Will your swanky pad improve your luck with the ladies (or lads)?

Forget flashy cars, expensive watches and impeccably turned out wardrobes: Turns out what the ladies really love are hardwood floors, expansive views and high-tech kitchens.

Or, at least, so says the New York Post, in an article titled "Would you sleep with this guy because of his apartment? He certainly hopes so." (Spotted via theglobeandmail.com)

To quote the article's Jim Norton, a 42-year-old comedian, "“Women see windows — and skirts come off.

The gent in question credits his Upper West Side apartment with getting some first date action. He adds that with all the economic woes of late, a man with a job, and a roof over his head, is suddenly more desirable.

Another source in the story, 41-year-old Ralph Sutton, bragging about the elevator that goes to his loft, claims, "I think a guy who lives on the top floor of a sixth-floor walk-up better have some immaculate game.”

There's also the question of whether it works both ways - would a gentleman be swayed by my swanky sky high pad? I'm inclined to think not, but the story doesn't look at whether men appreciate a lady's lovingly decorated space.

That's if it were to work at all, of course.

A quick poll of my single lady friends does not reveal a man's gleaming apartment, or panoramic views, to change romantic inclinations.

However, a few minor home decor tricks may help your love life, or at least keep the object of your affection from running for the hills:

- Clean sheets. Studies have found that a once a week tumble in the washer and dryer isn't the norm for singles in the city, with some people going as long as a month. Let's make it a habit, OK?

- Clean dishes. While clear counters might not get your romantic motors running, it's safe to say that a kitchen with stacks of dirty dishes doesn't exactly show you've got your life together. So load your dishwasher, or in case of emergency, stow the dirty ones in your oven (not that yours truly has ever done that ...).

- Wipe down your bathroom sink. Any guest will appreciate a clean, hygienic washroom, so give surfaces a quick wipe with a damp cloth and some vinegar, and, while you're at it, refill your soap dispenser and put out some clean towels.

Rocket science? Certainly not. But definitely a far more achievable way to impress your guests than purchasing a multi-million dollar pad.

And, in the meantime, I'd love to hear whether a prospective mate's pad has any influence on your decision to stick around - or, to quote the article, whether floor-to-ceiling windows really loosens those skirts.

Is your view important to you?

As I not-so-slowly slip into vacation mode, I've been thinking a lot about views. You see, currently I've got a rather amazing view of Toronto from my new apartment.

And, I must confess, I love it.

Looking out from my balcony, I'm reminded both of how massive Toronto really is, and how the urban sprawl really has its own beauty to offer. It's pretty during the day, too.

But, of course, as I anxiously watch the clock in anticipation for my East Coast vacation, I'm also struck by the view from my childhood home - which, admittedly, is almost as far as you can get from admiring downtown Toronto!

Both stunning scenes, for sure. But I also remember that when living at home, I failed to appreciate that scene of the harbour and, off in the distance, the town of Lunenburg. 

This line of thought always brings to mind the experience of a family member, who would recall how their home was purchased,k in part, for the lovely view of the sunset. The first year, they watched the sunset almost every night. The second year, most nights. By the third year in their new home, that spectacular view was largely forgotten.

So, I wonder, how much does the view affect your decision when you're scouting new neighbourhoods and vacation destinations? Does a brick wall (or a neighbour's living room) deter you? And, if you love your view, how do you make sure you keep appreciating it?

Kanye West's sleek, modern art filled home

Rapper Kanye West also happens to be an interior design aficionado (check out this feature on him in Interior Design mag) - he even studied fine art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago - so I was excited to take a virtual peek inside his 4,214-square-foot, three-bedroom, 3.5-bath Hollywood Hills home, which has just been listed for $4 million.

While it's certainly very modern, and more than a bit quirky - the Jetsons paintings, that stuffed-animal chair, even a giant Buzz Lightyear figurine (not shown) - there are also many sleek and more understated spaces to admire, along with fabulous art! Check out the full photo gallery over on CasaSugar.

And, for fab spaces a little closer to home, check out this recently listed Toronto loft with "a 'land of the silver birch, home of the beaver' meets modern/industrial" vibe.

New app to help you find your dream home

My iPod Touch and I are rarely more than a foot apart at any given moment during the day. Whether I'm checking my email, updating Twitter, browsing the web or getting ready for a trip to Ikea, I've come to expect that there will be an app for almost anything (Read my roundup of helpful home apps here).

