This time of the year there are so many wonderful Christmas craft fairs to visit and enjoy the many talents of the locals. What a fabulous way to check off some people from your shopping list and support local artisans in the meantime! Read...
Finding a comfortable temperature inside your home is a delicate balance between adjusting the thermostat and worrying about the price of your utility bill. If your monthly expenses send a shiver down your spine, it's likely you're paying more than you should to heat...
"The Joan Smith Real Estate Family is a seasoned team of professionals whose experience guided us in all aspects of staging & preparing our house for sale. The result was quick sale of our property. Thank you Joan, Victoria & Luc for all your help....
"We entrusted the sale of our house to Joan Smith Real Estate Family. Joan's vast experience and significant knowledge of the Kanata Lakes area were factors in our choice of realtor to best represent out interests. A word about Joan's signature hat collection. Her hats...
"It was very nice working with Joan Smith's team to sell our home in just six weeks. As first-time sellers, we were very happy with their professional support throughout the process. From guiding us on home preparation and staging, explaining the role of a realtor,...
Staying in Touch - November 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa Real Estate Market, Mortgage Rule Changes, Should You Move or Renovate, local Christmas Craft Fairs & more....
Key Changes to the Mortgage Rules The most important changes coming this December revolve around longer amortizations for insured mortgages and a higher cap on insured mortgage amounts. These reforms are expected to provide relief to many Canadians looking to purchase a home in today's challenging...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - October 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, November 6, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,179 units in October 2024 — an increase over the 1,047 units sold last month. Read the...
Should you Move or Renovate? Determining whether you should buy a new home or renovate your current one isn’t easy. In fact, the decision can be steeped in so much drama; they make reality TV shows about it! So, if you’re wondering whether to move or improve,...
Autumn is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a gorgeous spring garden as well as ensure your home is prepared for the winter months. When dealing with fallen leaves there are a few eco-friendly options to consider....
Staying in Touch - October 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on the "Expansion of 30 Year Amortizations", “An Eco-Friendly Approach to Fall Home Maintenance“& “How to Avoid Costly Renovation Mistakes”....
With Canada’s central bank making its a third cut to its overnight lending rate this year, and the potential for further rate cuts, now is a good time to review the steps to take when buying a home. If you are thinking of purchasing, you...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - September 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, October 7, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,047 units in September 2024. This was an 11.4% increase from September 2023. Read the full release...
Owning a home is a goal for many Canadians, but rising mortgage costs have made this dream increasingly difficult, particularly for Millennials and Gen Z. To assist younger generations in achieving homeownership, significant changes to mortgage rules took effect on August 1, 2024. These updates...
With Canada’s central bank making its a third cut to its overnight lending rate this year, and the potential for further rate cuts, now is a good time to review the steps to take when buying a home. If you are thinking of purchasing, you...
Local Ottawa Area Apple Orchards With the fall-like weather approaching, it is an excellent time to grab a sweater and go apple picking at one of the local Ottawa area apple orchards, here are some to explore! (Click on the title to visit their website). Old Huntley...
Staying in Touch - September 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on “Looking Beyond Mortgage Rates", “Don’t Forget to Do Your Property Check-Up Before the End of Summer“, “Selling Your Home This Fall & How to Get Ready” and “How to...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - August 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, September 5, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,100 units in August 2024. This was a 10.2% increase from August 2023. Read the full release...
Selling Your Home This Fall & How to Get Ready If you’re selling your home this Fall in Ottawa, how do you get started? Here are some things to do as the weather starts to get cooler and we still have some time to check the...
How to Create a Fur-Friendly Home A living space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing requires some creativity, especially if you have four-legged family members in the home, but with some thought it can be done. Consider these tips: Pet proof your home. Keep electrical cords, medicines,...
It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, and fall is almost upon us! Here is a list of the fall 2024 fairs to enjoy taking place this fall around the greater Ottawa Valley....
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that comparing mortgage rates will guarantee you get the best bang for your mortgage buck. While this may be true for particular situations, there are many scenarios where this strategy is not effective. Following are three...
Don't Forget to do Your Property Check-Up Before the End of Summer While the warm weather is here and before the summer ends, it is a good idea to walk your property and note any maintenance issues that need attention. Even garage doors that are starting...
Staying in Touch - August 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on “Understanding Debt-To-Income Ratios for Your Mortgage", “Important Questions to Ask when Selling your House“, “Home Evaluation – What is the Market Value of Your Home?” and “Updating Flooring to...
Understanding Debt-To-Income Ratios for Your Mortgage When applying for a mortgage, lenders consider various factors to assess your creditworthiness and determine your eligibility for a loan. One critical metric they evaluate is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which provides insight into your ability to manage monthly mortgage...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - July 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, August 7, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,241 units in July 2024. This was a 13.6% increase from July 2023. Read the full release...
The Pros and Cons of an in-ground vs. an above-ground pool On our hot summer days, there is no better way to cool down and relax than by taking a dip in a refreshing pool. And when it’s your own private oasis, even better! If you’re...
Home Insurance: Steps You Should Take When Making an Offer There are many details to consider when purchasing a home and oftentimes, one of the last items people look into is home insurance for the property. However, it is important to understand what will and will...
