Market Outlook for 2013, is it as bad as they say!?

Well its no secret that there are some questions to be answered when looking at the Canadian Housing Market. The media sure does a good enough job of letting everyone know that. You've heard it before but I'm going to say it again, DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON TV! Good news just doesn't sell. I tend to trust the predictions of those that have consistently proven themselves in the past, CMHC(Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation). If you read back to my post this time last year, and their predictions you'll see they were pretty bang on(we saw a 2.3% increase). I recently sat in on a conference with CMHC for their Market Update for 2013 and this year is going to be much of the same. A slight increase with the rate of inflation, but overall the market here in Ottawa will remain level. All of you sitting back waiting to purchase hoping for prices to fall, best of luck to ya. Here are some points of interest that I noted during the Conference.

Ottawa Market:
- Ottawa median household income remained the highest amongst large cities in Canada coming in just shy of 100k/year, with average home price at $350k. To put that in perspective, Vancouver with a much higher avg home price came in closer to 60k/year!

- Ottawa saw a market stall due to the uncertainty of employment with government cuts but remember they are only cutting 1% of job force. Not a big deal. Infact, Ottawa saw a 3% employment growth attributed to service sectors and public admin. Unemployment rate for 2013 is looking to stay about the same as 2012.

- The last large decline in our market was in 95-96 where there were MANY more job cuts than we are seeing now. Sale prices only went down 2.4% then, and interest rates were at 9% and not historically low like they are now. Just think about that. More jobs, less interest, sales shouldn't be affected all that much.

- Ottawa is creating jobs! The LRT is expected to create approx. 20,000 jobs, the Landsdowne project will create a bundle and The Rideau Center will be doing a 250million dollar reno!

- We are currently sitting in a balanced market with a sales to listing ratio of 40-60%. If patterns stay the same we should be seeing some good growth come 2014.

- We expect a slight decline in sales for the first and second quarter of this year and they are expected to turn around for the 3rd and 4th.

- in 2012 Stittsville and Southeast Ottawa saw the highest increase in sales volume while Southeast saw the highest increase in price.

- New home construction in Ottawa hit over 6000 units in 2012(6026) and is expected to drop slightly for 2013 at approx. 5200. Breakdown of those units being built will be the same with 25% single homes, 25% rows and semis, and 50% apartments.

- Cheaper to get resale still! Keeps you closer to the downtown core as well. 2012 saw new home prices for singles hitting approx. 23% higher than resale homes!!!

So all in all Ottawa, we will be just fine. The worst thing you can do is just sit on your hands and do nothing.

Canadian Economy:
- GDP growth will be driven by business investment
- Housing Market expected to moderate
- Week demand globally for our exports will restrain growth slightly
- Interest rates to remain at historic lows as the states announced they shouldn't be changing until 2015.

Global Economy:
- European GDP Decline
- Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, still not out of the danger zone yet
- 11.7% unemployment rate
- Germany starting to show some signs of growth
- Good news for Canada is that the majority of our exports go to the states, then some to China, Japan, South Korea, and only approx. 6% go to European Countries.
- US Economy is starting to recover even though they showed a slight decline in the 4th quarter attributed to the scare of the "fiscal Cliff".


Well there you have it. If you have any questions at anytime about our current market conditions, whether you should be buying or selling at this time. Please don't hesitate to ask.

Andrew Miller

- The last large decline in our market was in 95-96 where there were MANY more job cuts than we are seeing now. Sale prices only went down 2.4% then, and interest rates were at 9% and not historically low like they are now. Just think about that. More jobs, less interest, sales shouldn't be affected all that much.

Keep The Cold Out And The Money In!

Everyone knows that home insulation provides warmth for your home, and some know that it can provide huge energey savings, but still most homeowners have questions about it. How do you know if you need more insulation? What can you do to improve it—without tearing your home apart? Is the initial cost worth it for the savings? Does it increase the value of your home on resale?

