Choosing new or replacement eco-friendly flooring is one of the emerging trends among house and condo owners. Eco-friendly flooring is made from, or with, more sustainable resources, such as materials that don’t deplete or permanently damage the environment (such as toxic laminates), or reusable or recyclable materials. Here are some examples:

• Renewable and Sustainable - Bamboo, cork, hardwood, natural stone, linoleum, and wool carpet are just a few of the options out there. Before you buy natural flooring products, ask if the harvesting methods are verified through an accredited authority.
  
  
• Repurposed and Reclaimed - Flooring made from old building structures (e.g., posts, beams, walls, and planks) is a viable alternative to grown and harvested resources. Likewise, recycled glass, plastic, and rubber provide ample raw materials for creative flooring effects. Using them also reduces landfill waste. These products can be found through decorative flooring dealers.

When purchasing any flooring, be it natural or synthetic, it is important to know how the product is manufactured, and that it can easily be recycled when it is beyond its usefulness, as opposed to ending up in a landfill.

Saskatchewan reported 1,675 sales in June, a one percent year-over-year decrease but nearly 10 percent above long-term, 10-year averages. Sales levels improved in properties priced above $400,000, which nearly offset the pullback in homes priced below $300,000, as inventory challenges continue to prevent even stronger monthly sales.

New listings dipped by 14 per cent year-over-year and 21 per cent compared to 10-year trends, preventing any significant inventory relief, as inventory levels decreased by 19 per cent year-over-year and over 40 per cent versus long-term trends. Despite these persistent inventory challenges, Saskatchewan reported above-average sales for the twelfth consecutive month in June.

“While the recent Bank of Canada rate decision was welcome news, higher lending rates and rising home prices continue to spur demand for more affordable housing options,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “This demand, when paired with falling supply in lower price ranges, limits options for prospective buyers and prevents even stronger monthly sales figures. There simply isn’t enough inventory to service this segment of our market right now.”

Saskatchewan reported a residential benchmark price of $343,300 in June, up from $340,400 in May and nearly five per cent higher than June 2023. Meanwhile, the communities of Humboldt ($272,500), Martensville ($398,800), Melfort ($250,100), Prince Albert ($251,700), Saskatoon ($403,500), and Warman ($463,500) reported record benchmark prices in June, with Saskatoon eclipsing the $400,000 mark for the first time.

“Housing demand remains strong in Saskatchewan, despite ongoing supply challenges placing significant stress on the more affordable segment of our market, especially in our two largest centres,” said Guérette. “While real estate is local and market conditions vary by region, it can be incredibly challenging for prospective buyers right now.”

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Regional Highlights
Regina-Moose Mountain and Prince Albert were the only regions to report year-over-year sales gains, while year-to-date sales remained above average in all regions outside of the Northern Region.

Saskatchewan’s two largest regions continue to report the tightest market conditions in the province, with 3.09 months of supply in the Regina-Moose Mountain region and 2.09 months in the Saskatoon-Biggar region.

Price Trends
Home prices trended up across many regions of the province in June, with the largest monthly gains occurring in the Saskatoon-Biggar (seven per cent year-over-year) and Swift Current-Moose Jaw (five per cent) regions.

With prices over 12 percent higher than last year, the City of Melfort reported the highest year-over-year price gain for the second consecutive month. Meanwhile, Saskatoon, Regina, Estevan, Weyburn, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Humboldt, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, and Prince Albert reported year-over-year price gains in June.

City of Regina
The City of Regina reported 380 sales in June, up four per cent year-over-year and 14 per cent above long-term, 10-year trends.

While conditions remain tight in the Queen City, month-over-month inventory levels improved slightly, resulting in 2.06 months of supply, up from 1.69 in May. Despite some relief, inventory levels were down 30 per cent year-over-year and remain nearly 50 per cent below long-term trends.

The City of Regina reported a benchmark price of $318,100 in June, down from $320,000 in May, and 0.5 percent above June 2023.

City of Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon reported 540 sales in June, which were on par with June 2023 and 15 percent above long-term, 10-year trends.

Limited supply options are likely preventing even stronger sales in Saskatoon, as inventory levels reached their lowest point since June 2007. The Bridge City reported a 26 percent year-over-year decrease in inventory, which remains over 53 percent below the 10-year average.

The City of Saskatoon reported a record benchmark price of $403,500 in June, up from 397,200 in May and over seven per cent above June 2023.

Unfortunately, air quality alerts are becoming a more common occurrence these days. Aside from that, there are many reasons why the air quality in your home may not be at its best. Maybe it’s a faulty furnace or an aged carpet to blame. Until you get those issues addressed, how can you make your indoor air healthier – today?

Here are some ideas: 

• Use an air purifier – Choose a device that uses a HEPA filter, the gold standard for indoor air purifiers. Also, look for one that has a CADR rating equal to at least two-thirds of the room’s area. You may also want to consider if the purifier’s energy costs and ongoing maintenance costs are within your budget. 

• Check the furnace filter - This is one of the most overlooked maintenance items in the home. Any furnace repair person can tell you stories about filters they’ve seen caked in dust. Make sure those aren’t yours. Air passes through those filters before circulating throughout your home. Replacing a filter takes less than five minutes. 

• Clean the drains - Drains are a surprisingly common source of odour in the home. Most people only clean them when they’re clogged, but they should be flushed thoroughly with a good-quality cleaner at least once a season. 

• Turn on the bathroom fan - Not only do bathroom fans remove odour, but they also reduce moisture build-up. About 50% of air pollutants originate from some type of moisture; mould is the worst of these pollutants. Professionals recommend you keep your bathroom fan on for at least 30 minutes after a shower. 

