OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BLOG
Septic Systems and What You Need to Know Before You Buy
It is imperative when considering buying a home that is serviced by a septic system that the system be inspected by a professional septic engineer. Initially this inspection may seem costly, however it can save you thousands of dollars in future repairs or replacement costs. The cost to replace or upgrade a system is far […]
What You Need to Know About Safe Drinking Water Testing
We all rely on safe drinking water in our homes, it is vital to our health and quality of life. If you are buying a home where the water supply comes from a well source there are precautions that need to taken. First and foremost and at the very least, you must have the water […]
Protect Yourself Against Real Estate Fraud and Identity Theft
What is real estate fraud? There are many different types of real estate fraud, but the two that consumers should be aware of are mortgage fraud and title fraud. Mortgage fraud occurs when an individual intentionally provides inaccurate, fraudulent or incomplete information to a lender in order to secure a mortgage that they might not […]
Knob and Tube Wiring in Residential Homes – Insurance May be Denied
The Electrical Safety Authority has received an increasing number of questions about the safety of knob and tube wiring. In particular, purchasers or owners of older homes are finding that many insurers will not provide or renew coverage on such properties. In some cases, the insurance companies are requiring a total replacement of this wiring […]
Mold in Your Home Can Be Harmful to Your Health
All types of mould have the potential to cause health problems and many people are allergic to it. The severity of the health effects depends on the type or amount of mould and any pre-existing health problems. People with asthma or allergies are more susceptible to mould-related problems. Mould weakens its host food source and […]
Household Pests Can be Damaging to Your Home
Household pests have a knack of residing in homes to satisfy their needs of food, water and shelter. If you do not seek the services of a pest control company in time, pests can cause your home a significant amount of damage. Although you may not feel too concerned about a couple of rodents roaming […]
Smoke Alarms are the Law
Effective March 1st. 2006 it became law for all Ontario homes to have a working Smoke Alarm on every story and outside every sleeping area. With this previously announced Fire Code amendment now in effect, it is hoped there will be a reduction of the number of preventable fire-related injuries and fatalities. The amendment covers […]
What You Need to Know About Oil Heating and Oil Tanks
It is critical for a home buyer contemplating the purchase of a home with oil heating that they have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and liabilities under laws that have been implemented to protect our environment. It is also important to note that Mortgage Companies may not advance Mortgage funds and Insurance Companies may […]
How to Protect Yourself From a Grow Home
Buying a home that was once a Grow House has some advantages as they can usually be purchased below market value. Usually the owner has done all necessary work using professionals to ensure that the property is safe for human habitation. However in recent months one of the growing difficulties with purchasing a residence that […]
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Get Your Home Insurance!
The home insurance market has changed dramatically over the past years especially in the aftermath of 9-11 Gone are the days when a buyer could simply call their insurance brokers and arrange for insurance on their new home within 24 hours of the call. Standards Are Tougher Today the insurance companies are not only looking […]
Fire Retrofit – Does The Home You Are Purchasing Need One?
When purchasing a home with an auxiliary dwelling unit i.e.: a basement apartment or in-law suite or area in the home or garage that contains kitchen and bathroom facilities that are intended to be exclusive to the unit, as the home buyer it is imperative that you obtain a Fire Retrofit Certificate to ensure that […]
Aluminum Wiring What You Need to Know… Your Home Insurance May Be Declined
Careful attention needs to be paid to what type of wiring exists in the home you are contemplating on buying. If your chosen home insurer finds that Aluminum Wiring is present in the home, they may refuse to insure the property causing delays on closing or failure by the mortgage company to advance mortgage funds. […]
Real Estate as an Investment Opportunity
With the volatile nature of stock markets in previous years a great alternative to investing is purchasing income producing properties and becoming a landlord. Real Estate historically has always been a sound investment in the Ottawa area as evidenced by steady increases over the years. While real estate is a great investment and always increases, there […]
Planning Your Move – Preparation Check List
It's really never too soon to begin planning for a move, and veteran movers have found that a comprehensive timetable and checklist is the best strategy to ensure a smooth relocation. It's also a great way to involve the entire family in the move and to spread some of the responsibilities to each person, including […]
In Law Suites – Basement Apartments & Secondary Units Now Legal
With the exception of Rockcliffe Park, the City of Ottawa now allows secondary suites. So a home owner can build one (with a building permit) or get the city’s stamp of approval on an existing one, provided the home owner brings it up to building and fire code standards. This is often a basement apartment, but the more correct description is “secondary […]