The first thing to know is that for homes built before the 1970s, insulation was not a high priority in construction. Even in the last few years building codes have changed and minimum R-Values are going up. Older homes can benefit from adding insulation as well as filling the window and door gaps that naturally occur as the house settles over time. The good news is it’s easy to improve your home’s energy efficiency, no matter what its age.

Start at the Top:
One of the first places to insulate is the attic. You can add loose-fill or batt insulation easily and cost-effectively. Just remember that if you think you may have vermiculite insulation, don’t disturb it—it may contain asbestos, so call a professional.

Fill the Spaces in the Walls:
For your walls, you can simply blow loose insulation directly into the wall. It’s fast and you’ll only have to patch the wall afterwards, rather than replace the entire surface. On the other hand, if you’re remodeling, you may have open walls and an opportunity to choose from many insulation options including blankets, rolls, rigid insulation and others.

Go Beyond the Walls:
Many homeowners see savings from insulating electrical outlets, crawlspaces and doors. A rule of thumb is: a 1/8" space between a standard exterior door and the threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall. Realigning your doors and replacing the door sweep are easy fixes.

Consider Replacing Windows:
Weather-stripping your windows can reduce energy loss. However, up to 50% of a home’s heating and cooling needs results from heat gain and loss through windows, so actually replacing your old windows may provide the most savings. Replacing and upgrading your windows will also add great value to your home. Keep the receipts and warranty documents.

Insulation Adds Up to Big Savings:
When you insulate, not only do you start saving money on your energy bills. That and added value to your home at resale make it a no brainer if you're contemplating updating. In the past the government has also provided financial benefits to homeowners who make their home more energy efficient. That has currently halted but perhaps they will again.

Improvements like adding insulation can often add large amounts to the resale value of your home. Potential buyers will want to know all about the updates. Try to hold onto some of your receipts. Even if you’re not quite ready to move yet, you can still enjoy a cost savings and a comfortable home. If you're thinking of selling your home, give me a quick email and we can discuss how we can put in a few updates and get you some higher sale prices for your home! amiller@kwottawa.ca

Maximize Your Profits, and Minimize Your Hassles

For many people, selling their home is a stressful experience. When you are ready to sell, my goal is to help you sell your home for top dollar, with the least amount of inconvenience to you. I like to eliminate the worry, so all you have to do is pack!

The way to reach this goal is to price the property accurately for the marketplace and get your property into its best condition. Many buyers nowadays work long hours in their jobs and want a home that is ready to move into without a lot of fix-up.

Please feel free to call or email me if I can provide you with a home price evaluation or even take a moment for a “walk through” of your home to see what you might do to prepare your home for sale.
Proper pricing and a home that is in “show shape” will help you sell your home more quickly, eliminating some of the hassles and maximizing your profits.


Sincerely,

Andrew Miller
Sales Representative
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty, Brokerage
phone: 6134477669
Email: amiller@kwottawa.ca
www.dreamhomeottawa.ca

Steal of a Deal on a Large 4 bedroom Townhome

Steal of a deal here! Large 4 bedroom home, with a 2 car garage and total of 6 parking spots! hardwood throughout main and upper level. Central A/C(2005). Newer Furnace with Warranty on parts n labour(2019), Roof 2005. Huge Master with wall to wall closets and HUGE Balcony. I challenge you to find a home of this size anywhere in the city for this price. Perfect for investors, close to 417, steps to bus stop. Very little TLC required



Home Features:
- Large 2 car garage with parking in drive for 4 more vehicles
- Balcony off Master
- Forced Air Natural Gas Furnace 2009(comes with 10 year warranty)
- Central A/C (2005)
- Roof Shingles (2005)
- Updated Vinyl Windows
- Maintenance free and private back yard with no rear neighbors
- True 4 bedroom home with all bedrooms upstairs
- No Carpeting

Main Level:
- Good size entry way with original vintage tiles
- Spacious living space with hardwood flooring
- Patio doors to the private yard
- Large dining area
- Good sized and well layed out kitchen with ample cupboard and counter space.
- powder room
- inside access to garage.

