Home Trends from The Dwyer Team

Whether you're a seller or a buyer... Choose Dwyer! THE DWYER TEAM

Real Estate Sales Representatives

Office: 226-667-6400 · dwyerteam@kw.com

KELLER WILLIAMS LIFESTYLES REALTY, BROKERAGE B100-509 Commissioners Rd W London, ON N6J 1Y5 Office: 226-667-6400

THE DWYER TEAM

MAXIMIZING BEDROOM STORAGE Finding extra storage areas in your bedroom is essential, whether it's for off-season clothes, linens or extra blankets. If you've already made the most of your dresser and closet, consider investing in a bed frame with built-in drawers or an ottoman-style bed where the mattress itself lifts up or rolls out to reveal hidden storage. Storage beds come in a variety of styles so you should be able to find one to meet your budget and style preferences. A storage bed helps keep your room looking neat and tidy, while also protecting your stored items from dust unlike simply placing them loose under the bed. If you're concerned about the weight of lifting an ottoman bed, rest assured: most models come with hydraulic systems to make lifting the mattress easy and keep it suspended until you're ready to close it. However, one thing to consider before purchasing a storage bed is the size and weight, especially if you like to rearrange your furniture often. Once assembled, these beds can be difficult to disassemble and move, so be sure the frame can fit through your doorways before putting it together. Finally, no matter which type of storage bed you choose, plan ahead to ensure you’ll have enough space in your bedroom to easily access the storage compartments. Typically you’ll need at least 24 inches of clearance on either side of the bed to fully access drawers or lift mechanisms without obstruction.

Office: 226-667-6400

THE DWYER TEAM

ADDING PEEL AND STICK WALLPAPER Possibly because it’s easy to apply, budget-friendly and replaceable, wallpaper is a hot trend that you can quickly integrate into your home. To calculate how much wallpaper you’ll need, first measure the height and width of the wall you want to cover. Multiply those numbers to come up with the wall’s area, and then divide that by the area one roll of wallpaper covers to find out how many rolls you need. Experts suggest rounding up or adding a roll in case of mistakes, so you don’t have to head back to the store mid-project. Next, prepare your wall. Clean it with a gentle all-purpose cleaner and remove any wall fixtures and electrical outlet covers. Once the wall is clear and completely dry, add reference lines. From the corner, measure the width of the wallpaper and make a small mark with a pencil. Do this at various heights along the wall and connect the marks with a level to create a straight vertical line. Now comes the fun part! Cut the wallpaper into strips that will cover the height of the wall. If you’re using patterned wallpaper, make sure the pattern is aligned and number each strip so you know the correct order for application. When you’re ready, peel the backing off in small sections (about a foot at a time) and begin applying at the top of the wall, leaving a bit of excess to overlap the ceiling – you’ll trim this off later. Align the right side of the wallpaper to the reference line and lightly press it down. Once it’s in the right position, slowly pull the backing away and firmly press the wallpaper to the wall, working from top to bottom. Smooth out any air bubbles and trim off excess material from along the ceiling and the baseboard before adding the next strip.

Office: 226-667-6400

THE DWYER TEAM

PREPARE FOR SHOWINGS Preparing for showings—especially on short notice—is something that often causes stress and worry for those selling their home. When your home is on the market, keeping it “showing ready” 24/7 isn't always practical, particularly if you work from home or have children or pets. However, there are some larger tasks you can tackle before listing to make day-to-day upkeep easier. The first is always decluttering and removing personal items like family photos, memorabilia and similar belongings. Next, do a deep clean, stage the rooms and tone down any bold or overwhelming decor so potential buyers can imagine themselves living in the space, rather than feeling like they're just viewing someone else's home. Once your home is listed, try to maintain a basic level of tidiness each day: keep the floors swept and vacuumed, sinks free of dishes, beds made and toys picked up. That way, if you get a call saying someone wants to view your home in an hour, you're nearly ready to go. At that point, all you'll need to do is empty the garbage, turn on all the lights, open the curtains, shut off the TV and quickly wipe down the counters. Random items like toys, mail, phone chargers and similar clutter can be quickly gathered into a laundry basket or box and tucked into a closet temporarily. If you have pets, it's best to either crate them or take them with you when you leave. This helps ensure buyers aren't distracted, uncomfortable or worried about animals being loose in the home.

Office: 226-667-6400

THE DWYER TEAM

REMOVE CORD CLUTTER Cords that run from home electronics to power sources can be unsightly and a hazard if you have pets or young children in your home. Thankfully, hiding them isn't too difficult and rather inexpensive. If you're hiding cords along the floor, use zip ties to bundle them together and slide them through a baseboard cord channel, keeping them out of sight and preventing tripping. Cords along counters, behind desks and from televisions to outlets can also be secured in a similar fashion. Cord covers can be connected to one another with flat couplings or elbows if you need to go around a corner. Flexible cord covers, also known as flex tubes, are available and might suit your needs better than more rigid, flat options. If you’re concerned about visible tubes running through your home, most cord covers can easily be painted to match or blend into your décor. A final option, especially in a home office or kitchen, is to install a power source inside a drawer. Drill a hole in the back of the drawer and mount a power bar to the rear, then connect it to a nearby outlet. This allows you to charge your devices inside the drawer, keeping them out of the way.

Office: 226-667-6400

THE DWYER TEAM

HEALTHY SALES AND INVENTORY CAP OFF THE SUMMER SEASON

ACTIVE LISTINGS 3,050

NEW LISTINGS 1,347

SOLD LISTINGS 616

BENCHMARK PRICE All Residential $572,400

London, ON – September 3, 2025 - In August, 616 homes exchanged hands via the MLS® System of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), up 10.4% compared to the same month a year ago. Similar to July, August posted its strongest sales month since 2021. “August recorded the highest inventory level in the last 10 years, with five months of inventory,” said Dale Marsh, 2025 LSTAR Chair. “New listings also reached a peak since 2015, with 1,347, and the sales-to-new listing ratio was 45.7%. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), a sales-to-new listing ratio between 40% and 60% indicate a balanced market. When it drops below 40%, it starts to show signs of a buyers’ market.” Average sales price was similar to July, at $651,329, up 3.3% compared to August 2024. Meanwhile, the Composite MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Benchmark Price was $572,400, down 1.1% from a month ago. Source: London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®| Market values stated are of the benchmark of London St. Thomas 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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Office: 226-667-6400