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Top Tips For House Hunting Online

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

  • Stay up to date. When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter.

  • Pictures can be deceiving. Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But, often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms.

  • See it to believe it. Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, call The Agent DK Team to schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. The Agent DK Team will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.

Community Highlight: Carp

Welcome to Carp

The village of Carp is located in the most western ward of the City of Ottawa, approximately 10 minutes West of Kanata. Carp is the perfect location if you are looking for a small town feel and rural living, but don’t want to be far from the city. This agriculturally rooted town is still home to generations of families and with newly constructed communities, it is quickly becoming a welcoming place for newcomers that are looking for the perfect mix of country and city. Carp is home to many large properties with land that buyers are eager to purchase these days. The town also boasts many tight-knit communities with single or semi-detached homes and townhomes that are perfect for families, singles, or retiree’s. For workers with a commute, Carps neighbouring communities, Stittsville and Kanata offer many Park n Ride locations where transportation can be organized if travelling closer downtown or to the east end of Ottawa. This quiet, quaint community is the ideal place to live if you are looking to escape the busy city life and find something a little more country with amenities by the dozen as a place to call your new home.

Reasons to make Carp Home

The Village of Carp really has something for everyone. It is it’s own town with everything you need; food, restaurants, shops, banks, automobile shops and more. Anything else needed is a quick trip away to neighbouring communities such as Stittsville or Kanata. It is still close to the city of Ottawa for those who want the hustle and bustle, but also crave that small town feeling and the tranquility of country living. It’s wide range of housing can satisfy large families and singles and the many activities and events held by the community will provide you with opportunities to be involved, and the generous, friendly locals will have everyone feeling right at home in no time at all. 

Reasons to move to Carp

  • Historic village with beautiful views
  • Excellent walkability between amenities
  • Friendly, welcoming residents and business owners
  • Growing population and new developments
  • Many local schools, pharmacies, and health and wellness centres. 
  • Trendy and modern shops, restaurants, and local businesses
  • Variety of single homes, duplex homes, and condos for resale along with new builds and developments that meet the unique needs of many homebuyers. 

Career Opportunities in Carp

Being an agricultural town, Carp has a large variety of trade occupations. From farming to landscaping, construction and even aviation, Carp offers many differing career opportunities. Just off of Highway 417, Carp Road heading North into the town shows the amount of businesses that call this area home. Some larger companies that provide great hiring opportunities include Tomlinson Waste and Recovery Centre, Waste Management, KOTT Landscaping and Aecon (formerly Karson Group). Also along Carp Road is the town’s very own Airport. Although you won’t be able to catch international flights here, it offers aviation maintenance, training, licensing and rentals. 

Communities in Carp

Mattino – Diamondview Estates: A new area of townhomes and single homes with oversized lots just off of Wingover Private in Carp Ridge, just off of March Road and Highway 417. This location is set for occupancy late 2021-early 2022 and is selling fast. With homes ranging from 1,750 to 3,600 square feet, this development is ideal for families, singles and young professionals and retirees wanting to remain close to the city. 

Westwood: Located off of March road between Old Carp Road and Huntmar, this area offers areas with larger pieces of land and beautiful neighbourhoods. Most of these homes are landscaped for privacy and frequently have luxurious backyards with pools and large yards. 

Village of Carp: In the heart of the town, just off of Donald B. Munro and Carp Road, is where you will find the majority of Carps homes. This area is a series of single homes, townhouses and bungalows in great neighbourhoods where everyone knows their neighbours. These areas are ideal for families of every size, in every stage of life. In the community, there is Huntley Centennial Public School, W. Erskine Johnston Arena, Carp Tennis Club and Carp Agricultural Society (fairgrounds). It is a great area to raise a family with strong community involvement and values. 

Carp Commons Retirement Village: A newly built retirement village that offers luxury suites for Independent Seniors and with the option for additional services. There are amenities such as a salon/spa, fitness room, movie theatre/game room and bistro pub and bar. It is a beautiful retirement community that offers nursing staff, meal services and is close to medical centres, pharmacies and all small businesses/shops Carp has to offer.

