232 Wilbrod Unit 4Sandy Hill   Spacious sun filled 3 storey Terrace home with two bedroom + den located in the heart of Sandy Hill. Just minutes from Rideau Street with its many restaurants and eclectic shops.  Living/dining room feature hardwood flooring and wood burning fireplace & patio doors leading to shared courtyard with private fencing, cedar deck and BBQ hook up perfect for summer dining. Dining room boasts 2 floor level windows offering lots of sun light. Third floor loft/den opens onto a rooftop deck terrace. Includes garage parking and high-end appliances. VIRTUAL TOUR 04/15/2014

In my three decades in real estate, I’ve worked with a lot of first-time buyers, and I’ve found that many of them are surprised when I inform them of how much they will need to set aside for some of the extra costs that they will face on top of the purchase price. These buyers have saved carefully and have managed to put aside enough funds for a down payment, but they sometimes aren’t aware of the additional costs and have not planned for them. It’s generally recommended that you set aside an amount equivalent to about 1.5 to 2 % of the purchase price so that you can cover the additional costs that are involved in making the purchase. These costs include the land transfer tax, your lawyer’s fees and the cost of hiring movers. As I wrote in last week’s column, there are incentives that ... 04/10/2014

Once area that is often overlooked when Sellers prepare to put their home on the market is their garage!  Whether its in the winter or summer folks need to access their garage and buyers want to see a good functional space.  So many things find their way into this space, from tools, toys, bikes, sporting and camping equipment and more!  Unfortunately much of this stuff is often spread out all over the garage with no rhyme or reason.  Here are a few tips to help you have more space.  It's always refreshing to come home to a clean and functional garage that’s orderly and easy to access:      - Assess, analyze and prioritize: What is your priority for your garage? To park your car?  To have a workspace? To store seasonal items and sporting equipment?  Or maybe all of the above? Most people... 04/08/2014

Welcome to one of the world's greatest capital cities!! April marks the beginning of the busiest moving season in Ottawa.  Many homeowners from out of town take this opportunity to find their new home and be settled in following the end of the school year.  Whether you're relocating to Ottawa because of a work transfer, retirement or just for a life change, our beautiful city has much to offer.  With a population of over 1.2 million we've been ranked one of the best places to live since we can provide residents a great quality of life based on many factors (low crime rate, environmental cleanliness, public services, cultural diversity, great schools & parks, etc...). Ottawa has a variety of neighborhoods that can accomodate any personality and lifestyle; from a student, to a young busin... 04/03/2014

Although Ottawa has experienced colder temperatures and more snow early on this spring, we know that warmer weather is just around the corner.  At this time of year, it's only a matter of time before the snow starts to melt, and that means several litres of water will flow around your home.  Water infiltration can cost you time, inconvenience and money.  Here are some quick tips and things to keep an eye on to help prevent and minimize water damage this spring and for years to come:     - Remove all debris from your gutters and check for any loose or leaky parts.  Make sure your downspouts dont' drain into towards your foundation and extend 6 ft away from your home.      - Check the grading around your home.  If the land surrounding your property is sloping in towards your foundation, w... 04/02/2014

YES!  MAKE AN OFFER - No you will not insult the seller - yes, he/she might be slightly offended.  But we don't know their motivation maybe they already purchased a house and are worried about carrying two mortgages; maybe their moving date is coming closer and the moving truck will be there shortly; maybe its a relocation and one of the spouses doesn't want to be left behind; maybe there's been a death in the family, maybe the owners are separating, maybe, maybe, maybe - YOU NEVER KNOW! Last month I was representing the seller and she was offended by the low ball offer and didn't want to counter.  I said, please counter, the worse that can happen is that we can meet somewhere in the middle or maybe at the price you are ready to accept.  No, No, No - I wont' be insulted but finally afte... 03/28/2014

997 North River Road, Unit 101C Overbrook     Spectacular 2 bedroom "Flat" with approx.1400 sq ft of lavish living space. Completely custom design with radiant "in-floor" heating throughout, European style custom kitchen, 2 fabulous bathrooms with imported ceramics, marble, steam shower and European fixtures. Wonderful natural light in this South and West facing unit. 2 indoor parking spaces included + storage locker. Nature pathways at your door step.        03/28/2014

