April 2019

So you've purchased a new home. Congratulations! Now you may have to think about the types of appliances that you're going to add to the house assuming that they don't come with the property and you don't have any of your own to carry over. When you're going out to purchase those new appliances there are some things that you should keep in mind besides the price. If you get too caught up in the cost of the shiny new appliances in front of you, it can attract your attention over from other critical factors.

The Size Of The Appliance Matters

Fridges, stoves, washers and dryers are not all made in a one-size-fits-all manner. You should take some measurements of the allotted space for each appliance so that you don't end up with one that just

It is understandable if adding a deck is not at the top of many Canadian homeowner's lists. Summers tend to be shorter and the time to enjoy them limited. With a little consideration, however, adding a deck can add real value to a home and help when planning to sell a home. Whether it is a smaller, straight-forward single level deck or a large, complex, multi-level deck designed for dining and socializing, here are several ways a deck can add value to any home.

Decks Have High Return on Investment

According to Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs Value Reports, adding a wood deck usually adds 75-80% of its cost to the value of a home. That means adding a deck that costs $10,000 will immediately add up to $8,000 to the value of a home. This is

There are times when it makes sense to refinance your mortgage. It is however, important to have a clear financial objective in mind to be able to choose the most appropriate loan.

Since interest rates are at a 40-year low, switching to a lower rate may save you a lot of money – possibly thousands of dollars per year. There are penalties for paying your mortgage loan out prior to renewal, however these could be offset by the extra money you save through a refinance.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a mortgage specialist before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Before deciding whether or not to refinance, you need to determine what you want to accomplish. Remember, a refinance doesn't pay off the debt; it just

There are many, many books written on negotiation. There are as many good books as there are bad. In the past, manipulation used to be the standard method of choice for negotiating. Learning how to control and use subtle techniques to get what you want, and then leave the other side without a leg to stand on. This ultimately led to prolonged negotiations, with one side feeling cheated. As a result, that side would likely choose not to do business with the other party in the future, or would go out of their way to compensate for their losses. As a result, both sides would lose.

Business has changed. The knowledge and expectation of consumers has increased dramatically. The average consumer has done their homework and now brings a lot more to the

This is an old made-up story but one that makes a lot of sense. The heat turned off one day and a couple had to call in a specialist to look at their furnace. The house was getting colder and the children were starting to complain. When the furnace professional arrived he was warmly welcomed into the home and made his way downstairs. Upon arriving at the furnace he gave it a quick inspection and then gave it a good bang in a certain spot. The furnace instantly turned on, the couple was elated and they all headed upstairs to give the children the good news.

The furnace guy took out his invoice and handed the couple a bill for $200. The husband was shocked at the price and asked why he had to pay $200 for 5 minutes of work. He also added that he

Who doesn't have a secret sugar craving? Whether it's Halloween, a special occasion, or you just want to indulge your taste buds, here are some unique candies and sweets around Calgary that you have to check out.

Coppeneur Chocolate's Chili & Whiskey Bar - 105 8 Avenue SW

For dark chocolate lovers, stop by Coopeneur Chocolate's Chili & Whiskey Bar for their Chili & Whiskey Chocolate Bar. Their chocolate uses Highland Whiskey, chilies and cayenne pepper making their chocolate quite hot. They offer various flavours through truffles, filled bars, hot chocolate, nougat spreads and so much more. This type of chocolate is a favourite among parents more than their little ones.

Gummi Boutique - 205 10 Street NW

Kids absolutely love the Gummi

Alberta is a kind of "IMAX" experience; it intrudes on all the senses, capturing one's imagination and fueling dreams of adventure amidst spectacular scenery. The western province is a land of contrasts, with topography that ranges from prairie to forest to towering, snow-covered peaks, sometimes all within just a few miles. Meandering creeks give way to beautiful lakes near Calgary; waving wheat fields morph into Canada's version of "Badlands" with little warning, and Calgary, despite its modern skyscrapers, seems still steeped in the traditions of surrounding farm and ranch land.

Beautiful Regions Around Alberta

The northern Rocky Mountains lie along the western border where Alberta meets British Columbia. In the northeast, the province gives

Sometimes you want to head out to a pub for an afternoon beer or cocktail. If you don't have kids, this is very easy, but once you have kids, it's not the easiest thing to do. Luckily, in the Calgary area, some businesses can operate as a pub-style spot without banning kids completely.

You can head out to enjoy a pint, while your child is in the stroller. Just make sure you bring along the right toys for your child and keep your stroller or other carrying contraption out of the way of the service staff. Here are a few great pub choices parents will enjoy in Calgary.

Kensington Pub - 207 10A Street NW

This pub provides one of the best English pubs in the area. You can enjoy plenty of great choices for your pint and it's normal to see kids

A septic system may last for about a quarter of a century. For someone looking to buy a home, this is an important consideration. Septic systems pose a number of unique questions and concerns for home buyers, so it helps to have the facts before making a final decision.

Past, Present, and Future Questions

Canadian homeowners have strict requirements if they hope to keep their septic system up to code. Not only do they have to know the state of the septic system at the time of purchase, but they also have to plan ahead if requirements become even more stringent in the years to come. Ideally, septic systems will need to be inspected several times a year to ensure peak performance.

Homeowners need to know how well the system was maintained,

We've always loved going for brunch on the weekend but the clock has moved up a few hours and now breakfast is the new cool thing to do. And not just weekends. Calgarians are meeting people after the early morning jog or before work and the city restaurant scene is responding with as many new eateries as there are ways to crack an egg. Here are just a few of note:

Red's Diner

Go for the original Red's on Fourth Street in Beltline or visit their new location in Ramsay right on 8 Street S.E. You can even have your eggs any-side-up any time you want because breakfast is served all day. They have lunch offerings as well with burgers and gluten-free options plus boozy coffee and a selection of beer. Red's deal is about farm fresh and local with a