Christmas in Canada’s Capital

render's tree farm ottawaIt’s Christmas in the Capital. And you too can get your very own Christmas tree!

My good friend David Render operates a Christmas tree farm in Oxford Station, which is located about 40 minutes south of Ottawa off the 416 highway. It’s a small operation that began in 1966. David nurtures and prunes every tree for 12 seasons before they are ready for cutting.

I like walking along the rows of fresh green trees, you can tell he cares for them. Just before Christmas I go for a friendly visit. David has the trees bundled in his barnand ready for transport. He also provides hand saws for those hearty families who prefer the tradition of choosing their own special tree in the field.

A visit to Render’s Tree Farm is a fun activity and it is joyful to see David center stage offering philosophical insight.

Render’s Tree Farm opens for the season on November 25, 2016. For more information, please call 613-277-5842 or visit www.renderstreefarm.com

Winterizing Your Home

home ottawa winterizingWithout a doubt, winter has arrived in Ottawa. Which means if you have been procrastinating about getting your home prepared for winter – there is no time left to make excuses!

Winterizing Your Home

Given the volume of tasks one needs to accomplish “around the house” during a given year, the Martin Elder Real Estate Group offers these handy tips and reminders.

Exterior Inspection

  • Walk the exterior of your home, paying close attention for minuscule cracks and crevices. All exposed entry points, especially around pipes, should be sealed.
  • Weather stripping can be applied around doors to prevent drafts.
  • Caulk windows and doors
  • Basement window wells can be covered on the exterior with a plastic shield and on the interior with window plastic.
  • Summer screens (if utilized) can be removed and replaced with storm windows.
  • Rake all debris and vegetation away from your foundation.
  • Secure any crawlspaces
  • Inspect windowsills for rot

Plumbing & Components 

  • Drain all garden hoses
  • Turn off water supply to exterior taps
  • Insulate all exposed plumbing pipes
  • If your air conditioner has a shut-off valve, turn it off.

Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

  • Worn our roofing should be replaced before the snow flies.
  • Gutters should be cleaned and downspouts should be tested with a hose to ensure water flows away
  • Leaf guards or gutter guards are an excellent way to keep gutters clean
  • Downspout extensions are affordable and help move water away from your foundation.

Furnace Inspection

  • Have your duct work cleaned
  • Be sure to replace your furnace filter. Buy spares and replace and/or clean the filter monthly.
  • Consider replacing an outdated thermostat with a programmable model.
  • Be sure to keep the area around your furnace well ventilated and free from obstructions.

Fireplace 

  • Install or Clean a chimney cap to ensure birds or rodents are not nesting
  • Have a chimney sweep remove creosote and soot build-up and inspect the fireplace damper
  • Prepare log pile
  • Store wood in a dry place, away from the exterior walls of your home.
  •  Check tuck-points and condition of chimney brick mortar.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

  • Confirm with the City of Ottawa (or your local municipality) about smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements
  • Change all detector batteries when daylight saves ends
  • Always install a carbon monoxide detector near your hot water header and/or furnace
  • Regularly test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Replace all expired fire extinguishers

Winterize Your Seasonal Gear

  • Lawn mowers and edge trimmers should be drained of gas
  • Clean off, dry and store all summer-specific gardening tools
  • Have snowblower tuned-up
  • Place snow shovels in convenient and easily accessible locations
  • Purchase bags of sand, pickling grit or other traction products

 

 

Home Renovations: Plan Wisely

As fall approaches, the real estate market slows down and I begin to think; don’t wait for spring… do it now!

team elder home sales ottawa westboro home renovationsFor me, fall is a time to think about home improvements; comfort features or improved energy efficiency, upgrading the look of the house. Studies show that on resale, a well maintained home fetches top dollar. Newer windows, furnace, kitchens and baths are high on the list when buyers come knocking.

