Courtesy of Doug Williams

Crest Realty

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

DOUG WILLIAMS REALTOR®. Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

T 604.250.6593 info@SeniorsRealty.ca www.SeniorsRealty.ca #300 - 1195 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6H 3X5

We Still Make House Calls.

Volume 17 | Number 05

ARTFULLY ARRANGE ACCESSORIES

Have you always been envious of those who can create a beautiful aesthetic on their mantles, shelves and tables with an assortment of accessories that just go together? Knowing what items to group together is an artform and some people have the skill and others have to work a bit harder to achieve it. To get you started, follow these basic steps: 1. Choose a colour scheme - analogous, complimentary or contrast are your best choices with analogous being easiest to achieve. 2. Use layers - items in different heights, sizes

and weights create depth and visual interest so don't be afraid to vary your items on display. 3. Grouping - an easy rule of thumb to follow is to group similar items together. Books with books, candles with candles, etc. 4. Negative space - sometimes having a space around or between bold objects creates the visual break the eye needs to really appreciate the items. Once you master the basics, experiment by adding in different colour choices, mixing up the items you currently have, etc. to find what pleases the eye the most.

AVOCADO CRAB BOATS

INGREDIENTS: 5 medium ripe avocados, peeled and halved 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 cans (6 ounces each) lump crabmeat, drained 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided 2 tablespoons minced chives 1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced 1 tablespoon capers, drained 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese 1/2 teaspoon paprika Lemon wedges

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat broiler. Place 2

avocado halves in a large bowl; mash lightly with a fork. Add mayonnaise and lemon juice; mix until well blended. Stir in crab, 3 tablespoons cilantro, chives, serrano pepper, capers and pepper. Spoon into remaining avocado halves. 2. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro; serve with lemon wedges. Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Courtesy of tasteofhome.com

Audrey Hepburn (1929 - 1993) was a British actress, humanitarian and fashion icon. Renowned for her iconic roles in films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Roman Holiday," she captivated audiences with her unmatched grace and charm.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE WORD ITSELF SAYS

'I'M POSSIBLE! - Audrey Hepburn

SHRUBS AND BUSHES FOR ANY GARDEN

Low maintenance bushes and shrubs are great for those with busy summer schedules as well as those with less than stellar green thumbs. After consulting the plant hardiness zone map online, or asking at your local greenhouse, look for one of the following greenery options that are relatively easy to maintain regardless of how much TLC you provide. Obviously, where you plant them plays a part too, so ensure you follow proper planting guides for sun/shade, drainage, soil PH, etc. Azalea - great as a border or hedge plant with beautiful flowers. Barberry - grows four to five feet tall. Caryopteris - blooms later in the summer and into fall with blue flowers.

Hydrangeas - known for the lovely flowers they produce. Spirea - resilient to drought conditions and has flowers that bloom all summer long.

THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING OUTDOOR FURNITURE

The age-old question when buying new patio or outdoor furniture is: do you purchase furniture that will last a season or two or do you purchase higher quality furniture that will last longer? A lot of this depends on where you see yourself in a few years and what your needs at that point may be. Here are three areas to consider before making a purchase.

1. Cost: If you're planning to move into a new home in the foreseeable future, perhaps saving money and purchasing something that meets your needs now is more prudent and you can splurge on a larger, different or more functional set in the future when you're in your forever home. 2. Aesthetic: If the look of a particular set floats your boat, consider how you can alter it if your tastes change over time. Can you change out cushions, umbrellas, etc. or can it be painted or refinished if the structure is something you like but the colour may get tiring over a few seasons?

3. Durability: To purchase the perfect outdoor furniture, consider the elements it will be exposed to. Furniture made from plastic vs. wood vs. metal, etc. will all wear and age differently in different climates. For example, if you live in a humid climate with lots of rain, wood furniture may take more maintenance to keep looking new than it would in a dryer area. Conversely, if your furniture is exposed to hours of direct sunlight, you would want to choose furniture that has some UV protection to keep the fabrics and paint looking newer, longer.

FUN MAY FACTS

• May is "Get Caught Reading Month" - what's on your TBR list? • Have you ever heard the saying, "A warm January, a cold May"? • May has two birth flowers: the Hawthorn and the Lily-of-the-Valley symbolizing hope and the return of happiness respectively. • The full moon in May (May 23, 2024) is called the Flower Moon representing the abundance of flowers that bloom during the month.

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

1. Sour beginning

HINK PINK

2. The boy's test

What's a Hink Pink you ask? Hink Pinks are fun rhyming word riddles. The answer to the riddle is a pair of words that rhyme with each other. For example: Large Feline would be Fat Cat.

3. Tanned circus entertainer

4. Used honker

5. Stubby, tennis area

Solution: 1. Tart Start 2. His Quiz 3. Brown Clown 4. Worn Horn 5. Short Court 6. Dumb Plump 7. Dime Crime 8. Pest Nest 9. Sub Grub 10. Strong Thong

6. Stupid fruit

7. Ten cent violation

8. Termite haven

9. Submarine food

Courtesy of: www.thinkablepuzzles.com

10. Burly summer footwear

Inventory reaches highest level since the pandemic summer of 2020

$776,500 apartment UP 3.2% year-to-year

$2,040,000 detached UP 6.3% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

$1,127,200 attached

12,491 ACTIVE LISTINGS 2,831 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 814 1,416 apartment

UP 4.3% year-to-year

detached 4,636

5,449 apartment

4.4 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

7,092 NEW LISTINGS

22.7% SALES TO ACTIVE LISTING RATIO

32 DAYS ON MARKET (detached)

Vancouver, May 2, 2024 – Greater Vancouver REALTORS ® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,831 in April 2024. “It’s a feat to see inventory finally climb above 12,000. Many were predicting higher inventory levels would materialize quickly when the Bank of Canada began its aggressive rate hikes, but we’re only seeing a steady climb in inventory in the more recent data,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said. “The surprise for many market watchers has been the continued strength of demand along with the fact few homeowners have been forced to sell in the face of the highest borrowing costs experienced in over a decade.”

There were 7,092 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service ® (MLS ® ) in Metro Vancouver in April 2024. The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS ® system in Metro Vancouver is 12,491. Sales of detached homes in April 2024 reached 814, a 0.7 per cent increase from April 2023. Sales of apartment homes reached 1,416 in April 2024, a 0.2 per cent increase compared to April 2023. Attached home sales in April 2024 totalled 580, a 16 per cent increase compared to April 2023. Statistics reflect market activity in April 2024 | Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS ® (GVR) | Market values stated are of the benchmark of Vancouver 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.

DOUG WILLIAMS REALTOR®. Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

T 604.250.6593 info@SeniorsRealty.ca www.SeniorsRealty.ca

Crest Realty

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

The greatest compliment my clients can give me is the referral of family and friends!

Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.