May 2010 Schedule For all of you DIY homeowners the list below is for you! Did you know your local Home Depot store offers great Do it Yourself Workshops in Ottawa every month on seasonal projects or even every day around the home renovations?! Stay tuned next month for an updated list of Do it yourself Workshops in Ottawa. Also, next month you can find a list of Kids workshops for ages 6-12 years old! The above workshops are available at the following Home Depot location: 2121 Tenth Line Rd, Orleans, ON K4A 4C5 (613) 590-2030! DATE TIME DO IT YOURSELF! 05/15/2010 1:00 - 2:00 PM Painting your homes exterior 05/16/2010 12:00 - 1:00 PM Container Gardening   2:00 - 3:00 PM Installing hardwood flooring 05/19/2010 7:00 - 8:00 PM Installing hardwood flooring 05/22/2010 10:00 - 11:00 AM Healt... 05/26/2010

Professional Profile for May 2010 Lucie HalleMortgage AgentDominion Lending Centre - Mortgage Excellence I was lucky enough to have met Lucie a few years ago since I was searching for a new mortgage agent in Ottawa. I have always tried to align myself with like-minded professionals that I feel comfortable referring my clients too. I have to be honest when saying I never have a worry in my mind when I send a potential or current client to Lucie. Her professionalism, kindness, knowledge and expertise allow her to find you the best mortgage package for you. She is there to help you and represent your best intererests at all times. Lucie's passion is all about educating her clients and taking the fear out of mortgage financing. Many first-time buyers are overwhelmed by the financing process... 05/25/2010

What happened in Hunt Club, Hunt Club Woods and Hunt Club Western Community, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhoods of Hunt Club, in Ottawa saw a total of 10 sales in April 2010. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 in Hunt Club, was 14. The longest days on the market was 30 and the shortest was 6 days. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Hunt Club was $334,290. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Hunt Club was $585,000 and the lowest was $202,000. Compared with April 2009 homes in Hunt Club are selling much quicker. Average days on the market of homes in Hunt Club, Ottawa during the month of April 2009 was 27 days. The longest days on the market was 47 and the shortest was 1 day. The hig... 05/24/2010

What happened in Centre Town and Golden Triangle, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhoods of Centre Town and Golden Triangle, in Ottawa saw a total of 11 sales in April 2010. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 in Centre Town and and Golden Triangle, was 15. The longest days on the market was 96 and the shortest was 0 day (home sold on day of listing). The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Centre Town and and Golden Triangle was $472,709 an increase over last years $415,650 average during the same period.. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Centre Town and and Golden Triangle was $665,000 and the lowest was $340,000. Compared with April 2009 homes in Centre Town and and Golden Triangle are... 05/24/2010

What happened in Viscount Alexander Park, Ottawa during the month of March and April 2010? The neighborhood of Viscount Alexander Park in Ottawa saw a total of 3 sales in March and April 2010. The average days on the market of the homes sold in March and April 2010 in Viscount Alexander Park was 3. The longest days on the market was 5 and the shortest was 2 days. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Viscount Alexander was $354,333 an increase over last years $275,000 average during the same period.. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Viscount Alexander was $392,000 and the lowest was $335,000. Compared with April 2009 homes in Viscount Aleander are selling much quicker this year. Average days on the market of homes in Viscount Alex... 05/24/2010

The traditional release of the Ottawa swans will be held on the 24th of May 2010 at 9am. You can make your way to the Brantwood Park (along the shore of the Rideau River) for the morning release of the swans. Have a great day! The following is a press release from the City of Ottawa: Also, this year’s Swan Keeper for a Day, Catherine Winters, and Dan Chenier, General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services will assist with the release. Ms Winters won the prize in a silent auction at an Ottawa Humane Society event. 05/24/2010

What happened in Manor Park, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhood of Manor Park in Ottawa saw a total of 6 sales in April 2010. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 in Manor Park was 19. The longest days on the market was 41 and the shortest was 1 day. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Manor Park was $543,250 an increase over last years $419,100 average during the same period.. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Manor Park was $615,000 and the lowest was $389,000. Compared with April 2009 homes in Manor Park are selling much quicker this year. Average days on the market of homes in Manor Park, Ottawa during the month of April 2009 was 47 days. The longest days on the market was 120 an... 05/24/2010

