Your Home in Ottawa

Better Tasting Beer-

2012-02-11T10:35:00.001-05:00

Here's an example from a brewery booklet from the 1950's:

"CLEANLINESS OF GLASSES Keep special glasses for beer alone and *nothing else*. Never wash beer glasses with plain soap - use a simple liquid household detergent, rinse and allow to drain without drying. Do not dry beer glasses with a towel as the laundering chemicals (such as soaps and starches) which are left in them will leave a harmful film on the glasses and this will break down the head very rapidly.

"When serving beer, always use fresh glasses which have been dipped in cold water."

A perfectly poured beer requires a properly cleaned glass. As a starting point, glassware must be free of visible soil and marks. A beer-clean glass is also free of foam-killing residues and lingering aromatics such as sanitizer.

A freshly cleaned glass should be used for every pour. We recommend that accounts never refill a used glass.

Two systems deliver effective beer glass cleaning:

1. Manual cleaning in the three-tub sink, or

2. Dedicated automatic glass washers.

Manual or Hand Cleaning in the Three-Tub Sink

1. Clean sinks and work area prior to starting to remove any chemicals, oils or grease from other cleaning activities.

2. Empty residual liquid from the glass to a drain. Glasses should NOT be emptied into the cleaning water as it will dilute the cleaning solutions.

3. Clean the glass in hot water and suitable detergent. Detergent must not be fat- or oil-based. Detergents suitable for beer glass cleaning are available through restaurant and bar suppliers.

4. Scrub the glass with cleaning brushes to remove film, lipstick and other residue. Rotate the glass on the brushes to scrub all interior and exterior surfaces. Be sure to clean the bottom of the glass.

5. Rinse glass bottom/butt down in cold water. Water for the rinse should not be stagnant but should be continually refreshed via an overflow tube. If time permits, a double dunk is recommended and preferred.

6. Sanitize in third sink filled with hot water and an appropriate sanitizer.
Sanitizers typically contain chlorine so check the pH and chlorine content of the sanitizing bath periodically to maintain proper conditions. Water temperature should be at a minimum 90ºF. Chlorine concentration should be 100 ppm or at the required local health department concentration.

Automatic glass washing machines

Dedicate this machine to cleaning bar and beer glassware only. Do not subject it to food or dairy product residue.
Use correct detergent, sanitizer and rinse agents in properly metered amounts.
Check concentrations once each day using kits or follow detergent and sanitizer supplier recommendations.
Use water temperatures of 130º to 140ºF. High temperature machines designed to operate at 180ºF can be used without additional chemical sanitizers. Please check your health department for local requirements.
Maintain the machine to assure good water flow through the system including free flow through each nozzle and washer arm.
Regularly service the machine based on the manufacturer's or installer's guidelines.

Handling Clean Glassware

Keep glassware clean and odor free after washing:
Air-dry glassware. Drying glasses with a towel can leave lint and may transmit germs and odors.
Dry and store glasses in a stainless-steel wire basket to provide maximum air circulation. Similar deeply corrugated baskets or surfaces also work.
Do not dry or store glassware on a towel, a rubber drain pad or other smooth surface, as they can transfer odors to the glass and slow the drying process.
Store glassware in an area free of odors, smoke, grease or dust.
Store chilled glasses in a separate refrigerator away from food products such as meat, fish, cheese or onions as they can impart an odor to the glasses.
Store beer glasses dry in a chiller. Never use a freezer. Chill glasses at 36° – 40ºF.

January News Release - Resale Housing Off to a Typical Start

2012-02-10T15:15:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of The Ottawa Real Estate Board February 2012

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 684 residential properties in January through the Board's Multiple Listing Service#&174 system compared with 677 in January 2011, an increase of one per cent. The five-year average for January sales is 652.

Of those sales, 138 were in the condominium property class, while 546 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

"The results indicate it's been a typical month of January for the Ottawa and area resale housing market" said Board President Ansel Clarke. "It is interesting to note that the inventory of properties for sale is considerably higher than a year ago, offering a lot of choice to buyers."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in January in the Ottawa area was $349,415, an increase of 5.6 per cent over January 2011. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $253,210, an increase of 6.8 per cent over January 2011. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $373,731, an increase of 5.5 per cent over January 2011. The Board cautions that 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.

The Informed Buyer and seller-

2011-10-05T19:04:00.000-05:00

“Success doesn’t come to you. You go to it.”

Marva Collins

“Success is a journey, not a destination.”

Ben Sweetland

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are

doing, you will be successful.”

Herman Cain

Like most things in life, shopping for a new home can either be time-consuming and stressful, or fun and satisfying. It just depends on how you go about it.

There are many things you can do to make the home shopping process go smoothly and accomplish what you want: finding the home of your dreams at a price you can afford.

Here are some ideas:

•Get pre-approved.

Find out from your bank or lender how

much you qualify to borrow. That will give you confidence

when home shopping, because you’ll know that, should you

find the right property, financing won‘t be a problem.

• Make a list.

Write down everything you want in a new home.

The obvious items include the number of bedrooms,
size of backyard, location, etc. But also list not-so-obvious features,
such as walking distance to public transit and the potential
for a large recreation room in the basement.

• Take a camera.

After seeing a few homes, you may not

remember every important feature and characteristic. So be

sure to take pictures (where allowed) of the properties you

view as well as the neighbourhoods. They’ll be invaluable

when shortlisting potential properties later on.

• Keep an open mind.

There’s probably an ideal home available

for you on the market. But it might not be exactly what you

had originally envisioned. So try to be flexible when

considering potential homes. If, for example, a property

doesn’t have a big deck for entertaining, you can always have

one built.

• Take care of yourself and your family.

When you’re viewing

properties, bring some healthy snacks and water with you.

Take regular breaks, especially when you’re seeing multiple

homes. And don’t see too many properties at a time

especially if you’re bringing young children with you.

Also, find a good REALTOR

to help you. He or she can make the

home shopping process go smoothly.

Family pictures on the fireplace mantle.
A friendly dog lying on a mat in the foyer.
Dinner cooking on the stove.
Kid’s toys scattered in thehallway.
Closets stuffed with clothes.

Those are the unmistakable signs that a family is living in the house.

But does that “lived in” look appeal to home buyers?

In most cases, no.

Home buyers know, of course, that a family still

lives in the home. But if you have constant

reminders of that throughout your property,

some buyers will feel like intruding strangers.

So when preparing your home for sale,

remember: buyers want to visualize themselves

living in the home, not you.

Not intended to cause or induce the breach of, cancellation of, assignment of, or to interfere in any way with the existing agency agreement of another Realtor.

Canadian home sales stable in May

2011-06-15T09:46:00.001-05:00

Published June 15, 2011 by the Canadian Real Estate Association
OTTAWA – June 15th, 2011 – According to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity remained stable in May compared to April.

Highlights:
• Sales activity held steady from April to May, but posted the first year-over-year gain in over a year due to falling demand in May 2010.
• Year-to-date sales are in line with the ten-year average.
• New listings also remained stable from April to May.
• National housing market remains firmly entrenched in balanced territory.
• National average price is still being skewed upward by historically high sales activity in certain Vancouver
neighbourhoods.

Seasonally adjusted national home sales activityedged down by less than one per cent in May 2011 compared to the previous month. Among major markets were activity declines in Vancouver and Ottawa, offsetting gains in Edmonton and Toronto, where sales reached the second highest level on record for the month of May.

Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity came in 2.7 per cent above levels reported last May. This was the first year-over-year increase in more than a year, reflecting falling sales activity in May 2010. Activityfell sharply last year between April and July, with May marking the mid-point of that slide. Although activity has been more stable this year, last year’s sales volatility is expected to continue to affect yearover-year comparisons in the months ahead.

A total of 196,749 homes have traded hands via Canadian MLS® Systems so far this year. This is in line with the ten-year average for year-to-date activity in May.

“The Canadian housing market has seen some big ups and downs in recent years, making national sales activity so far this year look like something of a Goldilocks story by comparison – not too hot, not too cold,” said Gary Morse, CREA’s President. “Since local housing market trends often differ from national trends, buyers and sellers should consult their local REALTOR® to understand how the housing market is shaping up where they live.”

Seasonally adjusted new residential listings were little changed from April to May, edging up one tenth of a percentage point. The number of newly listed homes fell in Vancouver, Fraser Valley and the Okanagan region in May, offsetting small gains in Toronto and Montreal.

With sales and new listings holding steady on a national basis in May, the resale housing market remained firmly planted in balanced territory. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of market balance, stood at 52.1 per cent in May, little changed from 52.5 per cent in April.

Based on a sales-to-new listings ratio of between 40 and 60 per cent, housing markets were balanced in 62 of 101 real estate boards in Canada. Less than half of the rest can be characterized as sellers’ markets, based on a ratio above 60 per cent. “For the most part, sellers’ markets became slightly more balanced than the previous month,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Toronto stood out as an exception, with sales activity there growing faster than new supply.”

The seasonally adjusted number of months of inventory stood at 6.1 months at the end of May on a national basis. This is little changed compared to the six months of inventory at the end of April 2011. The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is another measure of the balance between housing supply and demand.

The national average price for homes sold in May 2011 was $376,817, up 8.6 per cent from the same month last year.

A number of compositional factors skewed the national average price upward in May. These factors include historically high sales activity in selected pricey Vancouver neighbourhoods and broadly based price gains in Toronto, where supply remains tight relative to demand. If Vancouver sales are excluded from the calculation, the year-over-year change in the national average price amounts to 5.6 per cent; excluding Toronto and Vancouver shrinks the increase to 3.7 per cent.

“Changes in the national average home price reflect variations in home sales activity across and within local markets,” said Klump. “Failure to recognize changes in the mix of sales activity can lead to misinterpretation of average price fluctuations. It can also give rise to faulty predictions of broadly based home price deflation by way of price correction.”

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this news release combines both major market and national MLS® sales information from the previous month.

CREA cautions that average price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighbourhoods or account for price differential between geographic areas. Statistical information contained in this report includes all housing types.

MLS® is a co-operative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate Boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada’s largest single-industry trade associations, representing more than 100,000 REALTORS® working through more than 100 real estate Boards and Associations.

Capital region in a comfort zone

2011-04-09T07:43:00.000-05:00

Capital region in a comfort zone

Documenting the Family Home for Posterity-By Sarah Hill

2011-04-08T15:30:00.000-05:00

WorldVitalRecords.com is a service of FamilyLink.com, Inc

When my grandpa passed away a couple years following my grandma, my mom and her siblings knew they would have to sell their childhood home. It was inevitable, but still sad. In a way, my mom was mourning the loss of her home along with mourning her parents. Wanting to somehow preserve the physical as well as the memories, my mom embarked upon a little project that became priceless.

Before cleaning out the closets and dividing up those things of sentimental value, my mom went around the house with her camera. She took pictures of everything: the furniture that was so outdated it was almost back in style; the vintage wallpaper; the stuffed animals now balding, the bookcases filled with Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Anne Shirley and Louis L'Amour.; the height chart to which we always went, even years past we had quit growing, to see where we had been and where we were in comparison to our cousins; the avocado and citrus trees my grandpa painstakingly cared for; the rose bushes that were my grandma's pride. My mom photographed every corner of that home.

Then she enlisted each of the 27 grandchildren to write about a memory they had of going to my grandparents' home. Some wrote several paragraphs and most wrote a page or two. There were often similar memories, whether it was my grandpa's waffles with a "surprise" ingredient (spoiler: blackberries turn them purple) or having my grandma correct your hand position at the piano or grandpa's whiskers or grandma's ability to beat anyone at Rack-O. The underlying themes of the stories were the feelings we had in that home–something you couldn't photograph.

With the photographs and the stories, my mom compiled them all using an online publisher. She worked tirelessly on it, and the results justify that. Now, each of my siblings and I have a beautiful, professionally-printed hardbound book of pictures and stories about my grandparents' home that I can share with my children and my children's children. This project has inspired me to take pictures and document the smaller things that we often overlook. It took just a few days to put together, but I will cherish it forever–especially the picture of the wallpaper.

