Courtesy of Ryan Torris

HOME YOUR Your Good Neighbour. Your Real Estate Concierge. R yan T orris REALTOR ® - TOP PRODUCER - OWNER Real Estate Agent, 1forAll Charity Contributor

403.710. SOLD (7653) concierge@blackrockre.ca www.blackrockre.ca @blackrockre

Volume 17 | Number 07

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN REPLACING WINDOWS

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.

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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JUNE SALES DECLINE AMID SUPPLY CHALLENGES AND RISING PRICES

CALGARY

AIRDRIE

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $608,000 Last Mo.: 0.5 % Last Yr.: 8.5 %

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $554,500

City of Calgary, July 2, 2024 Sales in June reached 2,738, marking a 13 percent decline from last year’s record high. Although sales improved for homes priced above $700,000, it was not enough to offset the declines reported in the lower price ranges. Despite the easing in June sales, they remain over 17 percent higher than long-term trends. “The pullback in sales reflects supply challenges in the lower price ranges, ultimately limiting sales activity,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at CREB®. “Inventory in the lower price ranges of each property type continue to fall, providing limited choices for potential purchasers looking for more affordable product. It also continues to be a competitive market for some buyers with over 40 per cent of the homes sold selling over list price.” This month, new listings also eased relative to sales, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to remain elevated at 72 per cent. Inventory levels did improve over last year’s low levels, primarily due to gains in the higher price ranges. However, with 3,789 units available, levels remain 40 per cent lower than long-term trends. The modest change in inventory levels helped increase the months of supply. However, at 1.4 months, conditions continue to favor sellers. Persistently tight conditions drove further price gains this month. In June, the unadjusted benchmark price rose to $608,000, a gain over last month and nearly nine per cent higher than last year. Source: CREB ®

Last Mo.: 0.9% Last Yr.: 9.0%

DAYS ON MARKET

DAYS ON MARKET

19

20

NEW LISTINGS

NEW LISTINGS

3,798

269

ACTIVE LISTINGS

ACTIVE LISTINGS

3,787

233

SOLD LISTINGS

SOLD LISTINGS

2,738

209

Stats Reflective of June 2024 Source: CREB ®

Stats Reflective of June 2024 Source: CREB ®

Market values stated are of the average of Calgary. 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.

Market values stated are of the average of Airdrie. 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.

Please spread the word! Have friends or family moving? Don’t hesitate to pass them my info. P.S. I always take good care of my referring clients!

R yan T orris REALTOR ® - TOP PRODUCER - OWNER Real Estate Agent, 1forAll Charity Contributor 403.710. SOLD (7653) concierge@blackrockre.ca www.blackrockre.ca @blackrockre

201, 120 2nd Ave NE Airdrie, AB T4B 2N2

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