Purchasing new home now more affordable

The Bank of Montreal recently announced a five-year fixed mortgage rate of 2.99 per cent, the lowest advertised rate for that term by any major Canadian bank ever. Other banks and credit unions have responded to this with their own . . .

Posted: 2012-01-21

Sold & Offered: Jan. 21-12

SOLD River Park South Address: #106-1145 Ste. Anne's Road Asking Price: $257, 500 Sold For: $264, 500 Square Footage: 1, 150 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: Not yet assessed Listing Agent: Ken Maines, Maximum Realty, 999-9078 Royalwood Address: 19 Northwood Court Asking Price: $422, 900 Sold Price: $415, 000 Taxes: $5, 336 Square Footage: 1, . . .

Posted: 2012-01-21

Pros and cons of being an absentee landlord

IF the nature of your employment has you moving around a fair bit, it may be hard for you to get established on the property ladder. One option may be to rent a home and buy an investment property. When considering an . . .

Posted: 2012-01-21

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. . . .

Posted: 2012-01-21

Help arrives to battle boredom

Home responds to S.O.S. -- Same Old Syndrome

Like most everyone, builders are creatures of habit. Consequently, it's understandable they might fall into the subconscious trap of designing homes that, while different outside, look annoyingly similar inside. If maple hardwoods, maple cabinets, granite countertops and earth-tone colours are your . . .

Posted: 2012-01-21

Sweet starter in Wildwood Park

Great location, well-maintained

As most buyers looking for a starter home have come to realize, finding a good one isn't easy. The reason? It's difficult to find a solid starter for under $240, 000. Why? Simple: spend under, say, $200, 000, and you're looking . . .

Posted: 2012-01-21

Furniture-makers obscure, but not by design

Actor Bruce Willis bought one of their dressers. They sell their high-end furniture in major American cities such as New York and San Francisco. And they've garnered a number of accolades, including Interior Design Magazine's Best of Year 2009 Product . . .

Posted: 2012-01-14

Small-space gardening takes centre stage for 2012

WHAT'S on the horizon for gardeners in 2012? Here are 10 plant, design and ideology trends to watch out for this year. Shades of orange flowers and foliage Orange has been pronounced the hue of the year by colour industry giant Pantone. . . .

Posted: 2012-01-14

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Let's vent on best way to improve air flow

QUESTION: We own a two-storey detached home built in the early '70s. We installed a high-efficiency furnace three years ago and noticed paint peeling from the soffits around the southern-facing side of the home shortly thereafter, as well as shingle . . .

Posted: 2012-01-14

SOLUTIONS: Pens and refills spell frustration for writer

QUESTION: I use pens that take refills. The last two worked for awhile and then stopped working. The store clerk suggested warming them; they worked briefly and then stopped. Is there anything else that I can do? Refills aren't cheap! . . .

Posted: 2012-01-14