Chantal Nephin

Introducing 7 Lemaistre Street, Carleton Place, Ontario

October 6, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Perfect first home for a couple or young family. This home is well maintained and in a nice family neighbourhood which is walking distance to schools and parks. Minutes to Highway 7 for a short commute into Ottawa. Spacious corner lot fenced on three sides. Home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and many upgrades. To prepare for sale most rooms have been freshly painted and new laminate floor was installed in the family room. The outside fence was also freshly painted. Other recent upgrades include a new roof in 2006, furnace in 2010 and an air exchanger in 2013. Carpet on stairs will be replaced. Don’t miss out on this fabulous home!

For more information on this property click here.

Filed Under: Carleton Place, Communities, Featured, Properties, Real Estate

Introducing 36 Conover Street, Ottawa

July 28, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Set in the popular Woodvale / Craig Henry Community this family home is within walking distance to many schools and parks. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathrooms single family home features an in-ground pool and fully fenced yard.

Well maintained with renovations recently done to the kitchen complete with ceramic floors and eat in kitchen, new window and custom trim. Other upgrades include new hardwood floors on main floor living and dining room area as well as renovations to both bathrooms.

The Nepean Sportsplex is nearby with an indoor pool, ice surface, and racquet sports facilities. There are many walking and biking paths connecting the community. Walking distance to lost of schools and parks. A great place to raise your family!

For more information on this property click here

Filed Under: Communities, Featured, Nepean, Properties, Real Estate

Improve the Air and Water Quality in Your Home

July 1, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Proper air and water quality are important not only for the health of your home but also the health of you and your family. Improper air and water quality can damage your home, cause discomfort and left unsolved can even lead to long-term effect to your health. Below I have outlined a few easy things you can do to increase your air and water quality, and ensure you stay healthy:

Increased Ventilation

Improper ventilation increases air pollutants inside your home and provides an atmosphere for unhealthy air quality in your home. Turn on exhaust fans or open windows when showering or cooking in order to let moisture escape from your home quicker. Make use of ceiling fans that circulate air. In the summer turn the fan on the furnace on to draw up colder air from the basement or install a cold air exchange system. Ensure that dryers, hot water heaters and wood or gas stoves have proper exhaust systems and fresh air intakes if required.

Proper Water Quality

If you get your water from a well ensure that you have your water tested regularly for both bacterial and chemicals to ensure it is safe to consume. Keep pesticides and other hazardous waste away from the well. Ensure any vehicles and equipment located on your property are not leaking any fuel or oil. Prevent animals from urinating or defecating near the well. If any issues with the well occur have the problem looked and a corrected by a certified professional.

Hard water is safe to drink but may cause skin irritations and household problems if left untreated. If you experience hard water you can install a water softener system. A water sofener filters out minerals that can cause dry skin, and build up mineral deposits on your laundry, dishes, pipes, fixtures, and appliances.

Balance Humidity

Respiratory problems can develop when the air in your home is too dry. Alternatively, too much moisture in the air can cause mildew, promote mold growth and affect those with allergies and/or asthma. All of these factors are why a proper balance of humidity in your home is so important.

If you experience a feeling of dampness in in your home, a dehumidifier will help balance the environment and prevent your home, furniture and possessions from experiencing water damage. On the other hand if the air in your home is too dry, a humidifier will add moisture and relieve dry skin any respiratory problems such as a sore throat or breathing issues. As well as protecting your personal health a balance in humidity will also protect and prolong the health of your home.

Keep unwanted Water away

Water entering your home can cause all kinds of issues both to the structure of the home as well as affecting the interior climate and living conditions. Ensure you have proper grading with your landscape to direct water away from your home. Install eaves-troughs to collect and properly disperse rain water. Repair any foundation leaks and ensure that a proper drainage system is installed and functioning properly.

Maintain your home’s exterior, windows, and roof and ensure that there are no water leaks. As well as worn or missing shingles water can enter the home near chimneys, skylights, as well as air and sewer vents. It is a good practice to make it a yearly check to ensure that proper seals exist around all flashing and to immediately repair any issues. Other water concerns can be caused by leaking water or sewer pipes within the home. If required make sure a working sump pump system is installed which includes a backup system. Any issues that result in unwanted water entering your home should be dealt with immediately.

Filed Under: Featured, Real Estate

26 McArthur Avenue. Carleton Place, Ontario

May 24, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Introducing 26 McArthur Ave. Carleton Place, Ontario. Set in the popular Carleton Place community this family home is situated on a quiet cul-de-sac just steps away from downtown and a short walk from beautiful Riverside park.

