My week in Montreal in a nutshell.  I absolutely love it too.  What a wonderful place to take a vacation.1. Men carry a murse. That would never happen in the US.2. Cops are in incredibly good shape, unlike ours.  And handsome too.  There must be some kind of prerequisite for entrance here.  3. Everyone says hello and bonjour. 4. The streets are teeming with people all the time.5. You don't need a car to go anywhere. Mass transit is incredibly efficient.  Most everything is within walking distance, but if you need to go a little further the train and bus work quite well and are reasonably priced. 6. Sales tax is brutal, federal and provincial.  7. French put gravy on their French fries.  They call it poutine. How weird is that?8. There is no right turn on red, period.  And everyone obeys... 07/19/2016

$700,000 + GST/QST 11.5 acre industrial lot for sale in Henryville, Quebec Recycling permits and Social Denomination included (Inventory currently on lot excluded, but could be sold separately) Currently used for the recycling of construction materials For more information or to book a visit, please do not hesitate to contact me directly via cell phone.   Kindly, Sylvie Brault, realtor - Century 21 Réalisation - Cell: 450-521-0018 - 53, rue du Pont - Bedford, Quebec - J0J 1A0 - sylvie.brault@century21.ca   10/16/2013

It's a cover and yes... it's a cover for electrical box, but it's not a cover for this electrical box. It looks like a frugal and creative solution. It is the cover for common wall/ceiling connection boxes and it does prevent errant fingers or tools from being poked in where they should'nt be.However, considering that the parts actually made to cover those openings are very inexpensive (A pack of ten is less than $2.)  Think about it.......Is it really a good idea to sink a few screws into a hot electrical panel? And do you think this was done by a liscenced professional electrician?  Where else have corners been cut?   N.B. Notice the hand labeled numbering system imposed on the breakers. Manufactureres label the odd numbers on one side and even on the other. You can even see the numb... 07/25/2013

Do You Really Want To Live In A Fireman's' Reno?   I saw this a few weeks ago while inspecting the neighbouring property. I couldn't resist taking a shot of it. The selling agent noticed and told me  a fireman owned the property and was fixing it up, renovating it in his off time. Her tone and attitude to this told me she thought this was admirable and she was 'wowed' by this industriousness. That's all fine but as a home inspector and understanding structure a well as I do, am somewhat less impressed. Yes, the joists are cantilevered but the building is very narrow so this length is over extended and originally was actually build with the outer posts transferring weight to the ground.  The top floor deck is fully renovated. The second floor one is not, but the ground floor unit is most... 07/23/2013

HARRY'S TOP 10 WAYS TO INCREASE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS How many phone calls do you receive on a weekly basis from people trying to sell us something? I honestly receive about four phone calls per week. Where do they obtain our information? Well, they get our information for social media web sites such as ActiveRain and Face-book to name a couple out there. Companies use these web sites for farming purposes. They stick a person making $10 per hour to call people like us to see if we want to purchase X. Do you like receiving these calls? What do you say when they call you? Realtors spend a lot of money on useless marketing. We are all trying to find something that works in this market. How many people would agree with this statement? Here is my advice to you. Develop a niche in your local m... 07/14/2013

Riviera Maya Real Estate News #mexicorealestate#investmenthttp://myemail.constantcontact.com/Riviera-Maya-Real-Estate-News.html?soid=1101527413448&aid=WVmF5ueCrSY       About us  All Listings     Website  Living Riviera Maya Real Estate Presents Lifestyle Business Opportunities, June 2013. According to KPMG "Mexico remains one of the most affordable locations in the entire world from which to do business." NEWS BRIEFS: Riviera Maya and Cancun save the day! "...only the Riviera Maya and Cancun have maintained a pace of investment".  Read here:  http://tinyurl.com/l9eh7fd On April 23, Mexican senate voted to remove the requirement for foreigners to buy real estate in a bank trust. This has to go before Congress for final vote, but change is on its way, making it easier and cheaper to buy ... 06/21/2013

Playa del Carmen Mexico MLS Real Estate     If you need help finding MLS Riviera Maya properties or Playa del Carmen Real Estate, you have come to the right place. Contact Judi Shaw at Living Riviera Maya Real Estate Services  to help you find real estate for sale in Riviera Maya, including Playa del Carmen, Playacar, Puerto Aventuras, Playa Paraiso, Akumal, and Tulum. We work in a cooperative way with all other real estate agencies to give both the buyer and the seller the best possible service. You will find more Playa del Carmen condos and more beachfront homes Playa del Carmen by working with us because we survey of all listings in the area through personal contacts, websites, developers and for sale by owners listings. We are your eyes and ears on the ground, saving you time energy... 06/07/2013