What happened in Alta Vista and Faircrest Heights, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhood of Alta Vista in Ottawa saw a total of 7 sales in April 2010. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 in Alta Vista and Faircrest Heights was 15. The longest days on the market was 44 and the shortest was 3 days. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Alta Vista was $563,057 an increase over last years $486,600 average during the same period.. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Alta Vista was $740,000 and the lowest was $381,500. Compared with April 2009 homes in Alta Vista are selling much quicker this year. Average days on the market of homes in Alta Vista, Ottawa during the month of April 2009 was 62 da... 05/24/2010

What happened in Overbrook and Castle Heights, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhoods of Overbrook and Castle Heights in Ottawa saw a total of 7 sales in April 2010. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 in Overbrook and Castle Heights was 10. The longest days on the market was 23 and the shortest was 2 days. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Overbrook and Castle Heights was $304,000 an increase over last years $277,750 average during the same period.. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Overbrook and Castle Heights was $380,000 and the lowest was $190,000. Compared with April 2009 homes in Castle Heights and Overbrook are selling much quicker this year. Average days on the market of hom... 05/24/2010

What happened in Vanier, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhood of Vanier in Ottawa saw a total of 15 sales in April 2010, one of which is still conditional. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 was 29. The longest days on the market was 156 and the shortest was 1 day. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Vanier was $342,180 an increase over last years $251,640 average during the same period.. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Quartier Vanier was $440,000 and the lowest was $342,180. Compared with April 2009 homes in Vanier are selling much quick this year. Average days on the market of homes in Vanier during the month of April 2009 was 34 days. The longest days on the market was 108 and ... 05/24/2010

What happened in Sandy Hill, Ottawa during the month of April 2010? The neighborhood of Sandy Hill in Ottawa saw 5 sales and 1 of which is a conditional sale. The average days on the market of the homes sold in April 2010 was 14. The longest days on the market was 28 and the shortest was 3. The average price of homes sold during the month of April 2010 in Sandy Hill was $590,750. The highest priced property sold during the month of April in Sandy Hill was $1,020,000 and the lowest was $375,000. Compared with April 2009 homes in Sandy Hill are selling much quick this year. Average days on the market of homes in Sandy Hill during the month of April 2009 was 55 days. This being said now is a great time to sell your home in Sandy Hill as demand is high and inventory is low. If you are looki... 05/24/2010

Some people can get confused and I'm not surprised when it comes to assessed value of their property.  Had a client that after we had established the listing price of their home she reviewed her Notice of Assessment and felt that the value should be based on the assessed value.   I explained to her that there are really 3 types of values on a property. 1.  Property Assessment is a measure of current or market value established for the purpose of determining the property owner's share of taxes on a property.  This is not based on whether you have hardwood flooring, updated kitchen or new windows.  2.  Market Value is the highest price in terms of money that a Buyer might pay if the property goes on the market.  That is based on similar houses sold in a certain period of time in the same ... 05/24/2010

2 Story For Sale in Fallingbrook Don't miss out on this opportunity!! • 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Detached" - $339,900 Fallingbrook, Orléans  -  Charming and well maintained 3 + 1 bedroom with open concept layout. This home Features gleaming hardwood floors, 3 piece main floor bathroom, spacious and bright kitchen with oak cabinetry, wood burning fireplace in large living room, master bedroom with 4 piece en-suite and convenient inside entry from two car garage. Patio doors lead you to a private cedar hedged backyard with deck. Lower level features large entertainment size recreation room, cozy gas fireplace and fourth bedroom. Updates include newer roof and furnace. 05/21/2010

How's the housing market in Ottawa? Hottest April on record for resale housing market. As we approach the summer we're seeing a little more inventory on the market however multiple offers are still very popular. Interest rates have risen a little and buyers are strongly recommended to visit their mortgage advisors to lock in their rates. Both Sellers and Buyers also have to be aware of the impending HST effective July 1st 2010. FYI - If 90% of your transaction (purchase or sale) is complete prior to the deadline - even if the closing is after July 1st - you will only be subject to GST. Be informed & prepared! According to the Ottawa Real Estate Board president Pierre de Varennes the total number of home sales in April was 1,841 compared with 1,591 in April 2009, an increase of 15.7 per ... 05/20/2010

