buying a home: Why You Need A Buyer Agent - 12/18/20 07:19 AM
Think About It;
Buying a home is a big undertaking, and all aspects should be carefully considered before any decisions are made.  Not only do you want to find your dream home, but you want to do it within a reasonable budget. In hopes of staying within that budget, you may decide to cut some corners by carefully analyzing the things you want over the things you need. In making these decisions, you may decide to skip using a Buyer’s Agent.
Is this a good decision? No. 
Here’s why:
It's FREE!! The cost of using a Buyer’s Agent is covered by the seller out of the sale of their home. This … (3 comments)

buying a home: Will A Pre-Approval Letter Help You Buy A Home? - 11/27/19 05:40 AM
Let's start out with What Is A Pre-approval letter is a letter from your mortgage lender that states you are qualified for a specific amount of a loan.
There is nothing more heart breaking than falling in love with a home and then realizing it is out of your reach financially. It also may also help secure the home you love above competitors that weren't pre-approved and in a competitive market, every advantage helps. 
Be knowledgeable though, there is a difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval.
Pre-qualification means that you provide some general information about your income and debt to a broker or lender. It is more of a general outline of … (1 comments)

buying a home: Tips For Making An Older Home More Energy Efficient - 03/30/17 09:25 AM
For some, owning an older home replete with character and charm is the only way to go. There certainly is something special about pocket doors, original stained glass windows, archways and basket-weave tile floors…features you rarely find in newer builds. But owning an older home does have a downside, namely energy conservation - or lack thereof.
If you've recently purchased an older home, there are many upgrades you can make to help save money on your energy bills. Start small and work your way up to major projects, such as replacing windows or installing alternative energy sources like solar panels.
It might sound … (3 comments)

buying a home: Relocating to Ottawa - 04/03/14 03:53 AM
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 … (0 comments)

buying a home: KNOWLEDGE IS A GREAT TOOL! - 08/25/13 12:43 AM
 
BUYER BEWARE!
 
Last week, I was contacted by a very nice couple who were being transferred to Ottawa and wanted to purchase a new home.  They did their homework and were so happy that all they needed to do is to view the location and have me (their real estate agent) review the paperwork and its a done deal.
 
So, off to the site we go, and first thing that strikes me is that there are hydro towers running just behind the Buyers property.  So I point this out to them and they say “that’s OK doesn’t bother … (2 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - Time Lines - 03/16/12 11:35 PM
Times Lines must be respected and if you enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale as a buyer or seller, there is a clause in the Agreement in the Province of Ontario that certain things must be done by a certain time.
Yesterday, I receive a frantic call from a Buyer indicating that the property that she was interested in was back on the market and she heard through the grapevines that someone else might be interested and she needs to put in an offer immediately for the full price.  I prepared the documentation and went over to her home since … (1 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - Home Inspections Tips - 03/08/12 05:43 AM
I can't emphasize enough the importance of a home inspection by a certified home inspector (not Uncle Joe).  For my piece of mind and that of my Buyers and if there's enough time (not in multiple offer situations), I ask a general contractor/home inspector to go through the house before I put in an offer to ensure that all issues are taken into account before the offer is presented.
Once an agreement has been accepted by all parties, a full inspection is done and its important for the home buyers to walk through with the inspector, ask questions, take notes and … (3 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - DNA of a Real Estate Agent - 02/23/12 05:18 AM
I was asked the other day what was the DNA of a real estate agent?  Interesting question - so here's what I think.
1.  Truly wanting and enjoying helping others.
2.  Accessability.
3.  Accountability.
4.  Communication.
5.  Knowledge.
6.  Experience.
 
