The season of pumpkin spice is once again upon us, and so are fall decorating traditions. For many of us, the transition from summer to fall is a nostalgic time to break out the spooky decor, unpack the turkey-themed table runner and adorn the front door with our favourite fall wreath. But, if dressing up the house with orange pumpkins and burlap year after year is getting a bit stale over time, there’s no harm in shaking up your fall decorating choices this season.

Here are four new 2023 fall decor trends you can try in your home (sans pumpkins):

Earthy tones

Fall colours are traditionally defined by shades of orange, red and brown. This year, more earth-like tones are making their way into home, including varieties of sage green, warm beige and caramel, rustic brick red and earthy terracotta. You can achieve this softer, more muted fall look through coloured glassware, cushion covers, ceramics, blankets and other housewares that are easy to swap out when the seasons change. If you’re looking to add a contrasting statement piece to your interior this fall, try introducing an eye-catching accent colour with a hint of black, indigo or copper.

Rustic touches

Rustic furniture is a staple in fall design this year. Building off of the theme of warm and earth-inspired interiors, distressed or vintage finds will bring a touch of charm to your home this season. The most economical and environmentally-friendly way to pull off this look is with the help of your local thrift store or online marketplaces, where you’re likely to find an array of second-hand furniture, rugs and trinkets. You don’t need to spend a lot to add a ton of character to your space.

Layered textures

As the temperature drops, we tend to layer up with different fabrics to keep our bodies warm – it’s no different for our homes.

This fall, mix and match different layers of textures and fabrics for an extra cozy feel. Whether it’s your bedding, accent cushions or rugs, get creative with different textiles, such as wool, knit, velvet, satin and cashmere. If your interior tastes are more neutral, you can still achieve this trend with a monochromatic colour palette to elevate your home.

Fruits and flowers

Move aside pumpkins – fruits are all the rage this year. Instead of opting for your typical array of white and orange gourds, fruits are taking centre stage in 2023. Seasonal fruits, such as apples, figs and pears, can be repurposed as place cards or arranged in bowls for a less expected fall centrepiece. Alternatively, you can showcase fruits through decorative flatware and table textiles, such as fabric napkins. If fruits aren’t really your thing, opt for dried florals instead like pampas grass, sunflowers or wheat stalks to add a touch of ‘Cottage Core’ to your living space.

Bonus tip: Give attention to outdoor spaces

Mild weather is known to last into mid-October in some parts of the country, meaning we can use our beloved outdoor spaces for longer periods of time. Show your balcony, patio or backyard some fall decor love too by dressing it up with lanterns, wreaths and seasonal flowers, such as chrysanthemums or hydrangeas. Add a touch of coziness around your outdoor fireplace or sitting area with water-resistant pillows and blankets in your favourite fall colours and patterns.

Moving can be a very exciting time for a family. The anticipation of new surroundings, opportunities and a fresh start can be quite enticing. However, moving is considered a major life event, and affects all children differently.

If you are a parent who is looking for ways to help your child handle the moving process and adjust to their new environment, read these five tips on how to help them cope with the transition.

1. Communicate

Communicating with your child about the move will help them feel supported. Share with them the reasons behind the move and how you’re feeling about it. Sit with your child to hear their thoughts about moving, good or bad, and empathize with their feelings. Providing an open channel of communication can be one of the most impactful ways you can help your child navigate through the changes surrounding a move.

2. Get the kids involved

Involving kids in the moving process with age-appropriate tasks will help them accept the permanent nature of moving out of their current home and into a new one. Having them help out also gives them a sense of responsibility and pride – any positive emotion associated with moving is a plus.

Here are a few fun tasks to try:

• Gather special items and take photos around the old home for a keepsake treasure box
• Start a Pinterest board to gather inspiration for their new room
• Have your little ones assist with decluttering by going through their clothing and toys to decide what to keep and what to pass on to other children who need them
• Make packing fun by having them fill up a box of their things and decorate it with stickers, markers, etc.

3. Create a plan to stay in touch with friends

For children, one of the hardest parts of moving away is leaving their friends and classmates behind. If this is the case for your child, create a plan to help them stay in touch with their closest friends.

Technology makes it easier to keep in contact with video calling and messaging apps, but you can take it a step further by planning to write letters back and forth, planning a visit if you’re not too far away, or creating a keepsake book full of pictures and memories of your child and their friends.

4. Explore the new neighbourhood together

To eliminate some of the apprehension that comes with living in a new place, it can help to explore the neighbourhood together beforehand. If possible, take your kids with you on the final walk-through of your new home so they’ll know what to expect on the big day.

