What to Look for When House Hunting in the Snow

Snow changes the way a home feels, breathes, and handles water. It can hide certain defects, yet it also spotlights issues you might miss in spring—heat loss shows up as uneven melt patterns, drainage problems announce themselves as slush and ice, and indoor air quality becomes obvious when windows fog and the air feels stuffy. If you are touring homes in winter, use the season to your advantage with the checklist below.

1) Roof and attic clues you only see in winter

Stand back and study the roof. Patchy or uneven snow melt, big icicles, or ice building at the eaves can signal heat loss, air leakage, and poor attic ventilation or insulation—conditions that can lead to ice dams and water intrusion.…

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5 Christmas Decorations You Need to Unplug Before Leaving the House

In Ontario, the Office of the Fire Marshal has flagged a surprising pattern: about one-third of Christmas-tree fires happen in January, after the holidays, when families relax their guard and trees are at their driest. Electrical faults and tired cords are common culprits. Health Canada has logged 126 incident reports involving decorative lighting strings in Canada (2011–2022)—including shocks and minor burns—reminding us that festive glow still deserves everyday caution. The smartest insurance against a ruined evening, an insurance claim, or worse is simple: before you lock the door, switch off, then unplug the powered décor. Your lights will still sparkle when you return, and you’ll…

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