Courtesy of Ryan Torris

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HOME YOUR Your Good Neighbour. Your Real Estate Concierge.

R yan T oRRis Real Estate Agent, 1forAl l Charity Contributor, SRES ® , REALTOR ® TOP PRODUCER 403.710. SOLD (7653) concierge@blackrockre.ca www.blackrockre.ca @blackrockre

Volume 14 Number 5

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO THE COUNTRY There’s an increasing trend towards moving to a small town or the country. If you’re thinking about buying a house in a charming town, or one with a few acres to tend to, real estate experts want you to know a couple of things before you make the change. For example – beware of the fixer upper. Often a part of the “moving to the country” dream is buying an older home, and renovating until it is perfectly you. And a great dream it is! But some older homes are more than just fixer-

uppers. Make sure you consult with your agent – and get an inspection – before anything is finalized. Older homes can have major structural issues, mold problems, outdated boiler-systems and so on. Don’t forget to consider a home’s water, wastewater and utility setup. If you’re moving to a town, then likely you’ll have town water and be hooked up to the town’s

sewer, power and gas systems. But the country is an entirely different story. From wells, to cisterns, to septic tanks, make sure you know exactly what a potential property’s setup is – and how to care for it.

CHICKEN BACON RANCH PULL-APART SLIDERS

INGREDIENTS: 12-pack potato or wheat dinner rolls 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded 8 to 10 slices bacon, crumbled and cooked 8 slices cheddar, Swiss or Colby jack cheese 1 cup mayonnaise

1 (1-ounce) packet dry ranch dressing mix 4 tbsp melted butter 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a

large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside 1 tsp of dressing mix. 2. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and 4 tsp of the dressing mix. Taste and add more if necessary 3. With a large serrated knife, carefully slice the rolls in half widthwise without separating them. Spread the mayonnaise mixture on both sides of the dinner rolls. Add the shredded chicken and crumbled bacon. Place the cheese slices on top, overlapping the last two in the middle. 4. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, 1 tsp dry ranch mix (or garlic powder) and chives. Mix well 5. Replace the top half of the dinner rolls. Brush the butter mixture onto the rolls, making sure to coat them liberally. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. 6. Serve the sliders with ranch dressing if you’d like. Enjoy!

Courtesy of www.ehow.com

THE COMEBACK OF CANE FURNITURE Big in the 1970s and 80s, cane furniture has found its way into modern homes thanks to its warm tones, earthy texture and classic lines. Harvested from the rattan palm, a vine that grows in places like Indonesian and the Philippines, cane is the lightweight reed that splits from the rattan palm when it’s harvested and processed. Thanks to the spacious weave of cane furniture, it has an airy quality and can bring a feeling of openness to any interior. If you’re wondering what the difference is between rattan and cane furniture, it’s just that – the open weave. While both rattan and cane are types of wicker furniture, rattan is one of the strongest woods available and is often used to create sturdy outdoor furniture, but it does have a slightly “heavier ” feel than cane. While cane furniture works particularly well in bohemian and beach-themed homes, you can also pull off mid-century modern, traditional, farmhouse, Scandinavian and contemporary styles depending on the colour and the design of the furniture piece. One of the simplest ways to add cane to your home is with a chair that has a cane- insert seat and back, or a nightstand with a cane-fronted drawer. Cane furniture can be used to add a touch of contrast. For example, a console table stained in espresso with straw-coloured cane doors. If you prioritize sustainability in your home, make sure to purchase cane furniture made from responsibly sourced materials. Or you can go thrifting and buy vintage cane from the 70s and 80s!

THREE APPLIANCE FINISHES TO CONSIDER While stainless steel is still the most popular appliance finish choice, it certainly isn’t the only one. Here are three other appliance finishes and when you should use them. Black. Black is both a neutral and a bold statement colour. If you love the contrast of black and white, then go for white kitchen cabinets and black appliances. White. White appliances go well in kitchens with light cabinets, and they work in mix and match situations - perhaps you want a copper coloured range hood or a bright red stove. Finishing off your kitchen with white appliances lets the statement pieces shine. Paneled. Paneled appliances match your cabinetry and blend right in. The paneled look works great in compact kitchens or in high-drama kitchens.

3 EXPERT STAGING TIPS

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, a well staged home can increase its sale value by 8-10%. And with staging typically costing 1-3% of the property’s listing price, the math shows that it’s a worthwhile investment. Here are three staging tips that will help make your home sale-ready. • Make a great first impression. When potential buyers open your front door, you want them to say “wow” – not “meh.” Which is why creating a welcoming entrance is so important. Keep colours neutral, but bring in personality with warm area rugs, live plants and a cool piece of artwork. The key to all of these things? They make a home feel homey, but they’re all going with you when you leave. • Paint equals transformation. There’s nothing a few gallons of good quality paint can’t do. Paint is the quickest way to unify a space – and lighter colours like white, beige, grey and soft green and blue make a space feel bigger than it actually is. • Define your zones. Buyers want to visualize how their own things – and their own lives – will fit in your space. This is a hard thing to do when they can’t differentiate between your kitchen/living/office space. Not that there’s anything wrong with having an in-kitchen office area, but the key is that it has to be defined as just that – an area. Incorporate slight variations in paint colour and decor to make zones feel separate, even when they’re together.

WORD SEARCH PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS: Find and circle each word from the list below.

Have fun! WORDS:

Summer Sun

Beach Camp

Swim Water

Fun Hot

Solution

Courtesy of www.puzzles-to-print.com

City of Calgary, May 3, 2021 – There were 3,209 sales in Apri l, a new record high for the month, as Calgar y ’s housing market continues to bounce back from the pandemic lows recorded in 2020. “Despite entering the third wave of COVID-19, there is more optimism of economic recover y when the economy re-opens,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, the recent surge in home sales could be a result of potential buyers wanting to enter the market before any further changes occur in prices, interest rates and lending pol icy. This could erode some of their purchasing power.” With 4,670 new l istings coming onto the market in Apri l, inventor y levels trended up relative to last month and last year. Whi le sales improved across most price ranges, product priced above $600,000 represented 25 per cent of the sales that occurred this month. This is a significant increase from last year when they only represented 12 per cent of sales. The shift in distribution is causing both the average and median prices to record double-digit year- over-year price gains. DEMAND FOR HOMES REMAINS HIGH WITH RECORD SALES IN APRIL

CALGARY

AIRDRIE

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $451,400 Last Mo.: 2.1 % Last Yr.: 9.2 %

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $365,100

Last Mo.: 2.6% Last Yr.: 9.9%

DAYS ON MARKET

NEW LISTINGS

4,670

338

ACTIVE LISTINGS

6,070

353

SOLD LISTINGS

Source: CREB ®

3,209

260

Stats Reflective of April 2021 Source: CREB ®

Market values stated are of the average 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.

Market values stated are of the average of Airdrie. 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.

Please spread the word! Have friends or family moving? Don’t hesitate to pass them my info. P.S. I always take good care of my referring clients!

R yan T oRRis Real Estate Agent, 1forAl l Charity Contributor, SRES ® , REALTOR ® TOP PRODUCER 403.710. SOLD (7653) concierge@blackrockre.ca www.blackrockre.ca @blackrockre

201, 120 2nd Ave NE Airdrie, AB T4B 2N2

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