Solutions

A swimming solution to summer heat

A swimming solution to summer heat Turn your backyard into an oasis retreat with a swimming pool. Before making the purchase research all options; basic pool choices include the above-ground pool, the partial in-ground pool, and the in-ground pool. Each is . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Dehumidifier eliminates condensation concern

Q: During the summer, my basement floor gets very damp. Should we seal it now in hopes of solving the problem before it happens again? A: You probably don't want to seal the floor. You will want the moisture . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Fix vinyl floor, then fix why it's curling

Q. The vinyl in my bathroom is curling up at one of the seams. It is quite unsightly and is becoming a real maintenance problem. Is there anything I can do to fix it? A. Yes, but first it's important . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Kitchen comes into its own as the place to be

In case you haven't noticed, the kitchen is the place to hang. No longer relegated to utilitarian status as just a place to roast a chicken, the kitchen is where the martinis are not only shaken but also slurped. In turn, . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Insurance status for flips unclear

Buying a house to fix up and resell at a profit is a grey area when it comes to insurance. Because it is not a principal residence, it will not typically be covered by normal home insurance, says an insurance . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Single and savvy

Canadian women going big on real estate, poll shows

Bisi Lawuyi is today's quintessential homeowner: young, single and financially knowledgeable. At 28, Lawuyi is well-educated, makes a good salary and has a permanent job. She's also part of a growing trend of Canadian women who are taking the first-time . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Watch your (micro) garden grow

Even condo dwellers can enjoy their favourite hobby

VICTORIA -- As more people give up larger homes with backyards for yardless condos, many are refusing to give up the pleasure of a garden. Urban farmers are transforming their new surroundings -- often concrete and asphalt -- by growing . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

Spring into life

Season's colours are about vibrancy

Spring is all about a fresh start. After a long winter, paint manufacturers and fashion designers are coming out with their new spring lines. This year, vivid colours and fresh designs are the order of the day. You can't help . . .

Posted: 2008-03-30

House defies notion of being at odds withfamily living

'It just works,' owner says

1The consternation didn't seem rooted in the size or scale of the house, but by its style. After all, here in the middle of metropolitan Los Angeles, who would build a farmhouse? The answer is two resolutely modern architects who gave . . .

Posted: 2008-03-23

They don't build houses like they used to

Today's new home is better in many ways --design, energy efficiency, ecologically, safety

Earlier this winter, I was driving my car in the middle of one of our heavy snowstorms. It was very cold, snowing heavily and the visibility was poor. I was relieved to be driving a fairly late-model vehicle with a very . . .

Posted: 2008-03-23