Courtesy of Johanna Rodriguez

Johanna Rodriguez B.Admin Cell: 403.618.5917 www.JohaHomes.com Johanna@MaxWellExpertsPlus.ca Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor

Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated. 705 East Chestermere Drive Chestermere, AB T1X 1A5 #turealtorentuidioma LET ME FIND THE KEY TO YOUR NEW HOME

2026 | ISSUE 9

RETHINKING THE OPEN FLOOR PLAN

Open-concept homes are popular but shifting family needs, increased work-from-home and more families living together mean modern households often need more separation. Open layouts offer benefits like larger rooms, more natural light and easier conversation while cooking or relaxing. Households are also seeking clearer boundaries between work, school, relaxation and everyday chores. The challenge is that a single large room does not always translate into a single useful one. A laptop on the dining table, a television in the living room and a busy kitchen can quickly compete for attention. The best floor plan is not necessarily the trendiest one, but one that fits how you actually live. For many households it could simply be enough openness, keeping a home feeling spacious with enough separation to make each area work together. Half walls or glass doors, rugs and furniture like bookcases or tables can serve as visual boundaries. The aim isn’t necessarily to build more walls but to make the space easier to define. Before permanent changes try temporary dividers or different furniture arrangements for a while. Observe how people move, where noise collects and which areas feel crowded or exposed. This trial can show whether a change improves daily life and helps avoid costly mistakes.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN Cornbread

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups flour • 1 cup cornmeal • 1 cup sugar • 1½ tbsp baking powder • 1 tsp salt

• ½ cup melted butter • ½ cup oil • 1 ¼ cups milk • 3 large eggs for the wet mixture • Honey and extra butter for serving, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. 2. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. 3. Mix the melted butter, oil, milk and eggs together in a separate medium bowl. 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is combined. 5. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 35–45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean or with only a few crumbs.

THE MOST AWKWARD THING IS THE DECISION TO ACT; THE REST IS MERELY TENACITY.”

AMELIA EARHART

A fall window check is a simple task that can make a home more comfortable before the first cold snap. Inspect windows and doors early, look for worn seals and address concerns before winter weather makes them harder to fix. A few minutes of checking can help homeowners understand how their home responds to colder temperatures and decide whether it needs further attention. On a cool day, run your hand along the edges of windows and doors. If you feel moving air, inspect the weatherstripping and seals for signs of wear. A draft does not automatically mean the window needs replacing. The problem could be a worn seal, a gap around the frame or another part of the wall. Checking the likely source first can help avoid assuming that a major replacement is necessary. For any unclear or more serious issues calling a professional may be necessary. STOP FALL DRAFTS EARLY

COFFEE SHOP WORD SEARCH

BARISTA CAPPUCINO CHEESECAKE

COOKIES CROISSANT ESPRESSO

LATTE MILKSHAKE MOCHA

MUFFIN SYRUP

SOLUTION

WHY WE KEEP A JUNK DRAWER

Almost every home has one: a random drawer filled with batteries, tape, keys, scissors and mystery hardware. A junk drawer is not a sign of poor organization sometimes it is simply a practical home for small items that do not have a better place. The problem starts when the drawer becomes a catch-all for everything, to the point that you can’t find the things you need. Reset it when it gets too full. Paperwork, broken items, dried-out pens and old batteries can quickly crowd out the things you actually need. Start by emptying the drawer, wiping it clean and sorting the contents into groups. Throw away broken or unusable items, move things that belong elsewhere and consider small trays or dividers for tools, office supplies and other odds and ends. Pay special attention to anything that can leak, expire, break or become unsafe over time.

Sales and new listings slow in August

$744,300 detached

$295,400 apartment

DOWN 8.2% year-to-year

DOWN 1.1% year-to-year

$415,200 rowhouse

BENCHMARK PRICES

3,141 NEW LISTINGS 1,660 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 875 333 apartment

DOWN 5.4% year-to-year

detached 1,635

699 apartment

52.9% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

6,509 ACTIVE LISTINGS

41 DAYS ON MARKET

3.9 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

Calgary, AB (September 2026) — Consistent with trends throughout most of 2026, both sales activity and the number of new listings coming onto the market have continued to trend down compared with 2025 levels. In August, sales in Calgary were 1,660 units, down 16 per cent compared with last year, while new listings fell by nearly 10 per cent to 3,141 units. The pullback in sales has not occurred across all price ranges, as homes priced over $1,000,000 have recorded gains over last year. These gains have mostly been driven by detached and semi-detached homes and are also consistent with where most of the supply growth has occurred. “While sales growth in the upper end of the market was possible thanks to improved supply choice, it also reflects longer-term confidence in our market, as some buyers are not shying away from taking advantage of the available supply,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®). “Meanwhile, we have not seen the same pickup in activity in the lower price ranges, as favourable rental conditions are slowing the transition to ownership.” Inventory levels in August eased compared with the previous month and the same period last year, at 6,509 units. However, given the pullback in sales, the months of supply pushed up to nearly four months. Also consistent with trends throughout this year, conditions vary significantly by property type, with nearly six months of supply for apartment-style homes compared with over three months of supply for lower-density detached homes. As of August, the total residential benchmark price was $569,800, similar to the previous month and one per cent lower than 2025 levels. Statistics reflect market activity in August 2026 | Source: CREB ® Calgary Real Estate Board. Market values stated are of the benchmark of the city of Calgary. 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.

Johanna Rodriguez B. Admin Cell: 403.618.5917 | www.JohaHomes.com | Johanna@MaxWellExpertsPlus.ca

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 © 2026 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 © 2026 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.