2018

New CMHC survey provides insight into attitudes and expectations of future Canadian homeowners

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has released the 2018 Prospective Home Buyer Survey.

• Top motivators for buying a home.
• Housing expectations.
• Financing and saving for a down payment.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate

Board (OREB) sold 712 residential properties in January 2018 compared with 664 in January 2017, an increase of 7.2 percent…….READ

2018

A strong finish for Ottawa’s real estate market in 2017

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 771 residential properties in December 2017 compared with 711 in December 2016, an increase of 8.4 percent.

Helping woman and children escape violence and rebuild their lives

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs.

Every dollar raised goes directly to helping the more than 30,000 women and children who are served each year by the shelters and support programs

New OSFI Stress test set to limit national Home Price Appreciation to 4.9% in 2018

One of the most significant regulatory interventions in the housing industry in years is the incoming Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) mortgage financing stress test, which took effect on January 1……READ

2017

November Blues? Not in the real estate market…

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,239 residential properties in November 2017 compared with 992 in November 2016, an increase of 24.9 percent.

Staging Tips for Selling During the Holidays

• Clean and stage.

• Create a cozy vibe.

• Complement your palette.

• Accentuate the positive.

• Be an equal-opportunity decorator.

• Clear the clutter.

The Days Of Talking Mortgage Rates At The Water Cooler Are Over

The mortgage rule changes in the Fall of 2016 have made a significant difference to the way mortgage interest rates are determined…..READ

 2017

Leaves may be falling, but the real estate market is not

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,243 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,214 in October 2016, an increase of 2.3 per cent. The five-year average for October sales is 1,165.

Preventing Flooding

Some flooding can be prevented. A few checks and simple changes in the fall can mitigate the damage and heartbreak caused by flooding.

What To Do, SAFETY FIRST!

DON’T FORGET!

Take photos and videos of damage. Contact your insurance agent….READ

2017

Steady September contributes to strong third quarter for 2017

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,387 residential properties in September 2017 compared with 1,365 in September 2016, an increase of 1.6 percent.

Study Suggests Millennials Could Improve Finance Habits

Despite monitoring their finances quite regularly, Millennials are prioritizing their spending habits more so than saving,…

• Live like a college student for a few years!
• Skip the new car
• Automate
• Make more money…..READ

2017

Canada’s residential real estate market makes the move to moderation in the second quarter of 2017

According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast, Canada’s residential real estate market posted strong home price gains in the second quarter of 2017, with the majority of metropolitan markets across Canada displaying expansionary trends.

Condo sales help set new record for August unit sales

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,538 residential properties in August 2017 compared with 1,481 in August 2016…

Essential fall gardening tasks for beauty year-round

Autumn is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a gorgeous spring garden. Experts say this time of year is critical for how your yard will look year-round.

Declutter the garage in five easy steps.

Follow these five steps to a clutter-free garage:…. READ

2017

Canada’s two largest real estate markets head in opposite directions.

According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey, Canada’s residential real estate market saw substantial price growth in the first quarter of 2017.

Condo sales drive the Ottawa resale market in July.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,530 residential properties in July 2017 compared with 1,490 in July 2016,…

Top tips for hiring a contractor.

As a homeowner, you’ll likely find yourself in need of a contractor to complete a home upgrade at some point.

Make the right choice for your fence project.

Whether you are looking to create your own private oasis, or add more security and safety around your home, a proper fence can make a world of difference…. READ

2017

Canada’s Recreational Property Markets See Price and Sales Volume Increases in Majority of Markets.

According to the 2017 Royal LePage Canadian Recreational Housing Report recently released, the majority of recreational property markets across Canada have seen year-over-year price and sales volume increases,…..

Ottawa resale market proves strong in first half of 2017.

“We’re having a stellar year so far in 2017.”

Lock in your mortgage if you can’t take the rate-hike heat, experts say.

Amid signals the Bank of Canada may hike its key interest rate, those on the edge of being able to afford their payments may want to lock in rates now.

Rosy economic outlook for Ottawa-Gatineau: report

Region ranks 4th among municipalities studied by Conference Board of Canada….

Condo sales lead the way for stellar performance in May.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 2,300 residential properties in May 2017 compared with 1,919 in May 2016, an increase of 19.9 percent….

Leaving the family cottage to children will cost you – or them?

The couple has decided to leave the cottage to their older son, since his children have also come to love it. The property, which the couple bought years ago for $200,000, is now worth…..

2017

CANADA NOW HAS MORE SENIORS THAN CHILDREN

For the first time in history, the percentage of seniors in the population (16.9 percent) now exceeds the share of children (16.6 percent),…

Spring conditions produce blossoming resale market.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,795 residential properties in April 2017 compared with…

New bill regulating Ontario home inspectors lauded by industry as ‘terrific’ news

Home inspectors in Ontario are lauding new legislation that would require them to be licensed, have insurance, and abide by a code of ethics — and potentially face discipline if they don’t.

2017

March resale market goes out like a lion

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.

BASEMENT FLOODING

For all of us in the Ottawa region, the spring thaw means potential flooding. More than just a nuisance, evidence suggests that basement flooding can be linked to serious health problems.

• Preventing Flooding
• What to do when flooded
• Sewer back-up

Don’t forget! Take photos and videos of damage. Contact your insurance agent.

2017

MORTGAGE MATH: RATES AREN’T EVERYTHING, DON’T FORGET TO CONSIDER TERM

You shopped around for the best deal on your mortgage and weighed the pros and cons of going with a fixed-rate or a variable-rate loan, but another key factor to consider is the term.

Spring market is primed for competitive season ahead

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,010 residential properties in February 2017 compared with 908 in February 2016…

5 tax changes that will impact your 2016 return

Tax season is just around the corner, and Ottawa has made several changes that could impact your 2016 return.

2017

U.S. Interest in Canadian Real Estate Surges Following U.S. Presidential Election

According to data recently released by Royal LePage, Canada’s leading real estate services provider, American interest in Canadian real property has risen following the U.S. Presidential Election…

2017 resale market off to a great start

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 667 residential properties in January 2017 compared with 598 in January 2016…

2017

2016 proves to be a record-breaking year for Ottawa resales

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 715 residential properties in December through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 703 in December 2015…

5 thrifty DIY fix-ups to help sell your home 

When preparing your home for the market, it’s great to know there are some relatively inexpensive improvements that can make a big impact with buyers.

Ontario increases tax refund for first-time home buyers

Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the Ontario government will refund first-time home buyers up to $4,000 from the land transfer tax.