Happy Hannukah

Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful and joyous Festival of Lights. Hanukkah Sameach! 🕎✨❄️

New Deadline for Entries: December 19th! The Agent DK Team 2021 Gingerbread House Contest!

The Agent DK Team is getting ready to hit the road to bring our clients some Holiday Cheer!



CONTEST RULES



A member of the Agent DK Team will be dropping off a kit to our 2021 clients.



Once you receive your Gingerbread Kit it’s time to have some family fun!



1. Have fun decorating your Gingerbread House compliments of The Agent DK Team!



2. Post your completed Masterpiece on Facebook or Instagram.



Facebook: Tag “The Agent DK Team”



Instagram: Tag @agentdk



Use the Following Hashtags:

#AgentDKContest #AgentDKCertified #AgentDK



Or Simply Take a picture and email it to: [email protected]



Submit Entry NO LATER THAN December 19th, 2021



Every entry will be placed in a draw on Monday, December 20th to win some great prizes!

AGENT DK TEAM PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are happy to announce our new partnership with The Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Team!

The Agent DK Team is proud to be the Exclusive and the Official Real Estate Broker of the Ottawa BlackJacks!!!

We are thrilled for this new partnership and we will be there cheering on our home team from courtside! Some great contests and giveaways will be happening at the games!…

Excited to be part of this great Basketball Team! 💪#HopOn | #OurGame

Featured Community: Kanata

Welcome to Kanata

Kanata is home to a healthy balance of rural and urban properties, featuring an array of amenities that have turned this slice of Ottawa into one of the most desirable communities in the city. Located to the west of the National Capital Commission Greenbelt, with a population of just over 100,000, Kanata is a sought out place to call home, attracting people of all ages, ethnicities, and stages of life. This community easily offers the convenience and kindness of a small town with immaculate green space and rural areas, while having amenities for people who find themselves craving big-city events, attractions and shopping. It’s proximity to the major highways also make Kanata an easy commute for people who work or travel outside its borders. No matter your lifestyle, Kanata is the ultimate suburban neighbourhood that looks to give you what the big city offers, without the travel time that normally coincides. 

Neighbourhoods: Richardson Ridge, Beaverbrook, The Rockeries, Glen Cairn, Blackstone, Katimavik, Hazeldean, Emerald Meadows, Morgan’s Grant, Kanata Lakes, Bridlewood, Kanata North

Real Estate in Kanata: There is Something for Everyone

Kanata is a desired community that many people seek out and is growing steadily. There are a wide variety of homes to choose from within the town; with single-detached, semi-detached, townhouses, condominiums, rural homes, and new builds, the choices are endless, ensuring your wants and needs in homeownership are met. There is something for everyone. There are starter homes, condos for care-free living, estate lots, established neighbourhoods and new communities. Talk to one of our Real Estate professionals here at Royal LePage to see what kind of opportunities we have for you to buy your dream home in Kanata by contacting us today.

Reasons to move to Kanata

Kanata is made up of beautiful urban and rural neighbourhoods.

Kanata is the largest tech park in Canada, known as the Silicon Valley of the North.

A community feel throughout each neighbourhood.

New business and residential developments lead to a growing population.

Many different shopping hubs and entertainment venues for your enjoyment.

Excellent schools, shopping, pharmacies, and restaurants for your enjoyment.

Offers a variety of different homes at more for your dollar than big city Ottawa.

Could moving to Kanata be right for you?

Kanata offers an attractive lifestyle for people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, and lifestyles. With easy access to the 416, 417 and accessible public transportation options, Kanata is seen as a commuters dream; The ease of access to the highways also offers hassle-free trips to the downtown core or a head-start on those out of town trips heading west. Kanata has the perfect mixture of urban and rural areas; with the National Capital Commission Greenbelt bordering the community, and many parks and trails found in all corners of the town, it is easier than ever to get your dose of the fresh outdoors without traveling too far. Some of the most visited parks and trails include Beaver Pond, Shirley’s Brook Park, Allenby Park, Shetland Park, and Morgan’s Grant Woods, just to name a few. The entertainment available in Kanata is notable, as the community is home to the Canadian Tire Centre, host to the Ottawa Senators, and many other musicians and entertainers alike throughout the year. When you’re not racing to be first in line for ticket sales at the CTC, there are a variety of shopping hubs throughout different neighbours that are sure to provide you with the day to day services you may require. Kanata is the perfect place to call home, featuring many different types of neighbourhoods, so whether you’re looking for a highrise condo, a townhouse, a single home with lots of space, or something more rural, the possibilities seem infinite and the community is filled with things to do for everyone to enjoy. 

