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Maya Norton Sales Representative

780.489.2969 consult@dmsmarketing.ca www.dmsmarketing.ca 101-10620 178 Street Edmonton, AB T5S 2E3

IT JUST GOT EASIER!

Maya Norton

BACKYARD ESCAPE

Many Canadians enjoy spending evenings in the spring, summer and fall around a firepit in the back yard. Traditionally everyone grabs a lawn chair, Adirondack-style chair or log to sit on to enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of the fire. However, this year you can soon become the very envy of your neighbourhood by installing a pergola with swing seating around your firepit. There are ready-made options available for purchase online or you can build your own. Here are the basics of what you’ll need if you want to venture to create one yourself. First, the pergola. This structure is most often made of wood and creates partial shelter and shade and is usually positioned over a garden or patio – or in this case, a firepit. The roof of

a pergola is a grid of beams which will allow smoke to rise and starlight to filter through. The structure doesn’t have to be square, or even rectangular; it can be a hexagon or octagon or really whatever shape suits your firepit needs. Swings, either singular or double can be attached to each section, or alternating sections for those who aren’t comfortable in a moving chair. Add blankets and pillows for increased comfort. Be sure to keep a safe distance from the firepit itself though. To further enhance the atmosphere, wrap lights around the beams and throughout the roof. Choose LED lights that change colours for an even neater experience.

780.489.2969

Maya Norton

TURN A CLOSET INTO A MUDROOM

The doors to your home open into a very crucial space: the entryway or mudroom. This space is functional as it holds all the necessary daily items like coats, bags, shoes, umbrellas, etc. and it also helps welcome visitors when they arrive at your home. However, not every home is set up with the space for an ideal mudroom. Sometimes, as a homeowner, you need to get creative and one such way to do so it to turn the coat closet into a mini-mudroom. Start by removing the doors and any pre installed shelving. Patch up any holes left over and then paint the interior walls a light colour to make the closet feel larger. Now, how you organize the interior depends on the size of the closet, your needs and budget – here are a few ideas: • Include a bench with storage underneath. You can either build the bench directly into the walls, or you can purchase a pre made bench that fits within the space.

Storage is key as you can keep out of season items tucked safely out of sight. An open space under the bench can be a useful place to store shoes and boots as well – decide which works best for you. Include shelves to hold all the little items. Depending on the size of your closet turned mudroom, shelves can be added to the top of the closet or on the side beside the bench. Shelves can hold bags, keys, reusable grocery bags, keys, etc. in various baskets or bins. Coat hooks are a necessity. It is still a closet after all, so instead of the coat rod that was there before, install hooks above the bench. Keep in mind the average height of an adult sitting on the bench and place the hooks slightly higher. A traditional coat rod may also work if space permits or you can use a tension rod if you prefer.

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780.489.2969

Maya Norton

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SMART DOORBELL

Motion Alert - most cameras are activated when something crosses their field of view, but if you live on a busy street, you may catch a lot more than you need. Look for doorbells with advanced features where you can set up specific zones to be monitored. Audio - the ability to communicate with the person ringing the doorbell is key. Look for two way communication options. App support - the whole smart doorbell technology relies on you being able to access an app on your phone so ensure the app associated with your doorbell is user friendly and quick to load. Other things to look into before you purchase a doorbell camera are storage capabilities, source of power, installation requirements, wi-fi requirements and compatibility with your current other smart home technologies.

Gone are the days of a door knocker or simple doorbell. Most homes in 2023 have smart doorbell technology involved somehow. From being able to see who is at the door for those who have mobility issues to providing a sense of security for all, smart doorbells are a good investment. There are so many features though, choosing the right doorbell may feel overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider. Resolution - the higher the resolution, the better the image quality which can help identify guests. Also look at the quality of the camera at night - some have night vision capabilities. Field of View - look for the widest field of view possible - 180 degrees is ideal. Depending on the layout of your home, this may not be an issue, but the more you can see the better.

780.489.2969

Maya Norton

AT HOME COFFEE STATION

Cutting out daily trips the coffee shop is a great way to save money, but many feel the trip and atmosphere of their favourite spot is part of the enjoyment as well. If that’s the case for you, consider creating an at home coffee station that provides the atmosphere you are accustom to. It can be a section of your kitchen, a corner in your pantry, a cupboard or even a cart - somewhere that houses everything needed to make the ideal cup. Having everything in the same location and used specifically for your coffee (or hot beverage needs) can recreate the feeling you get walking into your favourite cafe. It can also come in handy for those busy mornings when you just need a caffeine boost for the day.

Your coffee station can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. You will definitely want to invest in a quality coffee maker and follow up with beans and a coffee grinder to start. From there, fill the station with everything else you may need: coffee mugs, spoons or specialty stirrers, syrup dispenser, cream pitcher, sugar canister, milk frother, etc. The options are really endless. Once you have all the essentials sorted, consider the décor and atmosphere of the coffee station. Would a quirky sign make the space feel more special? What about a coffee menu board where you list your favourite recipes? Choose pieces that make you feel like you’re at the coffee shop and not just in your kitchen.

780.489.2969

Maya Norton

Prices reach new record high

BENCHMARK PRICE Single Family Dwelling $661,900

BENCHMARK PRICE Rowhouse $387,400

ACTIVE LISTINGS 3,238

SOLD LISTINGS 2,690

Calgary, May 1, 2023 - Persistent sellers’ market conditions placed further upward pressure on home prices in April. After four months of persistent gains, the total unadjusted benchmark price reached $550,800, nearly two per cent higher than last month and a new monthly record high for the city. “While sales activity is performing as expected, the steeper pullback in new listings has ensured that supply levels remain low,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “The limited supply choice is causing more buyers to place offers above the list price, contributing to the stronger than expected gains in home prices.” In April, sales reached 2,690 units compared to the 3,133 new listings. With a sales-to-new listings ratio of 86 per cent, inventories declined by 34 per cent compared to last year and are over 45 per cent below long-term averages for April. While sales have eased by 21 per cent compared to last year, the steep decline in supply has caused the months of supply to ease to just over one month. This reflects tighter market conditions than earlier in the year and compared to conditions reported last April. Source: Calgary Real Estate Board | Market values stated are of the benchmark of Calgary 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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