Enjoy use of the sprawling backyard, complete with lounge seating, an eating area and loads of green space.

Short-term rentals: $2,500 / month

Virtual Tour

A great update presented to Realtors on Stage 1 and 2 of Ottawa new LRT, as well as real estate impacts and developments.

Check it out here, LRT Update 2018

Why do you need a storyteller?

Every home has a story – how it is shared makes a difference.

Most homes have a great story -

• Mom and Dad bought this home 40 years ago, and raised their 4 kids here and now have the joy of watching their grandchildren run around the same yard, splash in the same bathtub.
• This log home was built on an old homestead and remodeled to its former glory.

Maybe your home doesn’t have a long rich history, but having a Realtor who is an excellent storytelling is an important step in marketing your home.

I will find out as much as I can about your home, the builder, the finishes, the neighbourhood – absolutely anything that will help me tell the story of your home, and make it more appealing to the most amount of buyers possible.

For the same reason as staging your home helps buyers to picture themselves in your home, a great story draws the buyer in. Giving them a connection to the home that may be important to their decision-making process.

]]> http://maureenyates.com/2018/01/17/im-a-storyteller/feed/ 0 http://maureenyates.com/2018/01/11/pay-the-best-price-for-your-new-home/ http://maureenyates.com/2018/01/11/pay-the-best-price-for-your-new-home/#comments Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:31:58 +0000 http://ezddf.com/maureenyates/?p=13686

There is very rarely a time when you want to pay too much for a product or service. In fact, I’m having trouble thinking of a time that I would be happy to overpay for something.

Let alone, a new home.

It’s natural that a Buyer will to want to pay the lowest price for the best house. And, it’s expected that a Seller will want to get the most amount of money for their home. How do we find the magic number that satisfies both Buyer and Seller? Generally, it’s a bit of a compromise, and each side has to give a little.

Of course, there are sometimes exceptions to this “rule” –  you might find yourself in a Buyer’s Market, or a Seller’s Market – which inevitably affects the outcome of the home buying process.

How do you know if you are in a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?

If you are buying or selling a home and find there is is an abundance of homes to choose from, with fewer instances of multiple offers, fewer showings – you are probably in a Buyer’s Market. Homes spend longer on the market, and might sell for under the asking price. This is the result of less demand for more product. The Buyer’s hold more power in this case.

If you are buying or selling a home and find there is are less homes to choose from, many buyer’s visiting homes, more homes being sold in multiple offers – you are probably in a Seller’s Market. Homes sell quickly, and will usually sell for at least the asking price, if not more. This is the result of more demand, for less product. The Seller’s hold more power in this case. 

We can’t forget about a Balanced Market – there is equal demand for the product available.

How do we settle on the right number?

There is a bit of an art to it – knowing what kind of market we are in does help, however an in depth knowledge of the area and sales history for the home and neighbourhood in which you hope to buy or sell is very important.

I will look for any number of things when settling on the right price for a home. Anything from the size of the home, to neighbourhood features, to walkability.

My goal, as your Realtor, is to make sure that you are buying or selling your home at the absolute best number possible. Let’s talk more about how that can happen.

Have you ever been driving down the street and noticed a “For Sale” sign with SOLD plastered across it, that seemed to pop up out of nowhere?

Spoken with a friend who just bought the BEST house that you never even saw come on the market?

There are many reasons why you might miss a home that’s come to the market – but I want to make sure you don’t miss a single potential home! That’s why I spend my days visiting homes, searching Realtor.ca, finding exclusive listings that are listed by owners, writing offers and researching market trends.

By knowing your wants and needs, I will be able to weed through all the homes that are on the market, and those that haven’t yet made it to market to find you the best home possible.

Having me as a personal shopper is nothing but beneficial! It’s just one of the many ways that I will help as your Realtor!

From before our first meeting to after the closing of your new purchase, I am always working to find you the best house, the best deal, and the best terms – and then, to make sure that your new home stays in the best shape, and maintains it’s value.

How do I find you the best house? While Realtor.ca is a great place to look for your next home, a Realtor will go beyond that and use their connections with other Realtors, past clients, and business contacts to find a home that will be the perfect fit for you.

How do I find the best deal? There is more to consider than just the kitchen finishes and the number of bedrooms. While you like the house itself, there are other factors to take into account and a Realtor will know how each of these factors affects the value of the home, making sure you get the best price.

How do I get the best terms? How do you know which terms and conditions should you include in your offer, and then how do we get the other side to agree to our terms? Realtors know what should be included in your offer and how best to present it to the other side. And, if there are any special or unusual terms to be included, we will write them and consult with lawyers if needed.

Now, you’ve bought the house! How does your Realtor help you after the deal is closed and you are enjoying your beautiful new home?

How do I help keep your new home in the best shape? Realtors are constantly making new contacts with contractors: flooring experts, plumbers, electricians, etc. We are always happy to refer one of our many connections to you.

How do I help you maintain the value of your home? As the years go on, and you’ve been enjoying your home, it’s important to do regular maintenance and updates. Asking your Realtor for their opinion on upgrades to your home can be very helpful in the long run as we can provide insight on what buyers are looking for, and how those updates will affect the long-term value.

This is just a handful of the ways that a Realtor will help you throughout your home buying journey. The list of possibilities is endless, and as your #ConciergeForRealEstate, the list is always growing. Ask me how I can help!

OREA’s (Ontario Real Estate Association)  aggressive stance on behalf of all provincial residents with their champagne,  ‘Don’t Tax My Dream’  garnered  an outpouring of opposition to the tax,  As such the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced the government’s decision to block the extension of the municipal land transfer tax province-wide. This win goes a long way to making home buying more affordable in Ottawa.

You’ve been renting for a while and you’ve finally decided that home ownership is for you.  Interest rates are good, it’s a “buyers market” …… everything is in your favor.  Except you’ve met with the bank and what you want, in the neighborhood you want simply won’t work.

Sometimes an investment in the right home that will already have, or will allow for a secondary dwelling is the way to go.

Traditionally known as an in-law suite, or Nanny suite, adding a single, self-contained rental apartment to your home provides additional income to assist you in your monthly payment. The suites have there own bathroom, kitchen, living area, and sleeping areas but are able to share other features in the home such as the backyard, parking area, laundry, and storage space.

There are, mind you, numerous things to consider before adding a unit to your home;

• You need a building permit before proceeding.   The “Change of Use” must be reviewed to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code.
• No more than an amount equal to 40% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling may be developed for the secondary unit….this doesn’t apply to the creation of a basement unit though. There is not maximum size.
• The new unit must have a separate entrance on the ground floor of the principal dwelling unless building or fire codes allow.   Front door restrictions include facing the front yard.
• No additional parking is required although where one is provided, it cannot be located in the front yard.  Tandem parking in the existing driveway is permitted.

These are just a handful of some of the requirements for secondary dwellings.

And although the dollars generated from an income generating property sure do help, keep in mind that your property taxes may change. Rent counts as additional income so your personal income taxes will be affected. And your insurance company will need to be notified and may be adjusted to reflect the changes in liability.

BUT, after all is said and done, CMHC still contends that secondary dwellings can make financial sense if done properly.