Many consumers are missing out on opportunities to determine how much they can afford and are overlooking available tools, writes Derek Sankey. By Derek Sankey, Canwest News Service -April 1, 2009

Stable public-sector employment shields capital from downturn: conference board. (by Lee Greenberg in the Ottawa Citizen on April 1, 2009).  Ottawa is one of only five Canadian cities expected to grow in the coming year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Conference Board of Canada, which suggests the city is shielded from the full effects of the current global economic downturn. 

February 4, 2009 : Ottawa Real Estate Market Holds Steady!

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 530 residential properties in January through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 652 in January 2008, a decrease of 18.7 per cent. There were 467 sales in December 2008.

“While the market in Ottawa may not be booming, it’s certainly not a bust either. Sales declined the same amount in January as they did in December, which tells me that buyer confidence is holding steady here in the national capital,” said Board President Rick Snell.

January 3rd 2009, submitted by mortgage broker - Mike Hatch.  Canada’s five-year government bond yield has plunged yet again. As of Monday, it was down to 1.67%.  A year ago, it was almost 4%!

Everyone who has purchased a home knows how quickly closing costs can add up. Land transfer taxes, home inspection fees, legal fees, moving companies… the last thing a buyer wants to hear is "and here's some additional insurance you should buy". However, in the case of title insurance, it's a suggestion you should certainly consider very seriously. Purchasing this insurance now could save you a lot of money and stress in the future.

Got a good client of yours moving to or from Ottawa?

Whether your client is wanting to sell or buy in the Ottawa area, I'd be happy to look after them with the utmost care and ensure they get the best possible service and results. My experience in Ottawa Real Estate, web and email technology lends itself very well to working with people who may need to deal from afar that may need that extra special service from time to time. Of course the standard referral fee would also be available upon successul completion of a transaction.

Each year the luxury homes market in Ottawa expands offering much more variety than ever before.  While the sale of homes in Ottawa over the Million dollar mark used to be largley restricted to Rockcliffe ( home to many of the embassies) sales of both condos and luxury homes well over 1 million dollars are occuring throughout the region. 

Click here to read more and see some of Ottawa's Million Dollar Properties.

Ottawa's Luxury Home Market is Growing
Over the past few years the Ottawa Real Estate Market has seen an increase in the number of homes and condos that sell for a million and up.  Used to be that only happened in Rockcliffe, but now we're finding homes of this calibre in at various locations throughout the city.

ONTARIO EXPANDS LAND TRANSFER TAX REFUND PROGRAM 
First-time buyers of resale homes to benefit from new tax measure 
The McGuinty government is giving all first-time homebuyers a break on land transfer tax by proposing to expand the Land Transfer Tax Refund Program to include purchases of resale homes, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced today.
"Expanding this Land Transfer Tax refund is an important part of our government's commitment to helping Ontarians buying their first home," Duncan said.
Effective midnight tonight, first-time buyers of resale homes, as well as newly constructed homes, would be eligible for a refund from the provincial government of up to $2,000 of the Land Transfer Tax paid.
The expanded Land Transfer Tax Refund Program for First-time Homebuyers is part of a package of new tax initiatives announced in the 2007 Fall Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review that would provide $1.4 billion in provincial tax relief for business and people over three years.
The government is making strategic investments in people, communities and infrastructure to strengthen Ontario's economic advantage and help manufacturers and other sectors challenged by current economic conditions.
For more information details please visit: http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/notices/ltt/0207.html 

Rarely available - 1452 Square Feet (per builders plans) of Luxury loft-style living in downtown Ottawa - just 417,900- Sold in just 5 days for more than asking price!  In the heart of Centretown Ottawa, this great loft-style condo offers 2 large bedrooms plus a den/office.  1452 square feet per builders plans.