Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,042 residential properties in October through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,197 in October 2009, a decrease of 12.9 per cent. Year to date, the number of properties sold has declined 2% compared to the same period last year, a record setting year. Of those sales, 221 were in the condominium property class, while 821 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. "Six months ago we were in a strong seller's market, now we have moved into a more balanced market position," said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. "Some properties are still receiving multiple offers but this is happening much less often than was the case in the spring."The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $340,719, an increase of 6.8 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $263,292, an increase of 13.4 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $361,560, an increase of 5 per cent over October 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
In law Suites can now be legal.
Have you ever wanted to bring down your mortgage payments? Most people have experienced that feeling at the end of the month were there is more month than there is money. What if you could have an extra $1000 a month to pay down your mortgage, pay bills or even create a savings account for that next large purchase.
The City of Ottawa with the exception of Rockcliffe Park, now allow secondary suites or "in-law suites". So home owners can now build one with a building permit of course. If you have an existing one that is deemed to be illegal you can now get it approved by the city as long as it is up to building and fire codes. The secondary suited or "in-law suite" can be up to 40% of the overall upper floors. A suite can be built in a garage, and each half of a semi-detached can have its own secondary suite. A legal duplex is allowed one secondary unit making it into a triplex. Something to keep in mind about this is that these rules do not apply to condos for obvious reasons or row houses.
So if you have ever wanted to become a real estate investor this is excellent way of creating wealth were you thought you had none. Your house often deemed to be your largest asset is really a liability as you are constantly paying into it. Yes in the long term you will likely make money on it but that might not be until retirement. By creating a secondary dwelling you can change the money from flowing into upkeeping your house into flowing into your pocket!
Have you ever wanted to bring down your mortgage payments? Most people have experienced that feeling at the end of the month were there is more month than there is money. What if you could have an extra $1000 a month to pay down your mortgage, pay bills or even create a savings account for that next large purchase.
The City of Ottawa with the exception of Rockcliffe Park, now allow secondary suites or "in-law suites". So home owners can now build one with a building permit of course. If you have an existing one that is deemed to be illegal you can now get it approved by the city as long as it is up to building and fire codes. The secondary suited or "in-law suite" can be up to 40% of the overall upper floors. A suite can be built in a garage, and each half of a semi-detached can have its own secondary suite. A legal duplex is allowed one secondary unit making it into a triplex. Something to keep in mind about this is that these rules do not apply to condos for obvious reasons or row houses.
So if you have ever wanted to become a real estate investor this is excellent way of creating wealth were you thought you had none. Your house often deemed to be your largest asset is really a liability as you are constantly paying into it. Yes in the long term you will likely make money on it but that might not be until retirement. By creating a secondary dwelling you can change the money from flowing into upkeeping your house into flowing into your pocket!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
September Real Estate Update
Better supply of properties for sale brings balance to housing market; prices rise steadily
Ottawa, September 3,2010 :After an HST- influenced dip in sales in July, August saw a return to a more normal number of sales. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,122 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,211 in August 2009, a decrease of 7.3 per cent. Of those sales, 266 were in the condominium property class, while 856 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“The number of sales year-to-date is slightly ahead of last year’s sales for the same period, and last year’s sales volume was the highest ever. This shows the stability of the Ottawa Real Estate Market. ” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “The market is in a balanced position in relation to the number of homes for sale and the demand for properties. This is a good market for both buyers and sellers. I expect to see a normal fall market with longer selling times and stable prices,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $321,969, an increase of 2.1 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $262,999, an increase of 16.8 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $340,294, an increase of 0.1 per cent over August 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board
Ottawa, September 3,2010 :After an HST- influenced dip in sales in July, August saw a return to a more normal number of sales. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,122 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,211 in August 2009, a decrease of 7.3 per cent. Of those sales, 266 were in the condominium property class, while 856 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“The number of sales year-to-date is slightly ahead of last year’s sales for the same period, and last year’s sales volume was the highest ever. This shows the stability of the Ottawa Real Estate Market. ” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “The market is in a balanced position in relation to the number of homes for sale and the demand for properties. This is a good market for both buyers and sellers. I expect to see a normal fall market with longer selling times and stable prices,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $321,969, an increase of 2.1 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $262,999, an increase of 16.8 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $340,294, an increase of 0.1 per cent over August 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ottawa still a great place to own a home!
