New Home, New Career

Pritchard Farm home kickstarts a new venture for couple

Just call 34 High Meadow Drive a custom-built home with a bit of a twist. The twist? How about a home -- in this case, a 2, 420-square-foot bungalow in pristine Pritchard Farm Southlands -- that was conceived from the ground . . .

Posted: 2009-09-06

AROUND THE MARKET: Real estate market fears unfounded

Prices rising all across Canada -- except in Alberta

While fears that the Canadian real-estate market was going to head south just like our U.S. neighbours have swept the market, all signs are now pointing toward a major recovery instead. Just last week, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) revised . . .

Posted: 2009-09-06

Now that's using your head

DEBBIE Scott is the first to admit she's no Mike Holmes. But the 40-year-old teacher does like to "dabble" in home-improvement projects. Take the old dresser she converted into a bathroom vanity in the powder room off her kitchen or the . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

Checks and (bank) balances

Routine home maintenance can save you lots of money over time

It's human nature to attempt to save a few dollars by tackling common maintenance work around the house. But some, such as Victoria resident Ramona Maximuk's former landlord, found out the hard way that some work should be left to . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Great weather — if you’re a weed

Pulling them out often makes things worse

Nothing gets under a gardener’s skin more than cold, rainy weather — well, except for the resulting proliferation of weeds that is. And this summer we have both. Weeds thrive in these conditions, even if they are about three weeks behind . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

MIKE HOLMES: Build for the worst, hope for the best

Weather doesn't have to destroy so many homes

When I look at the recent news images of the houses hit by tornadoes -- roofs torn off, framing joists and trusses scattered like toothpicks across backyards -- I have to ask myself: Why aren't we building better? Why aren't . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

DEBBIE TRAVIS: Blackboard paint great for helping kids stay organized

Dear Debbie: Our son and daughter (11 and nine years old) have both asked to have a wall in their bedrooms that they can write on. We have heard of blackboard paint and wonder if you can cover it up when . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

CONNIE OLIVER: Why live in a dull dorm?

A degree of creativity and a few bucks can work miracles

For some students, back to school means living away from home. Dorm rooms are spaces that are notoriously lacklustre when it comes to the décor. Students rarely have funds to update or enhance their space, so they are left living . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

SOLUTIONS: Egging very aggravating

QUESTION — My house was “egged” a couple of weeks ago. The house is stucco — the kind that is troweled on, not the kind with little stones and pieces of glass. There are four circular blotches with stains running . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Carpet in basement not always a good idea

Question: I would like to get rid of the wall to wall carpet in my basement, but am having trouble figuring out what to replace it with.  Each vendor tells me something different.  I’d like it to have a warm . . .

Posted: 2009-08-30