News

Banks sell $5-billion of mortgages84

Move will yield profit for Ottawa due to rate differential between home loans, new five-year bonds that will finance deal 16/10/08 2:28 PM 84

A sign of the times can be seen (or not seen) in Miami skyline

Construction slows to a crawl in what was once the hottest condominium market in the U.S. 14/10/08 7:39 PM

Real estate industry seeks to quell fears38

It's a misconception the Canadian market is mimicking that of the U.S., industry representatives, economists say 09/10/08 6:18 PM 38

Canadian housing starts hold steady2

CMHC data show noticeable weakness in Ontario, surge in B.C. 08/10/08 11:27 AM 2

U.S. pending home sales jump 7.4 per cent

Unexpected increase in August reflects buyers taking advantage of bargain prices 08/10/08 11:06 AM

Home prices to slide, not crash: economist123

Canadians will see prices drop up to another 10 per cent, then level off, CIBC's Tal says 07/10/08 5:11 PM 123

Housing market shows more signs of weakness47

Building permits plunge 13.5 per cent in August, largely because of slump in multi-family homes 06/10/08 9:06 AM 47

New buying strategies for a new economy25

In recent years, sellers receiving "bully" offer would justified in breaking open the champagne. Now, even the prospective buyers who want to jump the queue are sending in offers below the asking price. 10/10/08 12:00 AM 25

Home of the Week

Make it Right

Design and Decor

It's hip to be square

Forget the curves. The lines in this house are straight, crisp and clean. From one room to the next, the linearity of this architecturally driven interior becomes as clear as crystal — that is, of the Michael Lee-Chin variety. 26/09/08 12:00 AM

Multi-functional furniture, paint job among ways to spice up home for fall

A smaller-scale dresser that's fairly low can go many places in a home, and depending on the style that you like, then you can choose something that will hopefully last you a long time and suit your aesthetic taste. 26/09/08 4:18 PM

Shopping without dropping1

90 per cent of successful decorating is about being decisive and methodically seeing your project through from start to finish, clipboard in hand 19/09/08 11:54 AM 1

Choosing patterns is a delicate balancing act

Whether you choose to bring it into your space through the use of wallpaper, faux paint techniques, upholstery or window treatments, pattern can turn an adequate space into something that's quite dramatic. 19/09/08 12:00 AM

Tips & Tricks

Putting the pool into storage for the winter season

It's important to fine tune the chemistry by monitoring and adjusting the pH level before cutting all the lines 26/09/08 11:44 AM

Renovator adds flair by reusing materials1

A $15,000 marble fireplace mantle for $1,500; a $100,000 kitchen for $40,000 — deals like that stretch a building budget a long way 19/09/08 12:00 AM 1

Key questions to ask before buying a condo

The biggest single mistake that people tend to make is to think that buying a condo is just a less expensive way of buying a house and not really understanding that it's shared ownership, which is a lot different. 19/09/08 12:37 PM

Your house, their temporary digs5

Homeowners who rent out rooms to students often get more out of the experience than just extra money. "The students I have had have tremendous respect for others and are very gracious and generous." -- Homeowner Sheryl Cobban 29/08/08 12:00 AM 5

Tricks to make small spaces seem bigger1

Living within tighter confines doesn't need to feel suffocating. Experts say little extras from storage to shelving and even a new paint job are among the ways to spruce up and get settled in less spacious surroundings. 22/08/08 12:00 AM 1

Renovations

Bringing the neighbours along for the ride2

Building a house that's strikingly different from the others on the block means always having to explain yourself 19/09/08 12:09 PM 2

A home with art in its bones

A couple fall head over heels for a rundown bungalow, learning of its cultural significance only later on 12/09/08 12:00 AM

A design-lover's reno, done piecemeal

Jennifer Flores and Sean Stanwick, authors of Design City Toronto, take on their own design project — a bit at a time 05/09/08 12:00 AM

Lake-view loft has good karma10

Randy Stieben has spent years renovating his 5,000-square-foot condo to reflect his Tantra-inspired lifestyle. "I was never happier than when building this condo with my own hands. And now I want to build something else." 01/08/08 12:00 AM 10

On Site - Greater Toronto Area

Site offers only 16 ravine homes

Upscale bungalows that will offer the space and privacy of a low-rise property, and the maintenance-free lifestyle and access to amenities of a condominium suite. 12:46 PM

Park-like site near health facilities

The four-storey, luxury residence — situated beside Rupert Park in an established low-rise community — will offer 154 suites between $204,900 and $398,958. 12:50 PM

Minto promotes 'green' features

In the new Minto Communities low-rise development in East Gwillimbury, each residence will be built to Energy Star standards, which promises lower utility bills and improved interior air quality for residents. 12:52 PM

On Site - Vancouver

Vineyard home sites overlooking Okanagan Lake

Wine lovers looking for an all-season resort community to call home may be interested in the Belago, a collection of 18 vineyard home sites at the Rise in Vernon. 19/09/08 1:59 PM

Vacation Properties

Once a church, now a home1

Ancient bells adorn private home in Umbria 15/08/08 12:00 AM 1

Beachside home with infinite views1

Just three years old, this massive five-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion is one of the largest on Bonaire, a tiny island in the Netherlands Antilles off the north coast of South America. 12/09/08 11:36 AM 1

Between the strip and the sand

The condominium suites span entire floors in some cases, and range anywhere from 2,000 square feet to more than 16,000 square feet. 05/09/08 11:20 AM

A modern hacienda close to history and the beach

Toa Alta is one of the island's oldest towns, founded in 1751, and is popularly known as "La Cuna de los Poetas," or "The Cradle of Poets," because of the numerous Spanish-language poets — such as Abelardo Diaz Alfaro — who were born there. 29/08/08 12:01 PM