Courtesy of Fatimah & Ameenah Elbarrani

Give us a call for a FREE home market evaluation!

@thebarraniteam @The Barrani Team - Real Estate

Ameenah: 613-263-6153

Fatimah: 613-276-0987 info@thebarraniteam.com

Volume 17 | Number 05 Volume 17 | Number 07

ARTFULLY ARRANGE ACCESSORIES CONSIDERATIONS WHEN REPLACING WINDOWS

Have you always been envious of those who can create a beautiful aesthetic on their mantles, shelves and tables with an assortment of accessories that just go together? Knowing what items to group together is an artform and some people have the skill and others have to work a bit harder to achieve it. To get you started, follow these basic steps: 1. Choose a colour scheme - analogous, complimentary or contrast are your best choices with analogous being easiest to achieve. 2. Use layers - items in different heights, sizes Replacing your windows for function, style or necessity is a large task and there are numerous considerations to make when choosing the new window. If you're retrofitting your existing window (just replacing the inside so to speak and leaving the frame) there will be different considerations than if you're replacing the entire window including frame. Regardless, the first thing you'll want to decide is whether the window will open, or not, and if so, how it will open - outward (up, down, left or right) or via sliding a pane to reveal a screen? Each has their pros and cons, and one might fit better for your needs than the other. Next, you'll need to determine what material your new window will be constructed from. Vinyl is great because it tends to be a very low maintenance option that stands up to any weather and is usually most cost effective. Other options include wood, aluminum and fiberglass constructions as well as hybrids like aluminum covered wood, etc. Aside from those considerations, you'll want to investigate colour, style (grills, bars, etc.) and energy efficiency. and weights create depth and visual interest so don't be afraid to vary your items on display. 3. Grouping - an easy rule of thumb to follow is to group similar items together. Books with books, candles with candles, etc. 4. Negative space - sometimes having a space around or between bold objects creates the visual break the eye needs to really appreciate the items. Once you master the basics, experiment by adding in different colour choices, mixing up the items you currently have, etc. to find what pleases the eye the most.

STEAK KEBAB BOWLS

Courtesy of delish.com

INGREDIENTS: • 1 lb. sirloin steak, cut 1½" cubes • ½ tsp dried oregano • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes • 7 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, divided • 3 tsp grated garlic, divided • Kosher salt and black pepper • ¼ c smooth tahini • 1 tsp honey • 8 oz dried orzo (about 1¼ c) • 2½ c low-sodium chicken broth • 1 red onion, cut into 1½" pieces • 1 large yellow or orange bell pepper, seeds removed, cut into 1½" pieces • 10 oz grape tomatoes (2 c) • 2 English cucumbers, sliced • 5 oz baby spinach • 1 bunch fresh chives, sliced

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, combine steak,

oregano, red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2½ tsp garlic, and 1 tsp salt. Cover and marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, or refrigerate up to 4 hours. 2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine remaining 1 tbsp lemon juice and ½ tsp garlic; season with a large pinch of salt. Let sit about 20 minutes. 3. Add tahini, honey, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 3 tbsp water to dressing. Vigorously whisk, adding more water as needed, until smooth and easily pourable; season with salt and black pepper. Set aside. 4. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Add orzo and cook, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally and adding more broth ¼ cup at a time if needed, until

broth is absorbed and orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes; season with salt and black pepper. Cover to keep warm. 5. Preheat grill for 5 minutes. Brush grates with oil. Thread 8 skewers with steak, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes, alternating with 3 to 4 steak cubes per skewer. Drizzle kebabs with remaining olive oil; season with salt and pepper. 6. Grill skewers, turning occasionally, until vegetables are tender and meat is cooked to desired degree of doneness, 8 to 15 minutes total (grills can vary). 7. In a large bowl, toss cucumbers and spinach with half of dressing. Stir chives into orzo mixture. 8. Divide salad and orzo among bowls; top with kebabs. Drizzle remaining dressing over orzo.

