MIKE HOLMES: How to figure out if a home has been flipped

Spring is home-buying season, and buyers need to be extra careful when checking out potential homes. You don't want to buy a lemon. There are two main options when buying a home: Either you buy new -- a completely new build . . .

Posted: 2014-05-03

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Proper ventilation is key to closing up a cottage

QUESTION: I recently came across one of your articles on wintering your cottage and I have a question concerning this topic. We purchased our first cottage last year on Lake of the Woods. Last October, I had a plumbing contractor . . .

Posted: 2014-05-03

Sold and offered: May 3-14

SOLD: Stony Mountain Address: 79 Prince St. Asking Price: $187, 500 Sold price: $187, 500 Taxes: $1, 319 Square Footage: 845 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: 65 x 135 Listing Agent: Vijay Guliani, Realty Plus Inc., 204-897-0800 RM of Beausejour Address: 38097 Rd. 79N Asking Price: $429, 900 Sold Price: $400, 000 Taxes: . . .

Posted: 2014-05-03

Hot, new & affordable

Oak Bluff West gives more for less

One of the challenges associated with wanting to put roots down in a new community is affordability. Take one of the city's hottest new communities, Oak Bluff West. These days, it takes in excess of $450, 000 to acquire a single . . .

Posted: 2014-05-03

River Heights redux

Classic beauty on Yale made thoroughly modern

Candy-coat it as much as you want, but it's a reality: Buy a turn-of-the-century vintage home in one of the city's classic neighbourhoods, and it's likely extensive upgrades will be required to bring its functionality and style to modern standards. That . . .

Posted: 2014-05-03

GARDENING: Spring back to life

Feeling a bit ravaged by the long winter? Imagine spending all of it outdoors these past several months. Given all that trees and shrubs must contend with from Mother Nature -- extreme temperatures, high winds, storms, pest infestations -- they . . .

Posted: 2014-04-26

Give your home a golden opportunity

QUESTION: I've become bored with stainless steel. I'd like to use gold finishes in my kitchen -- a faucet, lights and hardware. The plan is to stay in our home for at least five more years. I just don't want . . .

Posted: 2014-04-26

Get stainless look without smudges

GE has come up with way to combat what it calls "stainless fatigue, " introducing a new colour option for its appliances that has the look of stainless steel without the fuss. The new matte painted finish, called slate, will blend . . .

Posted: 2014-04-26

Fabric art is creative and easy

Dear Marc: I am not much of an artist but I want to create an abstract or funky art piece for my home. Do you have an easy fool proof technique? Thanks, Patrick Dear Patrick: We are not all gifted . . .

Posted: 2014-04-26

Have your evergreens been sun-scalded this spring?

The arrival of spring this year has brought noticeable changes to some evergreen trees and shrubs, with rusty brown and even red colours on pine and spruce needles and on the leaves of cedars. What we are seeing is a dehydration . . .

Posted: 2014-04-26