OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BLOG

What is your home worth? This is a tricky question and there are many factors to consider including condition, upgrades, market trends, and comparable properties in your neighbourhood.  The listing price of a home can make or break a sale so it is always advisable to work with a real estate professional who will do the research and advise you on the best listing price for your home.  This will ensure not only that it sells quickly but also for the best possible price in the shortest time. Why is the original listing price so important? “First impressions are everything when selling your home. Studies have shown that the first two weeks on the market are the most crucial to your success.” It is important to put your best foot forward! Although it may be tempting to price your home high, to see what happens, especially if you are not in a rush ...

Canada Day is coming up, and there is no shortage of celebrations to enjoy on July 1st this year. With Canada turning 150, there’s no better time to join in the festivities. If you are looking for something fun to do this Canada Day with friends and family, here are some suggestions. Downtown Events The Canada Day events hosted in downtown Ottawa are always the biggest and most impressive, and this year looks to be no exception: Parliament Hill – Parliament Hill will be holding Canada Day events from morning till night, including ceremonies, shows, activities for young and old, all culminating in a spectacular fireworks show over the Ottawa River. You won’t want to miss it! Major’s Hill Park – Major’s Hill Park will be filled with day events this July 1st, including a wide variety of multi-cultural exhibits, displays and performances. There will be plenty of activities for people who ...

May is here, and with all the April showers we’ve seen this year we are sure to see a lot of flowers appearing soon.  Beautiful gardens and thoughtful landscaping can enhance your property's curb appeal and make spending time outside more enjoyable, but not everyone has a green thumb!  We've collected some helpful tips for those who might need a little help. Planning Your Garden You can start planning your garden at any time, but it is best to have some ideas in mind before you start digging or planting. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning your garden: Decide what kind of plants you want to grow; Flowers? Herbs? Vegetables? A mix? You should also consider whether you want to grow annuals, perennials, or a mix of both. Decide where you want your garden to go, how big you want it to be, and how many plants you ...

Curious about what’s going on in the Ottawa Real Estate Market?   Below are some highlights of our April 2017 market.  Curious about a certain area?  Please contact us and/or one of our Sales Representatives  for details, we have up to date statistics on all Ottawa neighbourhoods and the surrounding areas. Spring Market Continues to Blossom! News release from the Ottawa Real Estate Board, May 3rd, 2017 OTTAWA, May 3, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,795 residential properties in April through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,711 in April 2016, an increase of 4.9 per cent. The five-year average for April sales is 1,613. “The April resale market continued its upward trend in units sold, just shy of a record set in 2010,” says Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Sales activity is indicating a trend towards a seller’s market. Lower inventory, combined with increased ...

If you are a homeowner, you've probably spent money on your property over and above the regular carrying costs.  Investing in your  property has the obvious benefits of making your home nicer to live in, but smart renovations can also have the side benefit of increasing a home’s value when it comes time to sell. Below is a list of some of the home renovations that have been shown to add the most to a home’s value, as well as some renovations to avoid. Flooring Flooring can be a costly renovation, but can also add to a home’s value if it is done properly. Generally speaking, wall-to-wall carpeting is not as desirable as it once was, and some potential buyers may even see it as a nuisance that they will have to replace. Hardwood floors, and tiled floors for bathrooms, on the other hand are in higher demand and are likely to ...

Have you considered a job in a real estate? Choosing a brokerage to work for can be a daunting process. As one of the largest brokerages in the city, Royal LePage Team Realty has a lot to offer our Realtors. Combine all that we have to offer with the resources provided to all Royal LePage agents in Canada, and you will be supported, trained, and taken care of. Real estate can be both a challenging and dynamic career for people with strong interpersonal skills and good business savvy. Whether you are just starting your career or are currently working in real estate and looking to make a change, Royal LePage Team Realty will work with you to achieve your goals! What Sets Us Apart “We are committed to Helping You excel at your profession and achieve the results you want, by supporting you with a strong brand, culture of collaboration and innovation, and leading ...

When it comes time to buy or sell a home, finding the brokerage to work with is a very important step to take. You need to find a company that will work with you to make this the most positive experience possible. “At Royal LePage Team Realty we commit to delivering high quality, industry leading and innovative real estate products and services on a complete cost-effective basis. Our business relationship will be characterized by the highest degree of honesty, credibility and fair dealing.  We are committed to setting the pace in service excellence. We commit to delivering a level of real estate professionalism that contributes to the overall well being of the community.” With a large share of the Ottawa real estate market, Royal LePage provides outstanding services to all of our clients.  Let’s take a look at what we can do for you: Why Buyers Should Choose Royal LePage Team Realty: If ...

With the busy spring market upon us (it actually started early this year!),  let’s take a look at why this season is often seen as the best time of year to sell a home. With a large percentage of the year’s sales occurring in just a few short months, homes also tend to sell for more and spend less time on the market. And don’t worry, you’re not too late; statistics show that May is the best month of the year to list a home. Here 5 reasons spring is so popular: Homes show better in spring: Let’s face it, spring is beautiful time of year! The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, and that brightness can carry through your home. “Homes appear more appealing when the weather is warming up and buyers tend to be in high spirits.” Moving in late spring or early summer is far more appealing: ...

