Courtesy of Dwyer Team

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Real Estate Sales Representatives Office: 226-667-6400 dwyerteam@kw.com

THE DWYER TEAM

B100-509 Commissioners Rd W London, ON N6J 1Y5

Volume 17 | Number 10

PREPPING FOR A HOME RENOVATION Winter is a common time for homeowners to start a renovation project, which means fall is the time to start planning. After you've determined which room, rooms or household system you want to tackle this winter, make detailed plans that include what must change, what you'd like to change and what can stay if your budget or timeline can't incorporate everything you desire. Consider what will make the room or your home more functional and appropriate for the way you live as opposed to only what would look the best. Once you know what your renovation goals are, it will be much easier to communicate with a contractor.

Before consulting with a contractor, you should do some investigating to see what options are available in your area and what you like and don't like so you have a better idea when telling the contractor what you are looking for. Saying you want new carpet in your living room is a different conversation than saying you want a Berber carpet. The more information and knowledge you bring to the table, the better you and your contractor will be able to plan the project. Of course, you don’t have to use a contractor – some projects can be DIY but they too require extensive research, planning and goal setting to ensure you stay within your means.

courtesy of delish.com

GOULASH

Yields: 6 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 45 mins

INGREDIENTS • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1 lb. ground beef • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 Tbsp. tomato paste • 1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes • 1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce • 1¼ c. low-sodium beef broth • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning • 1 tsp. paprika

DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. 2. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat. 3. Add tomato paste and stir to coat, then pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Add Italian seasoning and paprika, then stir in macaroni. Bring to simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, 10-15 minutes. 4. Stir in cheese until melted; season with salt and pepper, if needed. Remove from heat. Top with fresh parsley.

• 1½ c. elbow macaroni • 1 c. shredded cheddar • Chopped fresh parsley

EVEN BEFORE YOU’VE EARNED IT, TREAT YOURSELF AND YOUR CAREER WITH THE LEVEL OF RESPECT THAT YOU HOPE TO ONE DAY DESERVE. - Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O’Hara Canadian actress known for a multitude of roles including SCTV , Schitt's Creek and Home Alone .

SOUNDBAR BASICS Adding a soundbar to your home theatre system can really elevate your in-home viewing experience. Overall, soundbars are affordable, take up little space and are relatively easy to set up. If you've never shopped for a soundbar before, you'll be happy to know that for the most part, soundbars are connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth so you can pair them with really any device and use them for more than just watching movies. When you're choosing a brand, experts suggest matching the brand of your television if that's going to be the main use for it. Beyond that, you'll want to ensure the streaming services you use support the type of sound your soundbar will feature. Be aware you may have to increase your subscription level for some enhanced audio options. Finally, for the best sound quality, you may need to disable your television's internal speakers and only use the soundbar for sound.

Doing a little bit of research ahead of time so you know the basics and then consulting with experts at your local home electronics store will help you discover the best sound system for your needs.

Replacing unoriginal or builder-grade fixtures in your home can help you feel like you're turning your house into a home that you're proud of and feel comfortable in. The majority of the following projects can be done yourself over the course of a few minutes or hours (depending on your skill and the task at hand.) If you're not up to a DIY project, you can always consult a friend or family member that is handy or hire a professional. 10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE PERSONAL

1. Upgrade your interior door handles 2. Install new showerheads 3. Replace toilet seats with soft-close ones 4. Change up the cabinet hardware

5. Invest in a smart thermostat 6. Install curved shower rods

7. Add motion sensor lights in the pantry and closets 8. Replace light bulbs so they're all the same brightness throughout the house 9. Replace light fixtures with new ones 10. Invest in fancy furnace vent covers that match your decor.

What do you call a small pepper in the fall? A little chili! Unbe-leaf-ably Funny October Jokes

Did you know that October is a heartbreaker? It's the month everyone falls for every year!

What do you call someone who imitates your fall centerpiece? A cornucopier!

Why did the tree giggle? It heard acorn-y joke!

What do you call a bear in the autumn rain? A drizzly bear!

OCTOBER THEMED WORD UNSCRAMBLE

1. NGIKSAHTVING

6. UAONDLCR

2. OLESTNEK

7. NGAEOR

3. UTCESMO

8. UUNAMT

4. DCYNA

9. NOLEHAWLE

5. UNMKPPI

10. EWAERTS

9. HALLOWEEN 10. SWEATER

7. ORANGE 8. AUTUMN

5. PUMPKIN 6. CAULDRON

3. COSTUME 4. CANDY

1. THANKSGIVING 2. SKELETON

ANSWERS:

Home sales increase from September to September

$641,583 all residential

UP 1.7% year-to-year

562 SOLD LISTINGS 1,569 NEW LISTINGS 35.8% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

Benchmark Price

5.4 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

October 2, 2024, London, ON – The London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS ® (LSTAR) region remains a vibrant market for both buyers and sellers. September’s market activity and year-to-date figures show encouraging trends. In September 2024, 562 homes were sold, representing a 6.0% increase from September 2023. The average home price was $641,583, reflecting a 1.7% increase from September 2023. We had 1,569 new listings last month. LSTAR also recorded 3,049 active listings, an increase of 19.8% from the same time last year. LSTAR Chair Kathy Amess commented, “The London and St. Thomas area continues to be a great region for both buyers and sellers. We saw some positive signs in September’s market

as well as our year-to-date activity showing modest increases. The Bank of Canada rate decrease in early September was a welcome adjustment that may have been a factor, and we hope this trend continues throughout the fall.” LSTAR Chair Kathy Amess: “The recent trends in benchmark prices reflect the ongoing adjustments in our housing market. While some segments, like one-storey homes, are seeing positive growth, others are experiencing declines. This market requires careful navigation, and LSTAR remains dedicated to providing our members and the community with the insights and support needed to make informed decisions.” Statistics reflect market activity in Sept 2024 | 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.

Real Estate Question? Call us for the answer! Office: 226-667-6400 | dwyerteam@kw.com

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