So it was only a matter of time before a neighbourhood-based real estate search app caught my attention. This one, called HomeRoamer, (Found via TechVibes) - which is expected to be available soon for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android - uses GPS technology to search for homes in the neighbourhood you want to live in. 

Basically, when you're in the neighbourhood where you want to buy, you're supposed to activate the HomeRoamer app and it will pull details for available nearby homes from MLS.ca. The one catch is that realtors must sign up to let the app access their listings.

The app is designed to show you locations on a map, along with property details like price, photos, rooms and sizes, and gives you the ability to phone or email the listing realtor or forward the details to your own agent to set up the next steps. It also accesses open house information, and can be integrated with your calendar to give you reminders. There's also a mortgage estimator.

The app is free for consumers, although there's also a Pro version that's available only to licensed real estate sales representatives or brokers.

What do you think - would you download this? I love the idea of getting my MLS fix on the go!

Poll results: Your must-have home features

Large kitchens top Yourhomers' list of must-have home features, according to last week's poll. (Read the full story here).

Kitchens led with 38 per cent of votes, followed by stone or brick exteriors with 24 per cent, outdoor living space, 14 per cent, and energy efficiency, 10 per cent. Rounding out the list, with 3 per cent each, were home offices, main floor master suites, soaker tubs and two-car garages. The remaining two "must-haves", ceiling fans and community landscaping, received no votes.

This week, with the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) deadline behind us, I'm curious as to how many of you completed a renovation or made qualifying purchases? Let me know in the front page poll, and learn more about the credit on our HRTC page.

And, for some more weekend reading, check out: Colin and Justin's mid-century modern makeover, Tips to whip your space into shape from How Clean is Your House? and the latest in our 905 and Birth of a Condo series.

Poll results: Mandatory Metropasses

Yourhomers aren't that keen on new condo legislation that would require developers to provide purchasers with TTC Metropasses "at no cost," according to last week's poll. (Read the full story, and check out this week's column from Dupuis on the response so far.)

Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) said condo developers shouldn't be required to buy the passes, while the remaining 26 per cent supported the legislation.

Now, getting back to the holiday coverage bonanza (after all, time for decorating and shopping is quickly running out!), this week's poll asks whether you expect to be trimming the tree, wrapping gifts or arranging centrepieces up till the moment guests arrive? I know it's certainly my M.O.! Let me know in the front page poll and be sure to check out our Festive Guide for all sorts of decorating tips and tricks, including Colin and Justin's last minute advice!

And, for a breather from a weekend surely filled with shopping, decorating and baking, be sure to check out some of these great reads:

- Bill Taylor shares how he almost lost a tree full of memories

- DecoRita hits up Holy Cow!

- The Birth of a Condo series continues with a look at the heritage planning portion

- Hit up your garden for decor inspiration

- The best products of 2009

This rural girl moved to the city

I've been reading Kim Izzo's series on moving to the 905 (read part one and part two) with a lot of interest, because about two years ago I made the opposite move, transitioning from a place far quieter than the 905 to living on the Bloor-Danforth subway line.

You see, I grew up rural. And I don't mean like Mississauga rural. I mean 10-minute drive to the grocery store, 30 minutes to a less-than-stellar mall and an hour-long bus ride to high school rural. In the winter, it wasn't unheard of to get the car stuck at the bottom of our lengthy driveway, and have to ferry gifts and groceries up the hill to our house with a snowmobile.

I grew up outside Lunenburg, N.S., so it was picturesque, historic, and downright boring for a teenager. Not to mention a wee bit isolating.

View Bayport in a larger map

So, as soon as I was old enough to move away, I did, heading to Halifax for four years of university. Halifax is not a large city, but it has malls, shops, pubs, pizza delivery and public transit, along with four universities. The freedom to go where I wanted, when I wanted, without having to drive myself, was a real treat. Add in a few options for shoe shopping, and, well, I was in heaven.

After graduation, and a brief stint of living even more rural than my hometown (that's a horror to be recounted another time, but involved living in my office and a 45 minute drive to the nearest Tim Horton's!), I was Toronto bound.

And the culture shock was significant. Like Kim Izzo, I feared I had made a terrible mistake.

