When Buying or Selling a home, it can be very inconvenient. Prepare yourself for this fact, be realistic, and the journey shall be much more tolerable and even enjoyable.

When selling your home, make sure your house is priced properly and be prepared leave for that "ever-important" showing at a moments notice. After all, those potential buyer could be "the ones". The more you give, the more you get. Have your house clean, have fresh neutral colours on your walls, de-clutter, and de-personalize. There is no better way, or more economical way, to showcase your home for minimal dollar. Chances are, you'll make it all back, and more!

As a Buyer, be prepared to move quickly with an offer should that dream home pop up for sale. Too many times we see people "sleep on it" and lose their dream home. Don't be that person! Also, as buyer, you want to make sure that your Realtor does their job and has you Pre-approved, in writing, from their lender. It will give you the upper hand in putting forth a stronger offer. After all, your Lender has given you the confidence to move forward!

Prepare yourself and you will not be disappointed.

Stittsville was first built at the intersection of Hazeldean Road and Carp Road, which connected the villages of Richmond and Carp. It is now building as a community with many amenities increasing housing value.

Most of the small village was destroyed in a devastating fire, originating west of Ottawa, which swept through the area in 1870. The fire coincided with the opening of a railroad line from Ottawa to Carleton Place. As a result, the community was rebuilt in the area around the railway station, a mile to the south, where a number of businesses had already been set up. 

Since the extension of the Queensway in the 1970s made travel from Ottawa quicker and easier, Stittsville has experienced rapid growth; it transformed from a quiet farming community of fewer than 500 people to a suburb of 20,000, in just over 25 years. Many residents are employed in Ottawa's high-tech industry or the federal government. Further growth is expected in the near future with the development of neighborhoods such as Jackson Trails and Kanata West to its north, Fernbank to its east and south and West Ridge to its west. In the next 10 to 20 years, Stittsville's population is expected to exceed 30,000.


Location: Ottawa West
Type of Properties: Single-family detached, semi-detached, townhouses, condominium apartments
Price Range: $180,000 - $800,000
Best for: investors, retirees, young families, growing families, professionals

Looking for small town living near the city? Navan could naturally be your answer! This week's Ottawa Real Estate Buzz is all about Navan!

Navan is a small community in the east end of Ottawa.  Only minutes to Orleans, Navan is a community that has it's roots in rural traditions, but the population has been growing steadily as it has become a desireable suburban area for people to raise their families.   Within the village of Navan itself, there are several subdivisions that have accounted for it's growth over the past decade- Clarke Woods 1 and 2, as well as Smith Ridge Meadows and Skyview Estates.  Further outside the village, a large residential subdivision borders the Bearbrook Golf Course.   Large private lot sizes, combined with small town hospitality only a short drive from the city, Navan has become a popular location for people who want to enjoy small town life.  Not your typical cookie-cutter suburban subdivisions, Navan's residential areas are predominantly custom homes, of various styles and sizes.  The heart of Navan is, without question, JT Bradley's store, a family business which has been in operation since 1898.  In addition to providing grocery items and an LCBO outlet for Navan's residents, JT's also sells tickets for the Cumberland Grads, a Jr A hockey team that plays out of the Navan Arena.  There are a number of other small businesses who make their home in Navan- restaurants, services, even a winery.  The Navan Fair is the annual event of the summer, offering agricultural exhibits as well as rides, live concerts, and other events for the community, including a parade.  Navan is a great place to live for people who enjoy an active lifestyle- it boasts a park with a ball diamond, tennis courts, as well as the Navan Curling Club, a popular destination for many east end curlers.   The Navan Nugget provides a monthly newsletter for community residents with updates about local happenings.