Latest from our Blog

06 Apr Staying in Touch – April Newsletter

Posted at 10:07h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - April 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on "What are Appraisals and When Do You Need One?" Articles: "Thinking of Selling Your Home? Consider These Top 3 Improvements First", "How to Select a Real Estate...

05 Apr Ottawa Market Update March 2024 – 50 Years of Change

Posted at 12:46h in Blog, Market Update, Press

Ottawa Real Estate Market - March 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, April 4, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 1,165 units in March 2024. This was an increase of 10% from March 2023.Home sales were 21.5%...

30 Mar Refresh Your Home with These Spring Cleaning Tips

Posted at 13:04h in Blog, Press, Selling Tips

Refresh Your Home with These Spring Cleaning Tips Here are a few spring cleaning tips to help you freshen rooms, remove allergens, and brighten the look throughout your home this Spring. Clean Your Doormats Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside....

25 Mar How to Select a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

Posted at 08:51h in Blog, Press, Selling Tips

Selling your home is one of the biggest transactions you may make. Selecting the right real estate agent to help you through the selling process smoothly and ensuring you get the best price is paramount...

15 Mar Thinking of Selling Your Home? Consider These Top 3 Improvements First

Posted at 13:32h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Press, Selling Tips

Improving the appearance of your home, both inside and out, can contribute greatly to the interest of potential buyers and to the successful sale of a property. Purchasers want to be able to visualize living in their new home. Here are the top 3 improvements...

08 Mar Staying in Touch – March Newsletter

Posted at 07:49h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - March 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on “Protecting Your Home: Understanding Mortgage Life & Disability Insurance“. Articles: “Tips When Viewing a Home“, “Gifts and Loans for a Down payment on Homes” and “Things to...

06 Mar Ottawa Market Update February 2024 – 50 Years of Change

Posted at 14:21h in Blog, Market Update, Press

Ottawa Real Estate Market - February 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, March 6, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 886 units in February 2024. This was an increase of 15.2% from February 2023. Home sales were...

05 Mar Protecting Your Home: Understanding Mortgage Life and Disability Insurance Coverage

Posted at 13:01h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Mortgages, Press

When planning for your mortgage, an aspect that often gets overlooked: Unforeseen circumstances can leave families vulnerable to financial strain....

02 Mar Things to Consider When Buying a Rural Property

Posted at 09:38h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press

Are you considering purchasing a rural property? Getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life certainly has it's appeal! When buying a rural property there are considerations to keep in mind that are different then when buying a property in the city. ...

24 Feb Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) Declaration Period Open

Posted at 10:21h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Investment Properties, Press

Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) Declaration Period Open A reminder the declaration period for the Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) pertaining to the 2023 occupancy year has officially commenced. You can now submit your annual occupancy status declaration through the designated form. To complete your declaration, simply visit...

23 Feb Gifts & Loans for Down Payment on Homes

Posted at 10:14h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Mortgages, Press

Gifts & Loans for Down Payment on Homes When buying a home, it can be difficult to come up with the funds for the down payment. NerdWallet Canada’s 2024 Canadian Home Buyer Report, found that "Home buyers are getting help where they can. Referring to their...

16 Feb Tips When Viewing a Home

Posted at 08:40h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Investment Properties, New Build Construction, Press

Tips When Viewing a Home We are often asked, when looking at homes for sale, what should I look for? Here are some tips when viewing a home, whether it be a condo, townhome, single home or property with land. Whether you're looking for your first...

09 Feb Staying in Touch – February Newsletter

Posted at 08:23h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - February 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on Why Should I Open a First Home Savings Account (FHSA)?, Articles: “Why Should You Downsize? And Steps to Take“, “2024 Colour Trends” and “How...

09 Feb Ottawa Market Update January 2024 – 50 Years of Change

Posted at 10:07h in Blog, Market Update, Press

Ottawa Real Estate Market - January 2024 Statistics OTTAWA, February 6, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 629 units in January 2024. This was an increase of 16.5% from January 2023. Home sales were 10.7% below...

