A Pre-purchase Home Inspection Comment

Thoughtful agent in Ottawa: comments on a pre-purchase home inspection. Went on an inspection today in a very important older home in Highland Park. It is an older home, beautifully renovated and expanded. There is plenty of older features typical of a home built in the 1930. One foot high baseboard, dark moldings and wavy glass in the interior french style sliding partition doors. I like the 9 foot ceilings and natural sponged ceiling texture.

The basement is extensively rebuilt but there isn’t a basement drain or sump pump pit. So here is the point; the Buiding Inspector responds to the question about high water table and what happens to possible back flow or water from the ground. He says if there is a flood you better get your canoe. Now my complaint is that it’s not realistic, accurate, truthful, or well informed to quip on haveing a canoe ready! Better to get a mechanical pump to remove standing water or even more important is the question; is the area vulnerable to any kind of historic looding or back up !

The basement doesn’t smell of humidity and I didn’t notice the telling odour of humidity when I visited the property before it was renovated some two years ago. Comments from an inspector can create unfounded doubt, and apprehension. So why does an inspector make such a comment? Humour? A desire to self agrandise? or is it a nervous comment in the presence of the buyer? My thought is that it is simply uncalled for. https://martinelder.ca/

The Chinese Prince and the Peasant

Thoughtful Agent in Ottawa: www.martinelder.ca

I just recieved a set of photos from Stephen Chappell who is teaching in Anging Province. He comments.

“A couple of pics which reveal the contrasts of present day china. Along this narrow roadway to the village stood two houses: one a three story dwelling complete with pillars and a marble balcony( landscaping to follow?) : the other, on the opposite side of the road, a humble farmer’s abode. The large structure, could be that of a well do farmer or more likely that of a rich urbanite looking for a retreat in the countryside. I trust the inhabitants of both houses will be good neighbours. “

I’m sure Stephen’s opinion is accurate. On one side of the road is a newer elabourite home. It’s probably a very expensive home. On the other side is a thatched hovel. What a contrast in the two photos; Rich and poor, Elabourate and modest, Enduring and Temporary. Reminds me of part of the three pigs story. One pig made a grass house and another built a brick house and we all know what happened when the bad wolf tried to blow down the grass house. It blew down easily and the brick house stood firm.

So here’s how I read these two houses built facing each other. It’s not unlike the most expensive neighbourhoods in Ottawa. There are million dollar homes next to a quarter of a million dollar homes just like in the rest of the world. Westboro, Glebe, Alta Vista and Rockcliffe have their fair share of these.

Lets say people choose a community where schools are good and where groceries are easily picked up. There is a recreational centre. The community has older homes. Someone from the “hood” decides to add an addition. Another person decides to demolish and rebuild newer and bigger, after all they reason, renovation is more expensive than building from the ground up. So the community takes on a diversified nature and continues to attract an afluent group. It is not too long before older homes are torn down to make room for bigger. Soon everyone complains there are so many tear downs and rebuilds the community character is disappearing. Some go so far as to say the newcommers are destroying the community!

It sure has changed. But the question that attracts me is how do the new commers relate to the older residents? There is a natural tendancy to resent the newcommers and I think for the newcommers to have distain for the quaint homes of the long time residence. It doesn’t have to be that way. If someone were to see the bigger picture everyone could appreciate the changeing scene.

  • Remember the kindergarden lessons? Greet your neighbour in the morning and say good by in the evening.
  • Smile and show interest.
  • Don’t hurt others. Be sincere when you have to say sorry
  • Share your toys and return toys you borrow.
  • Show respect for your friend when they are hurt. and offer them a helping hand.
  • Don’t tattle on your neighbour unless it is a very serious matter and try to talk to them first.

If we were able to follow some of these basic tenants taught to us in kindergarden our communities thrive in diversity and I think we would be happier citizens. More to follow on this!

