Buying a house is a big investment, so it is natural to look for ways to save money wherever possible. Some buyers and sellers may assume that they can stretch their budget further if they handle the entire purchase themselves. Doing this may seem like a good way save you money, but can also lead to problems and higher costs in the long run.  As a buyer, hiring a Realtor typically does not cost you a cent; your Real estate agent will be paid from the commission on the sale of the home. Hiring a professional who is on your side to ensure that all your bases are covered only makes sense.

Can you believe that there was a time when real estate brokerages represented only the seller?  It’s true! Buyers had to make one of the most important financial decisions of their lives without a representative truly on their side.

Thankfully, today this is no longer the case. Most buyers choose to be represented by a buyer’s agent who, acts as an advocate, and is responsible for protecting your best interests.  As a home buyer, your real estate representative can provide you with essential information to help you make an informed decision.

As a home buyer, here are a just a few things your real estate representative will do to help you find your dream home:

• Leverage their familiarity with the neighbourhood and provide you with information about local real estate values, taxes, utility costs, services and amenities.
• Pinpoint homes that fit your needs and dismiss those that do not, thereby saving you time.
• Identify the potential problem areas in a home and guide you away from “lemons”.
• Arrange property showings and accompany you, or preview the properties on your behalf.  Previews have become even easier by using the latest technology your realtor can give you a “live” tour even if you are miles away!
• Research properties to identify any problems or issues to help you make an informed decision prior to making an offer to purchase.
• Advise you how to structure your offer.  This is particularly important in a Seller’s market, which we are currently trending towards in Ottawa real estate.  If you end up competing in offers, you’ll be glad you’ve hired a real estate representative, thereby giving you the best chance of your offer being accepted.
• Present the offer to the Seller’s Agent and the Seller, and negotiate on your behalf.
• Assist you in securing financing and advise you of your legal options.
• Recommend appraisal, home inspection and contracting services, as appropriate.

When buying a home, you are entering into a legal arrangement, and having no realtor involved at all means that you are only working off of your own experience and knowledge, and that of the seller. In a purchase as large and complex as a home, there are many things that can be missed or glossed over, especially when the people handling the transaction do not have much experience. It can be easy to forget things like arranging a home inspection or a final walk through to ensure a smooth closing.  If mistakes are made, it can lead to hefty costs down the road.

When you hire a Buyer’s agent, they will fully represent you throughout the real estate transaction.  We hope we’ve convinced you to choose a realtor you like and trust for your next real estate transaction!

 

 

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Ottawa Real Estate Prices on a Steady Climb

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Looking for a way to increase the value of your home or simply a way to give your parent or in-law their own space?

Living in a multi-generational household can have its challenges, but adding an in-law suite to your home can create a better home dynamic, give privacy, and increase the worth of your house.

Click here for more.

 

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December 8th, 2017 - April 8th, 2018

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Ever wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look at how digital animation really works? Or what the creative process behind your favourite movies, like Shrek or How to Train Your Dragon, really looks like?

From December 8th, 2017 to April 8th, 2018 you can take the whole family to the Canadian Museum of History to see the exciting DreamWorks: Animation Exhibition.

Click here to take a look at what to expect!

 

As winter begins to cover the ground with snow, we Canadians are aware, there’s much more coming our way than just a light dusting. Shoveling snow, spreading salt, and digging out your frozen car, are just some of the “joys” winter may bring to you this season. As the costs of heat and electricity continue to rise, Jack Frost will be nipping at your pocketbook, wanting to extend his winter chills to the interior of your home. If you’re hoping to keep the cold outside, and your heating costs down, the best thing for you to do is to get your home “Winter Ready”. Here are some simply ways to winterize your home:

• Clean out your gutters
  • Ensure the rain and snow have somewhere to drain to by cleaning your gutters. This will minimize the chance of leaks, and remove excess weight/strain from the gutters. Making sure that the water can freely flow through your gutters now, will stop the formation of icicles and ice-build up later.

• Reseal your windows
  • Whether you’re purchasing window insulation kits, or redoing the caulk seals, ensuring you minimize the drafts entering the house through your windows will make it easier for the heat to stay in your house.
  • Drafts can sneak in through any improper seal, so be sure to check your need for draft guards, new seals, and even weather-stripping doors as needed.
  • Blocking drafts that may come from improperly sealed doors, windows, and fireplaces can stop up to 70% of your heat and energy from escaping through improper seals – keeping the warm air in, and the cold air out!

• Store Patio Furniture
  • Extend the life of your patio furniture/BBQ by protecting these items from the elements and storing them indoors this winter.