Resale homes sold more quickly in February

2011-04-06T15:13:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board
Ottawa, March, 2011 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 936 residential properties in February through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,030 in February 2010, a decrease of 9.1 per cent. Of those sales, 213 were in the condominium property class, while 723 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

"Once again we're seeing sales numbers very close to the five-year average for February, which is 962 sales. It's important to note that the homes that sold last month did so far morequickly than in January, spending an average of just 33 days on the market. As well, prices rose slightly more than they had in the previous two months which indicate we still have a very steady market here in Ottawa," said Board President Joanne Tibbles. "This tells us that there is a demand for resale homes in Ottawa, and that when buyers see the home they want, they're going after it, perhaps even going up against other bidders," Tibbles added. "Our market remains balanced, with no significant advantage towards either buyers or sellers, so it's fair game for everyone," she added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in February in the Ottawa area was $338,408, an increase of 6.7% per cent over February 2010. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $260,112, an increase of 6 per cent over February 2010. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $361,475, an increase of 6.9 per cent over February 2010. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

Roughing it no more

2011-04-02T08:26:00.002-05:00

It used to be that the cottage life was a step above camping.Roughing it no more

Rain, rain, what a pain for any homeowner

2011-03-27T11:03:00.002-05:00

EMC Real Estate March 24, 2011- March is a month that can't decide whether to be winter or spring in Ottawa. So just to cover all its bases, it's thrown both piles of snow and buckets of rain down upon us. Aside from the difficulty walking anywhere, extricating one's car from a parking spot, and worrying about which coat to wear on any given day, homeowners should be aware that water and ice can do serious damage to their home if they end up in the wrong places. The primary entry points for water are the roof and the foundation, so you should check on both in the spring to make sure they are doing their part to keep your home safe and dry.

Flooding is a top concern this time of year when we're all slogging through massive puddles. If water builds up around your foundation it could leak into your basement. Most homes have landscaping designed to draw water away from the foundation, but over time the ground can settle and water may collect next to the house and find its way in through even the tiniest of cracks. Once that happens, the water can freeze and may enlarge the crack.

Take a walk around your house, preferably after a good rain, to see if there's any standing water. Check the grading all around your house to ensure that land slopes away from, not towards, the foundation, and be on the lookout for cracks. If there are puddles, the area needs to be re-graded professionally to send that water on its way. If you do find cracks in the parging or concrete, it's a good idea to have your basement checked for any leaks at the same time.

Your downspouts and gutters should also be clean and working properly to direct rainfall away from the foundation. Clogged gutters will send water straight down from the edge of the roof to the ground rather than funneling it away.

If your downspouts aren't long enough they can deposit water where you don't want it, downspout extenders are an easy and inexpensive solution to this issue.

Your roof should also be inspected once a year. Spring is a great time to do this, because any damage caused by snow, ice and wind will be fresh and can be fixed before it gets worse. Start inside the attic, to check for damp patches or water stains caused by small leaks that aren't visible from the outside.

Next, the exterior of the roof should be checked for loose or missing shingles or cracked flashings (the pieces that are placed over joints in the roof and around a chimney). The most vulnerable spots are where shingles meet another type of material (such as a chimney or wall) or where the roof line changes direction.

Leaks can be fixed by re-applying sealant, and loose shingles can be nailed back down, but if the roof is in very bad condition (several large leaks, tons of missing shingles, brittle or crumbling shingles) it may be time to replace it.

Water will invade your home from above and below if given the chance - make sure it never gets started and you'll stay dry all spring.

Ottawa Resale Homes Sold Faster in February-

2011-03-14T16:13:00.000-05:00

Published March 10, 2011 in Ottawa South EMC article by Joanne Tibbles President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

EMC Lifestyle - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 936 residential properties in February through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,030 in February 2010, a decrease of 9.1 per cent. 213 of those sales were in the condominium property class, while 723 were in the residential property class.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in February in the Ottawa area was $338,408, an increase of 6.7 per cent over February 2010. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $260,112, an increase of 6 per cent over February 2010.

The average sale price of a residential-class property was $361,475, an increase of 6.9 per cent over February 2010. The Board cautions that 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.

Once again we're seeing sales numbers very close to the five-year average for February, which is 962 sales. It's important to note that the homes that sold last month did so far more quickly than in January, spending an average of just 33 days on the market. As well, prices rose slightly more than they had in the previous two months which indicate we still have a very steady market here in Ottawa. This tells us that there is a demand for resale homes in Ottawa, and that when buyers see the home they want, they're going after it, perhaps even going up against other bidders.

If you are in the market for a new home, and think you might encounter a multiple-offer situation, don't be nervous: be prepared! Having a real estate professional working on your behalf is a great place to start.

He or she knows the ropes, can act as your negotiator with the seller or their agent, and can offer advice on how to proceed if another offer does compete with yours.

You'll want to make sure you have your mortgage financing pre-approved before submitting an offer, so that you know what you can afford and still maintain your lifestyle. In a multiple-offer situation it's easy to get swept up and try to win the offer at any cost, but you don't want to overpay, get yourself into financial hot water or find out that it won't pass an appraisal.

Next, get the name of a registered home inspector to call when you find a property you want to make an offer on. Making your offer conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection by an accredited professional is always a good idea.

Also, talk to your insurance provider to make certain you can get home insurance on the property you're interested in bidding on. Your mortgage provider won't release your funds if the property that acts as collateral for your mortgage loan is uninsurable.

When you enter into a multiple-offer situation well-prepared, with professional advice and a solid strategy, you'll be able to make your best offer with confidence.

Getting Your House Ready to Sell | CMHC

2011-02-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

Getting Your House Ready to Sell | CMHC

10 Laws of Social Media Marketing - Entrepreneur.com

2011-02-19T14:15:00.000-05:00

10 Laws of Social Media Marketing - Entrepreneur.com

Nothing unusual about January resale home sales-

2011-02-16T16:37:00.000-05:00

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the February 10, 2011 issue of the EMC community newspapers.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 675 residential properties in January through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 719 in January 2010, a decrease of 6.1 per cent.

Of those sales, 135 were in the condominium property class, while 540 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

These are normal sales numbers for January in Ottawa — the average number of sales for the previous five Januaries was 662, so we're even a little ahead of that, and prices continued to rise incrementally. Winter is usually a quieter time of year in the resale market and 2011 appears to be no exception. Our market remains balanced, with no significant advantage towards either buyers or sellers, so it's fair game for everyone.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in January in the Ottawa area was $329,657, an increase of 3 per cent over January 2010. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $236,065, a decrease of 8.7 per cent over January 2010. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $353,055, an increase of 4.7 per cent over January 2010. The Board cautions that 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.

When we say "fair game" we mean it — in a balanced market, everything feels a little calmer in the home buying and selling world. There are more homes listed for sale than there are buyers, so it's more rare to see a large number of bidding wars (though these do occur on certain properties in any market). This means that buyers don't feel the same amount pressure to jump at the first house they view in fear that there won't be another one available. They have more choice available, and if they do happen to miss out on a certain property, they are comfortable in knowing that something else will come up shortly. Sellers may have to wait slightly longer for an offer on their property than they would in a seller's market, but a well-priced, well-maintained, well-presented home will sell no matter what the market is like. So in this quiet season, sellers can really take time to spruce up their home so that it shows all of its best features to potential! buyers.

Another advantage for sellers in the winter is that those buyers who are looking for a new home are generally pretty serious about buying right away, since they are often motivated by a pressing concern (moving for a new job, needing more space for a new baby, etc).

The fact is, any time can be the right time to buy a home; real estate is a four-season business. A member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board can help make your buying or selling experience easier and quicker, no matter the weather. Find us online at www.OttawaRealEstate.org.

Existing Survey-

2011-02-01T08:57:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Stephen Shub for sharing this. Caution for Buyers/Sellers and their agents.

THE “EXISTING” SURVEY ISSUE
Ontario real estate agents should be aware of
the “existing” survey issue with residential
properties. My law firm recently used the letter
below in representing a buyer for a property
where the “existing” survey was an issue.

Also, be advised our 7th Metro Office Location
opened December 1, 2010, in Etobicoke at Bloor
and Islington at 1243 Islington Avenue, #703,
Toronto.

See www.home-legal-cost.com for more information

To: (Name Withheld), Barrister -
Fax To: 416-xxx-xxxx ( 2 ) Pages

File #: B011-089
104x xxxxxxxx Avenue, #xxx
Toronto, Ontario
M1x xxx

- and -

(Agent Name Withheld)
Fax To: 416-xxx-xxxx ( 2 ) Pgs
- and -
(Agent Name Withheld)
Fax To: 416-xxx-xxxx ( 2 ) Pgs

Toronto, Ontario M2J 4G8

Dear Above-named:

Re: Nxxxxxxx purchase from Mxxxxxx
xxx Gxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx, Toronto
Closing: December 15, 2010

Regarding this purchase of a detached house, I
act for the buyers who have given me permission
to broadcast this issue as a learning curve for
the real estate brokerage industry since this
issue (over the years) has been constantly
recurring with too much frequency resulting
in a big waste of time for all parties involved
in processing such deals.

Schedule “A” of the purchase agreement in this
transaction was revised during negotiations to
change “... valid, legible survey...” to
“... existing survey...” resulting in the sellers’
promise to provide the buyers within 5 business
days after acceptance of offer:

“... an existing survey... showing all structures,
garages, additions and easements that exist at the
date of this agreement.”

At the time of negotiating the sale, since no copy
of the existing survey was provided to buyers by
sellers (nor attached as a schedule to the offer),
ONLY the sellers knew (or listing agent should have
known) that the promised existing survey would not
show all structures (being a survey dated August 30,
1950) which only showed the brick dwelling built in
1950 and not the garage or rear sun room built at a
later date.

Both the seller and the listing agent had access to
the existing survey at the time the listing was taken
AND at the time of negotiating the sale agreement BUT
FAILED TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH THE
FACT THAT THE SALE CONTRACT PROMISED
THE BUYERS AN EXISTING SURVEY SHOWING
ALL STRUCTURES.

Now the sellers are taking the position that they do
not care what type of existing survey (showing all
structures) was promised, and that they will only
provide the buyers with a 1950 existing survey not
showing all structures, even though the sale contract
states otherwise.

The fact that the buyers are getting title insurance
is NOT relevant to the matter since the sellers were
promised in the sale agreement an existing survey
showing all structures and the buyers are now entitled
to receive such a survey, regardless of obtaining
title insurance.

When the sellers negotiated the sale and changed the
words in the offer from “... valid legible survey...”
to “... existing survey...”, the sellers could have
also deleted the words (when signing back the offer)
“... showing all structures, garages, additions...
that exist at the date of the agreement.” The sellers
and the listing realtor not only failed to delete such
words but also did not attach the survey as a schedule
to the agreement and also failed to disclose that the
1950 survey, in fact, did not show the existing garage
and rear sun room built after 1950.

In law, the sellers are therefore now prevented (legal
doctrine of estoppel) from relying on the words
“... existing survey...” in order to permit sellers to
get away with forcing upon the buyers a 1950 existing
survey which does not show garage or rear sun room.

A listing realtor has a duty to act professionally when
taking a listing and to view any existing survey that
the seller has (or become aware that the seller has NO
available survey), in anticipation of being able to give
proper professional guidance to the sellers when buyers
present offers to purchase, which will usually include
a survey clause (for non-condos).

Should you fail to confirm in writing within one
business day of this letter that a survey will be
provided to buyers, (prior to closing) showing all
structures (as promised in the sale agreement) OR should
there be no immediate signed amendment entered into
between buyers and sellers agreeing that only a copy of
the existing survey will be provided, I am advising
buyers to arrange to order a survey showing all
structures and to deduct the cost from the balance due
on closing.

Yours Truly,

_________________

Stephen Shub
=============================================

Note: Realtors should be aware that the contractual issue
in this purchase file generated many phone calls between
lawyers, realtors, calls with clients and numerous letters
between lawyers dated November 10, November 16,
November 22 and November 23 (all because the listing
realtor failed to delete the words on sign back, “...
showing existing structures...” or failed, on sign back, to
attach a copy of the existing survey as a schedule to the
agreement.)

Realtors, PLEASE be aware of the issue and, in future,
find out at the time of taking a listing whether or not
the owner has a survey available and, if so, confirm
whether such survey shows all existing structures so that
you will know how to deal with a survey clause in an offer
when received. “Copy of existing survey” is better wording
to avoid problems or attach the survey as a schedule when
signing back the offer.

Should you have any questions, do not be afraid to call me
direct to 11pm 7 days or if you want a quotation for legal
fees and legal disbursements, please contact my firm.

Regards,
Stephen Shub, LL.B (Barrister, Solicitor)

We have 32 staff in 7 Metro Locations providing legal
services in several languages in only Residential Real
Estate, Title Insurance, Wills, and Notary Services.
STEPHEN H. SHUB PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
BARRISTER, SOLICITOR, NOTARY
5799 YONGE STREET, SUITE 803
TORONTO, ONTARIO
CANADA
M2M 3V3
OFFICE: (416) 222 1882
Cell: 416-520-6120 to 11pm 7 days
FAX: (416) 222 4277
http://www.home-legal-cost.com

See www.home-legal-cost.com for Residential buying/selling

legal fee quotations

Feng Shui Tip from Sharon Hay-

2011-01-25T11:33:00.000-05:00

Feng Shui Tip of The Month
February 2011

Hello Everyone,

It's that time of year to think about Flying Star Feng Shui. This is the study of the earth's energy shift for the year. The energy shift starts February 4th, 2011 so we need to get our remedies in place a few days before that. It last until February 3rd, 2012.

