Your Home Your Way | 2022

At Home Gardening Takes Root

2022 Special Supplement

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THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

Backyard gardening improves homes, fights inflation woes BY DREW MAY

higher at the grocery store and other backyard staples become more difficult to buy. Vegetable plants and gar- dening supplies are easier to get ahold of than other larger pieces of backyard furniture, he said, which in the current state of the supply chain can take months to arrive. Many plants are grown from seeds, and with seed companies lo- cal to Brandon they are in healthy supply. As a result, some people are turning to their gardens as a way to improve their

backyard.

with it and keep getting better and better,” he said. The land in Brandon is so well suited to growing food there is almost no reason not to give it a try, said Poonam Singh, a researcher in the Horticultural Production and Sustainable Food Sys- tems programs at Assiniboine Community College. “Having space to garden is such a scarce entity… and here we have it. It’s really a no-brainer,” she said.

“They’re finding ways to plant on their balcony or on their patio or carve a little hunk of land from their back- yard, so they’re being very creative. We’ll see an increase for sure in the vegetables,” Whetter said. A wide range of vegetables such as tomatoes, herbs, pep- pers, cabbage and pumpkins grow well in Brandon, he said. “Once people get hooked on gardening, I mean you’re hooked… If you find that you love it you’re just going to stay

While the pandemic turned people’s attention to building up their backyard and shaping it into their own oasis, the lit- tle slice of green can also be a way to help fend off inflation. The popularity of backyard gardens took off during the two summers of the pandem- ic as people had more time on their hands to explore their green thumbs, said Green Spot owner Bernie Whetter. Now, that’s likely to contin- ue as inflation drives prices

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THE BRANDON SUN

that will teach you,” she said For people who do take the dive into gardening or are embarking on another grow- ing season, Whetter said it’s important to put nutrients back into the soil at home and shore it up if needed. “Start with a good soil base… the west-end is quite sandy and the east-end is a heavier loam, so [gardeners] have to understand their soil a little bit and add any amend- ments to make certain they get the best opportunity.” While people might be desperate to get their hands in the dirt, most planting should wait until after May long weekend. Planting be- fore then is possible, he said, but even hardy plants might need a frost blanket.

» Continued from Page 2

“We have such a great growing season. I know our season is short, but our grow- ing degree days… that makes us so ideal to grow so many different crops here. Everyone should take advantage.” While the growing sea- son isn’t as long in Mani- toba as in other parts of the world, Singh said the ideal conditions make up for it and a bounty can come from a backyard or a community gardening plot. Vegetables like tomatoes and spinach can be frozen, which can go a long way to cutting grocery bills in the winter months, she said. Food grown in a backyard garden at home is also more nutritious than some at the grocery store, Singh said. While grocery store produce

is often picked and transport- ed long distances, food from the backyard only has to trav- el a few feet and can be picked at peak ripeness. The key is not to target looks, she said. Veggies grown by an ambitious gardener might be slightly bug-eaten,

but will still taste good and be nutritious. “Everyone has to start from somewhere and it’s very additive as well. Once you get started it’s a great hobby to have, it’s a productive hob- by… it’s just learning step by step. Grow something and

» dmay@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @DrewMay_

THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

What you should do before buying new furniture

Do you want to refresh a room in your home? If so, consider buying new furni- ture. Here are a few tips for choosing the right pieces for your space. PREPARE Start by choosing a style of furniture like Scandinavian, contemporary or farmhouse. Then, pick out upholstery and other features that com- plement the room. Finally, set a budget to narrow down your options. CONFIGURE To ensure you choose fur- niture that’s the right size for your space, measure both the furniture and room. Use graph paper to draw the

room, and then cut out scale models of the furniture to test out different configurations. Alternatively, you can purchase an interior design

app or software to create a three-dimensional replica of your space, and use it to ex- periment with different lay- outs.

If you need profession- al help to create the room of your dreams, look for an in- terior designer or decorator in your area.