2nd Level:
- Hardwood throughout
- VERY large master bedroom with wall to wall closets and large balcony
- 3 other large bedrooms
- Full bathroom

Lower Level:
- Laundry Area
- Family room

This is a great sized home for the value. Don't wait too long and call or email me now to view.


Andrew Miller
Sales Representative
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty Ltd.
Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 4E6

Winter Is Coming Is Your Home Ready For It?

Well its getting near that time of the year. Many of us are cutting the lawns for the last time. Thinking of putting on the winter tires. Putting away all of the summer things, and preparing for another wonderful winter in Ottawa. Well here are a few tips to prepare your home for the coming winter months.

Lawn and gardens: Be sure to apply some winterguard to your lawn now. I'm sure you have all seen the commercials, well they don't lie! The best time to nurture that lawn of yours to ensure its up to par next year, is to apply some nutrients now to last it through the winter and grow some deep roots. Within your gardens, pull out any excessive weeds that you forgot about in the last few months, save the hassel in the spring, so you can get right to planting.

Furnace and A/C: Air conditioners! Why should I even be mentioning that you ask. Well it is important to cover up that A/C unit outside to shield it from the elements. No don't use that crappy vinyl cover that they gave you when you purchased it. That is great for more southern climates, but here in Canada it will trap in moisture, then it freezes, no good. It's also a hotel for mice! Simply place a sheet of plywood over top of the unit and stabilize it with a brick on top. Next I want you to head to your electrical panel, and flip the breaker so that no one accidentally trys to turn it on in the dead of winter, as this will pretty much destroy your unit.
As for the Furnace, change that filter if you haven't done so already. This should be done every 3 months, especially if you have pets or allergies, not expensive to do, and will ensure that your furnace can breath a bit better and it will be more efficient. Perhaps get the duct work cleaned as well if you haven't done so in over a year.

Exterior hoses - When you are brining in your hoses from outside, be sure to also turn off the exterior water source from the interior of the home. This will prevent water from staying in the pipes to close to the outside and freezing over during the winter.

Windows - Some people like to put plastic wraps over the windows to help with heat loss during the cold winters. Be sure to do this properly though, otherwise you are wasting your time. Ensure that you cover over the trim of the window a few inches at least on each side. Its not just through the cracks of the window frame that the cold can come through but also the wooden trim around the window as well. Use a blow dryer to heat and tighten the plastic after application to ensure that it gets a nice smooth finish.

Fireplaces: Be sure to get your chimney swept clean before use each year. Also shovel out all of last years soot and ashes, better now then when its -30 and you want to build your fire. For gas fireplaces, ensure that the flame is burning a nice blue flame. The bluer the flame, then cleaner it is burning.

Calibrate your home for consistent temperature: everyones comfort level is different and playing with that thermostat will really crank up the costs of heating your home. Be sure to get a programable thermostat, and use its features. Next you are going to close off all of the vents on the upper level of your home, and open all of the vents on the lower levels. (hopefully the opposite of what you did before the summer) Hot air rises, and in about 24 hours or so, the whole house should be at the same temperature. If you don't have a ceiling fan at the top of your stairway, not a bad idea to get one installed to assist in the process of pulling up some of the warmer air from downstairs.(vise versa in summer, reverse the setting to have it blow down the cooler air.)

Follow these tips and you should save yourself a bit of cash and headaches. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful fall colours, and remember if you know of anyone thinking of buying or selling in the Ottawa area, please feel free to pass along my information!

Ottawa Market Looking Good says OREB

Ottawa, November 5, 2012 :As the leaves continue to fall in Ottawa, we are seeing an increase in units sold, as well as an increase in average sale price. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,073 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,059 in October 2011, an increase of 1.3 per cent. The five-year average for October sales is 1,067.

“Compared to the five-year average, Ottawa is right on track, indicating that we are not experiencing a real estate downturn in Ottawa, but a slow, steady incline in units sold and average sale price,” notes Ansel Clarke, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Ottawa continues to be great place to buy and/or sell a home.”

October’s sales included 237 in the condominium property class, and 836 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

The Ottawa market continues to be on track historically in regards to the number of sales to date as well. Since 1999 the number of sales through the MLS® System in Ottawa has ranged from a low of 11,329 to a high of 14,783. Sales for the first ten months of the year are at 12,768. Year-to-date average sale price is also up over 2011.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $346,492, an increase of 2.5 per cent over October 2011. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $267,037, an increase of 3.0 per cent over October 2011. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $369,016, an increase of 1.8 per cent over October 2011. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

“Although the Ottawa market is characterized as stable and steady, there can be pockets of our market where fluctuations, such as larger increases in price, exist,” explains Clarke. “This is why it is important for buyers and sellers to talk to their Ottawa area REALTOR® for more information about the housing market outlook where they live, or want to live.”

* via the Ottawa Real Estate Board

Credit Reports - The good, the bad, and the ugly

Credit Reports. I know what you're thinking. What can be more exciting than talking about credit reports right? Well thats why I'm here to make it a bit more interesting than your average person talking about them would.

Yesterday I sat in on a presentation by CMHC which discussed the importance of ones credit report. Here's what I gathered from it all.

One major thing that came about was the misunderstanding that if your credit is constantly checked, it negatively affects your credit score. This is slightly misleading. When you are searching for a new rental and or a mortgage for a new home, each time your credit gets checked, it is documented however similar checks into ones credit gets bundled together and only impacts your actual score once. So that means you can apply to 10 different mortgage companies at once if you like and your score will only be impacted as though it was one incident.

So you have bad credit, like most of the population, or maybe even no credit and youre looking to buy a home. Just because you can't buy one right this second doesn't mean you can't get yourself in shape to buy one in the near future. Here are some tips on how to get yourself back into decent credit standing.

If you are a newcomer or borrower with no credit
- get a credit card
- pay your bills on time
- open a bank account and use it frequently

Maintain and improve
- Avoid changes in employment and your residence
- always pay bills on time
- pay bills in full on or before due
- pay debts as quick as possible
- keep balance below the limit(it is suggested to keep your credit cards below 35% of the limit so it doesn't negatively impact your score)
- reduce the number of credit applications
- contact creditors immediately if they are having trouble making payments, do it before to late

So what affects your credit score you ask? Here is what the score is mainly compiled of:
35% - Payment History(do you pay your bills, and on time?)
30% - Use of available Credit (Are all of your cards maxed out most the time?)
15% - length of credit history (Did you just get a credit card?)
10% - number of recent inquiries made about credit report.
10% - type of credit being used
(Phone bills are sometimes uses, utilities usually only once they hit collections)

It's also suggest that you pull a credit report on yourself. It is FREE in person or to have it mailed to you. One should get their report at least once a year to verify info is up to date and correct.

Scores
300-559 = POOR
660-774 = GOOD
760+ = EXCELLENT

CMHC's average credit score in their portfolio is an astounding 724!

www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca to further understand your credit report

Or feel free to give me a shout whenever you like.

Halloween is over, and there is nothing to be scared of in our market!

Halloween is now over and November has begun. Many people still seem frightened however and are continuing to ask me if I think that the prices in Ottawa are going to start dropping. My answer still remains the same. Don't hold your breath. There is nothing to be scared of in todays housing market in Ottawa. We are still considered one of the most stable markets in all of North America.

Here in Ottawa and Canada as a whole is doing just fine and has now begun to level off a little bit.

If you are thinking of buying a new home, you can rest assured that you will no longer be paying the inflated prices that we saw this past spring and summer.

If you were thinking of selling, there are still plenty of buyers out there looking to take advantage of the historically low interest rates that we still have.

That combined with the fact that here in Ottawa we are quite stable and despite what people say, in my opinion, prices are NOT going down they are just balancing out.

Feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any questions at all about the real estate market here in Ottawa and its surrounding areas.



