Courtesy of Cathy Burton

HOUSE YOUR

Office: 613-728-2664 | Fax: 613-728-0548 | Toll Free: 1-888-223-2139

cathy@cathyburton.com | www.cathyburton.com

Real Estate Broker

Direct: 613-292-3922

1749 Woodward Drive Ottawa, Ontario K2C OP9 FIRST OTTAWA REALTY, BROKERAGE Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.

Volume 17 | Number 02

ADD AN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE

If your home doesn't have a built-in fireplace, you may want to invest in a stand alone, electric fireplace to create the warmth and comfort a fireplace provides. There are many options on the market that will suit most budgets and easily blend into a room’s aesthetic. Some come enclosed in a cabinet with a mantle and storage space whereas others are simply a metal frame around the fire. Wall mount options are also available if you’re looking to create a statement wall or don’t have a lot of spare floor space. Aside from being visually appealing, electric fireplaces tend to be low maintenance, quiet, quick to heat an area and safer that a traditional wood fireplace. It won’t heat your entire home as a wood fireplace does, but it can provide warmth to the surrounding area much like a large space heater. They don’t have the smell or pop and crackle of a wood fire, but most models have very realistic looking flames. Other models can produce flames that change colour, styles and patterns.

MUSHROOMS ON TOAST

INGREDIENTS: 2 Spanish onions, finely chopped 1 tbsp butter ¼ cup maple syrup ½ cup butter

4 cups baby button mushrooms ¾ cups Gorgonzola cheese 2 lemons, for juice and zest 2 eggs

½ cup white vinegar 2 slices sourdough bread 1 tbsp finely chopped chives Pinch of salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS: 1. Finely chop onions. In a large skillet, add 1 tbsp butter and slowly cook and caramelize onions, stirring occasionally. Slowly pour in the maple syrup, stir 2. In a separate pan, add in the remaining butter and let it melt. Once melted, add in the mushrooms and cook them on medium-low heat. Once the mushrooms are soft and tender, add in the caramelized onions. Stir in the Gorgonzola cheese, until melted and smooth. 3. Zest lemon into a small bowl and set aside, then juice the lemon into mushroom mix. Stir. 4. For your poached eggs, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Let the water roll and bubble before adding in white vinegar. Using a spoon, quickly, but carefully, stir the water in a circular motion to create a small cyclone in the water. While the water swirls, crack your egg into the middle of the water and let cook for 5-6 minutes. Tip: Use a perforated spoon to remove the egg. Repeat the same process with the other eggs. 5. Toast your slices of sourdough bread with butter on a skillet. 6. To plate, spoon buttery Gorgonzola mushrooms on the toast. Top with a poached egg, lemon zest, a sprinkle of chopped chives and season with salt and pepper.

Courtesy of eggs.ca

A Swahili proverb is a traditional saying that reflects the wisdom, values, and cultural insights of the Swahili-speaking people. Swahili proverbs are often passed down from generation to generation and play a significant role in conveying moral lessons, expressing societal norms, and offering guidance in various aspects of life.

PATIENCE ATTRACTS HAPPINESS; IT BRINGS NEAR THAT WHICH IS FAR. - Swahili Proverb

UNDER BED STORAGE OPTIONS When space is limited, you look to unique solutions to maximize your storage options. In the bedroom, we often think of dressers and closets to house clothes, books, blankets, sheets, etc. Many space-conscious homeowners are creating extra storage space with the main piece of bedroom furniture - the bed. Whether it's a bunk bed with a wardrobe or shelving underneath or a bed frame made from bookshelf type storage cubes, there is a lot of potential

space under the mattress you sleep on each night. Many furniture stores have a variety of storage bed options that can fit any budget. Or there is always the build it yourself route for a more customised and cost-effective option. Try a lift-style storage bed where the entire mattress lifts up to reveal a large storage space that is relatively hidden from the outside so could conveniently hold off-season clothes or bedding.

SMALL SPACE HOME GYM

Many Canadians lead a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well and exercising. However, not everyone has access to a gym and sometimes heading outside is not possible due to the weather. Here are a few small pieces of exercise equipment that won't overtake an entire room so you can get your body moving when it's convenient for you. • Yoga Mat – not just for yoga, these soft mats create a space where you can do a variety of body weight movements (squats, crunches, etc.) without having to lie directly on your hard floor or accidentally slip on your carpet. Paired with online workout videos, a yoga mat is a great investment that can easily be stored away. Q: What do you get when you cross a porcupine and a turtle? A: A slowpoke Q: What do you get when you cross a potato with an elephant? A: Mashed potatoes! Q: What do you get if you cross a kangaroo and a snake? A: A jump rope! JOKES

• Core Sliders - these frisbee-sized discs are foam on one side and plastic on the other and glide on most flooring surfaces. Used under your feet or hands, there are a variety of exercises you can do with them that will enhance your core strength. • Resistance bands - There are a few different types of resistance bands on the market but generally they can fit in a small bag or hang nicely on the wall to take up almost no space. These bands (elastic or fabric) add tension or resistance during exercise movements to engage your muscles. Research exercise movements and consult your physician before starting any exercise program, but rest assured you can make a functional and effective home gym in the smallest of spaces.

