Blog
Notes and insights
Insights for homeowners: valuations, neighborhoods, and the things that affect what your home is worth.
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The Pre-Purchase Inspection: What It's Actually For, What It Misses, and How to Read the Report
A pre-purchase inspection costs a few hundred dollars on a transaction worth several hundred thousand. Here's what it covers, what it will never see, how to choose an inspector, and how to turn a 60-page report into a decision.
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Windows and Doors: When to Replace Them, What It Costs, and What You Actually Get Back
Replacing windows is one of the most expensive projects a homeowner takes on, and one of the most poorly judged. Here's how to spot a window at the end of its life, what the options cost in Quebec, and why energy savings are almost never the real reason to do it.
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Gutters: Why to Clean Them, When Gutter Guards Make Sense, and What Happens If You Don't
Gutters are probably the most ignored part of your house, right up until water shows up in the basement. Here's how to clean them, whether gutter guards are actually worth it, and the expensive damage that neglect can cause.
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Heat Pumps Explained: How They Heat, Cool, and Cut Your Electricity Bill
The heat pump has become one of the most popular pieces of equipment in Quebec homes, and for good reason: it heats in winter, cools in summer, and delivers more heat than the electricity it consumes. Here's how it works, what it costs, and what it can really save you.
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Roofing in Quebec: Asphalt Shingles or Metal? Cost, Lifespan, and How to Choose
The roof is one of the biggest investments in a home, and Quebec's climate is hard on it. Asphalt shingles, metal, elastomeric membrane: here are the pros, cons, costs, and lifespan of each type, to help you make the right call.
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When Your Home Floods: Flood Zones, Backwater Valves, and How to Protect Yourself
Water is one of the most common and costly things that can go wrong in a Quebec home. Here's how to find out if you're in a flood zone, why a backwater valve matters, how to protect your house, and what to do if the water gets in anyway.
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Renovations and Resale Value: Why Not Every Improvement Pays Off
A dollar spent on your home isn't always a dollar added to its value. Some projects return more than they cost, others quietly lose you money. Here's how to think about the difference.
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Municipal Assessment vs. Market Value: Why They're Not the Same in Quebec
Your municipal assessment exists to calculate your property taxes, not to predict your home's selling price. Here's why the two numbers often differ, sometimes by a lot.
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Radon in Quebec: The Silent Cause of Lung Cancer (and How to Test Your Home)
Radon is a colourless, odourless gas that seeps up from the ground into Quebec homes. It's the leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking, and a $30 test will tell you if it's a problem in your house.
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Hello, world: why we built Evalio
Our very first post. A quick hello, the reason Evalio exists, and where we're taking it, for everyone who owns a home in Quebec or hopes to.
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