2017 Recap!
2017 was an amazing year for Real Estate in Ottawa! Records were broken and property values continue to increase. As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights with our Top 20 Blog Posts of 2017! #20 – Understanding Multiple Offers This year the Ottawa market became […]
Welcome Guests with a Well-Appointed Guest Room
Hosting friends and family is one of the joys of the season. Preparing in advance can make it less stressful to receive visitors anytime. Whether you have a dedicated guest room or a more improvised arrangement for overnight guests, there are many things you can do to make hosting headache-free for you and your family. […]
Buying without a Realtor
Buying a house is a big investment, so it is natural to look for ways to save money wherever possible. Some buyers and sellers may assume that they can stretch their budget further if they handle the entire purchase themselves. Doing this may seem like a good way save you money, but can also lead […]
Neighbourhood Spotlight: Arlington Woods
East of Greenbank and west of Knoxdale Road, just north of West Hunt Club, sits Arlington Woods, a small residential neighbourhood that is part of the larger Trend-Arlington area of western Ottawa. Originally part of the City of Nepean, which amalgamated into the City of Ottawa in 2001, the area was developed by the Campeau […]
New Mortgage Rules for 2018
Starting January 1, new mortgage lending rules will require borrowers to undergo a financial ‘stress test’ to prove they could afford their mortgage if interest rates were to increase. Currently, buyers who provide less than 20% of their purchase price as a down payment are required to insure their mortgages. They must purchase mortgage insurance […]
Winter: Time to keep the heat IN, and your costs DOWN
As winter begins to cover the ground with snow, we Canadians are aware, there’s much more coming our way than just a light dusting. Shoveling snow, spreading salt, and digging out your frozen car, are just some of the “joys” winter may bring to you this season. As the costs of heat and electricity continue […]
November Blues? Not in the real estate market…
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,239 residential properties in November through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service System compared with 992 in November 2016, an increase of 24.9 percent. The five-year average for November sales is 1,001. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institution’s (OSFI) announcement regarding the new stress tests for […]
Christmas in the Capital
December has arrived! And with it, for many, comes the anticipation of holiday activities, traditions and celebrating with family and friends. We’ve been lucky to have had some truly incredible events in the Ottawa area this year, but it’s not over yet! As Canada 150 comes to a close, there are a multitude of Christmas […]
Ottawa Real Estate Latest Market Snapshot
It’s hard to believe November is over but here we are! If you’ve been following Ottawa real estate you’ll know it’s been a busy 2017 and December will likely be no exception. With the new mortgage rules coming into play in a few short weeks, many buyers are motivated to have firm deals completed before […]
Should You Own A Generator?
Winter is approaching and with it, blizzards, ice storms, and other extreme weather events for which we Canadians ought to be prepared. Even if you live in an urban area with lots of resources and amenities, your family should have an emergency plan in place and an emergency kit on hand that includes everything you […]