Toronto Life’s Home of the Week: the home is 6,000 square feet, but the lot is a little small. TO Life’s comments on the photos are pretty amusing. Click here for more photos ADDRESS: 4 Montclair Avenue NEIGHBOURHOOD: Casa Loma PRICE: $5,590,000 THE PLACE: This 6,000-square-foot-plus home is just steps from Forest Hill Village—no need to drive for that Saturday morning coffee run anymore. BRAGGING RIGHTS: Rich mahogany is passé—opt instead for a walnut library, an enormous wooden kitchen island topped with a granite slab and oak flooring throughout. BIG SELLING POINT: A house teeming with ultra-luxe features: 11-foot ceilings […]
Category: Renovations
CMHC resale report: multiple offer situations pushed prices higher
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation published a report on the resale market last month and here are some of the highlights. You’ll note that some houses in Leslieville and Riverdale appreciated by $100,000. Housing Now – Greater Toronto Area – (excerpt from CMHC report released July 2011) Resale Market – Tight markets and high end sales push prices higher Activity within the market for existing homes remained robust in the second quarter, showing no signs of slowing down following the changes to mortgage lending policy introduced in mid-March. Sales put in their second best Q2 performance on record (behind […]
Flood proof your home for spring
With spring just around the corner, it’s a good idea to inspect your home for any damage that may have occurred over the winter months. This is also the time of year to prepare your home for potential rain storms and help reduce the risk of basement flooding. Here’s a checklist to get you started on the road to flood proofing your home. Inspect your walls, doors, windows, floors and foundations for any cracks or leaks, and make repairs. Ensure downspouts are disconnected and drain water properly away from the basement and foundation walls (also check to make sure your […]
Ways to make your house green
Learn how to make your house energy-efficient to increase home value and save money. No matter what type of home you live in, whether it’s a modern one-bedroom condo or an older Victorian charmer, your home can be more energy efficient. In the past decade we’ve become all too familiar with the terms green living, and eco-friendly. When we choose to be eco-friendly and save money at the same time, it’s a win-win situation we can take pride in. Greening your home is a feel-good path toward home efficiency that will let you enjoy lower bills now, and make your […]
Curb Appeal: Basics to enhance your home’s exterior
It’s a question you need to ask before the for-sale sign hits your lawn. First impressions count, and as home buyers can be a fickle lot, you want your house to be enticing from the outset. This is called curb appeal, and it refers to making your home as attractive as possible from the vantage point where most will get their first impression: the curb in front of your house. The goal is to interest a buyer enough to call your real estate agent and arrange a viewing. If you want drive-by window-shoppers to take things to the next level, […]
Consider the emotional side of your reno
Even a small home renovation is more than just the physical construction – there’s an emotional side to consider. Homestars published a great article that helps to illustrate what really happens during a renovation. The day demolition takes place is overwhelming. Most homeowners aren’t prepared for the dust that flies. When an essential part of your home is not available, it forces you to change your habits. Something as simple as getting your morning cup of coffee is completely interrupted when you have no countertops or cabinets for a coffee mug. Click here for the full article