Archives for Homeowner tips

Pool Dreams: Creating Your Stay-at-Home Backyard Oasis

August 10, 2020 | Comments Off

The hot ticket item throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been changing at a pace that almost seems impossible to keep up with. It began with toilet paper and Lysol wipes, and moved quickly to office furniture and electronics, and now that summer is here, and a hot one at that, Ottawa area residents are now looking to get their hands on patio furniture and swimming pools to transform their backyards into an oasis where they can fully enjoy their summer at home. While installing a pool is a project that has excellent benefits both for personal use and resale value,
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Is that House Haunted?

October 21, 2019 | Comments Off

Stigma and Real Estate Would the fact that property is believed to be haunted affect your decision to purchase it? If a property had been the location of an unspeakable act, would that change your opinion on it? Picture this, you’ve just found the home of your dreams and have put in an offer. Of course you’ll want to make sure that there’s nothing wrong with the home before you firm up so who are you going to call? Ok, so it’s probably your home inspector and not the ghost-busters, however it may surprise you that according to a recent
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Having Your Home Listed Over the Holidays

October 9, 2019 | Comments Off

If you are planning to sell your home in the next few months, it is wise to plan to maximize the sale of your home. As the temperatures are cooling and the days are getting shorter, we are starting to think of the coming fall and winter seasons. We will also start to think of the many special holidays we will be celebrating in the next few months. The good news is that buyers who are looking over the holidays tend to be more serious. We have put together some simple tips that will ease the pressure of having your
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Spring Cleaning – Get the Kids Involved

February 22, 2019 | Comments Off

As the warmer temperatures begin to roll in, there is no thought more prevalent than the beginning of spring cleaning. Spring is a time when all the forgotten places of winter begin to come to light, and there is nothing more refreshing than refreshing your home. A major topic these days is how to involve your kids in spring cleaning, especially in a way that is fun and engaging for them. The hope is to get your kids involved and wanting to help clean, not only to teach them the value of hard work, and the importance of cleaning up
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Getting Ready to Sell Your Home in Winter: What You Need to Know

November 8, 2018 | Comments Off

Selling your home in the winter real estate market may seem undesirable to some, but it has an upside. Let’s break down some of the advantages that actually make the cold dreary season a potential win for sellers. Ottawa is in a Seller’s Market. Regardless of the weather, listings that are on the market are getting the attention of buyers, there is just not enough inventory to keep up with the demand. Current active inventory is less than half of 2015-16 [October 2018]. Compared to last year, condo inventory is down 34.5% while residential inventory is 17.5% lower than October
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Home Renovations with a Great Return on Investment

October 24, 2018 | Comments Off

Home Renovations with a Great Return on Investment Even if you love your space, at one point or another, most homeowners have thought about making changes…“I love our kitchen, but what if we added an island?” or “our ensuite bathroom is great, but I’d love double sinks” or even “our basement is so spacious, I wonder what it would look like finished”. If this sounds familiar read on! “When we decided to sell our first home for an opportunity to ‘move up’, we knew we needed to update the kitchen and bathroom to attract buyers and get the price we
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Fall Furnace Tune-Up

October 17, 2018 | Comments Off

Fall Furnace Tune-Up As much as we may hate to admit it, fall is here. As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, the time of year when we switch from cooling our homes to heating them is upon us. However, before you switch your furnace on and start getting your winter blankets out of storage, it is wise to perform a routine inspection and maintenance of your furnace. You don’t want something going wrong in the middle of winter when you need heat more than ever. You can spend money to have a professional come and perform
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Protecting Your Home from Critters

September 13, 2018 | Comments Off

As the cooler weather starts to roll in, we are all thinking of cozying up indoors and unfortunately our furry friends outside are also thinking the same. Wild animals are currently looking for warm spaces to call home for the winter months and unfortunately our homes can be an attractive target. When animals get into a home, the damage can be severe and costly to fix but fortunately, with some careful planning you can ensure that you are not welcoming some unwanted guests over the winter months. Ottawa is home to many different critters but let’s take a look at
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Frolic into Fall: Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

September 8, 2018 | Comments Off

Getting ready for fall and winter can sound like a chore. However with a few simple tips and tricks, getting it done can be quick and will pay off, big time for homeowners. The most important aspect of getting ready is that all of the appropriate maintenance has been performed to keep your home in top shape before the snow flies. There are a few major things to remember when it comes to cold weather. A large part of getting ready for fall is to prepare your outdoor landscapes for the harsh reality that is Canadian winter, including (but not
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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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