Courtesy of Ryan Torris

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 15 | Number 9

HOME INSPECTION: VITAL TOOL WHEN BUYING A HOME

A home is a complicated structure filled with wiring, pipes, equipment and systems of every kind. Buying a home is likely going to be the largest purchase you’ll make, so to ensure the purchase is a sound one, consider hiring the services of a trained and licenced home inspector. A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of a homes condition prior to sale. A home inspector is trained and fully certified to seek out potential issues by carefully examining the home from basement to attic. Areas a home inspector will check include but are not limited to: • Electrical and plumbing • The roof and attic areas • The building envelope, such as windows, doors, exterior siding and others • The basement and / or crawlspace • Heating and cooling systems • The foundation Once they have completed their work, the inspector will provide a report, typically including photos, that you as the potential buyer, will keep as an aid when negotiating a purchase. Being informed beforehand is a sure way to avoid any unpleasant surprises that might creep up in the weeks and months after you close the deal.

JAMBALAYA – A CAJUN CLASSIC MADE SIMPLE

Courtesy of www.gimmesomeoven.com

1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 3–4 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 cups uncooked long grain white rice 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 pound raw large shrimp, deveined 1 cup thinly-sliced okra 1 bay leaf

INGREDIENTS : 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 boneless chicken breasts, bite-sized 1 pound andouille sausage, thinly sliced 3 small bell peppers, cored and diced 2 ribs celery, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped 1 white onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sausage, sauté until chicken is cooked and sausage is lightly browned. Transfer to plate. 2. Add remaining oil, bell peppers, celery, jalapeño, onion and garlic. Sauté until the onions are softened. Add tomatoes, chicken stock, rice, Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne, bay leaf, and combine. Cook until simmering. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is nearly cooked. Add shrimp and okra, combine. Simmer, until shrimp is cooked. Stir in chicken and sausage. Remove from heat. Season with salt, pepper to taste. Enjoy!

" REAL ESTATE CANNOT BE LOST OR

The 32nd President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was at America’s helm during one of its most tumultuous periods; from the Great Depression and through most of the Second World War. Despite being crippled by polio, FDR’s leadership took the nation out of the doldrums of the Depression and turned it into the so-called ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ to help defeat the Axis powers. He tragically died only months from the conclusion of hostilities.

STOLEN, NOR CAN IT BE CARRIED AWAY. PURCHASED WITH COMMON SENSE, PAID FOR IN FULL, AND MANAGED WITH REASONABLE CARE, IT IS ABOUT THE SAFEST INVESTMENT IN THE WORLD. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

GARDENING IN SEPTEMBER HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE APPEAL

For the avid gardener September can be a very busy month - the month harvest is underway. But there are many things you can do to keep your garden viable and healthy after the harvest. 1. General Garden Clean Up: Reduce the negative impact of bugs and blights on your garden. Take the time to pick up any rotting fruit, dead vines or diseased leaves. Don’t give insects a nice warm home over the winter, clean up that rotting debris now to head off issues next spring. 2. Improving The Soil Quality: A better growing medium will result in a better garden – September is the ideal time to make sure your soil is the best it can be. Spread your accumulated compost or rotted manure (two to three inches deep) over your garden. Turn it in to ensure it has a chance to mingle with the soil, adding to its richness. 3. Planting Flowering Bulbs for Spring: It ’s also a good time to plant hardy springtime flowering bulbs. Early blooming flowers, such as daffodils, crocus, and tulips can provide a burst of colour once the winter snow melts. It ’s even an easy job, dig a hole, drop in your bulb and cover with soil. Mother Nature will take care of the rest.

Every region of the country is different, so research a plan that works best for you. It ’s important to know the fiscal and physical health of the project you are buying into.

