Here is a handy checklist for snowbirds travelling to warmer climes this winter: Stop deliveries (newspapers, etc.) Arrange to have a neighbour park their car in your driveway, to give the appearance that your home is occupied. Put a hold on your mail at the Post Office or have someone stop by and empty your…

The recent ice storm wreaked havoc on many homes and yards in Toronto. Now is the time for pruning or removing those damaged, dead or diseased trees. The trees are dormant and there is less chance of disturbing nearby plantings. And, prices are lower in the off season. January is an ideal time to take…

Last month’s ice storm in Toronto was an indicator of the winter ahead. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that reduced solar activity combined with certain weather patterns in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans will result in plunging temperatures and increased snowfall for many regions in the United States and Canada. “As always, water is your…

Homes and buildings in Canada have become more and more of an engineering exercise in recent years, as technology and energy efficiency-driven solutions emerge, making traditional construction methods a thing of the past in many areas. A number of these advancements in home construction are not that obvious or even hidden completely, adding efficiency without…

She thought there’d be a bidding war. And why not? That’s exactly what the real estate agent told her. “You’d better make this your best shot because there’s gonna be a lot of competition.” So she did. After all, it was the perfect house – worth more than the asking price to her. But how…