Cheryle Becker's Home Trends

CHERYLE BECKER

Real Estate Advisor - REALTOR ® Home Investment Advisor™

Cell: 403.863.2110

Office: 587.355.6624 141, 339 Aspen Glen Landing SW, Calgary, AB T3H 0N6

CHERYLE BECKER

THREE COMMON HOME IMPROVEMENT MYTHS The home improvement industry is filled with misinformation and outright myths. To help you wade through the noise and figure out what’s best for you and your home, here are three of the biggest culprits – and the actual truth. Myth #1: Renovations always get you a high return on your investment. Unfortunately this isn’t the case. Usually a renovation will only be partially paid back upon selling. For example, the project with one of the highest returns is a minor kitchen remodel, which has an 80% ROI. Meanwhile, a major kitchen remodel’s ROI sits at around 60%. So make sure when you renovate and update, you do it for yourself first – and for resale second. Myth #2: DIY is more affordable than hiring a professional. If your potential DIY is a relatively simple project that involves tools and materials you have access to, then indeed it could save money. But pros are pros for a reason – they know what they’re doing, they have access to everything they need and they do it right the first time. All of which is more affordable than trying to fix it yourself, only to end up having to hire a professional later. Myth #3: Fixing something is cheaper than replacing it. If a repair isn’t done properly or is just a temporary solution, you’ll only have to fix it again later – or outright replace it. Sometimes it’s better to replace it from the get go, which will save you money – and time.

Cell: 403.863.2110

CHERYLE BECKER

WHICH DUCHESS’ DECOR IS MORE YOUR STYLE? People love to compare Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle in all areas of life. Whether it’s their fashion choices, how they react in certain situations or their interior design style – it’s fascinating to see what the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex are up to. For Kate andWilliam’s country home and main residence, Kate hired architect and designer Ben Penreath. Penreath and his team are known for combining the tradition of historical interiors and modern sensibility, blended with a strong use of colour and pattern. Meanwhile, Meghan has enlisted the former global head of Soho House, Vicky Charles, to help with the interior design of Frogmore House, Meghan and Harry’s home on Windsor Estate. Charles & Co. tend to mix grit with glamour to create an overall eclectic, yet all together feel, where rooms are neither ridged nor chaotic.

WINDSOR CASTLE AND ITS GARDENS

Cell: 403.863.2110

CHERYLE BECKER

DEVICES AS DECOR Plastic devices don’t always blend seamlessly into a home’s decor, but these three extra-smart gadgets look beautiful and bring a touch of tech to any space. Meural Canvas Modern Digital Art Frame: This wooden-framed 27” HD screen is much slimmer and more sleek than the digital photo frames of yore. Plus, it hooks up to an app that allows you to switch artwork and photos out whenever you need a change. Curvilux Smart Sleep Nightstand: It looks like a nightstand, can be used as a nightstand, but it’s also equipped with a wireless phone charger. But the coolest part? It has a built in light that mimics the sunrise, waking you up naturally. No more annoying alarms! Turn TouchWooden Smart Home Remote: Carved from a single piece of mahogany, this handy remote mounts to the wall and can be connected to various smart home devices – such as appliances, TVs and lights.

Cell: 403.863.2110

CHERYLE BECKER

HOWTO DOVINTAGE THE RIGHTWAY Blending vintage and modern design is a trend that isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you can just throw a few old pieces of furniture and decor into a room and call it a day. It takes a little bit of time and finesse to build a beautifully balanced vintage-inspired room. If you’re starting from scratch, it can seem overwhelming. But try starting with big items and working your way towards the smaller details. A mixture of new, vintage-looking and antique furniture is a great place to start. Don’t be afraid to select pieces from different eras, but try and find a common thread – such as the colour or the lines. Next, look for curtains, pillows and rugs with vintage colours and patterns. If you’re unsure of how different colours and patterns will look side-by-side, use neutral such as white or grey to break things up. Lastly, add in smaller decor and artwork. Remember, the most lived-in looking rooms are the ones assembled slowly. Don’t buy pieces simply because they look vintage – buy pieces you truly love!

Cell: 403.863.2110

CHERYLE BECKER

OVERSUPPLY PERSISTS DESPITE IMPROVED SALES ACTIVITY FOR AFFORDABLE PRODUCT City of Calgary, April 1, 2019 – March saw a modest decline in city wide sales activity compared to last year. First-quarter sales dropped to 3,108 units. This is nine per cent below last year and 28 per cent below typical levels of activity. Price declines and relatively slow sales activity are impacting the number of new listings. For the second consecutive month, new listings eased compared to last year’s levels and long-term trends, but it was not enough to prevent inventory growth. “If new listings continue to slow compared to sales, it could start to help with the persistent oversupply scenario weighing on our housing market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, inventory is still high. It will still take time for our market to transition towards more balanced conditions and stable pricing.” With 6,595 units in inventory in March, the months of supply eased to five months. This is still considered oversupplied when compared to levels traditionally recorded in March. As of March, benchmark prices eased to $413,900, five per cent below last year’s levels.

AVG. SALE PRICE SFD 1 $568,654

AVG. SALE PRICE Condo $300,005

ACTIVE LISTINGS 6,389

AVERAGE DOM 2 45

1 SFD = Single Family Dwelling 2 DOM = Days on Market Source: CREB

Market values stated are of the average of Calgary and surrounding region. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up- to-date evaluation of your home.

OR CALL WITH YOUR REAL ESTATE MARKET QUESTIONS

CLICK FOR FULL REPORT

Cell: 403.863.2110