When Tom Hanks and Shelley Long took ownership of a fixer-upper in the 1986 comedy The Money Pit, they were the typical upwardly mobile young couple with aspirations of turning a rickety property into the home of their dreams. Spoiler alert for those who haven’t seen the movie, but things don’t exactly go that way.

Now that winter is finally done, it’s time to get back outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures and the sound of the chirping birds. But first you need to clean up the mess left behind from all the harsh conditions that come with winter. Not only will it improve the curb appeal of your home, it can give you and your family something to do together and can also be a form of exercise. It also can increase the value of your property and the number of potential buyers. The main goal though is to get your yard looking nice and fresh by the time summer comes so that you and your family can enjoy it. 

When it comes to modular homes you’re probably picturing your great aunt’s mobile home from the 1970’s. Well not anymore! Modular homes have come a long way and more and more homeowners are choosing to build modular as opposed to traditional “site-built” homes. However, there are still a lot of misconceptions when it comes to modular homes. People tend to think they aren’t as nice as site-built homes but in reality, that’s not the case. Additionally, they’re generally more economical, ecologically friendly, and a more responsible way to build. So when you’re considering a new home, it’s important to know all the facts before making a final decision.  

When it comes to choosing between renovating your current home or building a new one, there are many things to consider. If you’re looking to downsize and your current home is too big, chances are that renovating won’t solve your problem and you’ll have to look at other options. 

So, you’ve decided that you’re ready to build a new home. You’re extremely excited and can’t wait to start making endless memories with your friends and family in your own home. However, before you start making those wonderful memories, you need to actually build your new home. Whether you decide to go with a modular home or build it the old fashioned way, there are lots of things to consider to help make one of your largest investment’s a successful one.Here we’ve listed 6 factors for you to consider when building your new home and questions for you to consider before turning the soil on your new land.

Getting rid of the stuff that we spend our lives accumulating is an inevitable task for most of us. Some people absolutely dread the idea of wading through an overflowing basement or garage and would rather spend a day at the dentist. Others delight in decluttering, putting order to chaos, and getting rid of things they no longer need. 

Whether you’re planning to move to a smaller space, or just want to get rid of years’ worth of clutter to reorganize and brighten your home, downsizing may be something you’re contemplating. 

You might think that winterizing your home is only something you need to do if it is vacant. It is true that if you have a vacant home you should prepare it for the harsh conditions of winter, however the same is said for the home you live in as well.

As we get older, there are a lot of great reasons to consider selling a large family home in favor of an easy-to-manage apartment or condo. After all, going smaller offers advantages that range from saving money to lessening household chores. 

Unlike fashion and décor, style trends in home design tend to move at a slower pace, but they are certainly changing. From open floor plans to smart storage solutions, here are some of the home design and architectural trends that are finding their way into more and more of our living spaces.

Home sweet home…where will you make yours? No matter what your stage of life, your best housing option is a matter of personal choice, despite what well-meaning friends and relatives may say!

Many people dream of building a new home that’s customized to suit their tastes and lifestyle, but very few can do it without being financed by a mortgage lender. If you already have a mortgage on an existing house, securing a new loan can be more difficult. But not to worry; it is definitely not impossible! The key is to work with a mortgage broker who has knowledge and experience with the process. 

There are lots of options when it comes to finding your own special place to call home. Some people love the history and the feel of old homes. Others prefer apartment or condo life. And still others desire to create something of their very own. If you’re still on the fence about which direction to take, this list of beginning steps in the home building process may enlighten you.

They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it is important to be sure that the kitchen in your new house is designed to be both functional and beautiful. Although having to make dozens of design choices may seem overwhelming, with some patience, planning, and expert guidance, your dream kitchen can become a reality. 

So you’ve decided to make your dream home a reality. Congratulations! You’ve done the research to find the perfect piece of land, hired a builder you can trust and work with, settled on plans that suit your needs and taste, and of course, determined a budget you can live with.

Are you planning on buying a brand new home? A successful project starts with getting money matters in order. Establishing a budget that you can then share with your builder will give you peace of mind and make the path towards new home ownership more pleasant. Here are some steps to consider:

Buying a home is one of the biggest investment decisions you’ll ever make. Although many of us have an image of our perfect home, when the time comes to buy, most people opt for an existing one. According to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, newly-built homes only account for about 25 per cent of all homes bought each year.

Ah, downsizing. Most of us did not even know that word a decade ago but now it’s everywhere. Not so long ago, people wanted to stay in their homes, after all they had raised their families and created memories there. “They’ll have to take me out in a box!” was the oft-heard refrain of many feisty seniors.

It's funny how life is sometimes. Many of us spend the first half of our lives accumulating stuff, and the second half trying to get rid of it all. Whether you’re downsizing to a smaller home, condo or apartment, when it comes time to paring down a lifetime’s worth of belongings, at some point during the process most people experience a feeling of being overwhelmed.

When it comes to buying or selling a house it’s a good idea to use a real estate agent. But how do you choose the right one? With so many agents out there the choice can be overwhelming.

Thinking about selling your house, or has your house been on the market for a while now and has yet to receive any offers?

Buying a house is likely to be the most expensive purchase you’ll make in your entire life, so it’s important to thoroughly research the best ways of financing it. When you’re looking for a mortgage, you have the choice between dealing directly with your bank or going to a mortgage broker. Exploring the pros and cons of both choices will give you the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.

Are you in the market for a new house, or thinking of buying one in the future? One of the first steps would be to start saving for the down payment. To qualify for a mortgage in Canada, banks require 5% minimum of the sale price as a down payment. Depending on the price of the house you want to buy that can be a substantial amount of money. 

Building a new home can be both exciting and daunting. While it’s easy to imagine magazine-worthy images of your perfect dream home, you have probably heard more than one negative story from well-meaning friends and family about the time, work, and cost involved.

A few decades ago, it was not uncommon for elderly parents to continue to live, and even die, in the same homes where they raised their children. As the adult children of these ailing parents can attest to, this is no walk in the park. Weekly visits to mow lawns and clear snow made more than one of these folks wish their parents had thought to move into a smaller abode while they were still healthy.

Do you want a new home that is water and energy efficient, has excellent indoor air quality and a reduced environmental footprint? Then build green! Green home building is an expanding market, and using today’s green practices and technologies can create a comfortable home with excellent resale potential. Here are a few things to consider before you begin.

Are you using a Realtor^® to buy a new home or sell your current home? Probably. Using the services of a real estate agent can definitely make the selling process easier. It's important, however, to choose the right one for you. With over 100,000 agents in Canada alone, you might think finding one wouldn’t be a problem, right? Not necessarily.