What the Ottawa Home Inspector Saw – Foundation Crack
At a recent inspection, the home inspector found loose parging on a spot on the outside wall of the foundation. The parging came away from the wall with a touch and behind it was a visible crack in the concrete foundation. The next step was to check inside the house to see if the crack was through the concrete, the size and length of the crack and if any repairs had been made. There was no declaration on the Seller Property Information Statement that a foundation crack existed so this was a surprise discovery.
When we got to the basement, we had to unload a shelving unit and pull it away from the wall. There behind the unit was a visible crack that had been filled. The house inspector suggested that we, the buyers and I, check with the owner, through his REALTOR®, to see if there was any knowledge of the crack, and experience of water in the basement near the crack and if it had been professionally repaired. If professionally repaired, was the warranty still in existence and was the warranty transferable. The inspector then suggested that, if we were not satisfied with the information, to call one or all of three suggested concrete foundation companies and get a verbal estimate. In doing so, we found out that repairs are generally $750 to $1,000 plus GST and include a 10 year warranty against water leakage.
According the building inspector and the companies, foundation cracks are very common, repairs are called for as prevention and that the warranties are almost always provided. It was reassuring to the prospective buyers to get this information.
Some foundations are not all they are cracked up to be.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Ontario ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Zingers #14 – Something is rotten in….
…. the state of your compost heap. Are you maintaining it with a little water, some soil and no animal products? If not, remove your composter or the potential buyers are going to smell something rotting in or near your house.
Keep the sweet smell of success.
Neighbourly Ottawa – Central Park (MLS® Area 5304)
This is a single developer, Ashcroft Homes, community built in close proximity to downtown Ottawa. By bus, the ride is approximately 20 minutes from home to office. The neighbourhood is bordered by Merivale Road and the Experimental Farm on the east, Baseline Road on the south and Clyde on the west. The north of the neighbourhood is along Caldwell. The only access into the community is via Central Park Drive. There are about 1300 acres of property with over 1,000 housing units (condo units through detached homes) in Central Park. In addition, there is a seniors’ residence on Central Park Drive. Real estate transactions have been numerous for 2008. Not including sales by owners, the Multiple Listing Service® statistics indicate that between January 1, 2008 and August 23, 2008, the following has occurred.
| Type | Active | Sold | Average Sold Price |
| Detached | 7 | 15 | $420,227 |
| Row | 5 | 32 | $259,638 |
| Semi | 2 | 6 | $299,192 |
| Condo | 4 | 10 | $190,205 |
The location of the community is one of its biggest attractions to those buyers and owners who do not want to spend time commuting to work. In the centre of the community is a well planned and well used park and playground.
Centre yourself at the Park
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Things Ottawa Buyers May Notice #18 – Rotting Biological Material
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.
Rotting biological material
Rotting biological material is so obnoxious that I thought it would be evident to Sellers to remove and clean up areas where rotting is occurring. Not so, buckoo.
Last week, I was out with my Buyers looking at homes. At one place, the front and back yard gardens were well planned and maintained. It was such a promising start of the showing. However, when looking through the house, we opened the door to the garage and were overwhelmed with the smell of something 
rotting. We did not turn on the light to check it out. What we did do was shut the door quickly and immediately left the home. We had not seen the second floor, the whole main floor or the basement. It was a smell that made me think that the owner hunted and maybe butchered wild animals in the garage without ever cleaning up afterwards. It was at least a 1/2 hour before I got the smell out of my system. A skunk spray would have been more acceptable than that garage smell. That house is unlikely to sell in its current state.
What were those Sellers stinking?
Photo credit: Neighbourhood Skunk-9 @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/akeg/2836538022/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Ontario ~ Phone 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Zingers #13 – Rest insured
As a buyer, you will legally have possession of your new home right after midnight on possession day. Your ownership happens even before you have the keys and signed all final documentation. It is not possible to transfer insurance from one owner to the next.
Make sure that your house is insured the day of possession.
Neighbourly Ottawa – All that glitters in the Golden Triangle
This neighbourhood appears to be named after physical shape of the area. Generally, the Golden Triangle is bordered by the Canal on the East, Bank Street on the west, Laurier on the north and the Queensway on the south. Not quite a triangle but getting there. For the real estate boundaries, the west border ends at Elgin.
The neighbourhood has been synonymous with restaurants, the activities on Elgin and the proximity to downtown offices and the Parliament Buildings. For those living in the area, there is no problem walking to productions at the National Arts Centre and grabbing a coffee on the way home. While others circle the blocks looking for any kind of parking, the residents can either get by without a car or with reduced dependence on their cars.
