Sales of homes in Kanat and the Ottawa area were up 2.5% during the month of April, as compared with April 2011, with agents selling 1568 homes in April.

Of those 1568 homes sold, 300 were condos and 1268 were residential homes.

The average sale price for all homes during April was $364,077, an increase of 3.7%. The average sale price for condos in Kanata and the Ottawa area was up a whopping 6.7% to $272,851 while the average sale price for residential homes was up a respectable 2.6% to $385,660.

It is also interesting to note that the inventory of homes listed for sale is up 6.9% over last year and that interest rates are still very low, indicating a stable and healthy housing market in Ottawa as summer approaches.

For more market statistics or to speak with one of our professional real estate sales representatives, contact us at ray@ottawaproperties.com or at 613-288-0090.

Ray Otten speaks out on the Spring Ottawa and the Kanata area real estate market and current interest rates:

If you have any questions at all about this current market information or regarding buying or selling your Kanata area home, please don’t hesitate to contact Ray at 613-288-0090 x100 or visit our website or via email at ray@ottawaproperties.com.

The Canadian Tulip Festival starts this weekend on May 4th and there are a lot of things to see and do in and around the capital region:

• the Byward Market will host the opening party on May 4th, called “Embrace the Night”
• enjoy the new Tulip Promenade on the streets of the market
• find the International Pavillion in Little Italy
• Chinatown will host tulip art and pagentry honoring the Year of the Dragon
• enjoy beautiful tulip beds all over the capital region
• enjoy “Capital Sounds” at all festival locations throughout the festival with young, local bands
• Mother’s Day Mad Hatter Tea Part in the market on May 13th
• The Great Canadian Tulip Treasure Hunt, a popular event back again this year

Whatever your area of interset, you are sure to find something at this year’s tulip festival!  Enjoy!

As always, we are your resource for events in the area as well as real estate.  Please contact us with any questions you may have about the real estate market in Kanata, whether you are buying or selling, we are here to help with no pressure.  Visit our Kanata real estate website or contact us at 613-288-0090.

Enjoy the festival!

The March break is coming up and we can all feel that Spring is in the air!  With the kids being off, it is a great time to take a look at a few houses, if you are in the market to buy a new home in the Kanata area this Spring.    Bringing your kids with you allows them to be a part of the selection process and gives you an opportunity to see if they will enjoy all of the aspects of your new home.

If your children are little, you will get an idea of whether or not there are too many stairs, sufficient areas for toys, and more.  Perhaps your little ones will fall in love with the backyard, or proximity to the local playground.

If your children are older, they will appreciate being able to give their input, being able to select their own rooms, help plan the furniture layout and more.  Plus, you will get an idea of just how “full” your new house seems with your whole family present.

For more information on selecting your new Kanata area home, contact one of our professional sales representatives at 613-288-0090 or visit our Kanata web site.

Want to enjoy our Canadian winter but don’t want to go all the way downtown?  The Kanata Lion’s Club is hosting a winter carnival this weekend with activities for everyone to enjoy.

Festivities start at 8:30 with a pancake breakfast.  There are lots of free kids’ activities including sleigh rides, Little Ray’s Reptiles, “what happened to the dinosaurs” activity and more.  In the evening, enjoy a friendly euchre tournament.

Check it out at the Lion Dick Brule Community Centre.

The Renaud Otten Team is happy to be your resource for Kanata events.  As always, we are also here to answer all of your Kanata real estate questions.  Simply contact one of our professional sales representatives at 613-288-0090 or visit our Kanata real estate website.

Here is a webpage for more details:

http://winterwest.ca/events/?event_id=38

Are you considering selling your Kanata home or condo during the final months of winter, or in early spring?  Selling a home in the winter presents a unique set of challenges.  Follow these tips to get the most out of your Kanata real estate holding in a winter sale.

• Let the light shine in

Since it gets dark so early in the evening, you can’t rely on any natural light.  Brighten dark rooms with spot lights placed behind furniture.  Open drapes, pull up blinds and turn on the lights.  Remember to turn off the television. 

• Clear a path

Ensure there is a clear path from the sidewalk to your front door and keep it clear – even if it still snowing out.  Remember to place a mat near the front door to hold wet boots.

