The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) is an innovative program administered by the Energy Efficiency Office to provide resources including financial assistance for energy efficient retrofits and construction of Toronto buildings. The BBP’s primary goal is to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which come from the energy used primarily to heat, light and cool buildings.
Why build and maintain energy efficient buildings?
A few of the benefits include:

* Lower utility bills
* Increased resale value
* Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
* Reduced strain on our energy supply
* Potentially better indoor air quality leading to better health and productivity

BBP is currently partnered with the Ontario Power Authority to deliver attractive energy savings incentives for buildings in the 416 area code. Additionally, BBP helps building owners in the institutional and not-for-profit buildings sectors take advantage of Toronto’s Sustainable Energy Funds that offer zero interest loans for energy conservation or renewable energy projects.

To best serve participants, BBP is segmented in to three sector-focused programs each with their own rebate/incentive levels and guidelines.

I like them, but in real life, it’s different.

So I’ve been thinking… It would be an amazing thing to film a home buying experience from beginning to end. The initial meeting, the people involved, the home tours, the offer, home inspection, and everything in between.

No big TV production, just grassroots and real.

Something to remember and to look back on. Buying a home is an incredible experience, and it would be an example to others, too.

So obviously I’m looking for a young couple who are looking to buy their first home in the next 6 months, and are willing to go on this unique journey in front of a camera.

The ideal couple would be authentic and open, honest and trustworthy, and friendly and willing to share. If you are camera shy, you would probably have to get over it early in the process.

Also, a reasonable level of comfort with a computer would be mandatory. No heavy lifting, but we might be uploading videos and transferring files. I would provide a Flip Mino camera that you can keep when shooting wraps up.

We’ve never tried anything like this before, and I’ve never heard of any other Realtor doing it. To be honest, I have no idea how it will turn out (it could crash and burn, or it could get huge), but I’m looking for someone ambitious and enthusiastic enough to be a team and give it a shot.

http://charltongroup.typepad.com/cgjournal/2009/07/share-your-home-buying-experience-with-the-world.html

reviewed by Alexander Moishe ,  Canadian Funding Corp CEO

There could be several reasons why one needs to acquire a mortgage but it is always wise if one thinks a hundred times before he/she goes in for it. This resolution should not be taken lightly but in fact it should be measured as an important issue which not only needs time but also intelligence before one progresses for it. One may get trapped for paying off the debts for the next 10 or 20 years or even more than that. So it is very essential that one needs a suitable guidance before taking the most important decision.

Each individual’s needs are different. Some people try to go in for the Lowest mortgage rates because Home Mortgage Rates is the easiest method to get loan from any foremost mortgage company. It is always recommended to read or get an correct information about all the terms and conditions before you can proceed with the legal paper work. This is a decisive phase and no one can deny the fact that these days recession has hit very hardly in the markets all over the world and so in aggravation or even due to various other grounds people may have to acquire mortgage to save themselves from the financial disaster and in this situation it is possible that many people may take the wrong decision. Well, there is no need to fret because out of the different rates of interest and conditions, what I think the best choice would be is to go in for the Mortgage rates Toronto which serves at its best with the lowest rates of interest. It would be easier to clear the debts if one opts to go for the Mortgage Rates Canada.

I have a good familiarity with the Affordable Home mortgage. They are truly very good advisors and they very well guide their clients to take the right decision even in the period of crisis. The Affordable Home Mortgage give their clients the complete financial support at a low cost which indicates that the person is tension free even in bad times.

http://www.realestaterounds.com/mortgage-rates-ontario-offer-their-clients-the-best-affordable-home-mortgage/

brought by Moishe Alexander, CFC Canadian Funding Corp CEO ]]> http://canadian-funding-corp-better-building.com/2009/07/17/mortgage-rates-ontario-offer-their-clients-the-best-affordable-home-mortgage/feed/ 0 http://canadian-funding-corp-better-building.com/2009/07/15/mls-canada-the-fourth-strongest-quarterly-sales-figure-ever/ http://canadian-funding-corp-better-building.com/2009/07/15/mls-canada-the-fourth-strongest-quarterly-sales-figure-ever/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:35:41 +0000 admin http://canadian-funding-corp-better-building.com/?p=79 National resale housing market activity bounced back strongly in the second quarter of 2009 above levels reported for the same period last year. Demand continues to rebound sharply in some of the most expensive markets in the country, skewing the national average price upward.

According to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), actual (not seasonally adjusted) home sales, via the Multiple Listing Service(R) (MLS(R)) of Canadian real estate boards, totaled 147,351 units in the second quarter of 2009 – the fourth strongest quarterly sales figure ever. Up 1.4 per cent from the second quarterof 2008, this marks the first year-over-year increase in quarterly activity since the fourth quarter of 2007.

http://blog.buzzbuzzhome.com/2009/07/mls-canada-fourth-strongest-quarterly.html

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC  Canadian Funding Corp CEO

A study released by the financial think tank yesterday ranks Canada 11th among the world’s 17 wealthiest nations for 2008, falling behind Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Austria but ahead of Belgium, Germany and Japan.

