Choosing a Builder – Know What Questions to Ask

When you buy a new home you want to get full value for your investment. This means choosing an established and reputable builder—someone you can trust, someone who has the technical skills, a…

Home Safety: Keeping Your Own Personal Firebreak

Image Source: The Ready Store Even though it is still very early in the fire season, there have already been some outbreaks of wild fires like the one in Teulon, Manitoba. I sincerely hope it is not…

Increase Your Home’s Value With Hardwood Floors

A survey by the National Wood Flooring Association asked real estate agents about the impact of hardwood floors on homebuyers. Of the realtors interviewed, 82 percent said that homes with hardwood…

House Plan of the Week: “Irresistable Veranda”

www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 3518-V1 An enlarged version of plan 3518, this model benefits from even more country charm than its smaller cousin. A wraparound veranda is what first catches your…

Cost to build a garage

Inspired by Denis Chamberland's original article in French, translated by Deb Villeneuve Of the questions which I am most frequently asked, I would have to say " how much does it cost to build a…

Fresh Paint is an Inexpensive and Effective Staging Technique

Experts recommend paint as a low-cost but effective way to stage your home for sale. When choosing colours for staging, it is time to set aside your own personal tastes. Showcase the characteristics…

Refresh the Look of Your Kitchen with Sink and Faucet Replacement

Kitchens tend to be the hub of the home and realtors agree that kitchen improvements are well worth the investment. Thankfully, there are a few kitchen updates that are neither expensive nor…

DIY Custom-Hued Chalk Paint For Decorating Fun

We are seeing more and more use of chalk paint used in decor to create space for notes or a blank canvas for young (and young-at-heart) artists. We have yet to test this DIY project but it comes from…

House Plan of the Week: “Chalet-Style House for “Boomers”

www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 3900A Designed at the turn of the millennium in answer to the requests for a full-featured getaway property, this four-season recreation style house includes many…

Smart Spring Yard Cleanup

March is notoriously unpredictable. Shrubs can be crusty with snow on the first of the month, and then, a couple of weeks later, temperatures can warm up enough for flower and leaf buds to show…

As We Prepare to “Spring Forward”, Reflect on the Benefits of Daylight

With Daylight Savings time approaching on March 11, it is a good time to reflect on light in the home. Realtors will attest to the value of a bright and welcoming home. Do you have any idea why the…

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

Are you wondering how to freshen up your outdoor furniture? Chances are, you have all the ingredients you have right in your home to do so. The DIY Network shares the following advice: Basic Recipe…

How Does Your Garden Entertain?

traditional landscape design by other metros landscape designer The Collins Group   With warmer weather right around the corner, we're dreaming of spring and, more specifically, garden parties! For…

What is the Future of Kitchen Technology?

The role of the kitchen in our homes has changed dramatically over the years. What used to be a space simply used for food preparation has now become the hub of the home. Today, cooking is…

Outstanding News for First Time Home Buyers in BC

If you have been sitting on the fence, wondering about whether or not to purchase your first home, 2012 is shaping up to be a great year! In the 2012 BC Budget released on February 21, 2012, The…

House Plan of the Week: “Your Own Personal Spa Retreat!”

  www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 2625 http://www.drummondhouseplans.com/house-plan-detail/info/1001458.html The casual façade of this comfortable country home only subtly hints at the joys…

Energy Efficiency Series: Induction Cooktops for Energy Savings (and Safety)

I recently attended a homeshow where a manufacturer was doing a demo of induction cooktops. A pot of water was at a rolling boil and a twenty dollar bill was tucked between it and the cooking…

Connecting on the Front Porch

Image courtesy of BuildDirect There is no doubt the front porch will continue to be a building trend in 2012. Front porches are popular on new homes and are being added to existing homes. People feel…

Contractor Red Flags: How to Spot (and Avoid) Trouble

Image Source: HGTV Hiring a contractor is one of the most difficult and nerve-wracking things a homeowner ever has to do. Seeking out the right person to do a great job for a fair price can feel…

The Perfect Home for the Single Woman

Recent statistics show that you don’t have to be a “Mrs.” in order to buy your dream house. In fact, single women dominate the homeowner’s market as of late—in 2010 alone, single women accounted for…