06 Feb New Home Construction – What You Need to Know

Posted at 10:15h in Blog, Buyer Tips, New Build Construction, Press

New Home Construction - What You Need to Know If you are someone who prefers to buy new, loves to customize your home or perhaps appreciates being an original owner then new home construction and buying from a builder may be for you. There are advantages...

First Time Home Savings Account (FHSA) - picture of piggy bank and calculator

07 Feb Why Should I Open A First Home Savings Account?

Posted at 14:51h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Mortgages, Press

Why Should I Open a First Home Savings Account (FHSA)? What is a First Home Savings Account (FHSA), what are its benefits and how does it compare to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA). These are common questions of...

02 Feb Local Winter Carnivals and Activities 2024

Posted at 07:29h in Blog, In the Community, Ottawa neighbourhoods, Press

In addition to Winterlude, there are many local winter carnivals and activities in the greater Ottawa area to enjoy. From skiing to skating to enjoying local treats by the fire, there is something for everyone!...

30 Jan How do I Select a Building Inspector?

Posted at 08:50h in Blog, Buyer Tips, New Build Construction, Press, Selling Tips

How do I Select a Building Inspector As the Ottawa real estate market changes, purchasers have more time to view properties and potentially go back for a second showing on properties that they are interested in. In addition, conditions in an offer that include a building...

23 Jan 2024 Colour Trends

Posted at 13:41h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

2024 Colour Trends We tend to spend a lot of time indoors during the winter months and looking at the same walls over and over again can seem stagnant and stale, so why not add a splash of new colour to your walls to freshen things...

19 Jan Why Should You Downsize? And Steps to Take

Posted at 12:52h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, Press, Selling Tips

Why Should You Downsize? And Steps to Take Downsizing is about simplifying and changing your living arrangements to better fit your current and future needs. A larger home requires a lot of maintenance and may become a physical and financial burden. Physical changes may cause safety...

19 Jan Local Ottawa Area Skating, Skiing and Toboggan spots

Posted at 09:21h in Blog, In the Community, Press

Local Ottawa Area Skating, Skiing and Toboggan spots Are you looking for some outdoor activities to enjoy with your family and friends? Here are some local skating, skiing and toboggan spots to check out! Skating There are several outdoor ice rinks in the Ottawa area to enjoy, here...

09 Jan Staying in Touch – January Newsletter

Posted at 07:53h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - January 2024 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on Pre-Approval Requirements, Articles: “Start the Year Off Decluttered & Donate!“, “Selling your home this year? Start the process now” and “Top Renovations & Improvements to Increase...

05 Jan Why Should a House Stay on the Market & When Should I Put My House on the Market?

Posted at 09:30h in Blog, Press, Selling Tips

Why Should a House Stay on the Market & When Should I Put My House on the Market? Many ask these questions in challenging markets, should I keep my house on the market or take it off and put it on in the Spring Market when...

05 Jan Top Renovations & Improvements to Increase Property Value

Posted at 12:22h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Market Value, Press, Renovations

Top Renovations & Improvements to Increase Property Value From kitchen upgrades to bathroom renovations, learn about our top recommendations for increasing your home’s property value. These improvements will contribute to a greater return on your investment. Successful renovations are about making smart choices that appeal to...

Understanding the 2024 Mortgage Rule Changes

05 Jan What are Mortgage Pre-Approval Requirements?

Posted at 12:17h in Blog, Mortgages, Press

What are Mortgage Pre-Approval Requirements? Mortgage pre-approval is more that just getting an interest rate quoted in a first meeting or via an on-line tool. A detailed review of your income, debts and credit history are required to ensure confidence with your pre-approval and that there...

05 Jan Ottawa Market Update December 2023 – 50 Years of Change

Posted at 08:27h in Blog, Market Update, Press

Ottawa Real Estate Market - December 2023 Statistics OTTAWA, January 4, 2024 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 565 units in December 2023. This was an increase of 7.6% from December 2022. Home sales were 16% below...

19 Feb Let’s Discuss Deposits

Posted at 12:20h in Press

What is a deposit used for in an agreement of purchase and sale? The deposit is to make your offer binding and legal. The larger the deposit can also show to the Sellers of the property that you have a strong interest in the property and...

