Posts by curiousprojects

Sustainable Building Materials

May 1, 2016 | Comments Off

As the world’s population increases and resources dwindle, sustainability, development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, has become a priority for homeowners, developers and governments. This shift in focus has driven improvements in building design and construction, including sustainable building materials. Green building materials impact energy and water consumption, waste reduction and occupant well-being by minimizing the negative effects that our built environment can have on the planet. Here are some new materials that are leading the way: Solar Tiles Producing standard roof tiles involves energy intensive techniques and their only function
Read More

What Home Owners Can Do With a Tax Refund

April 24, 2016 | Comments Off

If you are a homeowner, a tax refund presents opportunities to invest for a profit that aren’t available to renters. Whether you plan to sell, stay or are undecided, there are ways to optimize the financial impact of your refund. The first step is to treat your refund check the same as you treat your paycheck. Avoid the temptation to splurge and give that refund money a purpose. Here are three home owner-only options to grow that refund: But, Are You Withholding Too Much? Most of us enjoy getting a large tax refund every spring. But, a refund
Read More

Ottawa Real Estate Market Snapshot March 2016

April 22, 2016 | Comments Off

Ottawa Real Estate: March market springs into action! The following information provided by the Ottawa Real Estate Board. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,166 residential properties in March through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,200 in March 2015, a decrease of 2.8 per cent. The five-year average for March sales is 1,220. “We are definitely seeing a resale market increase from the previous month, with 256 more properties sold in March over February,” says President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Shane Silva. “Properties are starting to sell faster, indicating that we are heading
Read More

What Mortgage Strategy Is Best For Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers?

April 17, 2016 | Comments Off

When it comes time to purchase a new home, your mortgage strategy will likely depend on the stage of life you are in. Early-career home buyers (Millennials) have just entered the workforce so they usually have little cash and may be in debt. Gen X home buyers are busy trying to advance their careers, raise families and save for retirement. Baby boomers have often left the workforce, so they have less income and may already be spending their retirement savings. Each of these life stages present unique challenges that call for a different mortgage strategy. Here are some tips to
Read More

How Important Is Home Staging?

April 10, 2016 | Comments Off

Because the Internet has changed the way we buy and sell homes, most real estate professionals believe home staging is critical to selling success. Almost all home buyers begin their search online meaning sellers need to make a good first impression so potential buyers want to see their home in person. Hence, staging has taken the residential real estate industry by storm and many sellers are hiring professionals to help them make that first impression. National Association of Realtors (NAR) President Chris Polychron says “staging is an excellent tool that can be used to give a home a little extra
Read More

Buying Old Versus New Properties – Pros and Cons

April 3, 2016 | Comments Off

When buying any commodity, new is often better than used. In the housing market, though, your best opportunity can come from an old home or, as in Ottawa, where the inventory of new homes is overstocked, you may be able to purchase a new home for the same price buyers paid years ago. Here are some advantages and risks of both options. Advantages of Buying Old Properties you can physically walk through and inspect the home similar listings have sold or are currently available to use for comparative market analysis when establishing price antique homes appeal to a
Read More

Why Appreciate Your Real Estate Agent

March 27, 2016 | Comments Off

When you decide to buy your first home, the initial excitement is often quickly followed by fear of the unknown. After viewing many attractive properties online, you have no idea where to start. Eventually, though, with the invaluable assistance of a real estate agent, you can purchased your dream home at a great price. Those who have experienced a number of property transactions realize just how many reasons they have to be thankful for the trusting relationship they developed with their agent. First, the money and time you save far exceeds the agent’s commission. From planting the For
Read More

Time To Get Out The Spring Maintenance Checklist

March 21, 2016 | Comments Off

In Ottawa, there are two sights that remind homeowners it’s time for spring maintenance: bikes on the road and geese in the sky. With the recent double-digit temperatures, it seems spring has won its annual wrestling match with winter. And, as spring fever sets in, you may want to store your parka and get at those spring maintenance chores. A great place to start is making sure the melting snow and runoff flows freely off your roof and away from your home instead of seeping in or collecting at the foundation. Improper drainage can cause problems like foundation flooding,
Read More

Financing Your Home Purchase – Mortgage Broker or Bank?

March 15, 2016 | Comments Off

When it comes time to purchase a new home, where should you go for financing? You may have a relationship with a bank from past transactions (RRSPs, savings accounts, car loan), so it’s the first option that comes to mind. But, mortgage brokers are licensed specialists who have access to many lenders and mortgage rates, so they may be a better choice. Here are some pros and cons for each. Advantages of Mortgage Brokers do all the negotiating for you to find the lowest rate have knowledge of, and access to, the entire mortgage market have exclusive
Read More

7 Deadly Sins of Home Renos

March 9, 2016 | Comments Off

Homeowners who renovate only to boost resale value should aim for a return on investment (ROI) of three dollars for every dollar invested. Resale renos should be neutral in colour and conservative in tone so they appeal to the maximum number of potential buyers. And, cost control always trumps elegance. In fact, some renovations can actually damage your home’s value. These supposed improvements not only add nothing to your bottom line, they may make your home less attractive to potential buyers and bring down its value. Here are seven such expensive mistakes to avoid. Pools A pool
Read More

Eric Ritterrath