Still a seller’s market in Ottawa; prices rise steadily
Ottawa, August 5,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,149 residential properties in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,578 in July 2009, a decrease of 27.2 per cent.Of those sales, 294 were in the condominium property class, while 855 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Last July saw a record high number of sales in Ottawa, which was the result of pent-up demand as the market came out of a downturn. What we see this year is a return to more seasonal sales volumes,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The ratio of listed properties to sold properties indicates that Ottawa remained in a seller’s market last month, and sale prices continued to rise at a steady pace, as they generally do here in the national capital,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $321,827 , an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $249,674 , an increase of 15.2 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $346,638, an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
Ottawa, August 5,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,149 residential properties in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,578 in July 2009, a decrease of 27.2 per cent.Of those sales, 294 were in the condominium property class, while 855 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Last July saw a record high number of sales in Ottawa, which was the result of pent-up demand as the market came out of a downturn. What we see this year is a return to more seasonal sales volumes,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The ratio of listed properties to sold properties indicates that Ottawa remained in a seller’s market last month, and sale prices continued to rise at a steady pace, as they generally do here in the national capital,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $321,827 , an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $249,674 , an increase of 15.2 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $346,638, an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Green Houses Important Topic
Solar Panels For Urban Homes.
With so much talk today about the environment, people have been searching for alternative energy sources. Most of the time these options are just to costly for the average home owner. However with housing costs rising and energy costs racing to do the same builders and homeowners have begun to put solar panels on the roofs of there homes. Making possible for the Jones' what was once only seen on commercial sites.
It used to be with builders perhaps the upgrades would include a jacuzzi tub or a walk out basement door. Today you can put a solar panel on your roof that could cut your hydro costs by as much as 80%.
Now, builders are not the only people doing just this. You also have professional companies doing it for your existing home or if you prefer to do it yourself or DIY you can purchase solar panels for as little as $200. Solar Panels is an easy way for us to subsidize our living expenses. We will begin to see more and more of them on all types of buildings from commercial to residential. This will definitely help to alleviate the stress on the power grid on hot humid afternoons when everyone has their central air and fans going full blast. So have your cake and eat it to by running the A/C off the power from your very own solar grid!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Westboro Condo Living
Westboro Condo living is all about the condo lifestyle. Just lock the doors and go. Everyday can be an adventure free from the stress of driving across the city through construction and rush hour. The concept of living where you work and vice verse spells out why condos have become so popular with people of all ages. So whether you are downsizing or it is the first home for you condo lifestyle in the right area can have a lot to offer.I am not sure there is a better area in Ottawa to live and work than Westboro, which is what Westboro Condo living is all about. Sure you have to work from 9-5, but the real joy is when you leave work and go for drink on the patio at Trio Wine Bar or when you step out in the middle of the afternoon to grab a cappuccino from Starbucks or Bridgehead. On the weekend maybe you walk over to Fratelli restaurant to share a bottle of wine and an antipasto plate with a few friends. If your lucky enough to have a dog why not spoil them like we all do with treats from Bark & Fitz. Your dog will also love to go for long walks on the Ottawa River bike way. This is just a taste of the options for Westboro condo owners.
When comes to establishing value in the Westboro neighbourhood there is a huge range of possibilities. Condos start in the low $200,000 and go up over $1 million with a variety of choices for location. Developers see this area to be perfect to build condos for all that it has to offer. As we speak there are some really exciting opportunities for both investment and lifestyle. One of those developments slated to be ready in late 2010 or early 2011 is 101 Richmond a condominium building by Ashcroft. It will have amenities like a pet spa, movie theatre, yoga studio and roof top patio with BBQ.
If you are interested in any other new opportunities that will come and go every day just ask me as Westboro condo living will just get better as the neighbourhood continues to grow.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Byward Market Condos
Byward Market condos are what condo life is all about. Living near where you work and where you play. No driving necessary, just a sense of adventure and an active social life and you can jump from work, to play, to home in just a few steps. If we had warmer winters we could enjoy patios at restaurants and balconies in condos year round.
Byward market condos come in all price ranges, sizes and finishings. At present they are in high demand and probably will be for some time, but as developers try to keep up with the demand by designing and building new condominium projects the demand should slowly meet the supply.
In the present real estate market they are selling extremely fast somewhere from a few days to a few weeks, but not much longer than that. The price range from $250,000 up to over a million. If you have the time new construction is always an option, but it takes a very flexible present living situation as new builds can sometimes by delayed. This is the best way to get maximum value for your dollar and usually allows you to be able to decide the interior finishes so you can customize your condo to your taste.
Living in what most consider the social epicentre of Ottawa creates a lot of options for both food and entertainment. There is also no lack of commercial space for shopping with the Rideau Centre just moments away. Getting around the city without a car is never a problem as major transit lines run in and out of the Rideau Centre every couple minutes. Not that you need to take a bus anywhere when you live in the centre of Ottawa's universe the way the Byward Market is.
It sure is nice to have options and this definitely what this area gives you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)