Home Trends & Real Estate Insights – July 2025

Creating a Well-Organized Kitchen

Whether you’re preparing a gourmet dinner or simply heating up leftovers, a well-organized kitchen makes life easier. You don’t need a full remodel—sometimes, all it takes is maximizing the space you already have.

Adding a credenza or hutch can provide extra storage and serving space, keeping essentials within easy reach and clutter off the counters. Use drawer and cupboard organizers to ensure tools stay accessible, and group similar items together to reduce visual mess and simplify grocery lists.

Clear containers and baskets help you quickly identify what’s inside, and a label maker is a favourite tool among professional organizers. Once everything has a home, consider updating your kitchen lighting to enhance visibility and create a more open, inviting atmosphere.

7 Tips to Make Moving Day Easier

• Take Pictures: Photograph your electronics and setups before unplugging anything for easy reassembly.
• Label & Colour Code: Label boxes by room and contents. Snap a picture before sealing for quick reference.
• Use What You Have: Suitcases, bins, and baskets can double as moving containers.
• Measure Ahead: Make sure your furniture fits through doorways in your new home.
• Wrap with Care: Use towels or blankets to protect delicate items.
• Bag the Hardware: Store furniture hardware in labeled bags and tape them to the matching piece.
• Pre-Pack: Finish most of your packing before moving day to reduce last-minute stress.

Repairing Your Lawn with Overseeding

Is your lawn looking tired or patchy? Overseeding can restore it beautifully—perfect if you're prepping to sell. Here’s how:

1. Prep the Lawn: Mow, bag the clippings, rake debris, and optionally aerate.
2. Spread Enriched Soil: Add about ¼ inch of compost to support seed germination.
3. Fertilize: Use a starter fertilizer to encourage growth.
4. Sow Seed: Mix grass types for a resilient lawn. Check with your local garden centre for guidance.
5. Water Daily: Keep the area moist for at least a week. Avoid foot traffic until grass blends in.

How to Dry Herbs for Year-Round Use

Have an overflowing herb garden? Drying herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary is easy. Tie them into bundles and hang in a dry, dark, cool spot until they crumble. If you're short on time, use an oven or dehydrator—especially for moist herbs like basil or mint.

Store dried herbs in airtight containers in a cupboard or pantry, out of the sunlight. They’ll stay fresh for about a year. Always do a “sniff test”—if the scent is weak, so is the flavour. And remember: dried herbs are more potent than fresh, so adjust recipes accordingly.

Red Deer Market Snapshot – June 2025

• Active Listings: Detached Homes: 190 | Apartments: 44 | Total Residential: 294
• Average Sale Price: Detached: $486,461 (↑5.7% YOY) | Apartments: $214,825 (↑8.3% YOY) | Overall: $401,802 (↑8.5% YOY)
• New Listings: Detached: 105 | Apartments: 28 | Total: 232
• Sold Listings: Detached: 137 | Apartments: 24 | Total: 172
• Sales-to-New Listings Ratio: 74.1%
• Months of Inventory: 1.71

Source: CARA – Central Alberta REALTORS® Association

Note: Market stats are averages. Curious what your home is worth? Let’s chat.

Need Real Estate Advice?

Whether you're buying, selling, or just exploring your options, I'm happy to help you navigate the Central Alberta real estate market.

📞 Call/Text: (825) 251-8730
📧 Email: patrick@century21advantage.ca
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