OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BLOG

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

When purchasing a rural property it is critical that your Offer to Purchase contain provisions for the testing of the property’s water supply to ensure that it is safe for human consumption and usage. Your Royal LePage Sales Representative will advise of areas around the Ottawa Region that are known for water problems and will...

Health and Fire Safety When buying a home with any type of wood burning appliance, including a wood burning fireplace, wood stove, forced air furnace etc., it is critical that you have the appliance inspected to ensure that there is not a build up of creosote. This inspection will also identify if any liners or...

The Buyer ultimately determines the true value of your property, …in other words what would a willing Buyer pay for your home in today’s market place given an arms-length transaction.  To help determine what a potential Buyer may be willing to pay for your home,  a clear understanding of how your Royal LePage Representative assesses your...

Welcome to Our Real Estate Blog! At Royal LePage Team we’ve always been about providing great customer service and results for our buyers and sellers  butwhile we were busy helping people with Ottawa area real estate we forgot that there are a bunch of people out there who might be looking for resources to help them sort through the...