It seems that everyone is buying a condo these days. This way of living has never been so popular. Perhaps you are thinking about buying one? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you start your research.

Be as honest as possible with yourself and know the specific reason why you are considering to buy a condo. Are you looking for fewer responsibilities? Are you feeling a little lonely living in a single home and would rather live a collective life in a condo? Are you growing a little weaker as the years go by? Have you reached a moment in your life where you would prefer facing the unexpected in a team rather than alone or as a couple? Is it more cost-effective for you to sell your home and buy a condo instead? As a tenant, would you rather own a financial asset as quickly as possible? The more precise and candid the answers to these questions are, the more fruitful and short-lived your research will be. That is if ever you actually decide to make the move.[……]

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Brown is such a rich, deep, warm colour that it calms the mind, creates a welcoming environment and promotes togetherness. At the same time, it stimulates hunger for life. Like hot cocoa. Which shade do you prefer? Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

More often than not, brown is frowned upon or even made fun of. Some say it is bland, dull and perhaps a little sad. However, you can find a velvety brown as you would find a velvety red. You can also find a stylish brown as you would find a stylish blue. Take the time to explore all the different shades of brown.

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Brown and neutral tones blend beautifully well together. Take, for example, chocolate brown, caramel brown, coffee brown, hazel brown, chestnut brown, dark brown, Sienna, mahogany, amber, terracotta, sepia, cream, ivory beige, and ochre. Otherwise, if applied according to the glazing technique, you could create a nice faux leather brown.[……]

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In Canada, winter is synonymous with snowy landscapes, cold-weather sports… And soaring electricity bills. What if you could make changes to your house, or plan the construction of your next home to reduce the amount of energy you consume? From little fixes to major work, here’s how you can make your house more eco-friendly, increase your comfort level and save on heating and lighting.

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Adopt eco-friendly habits

“If you want to reduce your energy bill, your priorities should be ensuring that the house is well insulated and replacing energy-sucking appliances,” explains Martin Lambert, Founding President of Ecosolaris. “It always costs less to invest in conserving energy rather than producing it.” Guilty parties include incandescent light bulbs, which could be replaced by LED lighting, and old appliances that you’d be better to replace with Energy Star-certified appliances. Products that carry this certification are required to meet strict technical specifications related to energy efficiency and are tested extensively before being certified.

“Control systems can also be a good way to save,” adds Brian Wilkinson, President of Energie Matrix Inc. “A smart thermostat that can be controlled remotely could save you up to 20% of your electricity bill.”[……]

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Everyone wants to get the best mortgage financing offer. Does that mean getting the lowest rate, the longest term or the smallest payment? The best strategy for one person isn’t necessarily right for another.

Mortgage renewal is the perfect time to reorganize your finances based on your life goals. Your plan will be different, depending on whether you want to pay the lowest interest possible, reduce your monthly payment, save for a special project or optimize your debt repayment.

Here are 3 things to consider before settling on a mortgage agreement that’s right for you.

  1. Your financial commitments 

To find out how much flexibility you have with your budget, calculate the monthly payments for your:

  • Vehicle
  • Credit cards and lines of credit (monthly minimums)
  • Personal loans (e.g., student loan)
  • Other payments, like child support

Note: no more than 40% of your gross household income should go to all of your financial commitments, including your mortgage payment and other home-related expenses (e.g., property taxes, school taxes, energy costs).

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We are expecting a typical Québec winter this year. That means cold weather, snow storms, and humidity. Should you reconsider your home’s insulation? If so, this is the perfect occasion to take your first Eco-friendly step. Plus, you will save on heating costs.

Good insulation means improved comfort, protection against outside noise and energy efficiency; hence, the importance of having an adequate insulation system.

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First off, here is some basic knowledge. Since hot air tends to rise to make room for the cold air that is flowing down, the roof’s insulation is a top priority. Do not overlook the insulation of the piping system, even if it seems trivial. And remember, properly installed insulation means zero heat loss; therefore, no seams nor openings.

According to many experts, ecological insulation materials are more energy efficient than mineral wool insulators. You can expect less condensation because the ecological insulator is more breathable. In addition, they are less irritating to the skin during the installation. Ecological insulators are not as energy intensive to make as mineral wool, with a few exceptions.[……]

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Sometimes, buyers are faced with a difficult decision. They have already crossed out a large number of properties on their list, but two or three are still remaining. Now for the final elimination round. Which property will it be? Need some advice?

  • Ask your real estate broker. If your home search process was rather long, your savvy broker was able to identify your needs and personality because he or she has gotten to know you.
  • You would be willing to live with some constraints. Others, not at all! They would make your everyday life miserable. Learn to recognize them. Be honest with yourself.

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The two-toned kitchen cabinet trend is in full swing: one colour for the upper cabinets, another one for the lower cabinets, or a different colour for the cabinet doors. Imagine all the possibilities!

Pairing two colours for the cabinets can instantly revive the whole kitchen, regardless of the colours you choose, whether they are lively or dark hues.

Now, close your eyes and imagine these combos: orange and brown, gold and brown, eggplant and anise green, orange and violet, blue and gold, blue and grey, turquoise and beige, turquoise and chocolate brown, grey and purple, yellow and cream, black and ochre. And the list goes on.

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