Second best March on record for units sold, multiple offers, fewer days on the market and the average price for a residential home over $415K , spring has definitely sprung in the Ottawa Real Estate Market! From the Ottawa Real Estate Board April 5th, 2017 OTTAWA, April 5, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,485 residential properties in March through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,160 in March 2016, an increase of 28 per cent. The five-year average for March sales is 1,240. “The busy spring selling season descended upon Ottawa early this year,” remarks Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Unit sales for March marked the second-best on record, only 13 units down from the record set in March 2010. We’re also starting to see properties move faster, with the average cumulative days on market sitting at 82 days. With all these positive ...

  As the snow finally melts after what has seemed like a never-ending winter, it’s time to start thinking about all the spring maintenance tasks that you will need to around your home. Spring always feels like a fresh start so use that as motivation as you work around your yard and home! Here are 6 spring maintenance tasks for homeowners: Check the roof There is no need to pull out a ladder at this point; stand back from your home and do a visual inspection: “with binoculars and a keen eye, you can probably spot trouble.” Winter snow and ice can be very tough on roofs, so look for shingles that have shifted or are lifting. If you notice anything, it is always advisable to call in a professional. Check your outside faucets  You hopefully took the time in the fall to shut off the water and drain outside faucets properly, but it ...

Picture this, you have just taken possession of your dream home. You did your due-diligence; the property passed the home inspection with flying colours and your research shows the neighbourhood is safe and has great schools. You are chatting with a new neighbour only to find out that your brand new home was once the site of a violent crime or a drug operation, or that it is thought to be haunted! Would this bother you? What can you do? Did the previous owners fail to disclose something that they were legally obligated to? When selling a home, known physical defects must be disclosed by the listing agent. A home inspection should spot any that are unknown to the seller which gives buyers confidence in the property they are purchasing. Where this gets complicated though is when you consider other non-tangible factors for which the term “stigma” is used. “They describe ...

Pets are a very important part of many Canadians lives. In 2014, it was estimated that 57% of Canadians owned pets which equates to approximately 7.5 million households. In many cases, our pets become part of our families to the point where terms like “pet parent” and “fur baby” are used to define this unique relationship. But what impact do pets have when it comes to real estate? Buying a Home with our Pets in Mind Pets affect our choices in real estate. When we buy a home, we consider the needs of our family, which often enough includes our pets. In a recent survey, 81% of respondents said that animal-related considerations play a role in deciding their next living situation, 52% undertook a renovation to accommodate their pet, and 89% would not give up their animal because of housing restrictions or limitations. For example, dog owners may choose a house because it ...

Maybe you are a first-time home buyer, or maybe you will be selling a home and looking for something new, either way the spring real estate market is fast and approaching and you want to be ready. This is an exciting time of year in the real estate industry and for everyone buying and selling homes. It can be a little crazy though, so here are some tips to help you be prepared. It’s not too early to start getting ready. Get Mortgage Pre-Approval You will want to start off by setting up a meeting with a mortgage broker or your bank. They will be able to provide you with a mortgage pre-approval. This is very important for a few reasons. First, this is your budget for your new home. It will give you financial parameters to work within; maybe you can’t afford as much as you thought and this is very ...

"Spring market primed for a competitive season ahead!"   FEBRUARY 2016 MARKET HIGHLIGHTS: 1010 Residential properties were sold through Ottawa MLS® (including 233 in the Condominium class and 777 residential properties) Average Sale Prices: $417, 374 (Res +8.5%) and $258,397 (Condo +4%) Increased number of residential properties selling in the $750K-1Million resulted in a higher Average Sale Price. 2066 homes listed, up almost 25% over January 2017 Most active price point was in the $300K-$399K range, followed by the $400,000 to $499,999 range,  accounting for 54.6 per cent of the market (combined)     Information below taken from OREB OTTAWA, March 3, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,010 residential properties in February through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 908 in February, an increase of 11.2 per cent. The five-year average for February sales is 872. “Numbers continue to indicate a positive trend for Ottawa as a whole,” says Rick Eisert, President of the ...

Selling your Home in Spring The spring real estate market is quickly approaching and if you’re selling your home, now is the time to start getting ready!  It may seem like a daunting task but there are things that you can do to make sure that your house is prepared for the droves of spring buyers this upcoming season. Remember, there will be many houses on the market at the same time as yours so you want to make sure that your property is ready and sticks out for buyers! Contact a Realtor®. Real estate agents are professionals.  A great real estate agent will not only ensure your property is priced right, they'll also be your guide through every step of the process in the weeks and months leading up to listing, during the time your home is listed, the closing of your property sale and beyond. Prioritize Repairs One of the first things you ...