Stittsville is not in the middle of nowhere

It is exactly where it should be – the west end of the city.  At one time, this community was considered far away from Ottawa.  How times change!  If you drive around Stittsville you will see why people want to live there – big houses, big lots, treed streets and many parks and trails.  House are excellent value for money.

I asked a 15+ year resident some questions about living in Stittsville.  He works in Kanata in high technology and his wife works downtown.  Here are his answers:

 The best reasons for living there: 

  The commute: 

- If one works in Kanata then the commute is good (less than 15-20min to reach Kanata Research Park.  If one works in downtown Ottawa then the commute can be pretty bad depending on weather and time of day.  Hockey nights are brutal if coming in to Stittsville from downtown. 

 Taxes

- My property tax went up this year to around $4000/yr. I don’t know how this compares to other areas of Ottawa (Very reasonable level for the size and location of his property, compared to properties closer to downtown Ottawa)

 Any favourite restaurants. 

- For such a small village there are quite a number of eating establishments in Stittsville.  I think the best 2 would be Issac’s and Napoli’s.  Other fav places to eat are Jo-Jo’s for pizza and the Stittsville Diner for breakfast and New Queen for Chinese food.

 Shopping. 

-for everyday items, Stittsville has all the stores one would need (Independent Grocer,   Shoppers Drug Mart, Rona, Giant Tiger, Roger’s Video)  However, we still tend to go into Kanata as well to do some shopping (Costco, Wal-Mart, Chapters, Best Buy). 

Is there a thing about north or south of Abbott?  Old versus new parts of the neighbourhood?

Not that I can think of.  I have lived in Stittsville since 1993 so I have seen it grow and change in 15years.

 

 One of my friends lives in Stittsville.  She has three school age children and works as a government executive.  Here are her answers:

Three best reasons to live in Stittsville:

 Commute to work:

 Shopping:

 Schools:

 Parks:

 Comments for people thinking to buy in Stittsville:

Stittsville is not sticksville.

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

 

Feng Shui in Your Ottawa Home – Bamboo Stalks

If you are starting out with no plants in your home, you should consider bamboo.  Bamboo is a wonderful way to have green growing plants without have to spend inordinate time in care and maintenance.  Bamboo stalks grow in water, no need to plant in soil.  It will bring good energy into your space – alive, growing and positive.  Feng Shui principles consider bamboo as a symbol of health wealth and happiness.  The number of stalks in a container represents different types of positive forces.  I prefer odd numbers so think of 3 stalks (past, present and future); 5 stalks (wealth and fortune) or 7 stalks (good health).  

The container is important.  You will want to be able to change the water and clean the container.  Traditionally bamboo would be in a celadon coloured pottery container.  In contemporary homes, try keeping the bamboo in glass containers.  The beauty of glass is that you will always know how much water is in the container and if the roots are being properly served.  When washing the container, make sure that you rinse it well and that any rocks or marbles you have in the container are also well washed. 

To source out bamboo, look for bamboo stalks at Ikea (what?) and almost any grocery store.  If you want an arrangement of stalks in an appropriate vase, visit your florist.  

It never hurts to increase your luck with bamboo.  

Photo credit:  Lucky Bamboo @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/chefranden/369311449/

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

 

Zingers #41 – Saints preserve us

All kinds of sellers, not just Catholics, have created a market for plaster statues of St. Joseph.  St. Joseph, the step-father, was a carpenter.  He is the patron saint of real estate and home sales.  The belief is that burying the statue, upside down, in your yard, will hasten a home sale.

 For those wanting to try:  buy, bury, pray.

Hintonburg, Ottawa – Sales in 2008

Almost every month there are articles in the newspapers and magazines about the changing face of Hintonburg, about how it will become the new Glebe.  If sales are any indication, this may be true.  In 2008, a condo block at 4 Sherbrooke became available.  Eight of the eleven condo sales were as a result of this new opportunity as can be seen by the Days on Market and Average Sold to List percentage.   

Residential Sales: 63 units as follows:

Condominium Sales – 11units

These statistics are from the MLS® system and not reflective of private transactions.  If you have any questions, I would be pleased to assist you.

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

Housewarming Gifts – The Plant

It used to be that you would bring a plant in a green plastic container to some one’s new home.  What plant?  Well, it was likely something still alive at the grocery store while you were on the way to the visit.  Now, assuming that you have have more than 5 minutes to pop into a place and get a plant, here are some things to consider:

Is it summer? Why not bring a little shrub in a pot?  Don’t get a hedge shrub or the new owner will wonder when the rest of the plants will be delivered.  I would go for an ornamental plant that can be planted near the front or back door (or even in the corner of the backyard).

