Iryna Slobodyanyuk Home Trends

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Sutton Group - Seafair Realty #550-9100 Blundell Rd. Richmond BC, V6Y 1K3 Office: 604.273.3155

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PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUE FOR DIY MOVES

Preparing for a DIY move includes stocking up on things like boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, labels and markers. It also includes wrangling friends and family to help you transport your home's worth of goods from point A to B. In addition to providing water, snacks and meals, you might want to share a few tips on how to properly lift heavy items so no one throws their back out. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and one slightly in front of the other. This provides you with a stable foundation before you lift. Then squat down by dropping your hips towards the floor and bending at the knees. Pull the item toward your body so you’re not reaching while standing. Once it’s secure in your hands, keep your head, neck and back straight, your chest out and your shoulders back. Brace your core to prevent straining your back muscles and slowly stand up by straightening your legs and pushing your feet into the floor. You should feel your leg muscles lifting and not your back. Be sure to exhale as you lift and don't twist your body. Pivot once you're upright by turning your hips first and following with your shoulders and arms. Repeat the same sequence when putting the heavy object down again. A few leg and arm stretches before and after moving will help prevent tight and sore muscles as well.

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LIFE EXPECTANCIES OF COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Whether you're staying put in your forever home or are planning to purchase a new abode sooner rather than later, knowing the lifespan of the various appliances and systems in your home is important. Here are some general (average) timelines you can expect with regular maintenance. It's best to have a professional inspect your home and anything you're considering replacing to ensure it's needed, or not. Starting in the kitchen, you can expect to replace appliances like the fridge, dishwasher and microwave about every 10 years. Stoves tend to last around 15 years and freezers 10 to 20. The cabinets should last up to 50 years; floors and countertops about 20 years. This lifespan will be longer for high quality products like stone or marble countertops and bamboo or wood floors. Household items like a furnace should be replaced after 15 to 25 years. Central air conditioning units, oddly enough, tend to last only 7 to 15 years. Windows can last anywhere from 15 to 40 years depending on the material they're made from and the elements they're exposed to. Doors (interior and exterior) should stand the test of time and not need to be replaced unless your style tastes change or something pokes a hole into the door itself. For more information, check out https://www.nachi.org/life-expectancy.htm for an extensive list of life expectancies. It's not necessarily specific to Canada, but will provide an overall idea if you're curious.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOORKNOB Changing out your doorknob and/or deadbolt can be an easy way to enhance your exterior door's appeal. There are literally hundreds of doorknobs and locks available to purchase at your local home improvement store or online. The choices may be overwhelming, so here are a few questions to ask yourself to help narrow it down. Traditional vs. Electric: Do you want to use a key to open your lock or have a code to punch in? Simply Electric vs. Smart: Is a keypad enough for you or do you want the added features of a smart lock such as remote connectivity? Cost: How much are you willing to spend for the convenience you're looking for? Are you willing to compromise if what you want doesn't meet your budget? Finish: Brushed nickel, polished chrome, brass, black, copper, etc. What do you want your hardware to be made of? Does the material matter or just the final look? Functionality: If you're looking for a door knob to fit below a smart lock, do you want a lever kind or a turn knob? Do you want something fancy or sleek? Having answers to these types of questions will help you narrow down what you’re looking for when you head to the store so you can find the right doorknob for you.

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END OF SUMMER SALES With summer winding down, before you know it, stores will be full of fall decor and holiday decorations. But with the change of seasons comes the annual end of summer sales. It's a great time to purchase items that you really wanted to buy this summer but couldn't afford, didn't quite need yet or just didn't get around to buying. You know it's going to be hot next summer so now is a great time to buy fans and portable/window air conditioners as stores slash prices to get rid of stock. Same goes for outdoor furniture, decor and appliances. You'll obviously need a secure place to store these purchases, but if the price is right and you know you'll use them, what's stopping you from buying them now and saving some of your hard-earned money? In addition to summer products, students across the country are preparing to go back to class so school/office supplies and electronics like laptops are on sale this time of year. Speaking of electronics, manufacturers release new models of televisions in September so many stores put current models on clearance to make way for the newer, bigger and better options. So, if you're willing to watch your favourites on last year's model, then now is a great time to buy a new TV. Finally, while the start of September is when mattresses tend to sell for a lot less, now is a great time to do your research to find the perfect mattress for you. Test out some models and then be ready to jump on the sale when it hits the one you choose.

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More selection not translating to more transactions

ACTIVE LISTINGS 14,326

BENCHMARK PRICE Detached $2,049,000

BENCHMARK PRICE Apartment $768,200

VANCOUVER, August 2, 2024 – The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,333 in July 2024. “The trend of buyers remaining hesitant, that began a few months ago, continued in the July data despite a fresh quarter percentage point cut to the Bank of Canada’s policy rate,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said. “With the recent half percentage point decline in the policy rate over the past few months, and with so much inventory to choose from, it’s a bit surprising transaction levels remain below historical norms as we enter the mid-point of summer.” There were 5,597 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver in July 2024. The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver is 14,326. The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,197,700, a 0.8 per cent decrease over July 2023. Sales of detached homes in July 2024 reached 688. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,049,000, a 2.1 per cent increase from July 2023. Sales of apartment homes reached 1,192 in July 2024. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $768,200, a 0.3 per cent decrease from July 2023. Attached home sales in July 2024 totalled 437. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,124,700, a 1.4 per cent increase from July 2023. Source: The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® | Market values stated are of the benchmark of Vancouver 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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