Rental rates in Ottawa have seen a significant increase in 2018. The vacancy rate for Ottawa according to CMHC's Rental Market Report released for 2018 had Ottawa at a 1.6% vacancy rate. The average rent for Ottawa was $1,174 up 5.6% over the previous year.Vacancy rates across the City have been similar across different types of rental types. The lowest vacancy rate being for bachelors units which has a 1.3% vacancy rate while two bedrooms have a vacancy rate of 1.8%.Rental demand continues to be strong with condominium rentals offerings declining slightly while the demand for such units held steady. Ottawa's employment and population growth is supporting the overall housing demand we've been seeing lately.Ontario has seen an increase of approximately 35,000 people in Q1 of 2018 largely... 01/06/2019

The condo buildings at 158 McArthur Avenue are best known as Chateau Vanier. The Chateau Vanier condos are a complex of 3 condominium towers located at the corner of Vanier Parkway and McArthur Avenue just East of Ottawa's downtown core. The condo towers are popular with young professionals as well as elderly couples looking for worry-free and maintenance free living.The Chateau Vanier condo complex is conveniently located on major bus routes and bike lanes giving you quick access to Ottawa's downtown. Those who love the outdoors will love the nearby Riverain Park which borders the Rideau River on the East side. Across from the condo buildings is a Loblaws and Goodlife Fitness for Women. Popular nearby businesses include the McArthur Bowling Lanes, Louis Pizza, The Beer Store, LCBO as w... 01/06/2019

Are you sending your children to Ottawa to study at the Ottawa University? Have you considered buying a small home, condominium or even a multi-family property near the Ottawa University?The University of Ottawa is located in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood which neighbours the popular Byward Market - Lower Town neighbourhoods as well as plenty of nature including Sandy Hill's beautiful Strathcona Park on Range Road.During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, the neighbourhood of Sandy Hill near the Ottawa University was one of Ottawa's wealthiest. Today, the neighbourhood is home to a mix of people including students living in close proximity to the Campus of the University of Ottawa.Sandy Hill has a wide range of property types available for purchase including condos. The ave... 01/06/2019

Those who own single family homes in Blackburn Hamlet saw their property values increase significantly in 2018. There was a total of 39 single family homes that have sold in 2018 in the neighbourhood of Blackburn Hamlet this is down 1 from the 40 sales of Single family homes in Blackburn Hamlet in 2016-2017. The average price of a single-family homes in Blackburn Hamlet was $486,936 for the period ending December 16th 2018. Home owners were able to sell their properties for 98.6% of their asking price in an average of 28 days.This year has been a great year for Ottawa real estate owners. Home prices have increased significantly in most neighbourhoods of our City. Ottawa home price increases have been largely attributed to a shortage of inventory making Ottawa's real estate market compet... 01/02/2019

Ottawa's real estate market has had a good year. The City has seen some great growth in the job sector as well as an influx of immigration. In turn, this has caused the Ottawa rental market to also see some increase. Rental units in the City of Ottawa has seen lower than usual inventory which has made rentals more sought after and more expensive.The arrival of new companies to Ottawa such as Amazon in the East end or Shopify in Ottawa's downtown core has brought in more labour force that is looking for a place to live, work and play.Shopify's two downtown offices in Ottawa are located in the Centre Town neighbourhood which has many modern and recently built condo towers. Employees of Shopify often prefer to be in close proximity to work as well as the downtown core to experience all tha... 01/02/2019

Rental rates in Ottawa have seen a significant increase in 2018. The vacancy rate for Ottawa according to CMHC's Rental Market Report released for 2018 had Ottawa at a 1.6% vacancy rate. The average rent for Ottawa was $1,174 up 5.6% over the previous year.Vacancy rates across the City have been similar across different types of rental types. The lowest vacancy rate being for bachelors units which has a 1.3% vacancy rate while two bedrooms have a vacancy rate of 1.8%.Rental demand continues to be strong with condominium rentals offerings declining slightly while the demand for such units held steady. Ottawa's employment and population growth is supporting the overall housing demand we've been seeing lately.Ontario has seen an increase of approximately 35,000 people in Q1 of 2018 largely... 01/01/2019

