Indiana Jones finds Greely Ontario
This bouquet is for a mom, dad and little boy who visited a model home on Saturday, June 21. The house is part of five model homes being featured in Greeley (south end of Ottawa Canada). The address is 1486 Sandy Beach Court. Built by Villa Homes. See MLS #695613.
As you can imagine, going up and down stairs, taking shoes on and off, and the summer heat can be tiring. It is always a concern when children visit model homes as the boundaries are different than when they are in their own homes. I have seen children running at top speed up and down stairs, touching walls and furniture with sticky fingers, bouncing on beds, opening and closing every door and slamming some - just because. However, not all children feel compelled to be free spirits. In the situation on Saturday, the mom asked the boy to sit down in the foyer (which was very large) against a wall and to make sure that his legs were not extended out to trip anyone. Once seated, he pulled out his DS Nintendo and started his game. I was curious about what he was playing. He was enthralled with Indiana Jones.
When his parents were ready to leave he put the game on standby, said good-bye to me and went on to the next home to continue his game.
Three Cheers for Indiana Jones, mom, dad and the boy who behaved.
The meaning of “I can live here” when House Hunting in Ottawa
It always surprises buyers that they can step into a home, be in the foyer, and say “I can live here”. Hey, what about the inspection, checking the room sizes, knowing the age of the furnace and the condition of the roof? What happened to your must-have and nice-to-have lists? What happened to “I need to buy a bungalow” and then have the ah ha moment in a 2 storey?
It is my experience that we have a whole lot of flex in our buying criteria (including price) and that we are not sure of which is the priority until we see the house - the one that seems to speak to us. Really, was it magic?
Yes. There is something in the “Ah Ha” house that gels our real criteria. Before going in, you have read the feature sheets, know the price, know the heating systems, have assured yourself that there is central air conditioning and the realtor has told you about the taxes, the neighbourhood and other interesting things. Who lives in the bedroom? You don’t need see the bedrooms. Who lives in the basement? You don’t need to see the basement. Who lives in the backyard? You don’t need to see the backyard. It really is about the feeling from the front of the house and the entrance that gets reaffirmed as you walk through the home.
With your positive feeling, you will be looking at the kitchen, family living areas and bedrooms in a good frame of mind. All the things that bothered you in other houses, now seem not to bother you in the “Ah Ha” house. All of that is the magic. Enjoy. Having this feeling means that you are going to consider buying the house.
It is my hope that every buyer gets an “Ah Ha” moment.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Cracking the Ottawa Code - What is that Ad really saying?
We are all either reading or writing real estate ads or home descriptions. Just for fun, think of how unappealing an ad would be if it said:
“ This old house is a block away from the Level Four Lab hospital. After a month, you will hardly notice the emergency helicopter landings and the ambulance sirens. Because it is on the side of a hill, the foundation shifts and the retaining wall needs to be rebuilt every two years. The neighbours are nasty and one in particular likes to spy and gossip. There is just enough room for a couch and a two person kitchen table in the main living area. The house was built before people owned real wardrobes so there is no place to hang your clothes. The pipes are rusting and some major plumbing and electrical work is required. The owner wants out and as fast as possible. Let’s make a deal.”
As if….. No. I am sure that we all want a little dressing on the description. Like most consumers I want to be told how wonderful my purchase is and how wise a decision maker I am. Who wants the full unvarnished truth? All you need is a little savvy in understanding what the ad is really telling you. Now, if you want to crack the code on what those ads are saying, look out for things like:
Cosy - Could mean so small that you can’t swing a cat without hitting all four walls
Needs TLC - Could mean that you will be doing a lot of work to make it habitable
Completely updated - Could mean a new door knocker was installed or a room recently painted or a whole renovation job
Minimal yard maintenance - Could mean there is not a plant or tree in sight or that the yard is non-existent
Suitable for a professional couple or empty nesters - Could mean that it is a two bedroom home in a neighbourhood with no schools or public transportation
Wonderful investment opportunity - Could mean that you will never want to live there yourself but can think of maybe others who would
Spotless - Could mean no one is living at the house
Hardwood floor under the carpet - Could be but can it be salvaged
Quaint - Could mean not only is the house small but it is also very old
Great potential - See TLC
When you are out house hunting, have some fun cracking the code. Nothing beats seeing the property. The description is only the teaser to get you to look. Don’t be too disappointed with the ad not describing the house.
Even Coke has a hard time being “the real thing”.
Photo credit: “Rectangles” at http://www.flickr.com/photos/erica_marshall/523903641/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Ottawa House Hunting On Sunday
Sunday is Open House Day in Ottawa.
