Courtesy of David Ortino

DAVID ORTINO , M.B.A., Broker of Record Office: 416-222-SOLD (7653) • Direct: 416-428-9574 info@davidortino.com • www.DavidOrtino.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated 1060 Sheppard Ave W COMM103 Toronto, ON M3J 0G7 PLATINUM PIN REALTY Brokerage

2025 | ISSUE 1

BARNDOMINIUM

While it's not a new concept to convert a barn into a home, it is certainly a trend making it's way into more farms and acreages across the country. A barndominium is more than a barn with bedrooms, or a house with a barn roof though. The term originated in the 1980s, but has been made more common in recent years since a popular home repair duo converted a barn into a contemporary home and viewers fell in love with the style. A barndominium is essentially a steel

(or sometimes wood) home and workspace all under one roof. The interior is highly customizable and often created with an open concept living space that is adjacent to a garage/shop area. Aside from being built relatively quickly and for less than a typical home build, barndominiums are low maintenance, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and durable.

Turkey Biscuit Stew

INGREDIENTS:

• ⅓ cup chopped onion • ¼ cup butter, cubed • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour • ½ teaspoon salt • ⅛ teaspoon pepper • ¾ cup 2% milk • 1 cup cooked peas

• 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed chicken broth, undiluted • 2 cups cubed cooked turkey • 1 cup cooked whole baby carrots • 1 tube (16.3 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Add the turkey, peas and carrots; heat through. Separate biscuits and arrange over the stew. Bake until biscuits are golden brown, 20-25 minutes.

Yields: 8 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins

Courtesy tasteofhome.com

WE MUST ALWAYS CHANGE, RENEW, REJUVENATE OURSELVES; OTHERWISE, WE HARDEN."

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE GERMAN POET, PLAYWRIGHT, NOVELIST, SCIENTIST, STATESMAN

EXTENDING YOUR PHONE'S BATTERY

Almost nothing is more frustrating than having to take an important phone call and noticing your phone battery is in the red zone. There are a few things you can do to preserve your phone's battery life throughout the day so it doesn't get to that point. The most common suggestion is turning down the brightness on your screen or setting it to adapt based on your surroundings. You can also adjust how long your screen stays on after using it. Other tips and tricks include turning off keyboard sounds and vibrations, utilizing the dark theme and turning on the adaptive battery feature which helps your phone prioritize which apps run in the background and how much power they need based on your usage patterns. Now, if you do happen to be running low on battery, you can stretch the life out by not using the phone in general and turning on the battery saver or low power mode. Utilizing the internet, navigating with GPS, watching videos, playing games and streaming videos or music all use a lot of battery power, so restrict if possible.

WINTER PICK ME UP IDEAS

1. I have a neck, but no head. I have two arms, but no hands. What am I? 2. What five-letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down? 3. Ask this question all day long, but always get completely different answers, and yet all the answers will be correct. What is the question? 4. I cannot talk, but I always reply when spoken to. What am I? 5. What can go through glass without breaking it?

Answers: 1.A shirt, 2.SWIMS, 3.What time is it?, 4.An echo, 5.Light.

Commonyms Commonyms are a group of words that have a common trait. For instance: a car, a tree, an elephant - they all have trunks. Now you try! If you get stuck, answers are below each set of words.

Feeling down and lackluster during the long, dark days of winter is common for a number of Canadians. Staying active and getting out of the house are vital to taking care of your mental health this time of year. Partaking in your usual favourite activities might not be an option with the weather conditions and shortened daylight hours, so it might be time to pick up a new hobby while helping you beat the winter blues. Here are some activities to consider. Volunteer —many worthy causes rely on volunteers to provide services throughout the year. Giving back to a cause that's near and dear to your heart will give you purpose, help you meet new people and provide connection to the community. Take a class —research classes provided by your local community center, gym, church, library or store. You never know what's offered and you can learn a new skill, language or hobby. Exercise —if hitting the gym isn't your forte, know that even taking a walk around the local mall or grocery store will help boost your mood because it will trigger the release of endorphins into your body. Go outside —remember that sunlight is important to your mental health as well, so whenever possible during the day pop outdoors for a few minutes to soak up some winter rays. If it's dark when you arrive at and leave from work, consider taking a bit of your coffee or lunch break outside.

Potato • storm • needle Steam • bird • bubble Ball • salad • coin Cold • fish • ball Miner • dentist • guitarIST Swiss • cream • cottage A . They all have eyes. A. Types of baths. A. They all use picks.

A. They are all tossed.

A. They are all caught.

A. Types of cheese.

Use City of Toronto Numbers

Toronto December Market Report

$1,624,500 detached DOWN 0.2% year-to-year

$719,774 condo/apartment

UP 1.5% year-to-year

$803,088 condo/townhouse DOWN 13.2% year-to-year

1,783 NEW LISTINGS 1,174 SOLD LISTINGS

AVERAGE SALE PRICES

detached 391

133 condo/town.

38.9% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

39 DAYS ON MARKET

3.8 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

6,232 ACTIVE LISTINGS (residential inventory)

GTA REALTORS ® , January 7, 2025 – The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market experienced a transitionary year in 2024. Annual sales were up slightly compared to 2023, and new listings were up significantly year-over-year. Buyers benefited from substantial negotiating power on price, especially in the condominium apartment market. Average selling prices in 2024 dipped in comparison to 2023 as a result. “Borrowing costs were top of mind for home buyers in 2024. High interest rates presented significant affordability hurdles and kept home sales well below the norm. The housing market did benefit from substantial Bank of Canada rate cuts in the second half of the year, including two large back-to-back reductions. All else being equal, further rate cuts in 2025 and home prices remaining below their historic peaks should result in improved market conditions over the next 12 months,” said the Toronto Regional Real Estate

Board (TRREB) President Elechia Barry-Sproule. Annual 2024 home sales amounted to 67,610 and new listings to 166,121. The average selling price for all home types combined was $1,117,600 in 2024. “Market conditions varied by market segment in 2024. Sales of single-family homes, including detached houses, increased last year, whereas condo apartment sales were down. Many would be first-time buyers remained on the sidelines, anticipating more interest rate relief in 2025. The lack of first-time buyers impacted the less-expensive condo segment more so than the single-family segments,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer. Statistics reflect market activity in December 2024 | Source: TRREB ® Toronto Regional Real Estate Board | Market values stated are average prices. 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.

DAVID ORTINO • Office: 416-222-SOLD (7653) • info@davidortino.com

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