Courtesy of Tammy Colbow

Helping You Every Step Of The Way

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780-235-8660 tammycolbow@royallepage.ca www.tammycolbow.ca

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2

AVERAGE SALE PRICE

RESIDENTIAL UNIT SALES UP 8.30% FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED

DUPLEX/ ROWHOUSE

CONDO

Edmonton, March 4, 2020: Total residential unit sales in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) real estate market for February 2020 increased 8.30% compared to February 2019 and increased 32.29% from January 2020. The number of new residential listings is up, increasing 4.21% from February 2019 and increasing 12.20% from January 2020. Overall inventory in the Edmonton CMA fell 7.86% from February of last year but increased 9.56% from January 2020. For the month of February, single family home unit sales are up 11.11% from February 2019 and up 29.82% from January 2020. Condo unit sales increased 5.97% from February 2019 and increased 52.69% from January 2020. All residential average prices are down slightly at $350,852 a 0.88% decrease from February 2019, and are down 0.04% from January 2020. Single family homes sold for an average of $426,191, a 0.57% year-over-year decrease from February 2019, and a 2.96% increase from January 2020. Condominiums sold for an average of $212,520, a 4.37% decrease year-over-year, and prices are up 4.00% compared to January 2020. Duplex prices rose 0.19% from February 2019, selling at $321,892, which was a 4.99% decrease from January 2020. “The Edmonton market prices remained stable this month and we saw an increase in year-over-year unit sales,” says REALTORS® Association of Edmonton Chair Jennifer Lucas. “We typically see an increase in activity at this time of year as we head into spring. There have been more sales of single family homes and condos than in February of last year while duplexes are down. Single family home pricing decreased 0.57%, duplexes are up 0.19%, and condos are down 4.37% year-over-year.” Single family homes averaged 71 days on the market, a one-day increase from last year. Condos saw a two-day decrease at 74 days on the market while duplexes averaged 80 days on market, identical to February 2019. Overall, all residential listings averaged 74 days on market, a 1.37% increase year-over-year, and decreased by five days compared to the previous month.

$321,892

$212,520

$426,191

DOWN 4.37% YOY

DOWN 0.57% YOY

UP 0.19% YOY

SALES TO LISTINGS RATIO

NEW LISTINGS TOTAL 2,501 ACTIVE LISTINGS TOTAL 6,850

ALL RESIDENTIAL

SOLD LISTINGS TOTAL 1,057

DAYS ON MARKET

71

SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED

74

CONDO

80

DUPLEX/ROWHOUSE

Source: REALTORS ® Association of Edmonton

CHICKEN CAULIFLOWER TACO BOWL

Courtesy of www.ehow.com

INGREDIENTS: 1.5 pounds of chicken (thighs or breasts) boneless, skinless

DIRECTIONS: 1. Chop the chicken and slice the bell peppers.

2 large bell peppers (any color) 2 tablespoon olive oil, divided 1 packet taco seasoning 1 pound cauliflower rice or cauliflower crumbles 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup salsa 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and green onion

2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet, and add the chicken and bell peppers; saute until starting to brown. Add the seasoning, cooking until the chicken is cooked through. 3. Add the remaining olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the cauliflower rice and salt, cooking until the cauliflower is warmed and slightly browned. 4. Divide the rice between 4 bowls, and top with chicken and peppers. Add sliced avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, green onion, and salsa.

1 jalapeño, sliced 1 avocado, sliced

NEW YEAR’S… IN MARCH? Welcome to the third month of the year – or, if you were born before 150 B.C., the first! According to the oldest Roman calendars, one year was ten months long, beginning in March and ending in December. It may sound crazy, but you can still see traces of this old system in our modern calendar: because December was the tenth month, it was named for the number ten in Latin (decem), just like Septem- ber was named for seven (septem). So, what about January and February? They were just two nameless months called “winter.”

When it comes to home design, creativity knows no limits! Here are three of the world’s weirdest – and coolest – homes. World’s skinniest house. The Keret House, located in Warsaw, Poland, is just under five feet in width and is known as the slimmest home in the world. Designed by architect Jakub Szczesny, the house is located in a small space between two larger buildings. Despite it’s slender size, it still manages to contain a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room. World’s smallest house. How small is the world’s smallest house, you may wonder? Well, it’s small enough to carry on your back. Known aptly as the “One-Sqm-House,” this DIY wooden structure is one metre by one metre and can be flipped on its side to provide a sleeping space. World’s coolest house. Like skateboarding? Then the PAS House, located in Malibu, California, is your dream home. Designed for pro-skating champion Pierre Andre Senizergues, every surface in the home is skateable. Senizergues also designs sustainable men’s clothing so you know the home is both cool and eco-conscious. FLOWER JOKES What did the bee say to the flower? Hello honey! Why did the gardener plant light bulbs? He wanted to grow a power plant. What do you get when you plant kisses? Tulips! What did the bride say when she dropped her bouquet? Whoopsy daisies! Why did the gardener quit? Because his celery wasn’t high enough. Courtesy of www.juicyquotes.com WEIRD HOMES OF THE WORLD