Year of the Rabbit

Avoid Construction in these areas: East, South/West, West and North West

North: If activated could be good for moving forward with plans (avoid moving water in this area)
North/East: The fortune star falls here but avoid risky business if your main door is here.
East: The 5 Yellow star falls here which is the most unfortunate star. Using moving metal such as metal windchimes to cut the negative energy.
South/East: The fortune star falls here but use the water element if you are in the entertainment business.
South: If your main door is here then use metal to negate the sickness star.
South/West: There is strong romance luck here. If your main door is here use a metal container with water to stop possible robberies.
South/West: This area is good for artists and entertainment businesses and strong romance luck.
West: This area has strong romance and money luck. Use things in "9's" to multiply good fortune (ie: flowers, candles, coins).
North/West: Powerful fame and wealth area if main door is here. Use this area often but remember not to disturb the earth here (or you may get conflicts).

All the best for the Year of Yin Metal Rabbit!

Sharon HaySenior Feng Shui Practitioner
Director
Canadian Schools of Feng Shui

Maintaining a Pest-Free Home

2011-01-24T13:28:00.000-05:00

With the temperature hovering below zero, it’s time to prepare your home for winter hibernation by creating a healthy pest-free environment. By conducting indoor and outdoor house inspections and incorporating a few easy pest-control measures, you can improve the value of your property and create cleaner, happier living conditions.

The first step in eliminating pests is to prevent them from entering your home. Begin by examining the exterior of your house to identify minor cracks and holes in the bricks and mortar where insects typically live and breed. Once crevices have been identified, consider spraying a pesticide into these crevices to destroy pests, but be sure to educate yourself about potential harmful effects of various bug-repellents. To safeguard your home from bugs in the future, ensure that openings are properly closed by sealing them with outdoor caulk, inserting steel wool or applying weather-stripping.

Next, carefully inspect your roof and eaves troughs for damage often caused by birds and squirrels, which can lead to water leakage and moldy insulation. Promptly repair gutter and roof leaks that cause dampness and therefore attract pests. Install mesh or perforated leaf shields to discourage larger animals from nesting in your gutters.

During the winter season, many animals hibernate in chimneys to escape from the cold weather, therefore it is a good idea to secure wire mesh over your chimney’s opening and close the flute whenever the fireplace is not in use to avoid animal nestings. Consider having your chimney inspected by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year and if you discover an animal living in the chimney, call an experienced pest control service to remove the animal as safely and quickly as possible.

Once you have completed checking your home’s exterior, begin an indoor inspection of the entire house. Start with the basement, an area that typically contains potential openings for pests, such as air conditioner ducts and minor cracks in the walls, floors and drains. Explore every room in your home, examining walls, floors, doors and ceilings
for open spaces and cracks, and seal all cavities with indoor caulk or paint. Use clear caulk as a short-term, affordable solution for small holes in window screens or invest in a strong wire mesh to patch larger holes.

To eliminate pests from the kitchen, store food in packages inside airtight containers with snap-top lids. When grocery shopping, ensure items are properly sealed or can be resealed securely. When disposing of garbage, be sure to use a can with a firm seal and clean garbage cans often to remove odours that attract insects and rodents. Other kitchen tips include mopping the floor regularly, cleaning countertops and drains immediately after use, and rinsing cans before reusing or recycling.

Vacuuming your home at least once a week, including upholstery, will also help ensure a sanitary, pest-free home. If bugs are still evident in your home after a thorough cleaning, place baits, sticky traps, snap traps or glue boards in areas where pests hide or contact a professional pest control service to identify and eliminate the problem.

You can keep your home pest-free with regular inspections and proper maintenance that will help minimize costly home repairs and ultimately add value to your residence. And, your efforts will ensure a clean and healthy home for your family and friends to enjoy for years to come.

I Will Sell Your Home for Free-

2011-01-05T13:33:00.003-05:00

Why would I? Nothing is free the selling agent wants to be paid and the listing agent has obligations to his brokerage, family and business and also needs to be paid. This type of sale has conditions that best be read by the seller and understood. Lets be realistic would you agree to work for your employer for no salary? Probably not. So, those offers we have all seen(I get them in the mail also) are to good to be true. Why then would a listing sales representative guarantee to buy your property within a certain period of time with no listing commission? Of the very few homes that are actually bought by the listing sales representative here is an example of one that the agent listed at $340k purchased it for $295k 30 days after the listing date and re-listed it 2 1/2 months later for $470k and sold it for $448k.
Remember not all guaranteed sales fit the above scenario. Relocation companies such as Brookfield(Royal LePage), Remax Relocation and others require appraisals as well as agent opinions of value before offering a guaranteed sale on behalf of their client(usually an employer) any shortfall or profit as above reverts to the client not the listing agent.

Going to Cuba? Watch this.-

2010-12-08T19:19:00.001-05:00

I first saw this about 10 years ago. Interesting.

Christmas Montreal 1957-

2010-12-08T18:45:00.002-05:00

1957 would be our second Christmas in Montreal after our move from Ottawa. I think the Santa scenes were in Eaton's later to become Eaton before disappearing.

Housing styles and types, explained

2010-11-24T15:19:00.002-05:00

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the 2010-11-18 issue of the EMC community newspapers.

When you’re working with a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) to purchase a home, he or she will create an automated search of properties available for sale to find homes that meet your criteria, such as price, location and number of bedrooms. But there are other search criteria that help your real estate professional narrow down the type of home you are hoping to buy. Some of those terms are common sense while others may be less easy to figure out. Here is a glossary of the terms used for housing styles and types by OREB:

Residential - a form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds freehold title to a dwelling unit and block of land; often referred to as freehold.

Condominium - a form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds title to an individual dwelling unit, an undivided interest in common areas of a multi-unit project, and sometimes the exclusive use of certain limited common areas.

Detached: A single dwelling unit standing alone, separately titled.

Row Unit: One dwelling unit of a group of three or more attached, self-contained dwelling units of similar design and size, each unit separately titled. These are often referred to as townhomes.

Semi-Detached: One of a pair of self-contained dwelling units, attached by a common wall but detached from other buildings; separately titled.

Apartment: One unit of a complex of self-contained units lying within a low, mid or high rise building, offering common areas such as hallways, parking lots, stairwells, etc.

Stacked: One unit in a complex containing individual residences stacked on top of each other like apartments (often multi-level), contained in a single structure resembling traditional row houses. Each unit has a separate entrance and is separately titled.

One Level: An apartment with all of its rooms on one level.

1 ½ Storey: a single family dwelling with 2 levels above grade. The upper level is full height at the centre peak but dramatically slopes to shorter height along the outer walls.

2 Storey: A single family dwelling with 2 levels above grade.

3 Storey: A single family dwelling with 3 levels above grade.

Bungalow: A single family dwelling with 1 level above grade.

Double Side by Side: A building which consists of two dwelling units beside one another; under single ownership (one legal description); looks like a semi-detached.

Duplex-Up/Down: A building which consists of two dwelling units, one above the other; under single ownership.

Hi-Ranch: A single family dwelling with 1 level above grade and the basement level elevated partially above grade. Entry is located halfway between basement level and main level.

Split Level: A single family dwelling with multiple levels above grade, separated by small flights of stairs.

Obviously, some homes are more easily categorized than others; members of OREB try very hard to classify a home correctly when listing it on the MLS® System. Your real estate professional can help you determine which type and style of home might best suit your family’s needs. Who knows - you might find yourself looking at a style of home you’d never considered before!

How to make a festive Christmas wreath

2010-11-23T15:27:00.002-05:00

1) Gather evergreen pieces about 40 cm long. (Be sure to ask permission from landowner first.) 2) Use wire cutters to cut pieces into hand-size lengths.
3) Pile three or four pieces together to be wired to the wreath form.
4) Attach one end of your floral wire to the wreath frame and holding a length of greenery on the front of the frame, wind the floral wire around the end of the boughs and the frame.
5) Don't cut the floral wire. The idea is to use a continuous length of wire to secure the lengths of evergreen to the form.
6) Next, secure a second length of evergreen on the back of the frame, several centimetres further along the wreath form. Tie it in place with the floral wire.
7) Secure a third bunch of greenery on the front, overlapping the first, the fourth on the back, overlapping the second. Continue in this manner until the wreath is complete.
8) Secure the final length of evergreen with an extra twist, and cut floral wire.
9) Trim uneven pieces with wire cutters.
10)Decorate with ribbons, cones, or other items

Resale Market Becomes More Balanced

2010-11-23T14:55:00.002-05:00

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board-released November 2, 2010

Ottawa, November 2,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,042 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,197 in October 2009, a decrease of 12.9 per cent. Year to date, the number of properties sold has declined 2% compared to the same period last year, a record setting year.Of those sales, 221 were in the condominium property class, while 821 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“Six months ago we were in a strong seller’s market, now we have moved into a more balanced market position,” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “Some properties are still receiving multiple offers but this is happening much less often than was the case in the spring.”

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $340,719, an increase of 6.8 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $263,292, an increase of 13.4 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $361,560, an increase of 5 per cent over October 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

View Full Report

Winter Tires-

2010-10-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

Why switch to winter tires when the average temperature drops below 6ºC?

By Brad Sherwin

In the closing days of 2007, the Province of Quebec passed a new road safety act that included a number of initiatives designed to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage on the province's highways. One aspect of the new legislation that has generated significant comment is the requirement that beginning in 2008 vehicles have a full set of winter tires when driven between November 15 and April 15.

The importance of winter tires in driver safety and security is well known by those of us in the auto industry. Indeed, there is a wide consensus among safety experts, police, car manufacturers and knowledgeable observers that the addition of four winter tires makes a real and measurable difference in handling, braking, directional stability and starting traction. Countless demonstrations have made believers out of anyone who witnessed a comparison, in winter conditions, between summer tires and winter tires, or even between all-season tires and winter tires.

Indeed, the rapid advance of new technologies recently introduced in winter tires has made that performance difference even greater. The science of tread design has certainly made a contribution, but it is the development of highly specialized compounds for winter tires that has made the most profound difference in performance.

In the case of the Yokohama Rubber Co., the introduction of new technologies has been driven by research that helped identify the danger zone when temperatures are between minus 6 degrees C and 0 degrees C - the temperature when a thin film of water forms between the tire and ice, and creates some of the most difficult driving conditions. That, in turn, prompted the development of features for dealing with that water like the shelled micro-bubbles and absorptive carbon flakes used in the compound of the new Yokohama Ice Guard IG 20 automobile winter tires, and the Yokohama Geolandar I/T G072 winter tires for light trucks and SUVs. Our competitors likely won't be too far behind with their own new features.

It is also increasingly well known that the purchase of winter tires does not represent a substantial increase in the cost of vehicle operation when measured over the total period of ownership. By switching to winter tires, owners are effectively extending the life of their summer or all-season tires; for every month the winter tire is in use, the tire it replaces is not suffering wear. If most owners keep their vehicles between 48 and 60 months, many would normally have to replace tires once during that period. A set of winter tires and a set of summer or all-season tires would be the equivalent of two sets of summer tires with the benefit of added safety and security.

That said, many Canadians have found that all-season tires suit their needs. Those who live in areas with moderate winters or who do limited winter driving have told us that all-season tires perform well in those conditions. While we still recommend winter tires for winter conditions, we certainly respect their choice.

Quebec is not the first jurisdiction to mandate winter tire use, of course. A number of countries in Europe like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Latvia already require the seasonal use of winter tires, while winter tires are mandatory on certain designated roads in countries like France, Austria and Italy. But it may surprise you to know that we do not expect a substantial increase in business as a result of Quebec's new law. It is important to point out that Quebec already has Canada's highest adoption rate for winter tires. Some estimates suggest 80% to 90% of Quebec drivers already employ winter tires, so the actual increase will be incremental to the industry's volumes. Still, we applaud any initiative to enhance road safety and know the improvement in overall safety will be welcome.

Finally, there is a new and growing factor in the discussion of the role of winter tires that we need to acknowledge: the environment.

It is an accepted fact that the salt used on roads in the winter has a serious - and cumulative - negative impact on our water supply. Thousands of tons of salt are used every year across the country to treat roads, and that salt eventually finds its way into our rivers, lakes and wetlands. The impact is very profound, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas where dissolved salts can harm fragile eco-systems.

Provinces and municipalities are struggling to address this issue. Part of the solution may lie in winter tires. Drivers who don't use winter tires rely on the provinces and municipalities to clear roads to bare condition so they can drive. In turn, provinces and municipalities have relied on salt to help create a road surface where drivers without winter tires have some minimal mobility.