Its important for potential sellers and buyers to ensure that they get the best possible real estate working for them whenever they purchase or sell a property.  Just because they worked with Uncle Tom or your best friend, doesn't mean that they are suited to be YOUR real estate agent.  Don't be shy, ask the questions, listen to the answers … (5 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa, ON Real Estate - BUYING A HOME - 12/17/11 01:56 AM
Most couples and singles would love to own a home.  The first step would be to visit a mortgage broker and determine how much can you afford.  Its all about dollars and cents. 
I would suggest that your bring with you the following:
1.  A copy of your Driver's Licence or passport
2.  A letter from your present employer which includes confirmation of your salary together with how long you have been employed with that particular company.  If less than 3 years, bring a history of employment i.e.  income tax returns, pay stubs, etc.
3.  If you have income from other … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa, ON - House Showings - 11/23/11 03:22 AM
Its that time of the year - here in Ottawa, ON - that snow and slush become part of our daily routine.  Please folks when you are visiting homes, kindly respect the sellers HOME and remove your shoes, boots, etc.
Even during the better months, remove your shoes.  The sellers (most of the sellers) are trying to keep their properties nice and clean for potential buyers and don't need to come home after a showing to find the floors a mess due to the weather conditions.
One day dear Buyer you will become a Seller and you will want the same … (7 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - 08/26/11 04:00 AM
What is a Sellers Property Information Statement (SPIS)?  Basically, its a document that Sellers complete prior to listing their homes declaring their knowledge of the property.  Some of the questions are very basic i.e. name, address, how long you've lived there, etc.
An SPIS is an excellent tool to advise the buyers of a variety of issues i.e.  roof, electrical, plumbing, foundation, water infiltration, etc.  Other points of interest would be:  encroachments, whether a survey is available, restrictive covenants, environmental issues.  Should the property be located in the country then there would be such issues as spectic systems, wells, etc.
Its very important … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - Surveys - 01/31/11 11:39 AM
When preparing an offer and requesting in Schedule "A" for a an existing survey showing all the structures, garages, additions and easements.  All paties (Seller and Buyer) agreed that an existing survey showing structures, etc. would be provided within 48 hours of acceptance of the Agreement of Purchase of Sale. 
What the Seller/Listing Agent provided was an outdated survey with only the house structure showing - no garage, no addition, no easements.  The Seller does not want to provide the Buyer with the agreed upon survey because he feels that the Title Insurance would cover it.  That is not the point, the … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - January - 01/17/11 06:22 AM
Believe it or not its past the January mid point and even though its -24 Cel. people have started looking for their dream home.  Some are just visiting new model homes others are going to Open Houses and some have even retained the services of a Buyer Agent.
Why a Buyer Agent?  This is the person that will represent the Buyer's best interest.  A written contract is entered into between the Buyer and the Agent (Brokerage) which creates an agency relationship.  This contract explains the services that will be provided to the Buyer, the fee  arrangement, if one applies and what specific … (2 comments)

buying a home: OTTAWA REAL ESTATE - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - 10/09/10 01:03 PM
DEAR BUYERS
Please, please, please - when looking for a home, DO NOT purchase a home just based on the house.   Look around the neighborhood, drive by the property at diffrent times of the day to see what's happening on the street.  Park in front of the house - look at it from different angles.  What's next to the house, what's behind the house, is there a bus stop right in front of the house - those are all the things you should be looking at before making the decision.
More often than not people do not look around and when … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - 03/04/10 03:38 AM
What an exciting time of the year for Home Sellers and Buyers.  Most real estate agents have attended their conferences and are ready to go with new knowledge.  While attending the Keller Williams Annual Family Reunion, I met some fantastic people, learned tonnes of information and spoke with some mega agents from across North America.
In Ottawa, real estate is going strong, the inventory is still quite low but improving daily.  As reported by the Ottawa Real Estate Board "Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 713 residential properties in January through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system compared with … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - Pricing - 02/14/10 10:48 PM
I'm always baffled by people when they wish to make an offer based on their future needs/desires/plans and not on the value of a property. 
One of my listings received an offer last week - quite low - so my sellers rejected it.  I would have preferred a counter back even at the original price but they really felt insulted and very emotional about the offer.  So it was rejected.  The potential Buyer attended the Open House that was hosted yesterday and told the agent that she really loved the property but would need to put $30K in because she wanted … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - The hazards - 01/18/10 05:35 AM
Ottawa Real Estate is in a frenzy, people wanting to purchase a home and the inventory is low.  Its crazy out there - multiple offers are flying right, left and center and there are a lot of dissappointed Buyers and a lot of Happy Sellers.
From the Sellers perspective - they are receiving multiple offers and getting more than fair market value for their properties.  Some of the offers are without conditions and that's a dangerous game to play.
From the Buyers perspective -  I would recommend that you contact your lender and ensure that you qualify for the amount that you are … (0 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - New Builds - 12/24/09 12:58 AM
As a Buyer you can either chose to purchase a new build or a resale.  When purchasing a resale you will probably use the services of a real estate representative that will look after your best interest.  Resale properties are sometimes sold by owners and it has happened quite often where a Buyer pays over market value for a property and is totally surprised when a few years later he/she tries to sell and can't make a profit.  Real Estate Agents are there to provide you with comparative market analysis about the property, advise you on the growth potential and just … (1 comments)

buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - 12/16/09 09:11 AM
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buying a home: Ottawa Real Estate - Buyers without Expression - 12/13/09 06:46 AM
Buyers without Expression
Yesterday, I received a call from a potential Buyer who wanted to see a house.  Drove by the house and liked the outside and would really like to see it ASAP.  So, an appointment was made and the viewing was scheduled.  We arrived at the house and they walked through it several times, no "I LOVE IT" or "I HATE IT" - nothing.
So, I asked and she said "we will need to talk about it - its kinda like the house I really liked that sold last year"  I continued "Do you have any questions?"  No, not … (2 comments)

 
Irene Bilinski, Real Estate… It's All About You (RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group Ottawa)

Irene Bilinski

Real Estate… It's All About You

Ottawa, ON

More about me…

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group Ottawa

Address: Ottawa, ON, K4A3W3

Office: (613) 590-3000

Mobile: (613) 858-1151

Buying or selling a home in Orleans or Ottawa? This blog will give you real estate tips, open houses in the area, listings available, and more. Real Estate... it's all about You!


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