Canada scored good grades for inflation and gross domestic product growth, but earned mediocre Cs in other key areas such as labour productivity, income per capita and unemployment.

‘NOT BAD NEWS’

“Given the current context, it’s not bad news,” said Glen Hodgson, senior vice-president and chief economist for the board. “In the short term it’s not bad, but don’t be complacent.

“We shouldn’t be satisfied to see our economy crawl back to 2% growth next year. There’s more we can do to create wealth in Canada rather than relying on a cheap dollar or rising commodity prices.”

Hodgson said Canada’s standing is based not on its ties to the U.S., but on domestic policy on productivity, labour markets and foreign investments. Canada could boost its showing with a national productivity strategy to become a more innovative economy, he said.

Norway rose to the top from third spot in the international report card, leading the group in income per capita and employment. Ireland took a big tumble, falling to the bottom from its previous top spot as it reels from a meltdown in the construction sector and real estate market.

Hodgson said the federal government helped buoy the economy with billions of dollars in stimulus spending, but called for a concrete plan to climb out of deficit as soon as the economy rebounds.

Alberta and the western provinces will clear the red ink relatively fast, but Ontario will find it tougher to balance the books and could grapple with a structural, long-term deficit, he predicted.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/canada/2009/07/07/10046156-sun.html

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC Canadian Funding Corp CEO

Home foreclosure is a not the best situation to be in. Once the notices start coming and the phone starts ringing you can’t really keep hiding. Your going to hear from lots of people who claim that they can help you. These calls are from organizations that have their own motives and goals. In desperate times even a good sales pitch may sound like a miracle.

There are a number of people who are going to send mail or call. Most likely they were able to get your address or your number from the court system. Due to the legal nature of the process your information will be deemed as public and be published. This means anyone with internet access can find you. In some cases they may get your name from a list that was generated on the web…most of these lists go to investors/ investment trust companies.

The most common people or organizations that are going to give you call:

Swindlers/Con Men/Crooks

These are the ones you have to be aware of. (And there are a lot of them out there.) All of them offer promises and refer you to a chapter 13 attorney for collect a fee. In worse cases, they will take the deed of the house and force you to pay rent while leading you to believe that they can save your home and in the end you loose it all because they do nothing but take your “rent money” and skip town.

This is the most common problem you will face besides the actual foreclosure.

Mortgage brokers

They can help you by refinancing your property. However, these loans may have higher interest rates and closing costs than what you payed at the bank. Some may even charge you more to see how much you are willing to pay and take advantage of it. Not all brokers will rip you off. Over the last several years mortgage brokers have gotten the short end of the stick in the press. Shop around and ask family and friends for a referral if you decide to use a broker. (and just for the record..no I am not a mortgage broker)

Attorneys

This is your last resort. Most attorneys don’t really care about the situation you’re in or give you the attention you need.

Mortgage negotiators/Mortgage “Mod gods”

They negotiate repayment schemes with mortgage lenders. You can negotiate with the bank but in case it fails you can ask the help of a professional to get the plan approved. Some banks may impose a much more demanding plan and these professionals can get you a more favorable agreement.

Hard money lenders

These people are normally wealthy and are looking to loan you money, to cover your mortgage, at a higher interest rate. In some cases they will over to buy your house and lease to own it back to you…for a higher interest rate of course. (this may not be a bad option IF you can arrage something that works fr your financial position)

Mortgage/note holder

Your mortgage holder will call you to reinstate your house. This can be a good option depending on your situation. These are usually offered by mortgages backed by the government.

Whoever calls you or wherever the mail comes from be aware and think things through. You can stop a home foreclosure with the right options applicable for your situation. Do not throw in the towel if you don’t have to.

http://www.real-estate-blog.org/home-foreclosure-who-the-heck-is-calling-my-houseand-why/

brought by Moishe Alexander, CFC CEO

The good news? Canadian real estate is on a record pace in 2006.

The bad news? The third quarter numbers are down sharply from the second quarter of this year, and even down from the third quarter of last year. What does all this mean?

It basically means that Canada’s sizzling real estate market is still hotter than ever, but that it can’t keep up the incredible pace that it’s been on.

Breaking down the numbers, Canadian real estate is down 6 percent compared to the same quarter last year, and down 2.5 percent from the second quarter of this year, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Overall, sales during the first nine months of this year are still up over the same nine months from last year, but things do appear to be slowing down.