If all drivers took the initiative to adopt winter tires, we could drastically reduce the use of salt on roads, and with it the damage salt does to the environment (not to mention roads, bridges and automobiles). Roads would still need to be plowed and sanded, but it would be a win-win situation: Improved safety for road users and reduced damage to the environment from excessive salting.

Much will be said and written in coming months about the new Quebec law. I hope our perspective helps illuminate the discussion. If you have any questions about this or any other tire issue, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Brad Sherwin is the marketing communications manager for Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. He can be reached at 604-464-6700 x1119. © CarTest.ca.

Editor's note: Winter-rated tires can be identified by a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.

Do's and Don'ts for Bathrooms

2010-10-12T09:16:00.001-05:00

Here are some tips from:
Sharon Hay
Senior Feng Shui Practitioner
www.canadianfengshui.ca

- Keep the toilet lid down, when not in use
- Keep shower curtain closed
- No pictures of people you know in the bathroom (The low chi of the bathroom can affect the people in the pictures)
- No spiritual books in the bathroom (it is not recommended to mix high vibrational information with waste) People magazine is OK.
- Best if toilet is hidden from view upon entering the main door of the home (If not, place visual to distract vision away from toilet, such as a plant or small table) It could affect health or career of the occupants
- Green, brown or beige can be most helpful by reducing the overabundance of the water element
- A bed should not be on the other side of the wall of the toilet plumbing
- The worst placement in the home for a toilet is the very center of the home. Can cause imbalance in the occupant's lives.
- Dripping taps encourage you to waste money, noisy plumbing and cisterns are disturbing on a subliminal level
- Don't have an abundance of mirror and glass in the bathroom as this adds to the overabundance of the water element which drains the energy out of your home
- Real Estate Agents: make sure you put all the toilet lids down before an open-hous

Ottawa Market-

2010-09-17T11:05:00.001-05:00

Trending towards a balanced market.
EMC Ottawa South: Ottawa housing market balances as prices remain steady http://tinyurl.com/27bkphc

Better supply of properties for sale brings balance to housing market; prices rise steadily

2010-09-03T12:08:00.003-05:00

Published Sept. 3, 2010 by the Ottawa Real Estate Board

Ottawa, September 3,2010 :
After an HST- influenced dip in sales in July, August saw a return to a more normal number of sales. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,122 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,211 in August 2009, a decrease of 7.3 per cent. Of those sales, 266 were in the condominium property class, while 856 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“The number of sales year-to-date is slightly ahead of last year’s sales for the same period, and last year’s sales volume was the highest ever. This shows the stability of the Ottawa Real Estate Market. ” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “The market is in a balanced position in relation to the number of homes for sale and the demand for properties. This is a good market for both buyers and sellers. I expect to see a normal fall market with longer selling times and stable prices,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $321,969, an increase of 2.1 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $262,999, an increase of 16.8 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $340,294, an increase of 0.1 per cent over August 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

View Full Report

A home is more than an investment

2010-09-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

This week we feature guest columnist Joanne Tibbles, who is the President-Elect of the Ottawa
Real Estate Board. Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board Sept. 2, 2010

The late comedian George Carlin once famously joked that a house is nothing but “a place to
keep your stuff.” Obviously, most homeowners believe that their house is so much more than
that. A home is where we live. It’s where we sleep, shower, read, play, and relax. Some people
work from their homes. Sometimes, a home can be an investment, purchased in the hopes of
making a profit. But just because a home is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your
lifetime doesn’t mean that it’s always a good idea to treat a home as an investment with quick
returns. The cable TV channels are fond of shows where people “flip” homes – buy them
cheaply, fix them up nicely and sell them off at a profit – but in the real world that kind of quick
profit isn’t always a sure thing.
As the real estate market moves toward balance in Ottawa, homeowners may begin to worry that
their homes aren’t appreciating in value as quickly as they once were, and that so-called “bidding
wars” (multiple offers) are becoming less common occurrences. This is only cause for concern if
you absolutely have to sell your home in the next little while. If, like many homeowners, you
bought your home because you love it, it suits your family’s needs, and it provides you with
somewhere to sleep, eat, relax and keep your stuff, then there’s no need to panic.
Home values in the Ottawa area have historically increased at a steady pace as the years go by.
Since 1956, the average sale price on homes sold via Ottawa’s MLS® system has only decreased
five times, and never by more than 4.3 per cent (way back in 1961). Average home prices
increased by somewhere between two and eight per cent in 32 of those 54 years, which gives you
a much better idea of how the Ottawa housing market generally operates. Slow and steady
growth is our hallmark here, bolstered by a stable employment market whose backbone is, of
course, the federal government, but that also is not dependent on industry for its stability.
Double-digit average price increases, on the other hand, are rare, occurring in only ten of the last
54 years. History has shown that over the long term, prices will generally rise here in Ottawa, so
housing remains a great long-term investment - but it may not be the best market for a quick
flip. If you do need to sell after a shorter time period, an experienced real estate professional who
knows the Ottawa market can help you sell for a price you’ll be happy with. He or she can also
advise you on up-and-coming neighbourhoods where a home may be more likely to appreciate in
value over the short term. Contact a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board at
www.OttawaRealEstate.org.
Buying a home you can live in and enjoy for the long haul is never a bad idea, and will likely
turn out to be a good investment. Plus, it gives you somewhere to keep your stuff

Taking Time for Buyers to Sign a B.R.A.

2010-08-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Taking Time for Buyers to Sign a B.R.A.

Still a seller’s market in Ottawa; prices rise steadily

2010-08-05T17:08:00.004-05:00

Ottawa, August 5,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,149 residential properties in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,578 in July 2009, a decrease of 27.2 per cent.Of those sales, 294 were in the condominium property class, while 855 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“Last July saw a record high number of sales in Ottawa, which was the result of pent-up demand as the market came out of a downturn. What we see this year is a return to more seasonal sales volumes,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The ratio of listed properties to sold properties indicates that Ottawa remained in a seller’s market last month, and sale prices continued to rise at a steady pace, as they generally do here in the national capital,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $321,827 , an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $249,674 , an increase of 15.2 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $346,638, an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,590 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

View Full Report

Look at the Potential-

2010-08-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

Good advice for homebuyers. Click here.

Inventory Increases, Market Balances in June [2010]

2010-07-22T07:15:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board July 6, 2010

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,615 residential properties in June through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,897 in June 2009, a decrease of 14.9 per cent.

Of those sales, 418 were in the condominium property class, while 1,197 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“For the first time in 2010, inventory increased year-over-year in June, by almost six per cent. The Ottawa housing market is now moving towards balance, rather than the seller’s market we have been in for most of the past year,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Sales last month were very close to the five-year average for June, so what we see here is a return to the stable, steady market conditions that Ottawa tends to experience. Home sale prices continued to grow at a healthy rate in June,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in June in the Ottawa area was $326,572, an increase of 6.4 per cent over June 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $256,969, an increase of 8.3 per cent over June 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $350,878, an increase of 7.4 per cent over June 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

For Sale Semi Detached Bungalow-Beaconhill

2010-07-21T06:28:00.004-05:00

1848 Elmridge-
Close to all services, churches, transportation and recreation. There is a tennis court across the street. Kitchen, bathrooms have been renovated. Handy deck leads to the private back yard. Only $284,900

CANADA’S REAL ESTATE MARKET TO COOL SLIGHTLY AFTER STRONG FIRST HALF

2010-07-12T15:44:00.000-05:00

Market will cool down for the second half of 2010 in Canada.CANADA’S REAL ESTATE MARKET TO COOL SLIGHTLY AFTER STRONG FIRST HALF

Inventory Increases, Market Balances in June [2010]

2010-07-08T12:31:00.001-05:00

Reprinted from The Ottawa Real Estate Board July 6, 2010

July 6, 2010 : Inventory Increases, Market Balances in June [2010]

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,615 residential properties in June through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,897 in June 2009, a decrease of 14.9 per cent.

Of those sales, 418 were in the condominium property class, while 1,197 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“For the first time in 2010, inventory increased year-over-year in June, by almost six per cent. The Ottawa housing market is now moving towards balance, rather than the seller’s market we have been in for most of the past year,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Sales last month were very close to the five-year average for June, so what we see here is a return to the stable, steady market conditions that Ottawa tends to experience. Home sale prices continued to grow at a healthy rate in June,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in June in the Ottawa area was $326,572, an increase of 6.4 per cent over June 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $256,969, an increase of 8.3 per cent over June 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $350,878, an increase of 7.4 per cent over June 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

1848 Elmridge Open House-

2010-07-03T13:18:00.005-05:00

Sunday July 4th. 2-4p.m.. Come on by. Click on th elink. See you there.
http://tinyurl.com/32ohzj9

New Listing in Sunridge-

2010-06-23T12:03:00.003-05:00

Check out this super home in Sunridge.
2030 Legrand

Slower May after record-setting April: could it be the HST?

2010-06-04T13:23:00.000-05:00

Reprinted from the Ottawa Real Estate Board June 3, 2010 News Release

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,694 residential properties in May through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,967 in May 2009, a decrease of 13.9 per cent.

Of those sales, 353 were in the condominium property class, while 1,341 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“Many of the sales that would normally have occurred in May were pulled back to April, due to buyers trying to avoid the May 1st transitional implementation date for the HST, as well as new mortgage regulations that came into effect April 19,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Buyers knew they would be paying eight per cent more for all of the service costs associated with a real estate transaction if their closing date was after July 1, and that it might be more difficult to qualify for financing, so they moved quickly to avoid either situation. In addition, by comparison May 2009 was a record-breaking month as the floodgates opened on pent-up demand following the brief downturn in the market,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in May in the Ottawa area was $333,408, an increase of 6.9 per cent over May 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $246,116, an increase of 6.4 per cent over May 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $356,387, an increase of 8.3 per cent over May 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,590 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area and now online at www.OttawaRealEstateGuide.ca.

Fabulous Waterfront-

2010-05-27T12:28:00.006-05:00

Build a family compound or investigate development possibilities. Check this listing on Lac Louisa.http://tinyurl.com/3a9tf9d It is still available. Check out this link for two web books with plenty of pictures including a very young Shirley Boyd(Hamilton)http://tinyurl.com/2wmo3jz

Relocation doesn’t have to mean trepidation-

2010-05-26T14:46:00.002-05:00

Moving to a new home within the same city is something many homeowners do over the course of their lives, whether it’s a move precipitated by changing housing needs or the desire to live closer to work, school or recreation. Whatever the reason, moving is a big deal and requires a lot of time and organization from every member of the family.
But moving from one city to another, especially a city you’ve never lived in before, can be an even more daunting undertaking. There are so many questions to answer: How do we find a new house? What neighbourhood should we choose to live in? What are the different types of homes
available in the new city? What’s the public transportation system like? Where are the sports and cultural facilities located? Should we try to live close to work, or commute, and how’s the traffic? If you’re moving for a new job or educational experience, you’ve got all the stress of that particular life change as well, on top of the basic questions of shelter for your family.
Fortunately, there are real estate professionals in every city who can help you find the answers to all of those questions and more. Their job is to help you build a new home base from which to establish your new life. Ottawa, as our national capital, is a city that many new residents choose to adopt as their home every year, whether they’re immigrating from another country or moving from another part of Canada. They might be members of Canada’s armed forces, foreign diplomatic personnel, or people working for the many companies who have their headquarters here in Ottawa. Because of the transient nature of our population, many members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board have ample experience in helping families relocate to Ottawa from somewhere
else.
A real estate professional can help you from the very beginning of the process: touring neighbourhoods with you to figure out which one is right for your family; finding listed homes that meet your family’s needs and wants; setting up appointments for viewings; and even
previewing homes to check that they meet your criteria. Even if you only have a short period of time in which to visit Ottawa and purchase a new home, a real estate professional can work within your schedule. If you’re moving from another province or country, he or she can also help you familiarize yourselves with local real estate laws and requirements, as well as recommending which conditions you might want to place on your offer, such as a satisfactory home inspection, first refusal clause, etc.
Once you’ve found a home you’d like to purchase, a real estate professional can also assist you in arranging mortgage financing, negotiating your offer with the sellers, and even recommending moving companies. So make your move a much more enjoyable experience – call a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, and enjoy your move to our fair city

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the May 20, 2010 issue of the EMC community newspapers.

Canada’s real estate market both competitive and secure, national survey of REALTORS® finds

2010-05-11T17:14:00.000-05:00

Canada’s real estate market both competitive and secure, national survey of REALTORS® finds

Dollar sheds early gains as global markets continue collapse

2010-05-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Dollar sheds early gains as global markets continue collapse

Hottest April on record for resale housing market

2010-05-05T14:02:00.002-05:00

May 5, 2010 :
Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,841 residential properties in April through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,591 in April 2009, an increase of 15.7 per cent.