There are more people in Toronto than in the entire province of Nova Scotia. The weather is hotter in the summer, colder in the winter. The subway is an unfriendly, and slightly creepy place. I got lost. A lot. But, after an absolutely miserable summer (just ask Mr. Speedy!), I started to find things to love. Little things, like the ability to hail a cab whenever I needed one. More shoe stores than you can shake a stick at. Great restaurants. Jobs.

Slowly, I got used to being a "city girl." But, it also made me appreciate - and miss - my rural life even more. Will I ever move back? The smell of the ocean, the slower pace, the beaches, my family and friends make rural life rather appealing, but I'd also miss the midnight delivery pizza, the robust job market, the wide array of entertainment options and all the other little conveniences of city living. So, at least for now, an urban gal I'll remain.

Poll results: Sacrificing for home ownership

A recent survey found that Canadians are willing to sacrifice a lot to own a home (which is good news considering the fact that homes in the GTA have become more unaffordable this quarter), but many of us draw the line at our cars. 

The Genworth Mortgage Insurance First-Time Homebuyer's Monitor (read all about it here) found that 25 per cent of renters would give up their car for home ownership, and the same amount of homeowners would sacrifice their vehicle to keep paying the mortgage.

Last week's poll sought to find out whether this view was also shared by Yourhomers - and it's not far off. About a third (30 per cent) said they would be willing to ditch the car to keep or buy a home, while nearly half (48 per cent) said they wouldn't make the cut. The remaining 22 per cent said they don't have car.

This week, I'm wondering how long you keep your autumn decor around. When do those gourds and gold and burgundy items get swapped out for icy blues and rich reds? Read up on our fall decor guide and let me know when your home makes the switch from fall to winter in our front page poll.

And, don't fret if you're not quite ready for the tonight's trick-or-treaters - we've got some easy and quick ideas for spooky decor.

Other weekend must-reads include:

- Colin and Justin's gorgeous grey bedroom makeover (I may be biased, as I'm doing my master bedroom in grey too!)

- A gorgeous loft renovation - sourced from the trash!

- The latest trends for candlelit evenings

- The scoop on the new home design TV show, My Rona Home

- Get your plants ready for winter with a bath

Bidding war tips

After reading today's story about how housing affordability has sharply deteriorated in Toronto, I'm certainly glad Mr. Speedy and I bought in the spring, when the market was gentler and we were lucky enough to be able to purchase the first home we fell in love with. We even got it for just under asking price!

Now, about six months later, it's certainly an entirely different story. Twitter friends share stories of making offers and losing out on house after house, even offering $90,000 over asking and still not getting the property.

Experts say that "low interest rates, pent-up demand and a lack of listings", along with the improvement in stock markets, is driving the demand - pushing the average Toronto resale home price to $402,762 from July to September. (Read the full story here.)

If you are in the market for a new home, there is perhaps some consolation to be found in the fact that at least you're not in Vancouver - which remains the most unaffordable housing market.

And, to help you cope, I've pulled together some of our tips for handling (and winning) bidding wars:

Real estate bidding wars make a comeback

Book aims to forearm buyers for bidding wars

How to win in bidding wars

Preparation can ease stress of bidding war

Poll results: Holiday reno plans?

This week was a bit reno-centric here on Yourhome.ca. We learned that the renovation tax credit - which is still waiting on the final stamp of approval from the government - is a hit and that Canadians feel now is the time to be tackling those home improvement projects. For some renovation inspiration, check out our home improvement special section.

Meanwhile, I shared my holiday renovation plans and asked how many Yourhomers had similar stressful schedules planned - turns out nearly three-quarters (69 per cent) are equally optimistic. The perhaps more sensible 31 per cent will be focusing on their cooking, cleaning and shopping while the rest of us are slapping on that last coat of paint during the holiday crunch.

This week's poll asks whether The Genworth Mortgage Insurance First-Time Homebuyer's Monitor (read all about it here) found that 25 per cent of renters would give up their car for home ownership, and the same amount of homeowners would sacrifice their vehicle to keep paying the mortgage.

And, for some lighter fare this weekend, check out Colin and Justin's chocolatey family room makeover, get inspired to tour the Distillery District, swoon over some gorgeous, if pricey, faucets, find out why cleaning is sexy and get decor advice from green queen Samantha Pynn.