

I've just found out that our tenant owes EPCOR $900 and does not have the money to pay them. EPCOR wants to switch the bills back into our names (as owners). Can they do this?? Any suggestions on how to deal with this? Thanks, Nicola

We have to replace an existing backyard deck in Toronto. Wood (pressure-treated) is cheaper, but composite lasts longer and requires less maintenance (but costs quite a bit more). What would you do (assuming we are going to hold the property for at least 5-10 years ...or longer)? Many...

Hello, Can anyone recommend a handyman in Toronto who can build (replace) a small-ish backyard deck? St. Clair West area. Many thanks, Nicola

Hello, Has anyone had a backwater valve installed in Edmonton? If so, could you recommend a good plumber and give an estimate of what it cost? (This is for an older single family home.) Also, does anyone know if the City's Backwater Valve Subsidy program is available for rented houses...

Hello, A friend's elderly mother is moving out of her home in Prince Edward Island (Stratford, near Charlottetown). The family would like to try to sell in the spring, but in the meantime they would like to hire a property manager/realtor to look after it and (presumably) then sell it. Can...

Hi, I'm looking for a gardener to aerate, seed and fertilize a pretty sad backyard lawn (townhouse) in Edmonton. Any recommendations? Many thanks, Nicola

Hello, Can anyone recommend a good insurance broker in Montreal? It's for a divided co-ownership 3 unit property. Also, we had an approx. 11% increase in premium this year (no claims made last year). Does this seem unreasonable? Thanks, Nicola

We`ve just got a bill for some work done (reinstalling a shelf). We were charged $55/hour (plus materials). The total time was 5.25 hours. This included his travel time to the house and getting the materials needed. Is $55/hour reasonable for a handyman? Is it normal to charge for your...

Ontario is allowing a whopping 0.7% rent increase in 2011. Just wondering if people are planning to raise their rents or just leave it. I wonder if raising rent by such a small amount (less than $10 on $1400) just annoys the tenants for no great benefit. Interested to hear your opinions...

It looks like we may have to replace a fireplace in a townhouse in Edmonton (required by the condo board). Right now it is a wood-burning fireplace. Assuming the cost is more-or-less the same, would you choose a gas fireplace or wood-burning one? (Assuming you have tenants, not...