There has been a lot of controversy lately about whether it would be better to sell your own home or to hire a real estate agent in Ottawa to help you do it. If your friends or relatives are suggesting that you should be selling your own home, read through this list of questions first to form your own opinion. After all, it is your money that you are putting on the line.

Do I have to hire a real estate agent in Ottawa to sell my home?

No, you don’t. That does not mean that you shouldn’t. A home can be sold with or without an agent, but it can be a dangerous situation to try to sell your home on your own.

Why should I hire an agent?

Well, selling a house is a complex affair. I have gone to school for many years to find out how to do it correctly. There are certain laws that need to be followed and things that need to be put into place for your protection. If these are not done properly, you will be the one that has to suffer the consequences.

How hard is it to sell a home?

If you are trying to sell a home on your own you’re going to have a very difficult time ahead of you. You will not have access to the MLS®, which is the place where most people go when they are looking for a home. MLS® listings can be found on my website and on any other realty site as well. When potential buyers are looking for a home most of them are now searching on the Internet through these listings.

While you can put up your own ads on classified ad sites, don’t fool yourself. You will have limited traffic going to these sites, which will greatly reduce your chances for a sale. This will mean that you will have to hold onto your home a lot longer than you would have to if you sold it through a real estate agent in Ottawa.

How can I get access to the MLS® listings?

If you are selling a home the only way to get access to these listings is as an agent. There is no other way to get your home on this vital resource.

Will it cost a lot to hire an agent?

The cost of anything is always determined by how much value it gives you. Besides the access to the MLS® listings, you will also be getting my time and my expertise. You don’t mind paying for this when you go to a dentist for professional treatments, so why would you not hire a real estate agent in Ottawa to sell your house? You certainly wouldn’t pull your own teeth would you?

If you have any other questions about selling your home yourself, or why you should higher a real estate agent in Ottawa, let me know. I have seen a lot of people try to sell their homes on their own and call me up once they have failed and wasted time. We can go over the costs of hiring agents and more about exactly what I can offer you.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

If you have been thinking about buying a condo in Ottawa you may have a few questions about condo life in general that you need answered. Here is an overall view of what you can expect with condo living to help you decide whether this would be the lifestyle of choice for you or not.

Are there any fees involved?

Yes, you will have to pay certain fees as a condo owner. These fees will depend on a lot of different factors. Every condo has its own set of fees that are determined by the cost of running the buildings and all the amenities with it. For example, if you are living in a building with a pool, you will have to share in the maintenance costs for it, even if you don’t intend on using it. This is why it is so important to find a building with the right amenities that you will actually use so that you don’t end up paying for one’s that you never plan on using.

Can I make changes to the condo?

It depends on what kind of changes you want to make. Any structural changes are usually a no-no while painting the walls is usually permitted. This will all be laid out in the rules and regulations of the building you’re looking at. If you’re buying a condo in Ottawa ask your real estate agent for a list of the condo guidelines to find out exactly what changes are allowed and what aren’t.

Are there a lot of rules to follow?

Again, this is determined by the owner and the management of the building. Some condos are very relaxed and have only general rules that are set up to keep all of the tenants happy overall. Some condos, however, have very strict rules in place and severe policing of these rules. A condo with stricter policies in place may be better for singles or couples that enjoy peace and quiet, while a condo with more relaxed rules would fit a family with young children or a pet owner better.

Do condos include parking?

Most condos have parking areas set up but some will require that you pay a fee to have your own parking spot. Some condos include a parking space in the price. You can ask your Ottawa real estate agent about the specifics if you see a condo that you are interested in.

Do you have any more questions about buying a condo in Ottawa? I’m here and ready to answer any questions you have. Condos are becoming a hot commodity in Ottawa and the time to invest in them is now. The city is growing at a remarkable pace and condos are definitely a growing trend.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

When it’s time to apply for a mortgage many people first head to the bank that they usually deal with when buying a home in Ottawa. While this is always a good idea, it is not the only place you should be going. If you are thinking about buying a new large screen TV you’ll shop around for the best deals before making a purchase. It is the same with mortgages. You could very well miss out on a better mortgage deal by eliminating all of your other options.