Walking distance to many amenities, including schools, restaurants and the Carleton Place Farmers Market. A short commute into the city with the new 4 lane highway.

This custom built home features lots of great decor accents with stain glass window, crown moldings and lighting fixtures. Original owners have kept it well maintained and have done many upgrades.

For more information on this property please click here.

Filed Under: Carleton Place, Featured, Properties, Real Estate

301 Glenbrae Ave. Kanata, Ontario

May 16, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Introducing 301 Glenbrae Ave. Kanata, Ontario. Set in the popular Kanata community of Brookside. This home is walking distance to many amenities, including schools, restaurants, coffee shops, bus routes and parks.

This Garand Robert model was built in approx. 2009 and features 2010 square feet of living space, including a finished basement. A well maintained End unit town home on corner lot, bright, spacious, with plenty of storage and well priced. There isn’t anything more you could want in a townhome.

For more information on this property please click here.

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Filed Under: Communities, Kanata, Properties, Real Estate

Finishing your basement and maximizing the return on your investment

May 10, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Home improvements are usually done to increase your home satisfaction, but unless you plan on living in the same house forever you should also consider how they affect your home’s overall value.

Finishing your basement can yield up to a 70% return on your investment at resale according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2013 Cost vs.Value Report.

These tips will help you plan for your basement renovation needs with a focus on resale value:

Increase Space – Finishing your basement is a cost-effective way to get more usable square footage without having to build an addition on your home. A finished basement utilizes a large unused space in your home.

Increase Functionality – Determine how to finish your basement to best address your needs. This might be adding more bedrooms, bathrooms, storage area, a home theatre, or a rental. Be sure to check with your municipality to ensure what you have planned is allowed.

Plan Ahead – Get a few professional quotations to help you determine what is possible within your budget. This may include an architect or draftsman to design the job and provide drawings, a contractor to build it and an interior designer to make your dreams become reality. If you are a do- it-yourselfer look online, in magazines and price out various finishes and products.

Start with a Solid Structure – Fix any foundation problems first and any structural issues with your home. Professional engineering help will be required for assessing load capacity, excavating and fixing foundation issues.

Comfort Control – Address any potential dampness issues before your renovation starts. A dehumidifier or air conditioner may be required in summer months. Ensure you have proper heating and cooling distribution which may mean installing or relocating registers and/or adding cold air returns. See my blog post ‘Dealing with Dampness’.

Insulation – Fixing moisture issues before you begin will increase the thermal performance of your insulation. Apply waterproof paint to masonry walls and ensure exterior walls contain a proper vapour barrier. Research the various insulation types and look at upgrading existing insulation to a higher R-value before you finish the interior. Consider conducting a before and after energy audit to have to present to any future buyers to show you have made improvements to have an energy efficient home.

Lighting – Adding extra lighting or increasing the natural light in your basement by adding or enlarging windows is a great investment. An engineer should ensure the surrounding walls can support the increased structural load. Recessed lighting (potlights) are a popular choice in today’s homes.
Flooring – Choose appropriate materials for your flooring. Carpeting, hardwood and some laminates are generally not recommended due to higher moisture in basements. Consider installing a vapour barrier and a product which acts as an insulator below the flooring. Research the product you want to use to ensure it can be used below grade.

Ceilings – Consider a suspended ceiling to allow easy access to the plumbing, electricity and ductwork. Drywall doesn’t offer these benefits, but is often chosen for it’s more clean and polished appearance. If drywall is chosen include access panels for water and gas shutoffs.

Drawings and Permits – Work with an Architect or Draftsman to draw up a plan that outlines your vision. Complete any applications for required permits and inspections. Check first with your municipality for requirements and restrictions.

Interview a few contractors, ensuring they are licensed and insured. Ask for past references and examples of work they have previously done. Compare quotes and pick someone that you feel comfortable dealing with. Your completed basement renovation will not only increase the resale of your home but will add new useable space for you to enjoy.

If you are interested in more home improvements to increase you home value you can request my Free “Room by Room Review” booklet which includes ‘101 Quick & Easy Ways to Make Your Home Show like A Model Home’

Filed Under: Design, Featured, Real Estate, Seller

An upswing in sales for the April market

May 8, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

Ottawa, May 3, 2013 – Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,573 residential properties in April through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,568 in April 2012, an increase of 0.3 per cent.

“The Ottawa market is doing well, and gaining ground back since the “cool-down” of the market for the past five months,” says Tim Lee, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “We are on par with the strong sales of last April, and the resale market is up 34.9 per cent since last month. With the late onset of warmer weather, the traditional “spring market” saw its upswing a little later this year. With interest rates continuing to be low, Ottawa remains a healthy, stable market.”

