Archive for the ‘Home improvement tips’ Category
Fertilize your lawn like the Pros
Posted by: Sam Reiss in Home improvement tips, Landscaping on June 18th, 2010
The quest for the greenest lawn on the block has driven many a new homeowner to extremes. You trim, you weed, and you assume that if a little fertilizer is good, a lot must be even better. And so begins the vicious cycle of mowing, watering and fertilizing which gathers speed as the weather warms up until you’re mowing your lawn two or three times a week!
Renovation tax credit boosts home improvement projects in Canada: RBC survey
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on October 22nd, 2009
A majority (63 per cent) of Canadian renovators plan to take advantage of the federal government’s home renovation tax credit this year and close to half (47 per cent) have done more renovations because of the tax break, according to a new RBC study.
Top five ways to winterize your home and save energy
Posted by: editors note in Home improvement tips, Tips for Green Living on September 23rd, 2009
Canadian winters can be cold and unpredictable so there’s every reason to winterize your home before the cold season starts. With the long periods of time that you and your family will be spending indoors, it’s important that your home is both warm and comfortable throughout the season.
Is it real or is it laminate? Only you know for sure
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, New Homes and Condos on September 17th, 2009
When internationally famed Scottish design gurus Colin Ryan and Justin McAllister of the TV show Home Heist accept laminate flooring, you know it has come a long way, baby. But that’s precisely what they did in a recent column in the Toronto Star, wherein they noted that Buckingham Palace boasts laminate flooring. And if it’s good enough for the Queen, they admitted, it’s good enough for the discerning duo’s global projects.
Avoid home upgrading mistakes
Posted by: editors note in Home improvement tips, New Homes and Condos, Selling your home on September 15th, 2009
More and more homeowners are upgrading their properties with an eye to sell quickly and for top dollar. “Today’s buyers are attracted to move-in ready homes – especially those who lead hectic lives and are accustomed to upgrades. The days of buying a home to fix up have faded,” explains Greater Toronto Area realtor, Jackie Peifer.
Staging helps sell your home
Posted by: editors note in Home improvement tips, Resale homes, Selling your home on September 15th, 2009
Before listing, consider staging your home to give it a competitive advantage.
“Homes that present as move-in ready have strong buyer appeal in today’s market,” explains Jackie Peifer, a realtor with 20 years experience. “These properties sell more quickly which helps protect them from price reductions.”
Real Wood Floors: Environmental Impact is Minimal
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, Selling your home, Tips for Green Living on May 28th, 2009
If you are looking for products for your home that will reduce your impact on the environment, look no further than real wood floors.
New countertops qualify for government tax credits
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, Kitchen decor on May 12th, 2009
In these tough economic times many Canadians are choosing to forego their massive kitchen remodeling plans in favour of more cost-effective solutions. Experts agree that by simply installing new countertops your kitchen can take on a whole new look and feel, while qualifying for government tax credits.
New Blanco Metra corner kitchen sink saves space, adds style
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, Kitchen decor, New Homes and Condos on April 15th, 2009
The new Metra corner model will add to the the more than 100 sink models
currently available in Silgranit and will initially be available in the
company’s most popular Silgranit colour, Anthracite as well as the newest
colour, Silk grey. It will also expand the company’s offering of corner sink
models which includes corner sinks in both premium stainless steel and
Silgranit natural stone.
“When designing a kitchen, most consumers and many designers are not
aware of the wide range of possible sink placements or styles available,” says Alexandra Marshall, director of marketing with Blanco Canada. “Corner sinks are great space-savers in the kitchen, using countertop space that otherwise might be unused. This reserves longer straight-runs of countertop for other tasks. They are also less commonly seen in kitchens and therefore can make even the most standard kitchen look custom-designed.”
A checklist for the home renovator
Posted by: Susan B. in Home improvement tips, Tips for Green Living on April 14th, 2009
In your article you mention keeping receipts for the ecoEnergy Retrofit grants. This grant is given only if the homeowner gets an energy evaluation before they do their renovations. Receipts won’t help if they do the work without getting this evaluation done first. There’s a good explanation of these grants and the Home Renovation Tax Credit in the fact sheet at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/grants.cfm?attr=4 One important point too is that the grants increased by 25% on March 30th!