Four ways to update your flooring Restoring or replacing 3. REPLACE IT

flooring is a great way to re- fresh your home’s look. Here are four ways you can update your floors. 1. REFINISH IT If your floor looks a little worse for wear, refinishing it is an affordable solution. De- pending on its condition, you may need to sand, varnish, stain or repair cracks to make the floor look new again. 2. PAINT IT You can paint over most types of flooring. For example, wood flooring is particularly easy to paint. Just make sure you choose a suitable product for the type of surface and lev- el of traffic in the room.

If your floor is beyond re- pair, replacing it may be your only option. However, make sure you choose a suitable floor type. For example, if you need to update your bathroom floor, choose a waterproof material like ceramic. Additionally, if you have pets, you may want to opt for a scratch-resistant flooring material like vinyl. 4. DECORATE IT If your floor is in good con- dition, simply adding a rug or two can instantly transform your space. Choose a rug that’s the right size, style and colour for the room. If you don’t have any expe- rience repairing or installing flooring, hire a professional.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THE BRANDON SUN Growth in Brandon’s real estate market fuelled by pandemic BY JOSEPH BERNACKI

Murray explained home- owners in Brandon are con- tinuing to drive up sales from 2020 and bidding wars are becoming a more com- mon sight, a mere day or two after properties are listed on the market. She said bid- ding wars that have caught fire in Winnipeg since the start of the pandemic, are quickly making their way to Westman properties. “There are some price ranges that we’re definitely lacking in inventory so we are seeing that multiple of- fer situation,” Murray said. “We haven’t seen this in

Brandon to this extent in a long time.” She said in recent months, single family homes in Brandon priced under $200,000 remain in higher inventory. Anything priced over $250,000 however seems to be in low inven- tory. The realtor said even higher end homes priced at $450,000 and up are selling at top dollar amounts. “We sort of had the per- fect storm,” Murray said. “We had people in lock- down so people weren’t traveling anymore, young people that used to save

money for their weddings, are now buying real estate, which isn’t a bad option. That’s a good investment. All of these things play into the market.” From 2020 to 2021, the average sale price of sin- gle-family homes in Brandon has increased four per cent, from $292,024 to $303,430. Over that same time, Murray said there has been a 14 per cent increase in the number of single-family homes sold, from 579 in 2020 to 673 in 2021.

Real estate sales are con- tinuing a frantic trend in Brandon home ownership according to one realtor, who said business remains on the steady up and up. “I’ve been in real estate for 16 years and this is prob- ably the first time I’ve seen this to that extent that’s for sure,” said Marlee Murray, a Royal LePage realtor and president of the real estate board for Brandon Area Re- altors. After the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic,

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THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

Marlee Murray, president of the real estate board for Brandon Area Realtors and a local Royal LePage realtor said houses like the one beside her have been quickly selling on the market over the last year. The 51 Woodhaven Dr. listing was expected to sell in less than a week according to the realtor. (Joseph Bernacki/The Brandon Sun)

Mountain National Park. After looking at re- sults from the first quarter of 2022 ending in March, Murray said sales are start- ing to level off, but numbers remain up 32 per cent from this time in 2020. With people starting to travel more and the Bank of Canada raising interest rates, she said the cost of financing increasing may deter some future Brandon home owners, but believes it’s too early in the year to see the overall trend 2022 will bring for the housing market. She said she has lots of inventory coming up in the books and the year has start- ed off strong from January. “No one would have thought in a million years that COVID-19 would have

affected real estate the way it did,” Murray said. Following the release of the 2022 Royal LePage Spring Recreational Prop- erty Report, data showed the aggregate price of a sin- gle-family home in the Prai- rie provinces’ recreational market increased 11.3 per cent to $246,000 in 2021, compared to $221,000 in 2020. The prairie provinces included in this part of the report include Manitoba and Saskatchewan. During the same time period, the aggregate price of a single-family water- front property increased 6.2 per cent to $377,000 in 2021 from $355,000 in 2020. The report also notes the aggregate price of a sin- gle-family home in their prairie region is forecasted

to increase three per cent in 2022 to $253,380. The aggregate price of a single-family home in the Prairies’ recreational re- gions is forecast to increase three per cent in 2022 to $253,380. A Royal LePage survey of recreational property ex- perts found 84 per cent of respondents in the prairie provinces reporting less in- ventory this year, compared to 2021 including 46 per cent who reported signifi- cantly less inventory. 54 per cent of respondents said at least half of the properties sold in their region are sell- ing over the asking price.

