2017

Most people have no idea what they’re in for when buying a new home. Sure, you can research how to prepare and learn from the experiences of others, but every homebuyer is unique, with a situation unlike that of everybody else. The underwriting process may require efforts you didn’t consider when imagining your first home. There are a million other ways problems can crop up, as well. All of...

As one of the most highly esteemed neighbourhoods in prime central London, Mayfair has come a long way from an empty piece of land to a blossoming community. Ideally situated in the heart of London's West End, to the east of Hyde Park, the district is a global hotspot providing residents and tourists alike with some of the best retail therapy, fine dining and luxury real estate in the world. Mayfair...

Prime commercial properties are attractive to tenants and landlords alike. And despite the rise of digital commerce, some sectors are still suited to operating from physical outlets. But whether you’re a landlord or leaseholder it’s crucial you’re aware of your safety responsibilities. So here are five commercial property safety pitfalls to avoid. Fire Fire can affect any business,...

Blinds are meant to control the flow of light into your home and give you the privacy that you so badly desire, rather than to leak light into your home and cause you hours of annoyance. Unfortunately, that is the case all too often. Window treatments should work perfectly, block out the light when asked to, and look great while doing it. The reality is that some common mistakes cause a lot of headaches....

Any dedicated homeowner knows that your home is your personal castle, and the best thing that you can do for yourself is to design it in a way that you will feel pleased with. An important element that can make or break your home’s aesthetic appeal is the type of patio cover that you choose. For a professional opinion, head on over to royalcovers.com and check out what the company has to offer. But...

We’re all familiar with the saying ‘home is where the heart is’. A house is a physical space but the concept of a home is much more — it’s an emotional enclave we share with the people we love. That’s why you imagine living there before you buy a new property. But once you’ve got the keys the real work starts — so here are five hacks that turn your new...

Contrary to what many people believe, the scope of The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 goes much wider than work directly to shared walls – there are in fact 3 distinct types of work that are covered. Section 1 deals with new walls built on or at the line of junction between two properties. The Adjoining Owner’s consent will be required to build astride the boundary but even if the new wall is...

Whether you intend to put your property on the market, you are looking to let it out or you just want to enhance the value of your home, you will find plenty of advice relating to upgrades you can consider. However, while some can make a genuine difference, both to your living space and its value, others can simply burn a hole in your pocket to no real effect. Let’s explore some value adding...

It is fair to say that MDF has revolutionised many areas of carpentry and DIY, and at the same time it has polarised opinions. Advocates say that it is the best thing ever, with all the advantages of wood and none of the disadvantages, as it is easy to work with and far cheaper than natural alternatives. Others say that cheap means poor quality and that it will soak up water. One thing is for sure, it...

There are times when taking on a variable loan can benefit a borrower, and then there are other times when it is a much riskier proposition. The only way to know for sure which is the best option for your mortgage financing needs is to have a crystal ball that can gaze into the future, but that’s not really an option. If you are a homeowner in Manitoba and you are thinking about taking out a new...