Green Living on a Budget
Did you know it’s possible to make eco-friendly choices for your home while staying within your budget? Let's explore some affordable and environmentally conscious projects that can enhance your living space while reducing your ecological footprint.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to make your home eco-friendly is by switching to energy-efficient lighting. Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs, which consume significantly less energy and last much longer.
DIY Insulation
Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy consumption. Instead of hiring professionals, you could tackle the project yourself. Seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping, and insulate attics, crawl spaces, and basement walls with affordable materials like fibreglass batts or cellulose insulation.
Low-Flow Fixtures
Upgrading to low-flow fixtures in your kitchen and bathroom is an effective way to conserve water without sacrificing performance. Install aerators on faucets and showerheads to reduce water flow, and replace old toilets with water-efficient models.
Upcycled Décor
Get creative with your home decor by upcycling old materials and furniture into new, stylish pieces. Repurpose wooden pallets into rustic shelves or outdoor furniture, transform mason jars into trendy light fixtures or storage containers, and breathe new life into outdated furniture with a fresh coat of eco-friendly paint. Not only will you save money, but you'll also divert waste from landfills and add a unique touch to your home decor.
Indoor Plants
Incorporating indoor plants into your home decor is a budget-friendly way to improve air quality, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Choose low-maintenance varieties such as pothos, snake, and spider plants, which thrive in various indoor environments and require minimal care. You can even propagate new plants from cuttings to expand your indoor garden without spending a dime. If you have pets, note that pothos and snake plants might not be ideal, while spider plants are safe.
Homemade Cleaners
Say goodbye to expensive, chemical-laden cleaning products. Make eco-friendly cleaners using simple, affordable ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. These natural alternatives are as effective at cleaning and disinfecting surfaces without harming the environment or your health. Plus, they're much gentler on your wallet!
Remember, every small change counts when it comes to your budget, protecting the planet, and preserving our resources for future generations.
Happy green renovating!
CREB report
March witnessed a surge in sales, with 2,664 units sold, marking a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year and surpassing long-term trends. Despite a slight uptick in new listings from the previous month, the total of 3,172 units fell short of the typical March influx, failing to alleviate the supply shortage relative to the sales volume. Consequently, the sales-to-new listings ratio climbed to 84 percent, driving the months of supply below one month.
According to Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at CREB®, March experienced unprecedented tight market conditions not seen since 2006, coinciding with high levels of interprovincial migration and a months-of-supply below one month. This trend signifies the third consecutive year favoring sellers, propelled by a surge in demand due to migration spikes, leading to dwindling resale and rental inventory. Given the time required for supply adjustments, the persistent upward pressure on home prices comes as no surprise.
Inventory levels dwindled notably for properties priced below $1,000,000, especially those below $500,000, with March inventory totaling 2,532 units, a 22 percent decrease from the previous year and only half the usual March levels.
The unadjusted total residential benchmark price in March surged to $597,600, marking a two percent increase from the previous month and an impressive 11 percent rise year-over-year. Price hikes were observed across all property types, with the most substantial gains seen in the relatively more affordable row and apartment-style homes.
