Sandy Hill Flood Control and Park Rehabilitation, 250 Somerset Street East Sandy Hill Park has traditionally served as a major community hub for neighbourhood residents. The new park design incorporates an improved layout, modernized facilities and comfortable outdoor places. Each and every design element of the park respects the engineering design of the flood control and stormwater management plan, as well as local community input. Grade changes were used to shape a new landscape with natural slopes and high impact stonewalls, while also visually cradling park users within this green space. The stormwater management pond, which sits above the underground storage tank and is one meter below the surrounding pathways in the centre of the park, can be utilized as a multi-sport field in th... 01/22/2010

When you've decided to sell your home or buy a home in Ottawa what are the most important factors that you take into consideration when selecting your Ottawa real estate agent? With over 2,200 Realtors part of the Ottawa Real Estate Board what distinguishes one from the other? Should you base your choice purely on a referral from a friend, co-worker or family member? Should you take the time to interview agents in your neighborhood? Do you pick the cheapest one? Does age and length of time in business influence your decision? The process you select will depend on you and your expectations. Below you'll find a few ideas that I think are VERY important to look into when choosing your Ottawa real estate agent.  1- Interview a minimum of 2-3 Realtors: They can be personally selected, referr... 01/21/2010

Our Team at www.MyOttawaRealEstate.com have buyer's looking for MInto Built Town or Terrace Homes in Orleans, and our preferred Model is The Manhattan or    The 5th Avenue.  If you are looking to SELL yours or know of someone who is, please contact us at info@myottawarealestate.com or 613-850-2020. 01/20/2010

Our Team at www.MyOttawaRealEstate.com have BUYER'S looking for Luxury Homes on Wyman Cresent in Ottawa and on Kesler Avenue in Ottawa.  If you are looking to SELL your Luxury Home or know of someone who is, please contact our Team at info@myottawarealestate.com or give us a call at 613-850-2020. 01/20/2010

Professional Profile for January 2010! Cinnamon Toast New Media Inc.Bronwyn Hammell For the past month I have been working very closely with Bronwyn designing my new real estate business branding. I'm so impressed with her level of customer service, professionalism and design savvy. I would recommend her to anyone looking to improve their online visual presence and develop an authentic original image - She also does websites :) and has a great team surrounding her. Cinnamon Toast New Media Inc. is a graphic design and website company that specializes in developing dynamic branding, updating current visual market presence, and creating new identities for companies and individuals. Bronwyn Hammell, Owner and Creative Director at Cinnamon Toast prides herself on the companies contemporary ... 01/18/2010

Ottawa Real Estate is in a frenzy, people wanting to purchase a home and the inventory is low.  Its crazy out there - multiple offers are flying right, left and center and there are a lot of dissappointed Buyers and a lot of Happy Sellers. From the Sellers perspective - they are receiving multiple offers and getting more than fair market value for their properties.  Some of the offers are without conditions and that's a dangerous game to play. From the Buyers perspective -  I would recommend that you contact your lender and ensure that you qualify for the amount that you are offering so that you will be able to close the deal.  The other issue that can be scary is not doing an inspection.  Things you and your agent did not see could be pointed out and its to late because your offer wasn... 01/18/2010

The Ontario provincial government has now passed the Green Energy and Green Economy Act of 2009 and is in the process of writing regulations to put its provisions into effect. One of its provisions states that anyone making an offer to purchase real property is entitled to receive "information, reports or ratings... relating to energy consumption and efficiency" with regard to that property (generally known as a home energy audit report). The information must be provided by the sellers of the property unless the prospective buyer waives, in writing, his or her right to the information. If you would like to receive more information concerning the Energy Audits, please contact me via www.irenebilinski.com 01/18/2010

Our Team at www.MyOttawaRealEstate.com are still going strong with contributing an article for our local Orleans Market Place Newsletter.  Click on the link below and you will be able to look through the Newsletter for the month of January.  This is our community newletter which we know every month has some really great articles in there for everyone.  http://www.marketplacenewsletter.com/orleans.pdf   01/15/2010

