Posts Tagged ‘military’

Behind the Scenes of a Successful HHT: From BC to Ottawa

Our team helps with many HHTs each year, and each one is a little different from the rest. In one case this year, Colin and Chris first spoke with the relocating members in March after they were referred by a past relocation client. At that stage they were not familiar with Ottawa Relocations and were still interviewing Realtors who are registered with BGRS. They arranged a video call where Chris and Colin learned more about the plans and priorities for their move from BC to Ontario. Like many members who are reposted, there was a home to sell before they could confidently purchase a home in Ottawa. For a different twist, these members were also expecting an(other) addition to their family in the spring PLUS 1 member was scheduled for service at sea for the next several weeks. Needless to say, subsequent communication was a little spotty! Time can often pass while members await their official COS or for their current home to be sold. Here, Colin was not certain when the HHT would be scheduled and was even still waiting for confirmation that the team would be needed. In the meantime, he created a custom search portal to track home sales in Ottawa, continued to send market updates, and kept checking in on how things were coming along with the home sale preparation.

At long last, messages were exchanged! The house was listed on MLS in May, then sold in June! Somewhere in there a beautiful baby was born. Plans were made for an HHT at the end of June. Since all of the systems and parameters were already in place, it was easy for Colin to quickly kick the search into high gear. Finally, over 3 months after their first zoom call, all parties were boots on the ground in Ottawa and ready for a week filled with home viewings, school ratings, neighbourhood reports, and lots of phone calls. New baby certainly got to see lots of Ottawa in between feedings and naps!

To keep things moving, Colin scheduled every one of their top listings choices for Day 1, with a couple of late additions + some 2nd viewings on Day 2. After months of planning and updates, everything came together nicely (and quickly). By Day 3 a great deal had been negotiated & accepted, home inspections were booked & executed (Colin always has a couple of BGRS inspectors on standby during an HHT), and I think there was even time for some sightseeing. Maybe just some downtime at the hotel…. Either way, another happy ending to an HHT.

As we know, reposting letters can come at different times of the year. They can be requested, or they can be unexpected. Some of our house hunting trips come together only a few days after our initial contact with our new clients. However they happen, trust is always a key component to a successful HHT. It is challenging to by a home in the best of situations, and CAF members are required to work with a Realtor who they have likely never met. They need to feel that when they arrive in Ottawa, they can trust that the information they receive is current and insightful to meet their requirements and be confident that the details have been taken care of. The team at Ottawa Relocations is experienced, focused, and determined to make every HHT a huge success for every single military relocation. Just ask their past clients!

Park and Ride Options for Military Relocations in Ottawa

Relocating to Ottawa for a military assignment comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is finding convenient and efficient ways to commute to key locations such as the DND Headquarters on Carling Avenue and downtown Ottawa. For those who prefer to avoid the hassle of downtown parking and traffic, Ottawa offers several Park and Ride options that make the daily commute smoother and more efficient. Here’s a look at some of the best Park and Ride options and the transit times to major destinations using OC Transpo services.

	Eagleson Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes. Route: Take Route 63 or 64 directly to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer to Route 66 or another bus heading towards Carling Avenue. Details: Eagleson Park & Ride, located at Highway 417 and Eagleson Road, offers easy access to Connexion routes and has ample parking space. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes. Route: Take Route 63 or 64 directly to downtown.
	Blair Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 55-60 minutes. Route: Take the O-Train Line 1 to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer to Route 66 or another bus heading towards Carling Avenue. Details: Situated in the east end, Blair Station is a key transit hub. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes. Route: Take the O-Train Line 1 directly to downtown.
	Fallowfield Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 40-45 minutes. Route: Take Route 95 or 74 to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer to Route 66 or another bus heading towards Carling Avenue. Details: Located at 100 Via Park Place, Fallowfield Park & Ride offers free parking and is well-connected with Fallowfield Station for transit options. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 35-40 minutes. Route: Take Route 95 or 74 directly to downtown.
	Chapel Hill Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 70-75 minutes. Route: Take Route 32 or 33 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to Tunney’s Pasture, followed by Route 66. Details: Located at Brian Coburn Blvd and Navan Rd, it offers free parking and good transit connections. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 35-40 minutes. Route: Take Route 32 or 33 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to downtown.
	Trim Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 80-85 minutes. Route: Take Route 39 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to Tunney’s Pasture, followed by Route 66. Details: This location is in the eastern outskirts, with direct transit routes available. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 45-50 minutes. Route: Take Route 39 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to downtown.

Making Your Commute Easier

Using Ottawa’s Park and Ride facilities can significantly reduce the stress and cost associated with daily commutes. The OC Transpo Travel Planner is an excellent tool for planning your route and ensuring you catch the next bus or train on time. By leveraging these Park and Ride options, military personnel can enjoy a more convenient and efficient commute, allowing them to focus on their important work at the DND Headquarters or downtown offices.

House Hunting Efficiency: A Military Success Story in Ottawa

We recently had the pleasure of assisting a military couple with their house hunt in Ottawa, turning it into an efficient and exciting adventure. The journey began with setting up a personalized portal tailored to their preferences, 

allowing them to interact with listings by favouriting, disliking, and commenting on homes. This interactive approach helped Chris develop a strategic itinerary to maximize their limited viewing time.

To ensure efficiency during their brief visit, Chris pre-booked an inspection with a trusted home inspector before the couple’s arrival. This foresight was crucial in accommodating the tight timeframe and guaranteed that they could work with a reliable inspector.

Upon their arrival on a Sunday, the couple dived into their home search, visiting 28 homes over four days across Ottawa and its surrounding areas. Chris’s deep knowledge of the region helped them explore a variety of neighbourhoods, from the small-town feel of Carleton Place & Kemptville to the notable suburbs of Kanata, Barrhaven and Stittsville. We explored them all! More inventory in the 2024 posting season has made military house hunting in Ottawa easier than in previous years. Good to see more balanced conditions in our marketplace. 

The highlight of their trip was of course finding their dream home in Kemptville and swiftly fulfilling the home inspection condition, providing them with essential peace of mind.

This story exemplifies the success of a well-planned House Hunting Trip (HHT). If you’re preparing for your HHT in Ottawa or surrounding areas, our team is ready to guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and successful home-buying experience.

Interested in starting your house-hunting journey? Contact us today to learn how we can assist you!

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