Kanata Residents and Lifestyle 

The residents of Kanata are proud of their community and make newcomers feel welcome with friendly smiles, and tips on the best schools, shopping, recreation, social media accounts, and events in the area. This is an exciting place to live, and they can’t wait to show you why!Kanata has an assortment of residents differing from families with children, retirees, business professionals, couples without children, and single occupants. This diverse population is due to the wide business opportunities coupled with attractive neighbourhoods and green space, schools, and public transportation that is found in the area. No matter your place in life, this business hub filled with beautiful homes and neighbourhoods for people of all ages and lifestyles is a desired suburb for many. So whether you have your heart set on a highrise condo, townhouse, single home in the suburbs or something more rural and green, Kanata has just what you need to make a house into the home you have dreamed of, in a neighbourhood you love. 

Family Cooking

Moving to Kanata – Ottawa’s Entertainment District

Kanata is home to Ottawa’s biggest entertainment venue; The Canadian Tire Centre hosts many musicians and entertainers all year long, or rather, on days that they aren’t hosting their number one tenant, the Ottawa Senators. The Canadian Tire Centre has seen musicians such as Justin Bieber, The Lumineers, and Pearl Jam, and hosted unique childrens shows like Disney On Ice and Paw Patrol Live. Additionally, many sporting events find their way to the CTC; all of the Ottawa Senators’ home games take place inside these walls, and occasionally, featured events such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Stars on Ice, and Cirque du Soleil take the stage to showcase differing styles of athleticism. Outside of the Canadian Tire Centre, Landmark Theatre in Kanata Centrum is the largest movie theatre in Ottawa and really takes the movie-going experience to a whole new level. Additionally, there are many events that take place in Kanata throughout the year; Wesley Clover Parks provides a great venue and is famous for its winter Magic of Lights drive-through display. The park is host to many additional events throughout the year, such as Snow Day fun, the famous Girls Mud Run, and the National Capital Car Show among a variety of equestrian events that take place throughout the warmer months.Other notable attractions that Kanata has to offer include The Kanata Civic Art Gallery, The annual Kanata North Picnic, and The Eddie May Mysteries dinner theatre, which is the longest-running murder mystery entertainment group in Canada. If you like Sports and Entertainment, you sure won’t feel a shortage in this community.

Dinner plate with napkin

Great Places to Eat in Kanata

Dining options in Kanata are very exciting, and will not leave you disappointed. With several places to choose from, you may find yourself making adjustments in your grocery budget to take advantage of these great eateries. For local restaurants that will surely have you coming back for seconds, make sure to try Fratelli’s, Cabotto’s, Lapointe Seafood Grill, StrEATS, Kanata Noodle House, The Keg, Zac’s Diner, or if you’re looking for Vegetarian options, Kanata is home to Pure Kitchen Vegetarian Food and Juice Bar with a variety of options that are enjoyed by all. For dessert, be sure to scoop up the goods at any of the local bakeries; La Provence and La Maison du Kouign-Amann have an assortment of mouth-watering pastries and cakes that are sure to please the sweet tooth in your life. Whatever your dining out desire may be, restaurants in Kanata are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, leaving each palate completely satisfied.

Business Opportunities in Kanata

If you’re looking into bringing your business to or starting your business in Kanata, you will be happy to know that Kanata is a business hub with many great innovators, and is home to some of the biggest names in the tech industry. With Ericsson, Nokia, Mitel, and Dell among others putting up shop, Kanata Research Park is definitely known as a hi-tech headquarters, underscoring a prosperous economy for this community. Aside from tech businesses, Kanata is home to over 500 businesses that add to this thriving community; Booster Juice, Big Rig Brewery, and First Air along with multiple locally owned small businesses make this little town stand out among others. If you have any questions about moving your business to Kanata and are looking to rent or purchase commercial property in the area, talk to our Real Estate professionals at Royal LePage today.

Luxury Bathroom

There are few things more satisfying than a luxurious bathroom makeover. 🛁

Relax into these spa-worthy retreats and click here to discover how to take your bathroom from blah to beautiful. 🤩

Remembrance Day 2021

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”

  • – Laurence Binyon, 1914

Mortgage Shopping

When you’re looking at buying a home, there are so many factors that come into play, such as which type of mortgage is best suited for your needs and how much money you’ll need to put down on your house. It can be easy to feel lost in the process.