How's the housing market in Ottawa? 2009 was a record year for resale home sales, despite the slow start. Suprisingly enough the month of December and the holidays did not slow down the real estate market in Ottawa. With 689 residential properties sold, we are still seeing several multiple offers situations and a low listing inventory. Buyers and Sellers were also still very interested in the housing market between Christmas and New years - with lots of showings and offers happenings around town. According to the Ottawa Real Estate Board president Pierre de Varennes the total number of home sales in 2009 hit a record high of 14,742, up 7.4% from 2008. The average price for all of 2009 was $303,888 an increase of 4.9% over 2008. "Ottawa's housing market felt the chill of the global finan... 01/14/2010

MyOttawaRealEstate.com are Keeping you informed on what's happening in the Canadian Real Estate Market. Look forward to monthly videos and updates that will keep you on the cutting edge of the real estate world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSw40ycW9SE 01/13/2010

  All seven architects on the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Review Panel resigned en masse Tuesday, having reached the conclusion that they are wasting their time in a largely fruitless effort to improve architecture in the city.  "This resignation is really a way, and the only way we're aware of, to bring attention to what is a pretty serious problem," said Rick MacEwan, one of the seven.  "What we're trying to do is humilate the city slightly with this resignation, to say: "You're following a wrong path and you ought to  change course.'" MacEwan said the redevelopment of Lansdowne park - where an international design competition was cancelled in favour of a business-driven proposal with only a secondary consideration of architecture - was not the only reason for the resignation, but ac... 01/13/2010

Yes Spring is coming and its time to think about listing your house on the market.  What to do?  Your first step would be to get acquainted with a few real estate agents and do the interview process.  What to ask?  Just ask them to tell you about themselves, how they work, what are their marketing tools, and ask them what your home should be listed at.  Interview a few.  You must be comfortable with the agent that you select.  There are many styles out there - pick the one that fits your needs. Once you have selected the agent.  Determine when you would want to move and tell your agent what you will be looking for.  So that while your agent is selling your home she can also provide you with information about homes that will be available to meet your future needs.  I'm sure that your age... 01/13/2010

Spectacular all brick 5 +1 bedroom, 4 bathroom family home in Hunt Clubs exclusive neighbourhood, Richlin Estates.  This home features approximately 3500 square feet of living space! Stunning hardwood on main and second levels, three gas fireplaces, convenient laundry room on main level, and four skylights providing an abundance of natural light to shine in. Updated custom gourmet kitchen with island features beautiful granite counters, and stainless appliances.  The large master bedroom has a very spacious 5 piece en-suite, and all bathrooms are updated with new granite. The finished basement offers two large recreation rooms, a sixth bedroom, convenient 3 piece bathroom and plenty of storage space. This Premium lot also backs onto the private NCC woodland area. Check out the link belo... 01/12/2010

If you are looking to purchase a bungalow in the Orleans, ON area, there are only 12 available as I write this.  The prices range from $324K to $500+ and either have a single or double garage.  There's a great demand for well maintained bungalows in the Orleans and Ottawa area.  People are downzising, not quite ready for a retirement home but their present home is a little too much for them.  Also, a lot of people like to take off to spend some winter time in the warmer climates. Should you be in that group age that's thinking of downzising to a bungalow or a condo apartment, don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your wants and needs.  It will be my pleasure that provide you with a current market evaluation of your property and add you to my VIP Buyers' Program. Bungalows and smaller ... 01/12/2010

