Why is the location where you buy your home in Ottawa important?

Where you buy in Ottawa not only affects the home’s current and future value, but it also affects your lifestyle.

Your agent will be able to conduct a more targeted home search if you outline your preferences in neighborhoods and nearby amenities.

Here’s a checklist of items you should consider and communicate to your chosen real estate agent.

* Urban, suburban or rural
* Commute time
* School districts
* Desirable neighborhoods
* Proximity to the airport
* Proximity to restaurants and retail
* Access to major highways and thoroughfares
* Access to public transportation
* Health care facilities
* Parks and recreation
* Length of time you plan to live in the home (Your agent should be knowledgeable about growth trends and projections that could affect your investment.

Source: kw.com

Staying on top of Canadian Real Estate News will help you make better choices for buying or selling in 2012. The Dekker Team is bringing YOU the news that matters in Canadian Real Estate and Ottawa Real Esate.

Qualifications are important. However, finding a solid, professional agent means getting beyond the resume, and into what makes an agent effective. Use the following questions as your starting point in hiring your licensed, professional real estate agent:

1.Why did you become a real estate agent?

2.Why should I work with you?

3.What do you do better than other real estate agents?

4.What process will you use to help me find the right home for my particular wants and needs?

5.What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them?

6.What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying their first home?

7.What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials?

8.Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients?

As YOUR agent, we’ve got the answers to these very important questions! Contact us here

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EIGHT STEPS TO BUYING YOUR HOME

1. Decide to buy.

Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home, wealth building ranks among the top of the list. We call home ownership the best “accidental investment” most people ever make. But, we believe when it is done right, home ownership becomes an “intentional investment” that lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice. There are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home, and, among these, equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits stand out.

2. Hire your agent.
The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals – insurance assessors, mortgage brokers and underwriters, inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers, buyer’s agents, seller’s agents, bankers, title researchers, and a number of other individuals whose actions and decisions have to be orchestrated in order to perform in harmony and get a home sale closed. It is the responsibility of your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout.

3. Secure financing.
While you may find the thought of home ownership thrilling, the thought of taking on a mortgage may be downright chilling. Many first-time buyers start out confused about the process or nervous about making such a large financial commitment.

4. Find your home.
You may think that shopping for homes starts with jumping in the car and driving all over town. And it’s true that hopping in the car to go look is probably the most exciting part of the home-buying process. However, driving around is fun for only so long – if weeks go by without finding what you’re looking for, the fun can fade pretty fast. That’s why we say that looking for your home begins with carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs, both for the short and long terms.

5. Make an offer.
When searching for your dream home, you were just that – a dreamer. Now that you’re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective of your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies (or “conditions” in Canada).

6. Perform due diligence.
Unlike most major purchases, once you buy a home, you can’t return it if something breaks or doesn’t quite work like it’s supposed to. That’s why home owner’s insurance and property inspections are so important.

7. Close.
The final stage of the home buying process is the lender’s confirmation of the home’s value and legal statue, and your continued credit-worthiness. This entails a survey, appraisal, title search, and a final check of your credit and finance. Your agent will keep you posted on how each if progressing, but your work is pretty much done.

8. Protect your investment.
Throughout the course of your home-buying experience, you’ve probably spent a lot of time with your real estate agent and you’ve gotten to know each other fairly well. There’s no reason to throw all that trust and rapport out the window just because the deal has closed. In fact, your agent wants you to keep in touch.

Are you thinking of buying a home? Before you start the process we’d like to share with you the five most common mistakes you can avoid when buying a home.

FIVE MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN BUYING A HOME:

#1: Failing to have a plan

Deciding to buy a home is probably the biggest financial decision you’ll ever make. Its an exciting de- cision, but its serious business too and you deserve serious council.

#2: Thinking that I can’t afford a home

Many people feel that they can’t afford a home, but affording a home has never been easier. Mortgage rates are more flexible today than ever. Home ownership is a durable (real) investment. Although no one can say if a specific home will appreciate in value, generally speaking, the odds favour the home owner. If you are renting you are paying your landlords mortgage off. As an investment goes, you can- not live in a mutual fund. Ask us about how leverage makes home ownership a fantastic investment.

#3: Failing to properly screen your Realtor

The quality of your home buying experience is dependent upon your skill at selecting the best quali- fied person. It’s interesting that in the real estate business, someone with many successfully closed transactions usually costs the same as someone who is inexperienced. An experienced buyer’s agent could mean a lower price at the negotiating table, buying in less time, and with the least amount of hassles. Your agent should be a skilled win-win negotiator!

#4: Failing to get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan

Don’t waste hours searching for a home that is not in your price range! Save time and money by pre- qualifying for a loan. This process is simple. A lender will ask you basic questions concerning your his- tory, run a credit report, and determine your buying power. Also, you can lock in a low rate so rising interest rates will not reduce the price of homes you can purchase.

#5: Failing to obtain a home inspection from a qualified inspector

The job of a professional home inspector is to look over every major part of a home and write a report that judges the homes quality and condition. A home inspection reports the structural and mechanical condition of the home. After the inspection, you will have the facts you need to make a decision about buying your home. If your home is rural we will explain the importance of a septic inspection and the process and scope.

Helping you avoid these five mistakes when buying a new home is our pleasure.  If you have more questions regarding buying or selling your home, you can fill out our online form and we’ll respond immediately.

Are you looking to buy or sell your home in 2012?  It’s a brand new year and there is lots to know about  the ever changing real estate market. In the Ottawa Area, the building of new homes is expected to drop and it looks like there will be a shift from new home buyers to baby boomers that are looking to downsize (source: Ottawa Citizen Business).  New development will be changing their target demographic and marketing towards the 55+ age group.  Are you looking to scale down this year?

For first time buyers searching for new builds, there are still plenty of options available – especially if you are looking for a suburb home.

“More than 80 per cent of all residential construction started in Ottawa in 2012 will happen in the suburbs,

outside the Greenbelt.”

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Real+estate+down+from+peak/5921449/story.html#ixzz1iK9PioUk

Allow us to give you more information on the current market and your 2012 buying or selling guide for the Ottawa area.

Email: info@dekkerteam.com or call directly  613-860-HOME.

We’ve got a gorgeous new lot for sale that is ideal to build your new home!   Just outside the city situated in a growing family neighbourhood.

Beautiful greenery surrounds this space and offers country scenery.  Call us directly at 613-863-HOME

7249 Philnor Street, Greely, Ontario  K4P 1B2    Click here for larger map

” The federal government has renewed the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Until March 31, 2012, homeowners can receive grants up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient and save energy costs. This year’s program has two important changes. Participants must now register directly with the program before booking an evaluation. They must also provide receipts to their energy advisor at the time of the post-retrofit evaluation to confirm their eligibility for an ecoENERGY grant. Only products purchased after June 6, 2011, and installed after a pre-retrofit evaluation are eligible for a grant. Visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/homes.”   – www.orea.com

We have so much to share with you. Market tips, new house listings, client celebrations and everything in between.

To get started, we have two new properties up for sale! Both are sprawling bungalows that offer gorgeous living room spaces,

that are equipped with stunning gas fireplaces which are sure to make those cold winter months thoroughly more enjoyable.

When those frosty days come, staying warm  is key!

These are must-see homes, so without further ado -

997 Ada Barington Private, Greely, Ontario

Are you picturing yourself snuggled up on the couch with a good book?

For more information on this property, please click here:  997 Ada Barrington Private

8325 Bank Street, Metcalfe, Ontario

With a picture window like that, you can enjoy the view while staying cozy in your stylish living room!

For more information on this property, please click here: 8325 Bank Street