The Molly & Claude Team

The Molly & Claude Team Realtors Ottawa, Royal LePageTeam Realty

5 Reasons Why It’s Better to Buy in the Winter

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ottawa houses

Believe it or not Ottawa real estate keeps on churning even in the dead of winter. With all that cold and snow it is hard to imagine a worse time of year to go house hunting. However it is actually a perfect time of year to start searching for your dream home for these five reasons:

Beat the Crowds


Most people perceive the winter as the off season for house hunting. That means you will have less competition on the Ottawa real estate scene once the snow starts to fall. There will be less chance of having to get into a bidding war. Sellers might be a little more reasonable when it comes to negotiating a fair price. People selling their homes in the winter tend to be more motivated for a number of reasons. First they are well aware they are going to see far less interest due to fewer buyers. Second, it is an unusual time of year to put your house on the market. This means sellers might be faced with a number of personal issues forcing them to sell. Although you don’t want to feel you are taking advantage of these situations it does give you the upper hand when it comes time to negotiate.

Home Comfort


A nice toasty home viewed mid-winter will be a good indicator of how the home is functioning in general. You can take a look at the doors and windows to check for drafts, look for signs of leaks and even look up at the roof for signs of issues like ice dams. Your winter house hunt will offer better insight into the overall condition of the home. This means no surprises when you move in.

Neighbourhood Watch



Winter is the perfect time of year to get a feel for the neighbourhood. Of course the summer months will show well-kept lawns and gardens. However neighbourhoods that maintain the same neat and well-kept appearance in the winter months tend to show pride of ownership. You will also see how efficiently the town maintains the streets. You can watch for signs of plowing and salting when you view each home.

Better Service



Ottawa real estate agents tend to be readily available in the winter because it is a slower time of year. Although a good real estate agent is available regardless of how busy they are, it is nice to know you will have easy access when you need it, and it is not just agents. You will have better access to all real estate related services such as banks and lawyers. Don’t forget movers are extremely busy in the summer. It can be difficult to find a trustworthy mover to hire if you have a shorter closing period. In the winter you will have your pick of the best moving companies. You will probably be able to negotiate a better price as well.

Simplified Search


The Ottawa real estate can be overwhelming when there are too many houses on the market. In the winter you will have a nice selection of homes with less to weed through. Your real estate agent will have more time to look for perfect opportunities. They will be able to thoroughly investigate each home before recommending a viewing. They will also set up viewings quickly as they will have less to research. This can mean you find a home more quickly.

Taking advantage of the Ottawa real estate market in the winter can mean better prices with less time invested in the search.

4 Tips for Choosing a Realtor

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ottawa realtors

Finding a trustworthy realtor who will work with your best interest in mind is not always easy. This is because Ottawa realtors work on commission and can be driven by making the most money as opposed to helping their clients meet their needs. Fear not, there are plenty of honest realtors ready to help. Use these four tips to find the realtor right for you:

Honesty and Knowledge


Why are honesty and knowledge paired together? Because an honest realtor who has the knowledge you need will help you find the right price. Many realtors will agree to anything just to get your business. You don’t want someone who smiles and does whatever you want. This can mean paying too much for a home or listing your home too high or too low. An honest and knowledgeable realtor will understand the housing market and know what prices are fair in the current market. Dishonest Ottawa realtors, knowledgeable or not, will simply look at pricing from a “how much winds up in my pocket?” stand point. They will not be honest with the price you should pay, or the price you should list. Knowledge of fair pricing in hand with honest advice is what good realtors are all about.

Visit Websites


Visit Ottawa realtor’s websites and see what they have to say. Do they have a fun and informational blog that shows they are up on the latest in housing news? Do they have an engaging style that makes you want to get to know them better? Do they have testimonials from clients singing their praises? Is it all about the company they represent or do they have their own set up with a focus on what they personally have to offer? Once you visit some websites you will be able to come up with a short list of realtors you would like to get to know better.

