Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the days of patio lanterns and strings of lightbulbs. These days, there's an exhaustive array of options available to illuminate your outdoor space, and make it more appealing and comfortable, particularly in the evenings. Here are just a few ideas: • Solar garden lights. These lights are on stakes that can be easily inserted throughout the gard...Read More

You've heard of the term "curb appeal". It refers to the initial impression buyers get when they first see your property from the street. If the impression is a good one, it sets the right tone for the rest of the home viewing. How do you boost curb appeal? Here are some proven ideas that you can get done in an hour or so: • Wash both the inside and outside of the front window...Read More

If you're thinking about buying a new home, you may be considering purchasing in a new development. How does that compare to purchasing a resale property? Buying a newly-built home has some advantages. Depending on the development, you may have leeway in the style of the home and the lot you choose. Also, when the home is built, you'll be moving into a place where everything is brand new...Read More

It can be tough to make the decision to sell. In fact, for many homeowners, it's overwhelming. If you're considering making a move and struggling with the decision, here are five helpful questions to ask yourselves: 1. "What are our practical reasons for selling?" This question refers to what you'll get by moving to a new home. The reasons could include a bigger backyard, s...Read More

When you sell, you’ll probably want to get the best possible price for your property. Who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, there are many ways to inadvertently leave money on the table – sometimes thousands of dollars. How do you avoid that possibility? Just remember the 4 Ps: • Prep. Do everything you can to prepare your home so that it looks great to buyers. Clean, declutter, fix...Read More

  As you probably know, it's easy to lower the costs of a renovation. Just hire an inexpensive, fly-by-night contractor — and hope for the best! Chances are, you won't want to take that risk.So how do you ensure you get quality work while keeping your budget in check? Here are some tips: • Get estimates from at least three contractors. Often prices can vary widely, even ...Read More

If it’s been a while since you last moved, you might be wondering how much you'll need to spend on your next home. That's an important question to answer, even if you're just at the "thinking about it" stage and haven't decided whether or not you'll look for a new property. After all, knowing your budget might influence your decision. How should you determine y...Read More

Here's a surprising statistic. Less than 30% of window replacements are the result of the old windows being worn, broken or otherwise in need of replacement.     Clearly, there are other good reasons to consider new windows!     One of the most popular motivations is cosmetic. Brand new windows have a huge impact on the overall look of a home, both on the inside a...Read More

Do you have only a few weeks to search for your next dream home? Don't panic. There are things you can do to find the perfect (or, at least, almost perfect) property — without getting too stressed out!    Consider these tips:    • Pre-arrange your mortgage. You want to be able to make a good offer on a home right away, without worrying about financing. So, talk t...Read More