Courtesy of Monica & Chris Hollands

HOLLANDS Monica & Chris SERVICE YOU DESERVE

101-2255 Carling Ave Ottawa, ON K2B 7Z5 Hallmark Realty Group Brokerage Independently Owned And Operated.

Monica: 613.864.7975 monica@remaxottawa.com

Chris: 613.797.3977 chris@remaxottawa.com

MonicaAndChrisHollands.com

Volume 17 | Number 04

UPGRADE YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS SPRING

With spring comes a season of rebirth and one way to make a statement in your home is to replace, or paint, the front door. A new door with windows or stained glass or the same door in a new colour can create a whole new vibe for you and guests entering your home. If painting or replacing the door isn't in your budget, consider just changing the hardware (knobs and locks) for a small change. To replace your front door, head to your local home improvement store for a plethora of options and expert advice. Be sure the door you're choosing will provide proper insulation, security and will fit in the current frame you have. When choosing to paint your current door, you'll want to protect any hardware by covering with painter's tape (unless of course, you're replacing it) then sanding down the current finish on the door. After sanding, thoroughly clean the door to remove dust residue and then apply a coat, or two, of exterior-grade paint and primer. Once dry, polish or replace the hardware and you’re all done. Whether you replace or repaint your door, finish off the new look with a new doormat and plants and enjoy your new entrance.

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS: 1. Warm the oil in a large deep sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef, chili powder, garlic, salt, and pepper. Crumble the meat as it cooks. 2. When the meat has browned, about 8 minutes, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. 3. Stir in the cabbage, reduce to simmer, and cover with lid.

2 lbs ground beef 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper 24 oz crushed tomatoes 15 oz tomato sauce

2 tbsp white wine vinegar ¼ cup light brown sugar

Cook until the cabbage is bright green, tender, and still slightly crisp, about 4-5 minutes.

½ head green cabbage about 4-6 cups, chopped into 1-inch pieces 2 cups cooked rice (total amount is rice when cooked)

4. Add in the cooked rice and simmer just until heated

through about 2 minutes. Serve warm.

Courtesy of barefeetinthekitchen.com

KINDNESS IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T GIVE AWAY. IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. — George Skolsky

George (1905 to 1983) was an American writer, radio host, screenwriter and movie producer who was best known for being a Hollywood gossip columnist.

FARMHOUSE STYLE DECOR Perhaps you live in rural Canada and your home's decor can authentically be called farmhouse chic because your home was built a certain way to be functional and utilize the supplies found locally. Or perhaps you live in urban Canada and long for the look of a modern farmhouse style as it brings back nostalgic memories or allows you to escape from the pace and style of city living. Regardless, there are a few key elements that define a farmhouse decor style that you can incorporate into your home if you so choose. The primary element in farmhouse decor is the use of natural materials like distressed wood, exposed stone and metal. Paired with neutral and warm colour palettes,

the natural materials provide a stark contrast and really stand out when used accordingly. Consider incorporating or highlighting metal accents, exposed wood beams, open shelves and barn style doors throughout the home. Furthermore, distressed or antique furniture as well as comfy, textured fabrics on sofas and linens round out the look.

ROLLING STORAGE SHELVES

Storage is something every home owner needs and never seems to have enough of. Creating a rolling storage system in the basement, garage or spare room can alleviate a lot of storage problems. The easiest way to create a storage system like this is to purchase bookshelves or shelving units and add casters (wheels) to the base so they can be rolled up against a wall or in a nook and then pulled out when needed. Adding labels and handles to the side of the bookcase or shelf can help make the items more accessible.

Items can be placed right on the shelf or into bins or baskets to keep smaller items together. Going one step further and adding hooks or a tension rod in place of a shelf (when structurally sound) can allow for other storage options like hanging tools, clothes, pet supplies, etc. Doors or curtains can be added to the front of the bookcase if needed as well. Be aware if your shelving unit is tall, you will want to put the heavy items on the bottom to prevent it from falling over.

JOKES Knock, Knock. Who's there? Rain Rain who?

Knock, knock. Who's there? Ears. Ears who? ‘Ears another knock knock joke for ya!

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Canoe. Canoe who? Canoe come out to play now?

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Howl. Howl who? Howl you know unless you open the door?

You're not going to tell me to go away and come again another day, are you?

Courtesy of funology.com

SUDOKU

Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

Courtesy of: www.thinkablepuzzles.com

Answer:

Ottawa MLS ® Market Shows Early Signs of a Buzzing Spring Market

$423,200 Apartment UP 4.3% year-to-year

$719,000 Single Family

UP 2.6% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

2,074 NEW LISTINGS

PROPERTY SALES Single Family: 580 Apartment: 194

MONTHS OF INVENTORY Single Family: 2.6 Apartment: 2.4

DAYS ON MARKET Single Family: 14 Apartment: 20.5

Ottawa, April 4, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS ® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 1,165 units in March 2024. “Ottawa’s real estate market is overall healthy, providing fertile ground for an active spring and summer ahead,” says OREB President Curtis Fillier. “The increases in new and active listings indicate that sellers are feeling more confident, boosted by the rise in showing activity. Buyers, however, aren’t acting as quickly as they perhaps should be — likely because affordability and supply are still roadblocks.” The overall MLS ® HPI composite benchmark price was $636,700 in March 2024, a gain of 2.7% from March 2023. The benchmark

price for single-family homes was $719,000, up 2.6% on a year over-year basis in March. By comparison, the benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit was $489,800, up slightly at 0.9% compared to a year earlier. The benchmark apartment price was $423,200, up 4.3% from year-ago levels. There were 2,074 new residential listings in March 2024. Active residential listings numbered 2,543 units on the market at the end of March 2024. Months of inventory numbered 2.2 at the end of March 2024. Statistics reflect market activity in Mar 2024 | Source: OREB ® Ottawa Real Estate Board | Market values stated are of the average of Ottawa and surrounding region. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

HOLLANDS Monica & Chris SERVICE YOU DESERVE

101-2255 Carling Ave Ottawa, ON K2B 7Z5 Hallmark Realty Group Brokerage Independently Owned And Operated.

MonicaAndChrisHollands.com

Monica: 613.864.7975 monica@remaxottawa.com

Chris: 613.797.3977 chris@remaxottawa.com

Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.