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Condo ownership in Brandon has experienced an even greater increase in price and sales on the mar- ket. In 2020, 97 condos would sell on the year. Over 2021, 127 were sold in the city, marking a 23.5 per cent increase in sales, with an av- erage price increase of eight per cent. She said it’s an encouraging trend for con- do owners as she found the market struggled before the start of the pandemic. Murray said over the past year, there has also been an increase in cottage owner- ship in the greater West- man area, and is seeing more people buy properties to start Airbnb’s in west- ern Manitoba including the Clear Lake area of Riding

» jbernacki@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @JosephBernacki

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THE BRANDON SUN Four must-have accessories for your home

Decorating with accessories is a great way to quickly and affordably enhance the look of your home. Here are a few suggestions. 1. Rugs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and textures. To create the perfect look, make sure you choose a floor covering that matches the style of your home 2. Plants can instantly make your space feel bright and lively. If you decide to pur- chase real plants instead of artificial ones, make sure your home has plenty of light. 3. Textiles like duvet covers, table linens, chair cushions and throws can add colour and texture to your home. Look for beauti- ful designs that express your personal sense of style. 4. Wall hangings like picture frames, clocks and paintings come in a variety of sizes and styles. However, make sure you don’t overcrowd your walls. You can also install shelving to display your decorative items. To find unique pieces, visit your local home decor stores.

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THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 Forgoing a home inspection? How buyers can protect themselves in competitive markets BY AMANDA STEPHENSON

Searching for a house in the Oshawa, Ont. area this win- ter, prospective homebuyers Nadeem Sumar and his wife Gurleen Saggu knew it was their job to keep a close eye out for anything that seemed questionable, from a crack in the foundation to a mysterious water stain. “We had some strict guide- lines,” Sumar said. “If there were any red flags at all, we just wouldn’t go for that property at all.” In 2022, many Canadians with no experience in construc- tion or home repair are sud- denly finding themselves in the position of evaluating shingles,

gutters and caulking.

hot real estate market — a mar- ket where the home inspection clause, once considered a stan- dard and essential part of any

real estate contract, is no longer an option in many locations.

That’s because, like Sumar and Saggu, they’re competing for a home in the country’s red

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“We put in about 12 or 13 offers,” said Sumar, adding the couple was ultimately unsuc- cessful in finding a home and have decided to wait a few months to see if things cool off before trying again. “We knew that putting an inspection clause in was not even a possibility.” According to the most recent statistics from the Canadian Real Estate Association, home sales in this country rose 4.6 per cent in February. Sales levels for the month were roughly 35 per cent above pre-COVID norms, as buyers raced to lock in histor- ically low interest rates that are set to rise this year. Prices also continued to surge, with the national average Canadian home price in Feb- ruary nearly 30 per cent higher year-over-year. In some regions,

alone.

are selling over the asking price, it also means that many buyers are making unconditional of- fers. » Continued on Page 10

the growth was even more ex- treme — Calgary’s housing market has exploded, with the benchmark price up 34.6 per cent over the past three months

In markets like this, buyers often find themselves compet- ing against multiple offers. Not only does that mean that homes

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THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

background, to do a walk- through with you.” If that can’t be arranged, another option for home- buyers is to request access to the property for an inspec- tion between the time when a deal goes firm, and possession date. While getting out of a deal after the closing date isn’t necessarily easy, it can poten- tially be done if an inspection turns up a major problem. “Buyers should discuss with their reps to see if they can get something like this into their agreement,” said Joe Richer, registrar with the Real Estate Council of On- tario. “Yes, ideally the home inspection would happen before, as a condition of the purchase, but there’s nothing to prevent it from happening immediately after it goes firm as well.” » Continued on Page 11

