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Here’s how our absurdly warm winter may affect everything from geese to greenery.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132161

Toronto Police have charged a man with performing indignity to the dead body of a woman found rolled up in a carpet in a Junction laneway earlier this month.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132523

The University of Western Ontario has scrapped two days of voting for its student president, a position worth $39,000, because of allegations of vote rigging.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132162

New accessibility rules require more room on sidewalks, which reduces the space available for full-sized shelters.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1131718

In this economy, it is common for people to skip looking for a new home, and turn to upgrading their existing one. The choice to undertake a big home project can be a scary time for any homeowner. Investing in real estate, even if it is your own home can be concerning. If you are looking for are a few ways to know for sure if your home is a candidate for home remodeling, read on.

First, establish a practical timeline. For homeowners who plan on being in their current home for more than a few years, a home remodel job will be worth it. However, if you are planning on updating your home, simply to turn around and sell it, the days have passed for a large return on remodel homes. If you want to remodel a kitchen, bath or add some extra square footage to make the space better for your family, you then need to look at how big of a scale that project will be.

While the most common home remodeling projects are in the kitchen and the bath, basement and deck remodels also recoup funds very well. The biggest thing to avoid when planning is to do too much. It is important to know the average price point of the homes in your neighborhood, and do not invest in an upgrade that pushes you to the top of your neighborhood’s price point.

If you know a trustworthy contractor that can be another big key to being ready for home remodeling. This could be one of the biggest pitfalls of adding on to your home or remodeling an existing room. Not choosing the correct contractor can costs you hundreds and even thousands of dollars more if you aren not careful. Solid quotes are imperative to a home remodeling project finishing on time and on budget. Be sure to hire someone you trust and that has great reviews.

The budget is another factor that can determine if you are ready to take on such a big project. Construction loans are not given out as readily as they used to be. In fact, it can be very hard to get approved for any small loan no matter what your budget may be. So if you need to borrow money get approved well before making any plans. If you have the cash in-hand to finish the project, be sure to stick strictly to the budget.

Whether you have all of these bases covered, are still have some work to do let’s recap. Be sure to have a practical timeline, choose affordable upgrades, hire a trustworthy contractor, an develop a well-established budget. As you embark on this process be sure to manage your expectations well and stick to the budget. These will keep you from having a less than desirable building experience.

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Veteran radio reporter Jim Curran announces he’ll be retiring from CBC at the end of March.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132238

We’re seeing movement in the housing market and remodeling as the economy recovers. Owners and remodeling contractors understand that once widely held features aren’t so popular these days. Smart remodeling contractors in 2012 understand what trends are in this year and have helped clients modernize their homes to reflect new trends.

Many home features that were once desirable are way out of date now. Once hot features and home finishes aren’t so fashionable anymore; make homes look out-of-date. Today’s homeowners are working with contractors to make their homes more relevant for times and living nowadays.

If the homeowner plans to stay in their home, remodeling to remove passé elements and update their homes for the future, is a smart tactic. If a home-owner wants to sell their home any time soon, their remodeling dollars must take into account, today’s buyer. Today’s homebuyers are more practical than homebuyers of the past. Buyers today want homes that are smart. Homebuyers today are looking forward to staying in their homes longer; not so interested in making a great return. They are more interested in security and long-term stability.

For homeowners that are staying, single story space fits well with aging knees and climbing stairs. For the homeowner looking to sell, single-story appeals to all, particularly people looking for a home to retire in. Two story additions are on the way out. Expanding space on main floors is in. When remodeling with plans to expand space, have your contractor figure out yard space that can be legally used to expand out rather than up.

Boxy separate rooms are out. Flowing open spaces are in. Consider knocking down walls to add this flowing floor plan. Open spaces permit creative use of space that is better geared to any family. Open spaces permit furniture placement in ways that aren’t conducive to closed off rooms. If you plan on selling, buyers are drawn to open floor plans far more than separate old-school rooms.

If you’re remodeling a master suite, jazzy showers are out and dual sink counters are in. Massive bathroom storage is in. Jacuzzi tubs are out and simplicity rules. Practical remodels adds great ROI should you plan to sell. Spending your remodeling dollars this way rather than fancy multiple showerheads and tubs saves money to, as fewer people spend luxurious amounts of time in their showers anymore in these days of water conservation. Walk in closets and massive storage is the new remodel. Get rid of small rooms and open them up or convert to a great closet and dressing area.

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A paramedic said a strike by his union had no impact on his decision to refuse to attend to a man who was dying of a heart attack for more than 35 minutes while waiting for police backup.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1131708

The University of Western Ontario has scrapped two days of voting for its student president, a position worth $39,000, because of allegations of vote rigging.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132162

The impaired driving trial of former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive continued in a Newmarket court Thursday, with a well-known former NHL star taking the stand in defense of his former teammate.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132502