One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often ask myself, is "what is great about today in Ottawa?" Well today I ran the Fall Colours Half Marathon in Cumberland and finished in 1 hour 54 minutes.I was pushed hard by a good friend of mine who actually beat me in the end!The weather Gods smiled on us and the day was a magnificent sunny day, although crisp and chilly for sure.The race started at 9:40am and it wound through some of the beautiful country estates of Cumberland.As a Real Estate Agent I often ask myself one of these Ottawa Real Estate Questions...........``why can I never get enough of real estate.....I marvel at the country estates I run past and the enormous lots with 150 feet frontage and 200 feet in depth and I am astounded by the majesticness of country Properties.I hav... 10/11/2009

THANKSGIVING, is "what do I have to be grateful for today ?"Well living in Canada, there is a lot to be grateful for as the United Nations has often voted Canada as one of the best country's in the world to live in.Then we can narrow it down to living in ONTARIO.As the number plates say so eloquently:'ONTARIO...YOURS TO DISCOVER".One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often get asked is about the Property market in Ottawa, and I tell people it is the most stable of all the markets in Canada, with a consistent 4-7% annual growth on average over the past 50 odd years.So finally we must ask ourselves on a daily basis :"What do I have to be Grateful for today ?" May I suggest we train ourselves to see the glass as half f, as opposed to half empty !! Indeed there are SO MANY THINGS to be ... 10/10/2009

Here is your Sandy Hill, Ottawa Real Estate Report for the month of September 2009. During the month of September there has been 5 homes listed for sale in Sandy Hill of these 5 homes 2 sold in the same month one of them selling in only 4 days for over asking. If you are looking to sell your home in Sandy Hill, Ottawa, Ontario. Call Roch St-Georges at 613-889-7732 I offer free home evaluation. Call me today!   Looking for a home in Ottawa? Want to sell your current home? Visit my Ottawa Real Estate website at www.rochstgeorges.com Direct: 613.889.7732 | Office: 613.837.0011 Wondering how much your neighbors sold for? | Beat Other Buyers to Hot New Listings   10/09/2009

Why we think you should use a mortgage broker, here are 6 advantages..... Reduce your stress and frustrationThere are dozens of lenders from which to choose, so why not let an expert handle the application process for you? These days the forms and other data that are required for a loan application can be quite complicated, so it is wise to hand the entire process over to a professional. Fewer complicationsA seasoned mortgage professional will have years of experience, and that will help him or her navigate the tricky loan application waters that lie ahead. Let a broker's know-how work to your benefit. Help you get the best deal possibleAlthough you may be tempted to apply for the mortgage on your own, by hiring a professional you are assured of getting the best interest rate, the best ... 10/09/2009

Over 17,800 Raised for local Charity!  The 2009 Keller Williams Charity Golf Tournament organized by Dan Salhany was a smashing success.  On September 24th we chose a perfect sunny day and worked very hard setting the stage for both fun and giving back to our local community charities.  Special thanks to Kim Lambert and the RBC mortgage team, our main sponsor of this event.   The $17,800 that was raised by us for local charities will be passed onto each charity we support through KWO cares. KWO Cares have three areas we contribute to, overseas, local, and youth.  We also contribute to agents in our office that have their own charities on the go.  Our mission statement is "To protect our Keller Williams Ottawa Family, to give sustaining support to local charity-stabilizing their funding-... 10/09/2009

Saturday night was a night out with friends downtown we went for super at Khao Thai a Thai Restaurant located at 103 Murray Street in the Byward Market. This was my second time at this restaurant and once again I wasn't disappointed the food is always great. If you ask my girlfriend she would say it's the best Thai Restaurant in Ottawa. Now... We didn't have reservation on that Saturday night and we we're lucky to have a table at 7pm. My advice is make a reservation to avoid disappointment. Since we we're downtown in the Byward Market we ended up going for desserts at Oh So Good afterwards (read my blog post) Khao Thai 103 Murray Street,Ottawa, ON K1N 5M5www.khaothai.ca 613-241-7276 --- Follow me on Twitter Direct: 613-889-7732 Office: 613-837-0011   10/09/2009