Courtesy of www.rd.com

SPRING CLEANING FOR CONDO DWELLERS Condos may be known for having lower maintenance requirements than a single-family home, but that doesn’t mean condo owners can skip spring-cleaning entirely. May the following list help you streamline your scrubbing and dusting activities – so you can get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Bathroom deep clean. Ah, the bathroom. The place in every home, no matter the size, that just doesn’t stay clean. Whether you’re a regular scrubber or tend to neglect the grime that builds up in the bathtub, spring is the perfect time to really get into every corner. Grab your rubber gloves, an old toothbrush and your favourite abrasive cleaner and go to work. Baseboards and trim. An area of the home that definitely gets overlooked during regular cleanings are baseboards, trim and any other decorative mouldings. Give them all a vacuum, a dust and a wipe. And while you’re at it, give your doors and windowsills a tidy-up. It’s amazing how cleaning up the smaller details of your home will make everything seem shiny and new. Cupboards and closets. This step is less about scrubbing and more about organizing. If you tend to shove things into every available cabinet – and who doesn’t – now is the time to go through your storage spaces and purge what you no longer need. Then, invest in some boxes, baskets and labels and create a place for everything. Wash your un-washables. Anything that you don’t – or can’t – regularly wash should be aired-out, vacuumed or sent to the dry cleaners. This means curtains, duvets, furniture and throw pillows. You know all of those small attachments that came with your vacuum cleaner? Now is the time to use them. Prepare your outdoor space. Whether you have a tiny balcony or a good-sized patio, it’s time to prep it for all your favourite outdoor activities. This task is perhaps the most rewarding of all your spring cleaning to-do’s because it signals the beginning of good times spent outdoors. Give your outdoor area a sweep and a wash. Bring out your pots and planters and – depending on where in the country you live – plant a few annuals. And of course, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers. Because spring is on its way!

HOW TO SPOT WATER ISSUES IN A BASEMENT If you’re buying a house with a basement, know that every basement has the possibility of water getting in simply by nature of it being in the ground. Water follows the path of least resistance and can find its way into a basement over time. Watch out for these potential warning signs that a basement has had water problems in the past, has current issues, or is a wet mess waiting to happen.

Water stains. Water stains on walls and floors can be caused by circumstances other than outside water getting in. Perhaps a laundry tub overflowed or a pipe leaked, but has since been fixed. Still, it’s important to note them, ask questions, and look for other signs of water damage. Damp smell. Excess moisture has a musty, earthy smell. Again, a damp smell doesn’t necessarily mean water has come in through cracks in the foundation or slab, but pair it with water stains and other signs of dampness and the case for a wet basement strengthens. Mould spots. Just because something looks like mould, doesn’t necessarily mean it is mould. But any spots that look black, brown, yellow or green on walls, floors and ceilings should definitely be noted and further investigated. Mould can be a serious health concern, especially for young children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions. Water-removal equipment. If a basement is filled with large fans, pumps, mops and other equipment used to dry up excess water, take it is a sign that the basement indeed has water issues. However, don’t write the home off because of this. Perhaps there were water problems in the past and they’ve been dealt with. The best way to know for sure if it’s a current problem – or will cause problems again in the future – is to hire an independent building inspector.

BRAIN TEASER

KAKURO

Just like in Sudoku, fill in the grid with the digits from 1 to 9. Each group of digits must add up to the number that is just to the left or above it. No group can repeat the same digit twice. Although they are aligned vertically or horizontally, a group does not necessarily span the whole column or row. This means that although you may not repeat a digit within a group, you may repeat it within a column or row. There is no requirement to use all of the digits.

5 HOBBIES TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE

Whether we have a lot of spare time in our lives or very little, we all need something that takes us away from work and life’s other stresses. Something that is enriching and just for us. Here are five fulfilling hobbies. Maybe one of them – or all of them – will help you live your best life. Yoga. There’s a reason yoga is a go-to activity for so many Canadians. Not only is it great for your body – it’s also a wonderful exercise for the mind. And because yoga is low impact, it can be done by anyone in any age group. Plus, thanks to free online videos, you can cultivate a practice from your own home – for free! Hiking. Hiking doesn’t have to involve trekking up and down mountains with gear strapped to your back. All it requires is a good pair of shoes and a sense of adventure. Whether you want to hike the trail system in your city, or set off into the great unknown, hiking is another excellent form of low-intensity exercise that provides your inner self with a connection to the outdoors and the space to just breath. Genealogy. If your idea of a hobby doesn’t involve working up a sweat, consider taking a metaphorical stroll through your ancestry. Thanks to technology, it’s now easier than ever to trace your family history. Not only does this hobby provide you with a fascinating look into your past, it also allows you to connect with others searching for their own ancestors. Upcycling. If you’ve got a crafty mind and are good with your hands, upcycling may be right up your alley. Transform odds and ends and other people’s “junk” into treasure by repairing and painting anything from mirrors to dressers to knick-knacks that others would just throw away. The best part? Upcycling is a great way to do your part for protecting the environment as it diverts trash from the landfill and replaces the need to purchase brand new items. Volunteering. If you love to help others, consider volunteering with a local organization. From working at a food bank, to reading to seniors, to coaching a kids’ sports team, spending time with those in need, or with the eldest or youngest people in our communities, is perhaps the most fulfilling hobby of all.

SOLUTION:

TAMMY COLBOW ROYAL L e PAGE NORALTA REAL ESTATE Cell: 780-235-8660 202 Main Street Spruce Grove, AB T7X 0G2

Visit www.royallepagenoralta.ca for currently listed homes in and around the Edmonton area.

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Join me every Tuesday as I highlight a local business around our area to showcase what they have to offer. My videos are posted to my social media accounts every Tuesday! Tammy Colbow Real Estate

Tammy Colbow @tacolbow

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Tammy Colbow