Irene Kelleher's blog

(NC) Buying a home is the biggest purchase most of us will ever make. There are many factors to weigh when deciding which one to put an offer on. If you or a loved one has mobility or cognitive limitations, there are even more things to consider. Here are five, and some potential fixes if your would-be dream home is missing some key elements.

Steep exterior steps
If someone with mobility issues can’t even make it inside the front door, that’s a major dealbreaker. The treads on any exterior stairway should be of uniform height and depth to avoid a tripping hazard, and secure railings should...

(NC) New kitchen or fresh paint? With some simple preparation, a little paint and a free weekend, you can transform the look and feel of your kitchen in just a couple of days. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Prep the area
Empty your cabinets and remove the doors by unscrewing the hinges and pulling the doors away from the units. Wipe the surfaces clean with a damp cloth.

Clean and sand
If your cabinets have a glossy finish, you’ll need to sand that away before you start painting. Take a sanding sponge or high-grit sandpaper (100- to 150-grit), and sand until you have a...

(NC) It’s no secret that the harsh winter elements can take a toll on your home. Once the ice thaws and the flowers begin to bloom, consider some simple spring projects to help prepare your home for the warmer weather.

Adjust your thermostat. Review and adjust your thermostat for springtime. With fluctuating temperatures, check the morning forecast and set it accordingly so you use less energy for heating or cooling while you're away from home. If you have a programmable thermostat, take advantage of its features to create an efficient cooling schedule. If you don’t already have one,...

(NC) Rising interest rates and higher prices are leaving many Canadians wondering how to keep up with expenses, particularly a mortgage. In fact, 62 per cent of Canadians believe that housing affordability will worsen in 2024, and 46 per cent think that mortgage rates will increase in the next year according to IG Wealth Management’s 2023 Financial Confidence Index, which tracks and reports on Canadians’ overall financial confidence.

“Mortgages are often one of Canadians’ largest debts,” says Alana Riley, head of mortgage, insurance and banking at IG Wealth Management. “With increased...

(NC) Winter weather plus Canadian lawns, equals a spring refresh. Proper care as the warmer weather approaches will bring your green space back to life. Here are some simple tips to ensure your lawn is the best on the block this spring.

Clean up
Out with the old, in with the new. Gather and discard all the old, dead foliage and debris that appeared in your yard over winter so there’s fresh space to grow.

Aerate the soil
Aerating means puncturing holes in your lawn so water, air and nutrients can reach the roots. It’s best to aerate when your grass is in its peak growing season so it can...

(NC) First-time home ownership is a significant milestone, and with it comes unique experiences, like navigating property assessment and taxes for the first time.

If you’re unsure how your property assessment is determined and how it relates to your taxes, here is what you need to know:

Over 5.6 million properties across Ontario are assessed and classified by The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, an independent, not-for-profit organization.

There are five key elements that affect your property’s value:

1. Location: The neighborhood where your home is situated significantly...

(NC) As the weather outside gets colder, many of us retreat indoors to keep warm and cozy.

However, if our indoor air quality is poor – due to dryness, airborne particles or even harmful chemicals – it can affect our health.

Maintaining healthy indoor air quality is a must for every homeowner. Here are a few things you can do to ensure the air quality in your home is healthy and safe during winter months:

Make sure there’s enough humidity
We’re used to high humidity in the summer but winter presents us with the opposite challenge. Air that is too dry can irritate your skin, nose...

(NC) Whether it’s your primary objective or a secondary benefit, creating an energy-efficient living space is a smart choice for homeowners. Sustainable architecture and materials can help ensure you rely less on limited resources while reducing the cost of operating your home.

These green ideas range from relatively simple to major undertakings, but they all have one thing in common: energy-efficient living, which in turn results in lower energy bills.

Be mindful of electricity use. Monitoring your usage habits is a simple starting point when you want to move toward more...

(NC) Becoming a homeowner can be exciting, but is it the best decision for your circumstances? Here are four steps to help you decide if homeownership is right for you:

1. Consider what you can afford
   According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, your monthly housing costs should not be more than 39 per cent or so of your gross monthly income. These costs include your mortgage payments, property taxes and utility costs such as heating and cooling. Review your budget to assess whether you can realistically take on these extra costs.

2. Get preapproved for a mortgage

(NC) After the joy of the holidays has passed, you might be facing a bit of sticker shock when your bills start coming in. To avoid the pain of overspending, make this the year you finally get on top of your finances. Here are three things to keep in mind.

Build a budget
You’ve likely heard it before, but the only way you can truly understand your finances is to create a thorough budget that tracks all your income and all your spending. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has a free online budget planner.

Start by adding up recurring fixed budget items, like your mortgage or...