Of those sales, 425 were in the condominium property class, while 1,416 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“Last month’s sales blew away the record for April, which is always one of the busiest months of the year for our market,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The increased sales activity may be partially due to buyers trying to avoid the impending HST and the mortgage changes that came into effect on April 19, but also demonstrates that consumers feel confident about our local economy,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in April in the Ottawa area was $332,979, an increase of 11.6 per cent over April 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $254,220, an increase of 17.4 per cent over April 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $356,617, an increase of 11.7 per cent over April 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,590 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area and now online at www.OttawaRealEstateGuide.ca.

A home by the water

2010-05-05T13:56:00.001-05:00

Sunset over the lake. A boat tied up to your own personal dock. Fishing and swimming seconds
from your back door. Many of us dream of living in a home that adjoins a body of water. But
buying, owning and maintaining a waterfront property isn’t as easy as you may think.
First of all, not all waterfront properties are alike. Living by a peaceful lake can have different
challenges than cohabiting with a rushing river. Many real estate professionals have extensive
experience helping people purchase and sell waterfront properties, so finding one that can help
you navigate the waters is a great idea.
If your waterfront lifestyle will include recreational activities like boating, swimming or fishing,
be sure to find out what type of access you would have to the waterfront, based on the land title.
The waterfront may be part of the property title, or the owner may simply have deeded access to
it. If there is a beach, check whether it is private, community only, or public. Your real estate
professional and lawyer will be able to help you get this information before you consider making
an offer on a waterfront property.
Also, renovating, improving or significantly changing a waterfront property may require extra
planning and permission from organizations such as Parks Canada or the local conservation
authority, in addition to the usual municipal planning and permit issues. Those organizations
work to protect environmentally sensitive areas, wetlands, fish and animal habitats, and natural
shorelines. They also conduct water quality testing, undertake flood forecasting and issue
warnings, and can be an excellent source of information and advocacy for waterfront
homeowners. Making changes to waterfront property without proper approval can carry
significant fines, so be sure to check with your local conservation authority before you build or
tear down.
Once you have permission to renovate or landscape, consult experts to make certain you’re
working with the land in such a way that any new buildings or systems (such as septic or wells)
will not be compromised by the water or natural erosion of the shoreline.
Finally, you want to make sure the nearby water will stay out of your home. Flooding is possible
almost anywhere, but the risk is magnified when a property is adjacent to a body of water. For a
quick check when you’re first thinking about waterfront properties, the City of Ottawa’s e-Maps
feature (located on their website Ottawa.ca) allows you to view the location of flood plains
throughout the city so that you can choose neighbourhoods with lower risk. However, when you
are considering making an offer, a home inspector who’s experienced in assessing waterfront
properties can help you determine what the flooding risks are with that particular property, and
can offer concrete suggestions about how to prevent flooding in the future.
A waterfront property can provide you and your family with many opportunities for recreation
and relaxation. By doing your homework and consulting with waterfront experts including real
estate professionals, home inspectors and conservation authorities, you can buy that lakefront
home or riverside cottage with greater peace of mind.

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the May 2010 issue of the EMC community

Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund-

2010-05-04T11:33:00.001-05:00

Results from one of our associated companies:http://tinyurl.com/26pljqd

626 Waterfront on Lac Louisa-

2010-04-21T12:46:00.003-05:00

House on the property with garage, Investigate development possibilities.626 feet of waterfront. http://tinyurl.com/2bpz4oc. Call or email me and I'll set you up with an appointment. Short commute to Ottawa.

Think twice before selling privately

2010-04-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

Think twice before selling privately
Sure you may save money, but do you have the ability?
By Garry Marr, The Financial PostApril 14, 2010
On the surface it seems like a no-brainer: Sell your home privately and save thousands on the commission you would pay to a real estate agent.

The average house sale price in Canada was $331,171 in the first two months of this year. Based on that, if you save the 5% commission-- a rough average -- that's $16,558 in your pocket.

No so fast. The first thing you have to ask yourself is whether you have the time and the ability to acquire the knowledge you're going to need to sell your home, even in this red-hot market.

Michelle Tittley, 33, who works in an administrative role in the House of Commons, sold her home in Ottawa's east end this month -- in about 48 hours.

It's the third home she's sold privately in the last five years.

"I do my research and I keep an eye on the market," says Ms. Tittley, who thinks the key to selling privately is understanding market conditions.

She doesn't dismiss the real estate establishment. For her last sale, she invited three agents to her house -- all knowing her plan to sell privately -- and asked them what it was worth. All three figured they'd get a shot at the listing if she couldn't sell privately.

"I got prices ranging from $265,000 to $295,000. I did my own research, looked for other houses in the area and listed it for $285,000. I got over-asking for it," she says.

One of the first issues she faced was whether to offer a commission to agents who brought clients to her home. Some in the for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) community suggest you could face a boycott from potential buyers with agents if you don't pay their commission, in the range of 2.5% of the usual 5% rate on the sale price.

Ms. Tittley decided to offer 1% commission to buying agents when she advertised on Grape Vine Home Marketing Consultants, which operates one of the top FSBO Web sites in eastern Ontario. She sold to a buyer whose agent demanded 2.5% when her clients were out of earshot. "She told me the 2.5% was not negotiable," says Ms. Tittley.

So did she come out ahead not using an agent?

The agent-led buyers came in over the asking price at $288,950. Minus the commission, that netted her just over $281,000 after paying for the listing on Grape Vine. She would have paid a larger commission fee listing with an agent on the real estate industry's Multiple Listing Service system, but she'll never know if she would gotten better offers. She doesn't think so.

"I don't like to say agents don't work for their money, but they're working for the buyer, so why should I pay them?" says Ms. Tittley, who admits it was easy to sell in this real estate market. "It took me two-and-a-half months to sell my first house five years ago. I had open houses every weekend."

Phil Soper, chief executive of Brookfield Real Estate Services, which operates the Royal LePage brand, argues a transaction done through traditional realtors comes with a certain amount of security.

"The principle downside [to selling privately] is you are moving outside the complete web of regulations put in place by the provincial and federal governments to protect consumers," he says. "It's like buying pharmaceuticals offshore -- sure they might work."

One private-sale issue rarely discussed is that the buyer almost always expects a discount because he or she knows you are saving on commission.

Craig Osborne, president of Grape Vine, agrees private selling is not for everybody. "There is a bit of a time factor and you need to have the confidence to be able to negotiate," says Mr. Osborne, who charges $245 for a basic listing on the Web site, up to $795, which includes signs, a photographer, even access to a registered real estate agent.

Jeff Usher is the realtor Mr. Osborne sends people to if that's what they want. He gets no commission, but will help with pricing a property, tips on how to handle a sale and generally be available for any advice.

Mr. Usher's model is likely to become more popular as the real estate industry, under pressure from The Competition Bureau, changes its rules to allow consumers to opt for a package that has an agent post their property on the MLS and not do much else.

"The landscape in real estate is changing drastically," says Mr. Usher, who maintains in today's hot market you don't need the MLS or a realtor to sell a property.

True enough, but when the market cools and houses sit unsold for a few weeks, more than a few would-be private sellers will be calling their local realtor and deciding that paying commission -- hopefully, it will have come down from 5% -- will be money well-spent.

- - -

gmarr@nationalpost.com

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Capital housing prices outpacing other cities

2010-04-14T08:28:00.000-05:00

Appears the trend is continuing. Good news for owners and a reason to become a Capital city property owner.

Capital housing prices outpacing other cities

Competition czar fires back at realtors

2010-04-12T09:59:00.000-05:00

I believe that there was and is no basis for the Competition Bureau's action.

Competition czar fires back at realtors

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE BOLSTERS HOUSING MARKET BUT RECOVERY UNEVEN ACROSS CANADA

2010-04-09T15:35:00.000-05:00

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE BOLSTERS HOUSING MARKET BUT RECOVERY UNEVEN ACROSS CANADA

A Penny Savers Shopping Mall

2010-04-08T13:11:00.001-05:00

The Secrets to a Successful Garage Sale

By: Ian Ponting

It is probably the only time you can throw your unwanted items on your front lawn without provoking a disapproving look from your neighbours. Instead, they’ll likely saunter over with a pocket full of money and a few cold beverages. This is what makes garage sales so appealing – they’re equally fun and profitable.

Garage sales are perfect for those planning a move. Alternatively they serve as a great incentive for those who have compiled a lot of extra ‘stuff’ over the years. They can prove especially profitable if you begin with a plan.

It is essential to begin planning a few weeks in advance so you have time to implement sales techniques, such as advertising. The best way to advertise is by adding unique touches to customary advertising ideas. Attaching an assortment of colourful balloons to a sign, or using a catchy phrase in your newspaper ad will help generate excitement. Your local real estate office can also provide you with garage sale signs. You should begin advertising about three to four days in advance of the sale. Be careful not to advertise too early as this could cause potential customers to forget about your sale.

You will have to select a start and finish time for your sale. For maximum success, it is suggested to begin around 7 am, as most garage sale goers are early birds.

A plan will help you prepare for the unexpected, such as a rainstorm. Simply setting up your sale in a sheltered location, such as a garage, or having an alternative location to quickly move your items to in the event you do get showered upon, could help avoid the cancellation of a planned event.

To avoid last minute scrambling, make sure all items you need for the sale are prepared in advance. Some things that should be on your list include plastic bags for shoppers, tables, boards and boxes to display your items and markers and tape for sudden price changes. You can even prepare for price changes by deciding beforehand how willing you are to negotiate on your prices. In most cases, you should have room to lower your fees by 25 to 50 per cent. You will also need to decide what methods of payment you will accept.

Once you have your advertising complete and your basic items prepared, you can plan your merchandising. This is an area that can separate profitable garage sales from ordinary ones. For example, to attract customers you should display your most unique and interesting items close to the street, where they will be easily spotted. Take advantage of product placement by placing children’s toys next to women’s clothing, which should help keep children occupied while their mothers shops. Although clothes are often difficult to sell at garage sales, you can improve your chances by neatly hanging and showcasing the garments rather than pilling them up.

Grouping similar items together will make the shopping experience more pleasurable and familiar to those who frequent department stores. Place all similar items together, just as they are done in your favourite store.

To ensure that people stay long enough to peruse over all your goods, make sure they’re comfortable. On a warm day, offer cold glasses of lemonade and juice. For the early birds, have coffee and donuts on hand. To keep the atmosphere lively, not to mention original, play music in the background throughout the day.

These simple tactics will make your garage sale more profitable for you, and more pleasurable for your customers and neighbours, giving them one more reason to drop in for a visit.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article. However, the information provided is general in nature and those with specific questions should seek professional advice that meets their particular requirements.

Ottawa housing Market Soars into Spring -

2010-04-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

April 7, 201
source: Ottawa Real Estate Board

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,499 residential properties in March through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,161 in March 2009, an increase of 29.1 per cent.

Of those sales, 327 were in the condominium property class, while 1,172 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“The spring market kicked off early and strong this year, possibly boosted by the unseasonably warm weather and absence of snow in March,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Inventory is still lower than at this time in 2009, but has begun to increase slightly in recent months,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in March in the Ottawa area was $329,767, an increase of 15 per cent over March 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $240,409, an increase of 15.1 per cent over March 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $354,698, an increase of 15.1 per cent over March 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,540 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area and now online at www.OttawaRealEstateGuide.ca.

