The Blog
RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR OTTAWA’S RESALE MARKET
Ottawa's resale market may have normalized during the holidays, however as a whole, 2021 was a record-breaking year in real estate. The total sales value in 2021 was approximately $13.1B compared to $10B in 2020. Real estate...
OTTAWA’S NOVEMBER RESALE MARKET REMAINS ACTIVE AND BRISK
Ottawa's November resale transactions may have been down compared to a year ago, but in reality, Ottawa's real estate market remains strong this month. November's unit sales tracked 14% higher than 2019 and we also see an 8% increase in year-to-date sales over 2020....
ALTA VISTA: OTTAWA NEIGHBOURHOOD SPOTLIGHT
It’s named for its high altitude, but don’t let that fool you. Alta Vista is a thriving residential neighbourhood with a population of approximately 20,000. Often described as a safe, calm but friendly suburb, Alta Vista has a mix of retirees and young, new families. ...
MORTGAGE 101: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Variable? Fixed? Open? Closed? There's so much to consider when choosing your first mortgage, and all that pressure can be stressful. It's a huge commitment, and choosing the right mortgage can help save your thousands - even tens of thousands. Knowing your options...
OTTAWA’S RESALES LOOK TYPICAL ENTERING THE FALL SEASON
October's resale market in Ottawa was a little more normal than it has been lately. The recent decline of 21% reflects the typical fall season during the pre-pandemic days. At MacDonald Property Group we realize that these market conditions are very challenging for...
CLOSING COSTS 101 | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A HOME
There are many costs that come with the purchase of a home in Ottawa. Closing costs, however, are often overlooked by first-time homebuyers and can be an additional $10-30 thousand dollars on top of your down and mortgage payments. Wouldn’t it be nice to know about...
STITTSVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD SPOTLIGHT
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retirement or an opportunity to buy your first home, Stittsville could be the place to do it. For this month’s neighbourhood spotlight we’re heading west of the capital to visit the popular growing community of Stittsville. With...
HOME BUYING TIPS: NEW BUILD VERSUS RESALE
Many homeowners are faced with the decision of whether to buy a new build or a resale home. There are many factors to consider, like the current real estate market, the type of home you’re looking for, and your budget. We’ll guide you through some of the pros and cons...
NEIGHBOURHOOD SPOTLIGHT: RIVERSIDE SOUTH AND FINDLAY CREEK
East of the Rideau River in the south end of Ottawa are two rapidly-growing, family-friendly neighbourhoods, Riverside South and Findlay Creek. With a mix of detached, semi-detached row houses, new elementary schools, and future access to Ottawa’s light rail transit...
RESALE MARKET IN AUGUST CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN OTTAWA
It was another quiet month in Ottawa, as home sales decreased by 22% compared to August 2020. This follows a pattern in Ottawa where there’s been a considerable decline in transactions compared to the spring and 8% fewer sales than in July. At MacDonald Property Group...
Ottawa West End Spotlight: Westboro, Wellington, Hintonburg & Mechanicsville
They say young people are the tastemakers of the trendiest neighbourhoods, which is why you’ll find most of them in Ottawa west end. Where yuppies meet hippies we are heading to Ottawa west end to immerse ourselves in the neighbourhoods of Westboro, Wellington,...
5 Home Security Tips to Protect Your Home While You’re On Vacation
You’ve bought a new home, and now it’s time for your first vacation! You might have questions about what to do to secure and safeguard your home while you’re away. We’ve put together a few tips for you below so you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Home Security Tips...
Ottawa Residential Sales Decline in July
Ottawa's real estate market has slowed down this month. With a decrease of 21% in home sales and sellers turning their attention to summer vacations, the market is finally beginning to stabilize. At MacDonald Property Group we realize that these market conditions are...