» Continued from Page 9

“In this market — espe- cially the Toronto market but it’s also shifted to Ottawa, Barrie, Burlington, and else- where — it would be very rare to see a condition on a home inspection,” said John Lusink, president of Toronto-based Right At Home Realty. “Most realtors would be saying, ‘If you put that condi- tion in, you will never ever get a home in the current mar- ket.’” So is it still possible for buyers to protect themselves against hidden defects and costly repairs, and still ob- tain a home in an in-demand neighbourhood? Experts say yes, as long as they’re willing to think outside the box. Lusink said some buyers who know they won’t get a home if they make their of-

fer conditional on a home inspection choose to hire a licensed home inspector or someone else with specialized knowledge to come to show- ings and open houses with them instead.

“Doing a pre-inspection — yes, it has to be on your own dime — is still some- thing I highly recommend,” he said. “Find an expert, may- be a home inspector or some- one with a good construction

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In a worst-case scenario, buyers always have the option of hiring a home inspector after they take possession. At the very least, doing so gives new homeowners a better un- derstanding of the property they purchased, and may help them with prioritizing and budgeting for future repairs and maintenance, Richer said. Richer said it’s important to remember that even in the absence of a home inspection, sellers have the legal obliga- tion to disclose any “latent defects” that are significant enough to either render the home uninhabitable, or that come at a very high cost to repair. Both sellers and their realtors can face lawsuits if they knowingly fail to disclose a major issue with a property. Ultimately, it comes down

to individual buyers to de- cide what level of risk they’re willing to accept as part of their house hunt, Richer said. Some, like Sumar and Saggu, may decide to postpone their homebuying experience alto- gether. “For those buyers who are feeling pressure, and may feel they have to waive that home inspection condition, they have to be comfortable with that,” he said. “At the end of the day, they just need to be comfortable with the risk they’re taking on.”

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THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

Classic homes need a little extra TLC BY DREW MAY The exterior of Cam and Carolyn Davie’s home at 314–12 th Street in Brandon. The beautiful 120 year old home also serves as the Dragonfly Destination and Designs Bed and Breakfast. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

In addition to clearing out the backyard, Davie said they also had to fix the knob and tube wiring in much of the house. While the structure was first built around 1902, there were large additions made in 1934. The couple also refinished the wood floors, which Davie said date back 120 years in some parts of the house. “Although this is not a her- itage property, we have done our best to maintain the quali- ties of the house that keep it as a character home,” he said. “We’ve tried to restore it back to what it would have looked like and at the same time upgrading the wiring, the windows and everything else,” he said, adding they have also redone the insulation in many walls. » Continued on Page 13

Living in a century-old house in the Wheat City can be a “labour of love,” but is also very satisfying, says a Bran- donite who lives in a house that is at least 120 years old. Cam Davie and his wife, Carolyn, own Dragonfly Des- tination and Designs, a bed and breakfast they run out of their 12th Street home. They moved into the house around 2007 and opened the bed and breakfast in 2021, he said. The building dates back to at least 1902, when it started showing up in electoral records. The house “struck a chord” with the couple, Davie said, and they always loved “older character homes.” “We had seen a picture of this one and we kind of liked the look of it, but we couldn’t

Cam Davie in the beautifully decorated home he shares with wife Carolyn.

find it on any of the [Multiple Listing Service] listings,” he said. “We knew it had to be lo- cated in the downtown core of Brandon. In desperation my wife and I drove up and down the streets… and then one day we just turned the corner from

Lorne onto 12th and stopped in our tracks and said ‘That’s the house.” When the couple moved in they found there had been some neglect and the back- yard was so overgrown Davie described it as a “mini-ecosys- tem.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THE BRANDON SUN

of things,” he said.