• Clean the garage
  • Cleaning up your garage will give you an opportunity for indoor parking. No more scraping ice from the windshields and trying to unbury your car after a snow fall. Parking your vehicle indoors will both keep the vehicle protected, and give you less to do before work in the morning.

• Fireplace Preparations
  • If you have a fireplace in your house that you plan on using quite frequently this winter, get your chimney/fireplace inspected to ensure that it is safe and clear to use.
  • If your home has a fireplace that you’re not planning on using, block the fireplace with window sealer/insulation kits to help minimize the escaping heat.
  • For more tips on winterizing your fireplace, check here to see what’s important when checking your fireplace before the season.
• Hoses/Outdoor Water
  • To avoid a messy springtime of sorting through hoses for ones that haven’t cracked, drain the water from your outdoor hoses, and store them indoors for the winter.
  • Turn off any outdoor water taps to avoid freezing

• Insulate Pipes
  • Pipe insulation kits can be used to keep the water pipes in your home from freezing.
  • Find out everything you need to know about winterizing pipes here.

• Furnace Preparations
  • If your home’s main heat source is a furnace, get your furnace ready for winter by making sure that it is running effectively prior to the cold nights ahead.
  • Check your filters on a monthly basis to ensure your home is getting clean, and proper airflow
  • Should your furnace need to be repaired, or replaced – consider applying to make your home more energy efficient using Federal/Provincial Tax Credits to lower the expense of replacing/repairing your furnace. Click here for more information on Energy Savings Plans.

• Automate your Thermostat
  • Set your thermostat to automatically adjust its’ temperature setting, which can be set to be cooler during the daytime and warmer at night.
  • Setting a temperature will ensure you have consistent/reliable heat, but no one is cranking the thermostat to 85 and having a tropical vacation temperature in your living room

• Shovels, Salt, and Snow-blowers
  • Don’t wait until the day after a big storm hits to pull out your snow-blower, and shovels. Take a look at them ahead of time – are any of them in need of repairs? Do you have gas in the snow-blower? Salt ready for icy mornings? If not – time to get prepared before the ice hits. Far better to have salt on hand, rather than being reminded that you need it by falling in the morning!

A home is a place of warmth and comfort, so keep those chilly winter drafts out this year by winterizing your home. The only thing better than being warm on a cold winter’s night, is your heat is staying inside with you. Don’t get caught up in drafts, get your winterizing done soon, so those -30 evenings feel like summertime.

December has arrived! And with it, for many, comes the anticipation of holiday activities, traditions and celebrating with family and friends.

We’ve been lucky to have had some truly incredible events in the Ottawa area this year, but it’s not over yet!   As Canada 150 comes to a close, there are a multitude of Christmas events that are taking place all over our City, allowing us to commemorate the end of one year, and the start of something new with our family and our friends. Here’s a taste of what’s happening in Ottawa this holiday season:

• Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village: travel back in time to the days where wagons were drawn by horses, and buildings were built by hand to view the magic that is the over half a million lights lit up throughout the village’s streets, trees, shops and homes. From December 1^st to January 6^th between the hours of 5pm and 9pm, Upper Canada Village will offer scenic horse drawn wagon rides, a life size gingerbread house, a toy train ride for the kids and so much more.
• Originals Ottawa Christmas Craft Sale: Ottawa’s very own 10-day holiday shopping event! Between December 7^th and 17^th, the EY Centre will gather some of Canada’s most talented artists, artisans and designers for you to meet and purchase from – over 200 to be exact! A great opportunity to support our local community as well as cross a few items off your shopping list! For more information on hours, admission and handmade goods, follow this link to their website.
• Stanley’s Christmas Village: get whisked away by horse drawn carriage to Ottawa’s only Elf Village! Every Saturday and Sunday through December (until the 23^rd), Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm offers you and your family the ultimate Christmas experience – as seen through the eyes of an elf. Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa, and take a ride through the Wrapping Warehouse, The Reindeer Stables, Ginger’s Bakery and so much more. And hey, why not end your day selecting your very own Christmas tree? Freshly cut, locally grown trees are now available at the Farm – all additional details can be found here!
• Viewing the Christmas Lights: With our nation celebrating its 150^th milestone this year, the City of Ottawa (and across the bridge into Gatineau) have set up thousands of lights for your viewing pleasures. Catch the glow between December 7^th and January 7^th of 2018. And it doesn’t end there! if you’d like to experience even more spectacular “drive-through” light displays this holiday season, load up the car, blast the Christmas tunes and venture to the Magic of Lights in Ottawa’s west end at Wesley Clover Parks or even the beloved Taffy Lane in Orleans.

Needless to say, the number of Christmas activities that our City has planned for us this holiday season are endless – and absolutely amazing. From rides in sleighs to light displays, there is something for everyone and more. Have a safe and memorable holiday!

