Ottawa Canada Sales for August 2014-

OTTAWA, September 4, 2014 -

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,203 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,216 in August 2013, a decrease of 1.1 per cent. The five-year average for August is 1,199.“As usual, we are seeing a typical end-of-summer slowdown, especially in comparison to July’s record sales,” says Randy Oickle, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Although sales numbers are down slightly since last year, August’s sales are slightly higher than the five-year average, and continue to be on par with year-to-date sales compared to last year.”August’s sales included 219 in the condominium property class, and 984 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.“Units sold in the residential property class alone, excluding condos, are up four per cent year-over-year. And average sale price has increased for both the residential and condo class,” says Oickle. “If you are planning on buying or selling a home, we encourage you to consult one of our member REALTORS® to get in depth advice on prices in your neighbourhood.” The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $360,214, an increase of 3.4 percent over August 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $263,996, an increaseof 2.7 per cent over August 2013. The The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

“The $300,000 to $399,999 price range continues to have the highest concentration of properties sold,
followed by the $500,000 to $749,999 range – the later range up by 27.4 per cent from last year,” explains Oickle. “This increase may possibly be the contributing factor in the average house price increases this month.”

Published by the Ottawa Real Estate Board September 2014

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of over 3,000 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Ontario and Canadian Real Estate Associations. The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. 

When is it time to talk to a REALTOR®?

Many people only see a doctor when they're sick or have some other health

concern. On the other hand, some people visit a doctor regularly for checkups,

to ask questions and get advice, and to maintain good health.

 

Which do you think is the better approach? Obviously, the second one!

The same thing is true when it comes to real estate. Even if you have no

current plans to buy or sell a home, there are many reasons to talk to a

REALTOR® regularly in order to maintain your good "real estate" health.

For example, you can:

• Get an assessment of the current market value of your home, so you

can make an informed decision about whether to stay or move.

 

• Ask about the state of the local real estate market (which may be

vastly different than what you hear on the national news.)

• Find out what homes are currently selling for in the area.

• Learn what's currently available on the market, especially in

neighbourhoods you would like to live in and that are within your

budget.

• Ask for a contractor recommendation.

In fact, it's a good idea to have a chat with your REALTOR® once or twice a

year, even if it's just to say hello.

You want to build a relationship with a good REALTOR® who understands

(and cares about) you and your needs. That way, when it does come time

for you to make a move, you're dealing with a REALTOR® you already

know and trust.

Don't have a good REALTOR®? Call or email Ian today
(613)222-2662
ian@royallepage.ca

How to Choose the Right Sized TV-

If you don't own one already, you may be tempted to purchase a

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especially if you've been accustomed to viewing a TV with a traditional 4:3

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When it comes to size, there are many factors that come into play, such as

screen resolution and personal preference. However, the last thing you want

is to purchase an HDTV that is too small for the room, or so big that it

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Here's a tip:

The rule of thumb is to take the distance you'll be sitting from the television

and multiple by five to get the screen size you need. So if you'll be sitting

eight feet away, you'll want to look at HDTVs with screens that are in the 35-

45 inch range.

A good electronics dealer can help you make the best choice.