Home Trends from Gitika Chawla

BOZZ REALTY EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.

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TOP 1% REALTOR ® *Based on the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver 2019 Medallion

NEW HOME ESSENTIALS

Preparing to move into a new place means making sure it's stocked with the everyday essentials. Whether it’s your first home or you were over-zealous with your purge when packing from your last residence, here are a few odds and ends to consider adding to your shopping list: • Entry way: new door locks, shoe tray/storage, coat rack, hangers for the closet • Bathroom: new shower curtains (and rods), drawer organizers, trash can, soap dishes • Laundry room: drying rack, hangers (and a tension rod to hang damp items on to dry), storage bins for supplies • Deck/Patio: insect repellant, electric, gas or charcoal grill (and tools), portable fan • Household maintenance: light bulbs, toilet plungers, extension cords, fire extinguisher, flashlight, basic tool kit, step stool, tape measure, surge protectors This isn't an exhaustive list, so take a few moments to walk through your new home and take note of what else you might need.

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ADDING FERNS TO YOUR DECOR Ferns are low maintenance, attractive and overall great plants to grow indoors. Ferns, by definition, don't have flowers so they add a lot of greenery to your decor and can help a room feel lush and welcoming. In the wild, they typically grow on forest floors under canopies of trees, try to keep that type of environment in mind when using them as a houseplant. Ferns thrive in indirect light, away from windows, air vents or heat sources like fireplaces. Think about placing them near a north- or east-facing window. If the leaves turn yellow the fern is not receiving enough light or if the leaves turn dry and crispy, it's getting too much sun. They like to be watered regularly; moist, but not saturated soil is a must, ensure you use a well-draining variety of potting soil. Misting the leaves on occasion provides the excess humidity they'll need to thrive. Feel free to fertilize your ferns monthly from early spring to fall. When they get too big for the pot they're in, you should transplant them into a larger planter so their roots have room to grow. The best time of year to do this is during the spring when they're about to go into their peak growing season.

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TIPS FOR SHARING A BEDROOM Making the most out of the home you're in can mean children sharing a bedroom. Thankfully modern bunk beds and sleeping options offer a variety of configurations that can surely appease even the most stubborn and picky child. From bed and desk combos to floating beds to princess castles and pirate ships, you can take the room from boring to spectacular quite easily, which can help children adjust to the idea of sharing a bedroom if it’s new concept to them. If your local furniture shop doesn't have the right configuration for your needs, head online to shop or browse ideas on a website like Pinterest and venture into DIY territory. When bunk beds aren't an option, or your children are “too old” for them, separate beds or living spaces with screens placed on the floor, fabric drapes hanging from the ceiling or even dressers or other furniture. Use paint and decor elements to give each child their own sense of space by making their portion of the room into an area that reflects their personality. Having the beds up against the wall in a “L” format leaves the largest open area but sometimes arranging the beds on opposite walls creates the distance and private space children might require. Lots of communication, involvement in choosing décor and bedding and highlighting the benefits of sharing a room will all help children feel more comfortable as well.

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NEUTRALIZING ODOURS Every home has a scent and if you're selling you should try to neutralize your home's to make it more appealing to buyers. Some scents are appealing (like fresh baked bread) but others can be triggering to those with allergies or a heightened sense of smell. Before spraying a room deodorizer which may just mask any issues, try these natural options first. Baking soda is known to absorb odors, placing a box in the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom and where your pets live will help neutralize any smells. You can also sprinkle it onto the carpet and vacuum it up after giving it time to absorb odours. Activated charcoal has gone through a heat or chemical process to make it porous which will absorb odors. Place in a breathable cotton bag and put it in closets, trash cans, near the diaper pail and anywhere else odors seem overpowering. Air purifiers are a bit expensive and can take up precious space in a room, but they are excellent to have when trying to remove a strong smell from your kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. They work by filtering the air from smells, toxins and other pollutants in your home. Opening windows and allowing fresh air into the home can also help and using a fan to direct the stale indoor air to the outside is recommended. If you’re unsure if your home has a scent, ask your friends and family and your real estate agent for an honest opinion. 604.655.9008

Fraser Valley home sales fall despite Bank of Canada rate cut

BENCHMARK PRICE Single Family Dwelling $1,528,900

BENCHMARK PRICE Townhouse $851,100

ACTIVE LISTINGS 8,350

SOLD LISTINGS 1,317

BC, July 3, 2024 – The policy rate cut of 25 basis points by the Bank of Canada on June 5 was not enough to rally home sales in the Fraser Valley last month. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 1,317 sales in June. While sales remain soft, inventory continued to build for the sixth straight month to 8,350 active listings. “With seasonally slow sales in June and a steady increase in inventory, we’d expect to see affordability improve,” said Jeff Chadha, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “However, prices in the Fraser Valley remained relatively flat. That said, despite slow sales, properties that are well-priced are finding buyers, and are subsequently selling within three to four weeks.” New listings dropped in June to 3,418. With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 16 per cent, overall market conditions are balanced. “The June rate cut hasn’t been enough to get buyers off the sidelines,” said FVREB CEO, Baldev Gill. “Current market conditions are such that buyers and sellers are advised to have thoughtful conversations with their REALTOR® and lending professional, rather than relying on media reports about where interest rates may be heading in the future.” Across the Fraser Valley in June, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 22, while a townhome was 20. Condos took on average, 30 days to sell. Source: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board | Market values stated are of the benchmark of Fraser Valley 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.

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