Hello everyone. I just wanted to give you a quick update on what is going on in the Convent Glen area of Orleans. There aren't many homes for sale right now. We have 7 residential homes and only 4 condos. The market is still active but the inventory is not vey high. Buyers are still out there, so if you are thinking of selling this would be a great time to do so.You can click on the links below to show you what is available as of today. There is a new listing that just came up on Moselle listed at $269,900.As many of you know Convent Glen is a great location to live. Close to all amenities, Place D'Orleans and only a few minutes to Innes Road, I beleive that Convent Glen is one of the nicest places to live in Orleans. Bike paths, the Ottawa River, many parks, great schools and more more... 10/07/2009

Just a quick heads up that I will be listing a beautiful Cardel home some time next week. It is a stunning 3 bedroom home with quality upgrades throughout. The possession date will be some time next August but the Seller wants to be able to showcase this beautiful home before the snow comes down. It might be a bit of a wait for the right buyer but once you see this home you will be amazed. More details and photos coming soon. You can visit JeanRicher.com to keep an eye on it or keep an eye on my blog for more details.     10/07/2009

Are you thinking of selling your home in the near future? Do you live in Convent Glen? I have a client who is looking for a home in a specific neighbourhood. They are looking in the Convent Glen area because they need a bigger home with more bedrooms.  These are the specifications they are looking for:  - 4 bedrooms (upstairs)  - hardwood & ceramic  - finished basement  - en-suite bathroom  - double car garage  - double driveway  - newer kitchen   - recent roof  - newer windows  - private back yard  - quiet street (Crescent preferred)   These are the nice to have but not 100% necessary  - in-ground pool  - den on the main floor  - hot tub   If your house matches what they are looking for then please give me a call and we could make things happen. Now is a good time to be selling your ho... 10/05/2009

The Orleans Halloween sKreamers by Kiwanis is a great outing for the whole family. sKreamers is a fundraising project of the Kiwanis Club of Orleans, Ontario. Proceeds of this project will help develop the Kiwanis Adventure Playground. Admission is $15 for all guest of all ages there is discount rates available for groups of 18 or more but these must be arranged in advance. Each admission to the Kiwanis sKreamers event entitles you to visit the Haunted Barn and the Scary Wagon Ride attraction. You must arrive early enough to enjoy both attractions and allow approx 20 - 30 minutes for each attraction plus waiting time in between on busy nights. The Kiwanis sKreamers commitee recommends you plan for a 6.30 to 9pm arrival. For more information on the Kiwanis sKreamers happening at the Prou... 10/03/2009

Just a quick message to remind us about giving great customer service. Our youngest daughter was having difficulty seeing the blackboard at school and watching television. Things were blurry. Of course we wanted her to do well in school so we brought her to get her eyes looked at. The appointment went very well and she needed glasses. Not too much of a strong prescription but she did need the glasses. We skipped over to Clearview Eyewear in Orleans. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They were able to hel pus out and select the perfect pair of glasses for our daughter. Only a few days later I get the call that the glasses are in and we can pick them up. I drove over and picked them up but our daughter was too busy at school to come over with me to get them. No worries, I pic... 10/01/2009

One of the Ottawa Real Estate Questions I often get asked in Orleans, Ottawa East, is "what is there to do ?"Well, as an outdoor enthusiast myself, I highly recommend that if you love the great outdoors then PETRIE ISLAND OUTDOOR CLUB is an amazing organisation to join.For only $30 per year membership you can join the Kayak Club at Petrie Island in the Summer, and the Cross Country ski Club in the Winter and the Cycling Club in the Spring,Summer and the Fall.I am a member , and so can you be ! Just contact www.pioc.ca My office is at 4366 Innes Road Orleans, so feel free to come and visit for a great coffee, but please phone me first.For any other Ottawa Real Estate Questions please contact me through my site at http://OttawaRealEstateQuestions.com     10/01/2009

UPGRADING YOUR HOME Another great buyer question is: "What upgrades will generate me the largest return?" As a new home sale buyer in Orleans there are a long list of upgrades that are offered to you by the builder once you've purchased your home. Where do you start?! With a price tag on everything (check that closely) what upgrades can help you achieve the most equity in your investment?                   A few simple examples of costly upgrades that will not help with your return; a central vacuum system that's $3,500 instead of $1,500 OR a $200 toilet vs. a $500 toilet. A potential buyer viewing your home a few years down the road when you're ready to sell, won't see the value in those costly upgrades - let alone pay more for them (unless you live in a very expensive home - but let's... 09/29/2009

