Courtesy of Jeff Tidswell

Jeff Tidswell Your Local Real Estate Expert. REALTOR ® 780.975.3211

FOCUS real estate

jeff@royallepage.ca www.jefftidswell.ca

VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 9

AVERAGE SALE PRICE

HIGH DEMAND FOR MORE AFFORDABLE PROPERTIES

SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED

ROW/ TOWNHOUSE

APARTMENT CONDO

Edmonton, September 1, 2023: Total residential unit sales in the Greater Edmonton Area (GEA) real estate market for August 2023 hit 2,250, increasing 21.8% compared to August 2022. New residential listings were up 3.7% year-over-year from August 2022. Overall inventory in the GEA was down 15.5% from August of last year. Total residential average prices came in at $397,811, a 0.5% increase from August 2022. Detached homes averaged $495,005, noting a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Semi-detached sold for an average of $373,175, resulting in a 4.3% increase year-over-year. Row/townhouse prices were up 3.6% from August 2022, selling at $253,345. Apartment Condominium average prices hit $192,815 showing an increase of 0.5% from August 2022. “It’s not unusual to see a lot of activity in the market before we head into the cooler months, but it seems that buyers are sending a clear message that smaller, more affordable properties are what they want right now,” says REALTORS® Association of Edmonton 2023 Board Chair Melanie Boles. “Unit sales for all categories are up from last year, but Row/Townhouses were the clear winner selling 50% more units than the same time last year and jumping 23.2% from the previous month. Condominium Apartment units continued to perform well, with units selling 25.1% better than August of 2022.” Overall, all residential listings averaged 46 days on the market.

$192,815 $495,005 $253,345

UP 3.6% YOY

UP 2.1% YOY

UP 0.5% YOY

SALES TO LISTINGS RATIO

NEW LISTINGS TOTAL 3,293 ACTIVE LISTINGS TOTAL 6,770

68%

ALL RESIDENTIAL

SOLD LISTINGS TOTAL 2,729

DAYS ON MARKET

Source: REALTORS ® Association of Edmonton

45 44

SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED

ROW/TOWNHOUSE

56

APARTMENT CONDO

Courtesy of www.cookwithcampbells.ca

TWO STEP MUSHROOM PORK CHOPS WITH SWEET POTATOES

INGREDIENTS 4 well-trimmed pork chops 1 tbsp canola oil 1 can CAMPBELL’S ® Condensed Low-Fat Cream of Mushroom Soup ½ cup water 2 cups sweet potato, cut in 3/4" (2 cm) chunks ½ tsp garlic powder

RECIPE TIPS To change things up, try this recipe twist - Chops with Carrots 'n Peas. Reduce water to 1/4 cup. Add 1 cup each, matchstick-cut carrots and frozen peas with ½ tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed for the same simmering time.

1 tbsp dried parsley flakes, crushed ½ tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed DIRECTIONS

1. Brown pork chops well in heated oil at medium-high heat in skillet – about 4 minutes per side. 2. Add soup mixed with water and sweet potato, garlic powder, parsley flakes and oregano. 3. Simmer, covered, until pork chops are cooked through – about 10 minutes.

JOKES Q: Why can’t you say a joke while standing on ice? A: Because it might crack up!

Lucille Ball (1911 to 1989) who is likely most known for her iconic role in I Love Lucy, was an American actress, comedian and producer. She was a pioneer for women in the entertainment industry and was the first female to own a major studio (Desilu Productions which she started with her former husband Desi Arnaz). The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age. -Lucille Ball

Q: What nails do carpenters hate to hit? A: Fingernails.

Q: Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team? A: She ran away from the ball.

Q: What did the light bulb say to its mother? A: I love you watts and watts.

ADD A RAIN CHAIN TO YOUR HOME

Originating in Japan, rain chains have recently been gaining popularity in North America. Essentially, a typical plastic or aluminum rain downspout, is replaced with a rain chain for an antithetically and auditorily pleasing option to help water flow off of the roof. Rain chains carry water from the gutter down and away from the roof. They can be used in place of current downspouts or in addition to downspouts if water needs to flow into a garden or flower pot where a downspout isn’t located. There are two main types of rain chains. The first includes small cups or containers placed evenly along a chain so water fills the top cup and spills over into the subsequent cups and eventually into a rain barrel, plant pot, garden or drain. The other type is a more traditional chain where water simply flows down the links instead of in cups or containers. Overall, either style is low maintenance as there isn’t really the space or opportunity for leaves and other debris to collect in the small cups or along the chain. Made typically from aluminum or powder-coated metal, rain chains won’t rust. However, that rustic look can be created by using copper chains and pots as they will patina over time. Rain chains can be purchased online, in specialty garden centers or even local home improvement stores. They are also a great DIY project for those who are crafty and have access to metal or aluminum.

