Courtesy of Jim Hyslop

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. Realty Professionals

2026 | ISSUE 5

FRONT DOOR STATEMENT COLOURS

One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to elevate your home’s curb appeal is to paint your front door a bold, intentional colour. It’s a relatively low-cost upgrade that delivers a high visual return, both in person as well as in online listings. Approach a statement door carefully, though, it’s not without risks. Homes with neutral exteriors tend to benefit most from a statement door. Bold choices like black, warm browns, deep navy or rich forest green offer broad interest. More unique shades, like burnt pumpkin, olive green or dusty rose, can be stunning when done right. When preparing your home for sale, every design decision should support a cohesive, complementary look. The key is to choose colours that complement each other. Your front door colour should complement your home’s existing exterior elements, such as siding, brick, roofing and landscaping, rather than outshine or compete with them. Take cues from what’s already there in the yard and in the neighbourhood and aim for a balanced, intentional look. A thoughtfully chosen statement door can help your property stand out in the right way.

Maple Dijon CHICKEN & VEGETABLES

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 large chicken breasts • 4 cups carrots, peeled and sliced into coins • 6 shallots, sliced

• 1 red onion, diced • 12 oz broccoli

• ¼ cup maple syrup • ¼ cup dijon mustard • 2 Tbsp cooking oil • 2 Tbsp parsley

• 1 tsp each: salt, paprika, thyme and garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2.Line a sheet pan with parchment and spray with olive oil.

2.Arrange chicken and vegetables on the pan, spray with olive oil. 3.Mix salt, paprika, garlic and thyme. Sprinkle evenly over everything. 4.Mix maple syrup, Dijon and oil. Pour over chicken and veggies, coating both sides. Roast for 30-45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the carrots are tender. Garnish with fresh parsley. *Try this recipe with different vegetables like potatoes, asparagus, green beans or cauliflower.

EVERY DAY, THERE ARE 1,440 MINUTES. THAT MEANS WE HAVE 1,440 DAILY OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT.”

LES BROWN

PRACTICAL SOUNDPROOFING TIPS

Living in urban and suburban areas, noise is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Sound travels easily through small gaps, hard surfaces and shared walls, making even everyday activity come through the walls as unwanted noise. The good news is there are plenty of practical, homeowner-friendly ways to reduce noise and create a calmer, quieter home. Start with simple fixes that deliver immediate results. Seal gaps around doors, windows and walls using caulk or weatherstripping to block sound entry points. Add soft

materials like rugs, curtains, artwork and tapestries along shared walls to absorb sound instead of reflecting it. Placing furniture against the wall, such as bookshelves, cabinets, couches and similar items, can absorb sound. Acoustic panels are another easy upgrade that can reduce echo and improve how sound behaves inside your space. You can also use white or pink noise, like a fan or sound machine, to mask background sounds and make them less noticeable. For longer-term solutions, consider more substantial upgrades and renovations. Double-glazed windows and solid-core exterior doors help reduce sound from transmitting from outside. Ensuring enough insulation inside walls and crawl spaces can absorb airborne noise. While total silence is not realistic, combining different improvements can noticeably reduce noise for you and your family.

THE “MAYBE BOX” STRATEGY FOR DECLUTTERING

Decluttering is overwhelming. The hardest part of decluttering isn’t the obvious “no” items or “yes” items. It’s the maybes. These are the items you’re not quite sure about. They don’t quite earn a place in your keep pile but also don’t feel easy to let go of. They carry just enough value, memory, or “what if” to slow you down. That’s where the “maybe box” becomes one of the most powerful tools in your decluttering process. As you sort through your home, keep what you truly use and love and confidently discard or donate anything that no longer serves you. For everything else, such as the lingering, nagging items, place them in a designated “maybe box.” This keeps your momentum going without getting stuck in overthinking every decision.

Once filled, seal the box and store it somewhere out of sight, at the bottom of a closet or tucked away in storage. Then set a firm date, about 10 to 14 days later, to take that box out and deal with it. The goal is to remove visual reminders and give yourself space from those items. At any point, if you need one of the items, you can certainly get it. If you do, take it out of the box; it’s proof that you still actively use or need the item. When your set date arrives, avoid reopening the debate. If you haven’t needed anything from the box, go ahead and let those items go by either donate, gift, or discard them. The maybe box replaces overthinking with a straightforward system, helping you declutter quickly and confidently.

Word Boggle Using only the letters beside, how many 5-letter words can you make?

We were able to create at least 12 words including: earth, early, heart, baker, pearl, steam, water, prawn, maple, amber, years, maker.

SOLUTION

What’s a real estate agent’s favourite song? Our House!

Why did the counter break up with the cabinets? It felt like it was being taken for granite!

What did one wall say to the other wall? “I’ll meet you at the corner!”

403-259-4141

cell 403-650-4494 mail@jimhyslop.com www.jimhyslop.com

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. Realty Professionals

SPRING DECK PREP As the weather warms, outdoor living spaces come back into focus and decks remain a major selling feature in Canadian homes. But nothing undermines a great deck faster than a loose or unstable railing. During showings, buyers notice safety as much as style and a wobbly railing can quickly raise concerns about maintenance and risk. In Canada, railing safety focuses on fall protection, structural integrity and accessibility, with requirements set by provincial codes and enforced locally. Before listing or enjoying your deck, review bylaws and ensure compliance. Start with a simple safety check. Walk around and hold all railings, testing posts and fasteners for movement. Check that openings between balusters or cables are narrow enough to keep children safe. Ensure railing height meets current code and confirm all elevated areas have proper railings. Inspecting and reinforcing your railings improves safety and builds buyer confidence.

WATER SMARTER WITH GLOBES (NO MORE GUESSWORK!) Keeping indoor plants healthy can be tricky, especially when balancing over-watering and under-watering. Too much water can drown roots and cause rot, while too little leaves plants dry and stressed. Fortunately, there are simple, low-effort solutions that help keep your plants happy and hydrated. One of the most effective tools for consistent watering is a watering globe. These self-watering devices are especially helpful for thirsty plants or when you’re away from home for a few days. They’re easy to use and reusable, making them a great option for busy plant lovers. Watering globes work using a simple vacuum principle. Once filled with water and placed into the soil, the globe releases moisture gradually. As the soil dries, air enters the globe’s stem, which allows water to slowly flow out and rehydrate the soil. This process keeps the moisture level steady without the risk of overwatering. Because humidity, light and room temperature all affect how quickly soil dries out, watering globes help remove much of the guesswork. With a steady supply of moisture, your plants stay healthier, and you spend less time worrying about whether they need more or less water.

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