Benefits Of Secondary Suites

Secondary suites are gaining in popularity, especially in these times where the real estate market has completely blown up. For those who have been pondering about adding a secondary suite to their home, we’re here to tell you to stop second-guessing your decision. In this article, we’ll go over what a secondary suite is, the benefits of secondary suites, and how to add one to your property.

What Are Secondary Suites?

A secondary suite is an additional living space to the primary residence that has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, electricity, water, etc. Essentially, it’s like a legal apartment on your property. They’re also referred to as an “accessory” with the most popular types being located:

Above a detached garage
In the basement
On the main floor of a single-family home
Attached to the single-family home
In a guest house
In a laneway house

Secondary suites gained popularity in Canada in the 19th century, specifically during The Great Depression (also referred to as the Dirty Thirties) and following WWII. It was a way to deal with the housing shortage which is still happening to this day.

Why Add A Secondary Suite?

There are many reasons that homeowners and real estate investors look into secondary suites, including:

Assisting With The Housing Shortage

As mentioned above, the housing crisis in Canada is adding up. Big cities are seeing a shortage of homes for families, especially because of the increasing costs of supplies which, in turn, affects housing affordability.

Additional Income

If you’re looking for some extra fixed income per month, you can rent out your secondary suite to a tenant/tenants. While this responsibility comes with being a landlord, becoming a real estate investor has its many perks, one of those being that you can deduct those expenses from your taxes each year. Receiving regular rental income will allow you to pay off your mortgage faster, car payments, student debt, etc.

Increase Property Value

Resale value for properties with secondary suites is also significantly higher. Many other real estate investors, whether beginner or experienced, will be interested in rental income or being able to provide a place to live for their in-laws.

More Affordable For Renters

Secondary suites are known as being more affordable for renters, especially if it’s a basement suite. This can be a great opportunity for you to target tenants of lower-income families, single tenants, students, or renters looking for their first apartment.

Enhances The Community

By adding a secondary suite, you can strengthen your community by allowing young families to send their children to school, allow seniors to live near their children and grandchildren, improve diversity, and also add much-needed housing options.

Safe Option For Ageing Parents

An in-law suite is very common for families with traditions of living on the same property, or for homeowners with ageing parents who are looking to downsize and be closer to their family. In-law suites can also improve security, provide extra support during times where you may need a last-minute babysitter, and even provide a sense of comfort.

Contact A Professional Renovation Company

If you’re a homeowner considering undergoing construction to add a secondary suite to your existing property, don’t try to tackle the project yourself. That can be costly and you may run into trouble when it comes to understanding the laws in your specific city, especially because you may require a zoning change. Luckily, in Ontario, there are multiple programs to assist homeowners with improving or building secondary suites, but they will vary per province and city.

You don’t need the added stress. Contact our renovation experts at Honest Renovations in Hamilton today. You can feel rest assured knowing that the development of your secondary suite is well taken care of by our team of experienced, trustworthy, and honest professionals. If you still have questions about whether or not it’s the best option for you, we’d be more than happy to answer any of your questions and going over the many benefits that secondary suites hold for you and your family.

October 18, 2021/0 Comments/by admusr

Blog, Home Renovation Tips, Household Tips

How to Repair Screw Holes in Drywall

Whether you have moved into a new home or are renovating your current house, you may notice that there are holes in the drywall. A drywall hole can be caused by hanging a picture, shelf or another wall hanging using nails or screws and wall anchors. Drywall screws can also cause holes that should be covered. Even a small hole can be an eyesore and make your wall vulnerable to cracks, dents or further damage. Honest Renovations can guide you through all of the steps you need to follow to patch drywall holes quickly and easily.

What You Will Need:

Putty knife or 4-inch drywall knife
Screwdriver
Utility knife
Paper towels
Joint compound / Drywall patching compound
Sandpaper
Wall paint

Filling Holes Caused By Drywall Screws

1: Inspect The Area

The first step in a drywall patch is to assess the area and plan your next steps. Small holes caused by a nail, push-pin or screw are relatively easy to repair. Large screw holes in drywall left by drywall screws take longer to fix but will look just like new after everything is done.

2: Cut Any Loose Face Paper

If you notice that there is a fraying happening around the screw holes, that is the face paper of your drywall that has frayed or ripped. No new compound can be spread over this area because the paper will rip further and settle into the compound. This will cause your wall to look uneven, even after you have taken the time to fix it.

Carefully trim the paper’s edges with a utility knife. If there are tears from inside the wall, use a screwdriver or nail to push them back into the holes in the wall. This will work for any difficult-to-cut pieces. If you are filling a small nail hole and don’t see any tearing, skip to the next step.

3: Fill The Drywall Knife With Joint Compound

Next, dip the edge of the putty knife into the joint compound (also called mud). The compound will be thick and look almost like putty. There should be a small amount of mud on the edge of the knife; it’ll be just enough to patch the hole but not enough to leave a thick layer on the wall’s surface. If you fear that you have too much on your knife, get a paper towel or cloth and use it to wipe away any extras.

4: Apply 1-2 Coats and Let It Dry

After you have prepared your knife, it is time to fill the hole! Using the putty knife, hold it at an angle to the wall and with the compound side facing the wall. Press the front edge of the knife to the wall and slowly drag it across the hole. You will smooth the patching compound across the hole and patch it. Make sure not to get the mud on any nearby wood or other larger areas because it can crack and dry.

After, check that the spackle has filled the hole, then do a second pass with the knife at a different angle. Continue to do this until the hole is filled, then let the first coat dry for at least one hour before going back to apply a second coat. It is important to note that 2-inch or larger holes in drywall will typically need at least one layer of compound to patch it correctly. Remember to let each layer dry thoroughly, then continue to fill it with mud.

5: Sand

After the mud is dry, use a piece of sandpaper to sand the wall. Sanding will help fix any uneven spots on the wall’s surface and ensure that it is smooth. We recommend that you use a 220 grit piece of sandpaper because it will finely sand down the mud.

6: Paint

After sanding the area, dust it off and apply a coat of paint. If you didn’t just install drywall and were fixing a preexisting wall, make sure that your new coat of paint will match the old one.

June 30, 2021/0 Comments/by admusr

Household Tips