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...
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....
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....
"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,...
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!...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...
"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...
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....
"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!"...
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:...
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,...
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”,...
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,...
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?...
“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...
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...
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...
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...
“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."...
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. ...
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:...
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...
“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."...
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...
“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,...
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...
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...
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...
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)....
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!...
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...
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....
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!...
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....
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....
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...
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...
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...
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!...
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....
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. ...
