Monthly Archives November 2015

Holiday Entertaining Made Easy

Holiday Entertaining Made Easy

November 12, 2015 | Comments Off on Holiday Entertaining Made Easy

Is the whole family coming to your home for the holidays? Or perhaps you’d like to share some festive cheer with your neighbors? Whatever the reason, ’tis the season, so now’s the time to start planning. Stock Your Pantry — Get ready for hosting with a well-stocked pantry and freezer. Must-haves include quick, no-cook appetizers; basic baking ingredients; spices and marinades; and frozen puff pastry, pie and cookie dough. Set the Mood — Keep decorative accessories handy during this season of entertaining. A vase with fresh-cut flowers and tea lights in frosted glass holders are enough to add that festive touch. Pre-Plan and
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4 reasons to buy a home before the end of the year

4 reasons to buy a home before the end of the year

November 12, 2015 | Comments Off on 4 reasons to buy a home before the end of the year

Does cooler weather mean that you should cool down your house hunt?  Absolutely not!  Sellers who have homes listed during the colder months are usually motivated to sell and list prices are typically lower in December…but wait…there’s more! Traditionally, housing markets cool down at year end, but this Business Insider post suggests taking advantage of four factors that could work in your favour.   First, borrowing rates are exceedingly low and that means you save a bundle. In addition, the seasonal slowdown means fewer buyers submitting competing bids for choice properties which could put you in a strong negotiating position. There
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How Will Legalized Pot Affect Canadian Real Estate Markets

How Will Legalized Pot Affect Canadian Real Estate Markets

November 10, 2015 | Comments Off on How Will Legalized Pot Affect Canadian Real Estate Markets

No matter what you think about the ethics or morality of legalizing marijuana, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has promised to do just that during their first term.  The fact is, we started down that path when medical marijuana was legalized. So, how will this impact real estate markets in Canada?         The Colorado Housing Market Exploded We see clues to the impact of mainstreaming the recreational marijuana business in Colorado, the first state to replace prohibition with regulation. On 01 January 2015, they celebrated their first year with operational adult use marijuana stores and, perhaps coincidentally, there
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Market Update | Ottawa Real Estate Stats October 2015

Market Update | Ottawa Real Estate Stats October 2015

November 5, 2015 | Comments Off on Market Update | Ottawa Real Estate Stats October 2015

  Here are the latest statistics from the Ottawa Real Estate board.  Statistics are useful in establishing trends but should not be used as an indicator of an increase or decrease in value of specific properties.  If you are curious about the value of your home and/or specific neighbourhood statistics  please contact us anytime, we would  love to help.   Information below has been provided by the Ottawa Real Estate Board “October Home Buyers weren’t spooked by election results.” Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,161 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,119
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Home Buyers: To Inspect, or Not To Inspect

Home Buyers: To Inspect, or Not To Inspect

November 3, 2015 | Comments Off on Home Buyers: To Inspect, or Not To Inspect

To Inspect, or Not To Inspect You’ve just purchased your dream home and your salesperson is recommending an home  inspection before signing the final conditions. Is it worth $400-500? Now is the time to ignore your emotional attachment to the property, and make this a business decision. The answer is, “Absolutely!” The inspection is a critical step that ensures the structure, environment and operating systems of your dream home are safe and sound.  We are sometimes seduced by facade or the presentation of a property , but the things we cannot see can lead to expensive repairs or health concerns.
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