REAL ESTATE A MAJOR PLAYER IN CANADA’S ECONOMY

You may only interact with your REALTOR ® when buying or selling your home, so you might not realize that they are part of a profession that has a dramatic and vital impact, not only to your local economy, but to that of the entire nation. Real estate is big business in Canada. But did you realize just how big? According to Statistics Canada nearly half of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product during the first quarter of 2022 was due to residential investment, or homebuilding. The international market research firm Research and Markets (researchandmarkets.com) states that the real estate market in Canada recorded revenues of more than $58 billion (US) in 2020, a total expected to climb to nearly $64 billion (US) by the year 2025 – representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly two percent. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada’s national

real estate organization, reported in its literature that there are currently more than 150,000 real estate brokers, agents and salespeople working through 74 real estate boards and associations across Canada. Of course, each of these individuals are only the most visible component of the profession. Like with any business staff must be hired, offices rented, equipment purchased and complimentary industries supported. Wherever there is a REALTOR ® there is also a webmaster, graphic designer, home inspector, sign maker, interior designer and many other crafts and tradespersons - the ripples fan out widely. Real estate is also an excellent career path for those just entering the profession. As the nation’s population ages (including REALTORS ® ) there will be a need to fill those vacant spots and to guide the industry forward into a future that promises to be as exciting as it is different.

BRAIN TEASERS Courtesy of www.rd.com 1. I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I? 2. You measure my life in hours and I serve you by expiring. I’m quick when I’m thin and slow when I’m fat. The wind is my enemy.

no fish. What am I? 4. What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month? 5. You see a boat filled with people. It has not sunk, but when you look again you don’t see a single person on the boat. Why?

4. The letter “R.” 5. All the people were married.

1. An echo 2. A candle. 3. A map.

3. I have cities, but no houses. I have

mountains, but no trees. I have water, but

Answers:

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Take a break! Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards. Enjoy!

Calm Down Catnap Chill Out Comfort Cool Off Daydream Doze Ease Freedom Holiday Leave Leisure Loosen Up Luxuriate

Peace Picnic Quieten Recess

Simmer Down Sit Back Slacken Sleep Slumber Take A Break Take It Easy

Relax Relief Repose Reprieve Respite Rest Sabbatical Serenity Settle Down Siesta

Time Off Time Out Uncoil Unwind Vacation

Courtesy of www.puzzlechoice.com

SUPPLY LEVELS EASE WITH FEWER NEW LISTINGS IN AUGUST

CALGARY

AIRDRIE

Calgary, September 1, 2022 – August sales activity was comparable to the strong levels recorded last year and wel l above long-term trends for the month. Whi le sales have remained relatively strong, there continues to be a shi f t towards more af fordable options as the year over-year pul lback in detached sales was nearly matched by gains for multi -fami ly product types. “Whi le higher lending rates have slowed activity in the detached market, we are sti l l seeing homebuyers shi f t to more af fordable options which is keeping sales activity relatively strong,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “This makes Calgary di f ferent than some of the larger cities in the country which have recorded signi ficant pul lbacks in sales.” At the same time, new l istings continue to trend down, preventing any supply gains or a substantial shi f t in the months of supply. Despite year-over-year gains in new l istings, the spread between new l istings and sales this month narrowed compared to the past three months. This caused total inventory to trend down and prevented any signi ficant shi f t in the months of supply. The months of supply in August remained at just above two months, not at tight as earl ier in the year, but sti l l below levels traditional ly seen this time of year. For the thi rd month in a row, benchmark prices eased decl ining to $531,800. Whi le the reduction reflects shi f ting market conditions, it is impor tant to note that previous gains are not lost, and prices remain over 11 per cent higher than last year.

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $531,800 Last Mo.: -1.5 % Last Yr.: 11 %

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $493,500 Last Mo.: -1.06 % Last Yr.: 18.5%

DAYS ON MARKET

DAYS ON MARKET

29

35

NEW LISTINGS

NEW LISTINGS

2,718

220

ACTIVE LISTINGS

ACTIVE LISTINGS

4,778

286

SOLD LISTINGS

SOLD LISTINGS

2,136

169

Stats Reflective of August 2022 Source: CREB ®

Stats Reflective of August 2022 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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