100 Anniversary of Flight in Canada

Thoughtful agent in Ottawa comments; Today is the 100 anniversary of flight in Canada and I am proud to comment that I have enjoyed the privilege of flying from my childhood home base airport in Rockcliffe Ottawa for more than 15 years. I’ve shared my passion for flying with the buyers and sellers I’ve represented in real estate transactions.

It is fun to hear their comments when they recognize community landmarks. It is exciting to hear their enthusiasm when they see their own house 1000 feet below. Our city is really so very small when viewed from above.

On many a clear day at 2000 feet above Ottawa you can see the St Laurence river and the Appalachian mountains in New York state. At night time, in the dark, you can see the glow of Toronto lights from 4000 feet above Ottawa. Within 15 minuets of flying you can see the five important rivers that helped sustain the early city of Ottawa. What are they? The Ottawa River, The Rideau River, The Gatineau River, the Mississippi of the Rideau watershed and the St Laurence River. That’s a lot of water flowing to the ocean. And that’s the privaledged view we enjoy because of an airplane that first flew in Canada from frozen Bras D’or Lake in Nova Scotia.

Ottawa Open House Weekend

It was raining and I insisted on continuing with an Open House in Ottawa. Sure a sunny day would have been more pleasant and cheerier.

So the Open House Signs were distributed to strategic locations by 9 am.I visited the house to check on Temperature. I lit the lights and added some soft music and finished by closing all toilet lids. These actions allowed me to return at 2 pm the open house start time and have everything ready to go.

Next I picked up the cake and chilled the champagne. I placed the glasses, champagne bucket, paper plates and forkes in the car. I added the table cloth and candle holders. Hey! don’t for get the elegant tapered candles and lighter!

I printed all me feature sheets. On the back I printed all relevant homes in the area that recently sold or are active. Good for comparing.

I had a small nap so that when I would be fresh and engaging when prospective Buyers entered the house. The rest is as you see in the video!

About 28 visitors in total with four people interested in the house. That’s good for everyone.

What do I pay for my real estate Buyer Agent?

What do I pay for my real estate Buyer Agent?

It was at the end of a successful transaction with a happy Buyer and I think a happy Seller when the Buyers asked, Martin, how much do we pay for your real estate service? This question came as a surprise to me as I had talked about fees long before we began looking at houses for sale. I guess they were not listening. They were even happier when I told them the fees are traditionally paid by the Seller selling the home and so they owed nothing, not a cent for Real estate fees on closing day!  

It’s a reasonable arrangement when you think of it. The seller purchased ten years ago and often house prices will nearly double every ten years. The seller is happy to reap the rewards of sound appreciation on their initial investment. So paying the listing fees is a small price to pay for a net capital gain. And when you think of it, I mean really think about how house prices increase it is the Real estate agent who is the primary agent in increases value! After all house prices don’t automatically go up year after year. Someone has to speculate how the buying market will respond to a given home in a specific part of the city. That would be the skilled Real estate agent.

Call  and ask about closing fees on selling or buying of real estate. Real estate fees, Lawyers fees, Land transfer tax, HST, Municipal taxes, Surveys, Mortage Fees, Disbursements…

Jason’s Buyers Remorse on a First Home Purchase.

I recently talked with a new home buyer. He has many concerns for his family and his financial position. Like all major decisions there is uncertainty, but adequate expert opinion and up-to-date information should help to erase the anxiety.

Hi Jason,

Thanks for your message . Be sure to call your lawyer and get his take on the joint ownership matter. No need to wait if he has the info you asked for regarding the Condominium management portion of the property.

The best advice I could have offered back when the tech stocks were booming, had I known you then, would have been to buy real estate in Ottawa. I did this for myself and for my children over a period of many years beginning in 1989. We own four houses now and I’ve sold three . These investments have netted over a million dollars where as, my tech stocks lost more than a hundreds thousands dollars! You lost a lot of money in the stock decline, right? It hurts to loose hard earned money!

If is was 2005 I would have said the same thing. You were renting back then. The average value of a home was $244,000. Today the average price is $370,000. We are still talking about the average price home as back then! Value increase. It is a simple truth.

The house on Strongnet cost the sellers $248,716 on March 18, 2008 and the highest price paid for a unit with an additional bathroom in the first level was $349,000 this year. I’d suggest that buying real estate especially one you can live in is the first and most important step in wealth creation.