02 Jan Selling your home this year? Start the process now

Posted at 10:29h in Blog, Press, Selling Tips

Selling your home this year? Start the process now Planning on selling your home this year? This is the time to start the home selling process, here are some suggestions of tasks that you can do now. In fact, you’ll save yourself a lot of work...

02 Jan Start the Year Off Decluttered & Donate!

Posted at 08:56h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Press

So you've gone through your home and carefully decluttered every room and space. Feels great! Now the question is: What do you do with all this stuff? Read on for a list of places to donate your used items....

05 Jan Changes in Ontario Real Estate Services

Posted at 11:25h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press, Selling Tips

Changes in Ontario Real Estate Services - Trust in Real Estate Services Act The Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBBA) has been updated by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). The new act is now referred to as the Trust in Real Estate Services...

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 2023 from the Joan Smith Real Estate Family

22 Dec Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Posted at 09:18h in Blog, Press

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Wishing all of our clients, colleagues, family and friends a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Joan, Victoria & Luc⁠ ⁠ We are always happy to answer your questions and also put you in touch with other professionals, i.e. mortgage broker, lawyer, handyman,...

15 Dec Enjoy Local Ottawa Treats this Holiday Season!

Posted at 08:51h in Blog, In the Community, Press

Enjoy Local Ottawa Treats this Holiday Season! Whether you are looking for some yummy treats for a holiday gathering you are attending or hosting, or looking for something to give as a gift, there are many local Ottawa options to choose from in our neighbourhood shops!...

13 Dec Why Should I Get Pre-Approved?

Posted at 09:26h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Mortgages, Press

Why Should I Get Pre-Approved? Yes you want to find the best interest rate, but you also want to know your budget and be confident that your financing will be approved, once you find your dream home! If you are looking for a new home, be...

08 Dec Get into the Christmas Spirit with Local Concerts This Weekend

Posted at 13:24h in Blog, In the Community, Press

Get into the Christmas Spirit with Local Concerts This Weekend Are you looking for some things to do to get you in the Christmas spirit? Here are some local Ottawa Christmas Concerts to enjoy this weekend with family and friends. It's always amazing to hear and...

08 Dec Ottawa Market Update November 2023 – 50 Years of Change

Posted at 12:38h in Blog, Market Update, Press

Ottawa Real Estate Market - November 2023 Statistics OTTAWA, December 5, 2023 - The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board totaled 724 units in November 2023. This was a small reduction of 1.6% from November 2022. Home sales were 31.8%...

08 Dec Staying in Touch – December Newsletter

Posted at 07:55h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - December 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on Why You should Get Pre Approved, Articles: “Hosting guests this holiday season? Create a space they won’t want to leave“, “How to Save Money With...

08 Dec How to Save Money With a More Energy Efficient Home

Posted at 08:04h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Market Value, Press

How to Save Money With a More Energy Efficient Home Having a more energy efficient home can help you save on utility bills, something every homeowner can appreciate. Before the deep freeze settles in, here are some simple and cost-effective ways to reduce your monthly bills...

05 Dec Easy-to-Miss Home Security Tips for your Vacation

Posted at 09:55h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Press

Easy-to-Miss Home Security Tips for your Vacation If you’re relaxing on a Caribbean beach, visiting family in another city or enjoying a bus tour through historic Paris, the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Most people know the basics of keeping a...

01 Dec Hosting guests this holiday season? Create a space they won’t want to leave

Posted at 11:06h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Press

Hosting guests this holiday season? Create a space they won't want to leave If you are hosting guests this holiday season, welcome them with a fresh guest room. Guest bedrooms have a reputation for being the ugly ducklings of most homes. The term “guest room” may...

28 Nov Choosing between a fixed or variable-rate mortgage

Posted at 08:22h in Blog, Mortgages, Press

Choosing between a fixed or variable-rate mortgage Fixed Or Variable-rate mortgage? High Stakes For Homeowners Choosing between a fixed or variable-rate mortgage has become a high-stakes decision. While variable-rate mortgages lost favor due to Bank of Canada interest rate hikes, fixed-rate mortgages have also risen from pandemic lows. Some borrowers still opt for variable...

