Sales of homes in Ottawa were up 2.5% during the month of April, as compared with April 2011, with agents selling 1568 homes in April.

Of those 1568 Ottawa homes sold, 300 were Ottawa condos and 1268 were residential homes.

The average sale price for all homes during April was $364,077, an increase of 3.7%. The average sale price for condos in Ottawa was up a whopping 6.7% to $272,851 while the average sale price for residential homes was up a respectable 2.6% to $385,660.

It is also interesting to note that the inventory of homes listed for sale is up 6.9% over last year and that interest rates are still very low, indicating a stable and healthy housing market in Ottawa as summer approaches.

For more market statistics or to speak with one of our professional Ottawa real estate sales representatives, contact us at ray@ottawaproperties.com or at 613-288-0090.

Ray Otten speaks out on the Spring Ottawa real estate market and current interest rates:

If you have any questions at all about this current market information or regarding buying or selling your Ottawa area home, please don’t hesitate to contact Ray at 613-288-0090 x100 or visit our website or via email at ray@ottawaproperties.com.

The Canadian Tulip Festival starts this weekend on May 4th and there are a lot of things to see and do in and around the Ottawa area:

• the Byward Market will host the opening party on May 4th, called “Embrace the Night”
• enjoy the new Tulip Promenade on the streets of the market
• find the International Pavillion in Little Italy
• Chinatown will host tulip art and pagentry honoring the Year of the Dragon
• enjoy beautiful tulip beds all over the capital region
• enjoy “Capital Sounds” at all festival locations throughout the festival with young, local bands
• Mother’s Day Mad Hatter Tea Part in the market on May 13th
• The Great Canadian Tulip Treasure Hunt, a popular event back again this year

Whatever your area of interset, you are sure to find something at this year’s tulip festival!  Enjoy!

As always, we are your resource for events in the Ottawa area as well as real estate.  Please contact us with any questions you may have about the real estate market in Ottawa, whether you are buying or selling, we are here to help with no pressure.  Visit our Ottawa real estate website or contact us at 613-288-0090.

Enjoy the festival!

Looking for some fun things to do next week while the kids are off?  Here is a link to a number of free and inexpensive activities in and around the Ottawa area.

March break is also a great time to start that search for a new home.  Many homeowners list their homes for sale during the Spring, so there is traditionally a lot of choice.  Having the kids with you may seem like a lot of work, but there are a lot of benefits to it as well.

Your home selection can truly be a family affair.  Your children will appreciate feeling like part of the decision making process.  You will also get a feel for whether the home is big enough to house your entire family if you are all present.  The kids will give you their perspective on how the furniture will fit, which room they like, how awesome the backyard is, and more.

Better yet, combine a fun March break activity with a home viewing!

For more information on buying an Ottawa area home in the Spring, contact one of our professional sales representatives at 613-288-0090 or visit our Ottawa real estate website.

Winterlude is in full swing and there are a wide variety of activities you can participate in over the next week.  Official Winterlude locations include:

• Confederation Park
• Jacques Cartier Park
• Rideau Canal Skateway
• Canadian Museue of Civilization
• Theatre de l’Ile
• Sante Restaurant and Gallery
• National Gallery of Canada
• others across the Capital Region

Here is the link to the offical Winterlude webpage:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/winterlude

You will find up to the minute information on the canal’s condition, upcoming events (paid and complimentary), weather conditions and more.  There are activities for family and individuals of all ages.

Celebrate our Canadian winter at Winterlude this weekend!

The Renaud Otten Team is proud to be your Ottawa events specialists.  As always, we are here to help you with your Ottawa real estate needs or any questions you may have.  Simply contact one of our professional sales representatives today at 613-288-0090 or visit our MLS Ottawa Remax website.

Are you considering selling your Ottawa home or condo during the final months of winter, or in early spring?  Selling a home in the winter presents a unique set of challenges.  Follow these tips to get the most out of your Ottawa real estate holding in a winter sale.

• Let the light shine in

Since it gets dark so early in the evening, you can’t rely on any natural light.  Brighten dark rooms with spot lights placed behind furniture.  Open drapes, pull up blinds and turn on the lights.  Remember to turn off the television. 

• Clear a path

Ensure there is a clear path from the sidewalk to your front door and keep it clear – even if it still snowing out.  Remember to place a mat near the front door to hold wet boots.

• No scents make good sense

Due to various allergies, refrain from using scents, deodorizers, candles, perfumes or air fresheners.  If you bake cookies or simmer apple cider, be sure to have some snacks available for those who are tempted by the smell.

• Make your home sparkle

Clean garbage and recycling, polish all chrome, clean all dust and cobwebs, wash bedding for a fresh smell, wash windows, vacuum daily,, dust light fixtures and fans and consider re-caulking tubs and sinks.

