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...
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...
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%...
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....
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...
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...
“When we sold our previous house, we interviewed several realtors and we selected Joan Smith Real Estate; extensive knowledge of the market and experienced approach to sale were impressive. They exceeded our expectations on all aspects. When time came to sale our current house, we...
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...
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...
When planning for your mortgage, an aspect that often gets overlooked: Unforeseen circumstances can leave families vulnerable to financial strain....
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. ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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!...
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...
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...
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...
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...
“Joan and team did an amazing job in selling our home after we moved out of the city. She is professional, experienced, and data driven that made our transition worry free. What makes Joan outstanding is that her ability to understand our needs and being...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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,...
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!...
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...
“The team at The Joan Smith Real Estate Family are phenomenal. We had such a great experience working with them on selling our first property that we chose them again to help sell our current property and purchase our forever home. We worked quite a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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,...
“We interviewed several realtors and Joan and her team outshone the rest with their knowledgeable and experienced approach to the sale our Beaverbrook home of 20 years. Joan, Victoria and Luc were friendly, warm and a pleasure to work with; always prompt with communication and extremely...
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...
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...
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....
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...
“We recently had the pleasure of working with Joan, Luc and Victoria. We couldn't be happier with the results! They sold our house within two weeks and received multiple offers resulted from their exceptional services in all areas, including property appraisal, staging, photography and marketing,...
“Victoria Smith is a great asset to the Realty world. She was always courteous, respectful and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed working with Victoria very much. ”...
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!...
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?...
“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...