Meet a Few


Choosing a realtor is like hiring someone for an important job. You want to research candidates and select a few who seem experienced and trustworthy to interview. Whether you are buying or selling, have them discuss what makes them the right person for the job. When selling your home you want someone who can list off recent sales and local housing prices as well as indicate what they will do to sell your home. When they are helping you find your home they should know answers about the schools, prices, amenities and other details about the neighbourhoods you are considering. You’ll also want someone with years of experience. Because realtors work on commission they won’t stay in the game for decades if they aren’t good at what they do. It just won’t put enough food on the table so to speak.

Designation and Affiliations


Not all Ottawa realtors are created equal. There are many designations that will show the level of training and experience each realtor has obtained. You can ask each realtor what their designation is to get a feel for their training. A realtor associated with a large real estate company will have added support and the tools they need to succeed. They will have access to a large internal system to search and attract other realtors to properties they have just listed. This can shorten your search time as well as attract buyers sooner.

Ottawa realtors are trained professionals who will play an important role to help you buy or sell your property. Being prepared to choose well now will help you avoid regrets later.

The Benefits of Condo Living

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ottawa condos

For many people purchasing a home means purchasing a house. However, the allure of condo living is beginning to grow on people looking for a more carefree lifestyle. Here are some of the main benefits of condo living:

Low Maintenance


Let’s face it, Canadian winters are brutal. You spend more time shoveling snow than you do warming by the fire. And let’s not forget the summer. You will be mowing, weeding and trimming in an endless cycle. There are also maintenance issues such as peeling paint, leaky roofs and poor insulation. Condo living takes care of all of these property related issues for you so you can spend more down time relaxing.

Less Monthly Fees


Although there are rumours there might be some changes to what maintenance fees cover, in general they actually do work to lessen your monthly bills. In most cases, your utilities are covered which includes water, heat, gas and electricity. Most maintenance fees make it easier come bill time as it is like paying one low monthly fee. When you own a house you are faced with a pile of bills that really add up each month.

Gorgeous Layouts


Condos have been designed with comfortable living in mind. In newer units you will find high end finishes, top notch appliances and well thought our layouts. They also have hardwood floors, excellent insulation and sound proofing. Many people are under the impression they cannot decorate and make changes to their condos. However, you can customize your unit in the same way you customize a house. If you buy a new condo you can also arrange for upgrades while the condo is under construction.

Amenities


Condo living provides you amenities similar to a hotel. You will have access to a pool without having to worry about the cost of heating it or cleaning it. Many condos also have a full gym which means no more gym membership fees. You can pop down whenever you want which is perfect in the cold of winter. Many condos also have lovely rooftop patios, common lounges for parties and even yoga rooms.

Lifestyle


Condo living is all about ease. You never have the worries associated with owning a house. The property is completely cared for by property management. You are living in a home with all the amenities of a hotel with a luxurious private suite that you decorate to suit your personal taste.

Security


Condos usually have some form of security. Many have a concierge/security guard on duty at the front desk in the lobby. Parking and common areas are well lit with special security access.

Excellent Downsizing Option


Many empty nesters and even smaller families are looking for a downsizing option. Condos are the perfect way to live in a smaller home with less worry and financial burdens. Condo living is ideal for almost everyone as it suits singles, small families, young couples and retirees. They are also ideal for people with mobility issues because there aren’t any stairs.

Balconies


Many condos also offer an outside space. Some have full size patios whereas others have charming balconies. You will have a little outdoor space that requires zero maintenance. You can add seating and planters and create an oasis without the chores of mowing a lawn and weeding. If you don’t have a private balcony many condos have a common area such as a rooftop patio or garden area off the main floor.

Condo living offers the financial benefits of property ownership, without any of the headaches of owning a house.

About Us

Molly Hoyle Sales Representative
Claude Jobin Représentant des ventes

E-Mail

claude@claudejobin.com




Phone / Address

Phone: 613.804.7979
1723 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario