29 Sep Selling Your home in the Fall
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
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....
19 Sep Marion
Posted at 11:33h
in Testimonials
"I chose Joan Smith to be my realtor because she is a true professional, a clear communicator and she has tremendous knowledge of the market and her business. As well, she provided an excellent price and value assessment of my property. Joan and her team,...
15 Sep 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 orchards, here are some to explore!...
12 Sep Staying in Touch – September Newsletter
Posted at 08:37h
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 - September 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events including local markets, festivals and fairs, mortgage information on maximizing your mortgage payments and owning your home sooner, Articles: "Checklist for Selling your Home this Fall”, “When Looking...
08 Sep Will Your Home Renovation Impact Your Insurance?
Planning a home renovation is an exciting prospect. Whether you’re considering investing in your dream kitchen, adding an addition to accommodate your growing family, or upgrading your outdoor space, there are many factors to consider before breaking ground on your project. Most importantly, you’ll need...
05 Sep Fall Maintenance With An Eco-Friendly Approach
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....
31 Aug Checklist for Selling your Home this Fall
If you’re thinking of selling your home this fall, this is the ideal time to start the process. The earlier you get ready, the more successful your sale will be. It will likely go a lot smoother, too. So, with those benefits in mind, here...
30 Aug Fall 2023 Fairs to Enjoy!
It's hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, and fall is almost upon us! With Fall comes the many local fairs to enjoy. Here is a list of the fairs taking place in the Ottawa area in September....
29 Aug When Looking for a Specific Property
When looking for a specific property and your next home, there are many factors to consider, i.e. location, style of home, and more: Proximity to specific schools - are specific schools or school programs important to you. Close to work - if your schedule is...
11 Aug How do I ensure my credit score enables me to qualify for the best possible rate?
Planning to buy a home and wondering how to ensure your credit score remains in good standing? Read our blog with 5 tips from Reni McNeil of Mortgage Brokers....
04 Aug Staying in Touch – August 2023 Newsletter
Posted at 13:11h
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 - August 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, events including pop-up cinemas, local markets and festivals/fairs, mortgage information on how to ensure your credit score enables you to qualify for the best possible rate, Articles: “Thinking of...
04 Aug The Benefits of Buying a Home in a Mature Neighbourhood or in a New Community!
We all have our own personal tastes, whether it be for a new or older home. Learn the benefits of buying a home in a mature neighbourhood or in a new community....
04 Aug Tips for Getting Family Members Enthusiastic about Moving
You may be excited about selling, but do your other family members share your enthusiasm? Kids can often be hesitant about, or even resistant to moving. That can make the selling process more stressful. The good news is, there are ways to get everyone in...
28 Jul Helen
Posted at 08:50h
in Testimonials
"Victoria and Joan helped us both buy and sell a house in the Ottawa area. They were never pushy and helped us find the ideal new home. We looked at numerous properties before we found the right one. Victoria was professional at all times. The...
21 Jul Thinking of Purchasing a Property? Know Your Options: Types of Mortgages & Government Grants
If you are thinking about purchasing a property, it is important to know all the options available to you. There are several different mortgage options as well as government programs and grants available to explore....
21 Jul Andreanne and Frank
Posted at 13:15h
in Testimonials
"Joan, thank you very much for yours and Luc’s help. Buying and selling a home is a very stressful task and thanks to your professionalism and unmatched experience everything went smoothly!"...
07 Jul 4 Good Reasons to Consider Selling Your Home
Why do people decide to move? Unless it’s a requirement, such as a job relocation, the research tells us that you, like many homeowners, may decide to sell at some point. Here are the top 4 reasons:...
07 Jul Gathering the Records you Need when Selling Your Home
Gathering the Records you Need when Selling Your Home Gathering the records you need when selling your home is important to be able to answer questions the buyer may have. Imagine you’re viewing a home for sale. You venture to the basement, check out the furnace room,...