You can also check out your child’s new school, local playgrounds and restaurants to get the kids excited and familiarized with their new environment. If physically traveling to your new neighbourhood isn’t possible, look for maps, videos and pictures online, and encourage conversation around what they are excited about. When you do arrive in your new community, take small breaks from unpacking to enjoy your new space together.

5. Check in with yourself

Children can often sense when their parents are going through something difficult, and moving can be stressful. This is why it’s important to check in with yourself. Are you taking time to rest and nourish your body? Have you allotted sufficient time to complete moving tasks like preparing the home and packing?

Caring for yourself and working through your emotions surrounding the move will put you in a better headspace to support your kids when they need you.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,196 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System, compared with 1,130 in August 2022, an increase of 6%. August’s sales included 903 in the freehold-property class, up 7% from a year ago, and 293 in the condominium-property category, a 2% increase from August 2022. The five-year average for total unit sales in August is 1,525.

“Sales activity was up marginally on a year-over-year basis in August but remained well below the historical average for this time of year,” says Ken Dekker, OREB President. “There is no shortage of demand given increased immigration and the large Canadian population cohort entering the market. The lack of suitable, affordable housing is a hindrance. High borrowing costs and economic uncertainty are impacting both sellers and buyers, which we expect will continue to result in further market fluctuations.”

Janice Myers, OREB CEO, highlights that these latest figures coincide with the City of Ottawa’s allocation of $110 million for affordable housing. “Even if interest rates were to drop and the economy stabilized, housing will remain out of reach for many Ottawa residents. Collaboration among all levels of government and stakeholders is vital to improving affordability for homeowners and tenants alike. And we need to expand provincial regulations, allowing four or more residential dwelling units on serviced lots, to promote higher-density housing.”

By the Numbers

Average Prices*:

• The average sale price for a freehold-class property in August was $709,739, an increase of 0.5% from 2022, and a 5.6% decrease over July 2023 prices.

• The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $425,968 an increase of 1% from a year ago, although 1.4% lower than July 2023 prices.

• With year-to-date average sale prices at $732,220 for freeholds and $432,571 for condos, these values represent an 8% decrease over 2022 for freehold-class properties and a 5.5% decrease for condominium-class properties.

Inventory & New Listings:

• August’s new listings (2,228) increased 7% over August 2022 (2,090) and were on par with last month (2,234). The 5-year average for new listings in August is 2,177.

• Months of Inventory for the freehold-class properties has increased to 3 months from 2.9 months in August 2022 and 2.7 months in July 2023.

• Months of Inventory for condominium-class properties remains on par with August 2022 at 2.2 months, a slight decrease from 2.3 months in July 2023.

• Days on market (DOM) for freeholds have increased to 31 days from 25 days in August 2022 and 26 days in July 2023.

• Days on market (DOM) for condos have increased to 29 days from 28 days in August 2022 and 28 days in July 2023.

REALTORS® also help with finding rentals and vetting potential tenants. Since the beginning of the year, OREB Members have assisted clients with renting 4,571 properties compared to 4,172 last year at this time, an increase of 10%.

* OREB cautions that the average sale price 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 calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

Are you thinking about finding your next home? It can be tricky balancing what you want with what you can practically afford. Here are some tips that can make buying your dream home more doable:

1.Save for a larger down payment. A larger down payment can lower your monthly mortgage costs and possibly help you get a better interest rate.

2.Look at neighbourhoods that are less “in demand.” Some areas have the reputation of being desirable or exclusive and – as a result – expensive. But, there may be neighbourhoods that are not as in-demand and yet ideal (and more affordable) for you. Explore that possibility.

3.Consider a fixer-upper. A home that needs some work may be more affordable, and you can save money by doing some of the renovations yourself.

4.Think about buying a smaller home. A smaller property can be more affordable and easier to maintain, especially if you’re downsizing.

5.Research mortgage options. Shop around for the best mortgage rates and consider different types of mortgages. A better mortgage rate and terms may make an out-of-reach home affordable for you.

Any of these tips will help increase the probability that you’ll be able to buy your dream home at a price that works for you.

If you're a homeowner who's thinking about moving, then you've probably pondered the age-old question — should I sell my home before I buy a new one,or buy my next property first?

Whichever option you choose, it's an intensely personal decision that should take into account individual finances,risk tolerance and current market conditions.Some homeowners who have a strict timeline or budget may take comfort in selling their current residence first, while others who have more flexibility will opt to buy their next home before selling.

