Courtesy of Natalie King

Direct: 778-870-4323 | natalieking@live.ca www.NatalieKingHomes.com Natalie King Real Estate Agent

Selling Real Estate Since 2005 with Integrity, Dignity, and Grace. Always making my clients #1 goals, my #1 goals. Providing my clients with genuine professionalism throughout their Real Estate experience, while decreasing any stressors or difficulties with authentic care.

2026 | ISSUE 2

2026 SHOWER TRENDS

Bathroom renovations are recommended before selling your home as they often offer a strong return on investment. Part of a bathroom renovation can be updating your shower; especially in the master bathroom to create a luxurious experience for a new buyer. Here are some hot trends to keep in mind when planning your new shower. • Install built-in, decorative (and functional) benches in the shower space as they can help those with accessibility issues or provide place to sit for a spa-like experience. • Utilize windows, if possible, for a dose of natural light. They can also help with ventilation and provide sunlight for plants to grow (and yes, hanging plants in the shower is becoming a common practice.) • Incorporate bold colours and patterns in the tiles you choose. From walls to floors and ceilings, embrace bold choices and mix and match tiles for a stronger statement. Dark colours are trending as they invite a more relaxing feeling. • When considering fixtures, brass remains a classic and will be seen often, nickel - polished and brushed - is another popular finish that can replace the often overused chrome. • Not necessarily a renovation, but when showing your new bathroom, install long, fabric curtains that hang from ceiling to floor to elongate the look of the room. Be sure to use a shower liner to keep it waterproof.

Stroganoff CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 ounces (about 4 ½ cups) uncooked medium egg noodles • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips • 6 ounces sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups)

• 2 Tbsp butter (divided in half) • 1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup) • 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup • ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook and drain the noodles according to the package directions. While noodles are cooking, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet. 2. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp butter in the skillet. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook until tender. 3. Add the soup and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet (including pan juices) and cook until the chicken is done. Stir in the sour cream and cook until hot (don’t boil). Season to taste. Serve the chicken mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.

COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR. SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY SAYING ‘I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.’”

MARY ANNE RADMACHER AMERICAN AUTHOR AND ARTIST

REMOVE DUST TO HELP YOUR HOME SMELL BETTER

Dust particles absorb moisture from the air and as it settles onto surfaces, floors and baseboards, it can create a musty smell in your home. Removing dust and vacuuming those hard to reach places where it may accumulate (like baseboards, under dressers, behind bookshelves, etc.) can definitely help improve the fragrance in your home. A practice to get in the habit of is to dust from top to bottom to ensure you get any settling particles. Use a damp rag or microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster to trap and remove dust as opposed to just spreading it around. If possible, open a window while dusting and vacuuming (and for a few minutes after) to help prevent particles from settling again. Maintaining proper humidity (30% to 50%) throughout the home can also help prevent dust from absorbing excess moisture and creating a musty smell.

COUCH COLOURS TO INCORPORATE THIS YEAR

A couch is a staple found in most homes throughout the country. If the structure is good and the seating comfortable, you can use slipcovers to change up the look to enhance your décor. Designers are expecting to see a lot of bold colours being used on couches this year and whites and softer colours to take a less prominent role in livingroom décor. Dark, neutral tones such as charcoal, black and navy provide a timeless look that pairs easily with nearly any other colour, making them a strong long-term investment.

A green couch in earthy shades like moss and olive or a deeper hunter tone feels contemporary and layers well with brown and cream colours. Lighter shades of purple, such as lilac, introduce a subtle touch of colour to a room, while darker shades like burgundy create a more refined feel. Muted reds, such as brick and terracotta rather than bright red, are a popular choice that adds richness and warmth to a room.

SOLVE THE MAZE

Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer? She kept running away from the ball!

What happened when two slices of bread went on a date? It was loaf at first sight.

I got a new pen that canwrite under water. It can write other words too.

How is my wallet like an onion? Every time I open it, I cry.

SOLUTION

New year, same housing market in Metro Vancouver HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO A STARTER TOOLKIT Owning a home means every now and again you’re going to have to tackle some basic home repair tasks. Leaky faucets, burnt out lightbulbs, squeaky hinges, etc. Having the tools you need on hand can help you get what needs to be done quickly and efficiently. Some basic tools to have in your toolbox include: • Screwdriver set and Allen keys • Hammer (maybe a rubber mallet) • Pliers (combination and needle-nose at least) • Tape measure • Level • Adjustable wrench (or a wrench set) • Drill and drill bits • Utility knife Some other tools that may come in handy include: ladder, flashlight, stud finder, extension cords, plumber’s tape, caulk and caulking gun, lubricant (like WD-40), voltage tester, assortment of nails, screws and hooks, clamps and a wrecking bar. Having these essentials easily available can help you tackle the small home repair tasks as they come up. $1,850,800 detached DOWN 7.3% year-to-year $704,600 apartment DOWN 5.9% year-to-year BENCHMARK PRICES

$1,043,400 attached DOWN 5.4% year-to-year

12,628 ACTIVE LISTINGS 1,107 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 300 554 apartment

detached 4,476 5,375 apartment

21.5% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

61 DAYS ON MARKET (detached)

11.4 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

5,157 NEW LISTINGS

VANCOUVER, B.C. , February 3, 2026 – The Greater Vancouver REALTORS ® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,107 in January 2026. There were 5,157 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service ® (MLS ® ) in Metro Vancouver in January 2026. The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS ® system in Metro Vancouver is 12,628. “Our recent 2026 forecast suggests this year is likely to resemble 2025 on many fronts, and we expect sales to remain tepid. When paired with sellers remaining eager to list, inventory will likely remain elevated relative to historical averages and, as a result, we expect prices to finish the year relatively unchanged,” said Andrew Lis, GVR’s chief economist and vice-president, data analytics. The MLS ® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,101,900, down 5.7 per cent over January 2025. Sales of detached homes in January 2026 reached 300. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,850,800, a 7.3 per cent decrease from January. Sales of apartment homes reached 554 in January 2026. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $704,600, a 5.9 per cent decrease from January. Attached home sales in January 2026 totalled 246. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,043,400, a 5.4 per cent decrease from January 2025. Statistics reflect market activity in January 2026 | 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.

Natalie King Real Estate Agent Direct: 778-870-4323 | natalieking@live.ca www.NatalieKingHomes.com

The best compliment you can give me is a referral to your friends and family.

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