Your Home

Temperatures are rising, flowers are blooming and chirping birds greet us in the morning. It’s official, summer is here.  Are your yard and home ready? Here are five sure-fire tricks to help you prep them for sun and fun: Create sensational seating – With summer get-togethers, you’re always looking for more seating for guests.  But that doesn’t…

Interlocking brick is a versatile performer when it comes to home landscaping projects. By combining colours and styles you can put your personal stamp on patios, driveways and walkways. And, if a brick is damaged or a portion has to be lifted to repair underground pipes or lines, it is an easy fix to replace…

Cottage season for many of us is the greatest lure of the year – and while it’s natural to want to get out into the great outdoors as quickly as possible, it is also important to tie up loose ends at home before you head out. “When you’re enjoying cottage life, the last thing you…

By finishing your basement, you can gain more living space while reducing the amount of energy loss from downstairs. Basements that are not fully finished typically do not have insulated walls or covered flooring. This can result in heat loss and cause your furnace to work overtime. A renovated basement offers more than additional storage…

Summertime is finally here and those long lazy days are a great time to plan for upcoming renovation projects and cross some items off your home maintenance job list. If you are planning a move this summer, Homeservice Club can make it easier. With just one call you can arrange a free quote on professional…

We are in the thick of renovation season, a time when there is often more work than contractors and fly-by-night operators seize the opportunity to make some quick cash. Before you sign a home renovation contract, it pays to know your reno rights. Here are some guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services to…

The real estate  market is in full gear but it’s also a time when some homeowners become potential victims of mortgage fraud. How do you know the seller of your dream home is the rightful owner? How can you protect yourself against becoming a victim of unscrupulous lenders? Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers…

Here’s Mark Weisleder’s advice when it comes to small claims court: Buyers will typically sue sellers in Small Claims Court over problems that arise after closing when the amount in dispute is $25,000 or less. The main reason is that you can make the claim without a lawyer and the costs are relatively cheap. However,…

By Lorne Shuman: Whether you buy or sell property, there will be an adjustment for property taxes between the buyer and seller. This column will explain how payment of property taxes is addressed by your lawyer in different real estate transactions. First, the most common scenario – when you purchase or sell a resale property.…

There are some home improvements which are simply worth a larger investment to achieve outstanding results in value, beauty and liveability. Indoors, kitchens and baths rate that extra attention. Outdoors, decks are the pinnacle of great home improvements. Kitchen or bath improvements must mesh with the quality and decor of the rest of a home’s…