The Ottawa Real Estate market enjoyed a spectacular month for re-sales, with June of 2016 setting a new record in properties sold, not just for June but for any single month, the Ottawa Real Estate Board has announced.It’s not clear yet what led to the record numbers, but members of the Board sold 1,985 properties through the Multiple Listing Service system. That’s compared to the 1,691 properties that sold in June of 2015, representing an increase of 17.4 %.It’s also well above the five-year average for the month of June, which is 1,717 properties, the Board says.Those numbers are not just high for June. They represent “the highest sales in any month ever in the history of the Ottawa market,” says Shane Silva, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board.“The closest comparable sales figu... 07/06/2016

The frigid February that Ottawa residents just endured was one of the coldest on record, with many people doing their best to stay inside, keep warm and count down the days to spring. It was not exactly the kind of weather that’s ideal for shopping for a new home, but in good news, the Ottawa Real Estate Board reports that resales for the month were actually only slightly lower than February of last year and the five-year average numbers for February sales. A news release on the board’s website reports that members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 853 residential units in February of 2015 through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service. That was down only 1.7 per cent from February of 2014, which saw 868 units sold. The five-year average for February sales is 914. There is other intere... 03/08/2015

Six Things to Love about Winter in Ottawa I have often worked with clients who are moving to Ottawa from a warmer climate, and as I help them look for a new home, they frequently ask about the cold Ottawa winters they’ve heard so much about. While some tell me they look forward to the snow, others look worried, and wonder how they will get through it.   I tell these people that our winters can indeed be cold and snowy, and there are people who get through it by going into hibernation mode, curling up around the fireplace every night  with a series of books or restricting themselves to indoor activities around the city, including theatre, museums and galleries, movies, concerts and working out at the gym, where they can go for a jog or ride a stationary bicycle without worrying about sl... 11/25/2014

  Imagine you're viewing a potential new home. You walk in the front door and are instantly impressed. You explore the property room by room and like what you see.    Then there's something you notice that's not quite right. An odour. You realize that it's likely cat dander and, now that you've identified it, you smell it everywhere. Suddenly the home doesn't seem as attractive as it did just moments earlier.    The owner of the property is probably so used to the smell that he doesn't even notice it. Neither does anyone else in the household.    So, when marketing your home for sale, be scent sensitive. Think about the odours that you may have become used to but others are likely to notice. Even odours you think are pleasant, like the strong scent given off by some house plants, may no... 11/24/2014

Spectacular Penthouse with great views1102-383 Cumberland  $619,000 MLS # 940727  View Virtual Tour Spectacular Penthouse with great views of Parliament, Gatineau Hills & river. Two bedroom with plus den, 2 full baths with beautiful cherry hardwood floors, granite counters, 9 ft  "industrial look" concrete ceilings & columns, floor to ceiling windows makes this unit light and bright. Private oversized terrace (35' x 11'). Amenities include a gym, party room with kitchen, meeting room and patio with BBQs. Two indoor parking spaces included. 11/04/2014

    There is good news to report from the Ottawa real estate market’s sales in September, with sales and average prices year-to-date right on par with five-year averages. In a press release posted on the Ottawa Real Estate Board’s website (ottawarealestate.org), Board President Randy Oickle says the Ottawa area “is fortunate to enjoy one of the most stable real estate markets in Canada. This is evidenced by the fact that the units sold and the average sale price in August and September has stayed within a few percentage points from the year before.” As you can see in the accompanying charts, members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,133 residential properties in September through the board’s Multiple Listing Service system. That’s an increase of 1.3 per cent over the figures from ... 10/15/2014

  Selling your home doesn't have to be overwhelming       When some people think about selling their home, they imagine all the things they will have to do: paint the kitchen, clean closets, prepare for viewings, find another home, arrange financing, start packing, etc. It can all seem very overwhelming very quickly.   In fact, the long to-do list you imagine you’ll have to deal with may dissuade you from making a move!   It doesn't have to be that way.   There are many ways to make selling your home and buying another relatively simple and easy.   Sure, there will be some work to do. You may need to prepare your property so that it looks appealing to potential buyers – cleaning, decluttering, doing some repairs, etc. Of course, you will also need to view some properties for sale in ord... 10/03/2014