Last weekend on Saturday night I met with up some friends for some dessert at a great place I love to go called "Oh So Good" located in the Byward Market of Ottawa. This cozy shop has a sit-in area at the back with a great atmosphere where you can mingle with your friends while enjoying one of their 25+ types of desserts from pies to cakes theres something for everyone at Oh So Good. I personally took a Banana Chocolate cake ... it was to die for. Definitely a place for all those sweet tooths in Ottawa. We got there around 8.30pm and by the time we left around 9.15 there place was packed. Make sure to get there earlier if you plan on sitting. Oh So Good 25 York Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5S7 613-241-8028 Ottawa Realtor - Roch St-Georges Sales Representative with Exit Realty Matrix in Orlea... 10/09/2009

You may have heard recently about how “tight” the Ottawa re-sale housing market is. When you look at the figures provided by the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), you know that the fall market will continue to be a challenge for those who are looking to buy. There were 1,220 residential properties sold this September compared to 1,204 from last year. 272 were condos with the balance being residential. September was another record-breaking month, continuing a “busy and active summer for Ottawa Real Estate members,” according to Rick Snell, President of OREB. Further, he noted “Inventory levels rose from last month but remain lower than in September 2008, and that low supply coupled with continued strong demand for resale housing helped nudge selling prices higher.” The average resale pric... 10/08/2009

On of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often hear people ask themselves, sometimes not verbally, but internally, is this: "Is my decision to buy this Property based on impulsiveness, or decisiveness?".The answer to one of these important Ottawa Real Estate Questions is not always pertaining to real estate , but to life. How often do you think your decision is too impulsive? Well the answer to this is probably .....for how long were you thinking about doing something before you actually did it ? If the answer is not very long at all, it's probably an IMPULSIVE act, but if the answer to one of the important Ottawa Real Estate Questions, is "quite some time now I've been thinking about doing this thing", then your actions have been DECISIVE.So, go with your gut.For these and other Ottawa... 10/08/2009

Last month (September) the City of Ottawa experienced yet again another record month. This of course is creating a very strong sellers market. After reading an article yesterday in our local newspaper "The Other Citizen" intitled "Area realtors scramble for listings" explaining how inventory is very low in the city and that most realtors have no more listings of their own. I am very suprised that people are still asking me "What is the best time to sell my home in Ottawa?" and some even saying "I'll wait until the right time to get top dollars for my property"   People, People! NOW is the time to sell!   Because the inventory is low the prices of homes in Ottawa have been pushed higher. It's the basics of supply and demand. Last month's average price in Ottawa was $304,789 a 5.7% increa... 10/07/2009

One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often get asked is "what is there to do sports wise in the ORLEANS ,Ottawa East area?".Well I have responded to one of these interesting Ottawa Real Estate Questions in a recent blog pertaining to joining the Petrie Island Outdoor Club, but TODAY, my blog revolves around an up and coming race I will be participating in, the Fall Cumberland Half Marathon on Sunday October 11th.This is a 21km run through the magnificently enchanting and beautiful villages of Cumberland, follow Old Montreal Road and come to the Cumberland Museum to partake in the festivities as a great start to the ThanksGiving Celebration. Their link is http://www.somersault.ca/eventfallcolours.htm For these and Other Ottawa Real Estate Questions please visit me at my website at h... 10/07/2009

(One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often ask myself, is "what do I do with this enormous amount of Training in Ottawa Real Estate Questions that is amazing and made available to me on a regular basis through the Company I work, Keller Williams Ottawa Realty". Well the answer I think, is that "knowledge is useless unless applied". I find the amount of information given to Real Estate Agents in Ottawa quite overwhelming, but if one can just take one or two golden nuggets from this education and APPLY IT, on a consistent daily basis, then this will step us a notch up the ladder of success.I attended Chris Leader's seminar at the Chateau Laurier a couple weeks ago, and found his session excellent.For these and other Ottawa Real Estate Questions,please contact my website at http://Ot... 10/06/2009

EXIT Realty is proud to be the cover story in this month's edition of Real Estate Magazine with our new Teal is the New Green initiative. Click here to view http://livemag.rismedia.com/link/ris/2009/oct/0?s=0 When buying and selling your home be sure to choose Exit Realty Matrix located in Ottawa, Ontario. Cover Page of the Real Estate Magazine : Think Green, Think Exit Realty Exit Realty Matrix is located at 5945 Jeanne D'Arc Blvd, Ottawa, Ontario, K1C 2N1 10/06/2009

