Courtesy of The MacGowan Team

Your Family Real Estate Professionals!

Mike MacGowan REALTOR ®

Ken MacGowan B.Comm., CPA, CMA, Real Estate Broker

Daren MacGowan REALTOR ®

2025 | ISSUE 4

When you hear the phrase “outdoor kitchen” what comes to mind? A portable barbecue and a comfy patio set or a lavish area that rivals the functionality of your indoor kitchen? Either way, having a designated cooking, eating and entertaining area in your yard or on your patio is one way many homeowners are looking to expand their homes this spring and summer. Start by planning the layout and functionality of the space before considering style and budget. Design the kitchen area based on traffic flow and ease of access and proximity to other areas. For instance having the preparation and cooking area on a high deck but the seating on a lower deck may make transporting food difficult. Will your grill and sink use existing gas, water and electrical lines or will you need to have new ones run? Imagine yourself using the space and see what may cause issues and what would work best. Once you know what will go where, consider design elements – do you want to use stone, metal or wood? Will you have a professional team come in and build the area or will you attempt to do it yourself? Your budget will dictate a lot as well, as creating an outdoor kitchen isn’t necessarily a low cost endeavor. DESIGNING YOUR IDEAL OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Kale & Quinoa Salad

WITH LEMON DRESSING

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

• 1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 3 tablespoons lemon juice • 2 tablespoons chopped shallot

1. Place kale in a large serving bowl. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, shallot, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing over the kale; lightly massage until slightly wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. 2. Top the kale with tomatoes, quinoa, cucumber, peppers, chickpeas, feta and almonds. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss before serving.

• 1 teaspoon honey • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper • 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 cups cooked quinoa

• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced • 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced • 1 (15 ounce) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed • ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

REAL COURAGE IS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’RE LICKED BEFORE YOU BEGIN, BUT YOU BEGIN ANYWAY AND SEE IT THROUGH NO MATTER WHAT”

HARPER LEE (AMERICAN NOVELIST 1926 – 2016)

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR VINYL SIDING Keeping the vinyl siding on your home or garage clean helps prolong its lifespan, prevents grime (or mould/ mildew) from building up and overall enhances the appearance of your property. First use a broom or soft bristle brush to dust off any dirt or debris that has accumulated over the winter. Treat stains with a solution made for vinyl siding and follow the directions on the package. Once any stains are removed, go ahead and use a large, soft brush to apply soapy water (dish soap works well) and rinse it off with a garden hose. Pressure washing is an option, just be sure the water pressure isn’t too high so you don’t accidentally damage the siding. If you see signs of mould or mildew (black spots that don’t easily wash away) you’ll want to treat the area with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and water solution, or a cleaner made specifically for removing mildew from siding.

Did you know?

• April is from the Latin word aperio which means “to open [bud]”

• April 22 is Earth Day

• The birth flowers for April are the daisy and the sweat pea

• The birthstone of April is the diamond

• In the northern hemisphere, April is the first full month of spring

WORD LADDER

Change one word into another by changing one letter at a time. Hints are in brackets.

CUP

(young dog)

(dad)

It’s likely that you’ve seen solar panels on the roof of a home nearby and have wondered if it would be right for you. There are a lot of factors to consider and you should investigate thoroughly before having panels installed, but essentially, solar panels can help harness the sun’s energy and convert it into the power needed to run your home. This, in turn, generates fewer carbon emissions which is great for the environment. Ideally, solar panels are installed on a sloped, south-facing roof that has access to full sunlight and isn’t shaded by trees or other buildings. That’s not to say north, west or east facing roofs can’t utilize solar panels, just south-facing tends to be exposed to the most sunlight each day. Other options for placing solar panels are available, such as on the ground if your roof doesn’t meet the needed criteria. Alberta and Ontario have both seen surges of solar panel installations over the past few years, however it seems to be a growing trend across the country. If solar energy is something you’re thinking about, you can also look into The Canada Greener Homes Loan which can help finance your endeavor by providing an interest-free loan. SOLAR PANELS AND SOLAR ENERGY

(plant holder)

(place to sleep)

CAT

STORY

(boutique)

(fixed look)

(kick off)

SMART

SOLUTION: CUP, PUP, POP, POT, COT, CAT SOLUTION: STORY, STORE, STARE, START, SMART

Ottawa Housing Market Shows Stability as Spring Momentum Builds

DOWN 4.3% year-to-year $400,900 apartment

$698,700 single family UP 2.7% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

3.9 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

2,221 NEW LISTINGS 1,103 SOLD LISTINGS

4,319 ACTIVE LISTINGS

OTTAWA, April 7, 2025 - The number of homes sold through the MLS ® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,103 units in March 2025. “The Ottawa housing market in March 2025 remained relatively stable, with sales activity slightly lower than the same period last year,” said OREB President Paul Czan. “However, we’re seeing continued momentum month-over-month as the spring market gains traction. Both buyers and sellers are exercising some caution—likely due to economic uncertainty and the upcoming election—but the current lower interest rates are encouraging more activity as they step off the sidelines.” “Looking ahead, the ongoing trade and tariff concerns could affect new construction and further exacerbate supply challenges,” Czan adds. “So, it’s critical that the City of Ottawa continues collaborating

with key stakeholders. We were pleased to take part in discussions around the proposed New Zoning By-Law, which prioritizes housing options and opportunities to maximize options for Ottawa’s residents.” The overall MLS ® HPI composite benchmark price was $626,200 in March 2025, up 2.2% compared to March 2024 The benchmark price for single-family homes was $698,700, up 2.7% year-over-year in March. By comparison, the benchmark price for a townhouse/ row unit was $431,200, a decline of 8.0% from 2024. There were 2,221 new residential listings in March 2025. Months of inventory numbered 3.9 at the end of March 2025. Statistics reflect market activity in March 2025 | 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.

Direct. 613-859-1317 Mike@MacGowanTeam.com www.MacGowanTeam.com

Mike MacGowan REALTOR ® 613.859.1317

Ken MacGowan B.Comm., CPA, CMA, Real Estate Broker 613.791.5480

Daren MacGowan REALTOR ® 613.324.5294

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. 747 Silver Seven Rd UNIT 29, Ottawa, ON K2V 0H2 Affiliates Realty Ltd., Brokerage

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