Monday 16 May 2016

Oblate Lands to Become Part of the Ottawa Carleton Real Estate Market

Ottawa, On: What was once nearly 30 acres of green land owned by religious sects: the Oblates, the Sisters of Sacre-Coeure, and Saint Paul, will soon be adding two mid-rise condominium buildings to its scenery. Ottawa area developer “Domicile” has been given approval to build what they are tagging, “a perfect intersection between a vibrant community and a sophisticated development” on the 3.5 acres of land they purchased from the Sisters. As the first of many sweeping development plans for the area, it will begin what will be a major impact on the Ottawa Carleton real estate market.

The Pros for the Ottawa Carleton Real Estate Market

Located on Main Street in Old Ottawa East, the condo development under the moniker, “The Corners on Main” will seek to marry history and modern times while preserving some of the green space. There are many benefits to potential investors in Ottawa Carleton Real Estate with such a development:
  • A green community due to preservation of some of the natural environment
  • Great location and well-planned community
  • Promotes a healthy lifestyle through high walk-ability and bike-ability scores
  • Provides opportunity for new businesses and jobs
  • Adds positive cash flow to the Ottawa economy
  • May potentially increase real estate values for current homeowners
When new communities are developed with care to the environment and support the maintenance of local history, there are many pros for the overall real estate market nearby.

Some Cons to Developing the Oblate Lands

As with any development of green space, there will be some cons to building up the Oblate lands that will affect Ottawa Carleton real estate in more than one way:
  • Commercial real estate could potentially be bought up by big corporate chain stores
  • Small and medium-sized local businesses may be out-priced by the market
  • The very generations who have fought to maintain green space and demanded protection for the environment may never be able to afford to own a home in the development
  • Increased property values and higher taxes will drive up prices and make the area inaccessible to most Ottawa Carleton families
The truth is, any new development of previously green space comes with its own set of pros and cons that affect the Ottawa Carleton real estate market. Armed with the facts and an expert Ottawa Realtor, you can take advantage of the benefits and avoid the pitfalls that come with growth to the area.

Thursday 7 April 2016

The Gunn Team Announce How Leap Year Creates Sales Opportunities for Ottawa Housing Market

Ottawa, ON – March 11, 2016—Sales in the Ottawa housing market received an unexpected boost this year. The extra 24 hours of the Leap Year day provided just enough time for Ottawa real estate agents to reach 911 total sales for the month. After years of slow sales, the increase is a sign that the Ottawa housing market may be poised for strong growth in 2016.
In February 2015, agents sold 850 units, a slight increase over the previous year, but well under the 908 unit five-year average. There was some indication that the Ottawa housing market might be in trouble for much of the year; however, strong sales at the end of 2015 and a good start to 2016 have alleviated many of those fears.
The Gunn Team, a leader in the Ottawa housing market, pointed to an increase in the value of the listed properties as a sign of strength in the market. Citing an increase of more than 10 percent in the value of home inventory between January and February, as well as an increase of more than 1.2 percent in average home prices, the Gunn Team is pleased to report positive indicators for the Spring selling season.
Members of the Gunn Team anticipate a robust housing market at least through the rest of the year, with advances in both condominium and residential housing sales. The distribution of property sales in February pointed to especially lucrative opportunities for sellers who wish to unload bungalows, town homes or multi-storey properties between $300,000 and $400,000.
About The Gunn Team
Almost a decade of experience has made the Gunn Team a leader in sales and analysis of the Ottawa housing market. The Gunn Team’s personal approach to home sales enables buyers to sift through the dozens of properties on the market to find a place that matches their needs and their finances. Sellers enjoy working with the Gunn Team because of the team’s ability to attract qualified and motivated buyers.
For more information, please visit thegunnteam.ca or call (613) 614-0498.

Outdoor Spring Cleaning Tips By Ottawa Realtor Ritchie Gunn

The weather is warming up and no doubt as you spend more time outside you will notice that there are things that need your attention. Ottawa Realtor Ritchie Gunn has assembled an outdoor spring-cleaning list to help get you started. You’ll find your outdoor space will look better and many of these tips will help to increase your home’s value as well. A double benefit to getting things done!

Gutters and Downspouts

Water can cause a lot of damage to your home, so start your outdoor clean-up by cleaning out any debris from your gutters. Be sure your downspouts are also clear and properly attached so the water is directed away from your foundation. For maximum protection, the downspouts should extend between three and five feet from your house.

Windows and Doors

Your windows and doors can get pretty messy over the winter, so clean them up nicely. Don’t forget to scrub the casings and clean up the screens. If you have storm windows, now is a good time to take them down and put up your screens. Be sure to repair any screens now so you’ll be ready for the mosquitoes. Your Ottawa Carleton Realtor also recommends stripping any old caulking and resealing to save on summer cooling bills.

Lawn and Garden

Give your lawn a good raking and fill any holes with topsoil. Seed any areas that need it and apply fertilizer to kick start its growth. Consider turning up some new topsoil and planting some food items in beds or planters and plant your seasonal blooms.

Break out the Pressure Washer

Pressure wash any outdoor surfaces that can take it, such as your siding, decking and fencing. Don’t forget to clean up your furniture as well and touch up any areas that need paint. Once everything has dried, evaluate their condition and if necessary, strip, sand and paint or stain any surfaces that need it. Staying on top of these jobs can extend their lifetime considerably.

Enjoy your Efforts

Your Ottawa Realtor Ritchie Gunn insists that once you complete all that heavy-duty work, you leave a bit of energy to clean up the BBQ and grill up a burger or steak to enjoy with your summer drink of choice. Cheers and have an awesome summer!
Contact Ottawa housing market expert Ritchie Gunn for all of your real estate needs.