Courtesy of Chuck Farrauto

YOUR HOME GUIDE

Chuck Farrauto Sales Representative Office: 905-389-3737 chuckfarrauto@realtynetwork.biz Taking Care of Business

431 Concession St Hamilton, ON L9A 1C1

2026 | ISSUE 8

BEYOND THE PHOTO WALL

Many homes have a wall of family photos updated each year with school pictures, family trips, camping adventures and Christmas cards. Over time, the memories grow, but the wall space does not. Using a digital photo frame could be the solution. Share both new and old memories without the clutter by going digital. Digital photo frames let you display hundreds of images in a single frame, rotating through old favourites and new moments with ease. They’re a simple way to keep your photos visible without covering every wall in your home. Digital displays don’t fade in sunlight and rearranging your collection is simple. You can add new photos instantly from your phone instead of finding another frame, another nail and another empty spot on the wall. Setup is usually straightforward: download the app, connect to Wi-FI and select the photos you want to share. Many digital photo frames also allow family members to contribute photos remotely, making them a great choice for staying connected. Digital picture frames are the most straightforward and user-friendly way to display photos. There are alternatives. With some basic tech skills, you can use a tablet and slideshow or set your photos up as a television screensaver.

Muffins

APPLE CINNAMON

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 4 medium apples, peeled, cored and diced For the topping • 2 tablespoons melted butter • ¼ cup granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 3½ cups all-purpose flour • 1½ cups granulated sugar • 4 teaspoons baking powder • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 large eggs • ⅔ cup vegetable oil • 1 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°f (190°c). Line or lightly grease 18 muffin cups. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, milk and vanilla. 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. 5. Fold in the apples until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. 6. Fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full. 7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. 8. Brush the tops with melted butter, then sprinkle sugar and cinnamon.

DON’T LET ANYONE ROB YOU OF YOUR IMAGINATION, YOUR CREATIVITY OR YOUR CURIOSITY.”

MAE JEMISON PHYSICIST & ASTRONAUT

GET IN THE GAME WITH PICKLEBALL

Pickleball has quickly become a popular sport across Canada, gaining traction over the last number of years. Pickleball is affordable, easy to learn and doesn’t require expensive equipment, making it an easy choice for people looking for an outdoor activity they can enjoy with friends and family. Pickleball combines tennis, badminton and table tennis on a smaller court, using a paddle and a lightweight ball. Usually played in doubles, it’s a social and physical activity. If you’re interested in trying pickleball, check your local recreation centre or community association. Pickleball courts are now appearing in parks, recreation centres, schools and public spaces across Canadian communities. Many offer beginner lessons, drop-in sessions and equipment rentals, making it easy to get started and join a growing community. If you’re interested in watching pickleball, then you’re in luck. Canada’s national pickleball league (CNPL) has eight teams from Vancouver to Montreal playing professionally nationwide.

EASY COTTAGE DECOR IDEAS

Enjoy the charm of cottage-style living without needing a lakeside cabin. Bring the relaxed feel of cottage living into your home, even if it’s in the bustling downtown of Edmonton or Toronto. This cottage-cozy look can be created with simple materials, textures and a mix of natural elements and cozy patterns. Cottage-style décor brings cozy comfort to your home with soft textures and complementary patterns. Start with natural wood finishes, soft whites and subtle colours to create a calm backdrop for daily living. Mixing patterns, such as florals, gingham and plaid, adds visual interest while keeping the space warm and welcoming. Add woven baskets, framed embroidery, cross-stitch, paintings, linen cushions, vintage plates, antique finds, handcrafted art and ceramic accessories to introduce texture. Houseplants, wildflowers, branches or ferns collected on a weekend walk bring life indoors. One of the best parts of cottage style is that nothing must match perfectly. As a result, mixing family heirlooms with newer pieces creates a home that feels collected over the years.

SUDOKU Squares Fill this 9x9 grid using numbers 1 through 9 so that every row, column, and 3x3 section contains each number only once.

What do you call a pen that’s always on time? “Write” on schedule! What do trees use to browse the internet? Root-Er connections! Where do sick boats go? To the dock Why did the chef get married to

the baker? It was loave at first sight!

SOLUTION

HAMILTON-BURLINGTON-HALDIMAND-NIAGARA NORTH JULY 2026 STATISTICS

$848,891 detached

$532,303 rowhouse

DOWN 0.6% year-to-year

DOWN 8.3% year-to-year

AVERAGE SALE PRICES

1,008 NEW LISTINGS 498 SOLD LISTINGS

49.4% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

41 DAYS ON MARKET

4.7 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

2,104 ACTIVE LISTINGS

COMPLIMENTARY MARKET EVALUATION Hamilton, ON (August 2026) — “Sales activity in the Hamilton-Burlington area market saw a pullback in July, with an 11.0% decline year-over-year, while new listings also continued to tighten, falling 17.6% compared to the same period last year,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “At 4.6 months of supply, inventory remains high by Hamilton-Burlington’s historical standards, giving buyers more choice and creating more buyer-friendly conditions than we have typically seen in this market. However, affordability challenges continue to temper demand, with many prospective buyers still cautious despite improved selection. The MLS® Home Price Index continues to show modest adjustments, down 4.9% year-over-year, which may present some opportunities for buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines. As always, market conditions can vary significantly from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, which is why it’s important to work with a local REALTOR®.” • Home sales decreased 11.8% month-over-month. • The number of newly listed properties decreased by 17.2% on a month-over-month basis. • The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $729,800 in July 2026, a decrease of 1.0% compared to a month ago, and down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. • The inventory of homes for sale across the market area decreased by 5.8% from the previous month and decreased by 13.0% year-over-year. • By the end of July, the months’ supply was 4.6 months across all property types, down from 4.8 months over the previous month and 8.0% lower than in July 2025. Statistics reflect market activity in July 2026 | Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS ® | Market values stated are of the average of Hamilton and surrounding region. Hamilton includes: Hamilton West, Hamilton East, Hamilton Centre, Hamilton Mountain, Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster, Waterdown, Stoney Creek and Glanbrook. 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.

We now have access to 22 Real Estate Boards in Ontario including Toronto, the largest Real Estate Board on the planet. It only takes a few minutes to do a computer generated ballpark value of your property, or to research valuations in all of these areas. Further, I’m working with associates in the East Coast and British Columbia. If you would like to get an idea of what your property would fetch in this market, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Office: 905-389-3737

Chuck Farrauto Sales Representative chuckfarrauto@realtynetwork.biz

Samantha Lefebvre Sales Representative info@samanthalefebvre.com

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