Is it winter? Unless you are giving a potted Christmas tree that can be replanted in the yard in the spring, forget outdoor plants.  Three houseplants that I like are:  a Christmas cactus (it will give the owner the surprise of wonderful flowers right around December); a Cast Iron plant; or a spider plant (if there is room to hang it somewhere in the house).   The University of Alberta has a site for hardy indoor plants. A little web research and you will find a suitable gift with care instructions to provide at the same time.

What container?  Not everyone can keep a plant alive for a long time.  You might want to find a container that will last longer than the plant and will be used by the home owners again and again.  Think about old cooking or casserole pots, waste paper baskets, ice buckets, trays with pebbles, and so on.  The container is often more appreciated than the plant so spend some time thinking of something fun and interesting.

Plant a Welcome

 Photo credit:  Spider Plant @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/madaise/905387220/

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

Zingers #40 – The Man Cave

Sometime in recent history, the basement became “man territory”.  At all my open houses and home viewings, men stop, inspect and assess the basement for their future playground.  Is there some way to show off your basement and its potential? 

 Go ape.

Civic Hospital Area, Ottawa – Sales in 2008

I live in the Civic Hospital Area and love this neighbourhood.  While it is a small MLS® defined zone (4504) there was good activity on the resale market in 2008.  There are very few condominiums in the neighbourhood.  All of the condo sales were in the Botanica Place apartment condos (8/9) and its adjacent townhouse condominiums (1/9). 

Residential Sales: 37 units as follows:

Condominium Sales – 9 units

Notes that these statistics are from the MLS® sales and do not include private transactions.

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

Paying to Buy a House – Inspections

Before you decide on your new house, please take into account the other costs that you will be required to cover, in addition to the price of the home.  These costs, if you don’t prepared for them, can be shocking.  One cost will be for the home inspection(s).  

Without fail – get a home inspection.  I may have said it before but the only people who do not need to get a home inspection are home inspectors.  Perhaps you are buying a new home and the builder said her/she would do the final inspection.  Don’t depend upon this.  Get your own inspector.  One fellow told me that he found 50 errors/faults in a brand new home.  The cost for an inspection, in Ottawa, varies but is usually in the range of $300 – $450.

Do you have plans to open up the ground floor?  Maybe you want to remove walls and if this cannot be done, then you do not want the house.  Before buying the house, have a structural engineer inspect the house to see what can or cannot be done.  It will be too late to find out you cannot open up the walls after you buy the house.

Septic Field and water tests for rural properties where there are wells and septic fields, you will want to have the water tested and see the papers for the septic installation.  If these give you concern, you may want to get an estimate from a company on the cost of replacements and/or drilling.

Other special inspections and that may be a good investment will be based upon the type and location of your purchase.  For example, you may find it necessary to test for radon gas if you live in the Kanata or Chelsea area.   Has there been termites found in your area?  These are not common in the Ottawa area but if there is evidence of insects, you might want to have a pest control company inspect the house to help you determine the extent and cost of eradication.

You may want a full and current survey to ensure that your future plans for the property can be implemented. 

If it is waterfront property, you may have the opportunity to purchase the land owned by the crown at the water’s edge (if not already part of the property).  You cannot call the waterfront your property unless you have purchased it.  Don’t be surprised to see picnickers having a day at your beach. 

If you don’t think you can get the answers to your questions or get the inspections done in a few days, ensure that you have allowed enough time on your conditional offer to get the information that you need. 

Tests may lead to certain remedial actions that you, as the purchaser, will be responsible for doing or will want to include as a condition in the Agreement for Purchase and Sale.

It may seem like a lot of money needs to be spent but, if you have any concerns, it will be worth the money and time.

Photo credit:  Septic tank @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheriffof0/2368582820/

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

Zingers #39 – Baa, baa black sheep

Are your food cupboards jam packed?  Buyers want to know if there is room to store their things in your house.  If you have an over abundance, you may want to collect up some of the duplicates and triplicates and donate them to the Food Bank.

 Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.

 

Blackburn Hamlet, Ottawa – Sales in 2008

Blackburn Hamlet is one of two communities built in the greenbelt.  There is a strong sense of community with lots of playgrounds, parks and schools.  In 2008:

Residential Sales: 56 units as follows:

Condominium Sales – 42 units

Please note that these are MLS® sales stats only.  They do not reflect private sales and transfers.

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca

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