24 Nov Buying Strategies for Today’s Market

Posted at 13:39h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press

With changes in the Ottawa real estate market, many buyers, especially first-time buyers, have had a harder time trying to get into the market place. However, with recent supply increases and settling of the market, now is a good time to review several buying strategies,...

05 Nov How do I Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time?

Posted at 10:22h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press, Selling Tips

Selling & Buying a Home at the Same Time? With the changes in the Ottawa real estate market to a more balanced market and the supply of homes on the market increasing, selling your present home and purchasing your next home at the same time...

18 Nov Selling & Buying a Home at the Same Time

Posted at 11:02h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press, Selling Tips

10 Nov Staying in Touch – November Newsletter

Posted at 09:17h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - November 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on fixed or variable rates, Articles: “Finishing Your Basement to Add Value“, “Role of a Real Estate Lawyer When Buying a Home”, “It’s not always about Price,...

03 Nov It’s not always about Price, when it comes to Offers on Homes

Posted at 12:24h in Blog, Press, Selling Tips

It's not always about Price, when it comes to Offers on Homes As the market has shifted, when considering an offer or if you are able to secure two or more competing offers for your home, price will definitely play a role. However, price isn't the...

03 Nov Role of a Real Estate Lawyer When Buying a Home

Posted at 07:34h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press

Role of a Real Estate Lawyer When Buying a Home Purchasing a home is an exciting time, it can also be a time of stress, as it is one of the biggest investments you will make. Just as it is important to ensure you have the...

27 Oct Finishing Your Basement to Add Value

Posted at 10:11h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, Market Value, Press, Renovations

Finishing your basement has become one of the most popular renovation projects to maximize both space and value in your home. Before you begin the process of finishing your basement there are some key factors to consider....

17 Oct Is My Mortgage Portable?

Posted at 08:05h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Mortgages, Press

Is My Mortgage Portable? Planning to move and wondering if your mortgage is able to move with you? Fixed-rate products usually have a portability option. Lenders often use a “blended” system where your current mortgage rate stays the same on the mortgage amount ported over to the new...

08 Oct Staying in Touch – October Newsletter

Posted at 12:07h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Investment Properties, Market Update, Market Value, Mortgages, Moving Tips, New Build Construction, Newsletter, Press, Renovations, Selling Tips

Staying in Touch - October 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events, mortgage information on mortgage portability, Articles: “Maximize Your Garage Space this Fall“, “Selling Your home in the Fall” and “Determining the Market Value of Your Home” & more!...

06 Oct Determining the Market Value of Your Home

Posted at 09:39h in Blog, Market Value, Press, Selling Tips

If you were to put your home up for sale tomorrow, how would you determine the market value and what it would likely sell for? and how do you get the most dollars?...

03 Oct The Benefits of Being an “Early-Bird” When Looking for a Home

Posted at 12:57h in Blog, Buyer Tips, Press

“The early-bird gets the worm” is a popular expression. Indeed, there are many examples in life when being early, or even first in line, gives you an advantage. Real estate is one of them. When shopping for a new home, being among the first to...

29 Sep Selling Your home in the Fall

Posted at 13:12h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Press, Selling Tips

If you’re selling your home this fall, here are some things to do as the weather starts to get cooler and we still have some time to check the outside of our homes before winter....

26 Sep Maximize Your Garage Space this Fall

Posted at 12:43h in Blog, Homeowner Tips, In the Community, Press

Garages offer excellent extra space for storage, especially during the fall and winter months. The fall is a great time to get things organized and ready for winter....

22 Sep Harvest Time – Local Ottawa & Area Farmers’ Markets

Posted at 13:07h in Blog, In the Community, Ottawa neighbourhoods, Press

Happy Fall! Now is a great time to check out the fall harvest at one of the local Ottawa & Area Farmers' Markets....

15 Sep Ottawa Area Apple Orchards

Posted at 12:13h in Blog, In the Community, Press

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 orchards, here are some to explore!...

613-762-1226

mail@joansmith.com