Your Home

The basement floods after closing. Can the buyer sue the seller? The agreement contained wrong information about the property dimensions but also included a disclaimer clause. Can the buyer sue if there is a problem after closing? Do you need to disclose a murder that occurred in a home? These are not simple questions, but…

By Lorne Shuman: When purchasing a property, it is normal to find rental items included in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.  Examples of these items include a hot water tank, heater, water softener, furnace, air conditioner or alarm system.  On occasion, difficulties and disagreements can arise between the parties when the Agreement fails to…

You’ve been decorating your home for the holidays for years. Why not do something different this time around? “With a little ingenuity, you can turn your house into a wonderland that not only is reflective of the season, but of your personality,” says Sally Morse, director of creative services for Hunter Douglas, a leading name…

Thinking of selling your home? First impressions can make the difference in attracting prospective buyers. Many buyers make decisions based on emotion. To appeal to emotions, and make a positive first impression with prospective buyers, it is important to present your home at its best. Here are 10 tips to help your home stand out…

The buyer notices that the oven is not working when they do their final home visit, 2 days before closing. Can the buyer refuse to close or hold back money to repair the oven? These are just some of the questions that I receive from anxious buyers during the course of a home purchase. Here…

What is luring home buyers to new homes? Technology, the outdoors, and “super kitchens” are among some of the design drivers in the new-home market. Here are some of the trends: Super kitchens: The kitchen is not just a hub for cooking but has become a centre of the home for entertainment and conversations. Builders have…

Winter (unofficially) has arrived, and many homeowners are crossing their fingers and hoping that their heating system will make it through one more season. But if your furnace is 12 years or older or operating inefficiently with frequent breakdowns, it may pay in the long run to upgrade now. Heating and cooling your home eats…

You’ve reached your breaking point. You’ve tripped over the same thing in the living room too many times. Now you’ve picked it up to finally put it away and you realize – you have nowhere to put it. You have too much clutter in your home. So what do you do? How do you decide…

Being a successful residential landlord in Ontario is not easy. Here are 6 important tips to remember: 1. Properly qualify your tenants in advance. Ask for proof of income and call the references that are provided. Check their credit. Interview them where they live. Check them out on social media. If you have any concerns,…

As temperatures dip, the calls for emergency plumbing repairs soar. In fact, the insurance bureau reports that water damage is now the leading cause of property damage.   But here are steps homeowners can take to prevent floods and keep damage to a minimum: Let everyone in the house know where the main shut-off valve…