The Glebe - a vibrant urban neighbourhood in Ottawa

The Glebe is a vibrant urban neighborhood located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is situated just south of downtown Ottawa and is bordered by the Rideau Canal to the east and the Queensway (Highway 417) to the south. Here are some key features and information about the Glebe:

  1. Residential Character: The Glebe is primarily a residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a mix of housing options. You'll find a combination of detached and semi-detached houses, as well as some low-rise apartment buildings.


  2. Lansdowne Park: One of the major attractions in the Glebe is Lansdowne Park, a large urban park and entertainment district. The park underwent significant redevelopment and now features the TD Place Stadium, home to the Ottawa Redblacks (CFL) and the Ottawa 67's (OHL), as well as the Aberdeen Pavilion and the Horticulture Building.


  3. Bank Street: Bank Street is the main commercial and retail strip in the Glebe. It's known for its boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, and various services. The area has a lively atmosphere, especially during events and festivals.


  4. Rideau Canal: The eastern border of the Glebe is marked by the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the winter, the canal becomes the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, attracting locals and visitors alike.


  5. Community Events: The Glebe hosts several community events throughout the year, including the Great Glebe Garage Sale, which is one of the largest garage sales in North America. This event attracts people from all over the region looking for bargains.


  6. Proximity to Downtown: The Glebe's location provides residents with easy access to downtown Ottawa and its cultural, business, and government institutions.


  7. Schools and Parks: The neighborhood is home to several schools and parks, making it an attractive area for families.


  8. Cultural and Recreational Facilities: In addition to Lansdowne Park, the Glebe is also home to various cultural and recreational facilities, contributing to the overall quality of life in the community.

Overall, the Glebe is a dynamic and well-established community that offers a mix of residential charm, cultural attractions, and a lively urban atmosphere.

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Pros and Cons of Backyard Pools

Who doesn’t love the thought of lounging by a pool, sipping your favourite cold beverage, hosting family and friends for memorable get-togethers, and cooling off with a dip - all in your backyard!  With Ottawa winters being as cold and long as they are, the summers are precious and we want to maximize our outdoor time.  As a result, backyards are becoming more and more like a resort, and less like a slab of grass for kids and dogs to hang out.


Historically, backyard pools were often a “no go zone” for many home buyers.  The maintenance, cost of installation, potential hazard for young children, and taking up of back yard space were reasons often cited for buyers to avoid homes with pools.  Pools were seen more as a liability than an asset when selling a home. But the COVID pandemic shifted that thinking, and with families limited to stay at home vacations, the back yard oasis saw a resurgence in demand.  Pools became hugely popular, and often sellers of homes with pools benefited with premiums on sold prices.


While life is returning to pre-pandemic days, and people are looking to travel more, backyard pools will likely remain on the wish list with many buyers or at least they’ll want a lot large enough to install a pool.  


So, what are the Pros and Cons to consider when deciding to purchase a home with a pool, or whether to install one yourself?  Here are some factors to start thinking about.


PROS

1. Convenience of having a pool just outside your door.  Want to do early morning laps, or a pre-dinner cool down, or a Sunday afternoon get together with buddies?  Nothing beats the convenience of having your own private pool.


2. Exercise away by doing laps (depends on the shape of your pool) or hire an instructor to offer private water aerobic lessons to a small group of friends.  Movement in water is known to provide several health benefits – it is a low impact activity that strengthens bones, joints, and muscles, and improves heart health. Overall, you can improve your endurance, and reduce your stress without leaving your home.  For many aquatic exercises, you don’t need to know how to swim if you use flotation devices in deeper water.  People with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis could even see a reduction in pain with regular aquatic exercise.


3. Children and adults can learn to swim in a back yard pool.


4. With a pool heater or solar heat system, you can control the temperature of the water.


5.If your pool is salt water, it is easier on the skin than chlorine and actually can have a softening effect.


6.Pool side is the perfect zone for reading, relaxing, and chilling on your own or with other like-minded folks.


CONS

1. Parents of young children have to be extra vigilant to ensure the safety of their children and their playmates.  For some parents, it is a stressor they just don’t want to deal with.  Child-proof locks on back doors, fencing, locked gates, and of course constant supervision are required if young children live in a home with a back yard pool.


2. Pools need regular maintenance throughout the season in order to keep the chemicals balanced.  That balance is critical to limit the growth of algae, mold, and contaminants, and to keep the water clear.  Regular maintenance also extends the life of your pool liner, which is in constant contact with the water.  Maintenance does take a commitment of time, as well as the cost of the chemicals and equipment.  A homeowner can do the maintenance themselves, or can hire a specialized pool company which will come weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly to perform proper maintenance. Depending on the schedule and company you choose, the cost of hiring a company can run up to approximately $3,000 per season.  Pools are a science laboratory, and if a homeowner will do it themselves it’s a good idea to look for courses that are often offered by pool installation companies.  


3. Opening the pool in the Spring and Closing in the fall are rituals that must be performed by someone who knows what they’re doing.  If using a company, the cost of opening and closing operations should be considered.


4. According to municipal by-laws, all backyard pools must be fenced in and must have gates that self-lock. The City of Ottawa has stringent fencing requirements to prevent children from entering a pool area without supervision.  Here is the link for information. https://ottawa.ca/en/planning-development-and-construction/building-and-renovating/pool-enclosures/pool-enclosures-pool-hot-tub-pond#section-793a5d27-3efa-4784-9f42-ffb8ba6fa0eb.

