Courtesy of Blair Patton

Sutton Group Preferred Realty Inc., Brokerage

2008-2019, 2025

2020-2024

BLAIR PATTON Sales Representative

Direct: 519.630.9883 | Office: 519.438.2222 blairpatton@rogers.com | www.BlairPatton.com

2026 | ISSUE 2

2026 SHOWER TRENDS

Bathroom renovations are recommended before selling your home as they often offer a strong return on investment. Part of a bathroom renovation can be updating your shower; especially in the master bathroom to create a luxurious experience for a new buyer. Here are some hot trends to keep in mind when planning your new shower. • Install built-in, decorative (and functional) benches in the shower space as they can help those with accessibility issues or provide place to sit for a spa-like experience. • Utilize windows, if possible, for a dose of natural light. They can also help with ventilation and provide sunlight for plants to grow (and yes, hanging plants in the shower is becoming a common practice.) • Incorporate bold colours and patterns in the tiles you choose. From walls to floors and ceilings, embrace bold choices and mix and match tiles for a stronger statement. Dark colours are trending as they invite a more relaxing feeling. • When considering fixtures, brass remains a classic and will be seen often, nickel - polished and brushed - is another popular finish that can replace the often overused chrome. • Not necessarily a renovation, but when showing your new bathroom, install long, fabric curtains that hang from ceiling to floor to elongate the look of the room. Be sure to use a shower liner to keep it waterproof.

Stroganoff CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 ounces (about 4 ½ cups) uncooked medium egg noodles • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips • 6 ounces sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups)

• 2 Tbsp butter (divided in half) • 1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup) • 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup • ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook and drain the noodles according to the package directions. While noodles are cooking, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet. 2. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp butter in the skillet. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook until tender. 3. Add the soup and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet (including pan juices) and cook until the chicken is done. Stir in the sour cream and cook until hot (don’t boil). Season to taste. Serve the chicken mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.

COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR. SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY SAYING ‘I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.’”

MARY ANNE RADMACHER AMERICAN AUTHOR AND ARTIST

REMOVE DUST TO HELP YOUR HOME SMELL BETTER

Dust particles absorb moisture from the air and as it settles onto surfaces, floors and baseboards, it can create a musty smell in your home. Removing dust and vacuuming those hard to reach places where it may accumulate (like baseboards, under dressers, behind bookshelves, etc.) can definitely help improve the fragrance in your home. A practice to get in the habit of is to dust from top to bottom to ensure you get any settling particles. Use a damp rag or microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster to trap and remove dust as opposed to just spreading it around. If possible, open a window while dusting and vacuuming (and for a few minutes after) to help prevent particles from settling again. Maintaining proper humidity (30% to 50%) throughout the home can also help prevent dust from absorbing excess moisture and creating a musty smell.

COUCH COLOURS TO INCORPORATE THIS YEAR

A couch is a staple found in most homes throughout the country. If the structure is good and the seating comfortable, you can use slipcovers to change up the look to enhance your décor. Designers are expecting to see a lot of bold colours being used on couches this year and whites and softer colours to take a less prominent role in livingroom décor. Dark, neutral tones such as charcoal, black and navy provide a timeless look that pairs easily with nearly any other colour, making them a strong long-term investment.

A green couch in earthy shades like moss and olive or a deeper hunter tone feels contemporary and layers well with brown and cream colours. Lighter shades of purple, such as lilac, introduce a subtle touch of colour to a room, while darker shades like burgundy create a more refined feel. Muted reds, such as brick and terracotta rather than bright red, are a popular choice that adds richness and warmth to a room.

SOLVE THE MAZE

Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer? She kept running away from the ball!

What happened when two slices of bread went on a date? It was loaf at first sight.

I got a new pen that canwrite under water. It can write other words too.

How is my wallet like an onion? Every time I open it, I cry.

SOLUTION

London, ON – The Multiple Listing Service ® (MLS ® ) of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS ® saw 341 homes change hands in January, down 10.3% compared to the same month a year ago. The average sale price was $624,550 which represents an increase of over $10,000 from December and is down just 0.6 % from January of 2025. “The sales-to-new listings ratio dropped substantially in January, to 32.2,” said Robin Tiller, LSTAR’s 2026 Chair. “That is noticeably lower than December’s ratio of 71.6. This would indicate conditions of a buyers’ market, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), but aligns with expected numbers for a typical January market.” “Inventory continues to remain at a historically high level,” Tiller continued, “with 6.6 months of inventory in January, up from the 5.3 months recorded in January of 2025. This represents the most active listings we have seen in the last ten years. This is another indication of a buyer’s market and another good reason to reach out to your local REALTOR® for advice on buying or selling.” Statistics reflect market activity in January 2026 | Source: London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS ® | Market values stated are of the benchmark of London St. Thomas. Individual home market values 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. MARKET FLUCTUATIONS CONTINUE HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO A STARTER TOOLKIT Owning a home means every now and again you’re going to have to tackle some basic home repair tasks. Leaky faucets, burnt out lightbulbs, squeaky hinges, etc. Having the tools you need on hand can help you get what needs to be done quickly and efficiently. Some basic tools to have in your toolbox include: • Screwdriver set and Allen keys • Hammer (maybe a rubber mallet) • Pliers (combination and needle-nose at least) • Tape measure • Level • Adjustable wrench (or a wrench set) • Drill and drill bits • Utility knife Some other tools that may come in handy include: ladder, flashlight, stud finder, extension cords, plumber’s tape, caulk and caulking gun, lubricant (like WD-40), voltage tester, assortment of nails, screws and hooks, clamps and a wrecking bar. Having these essentials easily available can help you tackle the small home repair tasks as they come up. $558,000 all residential DOWN 12.7% year-to-year Benchmark Price 341 SOLD LISTINGS 32.2% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO 1,060 NEW LISTINGS 2,257 ACTIVE LISTINGS (residential inventory) 6.6 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

#7 in sales at Sutton for 2025

PLATINUM AWARD

The greatest compliment my clients can give me is the referral of family and friends! BLAIR PATTON Sales Representative Direct: 519.630.9883 | Office: 519.438.2222 blairpatton@rogers.com | www.BlairPatton.com

2025

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