• Create a mood

Create an inviting environment using these ideas: place vases with winter flowers around the house; hang plush robes in the washrooms; place two champagne glasses near a champagne bucket on the coffee table for a romantic setting; place a breakfast tray with coffee cup, saucer, napkin and newspaper on the master bed; tie wash cloths with ribbon and place in basket in the washroom; toss afghans on the arms of sofas.

• Let the music play

Have some inviting jazz or classical music on continuous play throughout your home.

• Serve comfort food

Consider keeping on a pot of soup, apple cider or hot chocolate, enticing visitors to stay a while.

• Let you home be warm and inviting

Turn up the heat a degree or two and encourage potential buyers to linger on a cold day.  Light the fireplace (if someone is available to tend it) for additional warmth and coziness.

Now that you know how to make your home “sellable”, give us a call so we can start introducing your home to potential buyers.  Contact one of our professional sales representatives today at 613-288-0090 or visit our Ottawa real estate website for more resources and information.

Renaud Otten Ottawa real estate team helps 300 families for Christmas

In the real estate field, it’s quite easy to take for granted the notion of access to housing. Since most of the people and clients we work with on a daily basis have the means to afford a home, it becomes a ‘given’. In our typical work week, we may help a first time home-buyer find the perfect starter condo; maybe we’ll assist a growing family in making the transition to a larger space; or, perhaps, we’ll help sell the home of an elderly couple looking to downsize after their children have ‘left the nest’. Our daily vernacular consists of industry-speak relating to the beauty and comfort of our houses:  vaulted ceilings, quality stonework, spacious bedrooms…the list goes on.

And so it becomes a challenge to remember how lucky we are and how important it is to spread that luck to those who need it most. In previous years, the Renaud-Otten Team has thanked past clients by sending them a token of our appreciation in the form of a Christmas CD. This year, however, we wanted to do something that would both add value to our past clients and make a difference in our community. Therefore, in lieu of holiday souvenirs that add value only to us, we have arranged to feed 300 families on Christmas Day through the Shepherd’s of Good Hope and their excellent “Feed a Family of 4 for a Day” program.

This holiday season, the Ray Otten and the Team would like to extend thanks to all of our past, present, and future clients. We hope this donation on your behalf is as valuable to you as it is to those who need it most. Furthermore, should you wish to donate, details can be found here at: http://shepherdsofgoodhope.myshopify.com/products/feed-a-family-of-4-for-a-day

All our best in 2012.

Sincerely,

Ray Otten and the Team

A total of 809 residential homes were sold in October 2011, which is very close to the number of homes sold in 2010.

The average sale price of a home in Ottawa in October was $362,341 which is up 3.5% over last year.

Condominium sales were up 14.5 % over 2010 as 253 Ottawa condos were sold, however, the average price of those condos was $259,316.  This represented a decrease of 1.5% over last year.

It is interesting to note, however, that condos are enjoying an increasing popularity in the Ottawa housing market, with residential real estate holding its own.

Halloween is not even over yet, and Christmas craft fairs are popping up everywhere!  Starting tomorrow, the Halloween decorations will be down and the Xmas decorations will be up. 

Here are a couple of upcoming craft shows, for those of you who want to get a head start on the next holiday season:

• November 4-5: Handmade Harvest Holiday Craft Show at the Almonte Old Town Hall
• Friday from 4-9 and Saturday from 10-4
• November 5-6: Wakefield Christmas Craft Fair at Ski Vorlage in Wakefield, Quebec
• Saturday and Sunday from 10-4
• November 5:  All Saints Craft Fair at 5115 Kanata Avenue in support of the Kanata Food Cupboard
• Saturday from 9-3
• November 5: Richmond Public School’s Craft Fair
• Saturday from 10-3
• November 5: St. Helen’s Anglican Church Old Fashioned CHristmas Bazaar at 1234 Prestone Drive, Orleans
• Saturday from 9-2
• November 6, 13 and 20: Christmas Craft and Gift Show at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa
• Sundays from 10-4

Boo and ho ho ho all in one week!

As always, we are your resource for all things Ottawa – including real estate!  For questions or assistance on buying or selling your Ottawa area home, contact one of our professional sales representatives at 613-288-0090 or visit our Ottawa real estate website.

We have recently added the WalkScore application to all of our Ottawa properties.  Now, you can see what is within walking distance of each home for sale.  If you are looking for a property that will allow you to park your car, save on contaminating the environment with emissions, or just love a nice walk to run some errands, check out the WalkScores on our property listings.

Our Westboro property shows a WalkScore of 88/100, making it very walkable.  Nearby amenities include:

• 0.03km to the nearest restaurant
• 0.09km to the nearest coffee shop
• 0.30km to the nearest grocery store
• 0.30km to the nearest shopping centre
• 0.20km to the nearest school

As you can see, this residential home is very close to many essential amenities.  If you’re a walker, give us a call!  We would be happy to provide you with the WalkScore for any Ottawa home you are interested in.  Simply contact one of our professional sales representatives at 613-288-0090 or visit our Ottawa real estate website for more information.