MIKE HOLMES: Coated lumbers deliver a stack of benefits

It's no secret I love coated lumbers. I use them whenever I can on any job. They deliver benefits that meet environmental and safety standards that are important to me, homeowners, builders and industry pros. Is it above code? Yes. . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Lots of options for leaving cottage in winter

QUESTION: We have purchased a home for summer use for the next few years. However, it is actually a year-round home built in 1995, and we may move there full time after retirement. The first owner lived there year-round for . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

Tips to help you enjoy Spring Parade of Homes

The first week of the Spring Parade of Homes is in the books and it looks like we're in for another great event. The weather has been consistent and, if the first week was any indication, crowds will continue to . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

Sold and offered: March 9-13

SOLD Island Lakes Address: 307 De La Seigneurie Blvd. Asking Price: $329, 900 Sold Price: $335, 400 Taxes: $3, 939.28 Square Footage: 1, 267 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size: 42 x 198 Listing Agent: Renee Dewar, Lifestyles Real Estate Ltd.; 204-979-5478 Selling agent: Gary Davlut, Re/Max Professionals; 204-477-0500 North River Heights Address: . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

Fabulous form, fabulous function

Loaded with style, built with daily life in mind

The moment you walk up to the front entrance of 39 Bridge Lake Drive and then into the foyer, you get the feeling the builder was trying to make a statement. That feeling is correct, said KDR Homes' Diego Vassallo. "We wanted . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

Renovated classic

Riverview beauty centrally located, affordable

Buying a home in one of the city's "classic" areas -- River Heights, Crescentwood, Wolseley and Riverview come to mind -- has its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you're getting into a mature, walkable neighbourhood that's central and close . . .

Posted: 2013-03-09

Winnipeg's house sales, housing starts both drop in February: reports

Winnipeg’s housing market hit a rough patch in February, with double-digit declines in both sales of existing homes and in single-family housing starts, according to two reports released today. In its monthly report, the Winnipeg Realtors Association said there was an . . .

Posted: 2013-03-08

Quiet luxury

Sanford charmer offers big-city appeal without the cost

With so many new communities popping up, it's easy for a community such as Sanford to get lost in the shuffle. Whereas Oak Bluff West is tucked away between Highway 2 and the Perimeter Highway, Sanford is another seven to eight . . .

Posted: 2013-03-05

Floored by flooring

The pros and cons of numerous available materials

Someone told me floors are polished in the Philippines by strapping a piece of coconut husk to each foot, then skating across the floor until the entire area begins to gleam. Final buffing is accomplished by dragging a sheet with . . .

Posted: 2013-03-02

Touch of the exotic

Orchids are finicky, but can be tamed

Exotic, mysterious, fascinating -- these are just a few of the adjectives used to describe orchids. They're found on every continent except Antarctica, with more than 30, 000 naturally occurring species that have been described. In addition to the wild . . .

Posted: 2013-03-02