It looks like the warm weather is upon us, and soon that means enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. But before you think about relaxing, here are some top tips for enjoying your home in the summer. 

Time. It waits for no one, it’s always of the essence, and, oh yes, it flies. But when it comes to building or buying a new home, you’ll want to take your time and give yourself plenty of it. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: A home is most likely the largest purchase you will make during your lifetime. All the more reason to ensure you are making all the right decisions when your time comes to acquire an abode.

Building a home from the ground up is an appealing process for many future homebuyers. Think about it – you can really get involved in the homebuilding process, as opposed to buying a home that you need to renovate to achieve your vision. 

By Gareth Mitton

Spring is that time of year when we give our homes the once over and assess any damage after the winter months, figure out what needs to be done, and schedule the work so our homes are in tip-top shape by the end of fall. A lot of people set aside a whole weekend for spring cleaning. But what about maintenance checks for warmer weather? Use the spring home maintenance checklist below to get your home spring-ready.

A home is one of the biggest purchases – if not the biggest purchase – most of us make in our lifetimes. So when it comes to seeking financing for a home, we all want to get it right. 

Kitchens have come a long way. Gone are the days when this was a room buried out of view of house guests — a dark hovel of stoves and burners intended only for the function of making food. Nowadays, the kitchen is a place for gathering, entertaining, working, and relaxing. In many modern homes, layouts are more open and the kitchen visible. Kitchen design is sleek and seamless — every bit as key to the look of a home’s interior as any other room.

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. 

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.

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.

Despite a lengthy history and growing popularity, there are still plenty of misconceptions surrounding modular homes. Some people are unsure exactly what a modular home is, and others are unaware of the many advantages that this type of construction can offer. Learning more about this alternative to traditional construction can help you decide if a modular home is right for you.

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!

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. 

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.

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.