April’s sales included 302 in the condominium property class, and 1,271 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in April in the Ottawa area was $371,565, an increase of 2.1 per cent over April 2012. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $266,596, a decrease of 2.3 per cent over April 2012. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $396,507, an increase of 2.9 per cent over April 2012. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of over 2,900 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Source: The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB)

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Filed Under: Featured, Real Estate, Real Estate News

Dealing With Dampness in Your Home

April 14, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

As we approach the spring many homes experience dampness from the excess water caused by a combination of greater rain fall and the melted snow. When dampness is present in your home it can cause a musty undesirable smell.

If dampness is not taken care of it also produces mold on hard surfaces, mildew on soft surfaces, and can lead to health issues. The best way to tackle any problems with dampness is to detect it, deal with it, and avoid it in the future.

Identifying the dampness

The climate where we live is a predictor for dampness in our homes. The Ottawa valley has high humidity and increased rainfall during this time of year. That coupled with the melting snow and ice often causes an influx of water from the outside coming in.

Even in ideal climates you can also experience dampness from increased humidity from showering, drying clothes, and cooking. It may not always be obvious where to locate the source of dampness issues. When water is entering your home from the outside, you may be able to determine where by looking for water stains on painted walls or white salt deposits (called efflorescence) that show up on brick.

Dealing with dampness

When your home is showing signs of dampness, it is important to deal these issues quickly so they don’t lead to increased damage or personal health issues. The first thing to do is locate the source of the problem. Look at the most common problems such as blocked eaves-troughs missing shingles, objects stacked against exterior walls, leaking water pipes, or damage to your roof or foundation.

If you cannot find the source of the issue hire an expert to help. Depending on the complexity and severity of the problem, there may be some solutions you can take care of yourself (e.g. caulking around windows to keep moisture out, cleaning the gutters), whereas others may be better suited for a professional (e.g. fixing leaky water pipes or fixing foundation problems).

Avoiding dampness

Prevention is the key to keeping a damp free home. Here are some tips you can take to keep dampness away from your home:

Keeping windows and doors closed during humid weather prevents moisture in the home.
Use climate control devices such as an air conditioner and or a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 60%.
Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to control humidity.
Ensure all kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are clear and connected directly outdoors and not into the attic.
When possible, consider limiting the boiling time of water, covering your saucepans when cooking.
Position the downspout runoff of the eaves-troughs so they are directed away from the foundation of your home.
Make sure the yard has proper slope which directs water away from the home and that the foundation has a proper drainage system in place.
Increasing or improving the insulation of your home and around pipes.
Make sure that the home has a proper vapor barrier present.
Limit the amount of indoor plants you have in the home and store firewood outside or in the garage.

Filed Under: Buyer, Featured, Real Estate, Seller, Uncategorized

BMO to raise back up controversial Mortgage Rates

March 31, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

The Bank of Montreal will return the posted rate for a fixed five-year mortgage back to 3.09%, where it was before they lowered it to 2.99 per cent. Financial Minister Jim Flaherty had expressed his disapproval over the lowered rate which was offered as of March 4th.

Manulife also reversed its decision to offer a lower rate last week after they received a call from Flaherty asking them to reconsider.

There are however lots of lenders still offering 5 year fixed mortgages below 3% at this time, if you are looking for a new mortgage or would like more information please feel free to give me a call and I can answer any questions you may have.

Filed Under: Buyer, Financial, Real Estate, Real Estate News

Attention Buyers – BMO Mortgage Rate Cut May Spark Price War

March 8, 2013 By Chantal Nephin

The Bank of Montreal recently cut its five-year fixed mortgage rate to 2.99 per cent as we head into the important spring housing market. BMO is lowering the rate on its five-year fixed low-rate mortgage to 2.99 per cent from 3.09 per cent on a loan with an amortization period of 25 years.

Other banks have yet to follow suit on their posted rates but already buyers are reporting negotiating rates below 3% with other institutions.

This is not the first time BMO has made this move; last year it also lowered its rate for the spring market, but only for a short time. When it made the move last year other banks were quick to introduce competitive products. It is unknown how long BMO’s current offer will be offered.

It’s subject to withdrawal. We’re not announcing how long it will be out in the market.

Sameh Elrefaei, BMO’s head of mortgage products

The lower rates are likely being offered to remain competitive in a shrinking housing market after the government introduced tougher mortgage rules last year.

If you are thinking of renewing your mortgage or are interested in purchasing to take advantage of these low rates I would be happy to assist you. Fill out the short form below today and I can arrange a free, no obligation consultation for any of your mortgage needs.

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