What House Upgrades Will Increase its Value
Two types of renovations exist: the kind you do purely for your own family's comfort and satisfaction, and the kind you do because you want to increase the value of your property. Your home is a…
12 Ways to Prep the Porch for Summer
traditional porch design by charleston interior designer Alix J. Bragg Spring's the perfect time of year to get your porch ready for maximum enjoyment in summer. Porches, which were a necessity in…
Plan of the Week – “Stunning 5-Bedroom Getaway”
www.DrummondHousePlans.com plan # 3912-V1 Derived from the popular recreation model 3912, this model is designed without an attached garage and relocated entrance and rear-facing panoramic views.…
Energy Efficiency Series: Going Green Inside and Out
Two Builders Discuss the Future of Eco-Friendly Construction We have, in part, the energy crisis of the 1970s to thank for many of the green building practices currently in our collective toolboxes.…
After a Flood – Homeowner’s Checklist
Protect your health and prevent further damage to your home by following this step-by-step guide to restoring your home after a flood. After a flood, it’s important to restore your home to good order…
Keys to a Worry-Free Mortgage
With mortgage rates low and lenders tripping over each other to entice home buyers, borrowing has rarely looked so appealing. You can get a traditional mortgage or a line of credit, you can prepay…
How to Improve Home Cooling with Trees
While green homes often sport all manner of technical solutions to keep them optimized and efficient, the landscaping can have a significant effect on the building and its energy use. Site…
Energy Efficiency Series – What makes a “Built-Green” Home Different?
Built Green™ promotes construction of buildings that are healthier for the occupants and healthier for the environment. Sustainable or “green” building practices can reduce the tremendous…
The Perfect Storm: Investing in U.S. Real Estate
They call it the perfect storm. It’s that catchy term used for just about anything these days as long as it defines the union of separate factors or events into a powerful outcome, action or…
What’s Hiding Under the Stairs – A Space With Possibilities!
Many new homeowners are looking for efficient uses of space. I would like to share this article from one of my favourite inspirations sources, the Houzz website. This site is a mecca for ideas and…
How to pay off a mortgage faster and save thousands of dollars
There’s a major sense of accomplishment and peace of mind of owning your home outright. Paying off your mortgage sooner can make sound financial sense by saving you thousands of dollars in interest…
What is the “R-2000” Standard of New Home Ratings?
Canadians are faced with a number of programs which quantify the energy efficiency and "green score" of their homes. As part of an ongoing series of articles on energy efficient new homes, we are…
Understanding energy efficiency – A house is a system
A house is made up of components that work together to form an integrated system. The performance of one component depends on its relationship with other components in the same system. Your home's…