Here are some of the other financial institutions you can apply for mortgage.

1. Other banks

Are you aware that you can apply for a mortgage in Ottawa at any bank even if you don’t regularly deal with them? The advantage of dealing with your own bank for your mortgage is they will have a record of your banking. If it has been kept in good order you will have a better shot at being approved for the mortgage you want. That does not mean, however, that you should not find out what the other banks in town are offering. You have a good chance of getting approved at a bank you have never dealt with before if you meet all the qualifications.

2. Credit unions

If you have never belonged to a credit union before, there’s nothing stopping you from joining one now. You can look through the credit union websites when buying a home in Ottawa and see which ones you qualify to join. While you’re on the sites you can see what they are offering in terms of a mortgage. Sometimes you can find an incredible deal for a home loan at a credit union.

3. Use a mortgage broker

A mortgage broker will do the shopping for you to find the best deal for the type of mortgage you are looking for. This will save you a lot of time and hassle and you’re pretty much guaranteed, as long as the Ottawa mortgage broker is reputable, of finding the best mortgage out there for your needs. If time is a problem for you or you have special circumstances that require more shopping around for a mortgage than usual, use a mortgage broker.

Remember that a small mortgage deal can make a difference when you add up the savings you’ll get over the span of 25 – 30 years. When buying a home in Ottawa it is definitely worth your time and trouble to shop around for the best mortgage in Ottawa. Lenders are always on the lookout for a qualified prospect and there is still competition for mortgages going on in the financial world.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

If you want to own your own property are interested in buying a condo in Ottawa you’ll have to start working with the professional real estate agent to find the best deal out there. An agent knows where quality condos are available that will match the purchase price you need to meet.

The first thing you need to do is give your real estate agent a purchase price that cannot be negotiated. Tell him that if he finds a condo in Ottawa available that is over your price limit that you don’t even want to know about it. This will let your agent know that you are bound and determined to stay on budget for the sale.

When you are working out your budget you have to spend on a condo in Ottawa there are a lot of things you have to take into account. You’ll have to hire a real estate lawyer to finalize the deal, get insurance for the condo and deal with various other closing costs. Ask your real estate agent to give you an estimate for these costs based on the purchase price you have already presented. Make sure that you can afford this amount and if necessary reduce the price you’re willing to pay for a condo to accommodate these extra costs.

Don’t forget about working in the condo fees, the cost of utilities and other expenses associated with the condo when you’re working on your budget. Find out whether you’ll have to pay for parking, what utilities you’ll need to cover and any other types of fees that you’ll need to pay monthly or yearly. This will vary from condo to condo in Ottawa and you’ll need to factor in all of these costs when you find a condo you’re interested in purchasing.

It is possible to find the right unit you want at a great price when you are buying a condo in Ottawa. Work closely with your agent and let him know exactly what you’re looking for. Most of all – don’t ever compromise on your budget if you really can’t afford to.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

Ottawa real estate agents know where the diamonds are in the housing market. They stand out like $1 million when compared to the other homes. This is not to say that these homes are worth $1 million or more, it is just that these homes are situated in a good area, offer good value for the money and may have something special that they offer.

Some homes have a beautiful view that cannot be matched by any other home in Ottawa. Some streets are located on a hill and the few homes at the top offer a remarkable view. There may be a few homes outside of the city that also offer an incredible view that has to be seen to be experienced. There is a big difference between seeing another backyard and a home directly behind you and a paved street in front, and a home that has a remarkable view of the city or a landscape. The great view offers a sense of spaciousness that cannot be denied.

Another home may be a diamond based on its layout. There are certain homes in the city that stand out from the others because they have a unique layout. Especially nowadays. Most of the homes being manufactured are based on a few models and then replicated. It is getting harder and harder to find Ottawa real estate with a completely original layout. When you find one, you’ll feel the difference for sure.

Another thing that can distinguish one home from the others on the market is its location. There are certain parts of the city where homes rarely go up for sale and when they do they are snatched up immediately. Ottawa real estate agents scramble to get viewers to these homes because they know how fast they will go. Even though these houses themselves may not have special qualities about them, their location makes them a diamond in the rough.

