Courtesy of Amanda Milford

AMANDA MILFORD PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

604.330.2975 amanda.milford@theagencyre.com

THE AGENCY - WHITE ROCK A Global Marketing and Sales Organization

TheAgencyRE.com | white-rockproperty.com

2025 | ISSUE 1

BARNDOMINIUM

While it's not a new concept to convert a barn into a home, it is certainly a trend making it's way into more farms and acreages across the country. A barndominium is more than a barn with bedrooms, or a house with a barn roof though. The term originated in the 1980s, but has been made more common in recent years since a popular home repair duo converted a barn into a contemporary home and viewers fell in love with the style. A barndominium is essentially a steel

(or sometimes wood) home and workspace all under one roof. The interior is highly customizable and often created with an open concept living space that is adjacent to a garage/shop area. Aside from being built relatively quickly and for less than a typical home build, barndominiums are low maintenance, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and durable.

Turkey Biscuit Stew

INGREDIENTS:

• ⅓ cup chopped onion • ¼ cup butter, cubed • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour • ½ teaspoon salt • ⅛ teaspoon pepper • ¾ cup 2% milk • 1 cup cooked peas

• 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed chicken broth, undiluted • 2 cups cubed cooked turkey • 1 cup cooked whole baby carrots • 1 tube (16.3 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Add the turkey, peas and carrots; heat through. Separate biscuits and arrange over the stew. Bake until biscuits are golden brown, 20-25 minutes.

Yields: 8 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins

Courtesy tasteofhome.com

WE MUST ALWAYS CHANGE, RENEW, REJUVENATE OURSELVES; OTHERWISE, WE HARDEN."

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE GERMAN POET, PLAYWRIGHT, NOVELIST, SCIENTIST, STATESMAN

EXTENDING YOUR PHONE'S BATTERY

Almost nothing is more frustrating than having to take an important phone call and noticing your phone battery is in the red zone. There are a few things you can do to preserve your phone's battery life throughout the day so it doesn't get to that point. The most common suggestion is turning down the brightness on your screen or setting it to adapt based on your surroundings. You can also adjust how long your screen stays on after using it. Other tips and tricks include turning off keyboard sounds and vibrations, utilizing the dark theme and turning on the adaptive battery feature which helps your phone prioritize which apps run in the background and how much power they need based on your usage patterns. Now, if you do happen to be running low on battery, you can stretch the life out by not using the phone in general and turning on the battery saver or low power mode. Utilizing the internet, navigating with GPS, watching videos, playing games and streaming videos or music all use a lot of battery power, so restrict if possible.

WINTER PICK ME UP IDEAS

1. I have a neck, but no head. I have two arms, but no hands. What am I? 2. What five-letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down? 3. Ask this question all day long, but always get completely different answers, and yet all the answers will be correct. What is the question? 4. I cannot talk, but I always reply when spoken to. What am I? 5. What can go through glass without breaking it?

Answers: 1.A shirt, 2.SWIMS, 3.What time is it?, 4.An echo, 5.Light.

Commonyms Commonyms are a group of words that have a common trait. For instance: a car, a tree, an elephant - they all have trunks. Now you try! If you get stuck, answers are below each set of words.

Feeling down and lackluster during the long, dark days of winter is common for a number of Canadians. Staying active and getting out of the house are vital to taking care of your mental health this time of year. Partaking in your usual favourite activities might not be an option with the weather conditions and shortened daylight hours, so it might be time to pick up a new hobby while helping you beat the winter blues. Here are some activities to consider. Volunteer —many worthy causes rely on volunteers to provide services throughout the year. Giving back to a cause that's near and dear to your heart will give you purpose, help you meet new people and provide connection to the community. Take a class —research classes provided by your local community center, gym, church, library or store. You never know what's offered and you can learn a new skill, language or hobby. Exercise —if hitting the gym isn't your forte, know that even taking a walk around the local mall or grocery store will help boost your mood because it will trigger the release of endorphins into your body. Go outside —remember that sunlight is important to your mental health as well, so whenever possible during the day pop outdoors for a few minutes to soak up some winter rays. If it's dark when you arrive at and leave from work, consider taking a bit of your coffee or lunch break outside.

Potato • storm • needle Steam • bird • bubble Ball • salad • coin Cold • fish • ball Miner • dentist • guitarIST Swiss • cream • cottage A . They all have eyes. A. Types of baths. A. They all use picks.

A. They are all tossed.

A. They are all caught.

A. Types of cheese.

A Stabilizing Market with Bright Horizons

15.8%

$1,480,400 detached UP 0.9% year-to-year

$533,900 apartment DOWN 0.2% year-to-year UP 0.3% year-to-year $827,900 townhouse

SALES TO ACTIVE LISTING RATIO

6.3

MONTHS OF INVENTORY

6,285

ACTIVE LISTINGS

BENCHMARK PRICES

apartment 1,590 985 townhouse

detached 2,101

1,288

994 SOLD LISTINGS

NEW LISTINGS

SOUTH SURREY/WHITE ROCK REAL ESTATE UPDATE

With stabilizing prices and improving conditions, more sellers and buyers are expected to engage in the months ahead as we head into the spring market. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU For buyers, the current market offers a chance to secure a home before prices climb further. For sellers, the combination of stabilizing pricing and increased demand signals a great opportunity to list your home. Timing will be key in this evolving market. READY TO MAKE YOUR MOVE? Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, now is the time to plan ahead. Let’s talk about how you can take advantage of the opportunities in this stabilizing market. Call me today to schedule a no-obligation consultation or market evaluation. Let’s discuss how we can make your real estate goals a reality in 2025!

As we step into a new year, the mood among REALTORS ® is upbeat, and the South Surrey/White Rock market is no exception. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and major real estate brands anticipate a promising 2025, with key factors like interest rate cuts paving the way for increased market activity. Here’s what you need to know about where the market is headed and how it impacts you. A FORECAST OF GROWTH CREA expects an active spring market, forecasting a 6.6% increase in sales across Canada and a 4.4% rise in the national average home price, bringing it to $713,000. Royal LePage predicts a 6.0% year-over year price increase, while RE/MAX sees sales rising by 25% with a 5.0% price growth. Locally, these trends are expected to translate into a more dynamic market in South Surrey and White Rock.

THE ROLE OF INTEREST RATES A major driver of this optimism is the Bank of Canada’s aggressive interest rate cuts. Since June, the policy rate has dropped from 5.0% to 3.25%, with more cuts signaled. Lower rates are enticing buyers, making home ownership more affordable and sparking renewed activity. However, homeowners renewing their mortgages are still facing higher rates than the record lows of a few years ago, which could moderate some of the market’s momentum. FRASER VALLEY MARKET SNAPSHOT The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) reports that 2024 ended with the lowest annual sales in a decade, with just 14,570 homes sold—a 24% drop below the 10-year average. Despite this, monthly sales percentages in the fall showed signs of improvement: • 6% of homes successfully sold in summer

• 12% in October • 7% in November • 6% in December

Statistics reflect market activity in December 2024 | Source: FVREB ® Fraser Valley Real Estate Board | Market values stated are of the benchmark of Fraser Valley 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

COMPLIMENTS OF

604.330.2975 amanda.milford@theagencyre.com AMANDA MILFORD PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Thank you Paul & Kathi for the referring me to your friends. I truly appreciate your trust and look forward to seeing you at my VIP Event later this year!

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