READING IS THE SOLE MEANS BY WHICH WE SLIP, INVOLUNTARILY, OFTEN HELPLESSLY, INTO ANOTHER’S SKIN, ANOTHER’S VOICE, ANOTHER’S SOUL. - Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates - Award winning American author with 58 published novels to her name as well as numerous plays, novellas, volumes of short stories, poetry and non-fiction.

SUMMER OLYMPICS 2024 Get ready to cheer on your favourites as over 10,000 athletes from 206 countires compete in 30 different sports from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The Paralympic Games will follow from August 28 to September 8, 2024 where nearly 4,500 athletes will compete in 22 different sports. Held this year in Paris, France, the Olympic Games take place exactly 100 years since Paris last hosted the Olympics back in 1924. They also hosted in 1900 making them one of two cities (London, England) to host the Olympics three times!

The newest sport to hit the 2024 Olympics is breaking - yes, breakdancing is now an Olympic sport that you can watch this summer.

IS YOUR HOME SMART?

The idea of a smart home is that it provides those living there with an easy way to streamline daily tasks and create a personalized living experience. There are so many different technologies that can be integrated into your home these days and technology is only getting better and more luxurious. Experts predict, based on current trends, there will be over 75 billion gadgets linked to the internet by the end of 2025 and the majority of homes will

have at least one form of smart home technology. From security systems, to entertainment features to thermostats, automated window coverings, etc. the options are limitless when looking to make your home more functional for you. If you're not comfortable researching, installing and utilizing technologies, there are numerous companies popping up that can help you find what you need and want to make your home ideal.

It is possible to fry an egg on a sidewalk. Using a good heat conductor (like a frying pan), you can cook an egg when the sidewalk reaches a temperature of about 158˚F (70 ˚C). Any dark surface that absorbs heat like the hood of a vehicle, will also work.

The dog days of summer are usually the hottest days of summer and span the three weeks from July 3 and August 11. They’re called the dog days after the star known as the Dog Star - the brightest star in the sky - Sirius, which rises around this time of the summer.

CAN YOU GET THROUGH THE MAZE?

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Ottawa’s MLS ® Activity Builds After Recovering from Prior Slowdown

DOWN 1.7% year-to-year $420,800 apartment

$734,300 single family DOWN 0.2% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

2,469 NEW LISTINGS 1,439 SOLD LISTINGS

PROPERTY SALES Single Family: 772 Apartment: 208

MONTHS OF INVENTORY Single Family: 2.7 Apartment: 3.2

MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET Single Family: 16 Apartment: 28.5

OTTAWA, July 4, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS ® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,439 units in June 2024. “Ottawa continues to see steady activity as we head into the summer market,” says OREB President Curtis Fillier. “Unlike recent years, buyers have more room to wait, evaluate and be selective when searching for the right property at the right price, leading to a slight uptick in the days on market. Sellers are making moves as evidenced by the inventory and listings. After recovering from last year’s slowdown, Ottawa’s market performance is nearly back on par and continues to make gains." “It’s going to be an interesting summer and next half of the year. As confidence builds, there will be ample opportunities for both parties. Now is the time for sellers to ensure their property is at its best and priced appropriately to attract buyers who remain

slightly reluctant. Buyers would do well to remember that inventory levels — and competition — can swing quickly in Ottawa’s tight market.” The overall MLS ® HPI composite benchmark price was $647,700 in June 2024, down 0.5% from June 2023. The benchmark price for single-family homes was $734,300, down 0.2% from June 2023. The benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit was $501,500, down 1.6% compared to a year earlier. The benchmark apartment price was $420,800, down 1.7% from year-ago levels. There were 2,469 new residential listings in June 2024. Active residential listings numbered 3,585 units on the market at the end of June 2024. Months of inventory numbered 2.5 at the end of June 2024. Statistics reflect market activity in June 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.

Ameenah: 613-263-6153 Fatimah: 613-276-0987 info@thebarraniteam.com

@The Barrani Team - Real Estate

@thebarraniteam

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