How Does A Flipper Like Their Eggs.....................................................The Lazy Flipper's Fridge  Have you heard of this one ?; How does a flipper like his fried eggs.....................I don't know, but you can bet they're not sunny side up! And - What does a flpper keep in his fridge?; Not much, right? And there's a few more paint touchups tp be done. (Paint roller and brush are wrapped in a plastic bags and put in the fridge to keep them from drying between coats of paint - so you don't have to wash and clean them each time.) it's powered, that looks normal, but nobody uses it. There's no food in it. And it rocks back and forth. When I look under I can see it's up on blocks, kind of like a wrecked car.  This fridge is a total prop. It's staging. It has a stainless st... 02/27/2013

This is perfect timing for me to respond to "The Active Rain and WebsiteBox Challenge" as I am a real estate broker in Montreal, Canada working with wordpress right now. Although I am a big wordpress fan, here are three things or more that "my dream website" would have. 1) Having a background in design, I always appreciate a beautiful and well executed website, it's a potential client's first impression! Having a flexible, gorgeous, gallery slider to play with on my home page that displays photos and videos in large formats is essential. The gallery/slider should upload and automatically adjust the pixel ratio of your images without you having to manipulate them first. 2) Fully customizable widgets that give your pages/post/homepage full flexibility. These widgets could be set to displa... 02/25/2013

You Might Be A Vampire If…………You’re Worried About Radio Activity. I recently got this warning via an acquaintance on facebook It came with the link below, which takes you to a site inviting you to a seminar/meeting on the subject.                                             Hydro Qc Installing Smart Meters- Info Session on RadioActive Dangers from Smart Meters The idea sounds familiar because this can has been kicked around before.  It is the same dumb idea as getting cancer from cell phones and hands free ear sets. The Smart Meter is being introduced by our local power utility, Hydro Quebec. These hydro meters, (residential electric utility meters), are now going digital and will have a limited low power wireless network which works just like the cell phone equipment. What is that, exa... 02/23/2013

KABOOM. Nanny, Family, 2 Small Children Die in Fire. Cause Said To Be Electrical!  That may be the way the headline would read, but fortunately it has not happened. But conditions are prime for it and the risk level is high. The grey 'snow' layer covering everything under this house is laundry lint. About 12 to 20 years accumulation. And it does cover everthing; soil, rocks, insulation roll and other debris a like. And its hanging off joists, wiring and walls. It's a real mess! But thats not all. The photos below show the area heater and where it is plugged in.     This is a powerfull portable commercial heater. It is the only heater in this large crawlspace and it is short cycling, starting and stopping several times a minute. It draws 240 volts when running and may surge higher at sta... 02/21/2013

Was it snowing on 10th Street today? Tool kit - check, Car brush - check, Ladder - check, Snowshoes - check                 This was todays job, at a lull in the wind,       and this is how I dealt with it. So, yes it was snowing. It was what a New Englander would call a sou'wester: gusting, drifting blowing snow, in your face, weather. I'm prepared for it. It's not like it was going to be a suprise. It's winter. It's just going to be there. I even have a second pair for my clients who want to follow the inspection. Something I encourage all my clients to do when they can. If you are a professional you are prepared for all conditions.  02/20/2013

House Hunters Online Search Edition: Last week I met with some new buyers for the very first time. It was a young family and they were preparing to buy their first home. They were so excited because they found many homes listed online in the Town of Queen Creek that were well within their price range. They did all of the right things, got their pre-approval from a lender, had discussions with their landlord about moving and contacted a local, full-time Realtor. When I sat down with them, we discussed their price range and wish list for their dream home. Then, I plugged in all of the criteria for their desired home into my MLS search, and there were ZERO homes that matched our search. We kept adjusting the criteria like price and square footage in hopes that there might be a few homes f... 02/11/2013

  "Every breath you take"...Is It A Red Flag?   No "Every breath you take" is the songs' refrain (POLICE/Sting). Every breath you expel does add humidity to your homes interior, but that's normal, no red flags for that.  But... Seeing a laundry drying rack like the one in the photo Is a big RED FLAG to any inspector. Why?, Well the modern home is equipped with several exhaust systems located in specific rooms to remove excessive moisture at the source before it can be allowed to spread to places where it will do damage.  These would be laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Exhaust fans of the same type are sometimes found in powder rooms, but are not required for humidity unless there is a shower or bath installed too. Laundry racks like this or basement clothes lines have no means of ... 02/10/2013

