Whether it is aircraft overhead, traffic on the street, a neighbour practicing the saxophone, or your own kids at play, often our homes are not as quiet and peaceful as we would like them to be. That’s why taking some measures to soundproof your home has lots of pay-offs. Not only will you reduce noise…
Buying or selling a home in today’s market requires a lot of work and a lot of knowledge about sales and real estate. It’s one of the largest purchases or biggest business transactions many of us will ever make. It doesn’t pay to depend on blind luck. Whether you are a buyer or a seller,…
One of the easiest, most cost-efficient ways of enhancing your home is with paint. With the advances made in paint over the past decade, there’s not much you can’t do with it indoors and outdoors. Gone are the days of the all-purpose can of paint. Today, there are paints available for specific materials and surfaces.…
How to match the home you buy to your pocketbook So, you’ve decided to take the big leap and purchase your first home. Most of us have a “dream home” tucked away at the back of our minds — complete with six bedrooms, two fireplaces and a panoramic view. Before setting off to view properties…
It’s hard for an avid gardener to put down their spade come winter. That’s why so many choose to garden year-round. Whether it is wintering expensive outdoor annuals inside your home, investing in a small greenhouse or growing miniature indoor gardens on window ledges and in special containers, there are many ways to keep gardening…
New homeowners often find there’s more to keeping up a house than cutting the grass and clearing snow from the driveway. Tools To start with, a new homeowner needs to have on hand a ‘basic tool kit’. A number of basic tools are a must C a metal hammer, screwdrivers with a variety of heads,…
The one thing about participating in the real estate market that confounds most consumers is the terminology and jargon that must be learned. But, as with any business, in order to be successful as a buyer or seller, it is necessary to become familiar with certain concepts and words. The real estate business is somewhat…
In ancient times, windows were as common as doors in dwellings. But they were merely holes in a wall used to control the amount of light and air that entered a home. Appearance and style were not a consideration. We’ve come a long way since then. Today, windows in most homes combine science and technologies…
Window coverings play a leading role in the interior of home. They can help set atmosphere and can be both attractive and functional. Windows now come in a variety of new shapes and sizes, which has put increased demand on window covering manufacturers to create new products. Many new and custom-built homes have windows that…
When buying a home, the neighbourhood you select will not only play a pivotal role in your family’s life, but in the resale value of the property. One person’s ideal neighbourhood however may vary greatly from another’s. But, regardless, there are some needs and wants that generally do not change. The distance from your new…
Buying or selling a home is no simple business transaction. It takes a team of experts and professionals you can trust to achieve your goals and protect your interests. Bringing in the right experts at the right time will ensure your purchase or sale goes smoothly and you don’t pay a big personal and financial…
For most people the ideal closet is the size of a room with ample space to hang clothing, lots of shelves to tuck and stash away things — a place where you can walk around and assess all your personal belongings. In reality, most people’s closets fall well short of this ideal. And few of…
Owning your own home has a lot of payoffs, especially these days when mortgage rates are still among the lowest in 30 years. There are also many housing options available in a wide range of prices. Simply put, you can carry a home of your own for no more than what you would pay in…
Sometimes, all it takes is a few simple fix-ups to improve the look of your home and make it more marketable. Even if you don’t plan to sell in the near future, a change of face can make your home more comfortable and appealing. If your kitchen, bathroom and other rooms in your home look…
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. But when it comes to houses, the exterior can be just as important as the interior if selling or buying. When selling, it is the outside, or the home’s curb appeal that often determines whether the inside is ever seen. How a house ‘shows’ from…
Today more and more homeowners are directing their energy and creativity towards redecorating the bathroom. Be it the family bath, or the master ensuite, the primary focus is on increased luxury comfort and convenience. Many homeowners are looking for new ideas to make their existing bathrooms larger. Get the most from your space Redecorating a…
So you’ve decided you want to stop paying rent and buy your first home. You’re not alone. With interest rates at their lowest in decades, many people have discovered that mortgage payments can be significantly lower or at least comparable to the rent they are currently paying. Making the decision to become a homeowner is…
A heating system converts fuel into heat which then flows through a house. The efficiency of a heating system depends on the amount of fuel consumed to meet heating needs. Using less fuel means your system has increased its energy efficiency. Check your heating system first One way to maximize output using the least amount…
Real estate sections of public libraries abound with books on selling you home privately. In addition to pointers on sprucing up your home for maximum sale ability, they provide homeowners with tips on the “psychology of showing a house.” Yet, most homeowners choose to sell through a REALTOR®. Selecting a REALTOR® Finding the right real…
Even on the dullest winter day, colour fills our lives. Look around and you’ll see a thousand shades of greens and browns, violets, greys, golds and blues. Colour is also part of our language. Few of us will dispute that it affects our moods and how we feel — red with anger, green with envy,…
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The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned and administered by CREA. The trademark DDF® is owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identifies CREA’s Data Distribution Facility (DDF®)