Although granite kitchen counters add a “WOW” factor, fresh neutral paint, sanded floors, and new siding return 96% of invested value same as the kitchen remodel.

In this photo, Leif Elder is completing the finishing touches to my newly expanded home office with sparkling new oak hardwood floors.

When it comes to home renovations: plan wisely! You deserve a second opinion. Call for my thoughts and advice before you begin.

– Martin Elder
613-722-3722 -or- www.martinelder.ca

McKellar Park Fall Festival

McKellar Park Fall Festival Ottawa

The McKellar Park Community Organization, in partnership with Dovercourt Recreation Centre and Bluesfest School of Music and Art, will be hosting the McKellar Park Fall Festival on Sunday, September 25th, 2016.

There will be plenty of activities for people of all ages, along with music, food, arts and crafts. Be sure to come out and explore the neighbourhood!

For more information, visit the event listing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1347897905238073/

Housing for Newcomers to Ottawa

Welcome to Canada and the Nation’s Capital – Ottawa!
With years of industry experience, from apartment rentals to home sales, to commerical properties to cottages, Martin Elder’s team can provide newcomers with a variety of services, resources and tools to make the housing hunt a little easier.

Renting. Buying. Mortgages. 

Housing for newcomers to Ottawa can vary from bachelor apartments to multi-bedroom homes and everything in-between.

martin elder newcomers to canadaFor those looking to rent, Team Elder Home Sales can walk you through the steps: reviewing apartments, understanding what is and is not included in the base rent, first and last month’s rent, even the steps involved in signing a lease agreement.

For those interested in buying a home or condominium, our team can delve into key areas including what to look for when buying a home, the importance of location, access to transportation, the accessibility and availability of community resources, how to determine what you can afford and how financing works, and ultimately, we can help you through the negotiation process – making and offer and closing the deal.

Helping New Canadians Call Ottawa Home

If you are new to Ottawa and need real estate housing assistance, get in touch with Team Elder Home Sales. We are eager to welcome you to the neighbourhood!

Ottawa West Cottages with the Elder Real Estate Group

Ottawa West Cottages Real EstateDid you know the Elder Real Estate Group can guide you through the process of buying or selling a cottage? And as an added bonus…

Martin Elder is able to access the many lakes far from Ottawa using a float plane. This provides buyers and sellers with greater flexibility and takes a fraction of the travel time normally associated with road travel.

For more information, please visit www.ottawawestcottages.com or call Martin at 613.236.5959

Temple, Church, Mosque or Daycare?

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What say you about this fascinating property. Would you use it for a temple, church, mosque or daycare?
See the whole video at https://www.facebook.com/TeamElderHomeSales/videos/1803834269835387/

temple church mosque daycare ottawa

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Farm Boy Opens in Westboro

Farm Boy prepares to open their newest location in Westboro. Photo Credit: Farm Boy
Farm Boy prepares to open their newest location in Westboro.
Photo Credit: Farm Boy

Martin Elder’s recipe for a thriving community: 
One River
One Beach
One LCBO
Two gas stations
Two Schools
One Library
Three Pharmacies
One Florist
Four Coffee Shops
Several Beauty Salons
One Watch Maker,
and…
Lots of Grocery stores!

We are so excited to welcome Farm Boy to the community. Check out their Facebook page for all the details about the Wesboro Farm Boy grand opening celebration. Farm Boy Westboro Ottawa is located at 317 McRae Avenue. Doors open on Thursday, June 23rd at 8:00 a.m.

Victor the Cat

victor the cat martin elder home salesPeople say they want purrfection! They look for the purrfect Home, the purrfect cottage the purrfect community. Others seek the purrfect real estate agent. This part applies to me.

My cat, Victor has some thoughts he’d like to share: purrfection, he says is misleading as only cats can purr. Search instead for a comfortable fit, real estate intelligence, and a good sense of humour. And his final word on purrfection; when you want an afternoon nap choose location, location, location!