10/03/2014

 McKellar Heights/Glabar Park; Carlington; Riverview; When you’re new to a city and looking to buy a home, it can feel daunting to know where to begin in your search for your new neighbourhood. Where to start? Which areas will appeal to you and which can you afford? In my 30 years in real estate, I’ve found that even longtime Ottawa-area residents who are looking to move don’t always know all of their city’s communities, the amenities that those neighbourhoods offer or why those areas might be a perfect fit for what they’re looking for. Of course, one of the things that my team and I do is to help clients focus their search. Once we’ve chatted about the kind of neighbourhood that appeals to you and your price range, I can suggest areas that we think would be a good fit. We can also trav... 10/01/2014

SOLD!!819 Dunlevie Avenue, Glabar Park/Mckellar Heights Ottawa, Ontario The wow factor starts before you open the door of this elegant custom bungalow nestled in the tranquil, leafy neighbourhood of Glabar Park/McKellar Heights. The lovingly landscaped, oversized lot is a gardener’s dream, with mature trees, flowers and a welcoming stone walkway to the entrance. The equally beautiful backyard includes a handsome in-ground pool and mature hedges, offering privacy. From the park-like feel of the neighbourhood, you’d never guess that Carlingwood Shopping Centre is only a four-minute drive away. Step inside the house, and the spaciousness continues, with approximately 2100 sq. feet (including solarium), generous-sized rooms, a mix of gleaming hardwood floors and slate tile flooring, two fir... 09/22/2014

  Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your home if they see a lot of things they love about it. So what do buyers love to see?    One of the main things they like to see is a lot of space. Of course, you can't change the size of your rooms, but there is a lot you can do to make small spaces in your home seem more spacious.   Buyers also love to see a clean and uncluttered home. Think of how inviting a hotel room looks at first glance, with everything neat and organized. Of course, your home isn't a hotel, but the more neat and attractive you can make each room, the better.    One thing buyers don't love to see is potential maintenance issues. So as much as possible, get things fixed or updated.   In fact, the more "finished" and "move in ready" your home looks, the more likely a ... 09/14/2014

Looking for a new home and trying to narrow your search to a particular neighbourhood?   To help you get a feel for the city’s different neighbourhoods, I thought it would be helpful, particularly for those who are new to Ottawa, to write a series of occasional columns offering snapshots of various city neighbourhoods, with latest price information for the areas and links to any properties I am selling in these neighbourhoods. Of course, these are just brief overviews of the neighbourhoods. I can tell you more about the neighbourhoods that interest you when we chat. Feel free to contact me through my office at 613-788-2556 or through www.nancybenson.com.   This week, I look at the Glebe, Centretown and the wonderfully revitalized neighbourhood of Hintonburg.    The Glebe   This establis... 09/05/2014

There was good news on Ottawa’s Real Estate Market in July, with the second-highest July sales figures on record.   In a news release posted on its website, the Ottawa Real Estate Board reports that its members sold 1,445 residential properties in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. That is up by more than 100 properties compared with the numbers for July of 2013, when 1,336 properties were sold. The results represent an increase of 8.2 per cent over July of last year. The board says the five-year average for July is 1,317.   The numbers for July 2014 were the area’s second-highest sales levels for July, the board reports.   Randy Oickle, president of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, says in the release that the only July that saw higher figures was July of 2009... 08/19/2014

 COZY 1 Bedroom( Additional bedrooms on lower level) MLS# 924013 VIRTUAL TOUR:  SOLD! Cozy 1 bedroom (with additional 2 bedrooms on lower level). Property offers great potential to add on or further develop this huge lot. Main level finished in hardwood floors, oak kitchen with gas stove and a terrific family room addition with gas fireplace, 2 bathrooms (on the main floor plus full bath on the lower level). Truly private with mature trees and portion of the lot is fenced (great for small children & pets). 08/18/2014