There are a number of long term hotels in the area. Military personnel and government employees, on temporary assignment in Ottawa, find themselves staying in the Golden Triangle. This is often the out-of-townees’ first taste of Ottawa.
There are a lot of hotels, condominiums and apartments in the area. Sitting right beside these are many older single family dwellings being maintained by people who have embraced the urban lifestyle.
What has been selling in the Golden Triangle? Since January 1, 2008 until the end of July the Multiple Listing Service® on the Ottawa Real Estate Board’s site for REALTOR® shows the sales for the area of Elgin over to the Canal (MLS® area 4104) as follows:
Residential
Detached: 9 sold with average price of $609,567
Row: 5 sold with average price of $455,000
Semi-detached: 9 sold with average price of $584,849
Condominium
20 Sold with average price of $335,355
The Golden Triangle is a choice neighbourhood for singles, seniors and professionals. There are schools and parks in the area so it is more than possible to raise a family here.
You may want to go for The Gold.
Photo credit: Pot of Gold @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/tao_zhyn/442965594/
Things Ottawa Buyers Will Notice #17 – Children
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.
Children
Not that children are lined up to be viewed but that all the paraphernalia that is synonymous with children is open for viewing.
Recently my Buyers and I were looking at a home that was immaculate in every nook and cranny. Based on the two children’s bedrooms, it was apparent that there was a pre-schooler and a baby living in the house. Both rooms were wonderfully decorated – not too many items, not too many toys strewn about and no smelly baby things. What was more wondrous was the family room. There were no toys in sight. Just when we thought the people did not have fun, we found the toys stacked neatly in the cupboard under the stairs. The house had been cleaned and staged for an Open House. Still!!!
There were baby proof items such as the spinning door knob covers and the kitchen cupboard door latches in the house. All other items related to children (such as that ever present net with $500 of bath toys hung over the tub) were boxed and put away. It was amazing.
My Buyers were not planning to have children. In other houses we had seen, the toys and heaps of children’s laundry were ever present. Not in this place. It was immediately possible for the Buyers to see themselves living in the home and to see that, with only painting the two children’s rooms, this house could become their haven.
We made an offer to buy the home.
Photo credit: Rubber Duckie @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/webel/306290032/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Zingers #12 – As the curtain falls
You want to get the final applause on your home. It is time to sell, sell, sell. Take down heavy floral drapes and replace them with sheers that will let in lots of lights. Update the window treatments at a reasonable price with ready made sheers, roman blinds and bamboo rollers.
Be ready to take a final bow.
Civic Hospital Area – House Sale Trends 2003 to YTD 2008
|
Year |
Sold |
Average Price($,000) |
%D |
|
2003 |
28 |
$334.2 |
|
|
2004 |
22 |
$339.8 |
1.7 |
|
2005 |
22 |
$337.7 |
-1.6 |
|
2006 |
38 |
$400.6 |
18.6 |
|
2007 |
20 |
$432.2 |
7.9 |
|
YTD 2008* |
13 |
$449.6 |
4.0 |
Buying a House with an Oil Fuelled Furnace
If you are looking at homes in older neighbourhoods such as the Glebe, Old Ottawa South, Alta Vista and Centre Town/ Golden Triangle, you might find a home that you want with an oil fuelled furnace. Oil fuel, unlike gas, is trucked to the home and a tank is normally located in the basement where the fuel is stored. In the past, the tanks were buried outside. This is now illegal and very costly to remove. Most homes have had the tank removed and an interior tank installed.
Many people have grown up with oil fuel and have no concerns. Others find it unsettling to have to remember to have the tank filled and to have a tank of oil in the basement. With the cost of oil increasing substantially, there are buyers who are planning to convert to gas.
If you are buying and plan to convert to gas immediately, this reminder is for you. Ensure that your offer to purchase the home includes the instructions that the owners are NOT to fill the tank before possession. As a buyer, not only would have to pay for the full tank, as part of the adjustments, but then you will have to pay an additional $500.00 (approximately) to have the tank drained and removed.
If gas lines have not been run into a rural community, oil is one of the most common heating fuels. Conversion is not possible until the gas lines are installed.
Talk to plumbing and heating specialists to find out what kind of furnace is best for you and your heating needs.
Photo credit: 58 E. Mountain Street @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/richspk/2579445904/
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Ontario ~ Ph. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca
Welcome
My name is Valerie Zinger. I am a Home Organizer. I look forward to helping you simplify your home and your life.
Phone: 613-859-7759 Click here to contact Valerie by Email at:
ValerieZinger@gmail.com-
