Zingers #46 – Organized Mess
A mess is a mess. I know people who call their office an “organized mess”. This must mean that they know where everything is. When you go to sell your home, put things away and clean up your “organized mess”. You will have to do this when you pack to move so…
Why wait for a sale?
Old Ottawa South – Sales in 2008
For Old Ottawa South, MLS® areas 4403 and 4404, the sales in 2008 were as follows:
Residential Sales: 95 units as follows:
- Detached – 61 Houses
- Average Sold Price – $513,099
- Average Days on the Market – 27
- Row – 12 Units
- Average Sold Price – $371,150
- Average Days on the Market – 14
- Semi-detached – 22 Units
- Average Sold Price – $414,063
- Average Days on the Market – 38
Condominium Sales – 8 units
- Average Price – $289,725
- Average Days on the Market – 51
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
Three Things to Do Right Now to Sell
It is spring and you are thinking of putting your house on the market or it is on the market but not moving. Here are three things you can do, right now, to improve your sale.
1. Remove all the debris in your yard including the dog poop.
2. Wash all the windows. They will sparkle from the street and let more light into the house.
3. Sweep the steps and sidewalk and remove the old “Welcome” mat which isn’t that welcoming after a hard winter.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca
Zingers #45 – Abundance
Feng Shui principles talk about exposed empty vessels not being good chi. If you have empty vases, canisters, jars, jugs, or other containers in the open, think about putting something in each, if only a penny, flower, or stone. It is not about the quantity so much as about the emptiness.
Little things add up to abundance.
Stittsville, Ottawa – Sales in 2008
Last year, the market in Stittsville was very active. Because there were so many sales, I have divided the detached, row and semi-detached units. As can be expected selling high priced detached units takes longer than row and semi-detached homes. While not many, there are condominiums in Stittsville. In 2008 the MLS® system shows the following sales:
|
Residential Sales - 320 Units |
|
| Number of Detached |
277 |
| Average Price |
$370,781 |
| Final Sales Price Range |
$192,500 to $755,000 |
| Average Number of Days on the Market |
32 |
| Number of Row |
34 |
| Average Price |
$254,351 |
| Final Sales Price Range |
$212,500 – $358,900 |
| Average Number of Days on the Market |
22 |
| Number of Semi-detached |
9 |
| Average Price |
$332,083 |
| Final Sales Price Range |
$277,000 to $373,000 |
| Average Number of Days on the Market |
32 |
|
Condominium Sales - 28 Units |
|
| Average Price |
$252,625 |
| Final Price Range |
$166,000 – $377,000 |
| Average Number of Days on the Market |
25 |
Please call me if you have any questions and would like to see homes in the Stittsville community.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca
Seller Closing Costs in Ottawa
Without doubt, the Buyers are paying the bulk of costs in a real estate transaction. However, Sellers do not get off scot-free.
- If the house has been listed with an agent, the Seller pays the commission for both the buying and selling brokerages/agents. The Ottawa average is 5% commission but it can vary.
- Sellers will need to pay off their mortgage, unless the bank has agreed to move it to the next home.
- There may be penalties for paying off the mortgage before it is due.
- Often people have secured a line of credit based upon their home ownership. With the sale of the house, this will need to be paid off.
- There will be legal costs for the sale – for the disbursements and for the lawyer’s hourly rates.
- If not the primary residence, there may be capital gains tax.
- The lawyer will determine adjustments such as a tenants’ last month’s rent paid in advance, any arrears, heat and lighting not yet billed that the seller will have to cover.
- In today’s market, sellers are occasionally facing a net equity position (Sale price of the house less mortgages and home equity loans) that is less than the costs of the sale. In these cases, the seller will be required to pay for the sale of his/her house.
When selling your home, be prepared to have costs.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca
Zingers #44 – Exact Estimate
(as if) When you are pricing your home, you will want to know the sold price of other homes in your neighbourhood. Using this information, you can adjust for the plus and minuses of what your home contains. One less bathroom, one more garage spot, no updates, lot size differences, etc.etc….
The only perfect price is what a buyer will pay.
Centrepoint, Ottawa – Sales in 2008
For a reasonable commute to downtown or a hop to Algonquin College, Centrepoint attracts many homebuyers anxious to live in new homes without the price and concerns of the homes in the older and closer to downtown neighbourhoods. In 2008 the sales looked like the following:
|
Residential Sales - 49 Units |
|
| Detached |
32 |
| Row |
16 |
| Semi-detached |
1 |
| Average Price |
$397,652 |
| Final Sales Price Range |
$257,000 to $645,000 |
| Average Number of Days on the Market |
23 |
| Sale Price over List Price |
98% |
|
Condominium Sales - 22 Units |
|
| Average Price |
$255,434 |
| Final Price Range |
$218,350 – $309,000 |
| Average Number of Days on the Market |
17 |
| Sell Price to List Price |
98% |
These statistics are from MLS® and so not include private sales and transfers. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca
What the Ottawa House Inspector Saw – Filled Weep Holes
If you look at the photo, you will see that there appear to be two gaps where the mason did not finish his work. It looks like the mortar fell out of from between the bricks. Au contraire. These gaps have a purpose but some homeowners do not know this and fill in the gaps. At one inspection I was on with my Buyers, the home inspector noticed that the gaps had been filled in subsequent to building (different mortar) and advised the Buyers to chip out the filling. Why?
Brick is porous and water can get behind the brick. Think of a windy day with rain pounding on your brick wall. Water will penetrate and accumulate. The weep holes at the bottom of the wall allow this accumulated water to drain. Without the gaps, moisture will stay locked in the gap space between the brick facade and the back up material. This is where rot and mold will start. If you have a brick veneer, look for weep holes every 24 inches and ensure that they are not blocked or that the landscaping has risen higher than the weep holes. If there never were weep holes, it would be a huge job to have them installed so you might be best to leave your walls alone until such time as brickwork is required. At that point, talk to the contractor about weep holes.
It is impossible for the average home buyer to know everything about a house. A home inspector gives the Buyer information about the house that can be used to make a purchasing decision.
Don’t shed tears because of blocked weep holes.
Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ 613-723-5300 ~ vzinger@royallepage.ca
Zingers #43 – Nip it in the Bud
Have you placed bouquets of flowers around your home? It is important to give the bouquets fresh water and pinch off the dead flowers and wilted buds before showing your home. Skunky water and dying flowers may be more noticeable to buyers than your layout.
Have your house sale flower.
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-
