Courtesy of Blair Patton

Blair Patton's Mini-Mag

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 10

FALL YARD PREPARATION

Getting your garden ready for fall is an important step in helping your plants survive changes in temperature and precipitation. Cut back dead or diseased plant material but leave healthy stems and seed heads where possible. They can provide winter habitat and food for birds. Clear away leaves from walkways, gutters and storm drains, but don’t feel like you need to remove every leaf from your property. Prep your soil for next spring by protecting it from erosion and nutrient loss keeping it covered. Crushed leaf litter and other clippings on top can keep nutrients in the garden. For plants more sensitive to the cold, protect them from wind and brutal freeze-thaw cycles by using pots with a heavy base. Insulate your containers and larger plants with burlap to protect both the plant and its roots.

BROCCOLI PASTA Easy Cheezy

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 heads of broccoli, cut into florets • 350 g pasta (shells, penne, macaroni) • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (to taste) • 1 tsp mixed dried herbs, to taste • 1 tsp minced or dried garlic • ½ tsp each: salt, pepper, red pepper flakes + 1 cup reserved pasta water

• 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tsp lemon zest (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook pasta until nearly tender. Chop broccoli while pasta cooks. 2. Add broccoli to the pasta water in the last 2 minutes. 3. Save 1 cup of water, then drain pasta and broccoli and return to pot. 4. Mix oil, lemon and seasonings for sauce. 5. Add sauce, cheese and half the pasta water. 6. Toss until cheese melts and sauce is glossy. If too thick add more pasta water. 7. Serve while warm and creamy.

DON’T GET SO BUSY MAKING A LIVING THAT YOU FORGET TO MAKE A LIFE.”

DOLLY PARTON

When winter temperatures plunge, the last thing you want is a burst pipe flooding your kitchen at 3 A.M. As water turns to ice in your plumbing it expands and puts pressure on the pipes. That extra pressure can cause a pipe to crack, split or burst completely. If a pipe has frozen, signs include faucets and toilets not working, bulges in pipes, frost or cold spots and knocking noises. To thaw a pipe that has not burst gently apply heat with a space heater, hair dryer or heat lamp; never use open flames on household plumbing. If a pipe has burst turn off the main water supply immediately and contact a licensed plumber. Remove standing water quickly, dry the area and contact your insurer to confirm coverage. Preventive measures are much simpler than repairs. Disconnect unused outdoor water lines and allow them to drain. Insulate pipes in colder areas, such as exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and attics. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, dryer vents, wiring and pipe openings to reduce exposure to cold outdoor air.

PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM BURST PIPES

THE COMFIEST PLACE IN THE HOUSE

Autumn has a way of making the bed feel like the comfiest piece of furniture in the house. When the temperature drops add a few thoughtful layers to make your bedroom warmer, softer and more inviting. The trick is to build comfort in stages so you can add or remove a layer as your sleep and temperature changes. Building a cozy bed is all about stacking textures and weights. Use a lightweight quilt or coverlet for warmth rather than a heavy duvet, then finish with a throw blanket at the foot of the bed for texture, colour and a little extra warmth when you are reading or watching television. Most importantly, there is no single ‘proper’ bed. If five layers make you feel like the princess and the pea, use two. If you love a fluffy duvet and three blankets, go for it. A comfortable bedroom should make it easier to relax at the end of the day. The best-looking bed is the one that helps you sleep comfortably. SHIKAKU PUZZLE

THE RULES Divide the Grid: Cut the grid into rectangular or square pieces. One Number per Box: Each region must contain exactly one number. Match the Area: The number tells you the exact number of squares (cells) inside that rectangle. Cover Everything : Every single cell on the board must belong to a rectangle—no overlapping and no empty gaps .

TIPS and HINTS Look at prime numbers: Prime numbers (like 3, 5, 7, 11) can only form a straight line of that length (e.g., a 1×5 or 5×1 block) . Start in corners and edges: Numbers trapped in corners or restricted by board boundaries have very few directions they can expand, making their shapes easier to find. Target large numbers: Big numbers take up a lot of space and are heavily restricted by neighboring clues, which helps limit their possible dimensions right away.

SOLUTION

HOUSING SALES PICK UP IN SEPTEMBER

34.7% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO 5.9 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

$611,509 all residential

3,335 ACTIVE LISTINGS

DOWN 1.9% year-to-year

561 SOLD LISTINGS 1,615 NEW LISTINGS

London, ON (October 2026) — In September, 561 homes changed hands via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), up 5.3% compared to September 2025 and up from the previous month, which recorded 526 sales. “The average sales price saw a jump to $611,509, from $590,550 recorded in August,” said Robin Tiller, LSTAR’s 2026 Chair. “Notably, London South and London North experienced the biggest gains in average sales price, month over month. In London South, the September average sales price was $608,872, up from the August average sales price of $567,783. In London North, the September average sales price was $704,858, up from the previous month, which was $668,345.” The September sales-to-new listings ratio was 34.7%, down from August, which came in at 37.5%. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), a ratio between 45% and 65% indicates conditions of a balanced market.

The HPI benchmark price reflects the value of a “typical home” as assigned by buyers in a certain area based on various housing attributes, while the average sales price is calculated by adding all the sale prices for homes sold and dividing that total by the number of homes sold. The HPI benchmark price is helpful to gauge trends over time since averages may fluctuate by changes in the mix of sales activity from one month to the next. Statistics reflect residential market activity in September 2026 | Source: London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS ® . 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.

#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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