Spring is just around the corner and there will be hundreds of potential home buyers searching for their new home.  Do you want your home to be selected as their first date?   So get your house ready for that first date.  Clean, Clean, Clean!  Declutter, Declutter and Declutter.  Then, clean again.  When inviting people into your home, you want to make it attractive, the windows should be gleaming, the front door freshly painted, the mailbox polished / painted or replaced.  You want to get them INTO the house.  That's the first WOW! The second WOW should be the kitchen and family area - again, everything needs to sparkle and smell good.  No cooking cabbage, fish or potent spices. AND, the third WOW should be the master bedroom and bathroom.  If you have an awesome backyard, patio, etc. ... 02/27/2014

BLING IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR if you are trying to sell your house.  Bling is what catches a potential home buyer's eye and BLING is what might bring you an offer. What is BLING you might ask?  Bling is your curb appeal (clean walk-way, sparkling windows, attractive mail box, nice landscaping. BLING might be your uncluttered foyer, fresh clean smell when they walk in, lights on - inviting. BLING might be the kitchen - clean, uncluttered counters, clean floors, clean light switches, clean door knobs - you get the general idea.   BLING IS WHAT WILL SELL YOU HOUSE!  So, clean, uncluttered and then clean some more.  If you smoke in your house, even wash the light bulbs. SPRING is just around the bend and if you want your house to sell at market value or more, do everything your agent sug... 02/26/2014

Elegant and bright bungalow on 1 acre private treed lot. Close to the highway and shopping; just 10 minutes to Orleans, Ottawa. Stunning 3+2 bungalow home; gleaming hardwood floors, combined living/dining area with vaulted ceiling. Modern kitchen with neutral backslash, the kitchen offers solarium style eating area and a patio door that leads to a large deck. Well proportionate bedrooms; three bedrooms on the main level which includes a lovely master bedroom with an en-suite. Back door entrance to a huge new entirely renovated (in-law suite) basement with two rooms and one full washroom, large kitchen and eating area. LOTS of storage places. It is a nice warm place to raise your kids or keep them around if they are bigger (perfect elegant basement living for this) and if you enjoy priva... 01/30/2014

YES, YES I KNOW - IT'S MINUS SOMETHING OUT THERE AND YOU THINK SPRING WILL NEVER GET HERE.  But trust me - it comes right after winter every year! DO NOT WAIT until Spring to start getting your home ready for the Spring Market.  Start thinking about decluttering, giving stuff away and getting organized.  But first, call in a  few real estate agents to provide you with an evaluation, their marketing package and then you can select the one that you feel will do the best job all around.  Listen to your gut  - remember Real Estate is all about YOU! - pick the agent that puts you first.  Get references, look at their websites, do your research.  Anyone can put up a sign on your front lawn - questions to ask - DO YOU KNOW THE NEIGHBOURHOOD?  How many homes have you sold in the area?  How do y... 01/28/2014

SELLING YOUR HOUSE WITH PETS    Almost everybody loves pets except the potential buyer. You say "WHAT???" Its hard to understand but many people are afraid of pets or are even allergic to pets.  So, it might be hard to understand but if you want top $$$$ you will need to make alternate arrangements for your family pet.   . Here are a few examples of what recently happened.  I had a property for sale and one potential buyer didn't want to come in the house because there was a black cat in the property; and then on another occasion an agent who cancelled a showing because she was scared of dogs and wouldn't go unless someone could come and remove the dog.   Solution!!! As your neighbour, friend, or relative to remove the pet during a showing if you are unable to do so.  Or, check with you... 01/22/2014

MORTGAGE RENEWALS You receive a letter from your banking institution advising you that your mortgage is up for renewal and please just sign on the dotted line ................  I urge you to contact your mortgage broker and ask her to find the best rate/conditions available to you based on your present financial situation.  There's no cost for a consultation and it might save you thousands of interest in the long run. The mortgage brokers work for you and not for the banking institutions.  Take a minute, make a call and save $$$$$$$!        01/16/2014

We are proud to announce that 1733 Winter Rose Lane has been SOLD. When 1733 Winter Rose Lane was listed with me we went through a process of important steps. We thought we would share just a couple of our steps. 1. First thing that needs to be done is find out how much your home is worth.  As a real estate agent we collect comparables on homes in your surrounding area and then we, you as the home owner and me talk about the best price to market your home. We work as a team. 2. Second we prepare the paperwork.  We want to ensure that during the marketing of your home we have all accurate information and present your home to prospect buyers in a fashion that will bring them to view your home. We work as a team through the entire selling of your home.  We work hard to sell your home and t... 01/15/2014

Team Jean Richer has SOLD another Clement townhome! 93 Nathalie Street - Quality Townhome   In today's real estate market there are some important factors to consider. The marketing of your home is certainly one of the most important part of the selling process. It's great to have a for sale sign on your lawn, your house on the mls, a few print ads, but that's not what it's all about. This was good a few years ago, but today, as you all know, the buyers want more. They want to see your home from the comfort of their own homes. Statistics show that more than 80% of buyers do their research online even before contacting an agent. That's an impressive number! Your house MUST be posted online in order for it to be found by potential buyers. With all the available tools we have as real estat... 01/07/2014

WHEN YOU DECIDE THAT YOU WISH TO SELL YOUR HOME, YOU MUST TURN YOUR DIAMOND into THE MOST SPARKLING ONE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. We love our homes and we are very comfortable in our homes with our colour scheme, furniture, knickknacks, pictures, etc.  In today's competitive market, you need to have an edge - remember you only have one opportunity to make a great first impression. This is why I always recommend that before your house is listed, it should be staged by a professional - a stranger with no emotional attachment to the property.  A home stager will make your home more marketable to the general public something like a model home with builders, they try and appeal to 100% of the potential buyers. Let the Irene Bilinski Real Estate Team assist you with the preparation of your home f... 01/06/2014

TGIT, Happy Tuesday, please don't forget to give thanks today Today I will be presenting "Recruiting and Retaining Commercial Brokers at the RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference in beautiful Ottawa. Learning is Earning! If any of you are interested in the pp presentation email me at joadron@remax.net and I will send you a copy. Thanks, 08/12/2013

RE/MAX BOC OTTAWA Today at 6:30 PM Welcome Reception   Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, OPENING SESSION WITH: Dave Liniger and John Calipari   Tuesday at 9:00 AM I will be presenting  9:00 AM - 10:00 AM  Think Commercial: Tips for Recruiting and Retaining Commercial real estate is a whole different animal than residential, and requires a completely different approach to recruiting and retention. Learn the top tips and strategies from commercial experts for effectively growing your busines 08/11/2013

RE/MAX Canada has the most CCIM practitioners in the Country. RE/MAX Commercial, part of the world’s most productive real estate network, is a leader in the commercial and investment arenas. Whatever the property and whatever the transaction, RE/MAX Commercial delivers a level of awareness, trust and confidence that competitors simply can’t match. RE/MAX Commercial Practitioners have access to the industry's top training system, the support services of real estate's No. 1 brand and the best quality referral network in the business – nearly 90,000 Sales Associates in more than 85 countries.What does this mean for you? A better way in Commercial Real Estate. Tell us what you need, and we'll get it done. With a 39-year track record of professionalism and customer focus, we understand the l... 08/09/2013

    JM Padron, CCIM, welcomes you to the RE/MAX Broker Owners Conference   Join your fellow RE/MAX Broker Owners from around the world at the 2013 RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference form the 10th to the 13th of October. The event features tons of motivation, networking and education to help you elevate your business productivity to new levels. It all takes place in beautiful Ottawa, Canada.    An amazing agenda is scheduled for the week. Explore this website to learn more about the Featured Speakers – RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger, RE/MAX Chief Executive Officer Margaret Kelly, and motivational speakers John Calipari and Tom Flick – and information on all the sessions and networking events.   JM Padron, CCIM, will be presenting an interesting topic on Tuesday 13th at 9:00 AM  ... 08/08/2013