Attractions in Carp

For having a small population of around 2,000 residents, Carp is full of attractions. It’s main street is jam packed with small and trendy businesses run by friendly locals. A night out at a fancy restaurant in the city will not be needed, as the village of Carp has everything you need at your own backdoor. Things to do include:

Alice’s Cafe: This restaurant is in the heart of downtown Carp. They offer great meals from breakfast through to dinner. They also serve amazing coffee and tea if you’re just in the mood for a quick drink. Their patio overlooking downtown is also a great place to spend a casual evening with the family, or a night out without the kids.

Ridge Rock Brewing Company: This brewery was created in 2018 by 4 locals who do an amazing job representing Carp history. The wood used to make their tables and bar top are made from local trees that were dried in a homemade solar kiln in one of the owner’s backyards, and the railroad track used underneath the bar top is original to the railway that used to pass through the town. This company also offers a large patio overlooking downtown, perfect for those looking to enjoy the warm summer nights.

Carp Custom Creamery: Who doesn’t love ice cream? This spot offers over 40 flavours of ice cream anyone would enjoy, with gluten free and vegan options also available! You can grab a cone to go or take home a 1L tub of their famous flavours. 

Kin Vineyards: This vineyard sits on 47 beautiful acres in Carp. They make their wine in house and host many events throughout the summer and fall. A night can be enjoyed here sitting outside with a charcuterie board and a glass of wine, or you can spend the day taking a tour and tasting.

The Diefenbunker Museum: Now a museum, this was first created in 1959 during the Cold War as protection for the Government and Military from possible nuclear attacks. Built on a former farm, this 75 foot bunker now offers tours and exhibitions. It is also a great option for something to do on a hot day as it is all underground.

Carp Farmers Market: This local market is one of the best parts of Carp. Every year from May until October, every Saturday morning is dedicated to the farmers market. It is the best place to get anything and everything local. They offer vegetables, preserves, wine, honey, crafts, candles and more. It was named the largest producer-based Farmers’ Market in Eastern Ontario and has the friendliest vendors and visitors you will meet.

Carp Airport: If you’re interested in flying in the passenger seat, Carp Airport now offers Ottawa Bi-Plane Rides Inc. every Saturday in July and August. It is a great way to see the city from a birds eye view. 

Full-Service Carp

While the population of Carp is minimal in comparison to other suburbs or Ottawa, the amenities within the city are here to serve. Carp is home to excellent local public elementary and nursery schools. Additionally, there is beautiful green space with an array of trees blanketing the area, and the Community Centre that hosts many recreational programs for people of all ages encourages the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Carp is also home to many different types of local businesses and specialty stores that cater to most of the needs of its residents and homeowners. Here you can find hairdressers and barber shops, medical clinics, massage therapy, restaurants, yoga, fitness centres, music schools, grocers, a hardware store, and much more. Provided all the excellent benefits of living in the city of Carp, most residents don’t mind venturing into the neighbouring Kanata community for needs that exceed what is provided here, if and when the need presents itself.

If you feel that Carp would be a perfect place to call home, Call the Agent DK Team and we can help get you settled there!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. We’re grateful for our families, our team members, our clients, their loyalty and trust in us.

We hope that you are enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend.

From all of us at The Agent DK Team.

What To Do With an Unfinished Basement

Although currently dimly lit and a little rough on the eyes, your unfinished basement still has a lot of potentials. With just a little love and the help of the following ideas, you can spice it up in no time and get some great use out of the space:

Add a pop of color. Give your basement a whole different look without a big renovation by adding some color to space. Consider painting and sealing the floors, opening up the room by painting the rafters white or a light color, or creating a bold accent wall.

Divide the space. Want to make your basement a multi-use room? Partition out the area by installing an inexpensive curtain system. This can be done either with a curtain track or a simple wire, some hooks, and curtains will suffice.

Add foam mats. Whether you’d like to use the basement as a home gym to get a quick workout in or a place for the kids to play and rough house, adding some foam mats into the mix is a great and easy solution. They come in various colors and can quickly be picked up and tucked away if need be.

Use a large rug. As an alternative to adding mats, find a large, eye-catching rug to be used as a focal point, and furnish the area around it.

Add lighting. Basements often offer very little built-in lighting and few outlets around the room. Consider stringing café lighting across space from the rafters to give a nice ambiance and glow without any difficult electrical work.

Ottawa Real Estate Market Snapshot: September 2021

he September 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!


Market Snapshot: Property values are holding steady as we continued to see an increase through September. As the number of transactions showed a considerable decrease from the same time last year, keep in mind that the September 2020 market showed peak activity due to the lockdown.