If you're on the fence about which option works best for you, here are a few insights that can help you make this crucial decision.

Buying your new home first

For homebuyers who are looking for a specific property and want certainty on their moving timeline, buying their new home first may be the best option. Buying your next home before selling your current one allows you to take your time searching for a property. This is especially beneficial to buyers who want to be in a particular neighbourhood,school district,or desire specific features in a home. Once you've bought your new home, you'll know exactly when your closing date will be, which will help with coordinating the sale of your existing residence.

While the major advantage of buying first is a pre-determined timeline, this can force a short runway for preparing your current home for sale. That means updating, staging and marketing your property will need to happen within a defined time frame, possibly a short one. The risk: if you are unsuccessful in selling your property quickly, you could be stuck with paying two concurrent mortgages.Although bridge financing can be used as a temporary solution to cover the payments of your new and current home,it is expensive and is not applicable in cases where your property hasn't sold yet.

Buying a new property first is best suited to a seller's market, where demand is higher than the number of homes available, and your property has a better chance of selling quickly. For anyone who is working with a strict budget and is relying on the sale of their existing home to determine how much they can afford to buy, purchasing before selling is not recommended.

Selling your current home first

If you're someone who prefers certainty regarding your finances and the sale of your home before making any big real estate decisions,then selling your home before buying a new one may be best. The obvious benefit to selling your home first is gaining a clear financial picture before your next property purchase. Once you sell your home, you'll know exactly when your closing date is and how much you can afford to spend on a new place. If you're relying on the capital from the sale of your current property, or you're not in a position to financially bridge the gap between the two homes,then selling first may be the best choice for you.

On the flip side,selling first can create pressure to quickly buy a new home.This can be especially tough in markets with low inventory, where homeowners may feel rushed to snap up whatever property is available. For those who are looking for a very specific property that may require more time to find, selling their current home before buying may not be in their best interest. However, if you feel more comfortable selling first,it's a good idea to have a backup plan in place in the event that you can't find a new home quickly. Consider living with family or friends temporarily,or securing a short-term rental.

How can we help?

Whether you decide to buy or sell first, our real estate team is a great resource and can help you make this important decision by outlining each scenario, and determining which option is right for you based on the current market and your unique situation.Our expertise on local market trends will help you determine whether buying or selling first is best for you.

Contact us today!

When it comes to selling your home, preparing the exterior can be just as important as preparing the interior. The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers see, and it can greatly impact their first impression of your property.

Luckily, there are several low-cost outdoor improvements that will make your home more appealing to buyers.

First, consider adding some potted plants or flowers to your front porch or entryway. This can help add some colour and life to your home's exterior, and create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers. Even in winter, small potted evergreens can have an impact.

Next, consider cleaning up your landscaping. This can include trimming overgrown bushes and trees, mowing the lawn, and removing any dead plants or debris. By doing so, you can make your home look well-maintained and attractive to potential buyers.

You may also want to consider adding some outdoor lighting to your property. This can include adding some solar-powered lights along your driveway or walkway, or even adding some outdoor string lights to your patio or deck. Outdoor lighting can create an inviting atmosphere, and make your home look more attractive to potential buyers.

Finally, consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. Your front door is a focal point of your home's exterior, and painting it will make a big difference. If you’re changing the colour, be sure to pick one that complements the façade.

These outdoor improvements don’t cost much, but will increase your home's curb appeal, which is proven to help sell your property faster and for a better price.

Need more advice on how to create the “wow” factor in your home when you sell? Call today!

There are several ways to make the selling process easy and relatively stress-free. One way is to create a selling timeline that fits your needs, lifestyle, and capabilities.

Say you’d like to list your home in four weeks and expect it to be on the market for an additional four weeks. That’s an eight-week timeline. How do you create a manageable schedule that works for you?

Try these steps:

1. Determine what you need to do to get your home ready for sale.
2. Assign who will be doing what. For example, if you need to paint, will you hire a contractor? Do it yourself? Make a family day out of it?
3. Estimate the time it will take to do those tasks. Then add 50% as a buffer. (It’s easy to underestimate time on tasks.)
4. Look at your current schedule and block out times on your calendar so you can complete those tasks at a comfortable pace.

Go through these same steps for other selling activities, such as finding and meeting with a real estate lawyer, having buyers come to see your property, etc.

When you create a manageable — and realistic — schedule, you may find that most of the stress and worry of selling evaporates. A manageable schedule also ensures you won’t miss anything and then have to scramble.