In 2009 Rockcliffe Park saw 180 homes listed on the MLS compared with 174 homes in 2008. As for sold listingsRockcliffe Park saw 30 sales in 2009 compared to 24 in 2008. Of the 30 homes sold in Rockcliffe Park in 2009 homes had on average 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The highest having 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and the lowest having 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms the average selling price was $1,300,466. Homes in Rockcliffe Park are on average 50 days on the market before finding a buyer. Homes that sold in 2008 sold on average in 67 days and the average selling price in Rockcliffe Park was $1,262,370 during that same year.   If you are interested in selling your property in Rockcliffe Park Ottawa give me a call today. 613-889-7732 Source: oreb.mlxchange Looking for a home in Ottawa? Want t... 01/11/2010

In 2009 Viscount Alexander saw 35 homes listed on the MLS compared with 32 homes in 2008. As for sold listings Viscount Alexander saw 110 sales in 2009 compared to 6 in 2008. Of the 110 homes sold in Viscount Alexander in 2009 homes had on average 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The highest having 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and the lowest having 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms the average selling price was $321,055. Homes in Viscount Alexander are on average 43 days on the market before finding a buyer. Homes that sold in 2008 sold on average in 33 days and the average selling price in Viscount Alexander was $373,150 during that same year. If you are interested in selling your property in Viscount Alexander Ottawa give me a call today. 613-889-7732 Source: oreb.mlxchange Looking for a home in Ot... 01/11/2010

In 2009 Manor Park saw 47 homes listed on the MLS compared with 41 homes in 2008 an increase of 14%. As for sold listings Manor Park saw 39 sales in 2009 compared to 26 in 2008 an increase of 50%. Of the 39 homes sold in Manor Park in 2009 homes had on average 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The highest having 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and the lowest having 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom the average selling price was $425,774. Homes in Manor Park are on average 39 days on the market before finding a buyer. Homes that sold in 2008 sold on average in 23 days and the average selling price in Manor Park was $402,892 during that same year an increase of approx. 5.7%. If you are interested in selling your property in Manor Park, Ottawa give me a call today. 613-889-7732 Source: oreb.mlxchange Looking... 01/11/2010

January 1, 2010 was the start of Ottawa's new green bin for recycling program. The Green Bin program is part of the City of Ottawa's long-term plan for solid waste management. Today, City recycling programs help to divert a third of all residential waste from landfill. The Green Bin program will add organics to the list of recyclable materials, potentially doubling diversion rates. At first I was a little annoyed because it was another bin taking up more space and another bin to bring to the curb and another step in sorting garbage but you know, its OK - its not all about me its about the environment and that's so important.  My household has organized itself to make it easy, since I don't have a lot of room under my sink area to put the supplied little collection bin, I purchased a sta... 01/09/2010

Well, I'm a day late in reporting to my Active rain community however yesterday I successfully posted my 1st EVER Video Blog to my new youtube account :) I now join a select group of Realtors who are presenting Real estate on youtube in Ottawa. Four (4) recordings later I felt ready to post - after speaking with a few colleagues that are avid "vloggers" I was informed not to "try to hard" and to just be myself. I was also not looking for perfection.. I understand that with time and practice my comfort level of being on video online will improve. Click here to view In 2010 I will be posting a video blog every Friday about local ottawa real estate statistics, new listings, buyer and seller tips and interesting info about my everyday real estate happenings. I welcome your thoughts and comm... 01/09/2010

OPEN HOUSEJanuary 10th 2010 from 2:00-4:00pm1196 Alma St - $179,900 Ready to move in 3 bedroom home in Rockland. Located on a quiet street it's been updated & tastefully decorated! The main floor offers a mud room, laundry room, den, spacious living room and eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinetry, counterspace and center island that's perfect for entertaining! Hardwood and ceramic throughout main floor - Laminate in 2 bdrms. Gorgeous exposed beams and colonial columns give this home a unique feel. Large 0.23 acre lot with above ground pool (new liner and salt water pump). Newer windows. Garage is mainly used as shed for storage. Drop by or send your friends! The town of Rockland is very well located only 15mins from Orleans. Alma Street provides easy access to shopping, parks and more!... 01/09/2010