Courtesy of Ryan Torris

HOME YOUR Your Good Neighbour. Your Real Estate Concierge.

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

Volume 16 | Number 9

INTERIOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS FOR FALL

Every spring we prepare our homes for the upcoming summer season and in turn each fall for the winter season. Whether you tackle these home maintenance tasks all in one weekend or spread them out over a few weeks, here is a quick list of some of the more commonly forgotten home maintenance tips for fall. • Change the direction of your ceiling fans (they should turn clockwise to circulate warm air). • Deep clean inside all appliances including your microwave, refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, etc. • Pull out all those same appliances and clean behind them, under them and in those areas you don’t want to clean, but should like the fridge coils, dryer vents and washing machine filter. • Inspect and clean windows, screens and weatherstripping to ensure no drafts will cool your home this fall and winter. • Defrost the freezer and give it a good deep clean. • Clean (or replace) the hood fan filter above your stove. • Replace the batteries and check that the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. • Replace summer gear (water toys, sunscreen, flip flops, etc.) with fall or winter gear (rainboots, gloves, touques, etc.) • Launder winter sheets and blankets to prepare for those cool nights on the horizon. By having a clean home with all the necessary winter items at hand, you’ll be able to ease into the fall and winter a little bit easier.

TWO STEP MUSHROOM PORK CHOPS WITH SWEET POTATOES

INGREDIENTS 4 well-trimmed pork chops 1 tbsp canola oil 1 can CAMPBELL’S® Condensed Low-Fat Cream of Mushroom Soup ½ cup water 2 cups sweet potato, cut in 3/4" (2 cm) chunks ½ tsp garlic powder DIRECTIONS 1. Brown pork chops well in heated oil at medium-high heat in skillet – about 4 minutes per side. 2. Add soup mixed with water and sweet potato, garlic powder, parsley flakes and oregano. 3. Simmer, covered, until pork chops are cooked through – about 10 minutes. 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes, crushed ½ tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed

RECIPE TIPS To change things up, try this recipe twist - Chops with Carrots 'n Peas. Reduce water to 1/4 cup. Add 1 cup each, matchstick-cut carrots and frozen peas with ½ tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed for the same simmering time.

Courtesy of www.cookwithcampbells.ca

Lucille Ball (1911 to 1989) who is likely most known for her iconic role in I Love Lucy, was an American actress, comedian and producer. She was a pioneer for women in the entertainment industry and was the first female to own a major studio (Desilu Productions which she started with her former husband Desi Arnaz).

THE SECRET TO STAYING YOUNG IS TO LIVE HONESTLY, EAT SLOWLY AND LIE ABOUT YOUR AGE. -Lucille Ball

ADD A RAIN CHAIN TO YOUR HOME Originating in Japan, rain chains have recently been gaining popularity in North America. Essentially, a typical plastic or aluminum rain downspout, is replaced with a rain chain for an antithetically and auditorily pleasing option to help water flow off of the roof. Rain chains carry water from the gutter down and away from the roof. They can be used in place of current downspouts or in addition to downspouts if water needs to flow into a garden or flower pot where a downspout isn't located. There are two main types of rain chains. The first includes small cups or containers placed evenly along a chain so water fills the top cup and spills over into the subsequent cups and eventually into a rain barrel, plant pot, garden or drain. The other type is a more traditional chain where water simply flows down the links instead of in cups or containers. Overall, either style is low maintenance as there isn't really the space or opportunity for leaves and other debris to collect in the small cups or along the chain. Made typically from aluminum or powder-coated metal, rain chains won't rust. However, that rustic look can be created by using copper chains and pots as they will patina over time.

Rain chains can be purchased online, in specialty garden centers or even local home improvement stores. They are also a great DIY project for those who are crafty and have access to metal or aluminum.

BACKYARD CHICKENS

Gone are the days of having to own an acreage, hobby farm or farm to raise chickens as many municipalities across the country now allow homeowners to keep hens in their backyard. If this is something you may be interested in, first consult with your local bylaws to see which guidelines you will need to follow and if there are any licenses you need to obtain. Some areas have pilot projects in progress while others have broader rules and regulations in place. If you get the green light, raising backyard chickens can not only provide eggs, but also entertainment, fertilizer, pest control and educational opportunities. On the other hand, chickens are known to be noisy and smelly, so they can pose some problems too and aren't always welcomed by neighbours. As with welcoming any other pet or livestock into your life, it's not a decision to be made lightly and takes thorough research and planning before they even set foot into your coop.

Some things to consider aside from the obvious food, shelter and veterinary care include: • how will you keep the chickens safe from predators (not just owls, racoons and coyotes, but neighbourhood cats and dogs can also attack some breeds of chickens) • how will you keep them active (yes, they need to be entertained for their overall health and happiness) • how will they spend their retirement years (chickens tend to live about eight to ten years and only lay eggs for about four or five of those - depending on breed).

JOKES

Q: Why can’t you say a joke while standing on ice? A: Because it might crack up!

Q: Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team? A: She ran away from the ball.

Q: What nails do carpenters hate to hit? A: Fingernails.

Q: What did the light bulb say to its mother? A: I love you watts and watts.

NUMERATOR Each oval contains a different number 1-11. Follow the clues to find the correct location of each number in the Numerator diagram. Note: 'Left' or 'Right' is from your point of view and means any location along the same horizontal line whereas 'Above' or 'Below' means any location along the same vertical line.

Clues: Number 8 is below 1 and right of 3. Number 7 is above 11 and left of 2. Number 6 is below 10 and left of 1.

Number 5 is below 9 and left of 7. Number 6 is right of 4.

Courtesy of www.puzzlechoice.com

Solution:

AUGUST SEES RECORD-HIGH SALES AMIDST HISTORIC LOW INVENTORY, PUSHING PRICES HIGHER

CALGARY

AIRDRIE

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $570,700 Last Mo.: 0.6 % Last Yr.: 7.9 %

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $515,600

Calgary, September 1, 2023 – Thanks to a surge in the condominium market, August sales reached a record high with 2,729 sales. Despite the record levels reported over the past several months, year-to-date sales are still down 15 per cent compared to last year. While new listings did improve compared to levels seen this time last year, the sales-to new-listings ratio remained elevated at 87 per cent, preventing any significant shift from the low inventory situation. Inventory levels in August dropped to 3,254 units, not only a record low for the month but well below the 6,000 units that are typically available. Low inventory combined with high sales this month ensured the months of supply remained low at just over one month. “Higher lending rates have caused many buyers to either hold off on purchase decisions or shift toward more affordable products on the market,” said CREB ® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “The challenge has been the availability of supply, especially in the detached market. Inventory levels hit record lows in August, and while new listings are higher than last year, conditions continue to favour the seller, driving further price gains. The unadjusted benchmark price reached $570,700 in August, representing the eighth consecutive monthly gain. Prices have trended up across all property types, with row-style properties reporting the largest increase. Source: CREB ®

Last Mo.: 0.3 % Last Yr.: 5.8%

DAYS ON MARKET

DAYS ON MARKET

25

25

NEW LISTINGS

NEW LISTINGS

3,131

206

ACTIVE LISTINGS

ACTIVE LISTINGS

3,254

176

SOLD LISTINGS

SOLD LISTINGS

2,729

204

Stats Reflective of August 2023 Source: CREB ®

Stats Reflective of August 2023 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, 1forAll 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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