A Great Start to 2010 for Ottawa’s Housing Market

2010-02-03T11:41:00.001-05:00

Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board
Ottawa, February 3, 2010 : Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 713 residential properties in January through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 529 in January 2009, an increase of 34.8 per cent. Of those sales, 156 were in the condominium property class, while 557 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“These numbers are more in line with what we might expect for a typical January, whereas 2009 started off abnormally slow due to uncertain financial and market conditions worldwide,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Although listing inventory remains low, we expect that will change as we head into the spring market and interest rates remain low,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in January in the Ottawa area was $320,966, an increase of 11.4 per cent over January 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $259,273, an increase of 22.5 per cent over January 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $338,244, an increase of 8.2 per cent over January 2009. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,540 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

How to buy a house and have a life, too-

2010-01-27T12:15:00.002-05:00

Anyone who has so much as dipped a toe into the real estate market knows that buying a home
can be a time-consuming effort. Determining what kind of home you want, figuring out your
budget, investigating neighbourhoods, searching for homes that interest you, booking
appointments, visiting Open Houses, and arranging financing can seriously eat into your spare
time (and your not-so-spare time, for that matter). It can be a daunting prospect, especially for
first-time buyers.
Working with a real estate professional can simplify your home-buying process immensely. Here
are just a few of the things that he or she will look after on your behalf:
• finds homes that meet your needs and wants
• arranges viewing appointments and accompanies you to showings
• provides you with information about comparable properties so you get a clearer picture of
what you should expect to pay for a given home
• when you’re ready, writes up your offer and presents it to the sellers
• negotiates on your behalf to reach an agreement
Think of these as things you could do on your own, but that would take up a lot of your time and
energy and might not be things you feel comfortable doing. Real estate professionals are welleducated
about the laws governing the sale and purchase of real property, and many of us focus
specifically on working with buyers. We can help you get from the start of your home search to
the closing date smoothly and efficiently.
While you’re in the process of buying that first home, it’s important to take a hard look at your
budget and lifestyle when determining how much you spend on it. Be realistic. Leave room in
your monthly budget for emergencies and small luxuries. That may mean buying a different
home than the one you’ve always envisioned, but how many of us want to be so “house poor”
that we can’t afford occasional treats like dinner out or a new pair of shoes? There are plenty of
well-appointed homes at many different price points in and around Ottawa, and a real estate
professional can help you find the ones that fit your budget. Remember to also plan for closing
costs, new furniture and any appliances or renovations your new abode might need. Your real
estate professional can help you figure out how much to set aside for these items.
You can also take advantage of tools such as the federal Home Buyer’s Plan, which allows firsttime
homebuyers to withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSP to put towards their down
payment. That’s $25,000 per person, so if you’re buying a home with a spouse, you can each
withdraw up to that amount from your retirement savings. First-time homebuyers are also
eligible for a Land Transfer Tax rebate of up to $2,000 from the province, no matter whether
you’re buying a resale home or one that’s newly built.
So if you’re ready to become a homeowner, jump right in – with a real estate professional at your
side to help make the process much less daunting. You can find a roster of members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board at www.OttawaRealEstate.org. Or call/email Ian Ponting. 613-222-2662 or ian@royallepage.ca

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the January 21, 2010 issue of the EMC community newspapers

January 2010 Newsletter-

2010-01-26T12:40:00.000-05:00

Click here for my first Newsletter of 2010:
http://www.royallepagemc.ca/11/20911/272327/272327.html

Royal LePage Press Release-

2010-01-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

CANADA’S REAL ESTATE MARKET EXPECTED TO CONTINUE STRONG GAINS INTO THE FIRST HALF OF 2010
Demand and supply finding balance in the second half of the year

TORONTO, January 7, 2010 – Canada’s residential real estate market is forecast to remain unusually strong through the first half of 2010 as economic conditions across the country improve and the stimulus impact of low interest rates continues to stoke demand, according to today’s Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast. As confidence in the recovery builds in early 2010, increases in average house price levels and overall market activity are expected to continue. The gradual erosion of affordability driven by higher house prices and the expected late-year modest upward movement of interest rates, together with an improvement in listings supply as confidence improves, are expected to bring the market back into balance in the second half of the year, when home price increases are expected to moderate.

“The Canadian real estate market enters 2010 with considerable momentum from a unusually strong finish to the previous year, said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “The stimulus effect of low borrowing costs has contributed to a sharp rise in demand that has driven activity levels to new highs. This demand, coupled with a typical seasonal undersupply of homes for sale, should cause home prices to continue to appreciate significantly during the early months of the year. Improving supply as the year unfolds and easing demand as the cost of home ownership rises should moderate home price increases in the second half of 2010.”

In contrast to the difficult months during the worst of the recession, house prices appreciated during the later part of 2009, with fourth quarter price averages surpassing averages from the fourth quarter 2008. The average price of detached bungalows rose to $315,055 (up 6.0%), the price of standard two-storey homes rose to $353,026 (up 5.2%), and the price of a standard condominium rose to $205, 756 (up 6.4%). The first two quarters of 2009 saw significant year-over-year price declines across the housing types surveyed and the third quarter provided the first signs saw a strong rebound in Canadian home values.

Regions that saw the strongest declines during the recession are now showing marked gains. Those regions include Toronto and the Lower Mainland, B.C. Vancouver in particular experienced a robust quarter, with home prices rising across all housing types surveyed.

“No other sector of the economy has been as highly affected by economic stimulus as housing,” commented Soper. “As consumer confidence has improved, Canadians have shown a lingering reluctance to acquire depreciating assets such as consumer durables, but have embraced the opportunity to invest in real property. Predictably, the regions benefiting most from this renewed interest in home ownership are those with lower average house prices and strong economic confidence, such as Winnipeg and parts of Atlantic Canada.”

Soper added, “Our forecast is built upon an expectation that interest rates will ease upward before the year’s end, which should have a dampening effect on demand, allowing it to come into balance with the supply of resale homes on the market. Further, we expect to see an increasing number of homes listed for sale as the year progresses – as Canadians regain confidence in the economy, they should be more willing to enter into a large financial transaction such as the sale of a home.”

REGIONAL MARKET SUMMARIES

Halifax saw varied gains across all surveyed housing types in comparison to fourth quarter 2008. Notably, more affordable homes posted the highest price increases due to the influx of workers returning from Western Canada.

Montreal saw strong gains this quarter as year-over-year price levels rose across all three housing types surveyed. Recent increases in demand have resulted in lower than normal inventory levels. Inventory levels are expected in increase in 2010. Continued demand is expected to result in moderate price levels.

House price levels in Ottawa are moderately higher this quarter compared to fourth quarter 2008 across all housing types surveyed. Fourth quarter sales activity did not slow as expected, and the demand has resulted in higher incidences of sellers receiving multiple offers, an unusual occurrence in end of year activity for this region. While inventory levels are low and there is competition among home buyers, this may abate as the government eases economic stimulus in 2010.

The Toronto market saw year-over-year price increases across the housing types surveyed in the fourth quarter. Of particular interest is the increase in sales of higher-priced units, which were hit hard by the recession over the previous 12 months. There was a surge of first-time buyers active in the market last year, depleting the inventory of entry-level units. They are expected to be joined by move-up, executive, and luxury buyers in the coming year, resulting in additional price appreciation.

Winnipeg saw some of Canada’s largest home price increases this quarter. More than one third of homes sold in the region went for above their asking price driven largely by first time buyer activity. This strong growth is expected to continue well into 2010.

Inventory levels in Regina are low, as much as thirty per cent lower than expected for this time of year; this situation should be corrected in the spring of 2010. House prices should continue to increase into 2010, driven by labour force growth in the construction industry.

Price levels in Calgary remain constant as the market is correcting from the record growth seen in the middle of the previous decade. Inventory levels are one quarter the levels seen in 2008, and the reduction in choice has delayed purchases. Activity and price levels are expected to increase modestly in 2010.

House price levels in Edmonton are also still correcting from the 2005 to 2007 boom. Low inventory levels have provided some price support, and activity is expected to increase in the spring of 2010.

Vancouver saw significant gains in price levels, with average increases of approximately ten per cent across the housing types surveyed. Inventory levels are beginning to decrease, and there has been an increase in sales involving multiple offers. Sales activity may drop off due to the city’s focus on the Olympics in the first quarter, but the market is expected to be robust for the remainder of the year.

Royal LePage’s quarterly House Price Survey (Q4 2009) shows the annual change of prices for key housing segments in select national markets. Click here to view the chart (.PDF).

The Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices is the largest, most comprehensive study of its kind in Canada, with information on seven types of housing in over 250 neighbourhoods from coast to coast. This release references an abbreviated version of the survey, which highlights house price trends for the three most common types of housing in Canada in 80 communities across the country. A complete database of past and present surveys is available on the Royal LePage Web site at www.royallepage.ca. Current figures will be updated following the complete tabulation of the data for the fourth quarter. A printable version of the fourth quarter 2009 survey will be available online on February 5th, 2010.

Housing values in the Royal LePage Survey are Royal LePage opinions of fair market value in each location, based on local data and market knowledge provided by Royal LePage residential real estate experts. Historical data is available for some areas back to the early 1970s.

About Royal LePage
Royal LePage is Canada’s leading provider of franchise services to residential real estate brokerages, with a network of nearly 14,000 real estate professionals in over 600 locations across Canada. Royal LePage believes in the importance of giving back to the community and is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation. The Shelter Foundation is dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs. Royal LePage is managed by Brookfield Real Estate Services, and is part of a brand family that includes Royal LePage, Johnston and Daniel, and La Capitale Real Estate Network. An affiliated company, Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund, is a TSX listed income trust, trading under the symbol “BRE.UN.”

For more information visit www.royallepage.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Tammy Gilmer
Director, Public Relations and National Communications
Royal LePage Real Estate Services
416-510-5783

David Kaiser
Senior Vice President
Fleishman-Hillard Canada
416-645-3682

Canadian Housing Trends - 2010 Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast (.PDF)

Royal LePage Q4 2009 House Price Survey (.PDF)

Royal LePage Q4 2009 House Price Survey - Map Format (.PDF)

Printable version of this release (.PDF)

Real Estate Board News-

2010-01-06T20:51:00.000-05:00

President’s Pen: Condo or freehold – what’s right for you?

A weekly President’s Pen article appears in some editions of the EMC community newspapers, under the byline of the current Board President. Here is the latest article:

Anyone who’s ever owned a home will know what those two terms up there in the headline mean. Condominiums include any property, regardless of style, which is registered as a condominium. Freehold properties are those which do NOT have a condominium corporation associated with them. Each property type has its own advantages, and can be the ideal choice for a homeowner, depending on your lifestyle, needs and personality.

Condos, like freehold properties, come in all shapes and sizes, not just apartments: you can find one with a great yard for gardening, an entertainment-sized living room, or extra bedrooms for the grandkids. The main difference between a condo and a freehold property is that with a freehold, the title holder generally owns the property inside and out, including the roof, foundation, and land that the property stands on. With a condo, generally the title holder owns only the interior of his or her unit, as well as a share of any common areas and elements that exist within the corporation description.

Condos generally have a monthly fee associated with them that pays for the upkeep of the common areas, elements and insurance, while freeholds do not. Before you purchase a condo, be sure to investigate what exactly is covered by its fees and investigate the financial health of the Condominium Corporation, as this can differ significantly among condo corporations.

A condo corporation also has the right to create and enforce by-laws (although they must first be approved by the condo owners) governing such issues as pets, noise, and alteration of the common elements.

Condos are great for busy people: if you travel frequently and hate home maintenance (or are simply unable to do it), owning a condo means you may never need to replace a window, shovel snow, mow the lawn or nail down loose shingles. Condos can also be cost-effective for those on a tight budget: they often sell for a lower price than freehold units, and the incremental method of paying for regular maintenance through condo fees is far easier on the pocketbook than coming up with hundreds or even thousands of dollars at once for a maintenance issue.

On the other hand, freeholds are preferred by many people, for a wide variety of reasons. Some people love to spend their weekends working on improving their home, creating gorgeous landscaping, or tackling a “fixer-upper” property. Then there are those who simply don’t want or need the services (from snow removal and grass cutting to fitness rooms and guest suites) that a condo corporation may provide. Freehold owners can do pretty much whatever they want to their home, within the boundaries of zoning and building code requirements. They also have more control over their maintenance expenses, by shoveling their own snow or mowing the lawn themselves, for example.

Whatever type of property you prefer, an experienced real estate professional can help you find the right one for your needs and wants! Check out www.OttawaRealEstate.org for an online roster of Ottawa Real Estate Board members, who would be pleased to help you start your search for a new home.

To view archived articles, click on the Newsletters, Guide & Useful Articles button on Ottawa’s REALTOR Link® home page. From the blue left-hand menu, click on Useful Articles, and you will see a list of the last ten articles. Click “more” to see older articles.

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the (date) issue of the EMC community newspapers. The date of publication appears in the file name of the article.

New Listing-

2010-01-06T20:43:00.001-05:00

Cute condo at 270 Brittany just listed. Only $145,900. On MLS contact me for showings.

November home sales back on track after slow 2008

2009-12-03T15:02:00.000-05:00

December 3, 2009 : November home sales back on track after slow 2008

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 916 residential properties in November through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 643 in November 2008, an increase of 42.5 per cent.

Of those sales, 214 were in the condominium property class, while 702 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“The dramatic increase in sales can be explained by last year’s sales being affected by the crisis in the financial markets,” said Board President Rick Snell. “The five-year average for November sales is 809. Listing inventory remains at a low level and we are still in a seller’s market,” he added.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in November in the Ottawa area was $313,370, an increase of 7.4 per cent over November 2008. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $225,767, an increase of 1.7 per cent over November 2008. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $340,075, an increase of 9.8 per cent over November 2008. The Board cautions that 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.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,540 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area and now online at www.OttawaRealEstateGuide.ca.

HST threatens the affordability of home ownership

2009-11-10T12:14:00.001-05:00

Starting July 1, 2010, Ontarians can expect to pay a harmonized sales tax (HST) rate of 13% on a long list of goods and services that were previously exempt from the 8% Provincial Sales Tax
(PST). While the impact of the tax will be felt by all Ontarians, the province’s 3 million
homeowners and the thousands who buy and sell a home every year will be hit particularly hard
by this latest tax grab.

