Raj Sangha's Home Trends

Raj's Monthly E-newsletter

604-655-2065 raj@rajsangha.ca | www.rajsangha.ca RAJ Sangha BROKER AGENT

RAJ Sangha

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HARVESTING THE GARDEN GOODS

Harvest regularly as once a crop is mature it will be a matter of days before everything is ripe needs to be picked. If you remove the mature vegetables from the stems, the plant will then have the ability to produce the smaller vegetables. Pick vegetables and fruit in the early morning as opposed to during the heat of the day as they’ll be sweet and juicy. Use scissors, a knife or pruners to remove vegetables like beans, cucumbers, tomatoes etc. Tearing them from the vine can damage the plant and make it susceptible to disease.

Whether you have a garden in your back yard or a planter or two on your balcony, the time will come to harvest your crop and enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Did you know there’s more to harvesting your crop than just picking the fruits or vegetables from the vine? Experts suggest the following to make the most of your harvest: Do your research on when to harvest your particular crop. Some vegetables are ready to pick before they mature on the vine like peas, summer squash and turnips. Yet others, like tomatoes and melons need to mature on the vine in order to be at their peak flavours. Your seed packets will be a wealth of information.

604-655-2065 | www.rajsangha.ca

RAJ Sangha

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KITCHEN RENOVATION: WORKSTATION SINK

A hot new trend in kitchens over the past few years, that doesn't seem to be going anywhere, is the installation of workstation sinks. Popular in commercial kitchens, these sinks making their way into households across the country are like a multi-tool that allow you to prepare food for your meals and clean up in the same space. They often have built in accessories such as strainers, cutting boards and dish drying racks so everything is easily accessible and quickly and conveniently stored away. They are wonderful if you have limited counter and cupboard space but are also welcome in larger kitchens where function is a necessity. Because of their growing popularity, you should be able to purchase a workstation

sink that will match the size and style of your current sink. Drop in, undermount and farmhouse/apron front designs are all options available as are single and double bowls. The cost for workstation sinks tends to be higher than a typical kitchen sink because of all of the accessories included. However, many homeowners find the extra cost worth it as the functionality and efficiency the sink offers outweighs the price tag. Installation can be done by the average homeowner with an instruction manual and internet connection, but many suggest leaving the task to professionals as these sinks can be a little complicated to install depending on what style, shape and size you have.

604-655-2065 | www.rajsangha.ca

RAJ Sangha

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UPGRADE YOUR SHOWERHEAD

One place in your home that often gets overlooked when making upgrades is the shower; more specifically the shower head. Builder grade shower heads that have one setting (harsh) and don’t pivot can easily be replaced to create a tranquil yet functional shower option. From rainfall, to fixed and hand held there are a plethora of shower head options available on the market and can be relatively affordable and easy to install, even for the DIY novice. Take a trip to your local home improvement store or head to your favourite online retailer to find the perfect showerhead for you. A simple place to start if you’re in the market for a showerhead upgrade is one that is fixed, yet allows you to choose the pressure and type of spray. You’ll be amazed at what a massaging stream of water can do for sore muscles or

how a gentle spray can help you cool off after a hot day spent outside. Combination or handheld showerheads are great for those with pets that need bathing, families with children or persons with mobility issues as the detachable showerhead can be easily removed, used and replaced. The fixed portion of a combination showerhead can often be turned off temporarily while using the detachable portion. Shower systems use a combination of showerheads along a mounted tower for a full body experience and are likely the highest end showerhead you can purchase and install yourself. Some come with LED lights installed to create ambiance in your shower while others have shelves built in to hold shampoo and body wash.

604-655-2065 | www.rajsangha.ca

RAJ Sangha

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MOULD FREE LIVING

Keeping your home free from health harming mould can be as easy as knowing where to look for it, what to do if you find some and how to prevent it from growing in the first place. You can potentially find mould in places that are wet (or can get wet), warm, dark and have poor air circulation. Tour your home and access the areas where mould can form For example, look for water damage in the walls, mould growth under the sinks, under your kitchen appliances, in your chimney, in potted plants, in your front-loading washing machine, window sills and anywhere else that meets the prime mould growing criteria. Depending on what surface you happen to spot (or smell) mould on, you can most likely remove it yourself. If it's on fabric, a mattress or other materials that easily absorb moisture, you will likely need to toss the item. However,

if the mould is found on a non-porous surface like plastic, glass, tile, etc. you should be able to clean it. Using gloves, a mask and other protective equipment, thoroughly scrub the area with soap and water. The area will need to dry completely as well. A professional may need to be brought in if the mould is recurring, larger than three square meters or where access to clean it is not available. Prevention often includes thoroughly cleaning the damp, dark spaces of your home, keeping the humidity low by using bathroom and stove exhaust fans, using a dehumidifier, soaking up spills quickly and entirely and letting damp areas dry out and have plenty of ventilation. If you’re concerned about mould, the Government of Canada has a wealth of resources available online at https://www. canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/

604-655-2065 | www.rajsangha.ca

RAJ Sangha

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Seasonality, interest rates temper sales in the Fraser Valley

BENCHMARK PRICE Single Family Dwelling $1,543,300

BENCHMARK PRICE Townhouse $850,300

ACTIVE LISTINGS 6,199

SOLD LISTINGS 1,368

BC, August 2, 2023 – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,368 sales in July on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a decrease of 29.3 per cent below June, but still 37.8 per cent above July 2022. July new listings, at 2,855, were also down by 16.6 per cent compared to last month but 19.7 per cent higher than July 2022 levels, and virtually on par with the ten-year average. Active listings continued to climb bringing the total inventory available for sale in the region to 6,199. “Summer is typically a slower period for the real estate sector and the higher interest rates are contributing to the market slowdown,” said Narinder Bains, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “We’re seeing less traffic and fewer multiple offers as buyers and sellers put a pause on decisions and we expect this trend to continue until the fall cycle.” “With rates at their highest levels in over 20 years and inflation still elevated, buyers and sellers are taking time to reevaluate their objectives,” said FVREB CEO Baldev Gill. “As housing options begin to take center stage on the Provincial agenda, consumers will want to consult a professional REALTOR® for a detailed picture of the market in their communities and to stay up to date on upcoming changes that may impact their decisions.” On average, properties spent two to three weeks on the market before selling, with detached homes spending 22 days on the market, and townhomes and apartments moving slightly more quickly at 16 and 18 days, respectively. 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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