After a great morning of showings w/ a few clients I decided to take a trip around Orleans and visit a few new home builders in the area. I had a chance to visit 5 - Pheonix, Cardel, Braebury, Tamarack and Minto. I have to say that if your a new home buyer searching for a new home in Orleans we have some great product and selection for you! Singles, semis, row units, urban flats, appartments, and terrace homes are some to choose from and you can always pick a premium lot or upgrade almost every aspect of your home! Adding that personal touch to your new home is definately not an issue here! All 5 builders have very helpful and friendly representatives ready and waiting to help prospective Realtors and their clients. It's important to remember that when buying a new home in Orleans you n... 09/28/2009

Cardinal Creek Community AssociationWhen developing a sense of community it is important that neighbourhood residents have an outlet where their ideas as well as concerns can be heard and perhaps expanded on by others. The Cardinal Creek Community Association (CCCA) provides residents with a forum where they can join with others in their neighbourhood to discuss local issues, receive alerts and connect socially.Their website which can be found at: Cardinal Creek Community Association (CCCA) allows community residents to sign up for Association membership. By entering their address and email they can receive monthly updates on community happenings as well as local advisories or warnings.The CCCA, along with general members is comprised of a Board of Directors, Executives and Supporting V... 09/26/2009

Convent Glen is a great place to be owning a home. Close to everything this neighbourhood offers so much to the home owners. From bike paths, to shopping to having the river close by and so much more. There are currently not many homes for sale in the area and in my opinion this low turn around is due to the fact that people enjoy their homes and the location and they are not ready to be moving out so quickly. You can follow this link ( Convent Glen Homes ) to see all the homes that are currently for sale ( Sept 25, 2009). The following link will show you all the condos in Convent Glen that are currently for sale as well. If you are wanting to visit the open houses, there is only one open house in Convent Glen this coming week end.It is located at 6200 Ravine Way near the Ottawa River. ... 09/25/2009

Tomorrow, September 26, 2009 the Terry Fox Used Clothing, Toys & Sports Equioment Sale is happening at the Terry Fox School in Convent Glen. This annual sale is always packed. The doors are open from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. If you want to get the good stuff you better arrive early. Many times people will line up at the door very early in the morning. You can visit the Terry Fox School at 6400 Jeanne D'Arc Blvd in Convent Glen at the corner of Jeanne D'Arc and Orleans Boulevard (the intersection closest to the river). Click here for a map to the school. Please come and support this valuable fundraider. Hope to see you there!   09/24/2009

So you've decided to buy a home in Orleans - what an exciting time!!! For many people this is one of the most stressful times of their lives - buying a home is a huge investment.  However it should be fun and exciting as well! Your Realtor will advise you on several options and help you define your home search. Having a constant professional by your side helps you worry about the most important thing - FINDING YOUR NEW HOME. Now more than ever, when buying a home in Orleans, Buyers need to be knowledgeable and aware of the offer process and securing their future home.  Since we're in a SELLERS MARKET in Ottawa buyers are beeing faced with making quick decisions in high pressure situations like competing offers. I have worked with quite a few buyers who are taking time to "think about it... 09/23/2009

A common Buyer question I encouter regarding new home sales is, "What will the resale value of this home be?" Now this is definately a great question. Once you have determined that you will purchase a new home in Orleans it's time to start thinking resale & equity. With so many new home builders in Orleans where do you start?           As a Realtor who is actively working in the Orleans real estate market, I can advise you on which model would provide you with the largest return upon resale. By examining past sales on a particular new home model of your choice, we can then determine the future equity on your investment. Recently a client of mine wanted to know which model would net him the most equity quickly. Once my research was complete and he reviewed the detailed spreadsheet - his ... 09/21/2009