Do you recall I indicate that buying additional properties in the complex and rent them out would be smart if you had the down payment available? The true value of investment is apparent when you watch the investment grow year after year and the rent pays off the mortgage interest and principal. Taxation on a rental investment is favourable as well. There is simply not much choice land in the centre of Ottawa to build on. Land and housing will continue increase in value.

I predict your Strongnet  Pvt  investment will be valued at $600,000 in ten years; 2022. Seems improbable now but history has proved this to be true. I would have said the same of the current owners. Their house has increased in value nearly $100,000 in four years. Good investment! When you think about it, inflation has kept pace at about 2%. So you could make a reasonable judgement saying every year their investment increased $25,000 or about 10% per year. Renting is great if you need to buy time but you actually loose investment opportunity in a major way when you rent!

There really isn’t much holding back on finalizing your sale. Many many people are fearful when they purchase their first home. It is normal to feel that way. Ask your brother how he felt when he bought his first house. This home is a good personal and financial investment. After all, you can live in it and enjoy it, watch the community develop. You don’t have to worry about anything except walking away and loosing a great opportunity. This is a corner property and corner properties usually sell at a premium. I am absolutely certain someone else will buy it and you will have nothing. Move forward.

I’m available to talk with. Call me.

Best wishes,

Martin

Value of Community at Westfest

Some of you are probably gearing up for the annual Westfest: live music, artists, and activities for the entire family. Westfest is an Ottawa street festival that shouldn’t be missed. It’s free and is accessible for people from all Ottawa communities and neighborhoods as well as all age groups!  Living in the Westboro neighborhood, I can certainly say that the festival fosters energy not found at other Ottawa attractions. A celebration of Canadian artists coupled with buskers and street performers, Westfest is a terrific way to cross paths with your community. I really like watching the Buskers. They draw the artistic energy from me.  

What is community? What does community mean to you? It’s often defined as the people living in one place. Broadening this definition to include the building of relationships and creation of experiences is extremely important. This can be as simple as chatting with your local shop owners, bankers, and transportation workers or appreciating the nature around you and enjoying local restaurants. The importance of neighborhood  is immeasurable and can very well determine how at ease you feel in your home. In fact studies show that the closer your house is to a café the higher the value of the property – indicating the significance of a location that encourages business and community  facilities.

Look at Westfest as an opportunity to form new friendships with people: enjoy a cold beer with your buddies while taking in the festivities or discover a new band with your friends. When you develop a sense of community, your home becomes increasingly more valuable to you and your family. Memories and good times with the people around you are worth more than anything you can put a price tag on.
This summer is a great time to meet the community businesses – there are plenty of other events, and attractions taking place in the coming months that allow the same possibilities! Consider the outting goods stores will soon be featuring the canoe and kayak trials. Take a boat for a spin! It’s free. Until then, stay cool and don’t forget the sunscreen!

See you at Westfest; I’ll be easy to spot: the Real Estate broker with the direction sign posted on his shoulder!  Martin Elder

Home with Sizzle!

Once in a while a property appears for sale that surprises me. Totally upgraded with consummate attention to detail. Quality, preservation of architectural richness, space and soft light from south facing windows. Kitchen and bathrooms simple, as in less is more. Lovely stainless appliances. Gas cook top Miele. Fisher Paykel refrigerator and Whirlpool are lovely in the kitchen. White fleck Granite counter tops are clean and sophisticated. Lots of cupboards and pantry. Island to lunch at. Covered deck to review a good book. Lovely quiet bedrooms. Bathrooms with pride. Must be seen! Dare to compare!

Call for details 613-296-8065

Sell your Home with bright Spring Flowers

Students at Richard Pfaff Alternate school recall animated discussion on the notion that a florist may trade in fresh flowers but the commodity they sell is symbolic of Joy, Hope, Beauty and Happiness. Interesting thought! Few things are more beautiful than a bouquet of spring flowers. Green plants and flowers brighten a room and renew our connection with nature.

There is something about living plants that adds a finishing touch to a lovely room. They do the same for the exterior. Celebrate spring with bright annuals and rich perennials. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A pot of pansies or marigolds will last the whole summer and brighten your outlook on life!


In real estate terms the landscaping is called curb appeal. The instant a Buyer arrives at your front door the quest to win their heart has begun. Thick grass with trim boarders and dense shrubery suggests a well cared for, healthy home. Cut flowers on the diningroom table suggest luxury and are a good way to capture the heart of your Buyer.