When prospective buyers visit your listed home, the room they tend to check out most closely is the kitchen. So, it pays to ensure it looks its best.

However, no matter how tidy, clean, and well-adorned you’ve made your kitchen, there are some issues — which can seem minor — that can distract a buyer from appreciating those positive qualities.

Here are just a few to watch out for:

1. Stained sink. Use a specialized cleaner for the type of sink you have. (For example, Stainless Steel Sink Cleaner.)
2. Garbage in the garbage bin. Buyers don’t mind seeing the bin, just not garbage in it! Don’t forget to also empty the organic waste bin.
3. Left-over cooking scents. Avoid cooking anything prior to a viewing that may create lingering odours. For example, not everyone appreciates the aroma of spaghetti sauce!
4. Cluttered countertops. You want the countertops to look spacious to buyers. So remove any items that don’t absolutely need to be there.
5. Old or worn mat in front of the sink. Replace it.
6. Cluttered or disorganized cupboards. Declutter and organize your cupboards. Buyers are most likely to open upper cabinets.
7. Poor lighting. You want the lighting in your kitchen to be bright (but not blinding) and evenly distributed.
8. Damaged or stained countertops. Replacing your countertops can improve your kitchen's look considerably, so it might be worth the investment.

Would you like more suggestions on how to stage your home so that it gains the interest of buyers? Contact us. Call today!

When you read or watch the news about the real estate market, it may seem reasonable to make the assumption that the information applies equally to your street or community.

But, that isn’t always true.

In fact, the characteristics of your local real estate market can differ in many respects from the regional or national market.

Say the regional real estate market is most active during certain months of the year.

That might be true of your neighbourhood, too. But, there may also be some caveats. If, for example, buyers are eagerly awaiting listings to come up in your community, then that micro market might heat up faster than other areas in the region.

Knowing how your local market works and how it differs from the larger regional market is crucial when selling. It helps you decide when it’s best to list and helps to ensure your home sells quickly and for a good price. That’s a strategic advantage.

Understanding the local market also helps when buying. Imagine acting only on regional or national market statistics without knowing the unique market characteristics of a neighbourhood you’re hoping to buy into. You could end up missing opportunities. You don’t want that!

So, stay tuned and get the latest information on what’s happening.

Imagine you have a growing family, and you want to trade in the small sedan for something larger. So, you visit the dealership and come back with a bus.

Well, that would be upsizing a bit too much – unless you have a really huge family!

That’s the challenge of upsizing or downsizing. You need to be careful not to take it too far and end up with something that isn’t suitable.

This often occurs in the real estate world. For example, homeowners might decide to sell their home and find a smaller one. But, if they go too far, they end up with a property so small they feel claustrophobic.

How do you avoid a similar scenario happening to you?

If you’re thinking of upsizing or downsizing, the best place to start is in your own home. Think about how you use the space. Do you and your family spend a lot of time in certain areas? Are there rooms and other spaces that are rarely used? Or, conversely, do you wish you had more room — such as an extra bedroom, wider driveway, separate living and family rooms, etc.?

Do a thoughtful analysis of how you’re using your current property in order to reveal clues about what you’ll want in your next home. If you’re upsizing, you might find that all you need is an extra bedroom. If you’re downsizing, you might realize that one family room, rather than separate living and family rooms, would work better for you.

So, whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, carefully decide what type of new home you need. Be as specific as possible. Consider criteria such as the number of bedrooms, entertaining space, bathrooms, driveway size, etc., that you need. Doing that will help ensure your upsizing or downsizing move will be successful.

When you’re selling your property, hosting an Open House will provide an excellent opportunity to attract buyers. Ideally, people will see your property that day and decide to make an offer.

That would be exciting!

So, what can you do to prepare for the day? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Make sure the entire house is clean and tidy. Think of making it “guest ready.”
2. Plan to leave early and come back late. Recognize that people may not arrive nor leave precisely on time.
3. If possible, remove pets. Take them to a friend’s house or pet daycare.
4. If you’re concerned about valuables (such as jewelry), lock them somewhere safe. For example, you can hide them in the trunk of your car.
5. Avoid cooking the morning of an Open House. The odours may linger.
6. Provide ample space by the front entrance for shoes and boots.
7. If possible, avoid having any deliveries that day.
8. Make sure interior doors are unlocked, including the door to the garage.

Finally, resist the urge to “drop by” and see how things are going. Instead, take the time to do something enjoyable, such as an outing to the park or mall.

Want more ideas for selling your home quickly and for top dollar? Call today.