Seek and ye shall find. There are several sources for you to find out where Open Houses will occur. The Ottawa Real Estate Board site provides a list of all scheduled open houses for homes listed through MLS. This table can be sorted by each category so that you can narrow your Sunday Shopping by price, location, street, etc. Other sources include the Saturday edition of the Ottawa Citizen and listings in the Real Estate Guide, a free publication available in many real estate offices and 700 locations around the city. While most Open Houses are held on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 PM, there are a few held on Saturdays and some that are held at other times on Sunday. Look for the listing and for the signs in your shopping area.
Knock and the door shall be opened. This is your opportunity to view an number of homes in a two hour period by yourself or with me, your realtor. Most often, clients will view homes on their own and return for a more thorough look with their realtor. It is amazing how many homes you can see in 2 hours. If you are going for the first impression, the real “Can I live here?” inspection comes later. Make notes on those places you want to see again.
Ask and it shall be given. The hosting realtor most often represents the seller. He or she is there to help answer your questions about the house, the local market and community. You can buy directly from this realtor, if you do not have your own. If you do not have a realtor (which should be me, now that you have seen my website and know a bit about me), going to Open Houses provides you with an opportunity to meet a number of people and decide who you would like to represent you in buying a house, selling your current home or both. Ask me for my business card and we can set up an appointment.
I encourage you to view Open Houses.
Photo credit: Woman door knocker on wood door at http://flickr.com/photos/monceau/270320617/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca
Ottawa House Hunting: Be Prepared
Let’s get ready for Open House Day or a day of house hunting with Valerie Zinger.
Slippers and socks. Forget your high heels and lace-up shoes. It would be better to have slip-on shoes because homeowners do not want you to walk through their houses in your outdoor shoes. Bring a pair of slippers or wear thick socks. Going through houses barefoot is not always pleasant. On rainy or snowy days, the foyer will be wet and your feet will be too after you take your shoes off. Sometimes there are pets - say no more - and sometimes the house is not as clean as you would hope. Having slippers reduces the “Yuck Factor”.
Canteen and rations. A day out looking is thirsty work. Bring a bottle of water. You might need a snack bar tucked away so that you won’t be tempted to raid a stranger’s cupboards (which is a total no-no).
The map. This is our list of the houses you want to see and where they are located. When you are working with me, I will have pre-booked our viewings and be bringing the map so we will be on a schedule.
Armory. We need to have a pen and notepad. You are going to want to take notes on houses that you particularly like. The mind is tricky. You will forget which house had which feature after looking at several in a day or over the weeks ahead. Do not forget your reading glasses, a tape measure and a pre-trip bathroom break. Etiquette is that you avoid using the bathrooms in the houses you are viewing.
Sense of humour and curiousity. Bring it. Keep it.
THE HUNT IS A HUGE ADVENTURE.
Photo Credit: Louis Vuitton High Heel Shoe at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/iirraa/345338591/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca,
The Ottawa Home Inspector - Five Questions
Hire a home inspector before signing on the dotted line.
Who? I think the only person who should not hire a home inspector when buying a house is - a home inspector. Even if you are buying a brand new house and the company has indicated that it will walk you through the final inspection, it is to your benefit to have an objective third party, the home inspector.
What? According to the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors ”a qualified Registered Home Inspector will examine the home’s major systems including…
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Roofing
- Foundation
- Interior & Exterior
The home inspector will not make the buying decision for you. An inspector will provide you with the information you need to help make that decision wisely.
When? Normally a house inspection is one of the conditions attached to your Agreement to Purchase. In Ottawa, the normal period for these types of conditions is 5 days so…. Hop to it and call House Inspectors until you get one at a mutually convenient time during the five days. The sooner you have the inspection report, the longer you have to decide if you want to continue with the purchase or to go back to the seller and ask for repairs to be made or the selling price to be adjusted. In many many cases, there is nothing to negotiate. The house is fine in its current condition.
What will it Cost? Costs will vary. Budget between $300 - $450 dollars with the low end being a townhome and the higher end being a large older single family dwelling. Depending upon the size and age, prices vary.
Why? A professional registered home inspector will be able to give you an indication of the condition of your home - from the visible clues. If this is going to be your first house, then the home inspector is going to be extra valuable to you as he or she will discuss home maintenance and repairs with you.
You will benefit most from your inspection if you can be at the house during the inspection. The home inspection is the perfect opportunity to become familiar with the house. Do not hesitate to ask questions. A good inspector will be glad to take the time to explain proper maintenance and operating procedures for many of the building components.