Mortgage Shopping: What Does a Mortgage Broker Do?

In what has been an unprecedented year in buying and selling, Ottawa Real Estate is remaining hot, and mortgage rates cool. While buying a home and getting a mortgage is a big financial decision, the process of securing a loan leaves even the most experienced buyers with a laundry list of questions. Naturally, you will want a team of trusted professionals on your side to walk you through the options that best suit your unique situation. Allowing yourself some time to properly shop around and do your homework on what mortgage products and features are being offered is essential. 


Fortunately, this is where the expertise of a mortgage broker comes to your aid. Instead of spending countless hours researching and setting up multiple appointments, an experienced broker can access their tools to find you great mortgages to compare and choose from, streamlining the process to find what suits you and the needs of your family. 

Bank or Broker: What’s Best For You

In the past, inquiries about mortgages were primarily done at the bank. While this remains an option today, big banks can often feel intimidating and may leave you with fewer options when it comes to refinancing your mortgage, getting a new one, or accessing the equity in your home. As a result, many buyers are turning to mortgage brokers for help instead.

Lenders have become increasingly competitive in recent years, creating a surge in demand for mortgage brokers. A broker will be able to provide unbiased options with the goal of finding a lender that offers rates and conditions suitable for you. 

As opposed to traveling from bank to bank and undergoing hard credit checks, creating an unwanted dent in your credit score, brokers will only run your check once or twice when shopping for your different mortgage products, having a less detrimental impact. Additionally, the mortgage broker is paid by the lenders themselves and not the clients, which makes this a great option for buyers to find the best rates and products available at any time.

Ask The Right Questions

To make the most of comparison shopping, you need to know what options are most important to you. Come prepared and make sure to know what you can afford and how much of a down payment you have. You should also have a list of questions to ask the broker.

  • What type of mortgage is best for my needs?
    • a fixed, variable, or adjustable-rate mortgage
    • an open, closed, or convertible mortgage
  • What mortgage features and options are best for my needs? 
    • a short or long mortgage term/ amortization period
    • frequency of mortgage payments
    • regular or accelerated payments
    • the ability to make prepayments or lump sum payments 
    • the option to transfer my mortgage to another home if I sell my home
  • What are my options if I cannot make a payment?
  • What penalty charges may apply if I want to break my mortgage
    contract or renegotiate a new one?
  • Will I have to pay an additional fee if a payment is late?
  • How can I change the size of my mortgage payments?
  • What fees are involved in setting up, discharging, or renewing my mortgage?
  • How can I save on interest charges?

Ottawa Real Estate Market Snapshot: October 2021

The October 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!Market Snapshot: It was a common fall October market but if you’re looking to find a balanced market, Ottawa is not the place. With a one-month supply for residential properties the pressure continues to increase prices.

If you’re considering a move we’re here to help answer any questions you have, in this market you’ll want a qualified, professional real estate company to protect your interests. The Agent DK Team is ready to help! Message us anytime!

Happy Diwali

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, magical, and prosperous Diwali! 🕯✨

Upsizing Your Home

Unfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof.

Remodeling and adding to your home is one option for creating more space, but it can be costly, and the size of your property may be prohibitive. That’s when moving to a bigger home becomes the best solution.

WHERE DO YOU NEED MORE SPACE?

The first thought when upsizing your home is to simply consider square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms. But it’s important to take a more critical approach to how your space will actually be used. If you have younger children (or possibly more on the way), then focusing on bedrooms and bathrooms makes sense. But if your children are closer to heading off to college or starting their own families, it may be better to prioritize group spaces like the kitchen, dining room, living room, and outdoor space—it’ll pay off during the holidays or summer vacations, when everyone is coming to visit for big gatherings.

MOVING OUTWARD

If you need more space, but don’t necessarily want a more expensive home, you can probably get a lot more house for your money if you move a little further from a city center. While the walkability and short commutes of a dense neighborhood or condo are hard to leave beyond, your lifestyle—and preferences for hosting Thanksgiving, barbecues, and birthdays—might mean that a spacious home in the suburbs makes the most sense. It’s your best option for upsizing while avoiding a heftier price tag.

Hello November

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” — Albert Camus 🍂✨

Wishing you a fantastic month of November full of joy, warmth, and light. 🧡

Wishing 3 of our team members – Andreas, Freda & Xena a Wonderful Birthday Month!