The cost of a fenced in yard can run several thousand dollars, depending on the length and style of the fence.  If you are installing a pool, take this important expenditure into account.


5. Cost is a huge factor in whether to purchase a house with a pool, or to install one.  A new pool with all the equipment and landscaping can cost $50,000 and up.  There is no guarantee that you’ll recoup that expenditure on selling the house.  Then there is the cost of the fencing, repairs and eventual replacement of equipment (think heater, pump, filter, salt cell if a salt pool, liner, lighting, etc.), and hiring a pool company to open/close the pool and do regular maintenance.  A gas pool heater will incur significant natural gas expenses, and the running of equipment will increase your hydro bills.  Adding water as necessary throughout the season will impact your water bill.  So if you’re on a tight budget, think about how the pool expenses will affect your bottom line.


There’s no question that you’ll hear arguments from proponents and opponents to backyard pools.  Ultimately, the decision is yours whether the enjoyment it will bring your family is worth the additional expenses and commitments.  Some people love the routine of vacuuming their pool with beer or coffee in hand.  There are several excellent pool companies in the Ottawa region.  Talk to friends who have pools to get referrals, and then speak to someone with the expertise to help you decide what is best for you.

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5 tips for buying real estate as a first-time home buyer in Ottawa.

  1. Research the Ottawa market to understand the current trends and conditions. Knowing what is going on in the market will help you make a more informed decision when it comes to purchasing real estate in Ottawa. Download our APP to stay informed about new listings & sold prices: https://app.homelocatorapp.com/3V5cZ2UcHwb 
  2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you an idea of how much you can afford and will help you narrow down your search for the perfect home.
  3. Get to know the different neighbourhoods in the area. Decide which ones you prefer and make sure you are familiar with the amenities, schools and other important factors that may influence your decision.
  4. Have a clear budget in mind. Make sure you know what you can afford and stick to it. Don’t be tempted to go over your budget just to get the perfect home.
  5. Hire a real estate agent linked Open Door Real Estate Group who is knowledgeable and experienced in the Ottawa market. We can help you find the right home and guide you through the entire process.
  6. BONUS TIP: Download our Home Locator App.
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Why For Sale By Owners get less for their homes


  • Everyone is trying to save the same commission

    Buyers know the seller is not paying a commission, so they make a lower offer thinking they can save the commission on their purchase price.



  • FSBOs attract bargain hunters and speculators

    Many opportunists believe—rightly or wrongly—that For Sale By Owners are uninformed about the marketplace.  Since you don’t have representation, they believe they have a better chance of slipping a lowball offer past you than through an agent working for a homeowner whose property is listed.



  • Buyers, unsure of property values, will offer less

    Since most buyers are represented by an agent, they will likely never see your home.  That leaves those who are not represented.  With no agent to advise     them on what constitutes a fair offer for your property, they are likely to throw out a lower offer to “leave room for negotiations.”



  • FSBOs have less exposure to potential buyers

    At any given time your FSBO is competing with more than 2000+ properties listed with Realtors on the Ottawa Real Estate Board.  The real estate industry does an excellent job of advertising and marketing these listings to potential buyers and there are more than 3200 real estate professionals in the Ottawa Area alone!      All of this means is that most    serious buyers are quickly scooped up by real estate professionals.  What’s left behind are largely buyer prospects who are uninformed, hard to please, and those looking for an unrealistically good deal, all of which normally result in lower offers on your property.



  • Tough negotiators seek out FSBOs

    People who believe they are tough negotiators like to make offers on FSBOs     because they think they’ll have an upper hand dealing with an “amateur.”  These individuals usually avoid a Realtor to represent them in their home purchase as they think they will have an upper hand without one.

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Downsizing in real estate

As a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) I can help to ensure that the downsizing process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.  My job is to ensure the client's best interests are taken into consideration throughout this transition period. Through this unique designation, I have access to a variety of tools and skills to help you with your transition.

As a senior real estate specialist, I am a real estate professional who specializes in helping seniors who are looking to downsize their current living situation. I have a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges that seniors face when it comes to making the transition to a smaller home or retirement community. I can provide guidance on selecting the right location and property, assist with negotiations and paperwork, and provide support throughout the entire downsizing process. 

Contact Ayn for a free, no-obligation downsizing consultation and property evaluation.

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Some things to make the process as stress-free as possible.

1 They have set realistic goals about home ownership.
2 They know the difference between what they NEED & what they WANT.
3 They have hired a real estate professional to guide them through the process (ask about this free service).
4 They have done market research on the area, property & values.
5 Market research is key to securing the best deal. Knowing the future development in the area, the allowable uses and various zoning information will give you a better understanding of value.
6 They have an understanding of the costs associated with the property.
7 Ask the sellers if they can provide recent utility bills. Your family will definitely use utilities differently, but it will give you a broad range of value that you can expect to pay.
8 They have completed a recent pre-approval. Yes, a pre-approval does expire. Having a pre-approval is great, but only if it’s current. Recently there have been a few mortgage requirement changes.
9 They have eliminated distractions and have set aside time to get information and view homes.
10 They have the courage to move forward once they have found the one & offer the best price.
11 They have a firm understanding of development in the neighbourhood.
12 They have viewed the property & the neighbourhood on various occasions. 13 Consider attending one of our free information nights visit www.BuyerSeries.ca for a full list of events.

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