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,220 residential properties in September through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,204 in September 2008, an increase of 1.3 per cent. Of those sales, 272 were in the condominium property class, while 948 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, 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. “September was another record-breaking month for Ottawa resale home sales, capping off a very busy and active summer for Ottawa Real Estate Board members,” said Board Pre... 10/06/2009

One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often get asked in Ottawa East is "what does one do in Orleans in the Fall" ?Indeed one of the better Ottawa Real Estate Questions I have been asked ! Well I highly recommend the Mer Bleu walking trails, off Innes, to Page' and then right towards Mer Bleu. The Fall Colours are absolutely magnificent.I met a friend there today at lunch time and we walked along the path and it was like something out of a movie.Ever see "Autumn in New York " with Richard Gere ? I have skiied the cross country trails of Mer Bleu in the Winter and look forward to doing that again real soon, but there is something unbelievably magical about having such a magnificent country setting just 15 minutes drive from Innes Road in Orleans.You too can buy a home near to Mer Ble... 10/05/2009

One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often get asked by Clients is "Should I buy on the Ottawa or Gatineau side ?"Many Buyers perceive there to be "more value" on the Gatineau/Quebec side as opposed to the Ottawa side and so form their own answer to one of these important Ottawa Real Estate Questions. I point out to them that whilst property prices might be lower on the Gatineau side for what value you get, one needs to take everything into consideration.I believe that Income Tax is often higher on the Gatineau side than the Ontario side, there are School taxes on the Gatineau side that the Ottawa side does not have in most areas, and there is also the fact that property prices seem to go up annually at a higher rate on the Ontario side than on the Quebec side, in many areas. So Cl... 10/04/2009

If you've decided it's time to sell your home where do you start? With surrounding competition everyone is trying to stand out from the crowd! Below you will find my 5 TOP TIPS for Selling your home quickly in Pineview:1- Price your Home rightLook for similar houses currently on the market. Also look at the homes that aren't selling. Chances are those owners priced their homes too high.2. Make your home presentableKeep your house looking good at all times. To guarantee a quicker sale, I work with a professional home staging and photography service. Your property must make a strong, positive impression and your pics are your first impression - Buyers are on the Internet first before they call their Realtor.3. Be flexible with showingsIt only takes one Buyer to get your home sold. Always ... 10/03/2009

In Real Estate, there are different possible forms of agency relationships - it is important to know who's working for you!1. Seller representation / LISTING AGREEMENTWhen a real estate brokerage represents a seller, it must do what is best for the seller of a property. It also explains services the brokerage will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the REALTOR®'s services and specifies what obligations a seller may have. Confidences a seller shares with a seller's agent must be kept confidential from potential buyers and others. A buyer working with a seller's agent can expect fair and honest service from the seller's agent and disclosure of pertinent information about the property.2. Buyer representation / BUYER REPRESENTATION AGREEMENTA real estate brokerage representing a buy... 10/03/2009

One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often get asked is related to the fact that I have completed 12 x 90 km Marathons  and this is printed on my business card.My answer to one of these personal Ottawa Real Estate Questions is that I tell my Clients that I print this on my business card not to brag, but to show them exactly how far I will go for them to get their home sold or find them the right home to buy. You see its in the Sports Arena that some of the greatest lessons in life are learned and practised.This is an answer for you to one of these personal Ottawa Real Estate Questions asked of me daily. In my 20 years of Marathon running, and my 90 (YES, YOU READ RIGHT, NINETY) completed Ultra Marathons between 42,2kms and 160 kilometres(26,2-100 Miles) I have learned Perseverance,... 10/03/2009

Looking for a great activity for the whole family? Take a ride on the Hull Chelsea Wakefield Steam Train and admire the beautiful views of the Outaouais region with all of it's Autumn colors. October is a great month to ride the train with the family, to take pictures and enjoy and enjoy an afternoon in the village of Wakefield. I've posted below some pictures of my ride back in August of this year with my family. About the Hull Chelsea Wakefield Steam Train : The Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train invites you on a half-day excursion through the National Capital region's scenic countryside on board one of Canada's oldest operating steam locomotives. Located only minutes from downtown Gatineau and Ottawa, the train will carry you along the meandering Gatineau river to the picturesque vil... 10/03/2009