The hardest hit cities during the third quarter slow down were Vancouver, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, red-hot Calgary, which is still booming thanks to the local oil industry, and Toronto. Sales in Edmonton, Alberta and Hamilton, Ontario are actually up for the third quarter, helping to offset the losses in other cities.

Proving that the incredible Canadian real estate market is still on fire, year-to-date sales records were set in various cities all across the country in the third quarter. Montreal, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary all reported record sales for this year.

The average price for a home in Canada has been sky rocketing in recent years, with the total now at $258,000 (US dollars) up from $234.000 just in the last calendar year.

This real estate frenzy is being led by the province of Alberta and their incredible economy. The cities of Calgary and Edmonton, which reported their highest level of new real estate listings ever in the third quarter. Montreal and Toronto reported their second highest amounts of new listings for any quarter, as well.

The Canadian real estate market is still breaking records and making money despite the third quarter downturn. The breakneck pace simply couldn’t be sustained. But if you’re looking to move north of the border, do so knowing that it might cost you a few more loonies than you thought.

http://www.sexyinfotainment.info/2009/07/canadian-markets-hot-and-cold/

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, Canadian Funding Corp CEO

WASHINGTON (AP) — Employers cut a larger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June, driving the unemployment rate up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent, suggesting that the economy’s road to recovery will be bumpy.

The Labor Department report, released Thursday, showed that even as the recession flashes signs of easing, companies likely will want to keep a lid on costs and be wary of hiring until they feel certain the economy is on a solid ground.

June’s payroll reductions were deeper than the 363,000 that economists expected.

However, the rise in the unemployment rate from 9.4 percent in May wasn’t as sharp as the expected 9.6 percent. Still, many economists predict the jobless rate will hit 10 percent this year, and keep rising into next year, before falling back.

All told, 14.7 million people were unemployed in June.

If laid-off workers who have given up looking for new jobs or have settled for part-time work are included, the unemployment rate would have been 16.5 percent in June, the highest on records dating to 1994.

Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has lost a net total of 6.5 million jobs.

As the downturn bites into sales and profits, companies have turned to layoffs and other cost-cutting measures to survive. Those include holding down workers’ hours and freezing or cutting pay.

The average work week in June fell to 33 hours, the lowest on records dating to 1964.

The worse news: as some economists predicted, the stimulus package was too small to affect the “real” economy – you know, the one you and I live in? – in any significant way. Sounds like those who urged Obama to think large and visionary (a la FDR’s Public Works Administration) really did have the right idea:

Reporting from Washington — Even as the nation’s economy begins clawing its way out of the worst recession in 60 years, there are growing signs that this recovery could come with an unsettling twist: The wheels of commerce may begin to turn again without any substantial boost in jobs.

Not only is the national unemployment rate, now 9.4%, likely to climb into double digits later this year, but it is also expected to remain there well into 2010, economists say. That would prolong the misery of the unemployed, squeeze retailers and other businesses, and add millions of dollars in government costs and lost productivity. It could even threaten the recovery itself.

Though it’s common for the jobless rate to keep climbing for a time after economic output turns positive, the aftermath of the last two downturns, in 1990-91 and 2001, introduced the idea of a “jobless recovery.” Even though the economy improved, many unemployed workers discovered that jobs as good as the ones they’d lost were almost impossible to find.

This time, many economists say, there are new factors that could make the problem worse. Many more layoffs in this recession have been permanent, not temporary.

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/economists-say-signs-are-there-anothe

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC CEO

This CMHC better building information posted by Canadian Funding Corp. explains how sound moves through buildings, and how designers can control airborne, impact and flanking noise transmission. It suggests ways to control sound in wood-frame, multi-family buildings and best practices for acoustic isolation.

Architects must consider many interacting factors in designing a building, including structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency and noise control. Understanding and implementing sound control has a major impact on occupants’ comfort, concentration and happiness, not to mention neighbourly relations. Sound control is particularly important in multi-unit residential construction. This post focuses on wood-frame construction in many Canadian multi-unit residences and briefly discusses masonry party walls.

Canadian Funding Corp. finds it interesting that the rigid assemblies required to resist high wind loads or earthquakes make noise control difficult because they are pathways for sound vibrations. On the positive side, the sealing of penetrations to resist the spread of fire also blocks movement of certain kinds of sound. Some sound details reduce the spread of odours and pests and improve comfort and durability.

This post examines airborne sound, such as loud music and impact sound, such as the thud of a dropped object. It describes the hidden routes that sound vibrations follow, such as leaks and flanking paths.

The article summarizes information from the Best Practice Guide: Fire and Sound Control in Wood-Frame Multi- Family Buildings, published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).1 This guide brings together years of research from numerous sources, including the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Research in Construction (NRCC/IRC) and the experience of acoustic consultants.

