Real Estate Info

The walkway leading to your front door is an integral part of your Toronto home’s curbside appeal. Without a decent-looking walkway your home will look incomplete and unfinished. The kind of look you want for your property will dictate the kind of material that you choose for your walkway. In fact, walkways can run the gamut from poured concrete to wood to mosaics. Each medium has its own beauty and level of difficulty in application.
 
Concrete
Concrete is probably the longest-lasting material you can use for your walkway. Whether you hire someone to do it or do it yourself, concrete will require the proper prepping of the walkway site and the proper mixing of the concrete itself. Once poured, you can get creative and add patterns and/or whimsical elements to add dimension and visual interest to the walkway. When concrete is poured, you have to make sure that is cures slowly and remains slightly damp so that it is evenly dry throughout. Once it is fully dry, you will need to seal it ensure it lasts for as long as possible.
 
Flagstones
Flagstones are a very popular when it comes to walkways. However, flagstones can also be quite expensive if you are using natural stones. Artificial or composite stones are less expensive but don’t always have that unique look that natural stones impart. Flagstones can be laid out in a similar way to regular interlocking bricks or they can be laid down in a less formal way with grass in-between each stone. The latter option is easier to install and requires fewer stones, but more maintenance.
 
Mosaics
For the more ambitious, creating a mosaic out of stones, rocks, glass or other materials is a great option for really making the pathways around your home unique and memorable. Although requiring a lot more work, they can last a lifetime and are truly an expression of your unique personality.
 
Wood and Gravel
Wood and gravel are other very viable options for walkways. They add a different kind of sensibility to a home. While wood is warm, earthy and more organic, gravel is more a casual, contemporary and clean option.

Sprucing up the front porch of your Toronto home to make it more welcoming is not very hard to do. In fact, depending on the start of repair of your front stoop, usually it doesn’t require much more than some well placed potted plants and/or a coat of paint to really take things up a notch. If your porch requires more extensive repair work before being presentable then, yes, it might cost more, but depending on the work that needs to be done, there are all kinds of interesting solutions for you.
 
The simple fix
If your front porch is already in good shape, then investing in some good pots and yearly blooms might be all you need to throw colour into your entrance way. A pair of matching pots with healthy flowers can go a long way toward livening up your front door. Planting perennials and shrubs around your front porch can also add interest and beauty to your home.
 
If you have a covered front porch, then the addition of a few comfy chairs a table or two and maybe even a throw rug can definitely beckon people to sit and relax. If your porch is made of wood, then refreshing the paint every couple of years will keep it looking its best and preserve the wood as well.
 
More complicated fixes
If your stoop is in need of major repair work, then finding a good contractor is of essence. A poured concrete porch is the longest lasting option available as long as it is done well and cured properly. However, it is also often the most expensive option. Although you can certainly opt to repair damaged concrete, unless it is done well, it won’t adhere to the existing work.
 
Another option is to cover your existing concrete using stone tiles. When glued down properly they look just as good as poured concrete and add another dimension to a setting.
 
Regardless of the work that needs to be done on your porch, it is worth the investment. The entrance to your home is the first thing people see and is what makes or breaks curb-appeal. If it is done well, then the value of your home will increase immediately. Done poorly, regardless of how well maintained and updated the rest of your home is, the unappealing exterior is all people will remember.

Converting an attic into a room or loft in your Toronto home is a terrific way to gain space without the threat of zoning restrictions to hamper your construction. The useable space in an attic is the ideal way to increase your home’s living space without extensively adding to its foundation or footprint. There are certain things that you will have to take into consideration before launching into your attic conversion including building codes, support structures, electrical and plumbing systems and access.
 
Building codes
You will have to check to see whether an attic bedroom is permitted in your dwelling. Although they might seem unnecessary, building codes are actually there for your protection. As a rule, ceiling height should be at least 7’6” for at least 70 square feet. You should check with an architect or structural engineer to find out whether your attic’s floor joists are strong enough to support the additional weight of a remodel. Lastly, you need at least two exits – a door and usually a window.
 
You will likely have to shore up the framing and structures of your attic so that you have a good-sized space in your finished attic.
 
Electricity/Plumbing
You will have to extend your electricity to your attic – for which you will need the services of a certified electrician to ensure that it is feasible and that it is done properly. If you choose to build any sort of ensuite in the attic that will also require you to hire a plumber to help you get the proper plumbing in place.
 
Access to the attic
Access to the attic requires a proper staircase, but since that would take up a lot of place on the floor underneath you could consider converting a closet into a staircase in order to minimize it’s impact.
 
Although converting an attic into usable space isn’t highest on the list of renovations that add value to a home, it does rate very high on the Joy Score – coming in at 9.4 on a scale of 10 in the amount of enjoyment it brings a homeowner. The Joy Score is a poll taken by the National Association of Realtors to measure the impact of renovations on a homeowner’s satisfaction level.