» Continued from Page 12

“There’s a similar differ- ence today with homes being built that are a starter home of today… as compared to a $700,000 - $800,000 home that are still being built today.” The differences can also ex- tend inside and to how much work needs to be done, which is why getting an inspection is important, he said. Hous- es with knob and tube wiring may need to be replaced and more can be done to make the building energy efficient. But there is much vari- ability. Older homes have had more time for renovations to be done, he said, and it could be up to modern expectations. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with an older home if a person is prepared to put some work into it if it needs work.” » dmay@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @DrewMay_

The entire experience has been very rewarding, he said. Now that the major work is complete and some modern- ization has been done, the couple rent out rooms as a bed and breakfast on Airbnb to share the house with others. “That’s really what the house has been to us, the best of both worlds. Modern con- venience with the enjoyment of the surroundings.” There’s a wide range of older houses still around in Brandon, said real estate agent Jeff Sim. Some houses are des- ignated heritage homes, while others are not, but have been standing for more than a cen- tury. Many reasons can factor into people wanting to buy an older house, including the classic architecture, the loca-

Interior of Cam and Carolyn Davie’s home at 314–12 th Street in Brandon.

tion or the lifestyle, he said. “It’s not always about price- point for individuals. I think it has more to do with lifestyle around the home, architecture and just having an older, clas- sic kind of artisan-built home is appealing to some folks,” he said. The price point of old- er houses can vary greatly, he said. Some surviving houses

were built as “starter houses” 100 years ago and are still con- sidered starter houses in 2022. Others, though, were built more ornately. “Not all hundred-year- old homes are classic, not all hundred-year-old homes have classic architecture in- side like door frames and headers and the use of a lot of oak [wood] and that sort

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THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

What questions should you ask when choosing a window treatment? Window treatments can

2. WHAT’S YOUR BUDGET?

add warmth and style to your home. However, before buying new curtains, drapes or blinds, you should ask yourself these three ques- tions. 1. WHAT’S YOUR OBJECTIVE? Make sure you know what purpose the window treat- ment will serve. For exam- ple, do you want it to be pri- marily stylish or functional? You should also determine if you want a look that’s con- temporary or timeless.

If you can afford it, con- sider hiring a profession- al designer or decorator to help you choose the right window treatment. If you have a tight budget, look for inspiration in decorating magazines and websites for reasonably priced options. 3. WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS? Make sure you measure your windows. This way the treatment you choose is sure to effectively block out light and provide the right level of

Before making your choice, visit home decor stores in your area for inspi- ration and advice

privacy. Additionally, make certain your curtains, blinds or shades are the right length and won’t hang on the floor.

Tips for lighting a room The right lighting can en-

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USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIGHTS Every room should have a variety of light sources. It’s a good idea to have one main light source like a ceil- ing light, a secondary light source like a table lamp and a decorative lighting feature like string lights. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHT BULBS Choose warm, neutral or cool lighting to put the finishing touches on your space. If you want to be able to vary the intensity of the light, install a dimmer switch. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask a lighting specialist for advice or hire an interior decorator to help brighten your space.

hance the style and function- ality of a room. If you want to update a space in your home, here are four tips for choos- ing the right lighting. COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING STYLE First and foremost, you should choose light fixtures that match the style of the room. For example, recessed lighting and pendant lights are great for modern and contemporary homes. ANALYZE THE ROOM It’s important to think about how you use the room. You should also take into ac- count the furniture arrange- ment and amount of natu- ral light to determine if the space needs bright, general or directional lighting.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THE BRANDON SUN How to choose a front door

If you want to improve the curb ap- peal of your home, consider replacing your front door. Here are four things to consider when choosing one. 1. MATERIAL The material you choose for your front door will impact its strength and style. Wood doors are timeless, but they require regular maintenance. Steel doors are durable and affordable, while fibre- glass doors are sturdy, energy-efficient and available in many colours. Make sure you research the pros and cons of each material before making your choice. 2. GLAZING Glazed doors add a touch of elegance and allow natural light into your home. However, keep in mind that all-glass doors and those with large glass inserts

must be made of reinforced glass to re- main secure. 3. INSULATION If you live in a cold climate, it’s im- portant to make sure the door you choose has good insulation. Additional- ly, a well-insulated door can help block out street noise. Look for an Energy Star certified model to ensure you choose a high-quality product. 4. PERSONALIZATION You can customize your front door with unique hardware and accessories like mouldings, inlays, handles and locks. You may even be able to personalize the glazing pattern. To find a door that suits your style and budget, visit your local home im- provement stores.

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