07 Jul Staying in Touch – July 2023 Newsletter
Posted at 10:33h
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 - July 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, mortgages, events including Ottawa Bluesfest, Urban Art Markets and Hope Volleyball Sumerfest, mortgage information on Types of Lenders, Articles: “Is it time to change your lifestyle? Learn about rightsizing”,...
23 Jun Is it time to change your lifestyle? Learn about rightsizing
When people ask themselves, is it time to downsize? It is important to know that downsizing is not downgrading. It is about simplifying and changing your lifestyle to one that better fits you and your family. Think of it as rightsizing! When looking at rightsizing,...
16 Jun 5 Summer Projects 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?...
09 Jun Michelle
Posted at 12:57h
in Testimonials
“Victoria was so welcoming and easy to work with. She was always checking in with us and truly listened to our needs. Her prompt responses to our inquiries were very much appreciated! We found a wonderful home that was perfect for our family thanks to...
09 Jun Budgeting for Your Home Purchase
When you are planning to buy a home in Ottawa and surrounding areas, it is important to budget for the costs associated with your home purchase. There are costs at the time of purchase and costs at time of closing. There are also different costs to plan for when...
09 Jun Staying in Touch – June 2023 Newsletter
Posted at 07:35h
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 - June 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, mortgages, events including Father's Day activities, information on The First Time Home Buyers Savings Account (FHSA), Articles: "Savvy Negotiation Helps Win the Deal", “Questions to Ask when Selling your...
06 Jun Savvy Negotiation Helps Win the Deal
Purchasing a home is not the same as buying a product off the shelf. You don’t simply pay the price on the tag and know it’s yours. You can’t just see a home for sale and say, “I’ll take it!”, especially if the market is...
23 May David
Posted at 12:41h
in Testimonials
“Mrs. Joan Smith and her team are a trustworthy and professional team in Kanata and Ottawa. She is very helpful in buying a house, selling and renting a house. Thank you."...
23 May Questions to Ask when Selling your House
If you’re thinking of selling your house, you probably have a lot of questions that need answers. In fact, asking the right questions is key to selling your home successfully and for the best price. ...
19 May Local Ottawa & Area Farmers’ 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:...
16 May In-ground or above-ground pool? Here are the top considerations
In-ground or above-ground pool? Here are the top considerations On those long, hot days of summer, 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 still! In-ground...
12 May Ruth
Posted at 10:56h
in Testimonials
“I am very pleased with all your assistance and professional help both with selling this home and my first home. Will definitely recommend you to others. Thanks again and I know I can still call if I have any questions."...
12 May Explore Local Ottawa Area Gardens, Garden Centres & Nurseries
Explore Local Ottawa Area Gardens, Garden Centres & Nurseries Looks like it's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend! Great opportunity to spend some time with Mom exploring some of the local Ottawa area gardens and nurseries, get some inspiration and get started on your own...
09 May Lihuan
Posted at 08:40h
in Testimonials
“After a couple of realtor interviews we decided to go with Joan's team, which proved to be a great choice. We had the support and service of not one but three professional realtors and they did a fantastic job staging our house. As a result,...
05 May Staying in Touch – May 2023 Newsletter
Posted at 13:19h
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 - May 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, mortgages, events, what you need to know about Canada’s First Home Savings Account (FHSA), Canada’s real estate market: Buyers are back, but where is the inventory? and Improve Curb Appeal Instantly...
28 Apr Improve Curb Appeal Instantly with These Simple Tips
As you may know, curb appeal refers to how your property looks from the street, where potential buyers first see it. Your home’s curb appeal can have a big impact on the sale of your property. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a buyer to drive...
18 Apr Renewed activity in Canada’s real estate market in first months of 2023 prompt upgraded year-end forecast
The spring market is off to a healthy start. Buyer activity picked up earlier than was anticipated in the first quarter of 2023, pushing home prices up over the final quarter of last year. As a result, home prices in Canada are expected to continue...
11 Apr Saving for your first home? Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
When it comes to putting money away to buy their first home, the federal government’s ‘tax-free in, tax-free out’ First Home Savings Account aims to give Canadians a helping hand. Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s First Home Savings Account (FHSA)....