With only a little over a month left until the HST hits us it's important to be informed and prepared to help ease the transition for you and your family. HST is coming... What is the HST?The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is the harmonized value-added tax that will replace the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Taxes in Ontario on July 1, 2010. The HST will apply at a rate of 13% in Ontario to taxable property (includes goods, intangible personal property such as licensed software, and real property) and services. In other words, the PST will be eliminated and an 8% provincial rate will be added to the 5% GST. What will I have to pay tax on as of July 1, 2010?In general, the HST rate of 13% will apply to all goods and services that are currently subject to GST. The H... 05/20/2010

If you thought Orleans hit the jackpot getting a new Lowe's Store and Empire Theatres, well the riches haven't stopped flowing yet. RioCan REIT plans to introduce a national supermarket tenant to occupy the 35,000 square feet available at the Innes Road and Belcourt Blvd. developing plaza. The plaza already features Lowe's, Empire Theatres, Allstate Insurance, and a CIBC, but with the new large retail site I'm sure other smaller business will anchor there as well.  At the other end of the city, a new home improvement warehouse on Hazeldean Road is expected to open late this year. The 33-acre site will eventually contain 393,000-square-foot of retail space, including a Michael's, Winners, HomeSense and Bouclair. RioCan's president and chief executive, Edward Sonshine said he expects to g... 05/20/2010

Community is more than a group of people living in a common geographical location. It is more than people obeying the same social norms or working to support the same economy; community is more than statistics and property lines that rope strangers together. A strong community fosters a feeling of intra-national and international brotherhood and creates a sense of togetherness among friends and neighbours because each person is dedicated to establishing a progressive and harmonious society. Our dependency on one another to cooperate in creating a well-functioning community is not always easily achieved, but it can be executed more smoothly and confidently with effective leadership. Fred Sherwin is the strong leader we need to continue building a successful and vibrant Orleans. With a fl... 05/14/2010

"When we hired Mary Caird to find us a home we actually hired a Team!  It was like HAVING TWO agents working for us and it lead to a great find.  We love our home.  With their great service they were able to deliver what they promised, they were always there to listen and help assess our needs when we had a hard time establishing our own wants and needs. We would absolutely recommend this team to work for anyone and we already have.  A huge thank you to Dan and Mary."                                                                                                                                                                                                   Barbara and Richard (Ottawa, ON) "Dan Salhany has worked on our behalf in both the sale and purchase of our homes, and overall, we... 05/13/2010

3 Story For Sale in Bells Corners Gorgeous Home Built by Domicile! • 2 bath, 2 bdrm 3 story "Row unit" - MLS® $274,900 Bells Corners, Ottawa  -  This gorgeous 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in beautiful Bells Corners boasts a contemporary layout and quality construction by Domicile. Move in condition! Upgrades galore include gleaming hardwood floors, birch kitchen cabinets to the ceiling with custom stain and valanced with cove moldings, 5 stainless steel appliances, and balcony. Other features include a specially designed spa-like main bath, bright and open concept living room and dining room areas, neutral décor throughout, and convenient inside access to garage. Property backs onto wooded area/ravine bordering the NCC Greenbelt. 05/11/2010

For Sale in Greely Stunning 4 bedroom home in Greely! • 3 bath, 4 bdrm ranch "Detached Hi Ranch" - MLS® $459,900 Greely, Ottawa  -  Stunning open concept 4 bed, 3 bath home in the quite neighbourhood of Greely.This all brick family home boasts custom features,cathedral ceilings w/cove mouldings & contemporary layout.Main lvl features hardwood flring,custom built kitchen w/new granite counters & raised panel oak cupboards.New granite in bathrms,lrg livingrm w/gas fireplace,master w/walkin closet & ensuite.Geothermal radiant heat.Treed lot w/private backyard. 05/10/2010