Sincerely,


Andrew Miller
Sales Representative
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty Ltd.
Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 4E6
Office: (613) 236-5959
Direct: (613) 447-7669
Fax: (613) 235-1515
Email: amiller@kwottawa.ca

Great Tips for Real Estate Investors

This is another solid blog that I grabbed from one of my Mortgage Specialists Nick Bachusky( www.mortgageinottawa.com ). I deal with a lot of investors and most start out making some of these mistakes. Give it a good read so that you don't.

Top Eight Mistakes Property Investors Make with Realtors from CREW (Canadian Real Estate Wealth)

Here is an interesting article that I came across in Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine, I work with a lot of real estate investors and this is just a refresher to make sure you try hard not to fall into any of these traps

1. Lying about how much buying power they have
“Often investors are not honest with respect with their buying power and how much cash they have available, or they hope they can reduce the price or get some miracle and find the extra cash down payment,” says Montreal Realtor Banny Bar.

2. Backing out of deals
“A lot of hard work and effort can go into putting a deal together,” says Edmonton-based Realtor Corey Young. “Sometimes because an investor is not emotionally attached to a property, the slightest thing wrong with the inspection or with financing and they can pull the plug. That can definitely be frustrating for a Realtor.”

3. Being vague about where and what type of property they want to buy
First-time investors are especially vague, point out several Realtors. Requests for “cash flowing” properties could be answered with a single family home in a suburb, or a 100-unit building downtown. Know what type of building, tenant and cashflow you need, says one frustrated real estate agent, as well as the neighbourhoods and price range that interest you.

4. Being goal phobic
“If an investor comes to us and says that they want to buy a condo investment, we usually ask ‘what for?’,” says Toronto Realtor Adam Brind. “If they can’t give us a straight answer it means that we usually have our hands full.”

5. Expecting miracles from the Realtor
Bar has seen emails simply asking “Do you have any great deals?” without context or more information.
“I love those ones,” he says. “My reply is: ‘Yes I do, how many hours have you got? And I charge $2,000 per day.’”

6. Failing to listen and communicate
You use a Realtor for a reason – their expertise in the market. If they make a suggestion or ask you a question and you don’t take the time to consider it, you’re probably limiting yourself.
“The clients that actually follow through and purchase or sell product are the ones that ask the good questions,” says Young. “They are the ones that respond with in depth answers to my questions.”

7. Assuming the developer is on your side
Hello, investors: developer has their own agenda, and it’s really your Realtor who can help on issues such as picking the right floor plan for resale and weighing the adjacent land plans.
“It’s important for us to remind new clients that we have existing relationships in the industry and that we’re working for them – not the developer,” Brind says.

8. Having too many advisors
“Nothing is worse than working with an investor or first-time buyer that is getting mixed messages from various sources,” Brind says. “Very often we get investors that have ‘relatives’ in the business or ‘semi-professional’ friends that moonlight as real estate professionals.”

If Real Estate Investment is something that you have been thinking about, please feel free to give me a quick shout to see just how I can help. I have help many build and start their portfolio's in order to make solid and sound investments.

PRICED TO SELL - Gorgeous 2Storey Loft Style Home

PRICED TO SELL at $274,900 - This stunning loft style 2 storey home sits nestled on a huge lot only 30 mins from downtown Ottawa, and mins from Kanata.

Neighbourhood features:
- Family Oriented
- Park Across the Street from home
- Natural Gas available at road
- High Speed Internet Available
- 30 mins from Downtown Ottawa.
- 5 mins from shopping
- good mix of homes in the area(no cookie cutters here!)
- Close to Constance Bay

Home Features:
- Forced Air Oil Heat
- Central Air Conditioning
- Fresh Paint Job
- Updated Flooring
- Over 25k spent in the last 2 years in improvements

Main Level:
- 2 storey living space flooded with natural light
- Powder room
- Large bright updated kitchen with lots of counter space
- Inside access to garage
- Exit out to rear deck
- Upgraded laminate throughout

Upper Level:
- Plush carpeting for added comfort
- 2 large bedrooms
- 2 full bathroms(one ensuite)
- Laundry room
- Great loft area perfect for office or family room.

