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OTTAWA, May 19, 2009 - Housing starts are expected to decline to 141,900 for 2009, but increase to 150,300 for 2010, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) second quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition* report.

“The decline in housing starts in 2009 can be attributed to several factors, including the current economic climate, increased competition from the existing home market, and the impact of strong house price growth between 2002 and 2007” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist for CMHC. “However, housing market activity will begin to strengthen in 2010 as the Canadian economy recovers, bringing housing starts more in line with demographic fundamentals over the forecast period”.

Existing home sales, as measured by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), are expected to decline to 357,800 units in 2009 from 433,990 in 2008, but increase to 386,100 units in 2010. The average MLS price is also expected to decrease to $283,100 in 2009 and to stabilize in 2010.

As Canada’s national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

With up to 40,000 reported cases in Canada each year, says Tanya Hutchens, basement flooding is a serious problem in many parts of the country. Damages resulting from a flooded basement average between $3,000 to $5,000. These costs will likely be higher for basements with extensive finishings. Plus, in addition to the mess and inconvenience, flooding can cause health hazards, and lead to structural damage.

To help you protect your basement, the health of your family and your pocketbook, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a number of practical steps you can take to avoid basement flooding in your home, including:

• Clean debris from your eaves troughs on a regular basis, and make sure your downspouts extend at least 1.8 meters (six feet) away from your basement wall, and drains away from your house toward the street, rear yard or back lane. If your downspouts are connected to your home’s sewer system or weeping tile, disconnect them.
• If the land around your home slopes inward, fill in and grade the ground so that it slopes away from your house for at least 1.8 metres (six feet) out from the foundation. Also, examine sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways to be sure they aren’t causing water to drain back towards your basement walls.
• If your drainage system tends to overload, consider installing one or more flood proofing devices, such as a sump pump or back flow valve. Some devices may require a plumbing permit, so check with your municipal office or a qualified plumber before carrying out any installation. Plus, keep all flood proofing devices and plumbing fixtures clean and well maintained, and have a qualified plumber inspect them regularly to ensure that they’re operating properly.
• For severe storms or power blackouts, you may want to invest in a battery-powered backup sump pump, or a water-powered pump that runs by city water flowing through the pump impeller.
• Install impermeable floor finishes such as ceramic tile to lessen the potential damage from flooding in your basement, and to make clean-up easier and less expensive. Use wall finishes that can be easily removed or are not susceptible to mold growth. In addition, make sure any furniture in the basement has legs to keep the fabric off the floor, and consider using area rugs as an alternative to broadloom for easier removal and cleaning.
• Finally, check with your insurance agent or broker to ensure that you have adequate coverage against flood damage. Keep your insurance policies and related records in a safe location that is easily accessible after an emergency, and maintain a detailed inventory of everything in your residence for use in the event of a loss.

For more information or a free copy of the “About Your House” fact sheet Avoiding Basement Flooding or other fact sheets on virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, ask CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 CMHC is Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise. This CMHC report was reviewed by Tanya Hutchens.

Every three minutes, says Tanya Hutchens, a home in Canada is burglarized. Many of those break-ins occur while the homeowners are away. But burglaries can also take place when you are at home, at any time of the night or day.

To help lock crime out of your home and keep your house and your family safe and sound, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following tips:

• Make sure your lighting and landscaping offer a clear view of your house from the street. Keep your windows and doors free of trees, bushes or other obstructions that could provide a hiding place for someone trying to break in. Entrances with good visibility and good lighting let thieves know that your home is not an easy target.
• Secure all doors at all times with good quality deadbolt locks. While horizontal deadbolts are generally more popular, vertical deadbolt locks are actually the most effective option available.
• When choosing a deadbolt, make sure that part of the bolt remains in the lock when in the locked position. The body of the lock should be made of solid steel, brass or bronze and it should have a solid or hardened ring or bevelled housing to protect the cylinder from being twisted off with a wrench. This cylinder should have at least five pins and you must be able to unlock it without keys from the inside.
• To further secure the entrances to your home, protect the hinge pins on all doors so they can’t be removed from the outside. To secure patio doors, consider installing an anti-Jimmy plate or adding safety bars and auxiliary locks.
• Use the viewer in your front door to see who is there before you open it.
• To keep would-be intruders from using your garage to enter your home, make sure everyone in your family knows to keep your garage door closed and locked at all times. Never leave the remote control for the garage on your car’s visor and don’t keep maintenance receipts or anything else with your address on it in your car.
• If you live in a remote area or spend prolonged periods of time away from home, consider investing in a burglar alarm system. A carefully selected and properly installed alarm can provide you and your loved ones with some welcome peace of mind.

For more information on how to protect your house ask CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For more than 60 years, notes Tanya Hutchens, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise. This CMHC report was reviewed by Tanya Hutchens.