Unlike the Lone Ranger, free to roam with Silver across everyone's property, your city yard is improved with a good fence.  It will keep the dog in the yard and your kids out of the neighbours' yards.  Make sure your fence is in good shape before putting your house on the market.

If you don't have a fence, you might want to look into putting up a fence before hanging a For Sale sign. 

• Research height restrictions in your area of the country.  While 9 feet may block out the view of the neighbour suntanning in his speedo, most limits are 6 feet. 
• Talk to your neighbours, sometimes the neighbours will all chip in for the fence.
• Look into the requirements for Good Neighbour Fences.  Some by-laws say that the nice side of the fence must face the neighbour and not you, even if you paid.
• Find your property survey.  If you are doing this on your own, stay inside your property line.  If you are sharing with the neighbours, find and agree to build on the line.
• Research material.  Most people want a fence requiring limited maintenance.  PVC is good but some people baulk at plastic fencing (I like it.).   Cedar is great but never ever paint it.  Let it age to a lovely silver sheen.  Either stain or paint the rest. 
• Ooops.  I forgot to mention that chain link just screams 'I have a rottweiler and a rack of guns.' and barbed wire at the top of a concrete block fence says 'Beware the junk yard dog.'

Good fences make good neighbours and a good sale.

Photo credit:  Good fences

 
$679,900

Vanier, Ottawa  -  OUTSTANDING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! ALL BRICK BUILDING WITH 6-2 BEDROOM UNITS. NEW ROOF, NEW BOILER, FRESHLY PAVED DRIVEWAY & PARKING AREA. 3 STORAGE GARAGES AT THE BACK, INDIVIDUAL METERS. FAVORABLE LONG TERM RATE PROVIDES PEACE OF MIND. 1ST MORTGAGE W/CIBC MUST BE ASSUMED 8 YR TERM REMAIN. @ 5.73% BALANCE OF 1ST MORTGAGE AS OF JUNE 1/10 $405,000.

Property information

Gross Annual Revenue: $57,408

Net Operating Income: $43,633

Operating Cost Per Year:  $13,775

Quartier Vanier is believed by many to be the next up and coming neighborhood of Ottawa, Ontario. It is most notable for its sizable Ottawa francophone community (32%) and its short trip to downtown Ottawa and the Byward market. In fact, Vanier remains one of the few inexpensive Ottawa neighborhoods in proximity to downtown to live. Vanier offers many types of housing including row houses, townhouse, semi-detached, single family all the way up to triplexes and bigger apartment complexes. This said, there is a home in Quartier Vanier for everyone!

Even if Vanier has one of the lowest rental prices in Ottawa, Vanier is an attractive neighborhood for investors because of the housing prices and demand to live near downtown. You can find a 4 bedroom apartment rental in Vanier for as little as $900. New home builders are also seeing opportunities in Vanier.

In the last few years we have seen many new home constructions in Vanier from reputable builders allowing buyers to choose from resale’s or new housing when purchasing their dream properties.

At time of writing prices of homes in Quartier Vanier are as follows:

• $169,900 for a 2 bedroom / bathroom single family home in Vanier
• $299,900 for a 5 + 1 bedroom / 4 bathroom detached home in Vanier
• $349,900 for a Duplex with 4+3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms in Vanier

At these prices many Ottawa first time home buyers make Quartier Vanier their home.