Basement flooring used to be limited due to the high moisture content found in below-grade rooms. However, times are changing and there is now a nice selection of materials from which to choose when redoing your basement floor. Just keep in mind that a concrete slab is a porous material is prone to moisture. So, the material you choose will have to be moisture resistant or have a water-resistant core. There are a number of excellent flooring options from which to choose with the exception of hardwoods and laminates with a fiberboard core.
 
Among the number of options available for basement flooring is engineered hardwood, ceramic tiles and laminates with a water-resistant plywood core. Here we will take a look at the different options and why they work well in certain rooms.
 
Engineered Hardwoods
Engineered Hardwoods are as good looking as solid hardwoods. The difference is with engineered Hardwoods their core is water resistant making them ideally suited for basements and condo complexes. not only do they come in a large variety of colors, styles and stains, they can also be resanded when they have been scuffed-up or scratched. They tend to be a warmer option and give a basement a more formal look and feel.
 
Laminates
Laminates or made to look like either wood or stone but they are made from a kind of melamine resin that is extremely resistant to usage, scuffs and wear. Laminates used to be very popular four flooring throughout a house but lost its appeal in recent years. However the higher quality laminate available today have again made them a popular choice in flooring especially for basements. Laminates tend to give the same kind of warm as hardwoods but are far more durable.
 
Ceramics
Ceramics are the flooring of choice in warmer climates where a cool floor is a coveted feature by homeowners. Ceramics or stone can include everything from porcelain tiles to marble to granite. however in colder climates it would be necessary to include a heating element under the floor in order to keep it comfortable even during the winter months. Ceramics are a cooler option but just as durable as laminates.
 
Regardless of the flooring you choose for your basement make sure that your selection is water resistant to prevent any warping that would necessitate changing the floor too quickly after installation.

A wet bar can make any gathering come alive. Whether upstairs in your family room, a small space off your kitchen or a larger spot in your recreation room, a wet bar will automatically put your friends at ease and make the conversations flow – not to mention that they are the ideal place for storing your alcohol. Wet bars can come in all shapes and sizes and can be as simple as a counter with a sink and a few shelves on a wall, to as elaborate at the bars you see at your local pub. Regardless of what you choose, a wet bar will definitely add to your lifestyle.
 
Naturally, as it’s name suggestion a wet bar should have running water, a sink and draining. Ideally it should also have a large enough spot for mixing drinks and catching spills. Another interesting feature to include in your wet bar design would be beer taps and beer gutters to catch overflow without creating a mess. Although gutters are usually absent for ordinary wet bar designs, some places will include them, but you can always ask for them to be including as well.
 
Electricity
When it comes to electricity at your wet bar remember that liquids and current can be a deadly mix. Always install GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected electrical power outlets to protect yourself and any other “bar tenders” from mishaps.
 
Counters and sinks
Your wet bar counters should include enough space for drying your glassware and should ideally including glassware mats. Remember to protect your drains by placing filter over them to prevent them from getting clogged up with mixed drink debris. Lastly, make sure to have germ-killing disinfectants around to keep your surfaces mildew-free as mold and mildew can build up very quickly in a wet environment.
 
Flooring
If you only plan to use your wet bar on sporadically, then flooring isn’t that big of a consideration, but if you plan on throwing big parties where someone will have to man the bar for several hours at a stretch, then you might consider building a floor that slopes towards a drain to catch any spills. You might also consider using anti-fatigue mats and rubberized flooring to better protect your ground.
 
A wet bar can be a great addition to any home – especially if you like to entertain. So, if you are planning on building one in your home – be sure to do it right to maximize your return on investment.
 
Hiring a qualified local contractor to complete your project is essential, check out the Get Assist app to save valuable time while searching for the right professional.

Gone are the days where wine was stored in a cold room under your stairs. Today’s Toronto wine cellars are elaborate creations that have more in common with French vintners than they do with the cantinas of yesteryear. Although you can certainly have a wine fridge in your kitchen or even a walk-in, dedicated wine fridge, nothing compares to an entire room given over to the careful storage of your favorite vintages.
 
There are a number of outfitters who will help you to custom design your wine cellar – whether you want to turn an existing room into a wine cave or build a new one from scratch, there are many options open to you.
 
Aside from getting the proper shelving in place, the single most important aspect of a wine cellar is temperature. You need to have a fail-safe and sophisticated mechanism for keeping your wines at the optimal temperature so that remain properly preserved. It is imperative to have a good temperature regulation system, a way of sealing your cellar and a back-up generator to keep the system from failing in case of a power failure.
 
Some people go all out when creating a wine cellar and actually build it out of stone or brick to mimic actual cellars found in Europe. Others work with what they have and simply paint the needed detailing onto the walls. Some of the more modern wine cellars are not found in basements, but are actually part of the home’s overall design and are used as showpieces in the kitchen or dining room. These tend to be clear glass cases with the wine bottles arranged in a fetching display.
 
Regardless of the kind of wine cellar you choose to build in your home, it will certainly add value to your residence while bringing you pleasure for years to come.

Home theatres have gained in popularity and are now an integral part of many Toronto homes. These super-cool spaces provide the perfect entertainment experience by recreating an authentic theatre setting but in the comfort of your home. Some home theatres go so far as to have the soundproofed walls and tiered seating found at your local multiplex. Some really ambitious designs even include concession stands and old-fashioned popcorn makers.
 