Real estate professionals know how important the dream of home ownership is to Ontario
families. Unfortunately, thanks to the forthcoming HST, that dream is going to become much
more expensive. After July 1, 2010, every residential real estate transaction in Ontario will face a significant tax increase. Specifically, home buyers and sellers can expect to pay 8% more on
legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, condo fees, home inspection fees, moving costs
and the provincial government’s recently introduced system of mandatory home energy audits.

According to the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), Ontarians will pay, on average, an
additional $1,449 in new taxes on their next residential real estate transaction.
If these new taxes on real estate transactions are not bad enough, a HST will add 8% more tax on a series of home-related costs. Specifically, a HST will add hundreds, potentially thousands of
dollars in additional tax on utility bills, such as gas, electricity and home heating fuel, on home
renovation labour, the cost of lawn upkeep or landscaping and the cost of snow removal.

Moreover, a HST will increase the cost of living with 8% more tax on gasoline, personal and
professional services, meals under $4, dry cleaning, cab fares, magazine subscriptions, plane
tickets, vitamins and cell phone charges.

When added together, the impact of a HST on an Ontario family’s disposable income will be
considerable. In short, a HST will reduce the people of Ontario’s quality of life by taking more
of their hard earned money to fund government initiatives.

While the Government of Ontario plans to compensate homeowners by offering sales tax
transition cheques and modest income tax reductions, these measures will in no way offset this
new tax. A onetime payment of $1000 (for a family of four) and a modest $368 reduction in
income taxes will do very little to offset the burden of an 8% tax increase on a litany of items in
perpetuity.

You can help the real estate profession oppose this latest tax grab. I encourage you to write to
your MPP and tell him or her that Ontarians do not need higher taxes on home ownership. To
find the name and address of your MPP, visit http://www.ontla.on.ca/ and click on Members.

Call Me if You Can-

2009-10-09T08:13:00.001-05:00

Reproduced from an Ottawa Real Estate Board publication:

To call… or not to call?
When Canada’s National Do-Not-Call List (DNCL) came into effect last fall, you may have
eagerly added your phone number to it, because you’re tired of telemarketing calls. If you did,
you may not have realized that real estate professionals are deemed by the government to be
telemarketers, so we cannot make unsolicited phone calls to numbers on the DNCL except under
certain circumstances. That can make it tough for a real estate professional to maintain a working relationship with his or her past clients.
Here’s when they are allowed to call you: if you’ve purchased services from a real estate
professional in the last 18 months; if you have a contract with them for services that is still active
or expired within the past 18 months; or if you’ve inquired about their real estate services in the
last 6 months. They can also call you if you’ve given them written or verbal permission to do so
(for example, you attended an open house and provided your contact information to the listing
salesperson). But if you’ve worked with a real estate professional in the past, longer than 18
months ago, and your number is on the DNCL, they need your permission to call you to help
keep that business relationship alive.
It’s understandable that many people don’t wish to receive any unsolicited phone calls at all, and
see the DNCL as the most effective way to make that happen. However, if you have established
a relationship with a real estate professional or brokerage, there are advantages to maintaining it
even if you have no immediate plans to buy or sell your home. You never know when you might
need their assistance: that house down the street that you’ve always loved might go up for sale;
your job might require you to transfer to another city or country, necessitating the quick sale of
your current home; or a family member might ask you for a referral because they’re ready to buy or sell their home.
Relationships are valuable, and they grow more so over time. So if your real estate professional
wants to give you a call once every six months just to check in, or to let you know about
something they think you might be interested in, why not say yes? Life is full of surprises.
Many people also are not aware that the law requires all telemarketers, even if they only make
exempted calls (such as polling organizations), to keep their own internal do-not-call lists. So
you don’t need to subscribe to the entire list to reduce the number of calls you receive. For
example, if you receive a call from a particular business you’d prefer not to hear from again, you
can ask them to add your number to their internal do-not-call list and they must comply. You can also contact a business pre-emptively to have your number placed on their internal list.
In this way, you can cut down on the number of unwanted calls you receive, and still maintain
valuable working relationships with businesspeople like your real estate professional.

National Market Analysis-Fourth Quarter 2008

2009-03-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

Economic Downturn and Dampened Consumer Confidence Caused House Prices to Dip During Fourth Quarter

During the fourth quarter of 2008, Canada's real estate market posted a decline in both unit sales and house prices, according to a House Price Survey released by Royal LePage Real Estate Services. The combination of a global economy in recession and shrinking employment figures did much to dampen consumer confidence, diminish home sales and cause house prices to drop.

Of the housing types surveyed, the average price of detached bungalows dipped by 4.8 per cent to $319,640, followed by standard condominiums, which decreased by 5.2 per cent to $233,230, year-over-year. The average price of standard two-storey properties fell by 6.3 per cent to $376,140, year-over-year.

"For many people, deciding to hold off on buying a home at the end of the year was an easy decision to make. With consumer confidence in tatters, many were reticent about making any large purchases. However, waiting on the sidelines during the normally slow winter market is one thing, sitting out the seasonally busy spring market is quite a different story. Activity levels should rise as the year progresses," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services.

Looking ahead, Soper concluded, "the balance of 2009 should see gradual and continuous improvements as the effects of low mortgage rates along with efforts by governments and central banks to get the economy back on its feet again begin to take hold."

For more information, please see the Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices at www.royallepage.ca..

If you are wondering what your home is worth in today’s market, please contact me and let me put my expertise to work for you
Survey of Canadian Average House Prices in the Fourth Quarter 2008

Homes selling faster, prices still rising

2008-09-17T13:49:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, September 5, 2008 : Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,187 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,307 in August 2007, a decrease of 9.2 per cent. There were 1,418 sales in July 2008.

“Making comparisons with 2007 is always difficult, because it remains the best year on record by such a significant margin. When you compare this year’s sales numbers to 2006, which still stands as the second-best year on record for sales, it becomes much more apparent that Ottawa’s resale housing market is very steady. In fact, year-to-date sales are up over the same time period in 2006. At the end of August of that year, members of the Board had sold 10,141 homes. As of the end of August 2008, members have sold 10,469 homes in the Ottawa area this year,” said Board President Heather Skuce.

The average price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $280,806, an increase of 5.1 per cent over August 2007. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,400 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

2007 Best Year Ever for Ottawa Resale Housing Market

2008-01-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 583 residential units in December, bringing the total number of residential properties sold through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system in 2007 to 14,579,setting a new record. The previous record, set in 2006, was 13,782. There were 682 sales in December
2006.
“2007 was an amazing year for the housing market in Ottawa,” said Immediate Past President Diane Hatfield. “The powerhouse spring market certainly helped drive those numbers, but Ottawa saw constant, sustainable growth throughout the year, resulting in a year-end increase of nearly six per cent in sales over 2006,” Hatfield added.
The average price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in December in the Ottawa area was $276,532, and for the year the average price was $272,618. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,325 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus
are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca.
Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Ottawa Resale Home Sales Speeding Towards New Record

2007-11-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,054 residential units in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,008 in October 2006, an increase of 4.6 per cent. There were 1,111 sales in September 2007.
“With 13,069 sales so far this year, and with two months still left in 2007, Ottawa Real Estate Board members are on track to blow away last year’s record sales number of 13,783,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “Homes also spent fewer days on the market this past month than they have since the summer months – perhaps the mild fall weather gave the market a little boost,” Hatfield added.
The average price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $273,441, an increase of 6.3 per cent over October 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,300 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information
about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Can Ottawa be Far Behind?-

2007-11-26T13:48:00.000-05:00

Who will be the First Ottawa Councillor to Propose a land transfer tax for Ottawa?

Toronto City council has voted 26-19 to endorse Mayor David Miller's two controversial new taxes, one covering land transfers and the other for vehicle registrations.

The October 22nd vote was considered crucial to Mr. Miller's future political clout, after he suffered an unexpected defeat in July when council opted to defer the measures, forcing him to order unpopular budget cuts. After a daylong debate and weeks of intense lobbying, councillors supported a compromise package, endorsed by prominent developers and the Toronto Board of Trade.

Under the compromise tax package approved by Toronto Council, the buyer pays a tax based on the purchase amount, using a scale similar to the existing provincial land transfer tax. It is based on a tax rate of 0.5 per cent on the first $55,000, one per cent on the value between $55,000 and $400,000 and 2 per cent on the amount greater than $400,000. First-time buyers of new or resale homes would receive rebates of up to $3,725, meaning those buying homes worth up to $400,000 pay nothing. The tax would not apply to sale agreements signed before Dec. 31, 2007.

The President of the Toronto Real Estate Board remains concerned about the potential impact of the second land transfer tax and disappointed that the public's opinion of the issue was ignored.

Market Driven by Single Homes in September

2007-10-22T10:47:00.000-05:00

October 4, 2007
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,116 residential units in September through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,084 in September 2006, an increase of 3 per cent. There were 1,312 sales in August 2007. “The big story in September was single-family homes, whose sales increased by four per cent over last year at this time,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “Meanwhile, condo sales numbers held steady right where they
were last year, but condos are still a hot commodity – those sold in September spent an average of just 31 days on the market,” she added.

The average price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in September in the Ottawa area was $272,500, an increase of 6.4 per cent over September 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,300 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca . Information about listings
and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

August Housing Market Calmer, But Still Active

2007-09-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,316 residential units in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,245 in August 2006, an increase of 5.7 per cent. There were 1,455 sales in July 2007.
“After a sizzling July, the August market settled down a bit, but remained steady, with year-to-date home sales now edging close to the 11,000 mark,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “Also, people buying homes have plenty of choice – at the end of August there were almost 4000 homes on the MLS® market in Ottawa,” Hatfield added.
The average price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $267,014, an increase of 2.5 per cent over August 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,300 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca . Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide,
available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

July Resale Housing Market Sizzles-

2007-08-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, August 8, 2007 : Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,456 residential units in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,234 in July 2006, an increase of 18 per cent. There were 1,645 sales in June 2007.
“Sales activity through the MLS® system continues to set records,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “Members had the busiest July ever for sales. Unlike June, we saw increases in both the number of residential (freehold) and condominium properties.”
The average price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $269,245, an increase of over six percent over July 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,300 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca . Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Brisk Real Estate Resales Heat Up June

2007-07-13T09:41:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, July 10, 2007: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,651 homes in June through
the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,855 in May 2007. There were 1,600
sales in June 2006.
“Homes are still selling at a brisk pace, spending an average of just 34 days on the market before
being snapped up,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “With more than 8,000 homes sold
already in 2007, the Ottawa resale housing market is on track for another record-breaking year.”
“It’s also interesting to note that condo sales continue to drive growth – that segment accounts for
the entire difference between sales in June 2006 and June 2007, making it clear that condos are still
a hot commodity in Ottawa,” Hatfield added.
The average price of the homes sold in June through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was
$279,429, an increase of 7.8 per cent over June 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based
on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,280 REALTORS® in the Ottawa
area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus
are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa
Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect
the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS®
commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at
www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association
at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in
the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Affordable homes, hot condo market warm up chilly April

2007-05-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, May 8, 2007: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,554 homes in April through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,305 in March 2007. There were 1,439 sales in April 2006.
“Condo sales continue to lead the way in the Ottawa resale housing market,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “Sales in that sector are up by more than 12 per cent over last April, proving that they are still a very popular choice with Ottawa homebuyers.”
“Also, it is noteworthy that more home purchases made in April were priced below the average than above it, showing that consumers have plenty of affordable housing choices in the Ottawa area,” Hatfield added.
The average price of the homes sold in April through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $276,440, an increase of 5.9 per cent over April 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,280 REALTORS® in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

March Market Has a Spring in its Step

2007-04-12T09:43:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, April 10, 2007: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,306 homes in March through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,032 in February 2007. There were 1,318 sales in March 2006.
“The traditionally brisk spring market got off to a great start in March, with the number of days a property spent on the market down significantly from February, coupled with an increase in inventory in the residential property class. More people are selling, and consumers are buying those homes more quickly,” said Board President Diane Hatfield.
“Also, in the first quarter of 2007 alone there was a 5.3 per cent increase in the total number of homes sold, putting the Ottawa housing market on track for continued growth over the course of the year,” Hatfield added.
The average price of the homes sold in March through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $273,898, an increase of 7.6 per cent over March 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,230 REALTORS® in the Ottawa
area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.

