Energy audit helps maximize investment
It's a given you're not King Midas. So where exactly should you invest when it comes to ramping up your home's energy efficiency? Building envelope People want a "one-size-fits-all solution and that doesn't exist, " says Christopher Straka, whose Ottawa company designed Canada's first certified passive home, which uses about one-tenth the . . .…
Household energy hogs run up your bills
Yes, little things do add up to big things when it comes to energy conservation. Here are some little energy-saving tips. * Electronic devices continue to consume "phantom" or standby power even when not being used, adding five to 10 per cent to your energy wbill. Culprits include televisions and home . . .…
CONNIE OLIVER: An easy and affordable bedroom makeover
I've been mulling over doing a bedroom makeover lately. Maybe it's the winter doldrums at work here but it's time for a change. Yes, it seems like just yesterday I did a whole "brown and pink makeover" in my bedroom but in fact, it has been a few years. Time . . .…
MIKE HOLMES: Renovations, new construction take different skill sets
As a contractor, I've built a few new houses and I've renovated many more. I can tell you there's a huge difference between building new and renovating -- and that is something you need to be aware of when you hire a contractor to do your renovation. First, building new typically . . .…
ASK THE INSPECTOR: Void in older homes can lead to condensation
QUESTION: We are in the process of renovating our home and removing carpets to be replaced by a floating floor and repainting. The problem exists in our bedroom. It has a bay window near the centre of the room facing the north side. The other exterior wall of the bedroom faces . . .…
Light up your world
There'll be no dark days in well-windowed house
In the process of creating their newest home design, The Cottonwood, Qualico Homes' design team thought about what people enjoyed most in a home. It didn't take long to arrive at a consensus. "People love a lot of glass, " said Qualico's single-family homes sales manager, Dale Penner. "And rightfully so. It . . .…
Winnipeg rental costs make it a 'tight' market
Two studies came out last week which shed additional light on the status of housing in Winnipeg. The first, by the Altus Group, dealt with availability. The second, by the Frontier Centre, dealt with affordability. The Altus Group looked at apartment rental markets across Canada. To no one's surprise, Winnipeg fell . . .…
From good to great
Form and function meet in The Granville
It's a truism: With a bit of thought and effort, anything can be taken from good to great. That's exactly what happened when Kensington Homes' design team decided to modify a proven design, said Kensington Homes sales representative Rene Giroux. "We've been building The Granville for a while, and it's been one . . .…
Building permits are not optional paper
Almost 15, 000 people enjoyed a tremendous Kitchen Bath and Renovation Show recently. There were many products and services on display that provided consumers with considerable information for their next renovation project. The show provided considerable impetus to convince people that the project they have been thinking of is definitely within . . .…
HOP's handiwork revitalizes neighbourhood
Organization creating happy homeowners in West End
JUST call the brain trust at Housing Opportunity Partnership a persistent bunch. Why? Well, once they have a lot in their sights -- in this case a pair of lots located next to a former HOP-built home at 390 McGee St. in the city's West End -- they always get their . . .…
Greens with envy
Bright family home features views of area golf course
So, you've got a big family and you're looking for a family-friendly home in a quiet, safe location. Look no further than the satellite community of La Salle, said Sutton Group-Kilkenny Real Estate's Jeff Brown. "I've got a 2, 413-square-foot, four-bedroom bungalow that has it all at 89 Kingswood Drive, " he . . .…
Sold & Offered: Feb. 4-12
River Heights Address: 349 Borebank Asking Price: $219, 345 Sold Price: $220, 000 Taxes: $3, 264.28 Square Footage: 1, 160 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size: 40 x 120 Listing Agent: Tom Blumberg, Monopoly Realty, 488-1133 South Pointe Address: 11 Shipley Court Asking Price: $499, 900 Sold Price: $488, 250 Taxes: $1, 372.24 Square Footage: 1, 701 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size: 31 x 141 Listing Agent: Lori . . .…
Quality finishes, budget price
Townhouse-style condo offers fantastic value
It's a fact: when you have a budget of $200, 000 to $250, 000, it's hard to find a solid, well-finished starter home. Perhaps, then, it's time to think outside the box. If you haven't considered looking at condominiums -- particularly townhouse-style units -- you might want to. Why? Because every now . . .…
City's hot real estate market won't slow down
BY now, pretty much everyone who calls Winnipeg home knows it's one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. Here's a statistic -- courtesy of WinnipegRealtors' market analyst and director of public affairs, Peter Squire -- that puts just how hot the market is into perspective. "It took us 99 . . .…
Sold & Offered: Jan. 28-12
SOLD St. Vital Address: 79 Pilgrim Avenue Asking Price: $134, 900 Sold Price: $167, 000 Taxes: $1, 413.21 Square Footage: 650 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: 33 X 97 Listing Agent: Joanne Shaver, Cornerstone Properties Inc., 981-4047 Fort Garry Address: 2208-100 Plaza Drive Asking Price: $169, 900 Sold Price: $169, 900 Taxes: $1, 859.60 Square Footage: 900 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Listing Agent: Apee Panchhi, RE/MAX executives realty, . . .…