Happy Easter everyone!  This is the time of year that my kids just love…the house is filled with chocolate and inevitably they know that lots of new toys and clothes are coming their way on Sunday.  You see, my wife’s side of the family loves to spoil my kids.  My in-laws live 3 blocks away as Sherry (my Wife) also grew up in Carson Grove, only a couple blocks from me.   They always host these big events – Xmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc.  and as much as I try to hold the festivities at my rather large and comfortable house, they’ll insist the 12 of us (with my wifes Brother and his family, a Grandma and an Aunt) head over to their 1350 sq. ft. hi-ranch and squeeze in for the day.  I have to admit, as crowded as it is, you can really feel the love in that home…especially when the red wine starts to flow.  LOL.

(more…)

Now that’s a day in Real Estate, Ottawa style!  

The day started like most others in this business, waking up not knowing what to expect…turning your phone on before the morning coffee to see if there are any new leads or loose ends…then, time to relax, at least for me anyways.   My weekday mornings are quite lazy as I sit around the home and decide whether to play Tiger Woods golf or Monopoly on the PS3, lately the board game has won most days.  Once I make that decision I like to settle in with a Tassimo coffe and my Country Classics music in the background, lounging out on the couch…for about an hour.  Then I’ll normally start to get ready for work or if I’m already showered and cleaned up start to work on the laptop. 

(more…)

I guess you know me by now and understand that when my Wife asks me to go shopping…I just can’t say no!  So, she’ll hand me a grocery list and send me on my way, mostly to Loblaws or Metro just around the corner.  Its always quite an experience strolling through a grocery store for some reason, be it for a loaf of bread and bag of milk or a full on list of items. 

(more…)

As you’ve read week after week in this Blog, the Ottawa Real Estate market is busy!  There are literally thousands of pre-approved Buyers looking for homes with Realtors all across the city.  A Realtors job when working under a Buyer Representation Agreement is to help their client find, negotiate and ultimately purchase a home that fits their lifestlyle, their budget and their needs.   And, as Realtor, I would suggest that most of us do that part of our job really well…in fact we do it so well that Buyers who aren’t Working With a Realtor are often left buying overpriced, under negotiated properties in a private sale.

(more…)

Multiple offers everywhere!  The Ottawa real estate market is on fire…and Vendors are cashing in.  The process is simple, list a home and allow showings for about a week and then entertain offers on a specific day and time.  This allows the MLS market to soak up the listing with hundreds of pre-qualified Buyers getting the e-mail notifications about the home.  Mix in an Open House or two and you’ve got a recipe for a multiple offer…a bidding war.  With Capital Homes I’ve been involved in 3 of them over the last week and unless you’re the Listing Broker or the Vendor they are not fun. 

(more…)

Well, this week started a new chapter at Capital Homes Realty, our first Buyer Representative.  The role of a Buyer Rep is to deal with home buyers, show them homes, introduce them to the concept of purchase and ultimately negotiate an offer for them.  Its a fun job and a great opportunity to learn the ropes of the Real Estate market, something alot of rookie Realtors take for granted.  You really do need time and experience to understand the ins and outs of the Real Estate game. 

(more…)

Spring is almost here…I hope.  On top of the obvious thrill of golfing again on a real course, Spring brings with it a crazy busy Real Estate market.   The next few months will make or break my year and its shaping up to be one heck of a Spring market! 

(more…)

Ok, I realize its freezing cold in Ottawa and theres still 3 feet of snow on the ground…but I’m in full on golf mode lately!  I love to golf, but I’m not very good at it.  I’m sorry, I should say I’m a decent golfer (in the 90′s) but I can only hit the ball 185 yards…with my driver.  I realize thats not anything special, but its right down the middle and I’m amazing around the greens.  The last few weeks I’ve been indoor golfing with a buddy of mine and starting to get the swing back.  Next up, a trip to Nashville in mid April to work on some actual greens before hitting the links in Ottawa.  (more…)

Well, it was another great week at Capital Homes and for the CHEO Spiel.  I could get used to this.  Another 2 sales, a new listing and an offer on the go…real estate wise, we’re booming.  Then there was the CHEO Spiel, yesterday at the Nepean Sportsplex… it was a blast!  Almost 125 people showed up, curled and partied, all to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.  Lots of fun people were there and by all accounts it was an awesome fundraiser. 

(more…)

What a great week!  Conditionally sold 3 of our listings, have an offer in place for a 4th listing and negotiating an offer for a first time Buyer.  Real Estate wise, I would say that was a decent 7 days.  Its amazing the effort that goes into negotiating 5 offers in one week, with different personalities and properties and unique conditions for each offer.  Most of all, to deplete your listing board in the matter of a week really affects the attitude in the office.  The focus for the this upcoming week will be on following up with conditions, making sure the deals go firm and trying to find new listings!  This should be interesting. 

(more…)