In comparing this September to that of 2019 & 2018 the number of transactions showed an increase of 4%(2019) and 16%(2018).


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. Call the Agent DK Team today!

National Taco Day!

History of Taco Day

It is not known exactly when this tasty food originated, but tacos themselves seem to have been around for a long time. They were first referenced by their current name at the end of the 19th century, but the conquistador Cortez mentioned a meal prepared with tortillas as far back as 1520!

Back in those days, this would have been referring to a type of soft wheat or corn tortillas. Hard taco shells are a much more recent innovation. Of course, as Americans got their hands on this delicious food, it has evolved, morphed, and grown into something that is less of a food and more of an institution! And that’s why Taco Day was created. To celebrate the grand institution of the taco.

While some people may find themselves celebrating this tasty Mexican dish every week on Taco Tuesday, this is a special Taco Day that only comes around once a year. So get ready to celebrate and enjoy the beauty and flavor of the taco!

Try a Unique Take on Tacos

While most people have a basic idea of what a taco would normally be like, the sky’s the limit when it comes to getting creative with this form of cuisine! As long as it comes in a little pocket, almost anything can become a taco. Try out these unique taco recipes to insert a bit more pizazz into Taco Day:

  • Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Tacos. Taking it from south of the border to over in the pacific, this fusion taco recipe is amazing. Huli Huli is a kind of chicken that is grilled over mesquite barbeque and basted with pineapple juice, soy sauce and fresh ginger. Add a salsa made from pineapple, mango and avocado, and this taco is absolutely to die for.
  • Shrimp Tacos with Mango Habanero Salsa. The heat of the habanero pepper combines with the fruity sweetness of the mango to create a balance that will bring tears to the eyes. Plus, simmering red onions in a bit of vinegar creates a pickled flavor that brings everything together.
  • Chicken Cabbage Potato Tacos with Apple Pico de Gallo. Another rather unique one, this one pulls in those random ingredients left in the kitchen and makes them into something absolutely wonderful.
  • Irish Guiness Tacos. Where would the Irish be without their beer? The pork in this taco is braised with Guiness, bringing out the deep flavors. Add a bit of lime zest and some crema, and this Irish/Mexican fusion is ready to go.

Finish Things Off with Dessert Tacos

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with adding a little sweetness to the end of a meal. People have used all kinds of different ingredients to morph this dish into something dessert-worthy.

Consider these delicious ideas for dessert tacos:

  • Apple Pie Tacos. Take an all-American dessert like Apple Pie and put it in a Mexican taco? Yes, please! Regular flour tortillas are deep fried into a taco shape and then dipped in a cinnamon sugar concoction. Fill them with apple pie filling and top with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.
  • Brown Butter Crepe Choco Tacos. Turn those crepes (made with browned butter) into taco shells by draping them over a taco rack. Allow to cool and fill them with all kinds of deliciousness, such as chocolate ice cream and nutella.
  • Sugar Cookie Fruit Tacos. Folded just slightly, large sugar cookies make the perfect “shell” for a dessert taco. Add chopped fruit, such as strawberries and kiwi, and top with sweetened whipped cream. This is a delightful summer treat!
  • Waffle Cone Choco Tacos. Make mini waffles into taco shapes instead of cones. Fill with homemade ice cream or frozen custard, and dip into chocolate. Freeze for 20-30 minutes before serving.

For More great ideas on how to Celebrate Taco Day click here!

Support Local

The holiday season is still a couple of months away but it might be a good time to start thinking about holiday gifts for your friends and family and start sourcing them through local shops.

It is so important to support our small local shops and what better way to do that is to get your holiday shopping underway!

Because many local entrepreneurs are also members of the community, they feel a great sense of connection to support others in need.

They like to pay it forward, just as their customers do. It is not uncommon to see local businesses initiating fundraisers for food banks, school clubs, or sports teams.

Meaningful Relationships

Let’s face it. COVID-19 has left many of us feeling more isolated than ever before. Our interactions with others have dropped significantly. Now, we rely significantly on virtual connections instead. Many local shops have been in business for years, and know the community and its residents like their own family. They build and maintain meaningful relationships with their clientele. They know who shops with them, who refers them, and they take mounds of pride in return and repeat service. Because of their undying gratitude for your support, each interaction is honest and heartfelt. They may ask about your family or how your day is going, and it comes from the heart, unlike scripted up-sales used by corporations.