If you want to create your very own Toronto home theatre, then you need the basics – a good projection system, the right speaker set-up, and good A/V components. Let’s take a look at what’s involved.
 
To Project or Stream?
Naturally, the first thing you might think of when it comes to a home theatre is a good projector to project the image as is done in a real theatre. Although this is a superb option, it is not the only one. A good projector will need a good screen and work best in a dedicated room where you can control the external lighting. If you are in an open space, then a projector might not be the best options – although there are projectors now available that have a higher brightness level. If you don’t have a separate room for your home theatre then you might consider a big screen television – many of which are now rivalling and surpassing what can be delivered through projection.
 
Speakers
Once you have locked-down whether you want to project or invest in a big-screen television, next up on the list is your speaker setup. The usual configuration for theatre-like sound is 5.1 – this refers to having five speakers installed at strategic spots to deliver surround-sound with the one referring to a subwoofer to fill in the lower-end of the sound spectrum.
 
A/V Receiver
Now, whether you are planning on solely watching movies or if you are also planning on watching cable or other streaming services, will determine the kind of A/V receiver you will want. If you have a projector, then you will need to hook-up to either a DVD player, Roku, Apple TV or cable box in order to get a signal to project. However, if you have a smart TV, then your input is basically assuring that your TV as a connection to the internet so that it can catch whatever streaming service you subscribe to. However, if you are old school and still own DVDs, then hooking up your DVD or BluRay player is still a great option.
 
The Room
Once you have the audio/visual elements in place, it’s time to think about the rest of your room. It helps to have some sort of acoustic taming so that external noise is muffled. It is also good to have control over lighting so that you get optimum viewing. When it comes to seating – you might be limited if you are working with an existing room, however, if you are lucky enough to be building a room from scratch, then the possibilities are endless. Seating choices come in a great number of styles and choices so you should take your time when choosing.
 
Finally, the overall look and feel of your home theatre will largely depend on your own sensibilities. You can have an ultra modern design, a traditional look and something in-between. Whatever you decide, you can rest assured that it will get plenty of use.

Man-caves are a popular feature in many Toronto homes. A place that the man in a family can call his own. A place he can escape to and listen to music, watch sports or even play games. Creating a man-cave in your home doesn’t have to be expensive and elaborate – with just a little imagination and some elbow grease you can create a truly memorable experience that is tailored for the man (or men) in your home.
 
Theme
The first thing to do when creating a man-cave is to choose a favorite theme – whether it is music, a particular sport, movies or some other interest, having a theme will help you to narrow down your decorating style and ideas.
 
Colours/Textures
Next decide on favorite colours – does the man who will be using the man-cave like muted, sombre colours or does he prefer brighter hues? Getting his favorite colours right will go a long way towards helping pull the whole look together. If you can create a swatch board with the different wall colours, fabric textures and other elements that you plan to incorporate into the design, it will make it easier for you to visualize how all of the elements you want will look together.
 
Personalization
The best man-caves in Toronto feature some kind of personalization. If you can add something coveted – for instance frame a signed concert poster of a favorite artist or the pictures taken on a particularly memorable holiday. Include memorabilia from cherished hobbies or pastimes, etc… The personal touch will really add to the cachet of any such room.
 
Gadgets
Most men are into gadgets and/or electronics. Including all of those items that will make his man-cave a real escape will definitely please the intended owner of the room.
 
In the end, get your man involved so that he is aware of what’s going into the design and can tell you just what he would like to have in his personal space – after all, he’s the one who will be using it!

If you have a new build Toronto home, then chances are your basement hasn’t yet been finished. Although the cost of buying a new home might push the thought of finishing your basement down the road for a few years, there are some very good reasons for investing in your basement. Not only will a finished lower level add to the overall value of your home, but it will also provide you with additionally living space to enjoy. There are also financial considerations to potential finishing your basement. Let’s take a look at some of the pros below.
 
Extra living space
Chances are if you have purchased a new Toronto home, then you have a young family or you are thinking of starting one. Families typically need space – especially in our day and age. Having a finished basement where your children can play is a big advantage. It will save your principal level from constantly being messy and will give your kids a space of their own where they can run around and play to their hearts’ content. As they age a recreation room in your basement will provide teenagers with their own space to disappear into with their friends so that they can slowly start to establish their own independence.
 
Overall home value
Another very big consideration when it comes to finishing your Toronto basement is the overall value that it will add to your home. Depending on the size of your basement and the location of your home, it can add anywhere between $17-$40 per square foot – which comes out to a nice tidy sum.
 
Financial gains
Lastly, you can finish your basement to include an extra living space that you can rent out to help pay down your mortgage even faster – not something to pass up with today’s pricey housing market. Done right, your lower level can bring in enough to cover most of your mortgage, if not all of it.
 
Regardless of your motivation to invest in your lower level, the benefits are clear and it is definitely something that is recommended if you want to make the most of your home.