Blog
Community Series: Hintonburg
Many people may not realize that Hintonburg was originally part of Nepean Township and the area along Wellington Street and Richmond Road was lined mostly with farms. In the 1880’s a small community was developing in this area and by 1893 it had grown large enough to become incorporated as Hintonburg. It was named after… Read More >>
Mortgages for Self-Employed Buyers
In general, for many years, most of the banks and lenders have had in place programs to approve clients that are “business for self” under what they call “stated income” guidelines. Typically banks and lenders use line 150 on the Notice of Assessment’s as proof of income for qualifying purposes on a mortgage. Essentially under… Read More >>
Getting to Know Your Community
Whether you have just settled into a new neighbourhood, are exploring the options for a move, or have your own reasons for getting more involved in your community, it can be difficult to know where best to turn first. Your neighbourhood community center is a great place to start. Enroll in one of the programs… Read More >>
January 2012 Ottawa Real Estate Board Market News
The results indicate it’s been a typical month of January for the Ottawa and area resale housing market. It is interesting to note that the inventory of properties for sale is considerably higher than a year ago, offering a lot of choice to buyers.
Spotlight on… Cafe Morala in the Glebe
The owner of Morala is a special woman so it’s no surprise that this is a special place! Amidst a crowd of coffee competition on this strip of Bank Street, Morala really stands out. The atmosphere is cosy Mexican, reflecting owner Miriam Rangel’s home country and its customers are as loyal as they come, often… Read More >>
Community Series: The Glebe
This ongoing series brings you inside the wonderful communities that make up downtown Ottawa – the neighbourhoods we know and love! “Glebe” is church land, by definition, which is exactly what our own Glebe neighbourhood was in 1837 when the area was granted to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The Glebe’s boundaries have not changed since… Read More >>
Small Spaces – Getting Organized
Clothing protruding from each and every closet? Scarves, hats and mitts decorating hallway corners? Boots and shoes completely mixed up, each one dripping on someone else’s? Pots and pans stored in your oven? Sheets and towels perpetually piled atop the washing machine? If any of this sounds familiar, you probably live in a downtown home… Read More >>
How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Making Your Home More Energy Efficient When the temperature drops many people start to feel the impacts of having an older home, which may not be that energy efficient. Older windows, inadequate insulation, aging furnaces, cumbersome hot water tanks and air leaks can not only make for a chilly house but they can cause your… Read More >>
Don’t Forget to Look At the Trees!
When buying a home, especially when you’re looking in established urban neighbourhoods, it’s really important to look at the property for more than just the house. Trees are beautiful in an urban landscape and in Ottawa we’re really lucky to have a great variety of majestic ones. When considering a property to purchase, take a… Read More >>
December 2011 Ottawa Real Estate Board Market News
Resale home sales in 2011 were slightly above the five-year average of 14,326, and that’s really the story for the year. The market started off the year quietly, but gained momentum as we headed into spring and summer, losing very little steam during the fall and posting the best November on record, which leaves us… Read More >>
Finding the Right School
All schools are not created equal. But then again, neither are children! The key to making the right choices for your child’s education is to consider both the institution itself and the character of your child to make sure the two mesh. Attending the school information sessions is a great way to start, especially if… Read More >>
Kitchen too Small this Holiday Season?
Perhaps you were cooking for 20 (more or less) this holiday season. And perhaps you had family members drifting non-stop through your small kitchen – looking for snacks, checking the fridge to make sure it’s working, inspecting the inside of the cookie cabinet, looking for some conversation. Maybe that kitchen didn’t feel so small BEFORE… Read More >>
