Zingers #106 – Seven years of bad luck

If you are going to remove mirrors that have been glued to the wall, make sure that you are standing at or above the top of the mirrors. Criss cross the mirror with tape and put a drop cloth below the mirror. Of course the mirror is likely to break, especially if the bonding agent is really strong. Be careful.

Avoid having to see double.

Hintonburg Housing Market Today – MLS® Listings

As of this morning, 5 residential units are for sale in Hintonburg / Mechanicsville (MLS® areas 4201 through 4203). The prices range from $322,500 to $524,000. The average list price is $397,840. Included in these 5 detached units are two duplexes up/down.

In the past 90 days, 18 homes sold at an average sold price of $352,022 with an average DOM of 16 days ranging from 1 to 76. This is a very eclectic housing neighbourhood with 7 detached homes, 5 row, and 6 semi-detached units sold. Included was a store with 3 apartments. This would have normally shown as commercial property.

Hintonburg is all about location and a future as people want to move into affordable housing near the city centre.

These statistics do not include condos or private sales.

Look what I found – The Zone for Funky and Wonderful Stuff

The Zone is a great store on Sussex that sells lighting, furniture, kitchen and office gadgets, bathroom and other home accents. There is something for everyone, including jewellery. Last week I bought an office chair and magnetic bulletin board. One of my favourite necklaces comes from The Zone in Montreal and I am tempted to buy some new white appetizer plates.

In Ottawa:

471 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6Z5
telephone (613) 562-2755Store hours

Monday to Wednesday	10 am – 6 pm
Thursday and Friday	10 am – 9 pm
Saturday	10 am – 6 pm
Sunday	11 am – 5 pm

What the Ottawa Home Inspector Saw – Water Related Investigations

During a home inspection, you will be looking for evidence of water related problems with the house. A look at the roof, a look at the slope of land away from the house, peeling of paint inside and outside the house, mould on the walls and in the basement, etc. There are serious implications (cost and structural) to water damage.

In addition to the obvious structural issues, there are many water related things to investigate. Here are a few:

To see if the water pressure is going to be adequate for your needs, set the dishwasher, washing machine and shower going. See if there is enough pressure.
Some older homes do not have regulators on the water temperature in the shower/tub. Check by turning the shower on and then flush a toilet. Does the water go from water to boiling hot? What happens to the water pressure?
Fill the therapeutic tub (water over the jets) and then turn on the motor. Do all the jets work? Is the noise level bearable? Replacing a motor on a tub cost several hundred dollars plus labour.
Turn on the dishwasher and wash machine – if these appliances are included in the purchase. Do they work? If you are bringing your own, measure the space to ensure they will fit. Not all appliances are the same size.
If it is spring through fall, try out the exterior taps. Do they work? Remember, some owners have turned off the water during the winter so you need to find the shut off valve.
Do all the taps, toilets and appliances have shut off valves? In the middle of a leak, it is hard to remember where the main valve for the house is located. Again, shut off valves can be installed. The plumber’s visit may end up costing hundreds of dollars if there are a number of valves and if they are difficult to install.
If the home is an apartment condo and there is no room for a washer/ dryer, find out where the laundry room is and the condition of the room and machines. Is there going to be a yuck factor every time you do a load of wash?

The devil is in the details of your home inspection.

Photo credit: lost thoughts @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hawee/3469678953/

Zingers #105 – Feature this

Does your living, dining or bedroom need a little boost? If the paint job still relatively fresh but the room looks a little tired and maybe it looks small, then consider painting a feature wall. To choose the wall, walk into a room and determine where your eyes go first. This is likely the wall that will benefit from being a different hue or colour.

Pop with paint.

Old Ottawa South Housing Market Today – MLS® Listings

As of this morning, 17 residential units are for sale in Old Ottawa South (MLS® areas 4403 and 4404). The prices range from $399,900 to $1,139,000. The average list price is $714,321. There are 3 semi detached units, 2 row and 12 detached homes.

In the past 90 days, 29 homes sold at an average sold price of $530,997 with an average DOM of 18 days ranging from 0 to 117.

These statistics do not include condos and private sales.

Look What I Found – Pascale’s Ice Cream, the best in Ottawa

It might not be a good sign that the creator of this ice cream, Pascale, gives me a hug each time we see each other. Is it that I am such as good customer? Yes. I love this ice cream and try my best to limit it to summer. Good luck with that! We have some favourites: White Chocolate Pistachio, Raspberry Cassis, Salted Caramel (and there are more it is just too pitiful how many we like). This ice cream is not for families that eat a bucket of ice cream at a sitting. Rather, it is good in small quantities (with a few flavours in the freezer waiting) and to give as a hostess gift, if you are only travelling for a short while so that the ice cream does not melt. It is so good, don’t eat it before you arrive.

Go to the the website for more information: http://www.pascalesicecream.com/

I scream – You scream – We all scream for Pascale’s ice cream.

Rachmaninoff on Ottawa Runway No. 2

You are looking at a wonderful home. There is concert music being sent everywhere in the house. How wonderful that the owners have wired the home for sound in every room. Wait a minute. Is that music disguising something? Make sure that you have done a bit of research before putting in an offer.

Is the home located close to the airport?
How about the train line from Toronto or going to Montreal?
Can you hear the 417 from the living room. Guess what will happen in the spring when you want to sleep with the windows open. Won’t be done.
Is there a school yard close by when recess will interrupt your afternoon nap time?
How about the future development of the acres of farmyard behind the house?
The river property may not be so tranquil if every day in the summer people are whizzing by in their motorboats.
Is this a new family friendly neighbourhood? Don’t be surprised with the kids playing on the street and balls hitting your garage door at frequent intervals.
Hey, do the neighbours have a pool? How nice for them but what about the pool pump located right behind the fence from your deck? Will these neighbours be playing in the pool at 11:30 at night? Good if you are invited and not so good if you are trying to sleep for work the next day.

Look at Google maps to see how close the house is to what may be noise pollution. Do some research on the housing development being planned in the area. Think about the level of privacy and quite that you personally need and take this into account with the location of your next home.

Photo credit: IMGP0664 @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/maaksuut/3117036022/