Before you buy a new home, there are a few things you have to look into – from budget and location to all the other details. Apart from the aesthetics, it is important to consider how energy-efficient and comfortable your home could be. Wondering how to figure out a home’s energy efficiency without actually living there? It’s pretty simple – just ask for its EnerGuide rating! EnerGuide ratings are your go-to source for valuable information to help you make the right decision. What is an EnerGuide Rating? EnerGuide is Canada’s energy rating and labelling system that certifies the energy efficie ..read more

It may feel like it’s already winter here in Saskatchewan, but technically, it’s just beginning. These helpful tips below will help you prepare your home and keep it in great shape while the temperature drops and keep your family safe and warm this winter! Exterior: • Remove ice and snow from concrete promptly. DO NOT USE SALT FOR DE-ICING. You can use gravel or crusher dust or sand instead. Many ice melt products sold in hardware stores will pit and permanently damage your concrete. Check the fine print, anything that may cause spalling will likely damage your concrete. • Shoveling snow away ..read more

Fresh air is one of the most essential components of a good living space. It is imperative to have good ventilation in your home as this will help avoid respiratory problems and improve the overall quality of your home life. A good way to ensure fresh air in your home is by installing a Heat Recovery Ventilator, which comes standard in all North Ridge homes. What is Heat Recovery Ventilator and how does it work? A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is a type of ventilation system that exhausts stale air from your home and replaces it with fresh outside air. It is an energy-efficient, cost-effectiv ..read more

Halloween is a time of year when both kids and adults get to have fun and be creative with spooky decorations. You can go all out or you can keep it simple by adding some inexpensive DIY items to your home. If you are looking for a few ideas for your Halloween home decoration, then this blog is for you! We have compiled four of the best and easy DIY decorations you can do for your home. 1. Yarn Spider Webs Spider webs are a staple of the Halloween season. They are easy to make and all you need is yarn and tape. Choose the perfect spot, whether indoors or outdoors and consider a location that w ..read more

I know I know… I also have been trying to avoid the fact that summer is really over. (Hope you enjoyed your summer!) School already started, stores are already selling Halloween treats and Christmas decorations, leaves are starting to change colours, there is pumpkin spice everywhere and the weather is so unpredictable. Days are getting shorter and shorter and although it is often warm and sunny during the daytime, it can be cold at night and early in the morning. As the season begins to change, it is time to blow out your sprinklers, trade your lawn mover for a rake and prep your home for coo ..read more

Saving for a down payment for a home isn’t always easy, but it’s not as difficult as you think. Whether you are a first-time buyer or returning to homeownership, saving for a down payment can seem overwhelming! Purchasing new or used? The more of a down payment you put down, the better your options are and the amount you invest can affect your mortgage rates. Minimum down payment requirements: For new homes that cost up to $500,000, the minimum down payment is 5% For new homes that cost more than $500,000 and less than $1 million, the minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% o ..read more

I love the summer, but it can be a little dry (no pun intended). I mean, there’s all that sun, sure, but what are you supposed to do with it? Well, if you’re like me and have a backyard with some space to spare, you can turn it into a mini amusement park. You don’t need an expensive trampoline or even an elaborate sprinkler system: these games will entertain your friends or family while also giving them something to do outside! Giant Jenga The game is simple: stack up the blocks as tall as you can without knocking them down. If your tower topples, you’re out. There are lots of ways to play thi ..read more

You finally bought your dream home! Hooray! Everything is all set and your new home is ready to move in to! Now comes packing and moving your things from your previous home to your new home. Your new home is like a blank canvas – a fresh start for you to have everything organized and look exactly the way you were dreaming of. To make this possible, go through every room and decide what to keep and what to get rid of to avoid bringing unwanted things to your brand new home. Once you have everything set and know which items you will definitely bring, follow these tips to make your packing and mo ..read more

We are well into the spring months and you can start to smell the savoury scent of grilled BBQ and burgers in the air. Even though it is not officially summer yet, this hot and sunny weather makes us want to get our grills out and enjoy the outdoors. As June is National Safety Month, we thought we would share some grilling safety tips to help us prepare for any risks involved. We think everything tastes better when grilled and knowing these guidelines will help us make the most of our grilling. Here are our top 5 safety guidelines to guarantee a fun and safe barbecue party. • Read the owner’s ..read more

You are about to make one of the biggest investments in your life – buying a home. The decision is not one to take lightly, as there are many factors making each home on the market unique from the next. A major choice is between building new and finding an existing home. In one corner, a brand new home – built with the most up-to-date technology, backed by a warranty, and complete with that sought-after new home smell. On the other, an existing home – full of character, located in an established neighbourhood, and often with a more reasonable price tag than comparable new homes for sale. It bo ..read more