Lower Level:
- Laminate flooring with Dry core underbelly
- 3rd bedroom
- Yet another living space!
- Storage area
- Utility room

With all this home has to offer, it is sure to go quickly. Call now to book your private showing. View More Images Below.

Stunning 4 bedroom home on a large private lot!

Have you been looking for that oasis of a home within 45mins of downtown Ottawa? Well look no further and start packing your bags. This one is sure to get you excited to move! A beautifully layed out 4 bedroom split level home sits nestled amongst large mature trees and is approximately 2140 square feet. It sits on an approximate total of 1.77 Acres, and is located about 5 mins from the Hammond Golf Course.

If one house just isn't enough for you, then don't worry, we'll throw in another home on the property for free!!

Main Features:
- 1.77 Acre Lot (178.90' X 429.79')
- Home nestled amongst loads of mature trees
- 5mins from Hammond Golf Course
- 45 mins from downtown Ottawa
- Natural Gas available at road
- Municipal water available
- 2140 sq.ft of living space
- 4 bedrooms
- 3 large living areas
- 2 full bathrooms
- Newer Roof
- 2 car garage
- Another 2 bedroom home at the rear of the property in need of TLC(as-is where is condition)

Main Level:
- Large updated kitchen
- Great sized formal dining area
- Ceramic Tiled entry way
- Hardwood flooring
- Inside access to garage

Second Level:
- Large Living area
- Master bedroom with 4 Piece Ensuite (stand up shower and soaker tub)
- Another good sized bedroom
- Large patio area over looking a gorgeous treed lot

Lower Level:
- Laundry room
- Living Room with gas stove
- Walkout to back yard
- Full bathroom
- 2 good sized bedrooms

Basement:
- Storage room
- Huge family room

Second home on property(as-is, where-is):
- 2 Bedrooms
- Kitchen
- Full Bath
- Large living area

This home has so much to offer for the price, and is too much to try to mention on paper or show through images. This just absolutely must be seen to be appreciated. Call me now to book your own private tour of the property. You will not be dissappointed.



Andrew Miller
Sales Representative
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty Ltd.
Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 4E6
Direct: (613) 447-7669

Market Outlook for 2012 is looking good!

I just finished up at a 2012 Mortgage Outlook with CMHC today. There were a lot of great things said. Mainly that Ottawa's housing market is in great shape to be living right now and for the future! I know there was recent press about that and may have you believing otherwise, but here are a few notes that I took in from todays meeting that could change your mind.

- Ottawa is currently in a strong balanced market, and prices expected to RISE with rate of inflation.
A 2.7% increase in home prices over the year is projected.

- Ottawa is definitely more stable as compared to other markets in Canada. So don't believe everything you see on TV

- Average employment by the government in 2002-08 was approx 95k, while average in 2008-12 was just shy of 120k.

- The government cuts that we are hearing of now represent approximately 1.5% job loss. That isn't as large of an
impact as most are thinking or hearing about.

- Other job sectors are still growing.

- Ottawa is at the top of the employment rate at 84.9%(ages 25-45) second only to Kitchener.

- Ottawa has grown approx. 47% in terms of income over the last 11 years and Ottawa has the highest weekly salaries anywhere in canada at just over $1000.

- Mortgage rates are still historically low, there is no better time to be buying! I've heard a recent deal was 3.89% for 10 year fixed!!! That's insane.

- Average of approx. 6000 immigrants per year are coming to Ottawa. 50% are economic immigrants meaning that they have degrees and support job growth. This combined with other factors translate to approx 5800 new houses a year required here in Ottawa.

- New homes are sitting at about 24% higher pricing then resale homes.

I think all this information I gathered says it all. The Ottawa housing market is fantastic. Rates are lower than most of us will see in our lifetimes. Prices aren't going down like some people may be telling you. There's not many times like this to be buying and selling homes.

