Courtesy of Matthew Dekort

Matthew Dekort B.Comm., ABR ® , SRES ® Cell: 403.680.2729 www.MatthewDekort.com Matthew@MaxWellExpertsPlus.ca Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor

LET ME FIND THE KEY TO YOUR NEW HOME

Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated. 705 East Chestermere Drive Chestermere, AB T1X 1A5

2026 | ISSUE 4

DECLUTTER YOUR ROOM INSTANTLY WITH UNDERBED STORAGE

Under-bed storage turns an often-forgotten spot into a handy way to keep your room tidy without needing more furniture. It’s perfect for keeping things all tucked out of sight. In small rooms, this hidden storage really helps cut down on clutter and makes the most of your space. Before you buy storage containers for under your bed, check the space to make sure they’ll fit. Measure from the floor to the bottom of your bed frame, then take off 1 or 2 inches so the containers slide in and out easily. Most beds have 6 to 12 inches of space, but things like support beams or thick carpet can reduce it. Platform beds usually have less room, while taller beds or ones with risers can give you more. Flat bins, soft zippered bags, shoe organizers, and slim drawers usually fit well under the bed. They’re perfect for items you don’t use every day, such as winter clothes, camping gear, guest sheets, or seasonal decorations. Rolling bins, fabric boxes, or built-in drawers that slide out easily help keep your room tidy and make it easy to grab what you need. This kind of storage is also handy for items you want to reach quickly, such as purses, shoes, accessories, craft supplies, or sports gear.

Squares LEMON ZEST

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 cup softened butter • 1 cup sugar • 2 eggs • 4 Tbsp lemon juice + zest of two lemons • ½ tsp salt • 1¼ cups multipurpose flour

Glaze: • 1 cup powdered sugar • 2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice + zest of one lemon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking pan with foil and lightly oil. Leave some foil hanging over edges to easily lift the squares out when they’re done. 2.In a large bowl, mix the softened butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, stirring gently. Stir in lemon juice, zest and salt. Gradually fold in the flour until no dry spots remain. Be careful not to overmix. 3.Spread the batter evenly in your pan and smooth the top. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the top looks set and lightly golden. 4.Make the glaze by whisking the ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. 5.Remove from the oven and let the squares cool completely. Pour the glaze over and spread evenly. If desired, sprinkle a little extra lemon zest on top. Let glaze set. Cut into squares and enjoy!

YOU MAY HAVE A FRESH START ANY MOMENT YOU CHOOSE, FOR THIS THING WE CALL ‘FAILURE’ IS NOT THE FALLING, BUT THE STAYING DOWN”

MARY PICKFORD

WORD SEARCH

Find and circle each hidden word from the list within the letter grid. Words may appear horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Cross off each word as you find it and keep going until you’ve found them all!

• WILD ROSE • CROCUS • VIOLET • PEONY • LILY • IRIS • LAVENDER • PANSY

• LILAC • TULIP • POPPY

SOLUTION

DESIGN WITH INTENT USING LOCAL CANADIAN ART

Connecting with your local community is a wonderful way to bring the neighbourhood into your home, especially since many people want to feel like they belong. Featuring local art in real estate listings can make a neighbourhood feel livelier and more unique, rather than generic. If you keep a consistent colour theme in your room or home, it’s easy to mix local art with store-bought decor without things clashing. Try matching paint swatches to your textiles, frames, or ceramics to tie everything together. Smaller towns and neighbourhoods often have rotating art shows at libraries, community centres, co-op galleries, or regional art councils, which are wonderful places to discover new local artists. Buyers notice more than just a house with paintings; they see the story of the community, the mountains, city skylines, and local festivals that connect the home to its place in Canada. When you choose pieces by local artists, you also signal that the area supports creativity and culture, which can appeal to buyers who value uniqueness and authenticity over mass produced decor.

MAKE AN IMPRESSION WITH STATEMENT FLOORS

From bold patterned tiles and painted designs to richly stained hardwood, these floors turn functional space into a conversation piece. Much like an accent wall, statement floors are intentionally eye-catching, visually striking choices that stand out, such as bold patterns, high contrast tiles, richly stained hardwood, or unusual materials like resin or patterned vinyl. They are meant to act as a focal point in a room, often in living areas, kitchens, or entryways, and can signal a more curated or designer minded home.

If a statement floor is durable, well-maintained, and documented with receipts or installation records, it can help reinforce the perception of a higher quality overall property. When statement floors are tasteful, neutral, or timeless in style and made from durable materials such as hardwood or high-quality tile, they can positively influence resale value by making the home feel more modern and move-in-ready. A statement floor done right doesn’t just grab attention; it anchors the entire space with confidence and charm.

The other day, my wife asked me how I have so much candy. I responded, “I always have a few twix up my sleeve.”

What’s the fastest way to stop a dog from digging up the garden? You take away his shovel!

What did one tomato say to the other during the footrace? Ketchup!

Why did the realtor bring a pencil to the showing? To draw interest in the home!

Trends differ based on property type

$300,300 apartment DOWN 9.3% year-to-year

$741,300 detached DOWN 3.3% year-to-year

$423,900 rowhouse DOWN 6.2% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

3,409 NEW LISTINGS 1,881 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 1,614 885 apartment detached 982 384 apartment

55.2% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

35 DAYS ON MARKET

2.9 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

5,395 ACTIVE LISTINGS

Calgary, AB, April 2026 — Inventory levels saw a typical monthly rise, but compared with long-term trends, inventory remained well above the 10-year average for both row and apartment-style units and well below trend for detached homes. There were 1,881 sales in March, up from the previous month, but still 13 per cent lower than levels reported last year and below long-term trends for March. “When considering total residential housing statistics, conditions appear to be relatively balanced as sales, new listings, inventories and prices all trended up over the previous month as we start to move into the spring market,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB ® ’s Chief Economist. “However, when we look deeper, we are seeing a market that ranges from tighter conditions for detached homes to the apartment sector, where conditions tend to favour the buyer. As expected, this is supporting upward momentum in detached prices and downward pressure in the apartment condominium sector.” The total unadjusted benchmark price in the city was $565,600, up nearly one per cent compared to February but down by more than four per cent compared to last year. After the first quarter, benchmark prices posted modest to stable conditions for lower density homes. However, apartment condominium prices continued to slide, dropping another three per cent in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter of last year. Statistics reflect market activity in March 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. FROM KITCHEN TO LIVING ROOM: PLANTS THAT THRIVE INSIDE Keeping living plants indoors is a wonderful way to showcase a house with greenery and bring life to it. Indoor gardening lets people grow herbs, greens, and even small vegetables year round, even in limited spaces like apartments or small kitchens. With the right light, containers, and soil, many leafy greens and herbs can thrive near a sunny window or under supplemental grow lights. Some of the easiest indoor plants to care for are those that tolerate a wide range of conditions and don’t require frequent watering. The snake plant, Aloe vera, pothos plants, succulents, and cacti, as well as Herbs like basil, thyme, or parsley, and low light greens such as lettuce or spinach. Indoor gardens also improve air quality and bring a bit of nature inside, which can be especially welcome in colder Canadian climates where outdoor growing seasons are short.

Matthew Dekort B.Comm., ABR ® , SRES ® Cell: 403.680.2729 | www.MatthewDekort.com | Matthew@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.