COVID-19 has changed our lives dramatically. All facets of our day to day routine were transformed. Initially, the Real Estate community saw a drastic slowdown in the sale of homes. However, the industry was quick to adapt to the new challenging environment as we were deemed an essential service.
All the health and safety protocols were followed. New cleaning routines and rules and restrictions for open houses were implemented. The increased use of professionally produced virtual tours became vital for potential buyers. When the industry adapted and sales increased, the importance of online tools remained critical. Given the speed that homes are sold, being prepared is now even more important. The effective use of all the available online tools will ensure you are entirely up to speed when making exciting but stressful decisions.
Where Should We Buy?
Start the selection process by deciding on the area of Ottawa where you would like to live. Some of the factors include working from home, and if not, is public transit nearby? Can the LRT or connecting busses help you get to work?
Do you want to be able to walk to restaurants, pubs, a park, the canal, the Byward Market, the Glebe, or shopping? Is there childcare and schools nearby? Are there medical facilities and hospitals in the area? Are there community associations that you may want to join? What are the demographics of the neighbourhood? When you find a neighbourhood you are considering, spend some time walking around the area and get a feel for the environment at different times of the day.
Find out if there will be more development in your potential neighbourhood? Always check about zoning. You can always contact an Ottawa Client Service Centre and ask to speak to a Development Information Officer to confirm the zoning in any neighbourhood.
Land Transfer Tax
The buyer pays Ontario Land Transfer Tax when the title is transferred from the seller to the new owner of a house or condo. When buying a home in Ottawa, is the Ontario Government calculator. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may be eligible for a refund of all or part of the land transfer tax. The HST applies only to newly constructed or renovated homes but does not apply to resale homes or condos. The Ontario Government calculator link provides general guidelines on calculating land transfer tax payable in Ontario.
Mortgage Questions
You must pay very close attention to all aspects of your potential mortgage. Use an online mortgage calculator to help you work out your options. This calculator is for demonstration purposes only. Always work with your mortgage provider and your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent REALTOR ® before making any decisions.
Legal Fees
Your lawyer is an essential member of your Real Estate team. They are there to protect your interests and your bank account. Check with your lawyer during the process, so there will be no surprises on the closing day. If you have any legal questions or want to double-check what your lawyer has recommended, check with The Law Society of Ontario. https:lso.ca/home.
Condo Questions
We have put together a number of great resources if you are interested in condo living or seeing if condo living is for you. We can help you pick a condo that is right for you. If you are interested to see all the condos that are available in a specific area let us know and we can set something up.
Next Steps
What is Available?
With in-person showings no longer the only way to show a home, because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Team Realty presents Ottawa Virtual Open Houses. Discover hundreds of properties with virtual tours that you can walk through in the comfort of your own home. You will find the most accurate and complete information about the entire spectrum of homes available. Included are the most professional tours available in the industry.
Now You Are Ready To Decide
Buying a home in Ottawa has changed dramatically over the last year. However, by using all the online tools available, you can gain the necessary knowledge without leaving your home. When you decide to buy a home, you will be prepared. You can act quickly and make the right decisions for you and your family.