• No scents make good sense

Due to various allergies, refrain from using scents, deodorizers, candles, perfumes or air fresheners.  If you bake cookies or simmer apple cider, be sure to have some snacks available for those who are tempted by the smell.

• Make your home sparkle

Clean garbage and recycling, polish all chrome, clean all dust and cobwebs, wash bedding for a fresh smell, wash windows, vacuum daily,, dust light fixtures and fans and consider re-caulking tubs and sinks.

• Create a mood

Create an inviting environment using these ideas: place vases with winter flowers around the house; hang plush robes in the washrooms; place two champagne glasses near a champagne bucket on the coffee table for a romantic setting; place a breakfast tray with coffee cup, saucer, napkin and newspaper on the master bed; tie wash cloths with ribbon and place in basket in the washroom; toss afghans on the arms of sofas.

• Let the music play

Have some inviting jazz or classical music on continuous play throughout your home.

• Serve comfort food

Consider keeping on a pot of soup, apple cider or hot chocolate, enticing visitors to stay a while.

• Let you home be warm and inviting

Turn up the heat a degree or two and encourage potential buyers to linger on a cold day.  Light the fireplace (if someone is available to tend it) for additional warmth and coziness.

Now that you know how to make your home “sellable”, give us a call so we can start introducing your home to potential buyers.  Contact one of our professional sales representatives today at 613-288-0090 or visit our Kanata real estate website for more resources and information.

And so it becomes a challenge to remember how lucky we are and how important
it is to spread that luck to those who need it most. In previous years, the
Renaud-Otten Team has thanked past clients by sending them a token of our
appreciation in the form of a Christmas CD. This year, however, we wanted to do
something that would both add value to our past clients and make a difference in
our community. Therefore, in lieu of holiday souvenirs that add value only to
us, we have arranged to feed 300 families on Christmas Day through the
Shepherd’s of Good Hope and their excellent “Feed a Family of 4 for a Day”
program.

This holiday season, the Ray Otten and the Team would like to extend thanks
to all of our past, present, and future clients. We hope this donation on your
behalf is as valuable to you as it is to those who need it most. Furthermore,
should you wish to donate, details can be found here at: http://shepherdsofgoodhope.myshopify.com/products/feed-a-family-of-4-for-a-day

All our best in 2012.

Sincerely,

Ray Otten and the Team

October 2011 home sale statistics

A total of 809 residential homes were sold in October 2011, which is very close to the number of homes sold in 2010.

The average sale price of a home in Kanata and the Ottawa area in October was $362,341 which is up 3.5% over last year.

Condominium sales were up 14.5 % over 2010 as 253 Kanata and Ottawa area condos were sold, however, the average price of those condos was $259,316.  This represented a decrease of 1.5% over last year.

It is interesting to note, however, that condos are enjoying an increasing popularity in the Kanata and Ottawa area housing market, with residential real estate holding its own.

In Kanata, you can celebrate Halloween and Christmas in the same week!

The Briarbrook and Morgan’s Grant Community Association is having it’s first annual Halloween decorating contest.  You can nominate your favourite house (including your own!) until Wednesday, November 2nd by emailing halloween@bmgca.ca and prizes packages will be awarded to the top three homeowners.  Good luck!

Halloween is not even over yet and already the Christmas preparations are under way!  Get a head start on your gifts and baking at the Trinity Presbyterian Church on November 5 from 9am-1:30pm.  The Holly Berry Christmas Bazaar and Art Show features crafts, baked goods, a silent auction, gourmet foods in the Café as well as an art show for that truly one of a kind gift.  Have fun!

As always, we are your resource for all things Kanata – including real estate.  For information on buying or selling a Kanata home, visit our Kanata real estate website or contact one of our professional sales representatives at 613-288-0090.

Well, Sens season has started again!

Here is the Scotiabank Place Fall lineup for October:

• October 7-9: Michael Jackson, The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
• October 11: Ottawa vs. Minnesota
• October 13: Ottawa vs. Colorado
• October 15: Kings of Leon
• October 17: Avril Lavigne
• October 18: Ottawa vs. Philadelphia
• October 20: Ottawa vs. Winnepeg
• October 22: Ottawa vs. Columbus
• October 23: Jeff Dunham
• October 27: Ottawa vs. Florida
• October 28: Selena Gomez
• October 30: Ottawa vs. Toronto

As you can see, there truly is something for everyone!

Have fun!