Invest in your decision. Hire a Home Inspector.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
The Home Inspector’s April Fools Joke
On April 1, I was with a Buyer and the house inspector looking over a property that had a condition on it for inspection. During the inspection, the house inspector looked out the basement window. Both the Buyer and I had already looked out the same window during a previous visit but the snow was so deep it was impossible to see anything. We were not expecting any problems as the house was in very good condition.
As the inspector raised the blinds and looked out he said in a shocked voice ”Oh my god, this is not good.” I looked at the Buyer and the Buyer looked back at me in horror. The perfect house was not so good? The inspector then turned to us with a big smile and said “April Fools!”
I think you can only get away with doing that one day a year and with a Buyer that has no heart problems and a good sense of humour. It was a good joke and we all laughed, especially as I had already pulled one on the Buyer on the way to the inspection when I had said that the inspection was cancelled and the Sellers were not letting anyone in the house.
BE CAREFUL ON APRIL FOOLS DAY
REALTORS AND INSPECTORS HAVE A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOUR
Valerie Zinger ~ Ph 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
32 Quarry Road, Convent Glen North ~ $449,000~ Open House on April 6 from 2 - 4
This weekend, I am heading east to Convent Glen North. This community is located north of Highway 174 toward the Ottawa River and west of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard. It is part of Orleans.
This is a lovely home with a yard that backs onto the quarry so that you have no back neighbours. The yard is very low maintenance and it would be time to retire your power mower if you buy this house.
More information is available on the Ottawa Real Estate Board site for MLS listing number 682981.
Come to 32 Quarry Road and see why this house commands attention.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Five Reasons to Sell Your Ottawa House
There are always reasons why we decide it is time to pack up and move. Considering the effort that is required, you will want to think through your decisions. HGTV Canada has set up a list of 10 reasons to move. Here are the five that I think are the most compelling.
Family size has changed. You are either starting your nest or have emptied the nest. In either case, your house may be the wrong size for your current needs. How many “sewing rooms” do you need in a five bedroom house with only two adults and a pet. Alternately, how long can you have the baby sleep in the laundry room? What about having enough space for two toddlers but not enough for two hockey playing teenagers with all of their equipment? Time to move.
The commute is killing you. In Ottawa this might mean that you live in Manotick and just got a job at the north end of Gatineau. I know that you can pop in language CDs and listen to the French station until you know the scores in two languages for all the sporting events but….. It might be time to look for a home closer to the bridge and reduce the commuting time.
The neighbourhood has gone to the dogs. Hoover and Tulipe aside, there are times when a neighbourhood starts to get tatty. If properties start looking unattended, broken windows, graffiti etc., you might worry about your family’s safety. Before the value of your property drops, it is time to move. Peace of mind has a great value.
Your next home renovation will cost $80,000. Okay, maybe not that much but it could be that no matter how much you pour into the house, there will always be a long list of other renovations. This was my reason for leaving the Glebe. The next renovation was going to be the kitchen. There was no foundation for the extension. The work was not just a few cabinets and a couple of appliances. By the time the estimate came in and we had added up our wish list, we were at $80,000 and there were still going to be issues with the house of no central air conditioning, an old garage, etc. etc. It was time to move.
Your neighbourhood has become the “it” place to live. If you find that you can make oodles of money because your property has appreciated beyond belief, then you might be tempted to consider a move. This would be true if you were thinking of a different home (smaller, bigger, closer, further) and now find that you can afford the move based upon the sale of your home. I can give you a good comparative market analysis to see if the neighbourhood is really moving or if the last sale was only a unique situation. I will help you do your homework before the “For Sale” sign goes up.
Think through your reasons to sell and then call me.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
339 Sunnyside, Old Ottawa South - $525,000 Second Open House - Sunday, March 30, 2008
I am going back for a second Open House at 339 Sunnyside. This wonderful townhouse is a pleasure to show. As I discovered at the last Open House, there is an appreciation for the modern design of the architect, James Colizza. People attending the Open House loved the view of the south of the city from the top floor bedroom. As the windows are southerly, light pours into the home from mid-morning through late afternoon. As the daylight hours increase, so will the sunlight coming in through all of the windows. There were many favourable comments about the finishings - floors, mouldings, kitchen and bathrooms. I tested the “no slam” drawers in the kitchen and they do slide in so neatly that I confess to trying them several times.
It would be my pleasure to show you this home on Sunday afternoon or by setting up an appointment with me to see and discuss the features of 339 Sunnyside.
-
Welcome
My name is Valerie Zinger. I am a Realtor in Ottawa. I look forward to listing your property or helping you find your home.
Phone: 613-723-5300 Click here to contact Valerie by Email at:
vzinger@royallepage.ca -