I’m photographed with a fresh shipment of Bromeliads and Ranunculus.

Living and lovin in Westboro with Whitney Houston

How will I know what house is best for me… after Whitney Houston’s balad. Remember that great tune? Living and lovin in Westboro

So often I hear this question be it first time buyers or downsizing Moms and Dads. We all have likes and dislikes but there are some fundamental homes features that reach out and seize the buyer’s heart saying take me I’m all yours forever and forever! Yes it’s like falling in love… everything works … the house is right in every respect; it’s home. How will I know?

Finding the right house is discovering you feel well in the house, feeling good. Fact is it is more an emotion judgment than it is a list of attributes. Course, lot size, mature trees, maintenance free, garage, bedrooms, bathrooms, grand room, chef’s kitchen and granite countertops will all help convince the heart of stone but the truth is when we the feel the light, the laughter, the warmth and the potential for happiness that is a house worth living in! celebrate.

One of the features I like in a good home is the ability to move freely about in different directions as if you were chasing the dog from room to room, going round and round and finally stop and run the opposite direction to catch it. Having a central wall or staircase with rooms distributed around the core. That feature offers privacy and easy access in a small living surface. I love sunlight streaming through the kitchen windows and the bathrooms alike. Imagine enjoying a shower with the shower curtains brilliantly illuminated with sunlight! Glorious.

Another factor that helps to reveal a superior home is asking the question how would the house contribute to an evening party? If people can circulate from the kitchen to the living room and access the bathrooms easily, if they can come into the home and go outside to the garden terrace easily then the party will be successful. Just have to add you and your friends.

Use this measure and you found a good house.
I hear Whitney Houston’s song like this: How will I know? I’m asking you cus you know about these things… I think; Let me help you find your dream home cus I know about these things.

Turn up the volume! Click to listen to Whitney first video of How Will I Know.

So What is Affordable Housing?

Rarely available Freehold end unit offered for sale: $189,900.00



855 Grenon Ave Unit # 1 Ottawa / West Britannia – All brick semi-detached/row home built 1975. Common elements fee of $55 per month for Snow clearing and grass and tree care. Parking adjacent to unit. Not a condominium!

Freehold, three bedroom, two bath, end unit with 5 appliances. Private, west facing, fenced back yard. Mature Jack Pine trees. Finished basement with lavatory hook up.( was once a hair cutting salon ) High ceilings. Five Appliances included. Parquet hardwood on first and second floors. Newer windows, Gas Furnace 2004. Best value in the area!

So what is affordable housing?
Let’s look at the numbers for today’s interest rate which is 2.75%

A minimum of 5% down payment is required to purchase           = $9,450.
Closing costs would be needed out side of the down payment
which would cover Lawyers fees and disbursements                    = $3,780.
If you are a first time buyer you qualify for a provincial tax credit = $2,000.

Total amount needed to purchase up front cash is                      =$11,230.

A Canada Housing and Mortgage insurance fee would be added to your mortgage amount to cover the protected amount that equals about 15% of the purchase ( This fee covers the remaining part of the conventional mortgage amount or 20% down payment.  5% was calculated above)

The monthly mortgage payment would be   $847. 
Taxes calculated monthly would be             $166.
Monthly association fee for grass and snow  $55.
Insurance monthly would be about                 $84.
Monthly Heat and light would be about         $150.

Total monthly living cost would be             $1,302.

The average of 82 rental listings in Ottawa today, excluding apartment building style living is  $1,992. per month with the lowest rent at $1,925 per month.

With low interest rates, stable world markets, it is a good choice to purchase a home instead of renting.

Small is Beautiful in Westboro, Highcroft Ave Ottawa

Easy to find bigger but it’s rare to find smaller! Perfect location, funky bungalow in Westboro. Close to the busy retail/restaurant Richmond road strip and schools, tucked away on a tranquil tree lined street. Original sparkling stone stucco exterior; easy to maintain fenced lot 37 X 70 ft. Spacious open concept interior design. Smarts front closet/foyer addition.

Recent upgrades include mostly newer windows and doors, roof shingles, kitchen remodelled and high efficiency gas furnace installed. Spacious bedrooms all with oak hardwood flooring. Deep closets. Large, bright family room on the lower level beside a two piece bath. More photos to follow. Well priced to sell. Call Martin Elder for details. 613-236-5959 

Priced to sell at $399,900.

With 10% down payment and a mortgage of $390,000 monthly payments would be $1,805.87