In the southern United States, where there's a lot of water in the ground, basements are rare. On the contrary, in the northern states and here in Canada, basements enjoy a well-deserved popularity due, among other things, to frost. But what about crawlspaces? What can they be used for? Stay…

MLI: these three little letters mean nothing to the vast majority of us, but in this article we're talking mainly to real estate investors, who know them well. If you're a real estate investor and don't know what the letters MLI stand for, or if you'd like to better understand…

Our experts use a wide range of tools to find the cause of a building problem. One of these tools is the thermal imaging camera. But how can a thermal imaging camera help you? Stay tuned as we present 3 cases where a thermal imaging camera has helped us help…

MLI: these three little letters mean nothing to the vast majority of us, but in this article we're talking mainly to real estate investors, who know them well. If you're a real estate investor and don't know what the letters MLI stand for, or if you'd like to better understand…

If you're among the first to acquire a unit in a new condominium building, you may need to get involved in the syndicate. If this is the case, in addition to creating the syndicate, one of your first actions will be to take possession of the building. To do this,…

In the summer of 2021, 118 local families saw their lives derailed. The announcement of the bankruptcy of contractor Bel-Habitat meant the loss of their down payments on what was to be their brand-new home, down payments totaling $777,000 for a total of $17 million! Fortunately, thanks to the guarantee…

Volunteer self-management, autonomous management or external management: there are different models when it comes to managing a co-ownership. And with an estimated 7,500 syndicates of co-ownership in Quebec, it's easy to see why. But which model is best? What are the advantages of working with a condo management company? How…

We're talking about it, we're talking about it and we're talking about it: house prices are higher than they've ever been, and it's getting harder and harder for young buyers to become homeowners. Mini homes, container homes, condominiums, mobile homes: all possibilities are considered, and nothing is left to chance…

When we decide to buy a house, we have to own everything: from the land to the plumbing, from the roof to the interior finishes. But it's a different story when we opt for a condominium or condo. In that case, we're the owner of some elements, and co-owners of…

Buying a new house is not the same as buying an existing one, and the older the house, the more there is to consider. You won't be surprised, then, to learn that buying an ancestral home presents specific challenges and considerations because of its age, of course, but also because…

A fan for energy efficiency? If you've taken part in the Rénoclimat energy efficiency program, you may have guessed that I'm referring to the the door blower, the instrument used to check the airtightness of your home. But did you know that this instrument isn't just useful for residential buildings? Stay…

According to the Société d'habitation du Québec, there will be some 366,000 condominium units in 2022, divided among some 7,500 syndicates. That's a lot, but the problem is that the housing stock is aging, with an average age of 30 years. So how do you take good care of your…

Hidden defects, construction defects, faulty workmanship: the world of construction and real estate isn't always perfect, and building problems can occur, even with a new house. But is it a construction defect or a hidden defect? How can you tell? Stay with us as our building experts break down these…

The french drain, or foundation footing drain, is a drainage mechanism used to protect the foundation of a house from excessive water pressure. In other words, the drain allows rainwater to drain away as it accumulates in the soil. But how do you know if there's a problem with your…

As a home buyer, there's a lot to consider throughout the buying process. So much so, in fact, that you may overlook some of the problems that can arise when living in a new home. While the pre-purchase inspection reveals many hidden secrets about your future home, some problems may…

You're about to wash the dishes or take a shower when you realize that the hot water doesn't seem to be there... Intrigued, you try to remember where your water heater is hiding and go to have a look. Only, once there, you realize that you have absolutely no idea…

As a home buyer, there's a lot to consider throughout the buying process. So much so, in fact, that you may overlook some of the problems that can arise when living in a new home. While the pre-purchase inspection reveals many hidden secrets about your future home, some problems may…

Buying a new house is not the same as buying an existing one, and the older the house, the more there is to consider. You won't be surprised, then, to learn that buying an ancestral home presents specific challenges and considerations because of its age, of course, but also because…

If you're one of those who invest in real estate, you're well aware that it's becoming increasingly difficult to obtain the financing required for the construction and even renovation of rental buildings. Fortunately, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has created the MLI Select program, which offers a number…

Buying a new house is not the same as buying an existing one, and the older the house, the more there is to consider. You won't be surprised, then, to learn that buying an ancestral home presents specific challenges and considerations because of its age, of course, but also because…

You've owned a magnificent bungalow in the greater metropolitan area for several years, but since the departure of your children, the house seems too big. So you're thinking of putting it up for sale. A friend suggests you call in a building inspector to find out the market value. But…

François bought a new car almost 5 years ago, and its warranty is coming to an end. Being cautious, he called in his trusted mechanic to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle and see if any items still under warranty could be repaired at the manufacturer's expense. We're…

You're comfortably working from home when someone knocks on your door. Upon opening it, a man informs you that he represents an insulation or post-disaster company. He explains that he just completed an inspection at a neighbor’s house and discovered mold in their attic. Then, out of the goodness of…

If you own a home, you know there's always something to maintain or repair. Stay with us as we look at how a maintenance inspection can be an important tool in keeping your home in better shape, for longer.

Imagine the following situation: you live in a condo or apartment and are sometimes invaded by a strong smell of tobacco. You have some work done to put an end to this situation, which, to your great misfortune, soon reoccurs. An unpleasant situation, isn't it? Well, that's exactly what one…

The importance of a pre-purchase inspection when buying an existing home is well known. However, it's a different story when it comes to buying a new home. And our home inspectors know that a new home doesn't have to be perfect... Stay with us and see why our inspectors always…

A study by Chalmers University found that 72% of homes with cold attics have excessive humidity and a strong presence of mold. In other words, only 1 in 4 houses does not have attic related problem. What about you, do you know if your attic is in good shape? Fortunately,…

With the panoply of reports and articles that have appeared on the subject, there's no denying that the inspector's trade is much better known today than it was just a few years ago. But even today, the term home inspector is still too often a catch-all. Can you tell the…

The Quebec Federation of Real Estate Boards (QFREB) reveals that about thousands of units (house, condo, duplex, etc.) change hands in the three months before July 1 in the metropolitan area alone. Of all these buyers, too few realize what a pre-purchase inspection actually is and understand its value and…

When she contacted us for a water infiltration problem, our client expected the problem to be solved in a jiffy. Unfortunately, water infiltration are often the result of another, deeper problem and this was exactly the case for our client. But the quick response of our client allowed her to…

Your family’s growing or your eldest son’s leaving the nest, and you’ve decided to move. So you put your current home for sell and quickly receive an enticing offer. That’s when the potential buyer mandates a pre-purchase inspector to check your house. This inspection reveals a major water leakage problem…

Mr. Lachance loves his new home. Settled in just over a year ago, he decided to remodel the basement. When he made an opening in a wall covering the foundation, he discovered that the concealed materials were completely rotten. Water infiltration seems to be responsible for the damage. What should…

Cooking odors, cigarette smoke or even vehicle exhaust: anyone who has ever lived in a condo or apartment knows full well the inconvenience that may cause odor diffusion problem. Often, after a short investigation, you realize that these odors come from a neighboring dwelling or underground garage. Read this review…

Mandated for a problem of unpleasant odor in a kitchen, our expert was far from expecting this situation, so simple in appearance, to become one of our most complex of the season. And the customer even less. But if there is one thing that is confirmed with each case, it…

You've been thinking about it for a while now and it's finally time to take action: you’re putting your house up for sale. You clean it through and through, paint the living room and have an asking price in mind. But suddenly a doubt arises: do you know your house…