Increased Pace of Homebuyers in Ottawa’s East End

https://martinelder.ca/
Thoughtful Agent in Ottawa, comments on the increased pace of interested Buyers in Ottawa West and Orleans. Which way is the harse going?
Giddy up there people! There seems to be increased interest in the housing market since the US election. Have to remember that there was a Canadian election not so long ago too and consumer conficence has taken a fast toboggan slide. However of late, Buyers have raised their mittens in an attempt to take advantange of record low interest rates and the seeming confusing housing market. Is it a sellers market or a buyers market? Certainly the public is not comitted one way or the other but from my vantage point it is still a smart buyer and sellers market! Yes that’s so…
So how could it be both? Well smart buyers are takeing advantage of the traditional early spring market before consumer demand pushed prices upward. They are also taking advantage of seller anxiety. Those faced with all the doom and gloom about recession and believing it. For Sellers, there is not many good or unique homes for sale yet. So a well prepared home will attract a committed well informed buyer willing pay for a unique home. This goes for condos and detached homes.
There is so much diversity in the Ottawa population. It’s all over the demographic spectrum. People are choosing to sell and buy up or stop renting and dive into ownership. It’s a wonderful thing to see! And so you ask, why my choice of photo for this entry? Simple! Is it the cart before the house or is the horse pulling the cart. I have a good idea where the harse is going!
It is actually the old family wagon at Dovercourt Community Centre in Westboro
Martin

Letter to Home seller in Singapore

https://martinelder.ca/ Thoughtfull Agent in Ottawa comments of the Ottawa East, Cardinal Heights, Beacon Hill areas:
We last spoke before Christmas when the lawyers were on holiday. I hope your questions about family and the house have been answered. About Power of Attorney documents, Capital Gains tax, Inheritance and Principal Residence Status. All this legal stuff is painful when a parent is suddenly lost.

Here is a little update on the residential market since you returned. Market listings sat in December and increased in number. There were few buyers with two elections, a challenge to the Canadian government and a falling stock market. The US people elected a popular leader and world gas prices dropped faster than most people could hope. Consumer confidence was very low. So have things changed since last December?

Sales in Ottawa have picked up pace in January and appear to be increasing for February as if there was pent up demand from a poor fall in 2008. The government has pitched in with incentive plans to help homeowners maintain their homes and the mortgage interest rates have crept downward to the 3.5 – 4% range for short term rates. All this augers well for a strong spring market in Ottawa which is a distinctly Ottawa phenomena as the rest of the country is experiencing a much slower housing market. I suggest prices in Ottawa will see a year to year increase of 4% whereas Toronto has not been as fortunate. Housing sales volume will decrease, suggesting steady demand but only the better homes selling while others languish on the market and some moving toward the rental side. This means well prepared homes will do well. Staging and fresh paint will be helpful in the sale strategy. Vacancy rates have also decreased.

Cardinal Heights has several bungalows for sale. One renovated Crownhill home sold at $284K but there are three other recent homes just on the market. The Ottawa bus strike was a costly and painful experience for people here. With the increased employment at the NRC a lot of people will be looking for a home closer to work. Currently cars park along the streets all day because the NRC parking lot full. I guess the parking bylaws are being suspended for now. I feel there are plenty of 3 bed bungalows in the neighbourhood but not many with usable bedrooms and bathrooms. Your’s is special. There is a demand for good bungalows and your home will command a premium.

I hope you are well. I enjoyed a great skate along the Rideau Canal last week end. There was a cheerful air about the thousands and thousands of eager skaters. Saw one vintage soldier from Parks Canada firing his flint lock musket to the delight of skaters. There was lots of colourful sights along the Landsdown stretch of open ice.

Community Newsletter, A David and Goliath parallel?

https://martinelder.ca/ Thoughtful Agent in Ottawa comments:
I’m pleased with results of my community newsletter. I sent out several thousand copies first week of January and there were 5 responses asking for information. Two became appointments to place a value on a house and offer staging suggestions. I think that’s great! Helping people. Serving people. “Selling Fine Homes, Building Community” That’s what it’s all about.

One response was not expected. It came to me in the form of an official complaint from a real estate professional . The complaint was that houses shown for sale or sold were misleading! Misleading because it suggests that I sold or listed the homes and not the company; Keller Williams Ottawa. Odd conclusion! Every agent knows that a listing falls under the watchful eye of the Broker of Record; the legal entity of each office. And we sold or listed each of the homes depicted.

This complaint was filed at the Ottawa Real Estate Board but they have returned it because they feel it is the jurisdiction of the Real Estate Council of Ontario. If they feel false advertising has occurred they have the authority to hand out fines of up to $25,000. It is a serious offense to knowingly disregard the code of ethics.

So what will I do? If I’ve incorrectly placed photos of houses in my news letter then I’ll gladly change that part. I like to do things right. On the other hand if there is nothing wrong than this can be attributed to the actions of a bully trying to intimidate a fellow real estate professional. Well I think that’s a shame! A true David and Goliath story. My next newsletter comes out in February 07, 2009. I watch and listen for Goliath prowling!

