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.

Sales of Million Dollar Homes in Ottawa for 2007.
In 2007, in Ottawa according to the MLS® statistics, there were 42 homes that sold having a list price of more than $999,000.  The most expensive one went for $3,3 million dollars, and the lowest one sold for $960,000.  The average sale price to listing price was 93%.  This means if you intend to list a house in the million dollar range there are perhaps 40 buyers out there in a given year that might be available to buy it.  There were 74 listings up to prices as high as $10 million which did not sell in that same time frame, 19 cancellations, 6 withdrawn listings and 49 that just expired.  This means that only 42 out of 116 listings in this price range sold.  That's a success ratio of only 36.2 percent. 

That's not a high ratio of sales to listings which means you're if you're trying to sell you're competing for a very small market.  That means that you really need to have good exposure - especially web exposure as buyers in this price range are very likely to be coming from elsewhere.  (How did you get to this site?)

Sales of Million Dollar Condos in Ottawa in 2007.
In 2007 according to the MLS® statistics there were 3 condos that sold in Ottawa that had a list price of over $999,000.  The highest price one was 1.2 million dollars.  There were two additional listings in the price range which were also listed but did not sell.  In previous years the system records 1 sale in 2006, and 1 in each of 2001, 2003 and 2005. 

This week's million dollar home opportunities in Ottawa.
There are currently around 47 homes and 4 condos in the million plus price range in Ottawa.  Want to get a glimpse - click on the links below.  (Note you must be logged in to view the links)

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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. Ideal for working from home or for walking to the office!  Built in 2002 by award winning Domicile ( The Metropolitan II ).  The luxury urban lifestyle indeed starts here!  9'3" ceilings, beautiful hardwood and ceramic floors throughout, upgraded cupboards stretch to the tall ceilings, granite counters, custom lighting, are just a few of the many niceties you'll enjoy in this very comfortable condo.  Add to that the natural gas connections unique to domicile and you also get a gas stove for cooking, gas barbeque on the extra large balcony for spreading your enjoyment outdoors, and a cozy gas fireplace for enjoying those wintery days while enjoying the view of downtown. 

Understated Elegance abounds in this beautifully customized home in one of Ottawa's most prestigious new neighbourhoods - StoneBridge Estates! - 36 Oakbriar Cres. Just $579,900 - Sold! This Barry Hobin designed home built 3 years ago by Uniform, is better than new, with far too many upgrades to mention.  The owners have taken every little detail into account resulting in the creation of an absolutely stunning yet warm and comfortable home.  Featuring 9' ceilings, 17 ceilings in the great room, completely landscaped rear oasis, with coi pond, fountains, perrenial gardens, custom remote controlled lighting, outdoor speakers, irrigation system. Oak hardwood floors. Great open-concept living, gorgeous custom kitchen with eat-in area over-looking the pond includes top-of-the-line stainless appliances to accommodate the most discerning of chefs.  Absolutely must be seen to be appreciated!!

Ottawa's Top High Schools - 2007 Fraser Report Ratings - Choosing a good location for your home often entails locating near the best schools.  How do you find out where they are?  That's not an easy process but the 2007 Fraser Institute report is out and has made an attempt at rating the high schools across Ontario including Ottawa.  Note that some private schools do not provide data so may not be rated and note reports in the articles that Ontario doesn't collect as much relevant data as do some of the other provinces.

Future Real Estate prices in Ottawa? Not Boom or Doom but Much Ado About Nothing says the CIBC researchers: Canadian House Prices Not Based on Demographics Alone April 18th, 2007 - The CIBC Canadian Real Estate Report is predicting that Housing prices will double in the coming 20 years!  It generated much press last week.  In Ottawa that would mean that in April 2027 the average sale price for a property would be $548,000!   In other words housing prices will increase 5% a year!  CIBC really went out on a limb on this prediction!!!  The Ottawa MLS® average sale price has increased an average 4.5% per year in the previous 20 years so a 5% prediction is a safe bet!  Of interest, the report debunks the boom and bust theorists who have predicted a demographic influenced bust in housing prices between 2011 and 2015. 

One of Ottawa's best kept secrets for the ultimate in retirement or resort-style living lies just 10 minutes from Ottawa's vibrant downtown - Sold!  This superb gated community with 24 hour security offers facilities and a lifestyle unmatched anywhere else in the city. 

For your info here is the results of the Survey of Canadian House prices for the 4th quarter of 2004.  Click on the document to load.