Keep Your Chin Up And Your Costs Down.

So it's spring time, you're out hunting for a new dream home and finally find something perfect! It's got the hardwood you wanted, the granite counters, huge ensuite bathroom, and looks move in ready. Looks, is the key word. Unfortunately while you were bedazzled by the decorations in the home, you missed some key indications of the home. Now the inspector you just paid $500 for is telling you there are some water issues. Could be a busted toilet, curling roof shingles, and worse maybe some structural issues. Would have been good information earlier no? That's why I always keep my chin up when showing homes. You keep your eyes on what matters to you, while I keep mine up to ensure you get everything problem free.

Ceilings can come in many different materials these days but each kind should be looked at closely to notice different possible issues. The first being water problems. It's important not only to repair the damage, but find the root of the problem and have it dealt with asap. There are various types of staining and you should know the difference in them.

Mold is a big threat when moisture remains in the ceiling and the space above it. It doesn't take long for mold to begin growing, so making moves quickly and getting everything dry as possible is the best way to go. Not only a health hazard, mold can cause structural damage to the home if left to grow. Mold removal should be done by a professional and be able to warrant their work.

Minor ceiling cracks are not uncommon and usually is just the home settling. Even older homes can continue to settle for decades. Minor cracks can be repaired easily. I got all contacts no matter what the material. Major cracking can be due to structural issues and should be assessed by a professional before repair or replacement.

Paying attention to the ceiling can really pay off by getting the small problems before they can become big ones. I've been on hundreds of home inspection and I know what to look for so you aren't going in blind. Give me a call or shoot me an email now to help you find your next dream home!

Great opportunity to build in sought after Central Ottawa

Developers, Investors and those looking to build your dream home! This Large lot sits nestled among a variety of goregous homes in highly sought after Carleton Heights. Lots of mature trees, just a great opportunity for someone looking to get into this neighbourhood and build a home that suits their needs. Approved plans for a 2200 Sq.Ft. home avail, larger home is possible. Imagine a long private driveway leading back to your own private oasis.

This lot is in the final stages of severance and the sale is subject to severance. Sewer and water connections completed, park fees of $11000 paid. Contact listing agent for more details. Don't sit and think too long on this one, the phone has been ringing off the hook already.

Andrew Miller
Sales Representative
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty Ltd.
Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 4E6
Office: (613) 236-5959
Direct: (613) 447-7669
Fax: (613) 236-1515
www.dreamhomeottawa.blogspot.ca

Stunning 1 Bedroom Condo Steps From It All

Luxurious 1 bedroom unit in highly sought after Sussex Square. Spend your summer nights entertaining & bbq'ing on the gorgeous rooftop terrace. This is the one you have been waiting for. Located steps from everything the Byward Market has to offer, the unit features high ceilings, hardwood flooring, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, stylish washroom,in unit washer/dryer, large balcony, underground parking, and spacious open living space.

BUILDING FEATURES:
- Steps away from all the restaurants and cafe's of the Byward Market
- Beautiful blend of brick and renaissance masonary
- Charming Courtyard with Water Fountain
- Exercise Room
- Rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills
- Elegant Lounge with phone entry system
- 3 High Speed Elevators
- Storage and Bike Lockers
- Indoor Parking

UNIT FEATURES:
- 9 foot ceilings
- Open concept layout
- Ceramic tiling
- Hardwood flooring
- In unit laundry
- Upgraded bathroom
- Large bedroom with ample closet space
- Stainless steel appliances
- Granite countertops
- Balcony
- Central A/C

With all this building and unit have to offer, it is sure to not last for long. Call or email now to get your own private showing.

Andrew Miller
Sales Representative
Keller Williams Ottawa Realty Ltd.
Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 4E6
Office: (613) 236-5959
Direct: (613) 447-7669
Fax: (613) 236-1515
Email: amiller@kwottawa.ca
www.dreamhomeottawa.blogspot.ca