We all know Ottawa is a great place to live, but now the Province of Ontario has given us another reason why – we have the purest air in southern Ontario!

The EMC report last week that an air quality report was issued by the Province of Ontario listing the best and the worst cities in the Province with respect to air pollutants.

Ottawa ranked near the top for the entire Province and the best of all of the southern Ontario cities.  Sudbury and Petawawa had the best in the Province, while Windsor and Sarnia had the worst.  For the complete report, visit:

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/publications/8035e.pdf

Looking for something to do on a chilly Ottawa day? We have three open houses today. They are all on Sunday, January 23 from 2-4 p.m. and are at the following locations:

- 209 First Avenue

- 216 Pendra Way

- 21 Langford Crescent

You can preview photos and feature sheets of these properties (and others!) at our Ottawa real estate website:

http://www.ottawaproperties.com/property-list

See you soon!

Here at the Renaud Otten Team, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new OttawaProperties.com website.  With much easier navigation and valuable information for buyers and sellers, we are sure that you will enjoy our new look.

We are also happy to be able to offer visitors to our site a free subscription to Ottawa at Home magazine.  Each issue is packed full of beautiful home decorating ideas, delicious recipes and articles abou Ottawa area people, businesses, restaurants and properties.  Check out a free issue today!

The Renaud Otten Team would like to wish you all a very joyous and safe holiday season!

Ho ho ho!

A Conference Board economist stated in a recent article for the Ottawa Business Journal that the Ottawa real estate market will be “pretty decent”.

These comments came after the Board’s October resale index was released, showing that the average housing price increase of 3% was just below the rate of inflation, which was 3.3% in October.

The index also showed that for every 1,000 homes listed for sale, 570 were sold in October.  This represents a sales to new listing ratio of 0.570.  A balanced market range is defined as anywhere between 0.393 and 0.709.

For more information on this trend, read the entire Ottawa Business Journal article on the stability of the Ottawa housing market.

For more up to date market statistics, visit our Ottawa real estate website or contact one of our Ottawa Sales Representatives at 613-288-0090.

Here are the details of a couple of our latest Ottawa homes for sale:

Crystal Beach area in Ottawa

20 Conniston Avenue

This wonderful bungalow has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and has been nicely updated and tastefully decorated. It features gleaming hardwood floors, renovated kitchen, updated windows and a new roof (2009). This home is ready to move in!

Vanier Centre area

297 Dupuis Street, Ottawa

True loft style condo apartment in central location. Close to most amenities, the property is perfect for a busy professional. Gleaming hardwood floors in this open concept bright unit. High ceilings with ornate tin panels and exposed brick. Lower level offers wonderful bedroom/sitting room retreat, complete with full ensuite, gas fireplace, and wall mounted flat screen television. Convenient in-unit laundry.

For more photos, a feature sheet or virtual tour of each of these properties, simply click on the address.  For an appointment to see one of these Ottawa properties, or any other Ottawa home for sale, simply contact one of our professional Sales Representatives at 613-288-0090 and we will arrange it at your convenience. 

Happy house hunting!

As previously reported, Ray Otten of the Renaud Otten Team has recently become an Accredited Green Broker.  In an effort to reduce our team’s carbon footprint, one of our initiatives is to replace our Homes by Design magazine subscription with an eVersion of Ottawa at Home magazine.

All of our previous clients enjoyed a monthly subscription to the paper-based Homes by Design magazine.  Now, we are exchanging this paper-based subscription to an eco-friendly subscription of Ottawa at Home magazine. 

In addition to providing this eVersion to our existing clients, we are pleased to be able to provide this magazine to all of our potential clients as well! 

In order to reserve your eVersion of Ottawa at Home magazine, simply email mail@OttawaProperties.com with the names and emails of anyone who would enjoy receiving a monthly local magazine filled with home, food and living in Ottawa information – all timely, fresh and unique content delivered to your inbox each month!

For more information regarding the Ottawa real estate market and our green initiatives, contact our team at 613-288-2455 or visit our Ottawa real estate website.

Here is a recent news article regarding Canada’s condominium market:

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Condominium+market+Canada+heating/3757559/story.html

In a nutshell, the condominium market is up across many of Canada’s large markets such as Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.  In Ottawa, the condo market is up 11.9%  The actual average condo price in Ottawa is up, however, still an average of $100,000 less expensive that owning a single family home, making it a more realistic alternative for first-time home buyers.

If you are also thinking of owning a condo in the Ottawa area, check out:

http://www.condohotline.com/ottawa

Here you will find information on many of Ottawa’s condominium complexes including condo fees, lists of amenities, previously sold units and current units listed for sale.

If you have any questions regarding buying or selling an Ottawa area condo, contact us via our Ottawa real estate website, or by calling one of our Ottawa sales representatives at 613-288-2455.

Have a great day!

Here are some of our most recent listings in and around the Ottawa area:

Within commuting distance from the city of Ottawa

3811 Highland Road, White Lake

The home features: 3 full renovated bathrooms, 9′ ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, open concept.  Fabulously equipped entertainer’s/chef’s kitchen, ding and parlour conbo featuring top of the line stainless steel appliances, gas cook top/range and built-in oven, warming drawer, microwave oven, wine cooler, 2 huge pantries (1 is walk-in with a sink), 2 prep sinks, a sumptious master suite with large bedroom/sitting room combination, large walk-in closet and ensuite bath, 2nd floor laundry, gracious room sizes throughout.  Entire home gives the true feeling of space.  3rd floor loft bedroom/games room; new windows in 2006.  Nestled on 2.65 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this home is located very near popular White Lake, Arnprior, Pakenham and Calabogie ski and golf areas and is a short 30 minutes to Kanata. 

If you are looking for a stately character filled home that has been lovingly maintained and decorated, your search is over…3811 Highland Road.

Westboro area

323 Winona Avenue, Ottawa

Quiet 2+ bedroom, 2 bathroom unit in the back corner of the development. 1046 square feet as per builder’s plan. Stunning kitchen features including granite countertops, high cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood and ceramic floors. Exercise room and rooftop garden with barbeque. Close walk to trendy Westboro shops, amenities and public transit.

This unit is an assignment to be approved by the builder. No Showings – building under construction. Floor plan attached at  our Ottawa real estate website.

For more photos, a feature sheet or virtual tours of these or any other of our wonderful listings, visit the listings section of our Ottawa real estate resource website.  If you have questions about the current market, contact one of our Sales Representatives online through our website or at 613-288-2455.

On October 25, 2010, there will be a municipal election, where you can vote for your choice of mayor and councellors.  Voting will take place from10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.  To find the location of your election polling station, visit:

https://app02.ottawa.ca/election2010Pollingstation/search-polling-station.jsf

Simply enter your street name and number into the form and click search.

For a list of all of the candidates by ward, together with the mayoral candidates and school trustee candidates, visit the following link:

http://www.ottawa.ca/city_hall/elections/nominations/index_en.html

Make sure to get out and vote – your vote will make a difference.