John Gaio's blog

Empty walls have their place in a home, and while a crisp, clean esthetic is always a classic choice, sometimes you just want to spruce up your space – or at least a portion of it. The much-loved gallery wall is one of the most tried and true DIY designer trends in the book to do just that!

There’s no one way to do it right. Some prefer a fine-tuned, perfectly measured grouping of similar frames, while others like to switch it up, adding varied frame styles and sizes, and different accent pieces without precise spacing.

Demand for condominiums in Canada’s three largest urban centres, and most major cities across the country, is expected to outpace that of the single-family residential segment in the new year, as homebuyers who have been sitting on the sidelines begin to return to the market in search of more affordable housing options, amid higher interest rates and increased day-to-day living costs.

While home prices in many real estate markets across Canada have recorded modest declines over the last few quarters, largely due to the rising cost of borrowing, the rate of decline has slowed. With the expectation that the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hike campaign is coming to a close, Royal LePage is forecasting that the national aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2023 will be $765,171, 1.0% below Q4 of 2022.

Are you searching for the perfect gift for someone who has recently purchased a house or condo? With the holidays around the corner, now is the perfect time to give the new homeowner in your life something they’ll truly love and appreciate. Whether you want to splurge, buy something small, or give a group gift, this list has options for every budget.

Wooden cutting board

The cost of buying a winter recreational property in Canada’s popular ski regions is projected to decrease slightly over the next 12 months, as sales continue to trend down from the historically high levels reported in 2021.

With the beautiful days of fall weather behind us, the first flurries of snow appeared in late November, preparing us for winter activities and the holiday season ahead. For some, the prospect of purchasing a winter recreational property is the perfect place for a family getaway, enjoying retirement, or to collect rental income. Whatever the reason for the purchase of such a property, or the sale of one, it is important to be aware of current market trends.

Working your nine-to-five in the dead of winter can be a struggle regardless of whether you do your job from a cubicle or the comfort of home. Although remote working certainly has its perks — like skipping slushy rush hour commutes or shoveling the driveway early in the morning — it can also present unique challenges during the winter months.

It’s no secret that Canada’s real estate market has undergone a notable shift for home sellers this year. Homeowners listing their property now might experience a slight increase in comparable inventory, extra days on the market and fewer offers, compared to 2021.

Although the market has changed, sellers still have every opportunity to stand out when putting their home up for sale, if they take the extra time to prepare. Here are some dos and don’ts for sellers to consider in order to be successful in today’s cooling housing market:

For many people, a cottage is the idyllic retreat into the great outdoors; a place where weekends can be spent hanging out by the lakeside or gathering around the outdoor firepit. Unfortunately, cottage life isn’t always a year-round affair, and many unwinterized recreational properties need to be temporarily closed before the snow hits.

Before freezing temperatures arrive, consider taking the following steps to properly prepare your cottage for the winter season:

While a recent Royal LePage survey found that a large number of millennials haven’t given up on their dream of owning a home, many Canadians continue to live in shared accommodations – whether with family or roommates. But, just because you live with others… doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a space to call your own.