Updating Flooring to Improve the Value of Your Home Flooring is one of the most important features of your home. Main level hardwood and tile flooring has almost become the norm, especially when you look at newly built homes. If you plan to be in a...
Home Evaluation - What is the Market Value of Your Home? As a seller, having your home evaluated by a qualified person with excellent market knowledge and experience in your neighborhood is key to determining the market value for your home. Establishing the right price for...
If you’re thinking of selling your house or condo, you probably have a lot of questions that need answers. In fact, knowing the questions to ask when selling your house is key to selling successfully and for the best price. ...
Local Ottawa Area Conservation and Heritage Sites to Enjoy this Summer The Ottawa area has so many beautiful places to enjoy during the summer months. From hiking, and kayaking to picnicking and learning about the area’s history, there are many wonderful sites to explore. Here are...
Staying in Touch - July 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on “...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - June 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, July 4, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,439 units in June 2024. This was a marginal increase of 0.1% from June 2023. Read the...
Refinancing your mortgage involves replacing your existing home loan with a new one, typically to take advantage of lower interest rates, better loan terms, reduce monthly debt payments or to access the equity in your home....
Canada Day 2024 Activities in the Ottawa Area Looking for something to do on Canada Day this year? Ottawa has plenty of fun, family-friendly activities going on that you can explore all across the city. Click on the titles to be directed to the websites or...
What is a Heat Pump and What Does it Do? If you are exploring options to heat and cool your home or reduce your energy bills, you might want to consider a heat pump system. Heat pumps are a proven and reliable technology in Canada, capable...
Looking for ways to improve your backyard? When making any home improvements or investing in renovations to your property, you want to ask yourself two important questions: Will I enjoy this upgrade while I live here? Will this project add value to my home?...
Selling & Buying a Home at the Same Time? With the changes in the Ottawa real estate market and the supply of homes on the market increasing, selling your present home and purchasing your next home at the same time is becoming more the norm....
Staying in Touch - June 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on “Purchase Plus Improvements“ Articles: “First Time Home Buyer? What You Should Know & How to Get Started“, “Landscaping Tips To Increase Your Property Value” and “7 Primary...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - May 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, June 6, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,545 units in May 2024. This was a decrease of 9.2% from May 2023. Read the full...
The Purchase Plus Improvement program allows the home buyer(s) to purchase a property and include the cost of the improvements in their mortgage financing. Improvements such as kitchen and bathroom renovations, hardwood floors, windows, painting, etc. all qualify. Generally anything that will improve the value of...
Unfortunately, air quality alerts are becoming a more common occurrence these days. Aside from that, there are many reasons why the air quality in your home may not be at its best. Maybe it’s a faulty furnace or an aged carpet to blame. Until you...
First Time Home Buyer? What You Should Know & How to Get Started Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but also a complex process that can be confusing. It is important to ask yourself a few questions: How is your financial situation? How secure...
Landscaping Tips To Increase Your Property Value Landscaping is one of the most important and easiest ways to increase your property’s value. Great curb appeal helps to create a great first impression. Think about when you have looked at houses for sale in Kanata, Stittsville and...
7 Primary Bedroom Staging Ideas As you most likely know, staging involves setting up the furniture, art and accessories of each room to help make your home look as appealing as possible to potential buyers. It’s similar to what furniture stores do when they create displays...
Staying in Touch - May 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on "Budget 2024: Everything You Need To Know“ Articles: “Considering Condo Living? What You Should Know“, “Fix it or Leave it As Is?”, “Let the Light Shine In:...
With the summer drawing nearer and the weather getting nicer, it is a great time to get out and check out the fresh farmers produce at one of the local Farmers Markets. Here are some of the local markets:...
With the summer drawing nearer and the weather getting nicer, it is a great time to get out and check out the fresh farmers produce at one of the local Farmers Markets. Here are some of the local markets:...
Ottawa Real Estate Market - April 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, May 6, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 1,456 units in April 2024. This was an increase of 8.9% from April 2023. Home sales were 2%...
Budget 2024: Everything You Need To Know In the government’s recently announced budget for 2024, they outlined several proposed tactics to tackle the urgent needs of building more homes, making life more affordable and ways to grow the economy. In this article we will dive into...
Let the Light Shine In: Home Lighting Recently, researchers discovered that the home lighting can have a much greater impact on your health and well-being than originally thought. Better lighting can boost your energy, increase alertness, and help you sleep better. So, it pays to ensure the...
Time to Plan Your Garden & Explore Local Ottawa Area Garden Centres & Nurseries As we move into May, now is the time to plan your garden & explore local Ottawa area garden centres & nurseries! Get some inspiration and get started on your own gardens!...
Fix it or Leave it As Is? We are often asked should I fix it or leave it as is? When you’re preparing your home for sale, you obviously want your property to look its best for potential purchasers. That means fixing things that are broken,...
Considering Condo Living? What You Should Know A condominium offers a lower maintenance lifestyle and often many amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, security, social activities and others, depending on the type of condo. Here are some important factors from the Ontario Condominium Authority's Buyers Guide...
