Fall Home Maintenance Tips
Fall. Arguably one of the most beautiful times of the year! The weather has cooled and the leaves have begun to change, reminding us that winter isn’t all that far away. Before the snow flies, our homes need a little TLC in order to ensure our warmth and safety over the months – yes, months […]
Bang For Your Buck: Renos That Will Increase Your Home's Value
If you are a homeowner, you’ve probably spent money on your property over and above the regular carrying costs. Investing in your property has the obvious benefits of making your home nicer to live in, but smart renovations can also have the side benefit of increasing a home’s value when it comes time to sell. […]
Winterizing Your Yard
[mp_row] [mp_span col=”12″ style=”min-height: 40px;” classes=” motopress-space”] [mp_space] [/mp_span] [/mp_row] [mp_row] [mp_span col=”12″] Winterizing your home for the cold snap is one thing; winterizing your yard, however, is another. And as much as most of us would like to avoid prepping our yards for the inevitable cold that is to come, it’s something that’s simply […]
Winterizing Your Home
[mp_row] [mp_span col=”8″] [mp_row_inner] [mp_span_inner col=”12″ style=”min-height: 60px;” classes=” motopress-space”] [mp_space] [/mp_span_inner] [/mp_row_inner] [mp_row_inner] [mp_span_inner col=”12″] It seems like only yesterday that we were out enjoying the great (warm) outdoors at our cottages, lakes and so on. The days were sunny, the evenings were cool; we’d admire the gradual change in scenery as each tree […]
Housing Trends We are Seeing in the Canadian Real Estate Market
The Canadian housing market is already in the news, thanks to the recent collaboration of Vancouver residents to form the #DontHave1Million campaign that went viral. This Twitter campaign was in response to the recent reports that the average home in Vancouver will set you back $1.27 million, which is more than double the average price […]
8 Tips to help Prevent Break-ins Without Breaking the Bank
[mp_row] [mp_span col=”8″] Home Owners: Tips to Prevent Break-ins A recently published story by CBC June 28th, 2016 warned Ottawa residents that the number of residential break-ins has almost doubled in the first half of 2016 as compared to the first half of 2015. While Ottawa is considered a safe city, it’s always a good idea […]
Time To Get Out The Spring Maintenance Checklist
In Ottawa, there are two sights that remind homeowners it’s time for spring maintenance: bikes on the road and geese in the sky. With the recent double-digit temperatures, it seems spring has won its annual wrestling match with winter. And, as spring fever sets in, you may want to store your parka and get […]
Why Homeowners Should Beware of Icicles
Ottawa’s freeze-thaw weather patterns often create sparkling icicles that look magical. But, they actually identify a dangerous — and potentially costly — hazard, an ice dam. Imagine coming home from work to find water streaming down your interior walls and soaking into the hardwood of your foyer. What would you do? What Is […]
How to Reduce Your Energy Bill with No Cost or Sacrifice
This excellent post from Adam Dachis on lifehacker.com tells how to lower your electricity bill easily, at no cost, by using your appliances more efficiently. For example, promoting optimal air flow will lower energy costs by reducing the demand on your cooling/heating system. Opening all vents in the house and replacing filters on a […]
Why Cleaning Window Screens Should Be Part of Your Winter Strategy
Should removing and cleaning the window screens be part of your winter maintenance routine? According to this houzz.com post, there are several benefits to be gained. Simply put, dirty mesh blocks light, heat and the view. For example, you get 30 to 40 percent more light coming in without screens on the windows. More sunshine […]