Have you been thinking about purchasing a home from a New home builder in Orleans but don't know where to begin? The process of buying a house can be overwhelming at times and having that extra helping hand can definately help everything run smoothly. As a seasoned Realtor in Orleans, I have had the opportunity to view and walk through the variety of models offered by New home builders in Orleans. They each offer their unique features and neighborhood amenities. As your Realtor I can help you determine which new and upcoming neighborhood will be right for you and your family - wether you're a single student, young couple, growing or downsizing family there's something for everyone!       If you'd like more information on New home sales in Orleans just follow one of the New home sale lin... 09/18/2009

A Beautiful Tartan Home in Riverside South 347 Riversedge (Riverside South) $292,000 This beautiful White Cedar Model from Tartan was built in 2006 and boasts 3 spacious bedrooms with 3 bathrooms including an ensuite. The main level features a joint living/dining room area as well as a large great room which is open to the kitchen and eating area. It also has a fully finished basement and is close by to all amenities. For More Information Please Visit www.MyOttawaRealEstate.com 09/18/2009

One consideration that a buyer should take into account when purchasing a new home is the neighbourhood and surrounding area. For those looking for condominium in a trendy, happening place that is close to specialty shops, bistros and endless nighttime entertainment, the Ottawa downtown core is the place to be. Others may be looking for a sense of “quiet community”, perhaps a nice townhouse or single detached home to raise a family. What may be important to this buyer is a home where the children can ride bikes safely, they can have barbeques in the backyard, they can join a neighbourhood committee and be close to schools, parks and away from busy roads.Welcome to Cardinal Creek, a blossoming community in Orleans in the east end of Ottawa.  This community borders along Trim road and is ... 09/17/2009

Convent Glen in Orleans, ON is a great place to live. The neighbourhoods are absolutely beautiful and the mature neighbourhoods offer the privacy you need to raise your family. There is a good mix of different types of homes available to choose from, single homes, semi detached homes, condos and also very luxurious homes near the river. This good mix of homes makes it an ideal location. In 2009 so far (as of September 16th, 2009) there have been 49 residential sales, with prices ranging from $211,500 to $395,000. There are only 2 homes for sale in Convent Glen North & Convent Glen South. If you are considering putting your house on the market, now is the time. On the condo side there has been only 58 sales with prices ranging from $149,900 to $228,000. There is only 5 condos for sale cu... 09/16/2009

Convent Glen is located on the North side of the highway 174 in Orleans, Ontario.The location is ideal for families as it is close to many bike paths, the Ottawa river and many parks for people to enjoy a nice summer day or even go for a walk in the park. There are many schools in the area (Terry Fox, Cairine Wilson, Voyageur to name a few). Being close to the highway gives you an easy & quick way to get downtown Ottawa. Many of the beautiful parks are perfect for the young and older families to enjoy. During the winter you will also be able to find a few outdoor skating rinks to play hockey or just go for a skate. The Real Estate market is very good and in my experience people don't more very much because of what Convent Glen has to offer. The mature neighborhood has everything you cou... 09/14/2009

Avalon is a growing neighbourhood located in Orleans a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario. The neighbourhood is located South of Innes road and East of 10th Line road. Just a few years ago the area was only empty fields but now more than 2000 families live in Avalon. Minto, the developer of Avalon offers many types of housing including single family homes, row houses, duplexes, multi-family homes and condos, believe me when I say there's a home for everyone here. Homes in Avalon, Notting Gate and Cumberland West area (district 1107) range from $189,900 for a 2 bedroom / 2 bath condominium, $254,900 for a 2 bedroom / 3 bathroom row unit and all the way up to $899,900 for a detached bungalow with 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms with a view on the river and backing on a wooded area. If you are looking f... 08/20/2009

The Green Wellness Expo is the second green show being held this weekend. This show will take place this upcoming Sunday, April 19, from 11 am to 4 pm at 6600 Carrière Street, Orleans. The Green Wellness Expo is the only show of its kind in Ottawa East. The Expo aims to save attendees time and money by providing the opportunity to sample the most innovative health, lifestyle and green enhancing products within their community. Show visitors will have the unique opportunity to spend one-on-one time asking questions and learning from an incredible group of leading natural healthcare professionals and environmental specialists all under one roof...all in one day! Visitors will also be entered into a draw to be eligible to win one of many unique Green Wellness Expo Door Prizes. Winners wil... 04/15/2009