Neighbourhood Spotlight: Grenfell Glen, Pineglen, Merivale Gardens & Country Place
It’s time for another neighbourhood spotlight, and this time we’re moving north from Barrhaven to the communities of Grenfell Glen, Pineglen, Merivale Gardens & Country Place. If you see a real estate listing for one of these neighbourhoods, it more likely than...
Packing List For The First Night in Your New Home
You're moving! Do you have the right packing list? Picture this. You’ve finally arrived in your new home, with your packed, sealed and labelled moving boxes. You pull out the box of kitchen essentials, congratulating yourself on your organizational skills. Now, if you...
Ottawa’s Real Estate Market May Be Normalizing According to June’s Home Sales
Could Ottawa's real estate market be cooling down? According to June's 2021 residential resale market, home sales were up only 2% compared to a year ago and there was a lower volume of activity compared to last month (May). For details on June's activity, we are...
Northeast Barrhaven Spotlight: Barrhaven East & Longfields
Interested in what Ottawa neighbourhood has the best value for your money? It’s time for another neighbourhood spotlight. We’re heading to Northeast Barrhaven to explore the two neighbourhoods of Barrhaven East and Longfields. Our goal is to help make your home search...
What You Need to Know Before You Renovate Your Kitchen
If you’re selling your Ottawa-area home and wondering whether to renovate the kitchen before putting it on the market, we have some good news: Kitchen renovations typically offer one of the highest returns on investment. But not all improvements are created equal - so...
71% Increase in Homes Sold in May 2021 vs May 2020 Despite Lockdown
Even with a lockdown in both May 2020 and 2021, Ottawa's current real estate market looks quite different. Compared to May 2020, there was a 71% increase in homes sold in May 2021. For details on May's activity, we are sharing the OREB’s May report (see below). At...
Central Barrhaven Spotlight: Strandherd, Heart’s Desire, Barrhaven on the Green & Heritage Park
In the past few decades, Barrhaven has transformed from a bedroom community of Ottawa to an independent hub full of thriving new developments. In our Ottawa Neighbourhood Spotlight series, we’re now visiting Central Barrhaven. This includes...
Backyard Tips to Increase Your Home’s Value
You’ve heard of curb appeal, but what about backyard appeal? Your backyard is an extension of your home and can add or detract from its value. Although most improvements will increase your property value, they don’t all provide the same return on your investment when...
Stonebridge & Half Moon Bay Spotlight
What do you look for in a neighbourhood? A friendly local coffee shop? Access to great schools? A grocery store nearby? Buying a new home also means buying a new neighbourhood. Need help picking the right one? In our Ottawa Neighbourhood...
How to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Even though homes in Ottawa are selling like hotcakes, first impressions matter. Improving your home's curb appeal will achieve that stop-and-stare look from buyers so you can get it off the market in no time. TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL A home’s curb...
Ottawa Property Values Continue to Escalate, With Almost 80% Sold for More Than Asking
Pent-up demand for homes in the Ottawa area continued to drive up average resale prices by 35% in March, compared to last year, to $758,802 for a residential-class property. A number of new listings came onto the market resulting in 2285 properties being sold,...
Old Barrhaven West Spotlight
When looking for the right home, you’re not just buying the property. You’re also buying into the neighbourhood. Ottawa has dozens of unique neighbourhoods, but how do you know which one is right for you and your family? In our Ottawa Neighbourhood...
Questions to Ask An Ottawa Seller’s Agent
Selling your home can be stressful, and it can be made more or less stressful depending on the seller’s agent you choose. All realtors are not created equal. If you speak to different agents, you’ll quickly learn that we don’t all use the same strategies to sell your...
Expert Guidance Required to Sell or Buy a Home in These Ottawa Market Conditions
The red hot Ottawa resale market continued throughout February. Even with low inventory levels it was record month for sales due to properties coming on the market selling very quickly. For details on February's activity, we are sharing the OREB's February report (see...
Tips for Preparing Your Ottawa Home for Sale
Ready to sell your Ottawa-Barrhaven home? First, ask yourself this question: "Will my home impress?". In real estate, first impressions matter, so when you put in the extra work to prepare your home for sale, you'll sell faster and for more. How to prepare your home...
