Archive for September 2014

Experts vary on the average life span for a roof, but generally, if your roof is 15 years or older, chances are it is in need of repairs or replacement. Making the decision to replace your roof is the easy part. The difficult job is wading through the seemingly limitless options to choose the right…

A wise philosopher once said: “I went bankrupt twice in my life; the first time when I lost a lawsuit, the second time when I won.” I couldn’t have said it better. In most cases, the only winners in lawsuits are the lawyers, who get paid, no matter whether they win or lose. Here are 5 things…

There is a lot of confusion out there by buyers and real estate salespeople as to what insurance is required when buying a condominium. The mistake is thinking that the insurance policy for the building will always cover your situation. In most cases, the buyer will still have to pay for part of the damages, even if they…

If your basement is a dark and uninviting storage place, now is the time to give it a second look. A little planning and some imaginative design can transform that unused space into a cosy, welcoming retreat from the hustle and bustle upstairs. Whether you decide to turn that space into a guest apartment, a…

By Lorne Shuman: When purchasing a resale home, it is typical for the seller to sell the home with the fixtures and chattels included in the purchase price.  Fixtures are items that are fixed or attached to the property in such a manner that they become part of the land that is being sold. Chattels are items…

One of the comforts of autumn is a fire crackling in the grate on a cool, fall evening. Knowing that your wood-burning system is operating safely is another comfort. Here are a few suggestions to consider before firing up your system this season: Changes to your wood-burning system, such as adding or changing a wood…

With summer vacation over, the family back to their busy routines and daylight hours growing shorter, September seems a good time to review home safety. When it comes to home break-ins, it is estimated up to 80 per cent of thieves gain entry through a door. Strong doorways will always be one of the best…

When choosing a focal point for a room, designers and homeowners alike often plan for a single feature, such as windows, TVs, artwork, or fireplaces, to take centre stage. However, the explosion of flat screen televisions for every room in the home has created a decorating debate – can you really have more than one…