Supporting Local Economy and Job Growth

Throughout the pandemic, small businesses took a great hit. But despite questions about the future of their businesses, they kept on. They stayed true to their belief in employing local workers. They also hire other locally owned businesses for the supplies and services needed to produce goods in a safe and efficient manner. By putting our money back into these small shops, we can directly help these caring entrepreneurs during the holiday season and many other local businesses. The lasting effect this will have could mean much economic recovery within Ottawa’s local communities.

Community Ties and Giving Back

Because many local entrepreneurs are also members of the community, they feel a great sense of connection to support others in need. They like to pay it forward, just as their customers do. It is not uncommon to see local businesses initiating fundraisers for food banks, school clubs, or sports teams. Many have ties with hospitals and schools within the area. Throughout COVID-19, many local restaurants even provided front-line hospital workers with free meals. The sense of connection between local businesses and the community is what makes a difference when the going gets tough.  Local community Associations and BIA’s (Business Improvement Associations) can be an excellent source of information.  If you are curious about what Community Association does for the community click here.

So when you shop this winter and put gifts under your tree, keep small businesses in mind. The impact you will have on their lives will be substantial, the products you buy will be one of a kind,  and you will never, ever be treated like just another number or sale.

Every Child Matters

Today, as we commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on the long-standing history of abhorrent injustices inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples across Canada and the piercing, unresolved legacy of residential schools that remains. We honour the survivors of these atrocities, those we lost, their families, and their communities, and we recognize the urgent work and profound learning that must take place within our nation to nurture healing and meaningful reconciliation. 🧡

It is imperative that we all partake in remembrance, reflection, action, and learning today – and every day – to work collaboratively toward enacting real change and a more equitable future for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. #DoSomething#EveryChildMatters

Tune in to a conversation hosted by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund President and CEO, Sarah Midanik, to explore this new day of reflection, the significance of September 30, what this means for reconciliation in Canada, and how we can participate meaningfully: https://downiewenjack.ca/national-day-for-truth-and…/

Recommended resources to continue your learning journey: https://downiewenjack.ca/recommended-resources/

Kitchen Counter Upgrades

If you’re undergoing a kitchen renovation, don’t underestimate the power of a captivating countertop — whether it’s a small area near your sink or an expansive island. 🏡✨

Check out these 10 kitchen counter upgrades that will inflate the value of your home. 📈

Carp Fair 2021

Interested in experiencing the community of Carp? The Carp Fair is this weekend and it is an excellent way for the entire family to enjoy great music, great shows and a huge midway! Feel the exhilaration of all the midway twists turns and tumbles!

Enjoy live music, world-class horse shows, President’s Choice SuperDogs and our very own Rodeo! Your kids will beam with excitement at the Family Circle tent with magic shows and puppets or experience agricultural learning in the Ag Tent, petting zoo and more! It’s a full weekend of family fun! For a great fall day in the country – where all your senses will be activated – see, hear, smell – come visit Carp Fair!

Stay up-to-date by following us on our social media pages @Carpfair

Here is more information about the Carp Fair http://carpfair.ca/

Interested in learning more about the Village of Carp and surrounding areas, seeing what houses are for sale check our community page https://www.teamrealty.ca/discover-life-in-carp/

Hello Autumn

Happy first day of autumn! 🍎✨


“Life starts all over again when it gets crips in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald 🍂

Fall Decor Ideas

Autumn is in the air, which means it’s time for a seasonal decor swap. 🍂✨

Dress up your porch, patio, fire pit, and more with these festive decorating ideas fit for any outdoor space! 🍁

Chic Fall DIY’s

As the temperature drops and we’re looking for reasons to stay warm inside, what better time to roll up your sleeves and get crafty? 🍂✨

From succulent pumpkins to gorgeous centrepieces, these awesome fall DIYs will add a cool, festive spin to your home this season! 🎃

Lawn Care in the Fall

Most people don’t know, but the most important lawn care takes place in the fall. It is important to continue caring for your lawn, even as the weather begins to cool. A perfect activity to do this month!

Fall lawn care includes:

Fertilizing your lawn
Adding soil and seed
Removing leaves as they fall
Continuing to cut your lawn (be sure not to cut it too short)

If you care for your lawn now, it will be luscious come spring.

Click here for 7 Musts for your Yard this Autumn!