Is the roof of your home in good condition? Don’t feel bad if you don’t know the answer—many homeowners are often unaware of the state of their roof. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unless there are obvious damages, such as cracks or leaks, it’s easy to forget about this exterior part of your home.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or you’re a homeowner who simply wants to know how to keep your roof in good shape, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three of the most asked questions about roofs.

What are the different types of roofs?

Roof materials come in different forms­: metal/tin, asphalt, wood, cedar, slate, and clay are the most common types. With a plethora of options, it gets tricky when trying to choose the best option for…

378 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

A fireplace is a natural focal point in a living room. But sometimes it can command too much attention. A smart way to balance a fireplace wall is to add built-in cabinetry. These units can create symmetry while adding storage and display space for decorative items. And their built-in nature gives the overall design a more intentional look than standalone units might. Here, design and remodeling pros share details about incorporating built-ins in recent living room projects.


Younger Homes

1. Black-and-White Boldness

Builder: Danielle Younger of Younger Homes
Architect: Danze & Davis Architects
Designer: Haley Manning
Location: Jonestown, Texas

Homeowners’ request. A family lakeside vacation home with high-end architectural design. “They wanted a…

482 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

What happens at a house showing

What happens at a house showing? This important question has historically been eclipsed by others like, “How much should we list for?” and “How long will it take to sell?” However, COVID-19 has home many sellers considering showings from a different perspective, with extra attention paid to safety, convenience and current best-practices (think technology). Here’s what home sellers can expect when they’re showing their home, and how they can maximize this opportunity to yield higher offers and quicker sale.

Showings versus Open Houses

Showings and open houses are different. As the name suggests, an “open house” is when the seller opens their door to anyone who wants to pop in for a closer look. This method of showing a…

241 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

You’ve probably heard the term “self-care” a lot in the past few years. The World Health Organization offers a broad definition, but at its core, self-care is about “the individual person who acts to preserve health.”

Everyone’s version of self-care will differ, but taking a luxurious bath is a popular choice—and one that’s scientifically backed. Baths can help with sleep, mood regulation, and easing muscle tension, and one Lakehead University researcher is even conducting a study into how a warm bath could help with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. On a lighter scale, baths can help your overall mental state–a quiet space with relaxing scents and softer lighting can help ease your mind–and, if it’s your thing, promote meditation.

If…

423 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Keeping your garden looking stunning during the cold season can be a challenge. But, with the right winter plants, you can enjoy gorgeous blooms even as the snow falls. Here are our picks for ten cold-hardy perennials and one annual plant, guaranteed to make your garden pop with color in winter.

Snowdrops


Image: Peter Milto / Shutterstock.com

Snowdrops are usually associated with springtime, but did you know they can bloom as early as December? Start by planting some bulbs in the fall in any part of your garden that gets light shade. These plants don’t take long to grow, and before you know it, they will add a touch of springtime to your winter garden.


Japanese Camellia


Image: sei.N / Shutterstock.com

This is a fantastic…

364 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Whether you’ve bought a fixer-upper, or your property simply needs an update, homeowners may find themselves confronted with multiple renovations at a time. Upgrading your home can also be  contagious—once you update one room, it can feel tempting to do them all. If you’re looking at several home renovations on your to-do list, where do you even start? How do you decide what projects come first and what tasks can sit on the back burner? 

Rebecca Hay, president and principal designer of Rebecca Hay Designs, gives us some pointers on how to prioritize home renovations.

Image via Unsplash

How to decide where to start

You have several areas of your home that need a renovation—the kitchen is dated, the entryway isn’t functional, and the bathroom…

326 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


Canadian real estate prices are soaring at the fastest pace ever, yet the national numbers downplay growth. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows home prices continued to soar in December. Over just 31 days, a “typical” home added up to $40,000 in one market. Over the past year, prices have increased more than ten times that monthly surge.

A Typical Home Across Canada Increased $16,700 Last Month

Canadian home prices are rising at one of the fastest rates ever. The composite benchmark (a.k.a. a typical home) reached $798,200 in December, up 2.1% ($16,700) compared to a month before. The benchmark is now a whopping 26.6% ($167,500) higher than last year. Both are large gains, but this is the index — many markets outperform even…

373 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post