Letter to Moving to Ottawa

Hello Reader,

You’re right, affordability is a prime factor in purchasing home for Ottawa. The average is currently $290,000 (December 2008). Take note; the average price is an average of condos, rows, semi-detached and detached homes. Clearly this average price needs to be examined and viewed with insight. There are far more homes selling in the $250 to $300 range than at the $400 to $600 range and this overloading of moderately priced homes means the average is over weighted on the lower side by about two to one. Homes in Central Ottawa, Ottawa West, and Stittsville are popular and house values tend to begin at the $400 plus range.

Community location is another factor in planning where you wish to live.There are a number of neighbourhoods with good transportation and with many of the same characteristics such as schools, easy shopping, mature homes, trees and parks. Talk to me about community. School districts are very important if you children attend school.

In neighbourhoods such as Castle Hill, Copeland Park, Bel Air Hights, Skyline, Queensway Terrace North, and Britannia a 3-4 bedroom 3 bathroom with garage and garden can be found in the $270 K range. Alta Vista, and Faircrest Hights are also forgotten areas. So much depends on what criteria you have, where you work and recreational needs. Then again mortgage issues may be much more favourable than you think. Speaking with your bank and a mortgage broker clear the way to an effective home search.

I have had excellent service from a mortgage broker. They are very competitive! And also from a Banker. The company I work with; Keller Williams Ottawa Realty has recently partnered with Mortgage Brokers.com and with the Royal Bank of Canada. I can suggest specific contacts, just give me a call or email a request.I’d be happy to arrange a visit to any home when you are ready.


Best wishes, Martin

Thoughtful Agent in Ottawa Speaks Out

REAL Estate professionals have the duty to inform the people of their services and to discuss agency relationships. We have to do this so that people don’t inadvertntly tell us information about their buying or selling needs and discover this is used to to impoverish their situation. We have the duty of representing our clients so that they have current, inside knowledge when they make the decision to purchase.

I treat everyone with the same dedication. At some point early in the visiting of houses I ask clients to make an informed choice as to which Real Estate Professional they choose to work with. It is only when a Buyer contract is signed that the client is considered by real estate people as having engaged a Real Estate Professional to work for them.

Real estate professionals must complete several legal forms when an offer to purchase a house is presented to a selling office. Each of the forms contain affirmations that the buyer has chosen to be represented by a specific Real Estate Professional and office. I find the public is shy of this and as such its often undisclosed untill much later in the process. In my buyer package, not only do I provide maps and lots of useful information, I provide copies of these forms, and I provide a “termination of buyer agency” so there is “a way out” for the buyer should they feel ill at ease. But my Buyers have never needed to use the form I’m pleased to say. So.. there is no specific etiquette. You work with whom you wish. There may be several people at least in the beginning. However the more time a Real Estate Professional spends with an uncomitted client, the more time they’ve invest, the more they are disappointed when they are finaly told if they are in fact told there was another unknown agent also working with the same client. Experienced Real Estate Professionals will often make a conscious decision to avoid Buyers who are not ready to move forward on the paperwork. I’t’s all about making decisions; making the best use of time, the best use of expertise and a personal fit.

Spring is a great time to relocate. Did you know that the real estate cycle has two peaks per calendar year. Generally speaking, one wave occurs in the spring and a second occurs in the fall with the earlier wave being larger in volume with more homes for sale and more buyers. The second wave is still strong but there are fewer of both buyers and sellers and it is short lived. Everyone wants to be moved into their new home by the summer hollidays. Of course at this time, the house you are looking for; your new home is not yet listed for sale! So now is the time to prepare. Learn about community, about value and price relationship and prepare your finances.

I like the areas you are focusing on as potential neighbourhoods. They are dynamic with good infrastructure and special features like mature homes and trees not to mention higher values and this alone may be a valuable. Wealth likes to live with wealth. There is an element of security in this paradigm. Specialty groups seek secure areas.

I’d like to set up an automatic search for you according your criteria. I’ll select the areas you just mentioned. At first you will receive 20 to 40 properties but after you will be notified as properties are sold and new listings will pop up week by week. If you see a specific property tell me and I’ll send detailed info. If you wish to stop the service you have the ability to remove your address. By the way, when the time comes I have the ability to search back into provincial archives to view the complete history and current assesment of a property and to search by block to compare current values. This is helpful when bargaining to know as much or more than the seller about their own property.

Best wishes,

Martin