The January 2022 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!
Market Snapshot: January 2022’s sales were much like those of January 2021. Prices continued to rise as inventory remained low. Januarys condo market remained hot as sale prices are more attainable for buyers.
If you’re considering a move The Agent DK Team is here to help answer any questions you have, in this market you’ll want a qualified, professional real estate team to protect your interests. Call or message us anytime!
TOWNHOUSE VS. CONDO: WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?
Whether it’s your first time buying or you just want to purchase something smaller, townhouses and condos are both great options. Check out the differences between the two to help aid you in your search!
Condominiums
Condominiums are similar to apartments in that you purchase an individual unit inside of a larger building, but not the property it sits on. This generally includes access to the building’s amenities, such as the clubhouse, pool, and gym. However, condo owners are not responsible for the upkeep and repair of these common areas. Because of the number of shared spaces, living in a condo often allows for meeting new people and building a strong sense of community. There is a fairly similar vetting process for loan approval as for a full-sized home; however, the lender will also look at the health of the condo association.
Townhouses
Those who purchase a townhome are generally purchasing the complete unit, both inside and out, including the land it sits on. This might also include the driveway, yard, or roof. Traditionally, these units are two- or three-stories tall and may also include common areas like pools and parks. Townhome owners pay a fee to a homeowners association every month and the loan process is the same as buying a full-sized home.
Which is the best choice?
Both townhomes and condos offer less maintenance than a traditional home and generally offer great shared areas. Your decision ultimately comes down to you and your family’s needs and wants. Things you’ll want to take into consideration include location, lifestyle, family growth, and price.
Contact The Agent DK Team today to empower your Real Estate Mission!
Wireton Willy saw his shadow this morning, meaning six more weeks of winter. But we’re not sure we trust him… he’s always been kinda shady.
Maybe a groundhog’s not a great prognosticator, but you might run across one on our national forests.
Here are some facts about groundhogs:
Largest member of the squirrel family
When hibernating, their heartbeats lower to about 5 beats/minute & go 150 days without eating
Build intricate nests with chambers dedicated to living, nursery & waste
“Though, February is short, it is filled with lots of love and sweet surprises.” —Charmaine J Forde 
Year of the Tiger
Today marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. The year 2022 in the Gregorian calendar is designated the Year of the Tiger. In Chinese culture, the tiger is the symbol of bravery, wisdom and strength. Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate! 
Tips for Making Your Home More Peaceful
Many things in our world are out of our control, but one thing you can control is your home environment. There are many simple changes you can make to instill some much needed peace into your living space. In order to create a peaceful environment in the home, make sure everything you see, smell, hear, and touch gives you a calm feeling inside.
It can be stressful and overwhelming to see all your knick-knacks and papers sprawled across your desk or table. Make it a habit to declutter and organize each room at least once a week to keep a zen-like state of mind.
Another way to increase the peace in your home is making sure it smells wonderful. Candles and air fresheners work well, but if you want to give your home a truly soothing scent, consider an essential oil diffuser. There is a huge variety of essential oils, but hints of lemon, peppermint, or sandalwood can really help introduce a sense of calm in your home.
On to the ears! To add soothing sounds into your home atmosphere, find a good speaker system to play smooth jazz or natural sounds as you work or relax at home. Or, if you prefer silence, consider soundproofing a room to cancel out outside noise.
Finally, consider adding a plush blanket to your couch or bed to settle down with in the evenings or add a soft rug to hug your toes as you walk around!
Today we honor the man whose dream set forth a wave of changes that made our country a better place. Including the Equal Housing Opportunity that is ever so important to the real estate industry. Thank you, Martin Luther King Jr. for your perseverance and victories.
Electricity Bill: Saving money on your electricity bill can be done multiple ways. Some easy changes include running appliances, like the stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, at night, opting to air dry clothes, or cooking meals in a crockpot or toaster oven. Set aside time throughout the year to inspect the areas around doors and windows and seal any cracks with caulk or weather stripping. Additionally, make sure to unplug electronics when not in use or use a power strip to turn them all off at once.
Water Bill: Your monthly water bill can sneak up on you, but small changes can be made to cut costs. Install WaterSense-certified faucets and shower heads and convert toilets to low flow to reduce the amount of waterused. Make sure to regularly check toilets and sinks for leaks and repair them. Opt for using your dishwasher instead of handwashing and ensure it’s a full load each time. Also, don’t forget to turn off water while brushing your teeth and shaving.
Gas Bill: Investing in some changes up front can make a difference on your natural gas bill long term. Add insulation in your attic and around your water heater and pipes. Make sure to repair any leaks in your ducts, inspect your furnace regularly, and check your home for any blocked vents that could cause your gas heating system to work overtime. You can also reduce the temperature of your water heater.
It may seem inconvenient or difficult to decorate a small space in your home, but there are a variety of strategies to make that smaller area seem much bigger. Here are some interior design ideas to help you maximize the space in smaller rooms in your home.
The first step for making your small space seem bigger is to clear out all unnecessary items in the room. It’s very hard for any space to look big when there is an assortment of unorganized things thrown around the room. You’ll also want to make sure that there are clear walkways that aren’t obstructed by any pieces of furniture.
The color scheme is very important for maximizing the space in a small room. Dark and warm hues can make a room feel closed off or intimate, so it’s important to choose soft colors for smaller rooms. Lighter colors give rooms a more airy, open feeling and this can be enhanced by choosing similar soft colors for the furniture, curtains, or other items in the room. If your room accessories match the color of the wall, the room will seem more expansive.
Let in as much light as possible. Well-lit rooms always seem larger and you can achieve this with thinner drapes or by making sure all windows are unobstructed. If your small room doesn’t have any windows, you can use mirrors to reflect light from lamps and overhead lighting and give the room a more open feeling. Another way to enhance the light is to use transparent pieces of furniture. Light will flow unobstructed when you have furniture made of glass or lucite.
There is no better way to feel like your starting the year fresh than to do a post-Christmas purge and rid yourself of anything that doesn’t bring joy, get used, or you feel would benefit someone else more. Just like your pants after a second Christmas dinner, things can start feeling a bit tight when you’re trying to find space for gifts your family has received, or big discounted purchases you made during Black Friday or Boxing Day sales. Pulling things out of storage, or getting rid of the clothes you haven’t worn in 5 years can clear up space in your home that will leave you feeling better and brighter in the New Year.
As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our business in a most significant way. We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the years to come. May 2022 be filled with peace, joy, good health and prosperity – The Agent DK Team
Boxing day is an event celebrated on 26th December after Christmas day to celebrate the gifts given to each other and the loved ones.
The boxing day was first celebrated in the UK and then spread into the countries where the British empire was dominant.
Boxing day is a joy to celebrate as people across the world enjoy having to unbox all the gifts and boxes received on Christmas.
From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas bring us closer to each other. — Emily Matthews
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” — Edith Sitwell 
Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful and joyous Festival of Lights. Hanukkah Sameach! 
