Contact Information
Jody Lavoie Real Estate Broker Royal LePage Team 11-2900 Woodroffe Ave. Nepean, ON, K2J 4G3
Office: 613-825-7653 Fax: 613 825 8762
|
Ottawa Market Update - March 2008
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,086 residential units in March through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,303 in March 2007, a decrease of 16.7 per cent. There were 983 sales in February 2008... Read More... Courtesy of The Ottawa Real Estate Board
|
Burden of Proof Moved to MPAC in Tax Appeal Cases
In an effort to change the Byzantine process in which homeowners must engage to appeal their property-tax assessments, the Ontario government plans to put the onus on the assessment agency to prove its case when a taxpayer appeals. Yesterday's provincial budget promises new legislation - as recommended in a critical report by the province's ombudsman two years ago - to put the burden of proof on the Municipal Property Assessment Corp., instead of on homeowners. Read More... Courtesy of The Globe and Mail
|
How well-built is your home?
Sadaqad Rahman figured there were possible problems with his new two-storey home in Vaughan when the builder seemed to be rushing him through a predelivery inspection on his closing date last December. When he hired a home inspector, Rahman was informed of several examples of poor workmanship. And there were major ones, including a pipe not properly connected to the air conditioner in the basement. Read More.... Courtesy of The Star
|
Water damage is 'preventable' insurance claim
Water damage is "the most preventable claim, dollar for dollar" in a condo, according to a trainer with a leading insurance adjustment firm. Keith Edwards, senior vice-president of training and development for SCM Insurance Adjusters Canada, cites several common causes of floods: People trying to fix kitchen or bathroom faucets themselves. Someone falling asleep while running a tub. Building envelope failure, owing to bad design or lack of proper maintenance. Old shut-off valves that jam or break. Read more... Courtesy of The Star
|
When calamaties effect several condo units
A condo resident goes on holiday, asking a friend to look after her cat. The friend dumps the soiled kitty litter into the toilet. The litter, made of highly absorbent clay, plugs the toilet, which overflows, contaminating several floors of the building. After a late night out drinking, a man comes home and decides he's hungry. He puts a pot on the stove, and decides to lie down for just a minute. He awakens to a fire. A couple throws in a load of laundry, then heads out for an afternoon of shopping and a water line becomes detached. Read more... Courtesy of The Star
|
Mortgage Rates Edge Lower
Canadian banks began lowering their fixed mortgage rates Wednesday to levels not seen in five months. Royal Bank of Canada and TD Canada Trust cut rates across the board — with most terms falling by a 10th of a percentage point. The posted five-year fixed mortgage rate at both institutions is now 7.19 per cent, effective Thursday. That's the lowest posted rate for the popular five-year term since October 2007. The posted four-year rate drops 0.15 of a percentage point to 7.04 per cent. Read more... Courtesy of The CBC
|
Top renovations with best ROI; Royal LePage
If you've spent years waking up to wood-panelled walls and soft shag rugs, some home renovations, especially if you're thinking of selling your home, may be in order. It's worthwhile to know the cost of updating your decades-old décor, and the degree to which those costs will be recouped when it comes time to sell. There are a number of do-it-yourself projects that are sure to increase a home's resale value, according to the Royal LePage Renovations and Returns Survey released today. Read more... Courtesy of Canada News Wire
|
Ottawa’s transit plan to cost $4 billion and take 23 years to finish
The city of Ottawa has unveiled its proposal for a revamped and extended mass-transit system that focuses on two light rail lines, buses, and a transit tunnel running east-west under the downtown core. If it goes ahead, work could take up to 23 years and cost as much as $3 billion to $4 billion. It would be, by far, the biggest construction project in the city’s history... Read More... Courtesy of Daily Commercial News Online
|
Landlords can keep properties smoke-free
A decision of the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board last month underscores the right of a landlord to insert a non-smoking clause in a residential lease, and that the clauses are enforceable in the event of breach by a tenant. The decision is relevant to non-smoking tenants who live within breathing distance of smokers in condominiums, apartment buildings, multiplexes or even homes with basement apartments. It will also resonate with the landlords of those units. Read More.... Courtesy of The Star
|
Sign Up HERE to receive Jody's "Best of Real Estate" Newsletter!
|
|
Newsletter
Read our Newsletter Here!
|