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White Christmas, followed by mild winter, says Environment Canada

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Tired of cold, endless winters? You're in luck! This year Ottawa has an excellent chance of a white Christmas, probably followed by a winter on the mild side, Environment Canada says.

Click here for the full article.

 

It’s hard to believe November is over but here we are!  If you’ve been following Ottawa real estate you'll know it's been a busy 2017 and December will likely be no exception.  With the new mortgage rules coming into play in a few short weeks, many buyers are motivated to have firm deals completed before January 1st, 2017.

We've included the latest news release from the Ottawa Real Estate Board below.  Please note: average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.  We have access to current statistics and trends in our neighbourhoods and communities, it’s our job to stay on top of the market trends!  We have up to date Real Estate Market Reports readily available for you and we love to chat real estate – contact us anytime!

Ottawa Real Estate Update | Latest News and Highlights in the Ottawa and Area Real Estate Market

OTTAWA, Dec. 5, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,239 residential properties in November through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System compared with 992 in November 2016, an increase of 24.9 per cent. The five-year average for November sales is 1,001.

“November numbers are upholding the robust year we have been experiencing in the real estate market in 2017,” Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Boards states. “Both residential sales and condo sales continue to steadily increase.”

November’s sales included 294 in the condominium property class and 945 in the residential property class. “This is not surprising though,” Eisert remarks.

“The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institution’s (OSFI) announcement regarding the new stress tests for low- ratio borrowers may have buyers rushing into the market before the stricter mortgage regulations come into play in January 2018. If this keeps up, I expect December could be a busier than usual holiday season for REALTORS®.”

The average sale price of a residential class property sold in November in the Ottawa area was $418,354, an increase of 3.2 per cent over November 2016. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $257,212, a decrease of 7.6 per cent over November 2016. The Board cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

“It is crucial in a market that is moving quickly, such as the one we are experiencing, to ensure you are pricing your property correctly. Having the guidance and market knowledge of a REALTOR® is essential for home buyers and home sellers,”

suggests Eisert. “The most active price point in the residential market is the $300,000 to $450,000 range, accounting for 46 per cent of the market. While the most active price point in the condo market, between $150,000 and $275,000, accounts for 66 per cent of the market,” says Eisert. “In addition to residential and Condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 2,821 properties since the beginning of the year.”

It’s hard to believe November is over but here we are!  If you’ve been following Ottawa real estate you'll know it's been a busy 2017 and December will likely be no exception.  With the new mortgage rules coming into play in a few short weeks, many buyers are motivated to have firm deals completed before January 1st, 2017.

We've included the latest news release from the Ottawa Real Estate Board below.  Please note: average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.  We have access to current statistics and trends in our neighbourhoods and communities, it’s our job to stay on top of the market trends!  We have up to date Real Estate Market Reports readily available for you and we love to chat real estate – contact us anytime!

Ottawa Real Estate Update | Latest News and Highlights in the Ottawa and Area Real Estate Market

OTTAWA, Dec. 5, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,239 residential properties in November through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System compared with 992 in November 2016, an increase of 24.9 per cent. The five-year average for November sales is 1,001.

“November numbers are upholding the robust year we have been experiencing in the real estate market in 2017,” Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Boards states. “Both residential sales and condo sales continue to steadily increase.”

November’s sales included 294 in the condominium property class and 945 in the residential property class. “This is not surprising though,” Eisert remarks.

“The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institution’s (OSFI) announcement regarding the new stress tests for low- ratio borrowers may have buyers rushing into the market before the stricter mortgage regulations come into play in January 2018. If this keeps up, I expect December could be a busier than usual holiday season for REALTORS®.”

The average sale price of a residential class property sold in November in the Ottawa area was $418,354, an increase of 3.2 per cent over November 2016. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $257,212, a decrease of 7.6 per cent over November 2016. The Board cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

“It is crucial in a market that is moving quickly, such as the one we are experiencing, to ensure you are pricing your property correctly. Having the guidance and market knowledge of a REALTOR® is essential for home buyers and home sellers,”

suggests Eisert. “The most active price point in the residential market is the $300,000 to $450,000 range, accounting for 46 per cent of the market. While the most active price point in the condo market, between $150,000 and $275,000, accounts for 66 per cent of the market,” says Eisert. “In addition to residential and Condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 2,821 properties since the beginning of the year.”

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Smart phone technology is readying us to embrace the connected home

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Integrating technology with the home, and home automation are not new ideas. But, today consumers are embracing Smart Phones and technology more than ever, and it seems to be paving the way to homes functioning with a tap of a finger. Is that why “smart homes” are suddenly a big topic in today’s technology market?

Click here for the full article.