Homebuyer's School

Are you in the market for new carpet or planning to replace the one you have? Bought a new home and need to choose a carpet? In this episode, we talk with Deborah Armstrong, Senior Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential and discuss the different types of carpet, which is the most durable and best ones for pet owners. We also explore how to clean carpet stains (especially pet messes) and why you need to have your carpets professionally cleaned. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-many-types-of-carpet-are-there-and-how-to-choose-the-best-one

We discuss the following items: 

• What are the different types of carpets for a home?
• Which one is the most durable? Easiest to clean?
• Best for pet owners?
• How to clean your carpets including spot stains
• Why a professional cleaning is important

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk with Kurt Gibson, Director of Construction Management with Brookfield Residential and discuss what first-time homebuyer's need to know about their new home's drainage system including how it works and how it's built. We also explore potential issues affecting draining such as altered grading. Finally, we also talk about weeping tile and impact on drainage. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-a-drainage-system-work-in-a-new-house

We discuss the following items: 

• What new homeowners need to know about their drainage system?
  • How it works and how it's built
• What are other potential drainage issues to know?
• How does altering your home's grade impact your drainage system?
• What is weeping tile and how is affect drainage?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Changing the finish of your hardwood floors? Which is the best one to use? In this episode, we talk with Deborah Armstrong, Senior Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, we discuss the type of hardwood floor finishes including why you would want to apply a finish to hardwood floors and how often they need to be sealed/resealed. We also explore the best type of polyurethane for hardwood floors and benefits of factory finished hardwood. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-to-choose-the-best-finish-for-hardwood-floors

We discuss the following items: 

• Why would you want to finish hardwood floors?
• Why do your hardwood floors need sealing?
• How often do you need to reseal your floors
• Treating hardwood floor for damage
• What's a good polyurethane for hardwood floors?
• Benefits of factory finished hardwood floors

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

So you just bought a brand new home. What are your landscaping responsibilities? In this episode, we talk with Kurt Gibson, Director of Construction Management with Brookfield Residential and discuss landscaping for a new construction home. We explore what home builders provide for landscaping, some tips for new homeowners, mistakes to avoid and impact of the house settling. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/landscaping-for-a-new-home-what-new-homeowners-must-know

We discuss the following items: 

• What your home builder provides in terms of landscaping when buying a brand new?
• New homeowner landscaping tips
• Grading, house settling and landscaping
• Homeowner landscaping responsibilities

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Planning to replace or fix your tile countertops? What replacement options do you have? In this episode, we talk with Deborah Armstrong, Senior Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss changing your tile countertops including if you can paint over, reglaze them or put granite over. We also look at the various replacement options.

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/what-are-your-options-when-fixing-or-replacing-tile-countertops 

We discuss the following items: 

• Replacement options for tile countertops
• Can you paint over ceramic tile?
• Can you reglaze tile countertops?
• Can you put granite over tile?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering how your home is heated, cooled and vented? How is it part of the construction of a new home? In this episode, we talk with Kurt Gibson, Director of Construction Management with Brookfield Residential and discuss HVAC in a new construction home. We explore what an HVAC is, how it works, costs and different types found in new builds. We also talk about maintenance, repairs and replacement. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-does-an-hvac-work-in-a-home

We discuss the following items: 

• What's an HVAC and how does it works?
• Is an HVAC included when building a new home?
• What are the common types of HVAC?
• How would an HVAC be maintained and/or repaired? Costs?
• Cost for replacing an HVAC

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering how the interior of your new home was designed? What was the inspiration? What other design options are there? In this video, we talk with Deborah Armstrong, Senior Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential and discuss the difference between modern and contemporary interior design and how they are represented in a home. We also explore traditional and transitional interior design. Finally, we also talk about what's popular and what you can find in today's homes. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/whats-the-difference-between-modern-and-contemporary-interior-design

We discuss the following items: 

• Difference between modern and contemporary interior design
• How each is represented in a home including furniture and materials used
• What do current home builders use when designing their homes?
• Traditional vs transitional design
• Does interior design impact how a house is built?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

If you are planning to buy a home, how much does it cost to maintain it? In this episode, we talk with Eddy D'Ambrosio, Realtor with Remax Elite, and discuss what costs you need to be aware of after buying a home. We also explore home upgrades you'll want to consider to increase home value and why you need to regularly keep up with your home maintenance. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-much-does-it-cost-own-and-maintain-a-house 

We discuss the following items: 

• Cost of owning and maintaining a home
• Home upgrades to consider for resale and maintenance
• Why kitchen and bathroom upgrades are usually a priority
• Why it's important to keep up with regular home maintenance

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering how long you have to wait before you can move into your brand new home? In this episode, we talk with Kristy Seibert, Area Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss how long it takes to build a brand new home including the stages such as framing, mechanical installation and final walk-through. We also explore common issues that could impact home construction timelines. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-home-from-start-to-finish

We discuss the following items: 

• Steps when building a new construction home including:
  • Permits
  • Foundation
  • Framing
  • Mechanical finishing
  • Interior finishing
  • Walkthroughs
  • Possession
• Common issues that delay home construction
• At what construction stages can you do a walkthrough of your new home?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk with Deborah Armstrong, Senior Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss which material you should use for cabinet doors in your new home: MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or wood. We explore what is MDF and compare with wood on costs, durability and staining. Finally, we talk about what are the best situations to use either. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/what-wood-is-best-for-kitchen-cabinets-mdf-or-solid-wood

We discuss the following items: 

• Which should you use for cabinet doors? MDF or solid wood?
  • What are the best situations to use either?
• Cost and durability of MDF
• Which would you use if you want to stain or paint?
• Maple vs. MDF

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca