To get "the job" from prospective home selling clients you need to set your self apart from the rest! They need to connect with you on a personal level and they need to trust you! Having an excellent marketing strategy to back it up is also key! Sellers want an agent that will get the job done effectively! They have expectations (some may be higher than others but still there are expectations) What are some of them? Personally from my own frequent buying point of view I want an agent that is: Knowledgeable about the desired area, the current market, pros and con's about buying in what ever market you happen to be in, Someone who is professional, and yet fun, and most of all someone with a stellar marketing plan! I don't want my home to be listed in a crappy small add, I want the works! ... 12/20/2008

A significant number of Canadians are at risk of defaulting on mortgages and other loans if the global financial crisis deteriorates and triggers a deeper recession, the Bank of Canada warns.In a sobering assessment of the financial crisis, the central bank concludes that significant risks remain for both the global economy and Canada if credit conditions don't begin to improve."With household balance sheets under pressure from weak equity markets, softening house prices, slowing income growth, and record-high debt-to-income ratios, a severe economic downturn could result in a substantial increase in default rates on household debt," the bank writes in its December financial systems review released Thursday.The Bank of Canada says the number of "vulnerable households" - the three per ce... 12/14/2008

The federal government should move decisively on a fiscal stimulus package of as much as $16 billion next year to arrest the economy's slide into recession, the Bank of Montreal says.In a four-page note released late Thursday, deputy chief economist Douglas Porter argues that a $16 billion stimulus in the Jan. 27 federal budget is appropriate. After 12 years of budgetary surpluses, Ottawa can well afford to spend to boost growth and put more money into ordinary Canadians' pockets to help grow demand, spur buying and create jobs."After all, the string of budget surpluses in the past decade were the public sector equivalent of saving for a rainy day, and it's starting to pour," said Porter.Porter says many economists still object to governments going into deficit to stimulate the economy,... 12/14/2008

Hello everyone,For those of you who were wondering what is going on with the Ottawa Real Estate market.Here is what CMHC has to say:Forecasting for 2009MLS Sales are expected to decrease by 4.3%New home construction starts are expected to decrease by 12.4%MLS prices are expected to increase by 3.6%Unemployment is expected to increase by 0.8%We are very lucky to be living in Ottawa! We are sheltered from some of the exterior elements that are seriously affecting other major cities through out the world. If you have any questions with respect to the Real Estate Market in Ottawa or you would like to know what locations and type of housing is doing better than others, please feel free to ask away.   Todd 11/27/2008

This is the first part of a series of articles that we will be posting on Green Mortgages.   How can a mortgage be ‘green’? This seems to be a common initial question when people first hear of a Green Mortgage. Well, the answer is that a mortgage can be green if it provides incentives for purchasing energy-efficient homes, or otherwise rewards home buyers by giving them the tools they need to make their home green. In Canada, a number of lenders and mortgage default insurance providers offer ‘green’ programs. The lenders currently offering green mortgages in Canada include TD Canada Trust, CIBC and Citizens Bank. The default insurance providers include CMHC & Genworth. This first article on green mortgages will focus on TD Canada Trust’s Green Mortgage product. TD Canada Trust is curren... 11/21/2008

These days, almost everyone is trying in some way to “go green”. One of the easiest ways for all of us to take on this challenge is to green our homes.This can mean everything from reducing electricity use, to improving home heating, to replacing chemical products in your home. When buying a home, a Green Mortgage can also be a way to get you started on the right track. Green Mortgage products offer rebates, discounts or other bonuses that help you green your home. As a Green Specialist, I can not only help you with a Green Mortgage, but can also guide you to programs and services that will make your home energy efficient and environmentally friendly. If you would like to find out more, I will be making a short presentation at The Living Lightly and Locally Showcase event on Sunday, Nov... 11/12/2008

1-800-GOT-JUNK? founder and CEO Brian Scudamore writes a monthly column for PROFIT Magazine. This month, his focus is about how he's handing over some of his responsibilites as CEO after being in control of the company for more than 19 years.Here at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Ottawa, we too will be going through a changing of the guard in mid-August as our Operations Manager, Tim Pelow, steps down to head back to school to complete his masters in Education.In his letter of resignation, I was humbled by Tim's words as he shared with us his experience at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Ottawa. With his permission, I share the following with you:I cannot thank you enough for the opportunities you have created for me. It is true what you say in your Intro Video Pierrette: There is no other job like this where you get... 07/07/2008

This day has been building many many years. A mixture of feelings overwhelmed me as I watched and heard our country's leaders express sorrow and apology over the treatment of aboriginal children in residential schools ".... for failing to protect you" in institutions that were not properly regulated. Since the Canadian government compensated those inflicted with life long pain, many of them have died, making their final indulgences with drugs and alcohol  - too little too late in lives too painful.  My eyes spring with tears of shame and deep sadness. I've been aware many years of the travesty of children removed from their homes to be abused in Catholic residential schools. A friend told of leaving her mother at age 5 to go to residential school. She has a framed picture of the day; in... 06/11/2008

Good Sunday afternoon everyone, This past week has been a very busy week. We listed another hometoday in Embrun. A beautiful 3 bedroom home with a nice back yard,a fully finished basement, large bright kitchen, formal living and dining room plus a cosy family room on the second level with a nice gas fireplace.One look at this home and you will want to buy it. Priced at only $299,000it should go quickly. Take a tlook at our web site (www.JeanRicher.com) to see all of the informationof this great home!See you soon, Jean RicherSalesperson Keller Williams - Ottawa Realty www.JeanRicher.comwww.JeanRicherOnline.com   09/16/2007

Ottawa's eclectic blend of old and new neighbourhoods, business and government, English and French, and many other cultures, makes it a vibrant city with a quality of life second to none. The City of Ottawa is the fourth-largest city in Canada, with a population of 1,000,000. Within the next few years, Ottawa is expected to grow to include over 1.5m residents. The New City of Ottawa at a Glance           2,760 square kilometres, taking in more than 150 communities. 250 square kilometres of urban area (9.1%) and approximately 2,510 square kilometres of rural area (90.9%). Over 110 kilometres from east to west. The most highly educated population in Canada. (Almost 50% of residents hold a post-secondary degree, certificate or diploma.) A high-tech industry that has grown 115% over the pas... 12/07/2006

I just found out about this G-R-E-A-T website and want to share it with everyone since I think it is so unique and effective to get clients. On January 1, 2007 will be the launching of a network of 36 web sites targeted to various housing markets across North America (United States & Canada). The difference here is that each website is specializing in just ONE GEOGRAPHIC AREA so you can focus on your own TARGET MARKET and establish yourself as a sought after, knowledgeable professional in your housing market area.I was wondering why there was not a website like this before since the best way to advertise yourself is LOCALLY. These sites will be a great source for news, numbers and opinions regarding your local housing market. Every site will have content written by professionals from th... 12/06/2006