If you’re looking for your own Ottawa real estate diamond, call me. I know exactly where to find these gems and as soon as they come on the market I can get in touch with you. If you’re looking for a home right immediately, give me a call and I’ll let you know what diamonds are available right now.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

Commercial real estate in Ottawa is alive and well as investors locally and abroad invest in sound opportunities here. If you have decided to bite the bullet and start investing yourself, you’ll need to know exactly what your duties as a landlord in Ottawa are, assuming that you are interested in purchasing rental properties.

You have the responsibility of maintaining a safe and secure environment for your tenants. The way that you do this is variable. One landlord to the next has a different way of handling the building and the tenants that reside in it. One way is to be proactive while the other is to sit back and just let things slide by until they absolutely need to be handled.

Responsible landlords that have invested in commercial real estate in Ottawa know that the proactive way is always the right way. A responsible landlord will ask his tenants if there are any problems on a regular basis. He will not wait for the phone to start ringing with a major crisis to deal with. He will actively take charge by asking the person that actually lives in the unit if there are any issues happening. This is by far the best way to find out how the unit is doing. After all, it is your asset that you are protecting.

A leaky faucet is a lot easier to handle than a flood on the floor that leaks down to the apartment below it. A malfunctioning electrical plug can be fixed, usually within an hour, by an electrician. When you compare this option to the potential consequences of a fire, the choice is obvious.

Most tenants won’t pick up the phone and call about these small problems until they turn bigger. Tenants are just like you and me – they have busy active lives. If you ask your tenant whether they have anything that requires attention, they will probably mention the small things.

Some landlords don’t want to deal with smaller issues since they have more important things to handle on a constant basis. The idea behind handling these smaller things is to avoid having important larger issues to work on.

If you have any questions about commercial real estate in Ottawa or about your duties as a landlord, give me a call today. If I don’t have the answers to your questions I can help point you in the right direction.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

Let’s face it – trying to scrape together enough money for a down payment for your first Ottawa home can be difficult at the best of times. This does not mean to say, however, that it cannot be done. Most people find a way to come up with a down payment for a their first home when they are serious about getting out of the rental marker and into the freedom that comes with owning a home. If you really want to own your own home, you can find a way to get that down payment.

Here are a few tips you can use to help you budget for the down payment.

1. Figure out how much you will need

If you are planning to purchase your first Ottawa home in two years, for example, take a look at the price you’d like to pay and how much of a down payment you’ll need. Factor in the inflation rate when you’re looking at the total price of the home. Once you have an idea of the down payment you’ll need, you’ll have a stable base to work with.

2. Crunch the numbers

Don’t even take a look at your income right now. The first thing you need to do this determine how much money you’ll have to put away every month to reach the final figure in two years. The reason why you don’t want to look at your income at this point is you might get discouraged and figure that you won’t be able to make it in a short amount of time. Now is not the time to get discouraged – you’re just getting started! Just get an amount down on paper of how much you would have to save every month to get that down payment for your first Ottawa home in place.

3. Figuring out solutions

Now it’s time to look at how much money you are currently earning. Don’t take a look at your budget as far as whether you can afford to put the required monthly amount away. Instead, examine how much of your income can go towards this amount.

Take the difference between how much you need and how much you can contribute every month and then look at solutions. This is what people do when they are serious about putting together a down payment for a first Ottawa home. They don’t look at the stops, they look at solutions.

At this point, if your income cannot handle the amount you’d need every month to put together a down payment for two years, you have two options. Either you can raise your income or lower your expenses. In some cases you have to do both. Now is the time to get bright and figure out how to get this extra money. There is a way, even if you haven’t seen it yet.

By now you will have worked out a budget and need to look at your income solutions. Getting a down payment together for your first Ottawa home does involve some effort and you’ll need to be prepared to do some extra work, if necessary, to put it all together.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Ottawa one of the things that you may not have considered is getting a home energy survey done first. By no means is this is a requirement for purchasing a home, it is just an option you have that gives you information about your future home’s energy savings and losses.

