U.S. used home sales reported higher in July

WASHINGTON -- Sales of existing homes in the United States rose 3.1 per cent in July, easily beating Wall Street's expectations, as buyers snapped up deeply discounted properties in parts of the country hit hardest by the housing bust. However, the . . .

Posted: 2008-08-25

Sun shining on yellow

Cheery colour returns to decor

Step aside, orange. It's yellow's turn to shine. The last few years have seen greens and oranges in the home decor spotlight, but that's about to change, as the primary colours blue and yellow muscle back into the forefront. "Orange has started . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

Consider a banquette for your banquet

Small space? Entertain a lot? A bench may be just what you need

Dear Debbie -- We have a small dining area in our new townhouse that is beside the living room, all one space. We love to entertain, and want to be able to seat six to eight people around the table. . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

In brief

Air sanitizer kills germs

Want an easy way to kill the millions of germs and odour-causing bacteria in your home?" The new UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer, by Germ Guardian (www.germguardian.com). can be used at your home, office, hotel, doctor's office or anywhere indoors where . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

Make a real (back)splash

The right look can make your kitchen come alive

The backsplash is one area of the kitchen that can be used to create drama through colour, pattern and texture. If you are starting with a clean slate (a smooth surface) your choices for a backsplash finish are endless. Today we'll . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

Mancana ash trees hit with fungal disease

Spray treatments should be just the ticket

The following is a selection of interesting questions I have had from many people in both the Winnipeg area and southern Manitoba. QUESTION -- The leaves of my Mancana ash dried up this summer, and there are wide openings in the . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

New concrete floor slab or mud jacking?

Weigh relative costs and benefits first

QUESTION -- We would appreciate your opinion about our garage floor. Our house, with double attached garage, was built in the late sixties. We found that the garage floor is gradually sinking, but more so the past year. Our house has . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

Manitoba able to avoid housing decline

There has been a series of recent articles forecasting the end of Canada's housing boom. The rationale has ranged from over-inflated prices in some provinces to a flat Canadian economy, poor weather and a ripple effect from the United States. A . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

Sold!

A look at recently sold homes in and around Winnipeg

St. Boniface Address: 402 Lariviere Asking Price: $169, 900 Sold Price: $180, 000 Taxes: $2, 553.72 Square Footage: 1, 144 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1.5 Lot Size: 50 X 120 Listing Agent: Mark Penner, Royal LePage Prime, 989-7900 Transcona Address: 155 Whiteway Road Asking Price: $189, 900 Sold Price: $193, 000 Taxes: $2, 909 Square Footage: . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24

In a word... quality

Streetside's first foray into luxury condos hits the mark

It may have taken awhile to come to fruition, but the Streetside Development Corp. is poised to showcase another side of its personality. In this case, a very refined side. Known for high-quality condominium projects such as Place Joseph Royal, Grandstone on . . .

Posted: 2008-08-24