For those of you who like really hot weather, this has not been the best summer. It has, however, been a good summer – at least so far – for real estate. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,445 residential properties in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,336 in July 2013, an increase of 8.2 per cent. The five-year average for July is 1,317.
Sales from this past month are the second best on record for July, only comparable to the 1,578 sales in July 2009. Strong sales in the past few months have brought year-to-date sales right on par with 2013. This year is shaping up to be another strong and stable year for the Ottawa market. This is surprising after the really slow first quarter of the Ottawa real estate market. There may be more sales this July but it does not mean it has been easier for sellers to sell. We still have more inventory available this year then in years past, especially on the condo side of things.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $356,735, a decrease of 0.8 per cent over July 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $261,663, a decrease of 5.3 per cent over July 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $377,791, a decrease of 0.8 per cent over July 2013. The average sale price is down slightly since last year, partially because there were six fewer properties sold in the over $1 million range this July compared to July 2013.
If you have any questions about the Ottawa Real Estate market please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to help!
Ottawa’s housing market continues to be strong and balanced as June’s numbers indicate. It is really a fair market for both Ottawa home buyers and sellers alike. This is indicated in a very reasonable “days on market” (the number of days from listing start until sold date). In Ottawa we have an average days on market that is holding steady at 42 days.
The residential and condo unit inventory on hand is just over 8,500, compared to approximately 7,500 last year. While this moderate increase of 13 per cent in the inventory of residential and condo units has created more selection for buyers, and increased competition for sellers, this is consistent with an active housing market.
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,661 residential properties in June through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,593 in June 2013, an increase of 4.3 per cent. The five-year average for June is 1,636. Ottawa is also doing well in comparison to the first six months of 2013. With positive numbers in May and June, year-to-date units sold are now only off by 106 units; while the average sale price has increased 1.5 per cent over a year ago.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in June in the Ottawa area was $364,264, an increase of 1.4 per cent over June 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $258,135, a decrease of 2.8 per cent over June 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $389,198, an increase of 1.8 per cent over June 2013. Each area, however, is slightly different. If you are interested in knowing what your home is worth on today’s market, or even the house down the street, give me a call.
I hope you will call me if you are thinking of buying or selling. By the way, referrals play a huge role in the success of my business so please think of me and do mention my name if you hear of anyone who is considering a move. I’d be delighted to have the opportunity to provide them with my real estate services.
This year was a very active posting season here in Ottawa. I had the opportunity to work with some wonderful military clients relocating to the city. Every HHT is different. Just to give you an idea where my 2014 Ottawa HHT clients have purchased so far:
Bridlewood (Kanata)
Carlingwood (near Westboro)
Morgans Grant (Kanata)
Half Moon Bay (Barrhaven)
Embrun- small community just East of Ottawa.
With the exception of my Embrun clients, who are planning to retire soon, the location of choice for my HHT clients is now west of downtown. It is important to consider the future DND headquarters that will be at the Nortel Campus about 15 min west of Downtown Ottawa.
If you or anyone you know is being relocated into or out of Ottawa, feel free to get in touch. It would be my pleasure to help you with your real estate needs.
Spring Buyers have come out of hibernation! Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,792 residential properties in May through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,797 in May 2013, a decrease of 0.3 per cent. The five-year average for May is 1,765. April was a bit slow for the Ottawa market but May sales are up 26.2 per cent from April – or 372 units. The inventory on hand continues to grow, and prices remain stable.
If we look at the residential property class alone, the units sold year over year are up 1.2 per cent. The market for condos, however, has been sluggish. We’re seeing a 19 per cent increase in the amount of inventory on hand over this time last year and unit sales are down 7.1 per cent. If you are looking to buy and hold, the selection and prices are attractive. Let me know if a condo is what you are looking for and we can discuss the pros and cons and timing.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in May in the Ottawa area was $381,172, an increase of 3.2 per cent over May 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $280,661, an increase of 6.9 per cent over May 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $401,626, an increase of 2.1 per cent over May 2013.
Every area has slightly different market values. If you would like to know the value of your property – or if you are thinking of buying or selling, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always available to take your call.
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,420 residential properties in April through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,569 in April 2013, a decrease of 9.5 per cent. With a late spring in terms of weather, it isn’t unexpected to see the market have a later upswing than normal.
That being said, properties sold in April were on the market an average of 45 days, a few days less than what was indicated in March. In addition, 233 more properties changed hands in April than was the case in March so there has been a continued steady pace upwards since year-beginning.
Average sale prices are on par with prices from a year ago, even year-to-date price comparisons remain steady. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in April in the Ottawa area was $374,015, an increase of 0.8 per cent over April 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $258,500, a decrease of three per cent over April 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $399,541, an increase of 0.9 per cent over April 2013.
Every area, however, shows different trends. If you are interested in knowing the value of your property, please give me a call.
The spring home buying and selling season is coming into bloom.
Members of the Board sold 1,189 residential properties in March through the MLS® System, an increase of 2.5% over March of 2013. Things are heating up.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in March in the Ottawa area was $358,741, an increase of 0.3 per cent over March 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $251,580, a decrease of 2 per cent over March 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $386,553, an increase of 0.2 per cent over March 2013.
Every area is, however, slightly different so please give me a call if you are interested in knowing the value of your property.
I hope you will call me if you are thinking of buying or selling. By the way, referrals play a huge role in the success of my business so please think of me and do mention my name if you hear of any family, friends, neighbours or colleagues who are considering a move. I’d be delighted to have the opportunity to provide them with my real estate services.
It was a beautiful sunny morning in the capital. I was driving on a quiet Centertown street with a speed limit of 40km/hr. heading to show a house to a great client.
As I approached the house I saw my client and waved. I checked the mirrors and went to make a three point turn. Out of nowhere, a car smashed into the side of my SUV. It was travelling at over 130 km/hr. The only reason I survived was because their back end smashed my front end as they were swerving out of control.
What happens next is shocking. The car that hit me crashed into other parked cars. I expect them to finally stop but no, they start speeding away! That is when the police cars fly by. About 8 in total. Guy had just robbed a bank and was in a police pursuit. One cop stopped to make sure I was ok then went off in the chase.
Felt like I was on a movie set. Except I had a job to do! Takes more than a high speed police chase and accident to stop me from doing what I do. I showed my buyer the house as we waited for the police to come back. Clients come first!
FYI-cops got their man a few blocks away in a foot pursuit.
The move of DND to the Nortel campus has a green light.
The review is over and it has been formally announced that upwards of 9,000 Ottawa Military members will be moving their place of employment to the old Nortel Campus in Bells Corners. The campus will, eventually, be renamed.
The first wave (approx. 3,300 people) will move in late 2015. The entire move will take about 6 years.
For Bells Corners and west Ottawa – this is HUGE – the incoming numbers are more than were lost with the collapse of Nortel.
This consolidation will reduce DND’s current footprint from 40+ offices to 7 major locations in the National Capital Region – 3 in Ottawa (one west, one downtown and one east), and 4 in Gatineau.
Many military members will consider moving west from their current place of residence. For those who don’t want to move, there will be a shuttle bus service between the 7 locations.
There are rarely a lot of homes for sale in Bells Corners so there will likely be a spike in home values – and perhaps the development of at least one condo tower, apartments or row homes.
Ottawa house hunting trips for military personal posted to Ottawa will now be potentially west-end focused. Areas like Kanata, Stittsville, and Bells Corners will see an uptick in activity for sure.
If you know your job will be one of those moving – and you want to consider moving to be closer to your place of work, now is the time to take action! Give me a call if you’d like to chat about this.