11 Apr Staying in Touch – April 2023 Newsletter
Posted at 11:21h
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 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, mortgages, events, Spring Cleaning: Tips to Refresh Your Home, Detail is Important in Everything We Do in Real Estate, and Reacting to Offers & more!...
06 Apr Reacting to Offers in Real Estate – Have a Plan
Reacting to Offers in Real Estate. Plan Ahead so You Can React Quickly to Offers Once you have attracted potential buyers into your home with curb appeal, and impressed them with cleanliness and absence of clutter, the next step in obtaining the best possible price for your...
06 Apr 2023 Easter Activities in the Ottawa Area
Easter weekend is a great time to spend quality time with your family and friends and enjoy early spring together. Here is a list of some 2023 easter activities in the Ottawa area....
04 Apr Detail is Important in Everything We Do in Real Estate
Detail is Important in Everything We Do in Real Estate. We often forget how little things mean a lot and certainly in real estate we must organize ourselves when buying and selling a home. Making a list to follow saves time!...
22 Mar Which Neighbourhood is Right for You?
Imagine moving to a neighbourhood that has something you really want, like a nearby golf course, more wooded areas, walking trails, or a faster commute to work....
17 Mar Decluttered? Donate!
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....
17 Mar Spring Cleaning: Tips to Refresh Your Home
Spring Cleaning: Tips to Refresh Your Home Here are a few 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. To refresh, hose off...
10 Mar How to Create a Beautiful Kitchen on a Budget
Your kitchen is the most frequented room in your home. So, it’s only natural that it becomes the focus of your renovation dream—from daydreams of marble countertops to pleas for top-of-the-line appliances. But you don’t need a costly renovation to make a big impact. Little...
04 Mar Selecting a Building Inspector
Selecting a Building Inspector As the Ottawa real estate market has moved to a more normal market, 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 a offer that...
04 Mar Staying in Touch – March 2023 Newsletter
Posted at 11:07h
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 - January 2023 - Learn more about: the Ottawa real estate market, mortgages, events, Downsizing/Rightsizing, The Psychology of Clutter, Closing Costs and Budgeting for Your Purchase & more!...
28 Feb 2023 Ottawa Heritage Awards Recognize Heritage Conservation
As part of Heritage Week, the City of Ottawa recognized outstanding contributions to heritage conservation with the 2023 Ottawa Heritage Awards. Eleven projects in various categories were recognized in a ceremony at the ByTowne Cinema....
28 Feb Home Energy Efficiency – Ottawa Loan Program
The Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program is a City of Ottawa pilot loan program for home energy efficiency retrofits. It aims to support local residents to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. ...
24 Feb Buyers – Opportunities to Purchase Soon
Buying a house is a huge investment. It can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you've never done it before. Here are some tips for buyers to help you have a good experience....
21 Feb The Importance of Staging When Selling Your Home
It is hard for buyers to visualize where things would go and how they could work. By staging the home and showcasing how it could work for them, it makes it easy for them to picture themselves living in the home....
17 Feb 2023 Family Day Long Weekend Activities in Ottawa
This Family Day long weekend there are a variety of fun-filled activities and events planned in the greater Ottawa area to enjoy with your family. From outdoor activities to museum adventures, in town and surrounding areas, there is sure to be something for everyone!...
14 Feb Jennifer & Leah
Posted at 08:23h
in Testimonials
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Joan and her team and I couldn't be happier with the results! They sold my house within a month and received multiple offers, thanks to their exceptional service in all areas, including market evaluation, staging, marketing and...
10 Feb How to Select a Real Estate Agent When Selling?
Selling a home is one of the biggest transactions most people make. Selecting the right real estate agent to help you through the selling process smoothly and ensuring you get the best price is paramount....
10 Feb What is Ice Damming?
With all of the variations in temperature we have been experiencing this winter, it's no wonder many of us are having issues with ice damming. Once you get a large volume of snow and you get a thaw, then you get ice-damming....