If you are thinking of sprucing up your property with a fresh coat of paint, the first thing that comes to mind is the colour. But to accomplish the look you are trying to achieve, an equal amount of thought should go into the type of paint sheen you will use, which is how much light reflects off the paint. For a rundown of the most common sheens read on.

Matte or Flat – With no reflective properties, this is a good option for touch-ups since they are less visible. Keep in mind it’s less durable, and will be damaged if treated with a cleaner, so it’s best used in low-traffic areas.

Eggshell – This sheen is soft like an eggshell, hence the name. It’s good for medium-traffic areas like entryways, hallways, and living rooms.

Satin – A popular choice for its increased gloss and better durability over lower sheens like eggshell, making it easier to clean and good for busy areas.

High-Gloss or Semi-Gloss – These sheens are shiny, sleek, and very durable with high moisture resistance, making them good for high-traffic and humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms. However, their shine shows imperfections the most. For maximum shine and durability, high-gloss is the best choice.

If you are torn between what sheen to choose, you can always mix them to get a little of both.

If you are planning a vacation this winter, in order to make sure things go smoothly, it’s wise to prepare your home before you go away. Here is a helpful pre-vacation home checklist:

• Don’t tell everyone about your vacation or post about it on social media – the fewer people who know your home is empty, the safer.
• If you are in a house, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things, bring in your mail and help with any outdoor maintenance needed while you are away. Provide them with a key and your contact information in case they need to reach you due to an emergency.
• Consider keeping a couple of lights on, setting lights up on timers if you have them, or controlling them remotely with your smartphone.
• Unplug unneeded devices to save power and to prevent an electrical fire.
• Keep your thermostat at 15 °C (59°F in the US) to avoid pipes bursting in cold climates.
• Turn off the water supply to prevent water damage.
• If you have smart technology linked to your phone, you can check on your home with security cameras, turn on and off the TV, and open and close blinds, to make your home appear occupied.

The first day of winter will be arriving this month and depending on where you live, you may start spending more time indoors. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t bring the outside in. House plants are a great way to do that, and they have benefits for you as well, such as:

• Reduced anxiety – One study used two groups that each transplanted a house plant and then did a computer task. Findings showed that at the end of transplanting, participants had a noted decrease in blood pressure compared to when they did the computer task.
  
  
• Improved productivity – Another study found that when plants were added to a windowless lab, college students worked 12 per cent faster.
  
  
• Increased happiness – People who spent 5 to 10 minutes in a room with a few house plants were reported in an experiment to feel happier than people who spent time in a room with no plants.
  
  
• Sharpened attention – When elementary-aged students were placed in separate classrooms, one with a real plant, one with an artificial plant, and one with a photo of a plant, a study found the students in the room with the real plant showed improvements in attention and concentration in brain scans.

So, if you are thinking of getting house plants, or adding some to your collection, check online for the many options available.

Before Old Man Winter arrives, now is the time to consider how you can save on your heating bill. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Seal air leaks around windows and doors.
2. If you don’t already have one, install a programmable or smart thermostat to program the temperature for different times or control remotely.
3. Open the curtains or blinds during the day and close them at night to keep the heat in. 
4. Close doors in unoccupied rooms.
5. Change your furnace filters regularly and schedule an annual HVAC inspection to keep it running efficiently.
6. If you have a ceiling fan spin it clockwise on the lowest setting to help trapped heat move down. 
7. Use a humidifier. Moist air feels warmer than dry air.
8. Ensure your vents are clear to allow the air to flow freely.
9. Wear warm clothes and use lots of blankets when resting.
10. Get cookin’. The warmth from the stove and oven will help warm your home.
11. If you have a fireplace, keep the damper closed when the coals are completely done burning, and use a draft stopper to cover the fireplace opening.
12. If you have an attic or crawl space, make sure it is well-insulated, which can save you an average of 15 percent on your heating bill.

With a little thought, you can stay toasty while saving money this winter. Happy saving!

Did you know radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? With November marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to ensure radon is not affecting you and your loved one’s health.

Radon is an odourless, colourless, tasteless radioactive gas that can be present all around us from uranium breakdown in rock and soil. However, sometimes it can be present indoors at unsafe levels. When inhaled, the radon gas particles decay in the lungs, releasing bursts of energy, potentially causing lung cancer.

Radon can enter a home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around service pipes, or other openings between the house and the ground. It can be found in all types of homes, condos included. In condos, unsafe radon levels are most commonly found on the ground floor, however, it can also be found on upper floors.

The only way to know if there are unsafe radon levels in your home is to be proactive and get a testing kit or have a professional test your home. It is recommended to get the long-term test, as levels can fluctuate day-to-day. If you detect unsafe radon levels in your home a radon mitigation system can be installed and typically reduces radon levels by more than 80 percent.

So, give yourself peace of mind, and if you haven’t already, get your home tested for radon.

Saskatchewan reported 1,520 sales in October, the highest monthly sales level ever reported in October. Sales were over 21 percent higher than last year’s levels and 36 percent above long-term, 10-year historical averages. Sales levels improved across all regions of the province in October, contributing to a year-to-date gain of over 8 percent.

