Archives for Lifestyle

The Season of Giving – Gift Ideas for all the Homeowners in your Life

December 12, 2019 | Comments Off

Coming up with gift ideas for the people in your life can be difficult sometimes. We have put together a gift-giving guide for those people that have moved into a new home or a new condo. Perhaps you are the one that has moved this year if so we included some ideas for little gifts for your new neighbours around the holiday season. Homeowners Buying gifts for the new homeowners in your life can be an exciting gift to shop for and the possibilities can seem endless! Toasters, towels, and linens at every corner! If your homeowner hasn’t registered
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Ottawa’s Most “Luxurious” Neighboourhoods

September 20, 2019 | Comments Off

Ottawa’s neighbourhoods are diverse and most offer something for everyone. If you are looking for luxury, it’s all around us with little pockets throughout the city. Large lot sizes in rural areas and even within the city allow for beautiful large custom homes and these opportunities are popping up everywhere! Below you will find a list of some of Ottawa’s most “luxurious” neighbourhoods but it’s also important to remember that just like there are luxury homes all over, there are more moderately priced opportunities to own in these neighbourhoods as well. Each of these neighbourhoods offer unique opportunities and homes.
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Coolest Luxury Upgrades (and what they cost!)

September 18, 2019 | Comments Off

Luxury homes offer just that – luxury – and many of them feature a variety of amenities to make life easier and add convenience. Here are the top 10 sought-after amenities for luxury homes compiled from interviews with Royal LePage agents across the country. Just in case you’re interested in upgrading your current home, estimated costs for each item is also included. Car Lifts and Indoor Car Washes Estimated Cost – Car Lift – $2,500 to $6,000 Indoor Car Wash – $30,000+ If you have a luxury home, it only makes sense to have space to park your luxury cars.
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#TenYearChallenge

February 15, 2019 | Comments Off

Recently social media has been filled with people taking the #TenYearChallenge. The premise is simple, share your profile picture from 10 years ago side by side with your current one. It’s a fun way to look back at the past and see how much we have all changed. We thought it would be fun to take our own #TenYearChallenge and see how things stack up in Ottawa Real Estate compared to ten years ago. Setting the Stage: Ottawa in 2009 2009 in Ottawa had its highs and its lows. Larry O’Brien was mayor and some of the highlights for the
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Holidays on a Budget: A Financially Friendly Guide to “Decking the Halls”

November 15, 2018 | Comments Off

The holidays are just around the corner, and we will soon be covered in a blanket of snow, with marching bands leading parades, and Santa’s village bringing long lines to the malls. While the excitement builds up, we are often left wondering how we can possibly save money or limit our spending without compromising the spirit of the season. With just a few practical tips and tricks, embracing the magic and togetherness of the holidays without breaking the bank is not only a practical goal, but attainable as well. Here are a few budget friendly ways to “deck the halls”
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Readying Your Family for an Emergency

October 10, 2018 | Comments Off

Readying Your Family for an Emergency September 21st, 2018 is a day our community won’t soon forget. The stories we’ve heard from those affected by the tornadoes that touched down in the City of Ottawa-Gatineau were nothing short from terrifying; the photos we’ve seen from the storm’s aftermath have been undeniably bone-chilling. It has been a devastating reality that the residents of our nation’s capital weren’t quite ready to face as thousands upon thousands of families were left without power – and, worse – homes. Yet, in the same breath, we have witnessed some incredible acts of heroism and unity
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Reverse Mortgages: What to consider when considering a reverse mortgage

August 14, 2018 | Comments Off

Reverse Mortgages What to consider when considering a reverse mortgage… Reverse mortgages allow homeowners to use the equity in their home as a loan, it’s a financial strategy that is getting more common. This may be in part because a large segment of Canadian Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) “is on strong financial footing and on a clear path to being mortgage-free, if not already.” But what exactly is a reverse mortgage, and how does it work? Let’s examine the concept of a reverse mortgage, and some of the benefits and downfalls. What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a
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Turn your Vacation into a Staycation: Activities for families in Ottawa

June 13, 2018 | Comments Off

Turn your Vacation into a Staycation: Activities for families in Ottawa Summer is a wonderful time to spend a little quality time with friends and family; things are more relaxed, the kids are out of school and you won’t have to worry about a last minute snow storm interfering with travel plans (well here’s hoping!) . But organizing a family vacation, especially when you have young children, can be stressful (just think of the Griswalds). The packing, planning, stopping, driving, – the list could go on and on. Have you ever arrived at your destination tired, wishing you’d just stayed home?
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Frugal Family Fun in Ottawa

May 4, 2018 | Comments Off

Frugal Family Fun in Ottawa Did you know that entertaining and enjoying time together as a family does not need to cost a lot of money? Its true-despite what parenting magazines and social media ads would like to have you believe. Yes, there are activities that cost more than others, but there are also a lot of inexpensive and even FREE activities you can do instead. In fact there are many free options available that you may have not even known about! One example of a free & fun outing is visiting one of the many museums around the Nation’s
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What Home Buyers Should be Looking for When Viewing a Property

April 23, 2018 | Comments Off

You’ve done your research, found the perfect Realtor, crunched the numbers, created your list of must-haves and now it’s time to start the exciting process of HOUSE HUNTING! When you’re looking at homes for sale it isn’t always easy to look beyond the cosmetics. Not to worry, we’ve created this handy graphic to help home buyers to stay focused.
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Luxury Properties