Spring Market Underway-

2007-03-07T07:58:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, March 6, 2007: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1032 homes in February through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 764 in January 2007. There were 982 sales in February 2006.
“The average number of days a home spent on the market dropped significantly from January to February, indicating that after the usual winter lull, the Ottawa housing market is picking up again nicely,” said Board President Diane Hatfield. “The average sale price of a home in Ottawa
continues to rise, but the inventory of housing available below the average price remains strong,
allowing plenty of opportunities for first-time buyers to enter the market and take advantage of stilllow interest rates.”
The average price of the homes sold in February through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $264,566, an increase of 6.6% over February 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,230 REALTORS® in the Ottawa
area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide.

2007 Off to a Great Start Thanks to Mild January

2007-02-12T14:36:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, February 6, 2007: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 763 homes in January through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 647 in January 2006. There were 682 sales in December 2006.
"This year is tied with 2002 for the highest number of sales on record for the month of January, possibly due to the warmer temperatures that Ottawa experienced for the first half of the month," said Board President Diane Hatfield. "Both the residential and condominium classes are showing strong increases over last January, and the average sale price has continued to rise as well. It's an excellent start to the year for Ottawa's residential real estate market."
The average price of the homes sold in January through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $260,374, an increase of 6.3% over January 2006. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,200 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide.

Record-Breaking Year for Home Sales in Ottawa

2007-01-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, January 9, 2007: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 682 homes in December
through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, setting a new record of 13,783 residential
sales for 2006. The previous record was 13,152 in 2004. There were 615 sales in December 2005.
“Overall, it was a very healthy year for Ottawa’s residential real estate market,” said newly elected
Board President Diane Hatfield. “The average sale price of a home continued to trend upward, and
the still-growing condominium market drove sales numbers all year long. Condos are also selling
more quickly than they did in 2005, while residential sales stayed on pace with the previous year.”
The average price of the homes sold in December through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area
was $247,833, and for the year the average price was $255,889. The Board cautions that average
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 price is
calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,200 sales representatives and brokers
in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate
Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa
Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect
the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS®
commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at
www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association
at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in
the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide

2006-12-18T13:01:00.000-05:00

Home Sales Surpass 2005 Total by November

Ottawa, December 8, 2006: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 877 homes in
November through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 906 in
November 2005. There were 1,011 sales in October 2006.

“Despite slightly lower sales than last November, our members have now sold over 13,100 homes in Ottawa this year, a significant increase over 2005,” said Board President Ron Levine. “This is traditionally a quieter time of year for real estate sales, but I can say with satisfaction that sales have remained consistently strong all year, with condo sales still a growing part of the housing market.”

The average price of the homes sold in November through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $258,027, an increase of 5.5 per cent over November 2005. Year to date the average price is $256,289. The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,200 sales representatives and
brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.

The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the
Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS®
to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by
REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the
Board's internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca.
Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide.

Looking For A Rental?-

2006-11-16T14:47:00.000-05:00

I have a client who purchased a new Minto Terrace home with appliances and now wishes to rent it out. Located in Avalon it has one parking spot with another possible. The rent is $1250. per month. Tenant pays utilities. Never been lived in. Anyone interested?

2006-11-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

Housing Market Still On The Rise This Fall
Ottawa, November 7, 2006: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,015 homes in October through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 931 in October 2005. There were 1,087 sales in September 2006.

“Condominium properties are selling faster than at this time last year, with an average of 42 days on the market, down from 48 in October 2005, and their average selling price is up nine per cent over last October, indicating that condo sales are a driving force in Ottawa’s resale housing market,” said Board President Ron Levine. “In addition, residential properties are selling at the same brisk pace as last year, and sales numbers are up more than nine per cent, demonstrating continued solid growth.”

“Ottawa Real Estate Board members have sold 12,232 properties so far in 2006, putting our predicted total of 13,000 sales for the year well within reach,” Mr. Levine added. The average price of the homes sold in October through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $255,763, an increase of 4.7 per cent over October 2005. Year to date the average price is $256,129.

The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,200 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area.

Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®. The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board's internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board's weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide.

Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board

Convent Glen and Sunridge News-

2006-10-16T07:03:00.000-05:00

New Convent Glen and Sunridge Blogs-
Go to www.ianponting.com to view and contribute to these blogs. You may also email me at ian@royallepage.ca for more information.

News from the Ottawa Real Estate Board-

2006-10-06T14:06:00.000-05:00

On Track for a Successful Autumn
Ottawa, October 6, 2006: Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,092 homes in September through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,078 in September 2005. There were 1,246 sales in August 2006.
"We are on track to surpass 13,000 sales this year. Ottawa's housing market is still growing, though it is a more controlled growth now than it has been in the past several years. Interest
rates are still low, and many buyers are taking advantage of the diverse housing choices available to them here in Ottawa," said Board President Ron Levine.
So far this year, 11,226 homes have been sold in Ottawa by Board members through the MLS® system. The average price of the homes sold in September through the MLS® system in the Ottawa area was $255,026, an increase of 6.5 per cent over September 2005. Year to date the average price is $256,117.
The Board cautions that average 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 price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,200 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLSmark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca .
Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide.

Source Ottawa Real Estate Board

Add Life to Your Home-

2006-10-03T10:53:00.000-05:00

Add Life to Your Home for a Fall or Winter Sale
By Ian Ponting

The fall and winter is often a great time to put a home on the market. With the summer holidays over and kids back to school, buyers often have more of an inclination and time to shop around for a home. So, during the fall season, take a little extra time to make your home stand out to prospective buyers and prepare your home for viewing.

Make your home even more appealing to potential buyers by adding life and colour to in the interior and exterior of your house with plants and flowers. You may not associate fall with flowers coming into bloom, but there is an easy to grow and colourful plant that can make your home stand out in the crowd – and mum’s the word!

Chrysanthemums! These gardeners’ favourites are hardy and easy to maintain - simply plant them and let them grow. Yellow, orange, white, red and purple chrysanthemums are available at nurseries and gardening centres now. These perennials will bloom constantly until the snow comes and will survive to flower again next year.

Spruce up your front doorway with another fall favourite, spirea. This flowering shrub produces whitish and pale pink flowers or green and purple foliage and looks great in large pots on your doorstep. A fall wreath on your front door gives a warm, inviting look to your property and makes it stand out in the neighbourhood. Make a good impression by raking the leaves from your lawn! Make sure there are plenty of lights on or put them on a timer. Potential buyers may cruise by your neighbourhood day or night.

Brighten up every room with flowers or green foliage. Your flower shop or corner store will stock a variety of hardy, green leafed house plants that are attractive and easy to care for. Three very popular, eye-catching and easy-to-care-for houseplants are Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen and Dracena.
Indoors, make a point of tending to greenery before a showing. Sad looking plants will not impress visitors. Wipe dust off green foliage and remove drooping, brown or dead leaves. A sickly looking plant may be evidence of cold draughts or excessive dry heat in your home. The days may still be warm, but the nights are cooler, so check the caulking around your windows and doors. If visitors see that you care for your plants and flowers, they will also be confident that you care for your home.

For the classic touch, fill a clear glass vase with assorted fresh cut flowers. Ask your flower shop for an assortment of lilies, larkspur, snapdragons, alstromeria and gladioli. Lilies add an instant and very pleasant fragrance when there is less fresh air circulating in your home. Cut flowers will appeal to more than one of your prospective buyers’ senses and leave a lasting impression.

New in Sunridge-Main Floor Den

2006-09-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

Check out this new listing in Sunridge. Spacious four bedroom with clerestory family room, main floor den, partly finished high ceilinged basement and it backs on to a park(ravine setting). Jump over to my web page www.ianponting.com and check it out.

Sold in 90 Days or I'll Sell it For Free-

2006-08-29T06:54:00.000-05:00

We have all seen these ads. How can a sales representative do this? I suspect the certain conditions apply clause covers this. Any comments? Especially from those that have been through this process.

New Chapel Hill Listing-

2006-08-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

Just listed and ready to show shortly, 1644 Teakdale check it out at www.ianponting.com.
It has a deep lot of about 131 feet, finished basement, main floor family room and a master ensuite bath.

Future Development land - 97.91 acres

2006-08-11T15:22:00.000-05:00

Go to my web site www.ianponting.com and check out this new listing if you are in the market for investment properties. Buy it rent out the house and out buildings before you make plans for it. 4238 Eighth Line Road closer to Ramsayville Road.

Landscape your way to energy savings

2006-08-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

When considering ways to reduce your energy bill, your thoughts probably turn to insulating your window frames, roof, pipes, and exterior walls – and that’s true! Did you know that heating and cooling costs could be reduced by strategically planting trees, shrubs and hedges on your property? If you’re interested in cutting costs – read on!

To determine where best to plant in order to impact temperature changes around the home, begin your landscaping project with a plan. Sketch a simple drawing of your property, including buildings (garden shed, garage, etc.), walk and driveways, patio surfaces and utilities, such as telephone and gas lines. This process allows you to quickly identify “free” planting space and where landscaping may be inhibited due to height or width restrictions, such as overhead utility wires. Use a variety of shaded pencils to differentiate your property’s features in various colours, such as inter-locking brick from grass.

Once the plan has been drawn, indicate the direction of the sun and prevailing wind with arrows for both summer and winter and the areas on your property that are most vulnerable to these climate conditions. Keep in mind the way water drains off your property and the location of existing trees and shrubs. You have now located where shade and/or wind protection is needed.

In the winter, trees, shrubs, or hedges can be used to shield your home from the harsh wind. By referring to your plan, you will be able to identify the direction of the wind and have a good idea where best to plant.

A properly chosen and located windbreak, such as a tree or shrub with dense leaves and needles, can dramatically reduce wind speed and insulate your home by creating “dead” air spaces. Ensure that the shrub or tree is planted at least 30 centimetres from property walls. Live in a snowy climate? Try low-lying shrubs that help trap the snow before it collects against exterior walls.

In the summer, shading from trees can reduce air temperatures by as much as 5 degrees celsius. Using trees and shrubs to shade can be a cost-effective way to reduce air-conditioning costs. Again, refer to your landscaping plan to identify the best location and approximate size of your shading plants.

Trees and shrubs with open branches and leaves allow a summer breeze to circulate while still providing shade. These plants are ideal for filtering the cooler morning sun from the east, while denser trees with spreading leaves and branches could be planted to the south of your property, which receives the most amount of sun. And, after the leaves drop in winter, light and radiant heat can still reach a home during the sun-starved winter months.

In its first year, a young tree will shade windows, and over the next 5 to 10 years it will provide shelter for your roof. On the other hand, low lying plants and shrubs provide shade for the ground and pavement around your property, which will reduce air temperature before it hits windows or exterior walls. Consider building a lattice or trellis with climbing vines - not only are they an attractive addition to a garden, but they also provide protection from the summer elements.

After concluding the type of landscaping your property requires, consult a landscape professional, reliable nursery and /or your local library for further information regarding the most appropriate plant for your energy reducing needs, budget and climate.

Trees and shrubs can be a significant investment, so ensure that your purchases are undamaged, that the branches, foliage and roots are healthy and that there is no indication of insects or disease. Many nurseries and plant stores offer guarantees for their plants.

By following a few simple and fun steps, you can landscape an energy efficient garden while adding beauty and value to your property.

Ravine property ready for showing-

2006-08-07T10:56:00.000-05:00

1612 Marcoux is ready for showing. One of the larger lots-available immediately.

New Listings-

2006-08-04T06:31:00.000-05:00

Just listed a couple of new properties. The first is a three bedroom on alarge ravine lot on Marcoux street in Orleans. The lot is gorgeous with a wooded ravine at back and and a forested access path at the side. A lovely private lot. The second is 68.7 acres of future development land on Ramsayville road. This area is largely undeveloped so now is the time to pick up any land you can. Go to www.ianponting.com for more info. be sure to preface the url with www otherwise you will be directed to an older site.

New Chapel Hill Listing $239,900.

2006-07-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

Just listed this lovely townhome in Chapel Hill. It is a three bedroom with main floor hardwood, gas fireplace, full master ensuite including a separate shower and roman tub. About 7 years young and in a great location. Email me for a viewing.

Selling or Buying this Summer?

2006-07-04T13:36:00.000-05:00

Let me know and I would be happy to help you sell or buy your home.

New Listings in Convent Glen-

2005-03-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

Check out 1140St. Jerome and 1196 St. Moritz Two great new properties. 1140 is a beautifully renovated 4 bedroom and 1196 is a athree bedroom split on a large lot with major systems updated.

Attention Investors-

2005-01-18T13:39:00.000-05:00

Investors only as this home is rented until September 2007. Great tenant willing at this point to stay longer than 2007. Rent may be a little light but there is an increase scheduled for 2005. Some renovations already done; there still remains opportunities for updating and/or replacement.

Affordable Condo Townhouse-

2005-01-18T13:32:00.000-05:00

I've got this three bedroom townhome listed for sale in Convent Glen North. It is clean and tidy but is dated. The price is $144,900 CDN and the Sellers will look at all offers. Easy to show.