Courtesy of Bruce Weiss

780-481-2950 bweissagent@gmail.com www.bruceweiss.com BRUCE WEISS , C.E.T. REALTOR® Accountable. Knowledgeable. Professional.

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2026 | ISSUE 1

2026 COLOUR OF THE YEAR – HIT OR MISS?

Silhouette

Cloud Dancer

Hidden Gem

Pantone, the leader in all things colour, has gone and stirred up the design world by announcing the 2026 colour of the year to be white. Cloud Dancer to be exact, but a “billowy, balanced white” nonetheless. The colour of the year incorporates and influences everything from pop-culture, fashion, interior design to branding and often sets a tone in the design world for the coming year. The Internet seems to be divided on whether this bold choice is on par or not, but the interior design influencers – Benjamin Moore, Behr, etc. have not followed suit and chosen more chromatic shades for their 2026 standouts. Silhouette “a distinctive colour that weaves luxurious burnt umber with delicate notes of charcoal” was

selected by Benjamin Moore and accompanies a palette of “enchanting pales and handsome midtones” like Raindance, First Crush, Swiss Coffee and Batik. Behr selected Hidden Gem as their colour of the year – it’s a “hue that exudes quiet confidence” and is described as smoky jade. Regardless if you agree with the leaders in colour, or not, adding some unique shades to your home is a wonderful, quick and relatively inexpensive way to bring new life to your favourite spaces. Adding the tones suggested by the leading paint manufacturers gives you a starting point if you’re not sure where to start.

Loaded MASHED POTATOES

INGREDIENTS:

• ¾ cup sour cream • ½ cup milk • 3 tablespoons butter • Salt and pepper • 3 green onions, sliced

• 5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese blend, divided • ½ pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place potatoes in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl. Add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Beat on medium-low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in 2 cups cheese, bacon and onions. 2.Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE CAUSES A CHAIN REACTION OF POSITIVE THOUGHTS, EVENTS AND OUTCOMES. IT IS A CATALYST AND IT SPARKS EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS.”

WADE BOGGS (FORMER MLB THIRD BASEMAN)

STAYING ON TOP OF HOUSEHOLD CHORES Winter can be a difficult time to stay on top of chores. You might be sick, overwhelmed or just busy, but keeping on top of household tasks can help improve your mood by creating a clean and controlled environment. Experts suggest starting with a few small tasks to build momentum. Listening to an audiobook, podcast or your favourite album can help pass the time and make repetitive chores like folding laundry feel easier. Begin with tasks that take five minutes or less. Load or unload the dishwasher, make your bed, wipe the kitchen counters or take out the trash. If you still have energy, move on to a slightly bigger task, or a few more small ones. Another way to get more done is by habit stacking. This means adding a new task to something you already do. For example, wipe the counters while your bagel toasts. Scrub the toilet while the bathtub fills. Linking a new behaviour to an existing one helps form new habits. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Start small and focus on what needs to be done, especially if you are tired from burnout or illness. Celebrate small wins and set simple goals that help you feel accomplished.

In the spirit of winter, here are some snow-inspired laughs for you!

How did the snow globe feel after the winter storm? A little shaken. Did you hear about the man stuck in a snowstorm? He was feeling under the weather.

What’s cold, white, and goes up? A very confused snowflake .

What happens to a moose when it gets cold in the snow? They get moose bumps!

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH GROUPS

How does a snowman get to work? By icicle.

Why did the snowman call his dog Frost? Because Frost bites!

Whether it is with extended family or friends, travelling in a group can be a great way to see the world. Communication is key when planning so everyone knows what to expect on the trip and can have a good time, because not everyone travels the same way. Here are some suggestions for travelling in a group so you can aim to have the best vacation all around. 1. Loosely plans days and activities so everyone can choose to take part in activities that they enjoy. For example, Day 1 is a day in town, Day 2 is a beach day, Day 3 is hiking a local trail, etc. 2. Choose a point person for each day/activity so they can coordinate tickets, logistics, etc. and it all doesn’t fall on one person’s shoulders. 3. Use group chats to coordinate meeting points, schedules, etc. so no one is accidentally left out should you get separated or plans change last minute. 4. Stay flexible, which might be easier for some than others. But if weather or unexpected delays happen, having a back-up plan or the ability to change focus for the day will be welcome. 5. Discuss finances and budgets early and determine how shared costs will be split. Payment apps are available and can help track and settle shared costs. 6. Schedule a time, perhaps a meal, each day where everyone can get together and enjoy sharing stories and experiences that the others might not have attended. 7. Create a shared photo album so everyone can access all the pictures from the trip.

Space Word Scramble

Can you unscramble these words which are all related to space?

esecoltpe rtaseitllren paenlt abluen wafdr tras epunten masr pueirtj artgyiv bclka olhe

Solution: Telescope, interstellar, planet, nebula, dwarf star, Neptune, Mars, Jupiter, gravity, black hole

Courtesy of freeprintablepuzzles.co.uk

End of year marked by decline in sales and condo prices 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. $566,552 detached UP 5.2% year-to-year $193,577 apt./ condo DOWN 5.2% year-to-year AVERAGE SALE PRICES

$297,124 row/ townhouse

1,389 NEW LISTINGS 1,315 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 754 267 apt./ condo detached 781 200 apt./ condo

UP 1.6% year-to-year

94.7% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

49 DAYS ON MARKET

3.4 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

4,517 ACTIVE LISTINGS

Edmonton, AB – January 5, 2026 — The Greater Edmonton Area (GEA) real estate market reported 1,315 sales in December 2025. There were 1,389 new listings. “It’s not unusual for market activity to drop sharply at the end of the year as the holiday season takes hold, nor is it unusual to see price negotiations favour buyers at this time of year. However, detached homes and row/townhouses performed particularly well during the final month of 2025, posting price growth of 2.3% and 2.6% respectively. By comparison, condo/ apartment prices declined 5.7% month-over-month and were the only property type to record a decrease compared

to 2024,” said Darlene Reid, 2025 Board Chair, REALTORS ® Association of Edmonton. Detached home average prices increased 2.3% from November 2025 to $566,552, a 5.2% increase compared to December 2024. Row/townhomes prices increased 2.6% in December, averaging $297,124. This price reflects a 1.6% increase from the same month in 2024. Condominium prices averaged $193,577 at the end of the month, a 5.7% decrease from November and a 5.2% decrease compared to December 2024. Statistics reflect market activity in December 2025 | Source: REALTORS ® Association of Edmonton | Market values stated are of the average of Edmonton 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.

The majority of Canadians looking to purchase a home know they need to check in with a mortgage professional to determine what price range of home they should be looking at. Typically, a buyer gets pre-qualified first. It’s a brief process where the mortgage professional (or lender of choice) looks at their overall financial situation and helps the buyer get a feel for the price range of home they should be looking for. A pre-qualification doesn’t affect the buyer’s credit score and isn’t a guarantee they will be approved for a mortgage in the future. However, it does give a buyer an idea of where to start if they’re just beginning the home purchase process. Pre-approval is for those more serious in their home buying journey and requires a detailed review of income, assets and debts. It also can impact the buyer’s credit score as a “hard credit inquiry” is done to give the lender more information. Getting pre approved can help buyers in a competitive housing market as it shows sellers there is a proper financial backing behind an offer. Confirm with your mortgage professional or lender to see which option is best for you in your current home purchasing journey.

PRE-APPROVED VS. PRE-QUALIFIED

Oh by the way, I am never too busy for your referrals!

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