SMALL BATHROOM STYLE

Just because a bathroom is short in square footage, it doesn’t mean it has to be short in style or function. One easy trick to make any room, including your powder room, appear larger is to use light colours in your décor. Whites, greys, tans and other neutral colours will open a space up. Also consider vertical or horizontal stripes on the walls as both will make the room appear larger than it actually is. Another tried and true tactic is to use mirrors. If possible, mirror an entire wall to create the illusion of more space. Finally, make sure there is adequate lighting either natural or from added light fixtures. All, or even a few, of these tactics are the foundation to creating a bathroom that appears larger than it actually is.

Gone are the days of having to own an acreage, hobby farm or farm to raise chickens as many municipalities across the country now allow homeowners to keep hens in their backyard. If this is something you may be interested in, first consult with your local bylaws to see which guidelines you will need to follow and if there are any licenses you need to obtain. Some areas have pilot projects in progress while others have broader rules and regulations in place. If you get the green light, raising backyard chickens can not only provide eggs, but also entertainment, fertilizer, pest control and educational opportunities. On the other hand, chickens are known to be noisy and smelly, so they can pose some problems too and aren’t always welcomed by neighbours. As with welcoming any other pet or livestock into your life, it’s not a decision to be made lightly and takes thorough research and planning before they even set foot into your coop. Some things to consider aside from the obvious food, shelter and veterinary care include: • how will you keep the chickens safe from predators (not just owls, racoons and coyotes, but neighbourhood cats and dogs can also attack some breeds of chickens)? • how will you keep them active (yes, they need to be entertained for their overall health and happiness)? • how will they spend their retirement years (chickens tend to live about eight to ten years and only lay eggs for about four or five of those - depending on breed)? There are a few tricks that are specific to bathrooms you can try too. First, hang your shower curtain close to the ceiling. Just like vertical stripes on the wall, long curtains will make the room appear taller. Installing a medicine cabinet will not only add another mirror to the space, but will also create an additional storage area so clutter can be removed from countertops. Speaking of clutter, utilize shelves, drawers or storage baskets to remove visual clutter where possible. You don’t have to sacrifice style in a small space either; large patterns or bold colours pair nicely with a neutral background tying the space together while complimenting the other methods you incorporated to make the space feel larger. BACKYARD CHICKENS

NUMERATOR

Courtesy of www.puzzlechoice.com

Each oval contains a different number 1-11. Follow the clues to find the correct location of each number in the Numerator diagram. Note: ‘Left’ or ‘Right’ is from your point of view and means any location along the same horizontal line whereas ‘Above’ or ‘Below’ means any location along the same vertical line. Clues:

Number 8 is below 1 and right of 3. Number 7 is above 11 and left of 2. Number 6 is below 10 and left of 1. Number 5 is below 9 and left of 7. Number 6 is right of 4.

FIND A HOBBY TO BALANCE YOURSELF

With summer wrapping up, routines and schedules are coming back in full force. Work, school, family gatherings and other social activities all fill in the calendar and it can be quite overwhelming if you’re not used to it. That’s why it’s important to schedule time for yourself to do something you enjoy. Hobbies can be anything from knitting to reading to rollerblading to cooking. Some people have plenty of hobbies, but some people are continuously looking for something they enjoy. Here are a few unique and low-cost ideas: • Birdwatching – you don’t need a lot to participate in this hobby, just binoculars, a notepad and access to the internet so you can research what bird you’re seeing. • Volunteering – a cost-free hobby that can help boost your mood and make you feel more connected to your community. • Learn a new language – many community libraries offer language courses or find an online option. • Photography – start with the camera on your phone and see what you can capture through the lens. • Calligraphy – a small investment of pens, ink and paper can lead you to a relaxing and rewarding hobby.

Answer:

ROYAL L e PAGE NORALTA REAL ESTATE Office: 780-431-5600 3018 Calgary Trail NW Edmonton, AB T6J 6V4 JEFF TIDSWELL

Visit www.royallepagenoralta.ca for currently listed homes in and around the Edmonton area.

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