Sound transmission can be effectively controlled in multi-family buildings by isolating neighbouring units from one another with proper walls and floors between suites. An architect should select wall or floor assemblies in multi-family housing for both resistance to fire spread–the fire-resistance rating–and resistance to the transmission of sound vibrations.Three indices–sound transmission class (STC), impact insulation class (IIC), and outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC)–help designers select the suitable assemblies.

However, choosing a good floor or wall assembly doesn’t guarantee acoustic privacy.To ensure the desired level of sound reduction, designers and builders must avoid any leaks and flanking paths, which are the gaps or short-circuits through which sound may travel.

Airborne Sound
Sources such as voices and music produce airborne sound. It can originate in neighbouring rooms or from outside from sirens, machinery or traffic. Heavy layers that are not solidly connected at any point and that are separated by the thickest cavity possible effectively attenuate airborne sound in wall and floor assemblies. Attenuation improves when the cavity is filled with sound-absorbing material, such as insulation.

The effectiveness of a wall or floor assembly in attenuating airborne sound transmission depends on the frequency of the sound. Most assemblies attenuate high-frequency sounds more effectively than low-frequency sounds.

An assembly’s sound transmission class (STC) is a single numerical rating derived from sound attenuations at various frequencies, which approximately describe a wall’s ability to attenuate the typical frequency content of speech. STC is a measure of the average noise reduction in decibels for speech- like sounds that pass through an assembly. An assembly with a high STC rating has good sound attenuation characteristics.Table 2 shows how the STC ratings for walls relate to their ability to attenuate different types of sound.

Impact Sound
Good STC ratings do not necessarily satisfy occupants. Mechanical vibrations and impacts, such as foot traffic, dropped objects or objects sliding across a hard floor, also cause sound to move through construction materials. Although the code does not actually specify levels for impact ratings, it is important that architects design to reduce impact noise effects.

A floor or wall being vibrated by direct mechanical contact or impact transmits impact sound.The vibration spreads along or through the wall or floor into the assembly and its cavities, ultimately becoming sound in adjoining spaces.

Floor vibrations can also be transmitted through the structure to walls and be re-radiated as airborne sound into adjoining spaces. Impact sounds on concrete slabs finished with a hard surface, such as ceramic tile, are often described as “clacking” or “tapping.” Most of such sound energy occurs at high frequencies. Impact sounds on lightweight joist floors–the result of low-frequency sound waves–are usually described as “booming” or “thudding.”

Although airborne and impact sound have some things in common, impact transmission is far more complicated to measure and control.The character and level of impact noise generated in a living space below depends on many factors, including the nature of the object striking the floor, the force of the blow, the rigidity of the floor assembly and the resilience of the floor covering. NRC is considering including impact noise requirements in future versions of the NBCC.

BARRIERS TO THE PASSAGE OF SOUND

This section describes the main, proven-effective techniques for reducing airborne, impact and flanking sound transmission. A sound barrier must be impervious to air, non-porous, solid and reasonably heavy–materials such as gypsum board, glass, plywood, OSB and concrete are commonly used to reduce sound transmission in buildings.

Heavy materials
The density of materials has a large affect on sound transmission. Heavier, denser, building materials tend to block sound better than lightweight building materials. A double-layer of gypsum wallboard or floor sheathing, for instance, provides better sound isolation than a single layer.

Because wood-frame construction is relatively light, a combination of techniques is required to control sound. An STC of 50 cannot be obtained with a single layer of gypsum board on each side of 89-mm wood studs because the combination of mass per unit area, cavity depth and stud stiffness is not sufficient to produce the required transmission loss. Doubling the mass of gypsum board on both sides of the stud wall increases the STC by about 9 dB.

Absorptive materials
The cavities inherent in wood-frame construction are a convenient space for absorptive material, such as fibrous insulation. Installing sound-absorbing material that fills at least two-thirds of the wall cavity can increase sound transmission loss by 8 to 10 dB if the surface layers are properly isolated.The insulation is only effective in absorbing sound waves within the cavity, so other measures are needed to reduce the sound passing through the framing.

Absorptive materials are normally quite porous.They interact with sound passing through them, converting the vibrations into heat. Absorptive materials are not sound barriers.They reduce sound energy in an enclosed cavity as sound repeatedly reflects between the enclosing surfaces and passes through the sound-absorbing material many times. Each pass-through causes a small decrease in energy, with the cumulative effect being significant. A single pass provides very little sound attenuation unless the absorbent material is very thick.Thus, adding a carpet or acoustic tiles directly to a surface will not significantly improve the sound insulation of the separation.

Canadian Funding Corp presents a BBC video on sound absorption.

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As Canadian Funding Corporation’s valuation consultant, Jan Luisterman’s job is to ensure that all projects are funded based on an equitable value.