Q: What do you get when you cross a hamburger with a computer? A: A big mac! Q: What do you get when you cross a frog with a rabbit? A: A bunny ribbit.

Courtesy of funology.com

BAMBOOZABLE A bamboozable is a saying/ phrase that is made up of a display of words, in an interesting way. The object is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place, or thing that each bamboozable is meant to represent.

Answers: 1. Fill in the Blanks 2. Inner Strength 3. Shop Online 4. Pyramid Scheme 5. Short of Breath 6. Seeing Eye Dog

Courtesy of: www.thinkablepuzzles.com

Ottawa’s MLS ® Market Thawed in January but Sales Still Slow

$418,500 Apartment UP 3.7% year-to-year

$703,500 Single Family

UP 3.7% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

1,271 NEW LISTINGS

PROPERTY SALES 629

MONTHS OF INVENTORY 3.1

DAYS ON MARKET 43

Ottawa, February 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS ® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 629 units in January 2024. “Ottawa’s market activity is seeing positive gains over last year but it’s still a relatively quiet market even by pre-pandemic standards,” says OREB President Curtis Fillier. “While REALTORS ® are telling us there’s lots of showing activity — probably thanks in part to the forgiving winter thus far — it’s not all translating to sales. This tells us that buyers are back out there looking, but still approaching cautiously. During the pandemic market, buyers had to move quickly and sometimes settle for a property that didn’t check all their boxes. Today, buyers are using the slower market to take the time needed to find their perfect place. Sellers would be well advised to adjust their expectations and thoughtfully consider

their pricing and timing strategy using the negotiating expertise and hyper-local data their REALTOR ® can provide.” The overall MLS ® HPI composite benchmark price was $621,600 in January 2024, up 3.2% from January 2023. The benchmark price for single-family homes was $703,500, up 3.7% on a year-over year basis in January. The benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit was $462,200, down 2.1% from January 2023. The benchmark apartment price was $418,500, up 3.7% from year-ago levels. There were 1,271 new residential listings in January 2024. Active residential listings numbered 1,961 units on the market at the end of January 2024. Months of inventory numbered 3.1 at the end of January 2024. Statistics reflect market activity in Jan 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.

SIDE HUSTLES Do an online search for "Side Hustles" and you'll find pages of get rich quick ideas, but do they actually deliver? As with any side job (or hustle as they're commonly referred to now) a lot depends on how much work you're willing to put in and how saturated your local market is. For instance, becoming a rideshare driver, dog walker or snow shoveller in a small town would be great if there's not a lot of competition, but not so great if everyone else is offering the same service. So do your research before starting anything. Not only do you want to find something in demand, that you can actually do and have time for, but find something that you'll enjoy. If you're working extra hours each day to earn more money, you might as well enjoy those hours. Some side hustles can be as simple as getting paid to take surveys online or test websites or apps for glitches or more extreme like renting out a spare bedroom or running a dropshipping business. Be sure to look into any licenses or permits required and how you will be paid and what the return on investment will be. Also research the company and ensure they are legitimate before signing on. Some people end up turning their side jobs into profitable, full-time businesses but most find it's only sustainable for a short period of time. But if you’re looking to fund a summer vacation, a few months of extra work in the winter might be all you need!

Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Privacy Disclosure: We respect your privacy. The sponsor indicated on the front panel provides a complimentary subscription of this publication to you, a valued client. If at any time or for any reason you do not want to receive this publication, please contact the sponsor using any of the contact info on the front panel, and your personal information will be removed from the mailing list immediately. Without response to this cancellation offer, we assume your implied consent and permission to continue provision. Disclaimer: This publication is distributed for the purpose of information only. It is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract by a real estate firm or under contract with another Broker or Mortgage Specialist, nor is it intended to cause or induce breach of any existing agreement. Distributed by: dmsmarketing.ca Copyright© 2024 All Rights Reserved / Printed on recyclable material. The trademarks REALTOR ® , REALTORS ® and the REALTOR ® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.