Despite modest monthly growth in new listings, the sixteenth consecutive month of above-average sales in Saskatchewan led to further inventory declines – with inventory at the lowest point in October since 2007. The steepest inventory declines were experienced in homes priced below $300,000, while the only monthly inventory gains were reported in homes priced above $600,000.

“Saskatchewan continues to benefit from several positive economic factors supporting above-average housing demand across our province,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “Unlike some parts of the country, housing demand remains strong despite significant inventory challenges – as demonstrated by a sixteenth consecutive month of above-average sales.”

Strong monthly sales, combined with lower inventory, resulted in the months of supply falling to just above three months across the province—an exceptionally low figure for the month of October. The relatively tight market conditions throughout much of 2024 continue to place upward pressure on prices, as nearly all Saskatchewan communities reported year-over-year benchmark price gains this month.

Saskatchewan reported a residential benchmark price of $343,400 in October, down slightly from $343,800 in September. While a slight month-over-month price decrease is expected and in line with seasonal factors, the October benchmark price is nearly six percent above October 2023 – with prices improving across all property types compared to last year.

“We typically see less sales activity in the fourth quarter of the year, and when you factor in the scarcity of inventory, the demand we’re seeing that led to record October sales is quite impressive,” said Guérette. “Recent rate cuts are expected to support even stronger demand – with inventory levels below near record lows in some markets across the province, it is a challenging time for prospective buyers right now.”

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Regional Highlights
Year-to-date sales rose across all active regions of the province in October, with many regions reporting levels well above long-term, 10-year trends. New listings were met with strong sales, resulting in widespread inventory declines across the province.

The Saskatoon-Biggar (2.41 months of supply) and Regina-Moose Mountain (2.62) regions continue to report the tightest market conditions in the province, while conditions remain tight in all other regions relative to long-term trends.

Price Trends
Tight market conditions supported year-over-year benchmark price growth across all regions of the province in October – with the most significant year-to-date growth occurring in the Saskatoon-Biggar Region.

The City of Moose Jaw is again reporting the largest monthly price gains, with prices over 11 percent higher than last year. Meanwhile, all Saskatchewan cities reported year-over-year price gains in October.

City of Regina
The City of Regina reported 364 sales in October, an increase of 18 percent year-over-year and 47 percent above long-term, 10-year trends. Further sales gains in October contributed to 3,447 year-to-date sales, the highest year-to-date sales figure ever reported through October in the Queen City.

New listings continue to struggle to keep pace with surging sales, resulting in a 31 percent year-over-year inventory decline and less than two months of supply available on market.

Regina reported a residential benchmark price of $321,000 in October, up from $320,700 in September and five percent higher than October 2023.

City of Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon reported a record-high 444 sales in October, a year-over-year increase of 17 percent and nearly 30 percent above long-term, 10-year averages.

Strong sales levels continue to prevent any significant inventory relief in the Bridge City, as the 803 units available on market reflect the lowest level reported in October since 2006, with less than two months of supply available across the city.

Saskatoon reported a residential benchmark price of $402,600 in October, up from $401,800 in September and nearly seven percent higher than October 2023.

Construction projects aren’t cheap, and with horror stories of construction companies running off with money for uncompleted or shoddy work, it’s important to do your due diligence when hiring a contractor. If you are looking to hire a contractor, read on for some helpful tips.

• Get five to six quotes for comparison. 
• Make sure they are applicably licensed and insured. Ask for proof and check for validity.
• Ask to see their past work through three references, check online reviews, and their status on the Better Business Bureau website.
• Have a signed contract by both parties detailing the project, the time frame, the payment schedule, warranty description if offered, and how unexpected issues might be handled, such as unintended damage to your property. Ensure you are excluded from liability to pay a subcontractor if the contractor does not pay them. For big projects, consider hiring a lawyer to review the contract.
• Avoid paying cash, as reputable companies pay their taxes. 
• Avoid contractors who offer services door-to-door (many scams are associated with this). 
• Make sure you get a receipt that specifies “paid in full.”

A little due diligence before hiring a contractor can save you a big headache, and get things done right the first time. 

Also, remember recommendations are a great starting point when getting quotes, and I’m happy to provide them to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Every October, Fire Prevention Week arrives, making it the opportune time to review important fire safety reminders to help prevent a horrible tragedy like a house or condo fire from ever happening. Here are some helpful reminders:

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms (changing the batteries every daylight savings time is a great way to remember, but you should test them every month), and ensure there is a smoke alarm on every level of your house and in every sleeping area.
• Never leave a stove unattended and keep oil away from heat sources.
• Keep your heaters away from anything flammable.
• Replace any damaged electrical cords.
• Don’t leave candles or fires unattended. Use a screen for fireplaces to prevent sparks from flying.
• Have your heating system serviced regularly, including your chimney if you have one.
• Remove lint from the dryer lint trap after every use and clean out your dryer vent annually.
• Only plug power bars into a grounded outlet, never plug extension cords and power bars into one another, and only connect light-load appliances into power bars (e.g., computers, lamps, chargers, etc.)

It can be easy to overlook preventative fire maintenance when we get busy with life, so keep these tips in mind to reduce your risk of a tragedy.