Pros and Cons of Downsizing to a Townhome or Condo in the Ottawa Market
Have your kids left the nest? Are you looking for some extra cash as you head into your golden years? Downsizing your current Ottawa home and buying a townhome or condo may be the answer. If you are a downtown dweller, you may even consider moving to a less...
Experience Matters When Buying Or Selling Your Home In This Market
Another month of low resale inventory has pushed home prices to new record levels. The strong year-over-year trend that we have been experiencing in the Ottawa area market the past 18-months doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. For details on January's...
Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Barrhaven Home
Are you looking to sell your Barrhaven home? Did you know home sellers tend to make the same mistakes, time and time again, costing them money, time, and unnecessary energy? The good news is that you can avoid this. As experienced real estate agents,...
What Is My Barrhaven Home Worth?
With the Ottawa real estate market continuing to explode as we enter 2021, you may be asking yourself how much your Barrhaven home is worth. While you can use a home value calculator to get a broad understanding of...
Barrhaven Home Buying Tips for Millennials
Ottawa has become the #1 home buying destination for Millennials moving within Canada. A recent study found that Millennials are leaving cities like Montreal and Toronto to search for more affordable options. Ottawa (especially the neighbourhoods of Barrhaven and...
5 Reasons to Use A Buyer’s Agent
Most people don’t think twice about hiring an agent when they’re trying to sell their home but are reluctant to sign up for a buyer's agent when looking to buy a home. With so much information now available online, it’s understandable that people looking to buy a home...
Moving to Barrhaven? Here’s Your Change of Address Checklist
Congratulations on your new home in Barrhaven. Whether you’re moving from the Ottawa area or somewhere else in Ontario, there are quite a few things that need to get done before you settle into your new home. Between meeting...
Buying a Condo in Ottawa? Here’s What You Need to Know
Thinking about buying a condo? In October, Ottawa’s condominium supply was up 15% over last year, while residential housing supply was down 46% (Ottawa Real Estate Board). This trend may indicate a buying opportunity for those interested in the condo...
Home Buying Tips in A Competitive Market
Buying a home can be a stressful experience, especially if you're buying in a competitive market. Here are our tips for getting through it. We once considered Toronto and Vancouver to have Canada's hottest real estate market, but now, Ottawa's record-breaking housing...
How To Spot An Up-And-Coming Neighbourhood
Isn’t it great to know something before anyone else does? That’s the feeling when you spot an up-and-coming neighbourhood. You get to move in while it’s affordable and then enjoy its growth. You’ll never be late to the party if you look for...
COVID-19 Impact On Ottawa Housing Market
While many industries have slowed down their operations due to COVID-19, the housing market has done the opposite. The Ottawa housing market is booming, but the needs of consumers are evolving. Here are some of the ways...
Reasons To Make Barrhaven Your Home
“Borehaven”? Not anymore. Barrhaven, a region that used to be the punch line of a joke, has quickly become one of the most sought-after areas for real estate in Ottawa. If you’re looking for the perfect place to buy a home and raise a family, Barrhaven may be the...
Top 5 Things To Look For In A Realtor
Buying or selling a home is a big decision and so is picking the right realtor. A little bit of homework on your part can go a long way in making sure you partner with a realtor that you trust completely and that has the expertise you are looking for. Here are the top...
There is so much talk about Mental Health and “Bell let’s talk” this past week. It’s so important that we open up the lines of communication for everyone that is suffering in silence. Sometimes though, the person that is the listening ear just doesn’t know what...
Announcing The New MacDonald Property Group, Ottawa, ON
Welcome to the new website for The MacDonald Property Group. We are a team of dedicated real estate agents in Ottawa under Re/Max Hallmark Realty Group. Over the years, we have become one of the most trusted real estate agencies in Ottawa and with Re/Max. In fact, we...