A survey for home energy will evaluate the energy performance of any house that you are thinking of buying. This is a visual inspection that is done by professionals who know exactly what to look for. It will give you an overall idea of how many repairs will be needed to the home to bring it up to a decent energy standard.

For example, if there is a lot of mold and mildew in a bathroom that you are viewing, there may be a problem with the room’s ventilation system. Perhaps the bathroom fan is causing a problem or the air circulation in the home is simply not reaching the bathroom properly.

As a further example, while there may not be any mildew or mold in a bathroom in its current state, a faulty bathroom fan may lead to this type of situation in the future. A qualified energy surveyor will be able to pinpoint small and large problems that could lead to bigger issues in the future.

The visual check will include looking for moisture, examining the ductwork, ventilation, cooling and heating systems in the house and looking at the appliances if they are included with the house. This inspection will also look at the windows and doors in the home to make sure that the house is as airtight as possible.

There are reports available that are more complex and look for deeper issues. These inspections will use high technology devices to check for problems. If there is anyone that is going to be living in the house that has extreme allergies, this type of report is recommended. When you’re buying a house in Ottawa it’s a long-term investment that is worth the small effort.

If you are thinking about buying a house in Ottawa you might want to think about getting a quick energy check on it before your purchase. If there are any major repairs that will need to be done to help save energy in the future, you should know right away. Energy efficient homes will save you thousands of dollars in the long run in utility costs and will also help protect the environment.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

There is a lot of land that is currently on the market and there has never been a better time to buy Ottawa land than it is now. The prices are reasonable on land sure these days and it offers a good return on your money. If you’re looking for the best land for sale in Ottawa give me a call and I will help you find it.

Land to build

If you’re thinking about building a house soon and need to find a piece of land in Ottawa that is currently for sale, phone me up. It is hard to tell the difference between land that is great for building on and land that is only second best when you’re looking on the Internet. I can tell you that whether the land you are looking at would be good for home building or whether you should be looking elsewhere. I can also bring you to these land parcels and point out the benefits of each.

Land for investment

I have worked with a lot of clients in the past that have purchased Ottawa land and have sat on it to resell later. By watching the new construction trends in the area you can do quite well with land investments. In fact, quite a few millionaires have made their fortune this way. If you want to get started with real estate investment and don’t have the funds available yet for a home, take a look at land as a sound investment solution.

Do you have any questions about buying Ottawa land? I’m here to help. I have sold a lot of land over the years in the Ottawa area and I keep track of any new land that is being added to the MLS. I can help guide you towards the correct land purchase to meet your investment or building requirements.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.

Have you had your Ottawa home on the market for a while and find that your house isn’t selling? While there are a lot of reasons why it may not be selling as fast as you’d like, here are a few of the most common reasons.

1. The price is too high

While this may seem like a common reason for Ottawa home not to be selling, it usually isn’t the case. Most homes are priced according to their market value and a real estate agent is usually very hesitant to list a Ottawa home at a high price that won’t sell. It is important to look at the price you are selling your home for, but at the same time there are a lot of other factors that could be influencing the sale.

2. Cleanliness and tidiness

Is your Ottawa home tidy and clean, especially when an open house is occurring? Have you put everything away that is out of place for all of the viewings that have been scheduled? You may be thinking that people will see past the mess and be able to view your home on its own merits. You’d be surprised, however, to find out how much even small messes can play a part in delaying a house sale. Some people get so turned off by a mess or small amount of dirt that they will turn their heels as fast as they can and go and view the next house.

3. Repairs

Does your Ottawa home need some small repairs? This can affect how quickly your house gets sold. A series of small things that are in need of repair will usually get noticed by potential buyers. While they may not seem important to you, others may be calculating the repair costs and the time involved to get them done in their minds. Addressing these small repairs may open the floodgates for offers on your home.

Talk to your real estate agent about other considerations that may be slowing down the sale when you are selling a Ottawa home. You’d be surprised to find out how often it really is the little things that make a difference.

NOTE: The owners of this website own but are not the authors of the above content. Views and values that are expressed in these articles are not those of the website owners.