• Clean your doormat - Even if your doormat doesn’t smell, it can be a source of air pollutants. When people wipe their shoes, they transfer outside pollutants from their shoes to your mat. 

Hope these tips have you breathing a little bit easier.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship, you know that rough waters can result in a miserable experience. Even on modern ships equipped with stabilizers, choppy seas and bad weather can leave you stuck below deck – and possibly seasick.

Saskatchewan reported 1,841 sales in May, up six percent year-over-year and 24 per cent above long-term, 10-year averages. Sales levels remain strong across many regions of the province, with the largest year-over-year gains occurring in the Swift Current-Moose Jaw and Northern regions.

In line with seasonal expectations, the province reported a month-over-month gain in new listings. However, strong sales continue to prevent significant inventory relief, with inventory levels remaining at their lowest point since 2008. The sharpest decline in inventory continues to be experienced in homes priced below $300,000, as the more affordable segment of the market remains extremely competitive.

“Our housing market continues to report strong monthly sales figures despite persistent inventory challenges,” said Association CEO Chris Guérette. “An eleventh consecutive month of above-average sales is quite impressive when you consider how challenging it can be for prospective buyers in some markets in our province right now.”

Saskatchewan reported a residential benchmark price of $340,400 in May, up from $339,800 in April and over four per cent higher than May 2023. Prices rose across all property types in May, with the most significant gains occurring in apartment and row/townhouse-style properties.

“While the provincial months of supply fell below three months in May, conditions remain much tighter in our two largest centres – as Regina and Saskatoon are again reporting less than two months of supply,” said Guérette. “With further rate cuts on the horizon likely to spur additional demand – and no immediate inventory relief in sight – we expect tight conditions to continue to place upward pressure on prices across the province.”

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Regional Highlights
Year-to-date sales levels improved across all regions of the province in May, with significant gains being reported in the Regina-Moose Mountain, Saskatoon-Bigger, and Swift Current-Moose Jaw regions.

The province’s two largest regions saw further inventory declines due to strong monthly sales in May. As a result, the Regina-Moose Mountain (2.59 months of supply) and Saskatoon-Bigger (2.04) regions continue to report the tightest market conditions in the province.

Price Trends
Home prices trended up across many regions of the province in May, with the largest monthly gains occurring in the Saskatoon-Biggar and Swift Current-Moose Jaw regions.

With prices over 13 percent higher than last year, the City of Melfort reported the highest year-over-year price gain in May. Meanwhile, Saskatoon, Regina, Estevan, Weyburn, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Humboldt, and Prince Albert reported year-over-year price gains in May.

City of Regina
The City of Regina reported 440 sales in May, a five per cent year-over-year gain and 32 per cent above long-term trends.

A slight uptick in new listings was met with another month of strong sales, resulting in inventory levels remaining nearly 50 per cent below long-term trends, and 1.69 months of supply in the Queen City.

The City of Regina reported a benchmark price of $320,000 in May, up from 319,800 in April and two per cent higher than May 2023.

City of Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon reported 573 sales in May, up seven per cent year-over-year and 28 per cent above long-term, 10-year averages.

Inventory levels decreased by 21 per cent year-over-year and continue to sit nearly 50 per cent below long-term, 10-year trends.  Market conditions remain extremely tight, as the Bridge City is again reporting the lowest inventory levels in the province.

The City of Saskatoon reported a benchmark price of $397,200 in May, down slightly from 398,600 in April and nearly six per cent higher than May 2023.

As you most likely know, staging involves setting up the furniture, art and accessories of each room to help make your home look as appealing as possible to potential buyers. It’s similar to what furniture stores do when they create displays of model bedrooms, kitchens, etc.

When you’re staging your home, the master bedroom is particularly important. Here are some simple staging tips worth trying:

1. Mirrors - Consider using mirrors to make the bedroom seem larger and more comfortable.
   
   
2. Give Your Bed a Refresh - Put a new comforter on the bed.
   
   
3. Light it Up – Open curtains or add a lamp if the lighting is dim. (Make sure lights are turned on during viewings.)
   
   
4. Declutter - Be ruthless when removing clutter from the room, particularly the closet. Don’t keep anything stored under the bed.
   
   
5. Depersonalize - Remove personal items, such as portraits.
   
   
6. Practice the Art of Minimalism - Be a minimalist when it comes to the nightstand. Only have two or three accessories on it and make sure they complement the theme, such as a book, vase, candleholder, etc. (Don’t leave anything on top of dressers.)
   
   
7. Paint - Experts say a neutral palette works best. Neutral colours allow our eyes to rest, evoking a sense of calmness and serenity.

Ideally, you want to make the bedroom look like a calm and welcoming retreat.

So, it pays to ensure the lighting in your home is optimal. Here are 3 ways to get started:

• Go Natural - Start by enhancing sources of natural light, such as windows and sunroofs. Study each room of your home and replace as much of the artificial light as possible with sunlight. For example, reposition a favourite reading chair next to a window. 
• Install Dimmer Switches – Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the brightness of your light based on the time of day. There are manual switches, as well as ones you can control remotely with your phone and/or automate with smart technology. Dimming the lights in the evening will help promote better sleep.
• Avoid Over-Lighting - This is common in rooms where there are few windows. Over time, excessive light can cause headaches and even mood changes. Lighting that is sufficient to see everything clearly is all you need.

Following these lighting tips will improve not just your overall health, but also the health of your investment when it comes time to sell.