Courtesy of Dennis Bowles

Personal, professional service.

DENNIS BOWLES Real Estate Professional DennisBowles@royallepage.ca

www.DennisBowles.ca Cell 604.671.5371

Volume 17 | Number 04

UPGRADE YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS SPRING

With spring comes a season of rebirth and one way to make a statement in your home is to replace, or paint, the front door. A new door with windows or stained glass or the same door in a new colour can create a whole new vibe for you and guests entering your home. If painting or replacing the door isn't in your budget, consider just changing the hardware (knobs and locks) for a small change. To replace your front door, head to your local home improvement store for a plethora of options and expert advice. Be sure the door you're choosing will provide proper insulation, security and will fit in the current frame you have. When choosing to paint your current door, you'll want to protect any hardware by covering with painter's tape (unless of course, you're replacing it) then sanding down the current finish on the door. After sanding, thoroughly clean the door to remove dust residue and then apply a coat, or two, of exterior-grade paint and primer. Once dry, polish or replace the hardware and you’re all done. Whether you replace or repaint your door, finish off the new look with a new doormat and plants and enjoy your new entrance.

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS: 1. Warm the oil in a large deep sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef, chili powder, garlic, salt, and pepper. Crumble the meat as it cooks. 2. When the meat has browned, about 8 minutes, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. 3. Stir in the cabbage, reduce to simmer, and cover with lid.

2 lbs ground beef 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper 24 oz crushed tomatoes 15 oz tomato sauce

2 tbsp white wine vinegar ¼ cup light brown sugar

Cook until the cabbage is bright green, tender, and still slightly crisp, about 4-5 minutes.

½ head green cabbage about 4-6 cups, chopped into 1-inch pieces 2 cups cooked rice (total amount is rice when cooked)

4. Add in the cooked rice and simmer just until heated

through about 2 minutes. Serve warm.

Courtesy of barefeetinthekitchen.com

KINDNESS IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T GIVE AWAY. IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. — George Skolsky

George (1905 to 1983) was an American writer, radio host, screenwriter and movie producer who was best known for being a Hollywood gossip columnist.

FARMHOUSE STYLE DECOR Perhaps you live in rural Canada and your home's decor can authentically be called farmhouse chic because your home was built a certain way to be functional and utilize the supplies found locally. Or perhaps you live in urban Canada and long for the look of a modern farmhouse style as it brings back nostalgic memories or allows you to escape from the pace and style of city living. Regardless, there are a few key elements that define a farmhouse decor style that you can incorporate into your home if you so choose. The primary element in farmhouse decor is the use of natural materials like distressed wood, exposed stone and metal. Paired with neutral and warm colour palettes,

the natural materials provide a stark contrast and really stand out when used accordingly. Consider incorporating or highlighting metal accents, exposed wood beams, open shelves and barn style doors throughout the home. Furthermore, distressed or antique furniture as well as comfy, textured fabrics on sofas and linens round out the look.

ROLLING STORAGE SHELVES

Storage is something every home owner needs and never seems to have enough of. Creating a rolling storage system in the basement, garage or spare room can alleviate a lot of storage problems. The easiest way to create a storage system like this is to purchase bookshelves or shelving units and add casters (wheels) to the base so they can be rolled up against a wall or in a nook and then pulled out when needed. Adding labels and handles to the side of the bookcase or shelf can help make the items more accessible.

Items can be placed right on the shelf or into bins or baskets to keep smaller items together. Going one step further and adding hooks or a tension rod in place of a shelf (when structurally sound) can allow for other storage options like hanging tools, clothes, pet supplies, etc. Doors or curtains can be added to the front of the bookcase if needed as well. Be aware if your shelving unit is tall, you will want to put the heavy items on the bottom to prevent it from falling over.

JOKES Knock, Knock. Who's there? Rain Rain who?

Knock, knock. Who's there? Ears. Ears who? ‘Ears another knock knock joke for ya!

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Canoe. Canoe who? Canoe come out to play now?

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Howl. Howl who? Howl you know unless you open the door?

You're not going to tell me to go away and come again another day, are you?

Courtesy of funology.com

SUDOKU

Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

Courtesy of: www.thinkablepuzzles.com

Answer:

Increased seller activity is giving buyers more choice this spring

$777,500 apartment UP 5.7% year-to-year

$2,007,900 detached UP 7.4% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

$1,112,800 attached

10,552 ACTIVE LISTINGS 2,415 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 694 1,207 apartment

UP 5.0% year-to-year

detached 3,818

4,679 apartment

4.4 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

5,002 NEW LISTINGS

23.8% SALES TO ACTIVE LISTING RATIO

35 DAYS ON MARKET (detached)

Vancouver, April 3, 2024 – The Greater Vancouver REALTORS ® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,415 in March 2024. “If you’re finding the weather a little chillier than last spring, you may find some comfort in knowing that the market isn’t quite as hot as it was last spring either, particularly if you’re a buyer,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said. “Despite the welcome increase in inventory, the overall market balance continues inching deeper into sellers’ market territory, which suggests demand remains strong for well-priced and well-located properties.” There were 5,002 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service ® (MLS ® ) in Metro Vancouver in March 2024.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS ® system in Metro Vancouver is 10,552. Sales of detached homes in March 2024 reached 694. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,007,900. This represents a 7.4 per cent increase from March 2023. Sales of apartment homes reached 1,207 in March 2024. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $777,500. This represents a 5.7 per cent increase from March 2023. Attached home sales in March 2024 totalled 495. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,112,800. This represents a 5 per cent increase from March 2023. Statistics reflect market activity in March 2024 | Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS ® (GVR) | 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.

DENNIS BOWLES Real Estate Professional DennisBowles@royallepage.ca

www.DennisBowles.ca Cell 604.671.5371

Send your friends and family my way. I treat every client to the same high level of service and effort. No matter the value of the home they are buying or selling. What matters most is my clients satisfaction. Nothing else.

Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.