Have You Got The 'New House plumbing Blues'? or What's wrong in this picture.?  A Plumbing Puzzler. Everything is clean and new and dry, no leaks. It's a new house, less than 2 years old, being sold by the builder owner. He (or his plumber) would get 3 out of 4 on this issue because of the 4 sinks in the home only this one is like this.  Very likely, one person did the rough-in plumbing (blue and red lines) and later, somebody else connected the sinks at a finishing stage. The plumbing IS all clean and new. There are no leaks and all the parts are there, so what's wrong. Look at the copper parts at the ends of the 't' offshoots. As they are installed they are filled with water and that defeats their purpose and function. This shows another sink in the same house done correctly. Here you... 02/06/2013

Complete info: http://2643egreenwayroad.CanBYours.com - Come see this 1300 sq ft Townsend Terrace Office Phoenix, AZ. We have three units available for rent. This 1300 sq ft Townsend Terrace Office Phoenix, AZ is perfect for new business offices. All three spaces can be rented together at $2500/mo. Call to see this 1300 sq ft Townsend Terrace Office Phoenix, AZ. Great location to run a multitude of businesses. Plenty of parking in the front, RV Gate, slab storage, space for deliveries. Please call with questions. In the heart of Phoenix. Search the MLS like a Realtor at http //www.ascendre.com/Search.aspx?segmentid=3959748 rid=80762 & htmlfile=1121905.html 2631 E Greenway Road Phoenix, AZ 85032 1300 sq ft Commercial Office Townsend Terrace AZ Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map... 01/28/2013

Complete info: http://16547n114th.IsForLease.com - Welcome home to this beautiful 883 sq ft 2 Bed 2 Bath Citrus Point Home in Surprise, AZ . This 883 sq ft 2 Bed 2 Bath Citrus Point Home in Surprise, AZ features a very open floorplan with a great room and large kitchen. Newly remodeled, step onto brand new tile, bask in the glow of new contemporary lighting and stand out on the block with gorgeous exterior paint. Complete with sunscreens throughout, a covered patio to relax in the Arizona sun. This home is located just minutes from everything including shopping, dining, and the 101 freeway. This 883 sq ft 2 Bed 2 Bath Citrus Point Home in Surprise, AZ beauty will not last long. 16547 N 114TH Drive Surprise, AZ 85378 883 sq ft 2 Bed 2 Bath Citrus Point Home Surprise Home Photo Gallery Vi... 01/24/2013

Complete info: http://6040waugustaavenue.IsForLease.com - This beautiful 1277 sq ft 3 Bed 2 Bath Brighton Place Condo in Glendale, AZ unit is definitely fit for a family. This 1277 sq ft 3 Bed 2 Bath Brighton Place Condo in Glendale, AZ has a large living room that expands into dining area and kitchen. Full size washer and dryer and newer appliances in kitchen. New two toned paint throughout. Large gated patio with ample storage. Oversized master bedroom with separate bathroom and large second and third bedrooms. Call today to see this 1277 sq ft 3 Bed 2 Bath Brighton Place Condo in Glendale, AZ gem... 6040 W Augusta Avenue Glendale, AZ 85301 1277 sq ft 3 Bed 2 Bath Brighton Place Glendale,AZ Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Skyann Dorsett Office... 01/24/2013

This 3440 sq ft 4 Bed 3 Bath Home in Dewey, AZ offers Panoramic Views. On 2.1 Acres this 3440 sq ft 4 Bed 3 Bath Home in Dewey, AZ is the perfect potential Income property. Apartment below main level with separate entrance is fully equipped with 2 bedrooms 1 bath, full kitchen living room. It has rented for $1000.00 monthly in the past. Featuring 2 bedrooms with wood floors, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage & 2 fireplaces, 1 in the living room/dining room area the other in the Luxurious Master Bedroom. Master bath has a garden tub, separate shower and walk-in-closet. Picture perfect view from the Large deck off the back of the house. Enjoy Central Vacuuming upstairs & downstairs,gotta love that. Private well, Accents of stone inside & outside. Honey Stop the Car we just found Home! Call today ... 01/24/2013

Great 1065 sq ft 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Mountain Vista Ranch home in Surprise, AZ features a fabulous backyard, extended covered patio, grass sprinkler system, storage shed, block fence. This 1065 sq ft 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Mountain Vista Ranch home in Surprise, AZ has a large kitchen, with pantry, ceramic tile, new carpet, ceiling fans, dual paned windows.North/south exposure. Property is ready to move in. Welcome home! Landscaping is included in rent. Call now to view this 1065 sq ft 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Mountain Vista Ranch home in Surprise, AZ today. 15759 W Young Street Surprise, AZ 85374 1065 sq ft 3 Bed 2 Bath Mountain Vista Ranch AZ Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Skyann Dorsett Office: 480-292-7200 Mobile: 602-739-1984 Website: Visit Website Price... 01/24/2013