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
Listing Your Ottawa House - Things Buyers May Notice - 5 & 6
CLEAN DISHWASHER and DIRTY OVEN
As I go out with Buyers looking at houses and host Open Houses on Sundays, there are things buyers seem to repeatedly notice. This series looks at the good and the not-so-good things that buyers have noticed.
Good - Clean Dishwasher. On a weekend buying trip, a buyer and I saw nine homes. In every home we opened the dishwasher door. In almost all cases there were dishes in the dishwasher and that was not a problem. We noticed that a number of people had kept the dishwasher door clean all around the inside edges. This was an indication of people who cared about cleanliness and was seen as an indicator of good housekeeping and maintenance around the rest of the home.
Not so good - Dirty Oven. In this day of self-cleaning ovens, it is hard to believe how many people do not clean their oven before putting their home on the market. If the oven is included in the sale, a buyer will always open the door to see inside. Sometimes it is disgusting and a potential fire hazard with how much dirt and grease have been left in the oven. Before going to bed tonight put on the self-cleaning oven feature and let technology do its thing. In the morning, all you have to do is wipe out the ashes and clean the door.
BE PROUD OF THE HOUSE YOU ARE SELLING
Photo credit: A Dirty Place @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/inconsistency/28453422/
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
Listing Your Ottawa House - Things Buyers May Notice - 3 & 4
KITCHEN COUNTER TOPS and OVERSTUFFED FREEZER
As I go out with Buyers looking at houses and host Open Houses on Sundays, there are things buyers seem to repeatedly notice. This series looks at the good and the not-so-good things that buyers have noticed.
Good - Kitchen Counter Top. The kitchen counter top is important. Buyers want to know if there is enough space for them to prepare food. Show them that you can put a kettle/toaster/coffee maker on the counter and still have room. Do not take everything off the counters and think that buyers will be fooled into thinking there are miles of preparation space. Keep the counter spotlessly clean.
Not-so-good - Overstuffed Fridge Freezer. If the fridge is included, buyers will open the fridge and freezer compartment doors. On one recent buying trip, a ziplock bag of frozen chicken breasts fell out of an overstuffed freezer and almost got my Buyer on the toe. Either eat some of the frozen food or move it to a freezer in the basement. The buyer wants to think there is room in the fridge freezer for his or her things.
BE PROUD OF THE HOUSE YOU ARE SELLING
Photo credit: Update at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfiersimpson/428761732/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
The Ottawa House - Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Wired in Ottawa. When moving to Ottawa, many people are attracted to the older neighbourhoods and older homes. One reason, of course, is the proximity to the downtown area, especially for Federal Government employees as many of the government office towers are in the downtown area. Look at the wiring when looking at a home. Yes, even buyers can see knob-and-tube and not be surprised when the house inspector tells you it is there.
What is it. This type of wiring gets its name from the ceramic knobs that secure the wire and the ceramic tubes that are used to pass the wire through joists and other wood framing.
Insurance Issue. More and more, insurance companies are hesitant or refusing to insure a home with knob-and-tube wiring. This type of wiring, in itself, is not dangerous but because of the age (installed pre-1950s) there could be insulation breakdown. Also, during that construction period, most homes had 60 amp service. With our increased use of electrical appliances and gadgets, there are an increased risks of overload. If knob-and-tube wiring is in the basement near heating ducts and copper plumbing pipes, it will probably have to be replaced.
Be cautious when looking at any home to purchase. Don’t let the home inspector surprise you with the news of knob-in-tube. Look wise. The hidden or future cost may be an electrical upgrade for the home.
Photo Credit: Knob, Tube at http://www.flickr.com/photos/editor/117327462/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Listing Your Ottawa House - Things Buyers May Notice - 1 & 2
HARDWOOD FLOORS and SLOPPY PAINT JOBS
As I go out with Buyers looking at houses and host Open Houses on Sundays, there are things buyers seem to repeatedly notice. This series lists the good and the not-so-good things that buyers have noticed.
Good - Hardwood floors. Hardwood floors that are clean and in good condition are always noticed. Sometimes, when the wood is not oak, the Buyer will want to know what type of wood was used. Make sure you have this on your feature sheet or in your house binder.
Not-So-Good - Sloppy paint job. You watch the home selling shows on TV and know the importance of putting on a fresh coat of paint. Did you also know that if you did it in a hurry and were not careful, the buyers notice you also painted spots on the ceiling, left paint drops on the railings, and didn’t tape off the baseboards? If you are going to paint, it is worthwhile to take your time and do a good job. A sloppy job indicates that there may be something hidden or less than professional in other areas of the house.
BE PROUD OF THE HOUSE YOU ARE SELLING
Photo credit. Corner at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgeplot/14446114/in/photostream/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ PH. 613-723-5300 ~ Email 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
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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 -
