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August 23, 2017 | by admin
If you’ve just bought a home, you probably can’t wait to settle in and begin enjoying everything your new home has to offer. It might surprise you, but the reality is that you have bought so much more than just a home. You have also bought the land it is on, and are now responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and laws that come with it. To make sure you’re informed, we have put together some of the key elements you need to be aware of outside your home. This can seem daunting, but the reality is keeping up with these small elements can go a long way to increase the resell value!
QC Tree Program
Did you know that Qualico Communities provides each new resident with a tree for their yard? Trees species are specifically chosen for what will thrive in each community and what is best suited to your community’s soil and climate conditions.
Residents receive a letter from a Qualico landscaper outlining the planting process and providing a list of trees available for selection in your area once your lot has received the final grading and loam from your builder. After you’ve decided on your tree, you can place your order by registering your selection on the EQWell website. From there, the landscaper handles everything!
More information can be found at: http://eqwell.ca
Rain Barrel Program
Environmental sustainability and resource management is important to us at Qualico Communities. As part of Qualico’s EQWell initiative, every new homeowner in a Qualico Community has the opportunity to order a rain barrel for their home.
Through the rain barrel program, residents are able to store and reuse rain water for outdoor activities such as watering grass and plants. This also helps save residents money as using their water barrel can result in a lower water bill. Qualico Communities is helping Calgarians to move towards a stronger, sustainable future.
Anybody who owns a home in a Qualico Community has the opportunity to order a rain barrel!
Rain Barrels can be ordered online through the Qualico EQWell initiative website.
Yard & Sidewalk Maintenance
Yard and sidewalk maintenance is a year-round maintenance necessity that is governed by city bylaws. In the summer, this includes lawn, garden, hedge, tree and shrub maintenance. In the winter, yard and sidewalk maintenance includes snow and ice removal all the way down to the bare surface of sidewalks.
A well maintained lawn and adjoining boulevard ensures our communities are safe, clean and attractive.
To learn more about the requirements for yard and sidewalk maintenance in Calgary, visit the bylaws page.
Nuisances & Waste
Nuisances around your house can be very upsetting to your neighbours and have a negative impact on the community. Nuisances include unpleasant odours, materials that can attract pests, bright lights in the middle of the night and waste. As a community resident, it is your responsibility to be mindful of nuisances and waste and take measures to ensure that they remain under control at all times.
Mitigating household nuisances goes a long way to improving the appeal of your home and keeping the rest of your community pleased
Architectural Controls
City bylaws have architectural controls in place in most communities around the city. The purpose of these controls is to achieve and maintain a well-coordinated, attractive and appealing community.
Architectural controls include standards of home design, materials used, landscaping, fences and finishes such as home colour. Typically, these controls are not permanent and after a period of time they become less stringent.
Landscaping
Landscaping around your home is a critical component to the overall value of your home and needs to be recognized. It is a component of the home that is often overlooked, but can make a huge difference to the community appeal, and your home value should you ever choose to sell.
There is a tremendous variety of trees and shrubs that grow well in Calgary's climate. Appropriate trees and shrubs depend on your yards growing environment which includes soil conditions, lighting, and shelter. This can vary depending what area of the city you live in.
For help on what to plant around your home, visit the City of Calgary YardSmart guide.
Deck/Patio
With many home builders, decks or patios come included with the purchase of your home. If it was not included, it is still a great addition that should be made to your home. Having a deck or patio outside your home not only increases that value of your home, but it also adds to the overall value and enjoyment that comes with living there! If not this can be an additional cost and your overall enjoyment. Be sure to check any building bylaws and apply for appropriate building permits if required.
Fence & Land Use Bylaws
Fences are a common addition to a home, especially if you have pets or children who need to be contained in your yard. Fences also go a long way to providing privacy to your yard. All fences, retaining walls and garden boxes on residential property are the responsibility of the property owner. Fences located on a shared property line are the responsibility of both property owners. Any cost for construction or maintenance of the fence is a private issue between neighbours. Fences and retaining walls must be within the property boundaries and follow the Land Use Bylaw rules.
When you buy a home, it is easy to forget that you’re buying so much more. Outside of the home itself there are a lot of details that need to be recognized in order for you to get the most out of your home. From abiding by bylaws to maintaining your yard for personal enjoyment, getting outside and maintaining the exterior of your home is the final touch to settling in to your new community.
Always call Alberta One Call before you dig: 1-800-242-3447
Links:http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Bylaws-by-topic/Bylaws-by-topic.aspx
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