As Ottawa grows, I’ve been getting more and more messages on the housing industry in Ottawa. It’s made the list of top places to live for many years now, and I may be a little bias, but I can see why 😉 From the steady economy and so many things to do it makes a great spot to live. The housing market isn’t my wheelhouse so I thought I should reach out to an expert to help answer some of the most popular questions. Buying or selling your house is a big decision so you want to make sure you go with a reputable real estate agency and someone who really knows the market. I reached out to Ray Otten and his team, who are Ottawa’s leading real estate agents. For over 25 years they have helped thousands of Ottawa families achieve their Ottawa real estate dreams. Every time I speak to Ray I am so impressed with the expertise he shares. He shares insightful and genuine advice, and you can tell he and his team have your best interest in mind.

Ray and his team have helped countless families buy and sell their home and have garnered numerous awards. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just need some advice, their team is happy to sit down and talk with you. I love how committed they are to keeping you informed every step of the way. The whole team is so friendly and if you’re lucky you’ll also be able to meet Ray’s Dog, Dexter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeGgLCLgj-E/?hl=en&taken-by=ottawa_properties

Here’s some of Ray’s answers to some frequent questions about buying or selling a house in Ottawa:

Buying

Why is Ottawa a Good City to Buy a House?

“Ottawa is a good city to buy a house not only because it’s been rated internationally as one of the top cities to live in, but more importantly why it’s received that rating year after year. Ottawa is known for its safe neighbourhoods, affordability in relation to income, highly educated population, beautiful parks, and steps away from most recreation people would enjoy.”

-Ray Otten

What are the Most Popular Areas for Buying Right Now?

One of the most popular questions I receive is where to live in Ottawa. I was interested in hearing Ray’s professional opinion about this. His team has lived and worked in Ottawa real estate for most of their lives – for some that means over 50 years. They’ve watched Ottawa’s landscape change over the years and have in-depth knowledge of local neighbourhoods, their amenities, and communities. The team is able to make educated recommendations based on what you’re looking for. You can see how much homes are worth in each area here. In terms of which neighborhood is popular for buying right now, Ray says: 

“We’re really finding that there are two groups of people shopping for homes in Ottawa. There are those that want to be in an urban setting within the Greenbelt such as New Edinburgh, Lindenlea, Glebe and Westboro or in the suburban areas such as Barrhaven, Kanata and Orléans which have dramatically increased in popularity in the last few years. I call the suburban areas satellite communities, where they have all the schools, parks, shops, restaurants and entertainment any person would like right in their community.”

-Ray Otten

 

Condo vs. House – Which Should I Buy?

This has been a question that I’ve personally wrestled with a lot. Should I buy a condo or a house? There are so many different factors to consider. Ray says:

“When it comes to buying a condo vs. a house there are two elements. Lifestyle and affordability in high desire neighbourhoods. For instance, buying a single family home in Westboro, can cost you upwards of a million dollars. However, a condo in the same area could be half that price. From a lifestyle perspective, the convenience of pulling the door shut and locking it and going away on vacation has lots of merits as well without worrying about maintenance and security.”

-Ray Otten

 

What’s the Market Like for Buying Right Now?

Ottawa has grown so much in the last few years so I was interested to know if that’s affected the buying market. Every week I have people message me saying they’re interested in moving to Ottawa. So what’s the buying market like right now? Ray says:

 

“The market is great for buying right now. Many sellers that have been on the market for a while are now adjusting their prices downward and sellers coming on the market now tend to be more competitively priced compared to the spring’s more speculative market.”

-Ray Otten

 

Buying vs. Renting – Which is Best for Me?

This is another question I was interested in hearing Ray’s professional opinion on. This topic has come up countless times with friends. Everyone has a strong opinion on which option is better. Ray said:

“Buying vs. renting is always a great question. If you’re looking at being in Ottawa for three years or less, the cost associated to buying a home and selling within that time could offset any appreciation over that time. If you’re looking at being in Ottawa for more than three years, buying might be a great option because it gives you an opportunity to build equity outside of your paycheque.”

-Ray Otten

I’m Thinking of Moving to Ottawa from Abroad. What Do I Need to Consider?

I often have people from abroad message me about moving to Ottawa. I was interested to hear Ray’s perspective on what considerations need to be taken. He said:

“Ottawa is an amazingly diverse city where I would hope anyone would feel comfortable. Be prepared that we do have cold winters and it will take some time to physically adjust to the weather. With that being said, we have homes built specifically for our climate that keep us comfortable in both the hot summer and the bitter cold winter.”

-Ray Otten

Why Should I Use a Real Estate Agent to Buy a House?

Buying a house is a big decision and there are so many things to consider. Ray Otten and his team have helped thousands in the home buying process so they really know all the different angles that need to be considered. Ray says:

“When buying a house on your own, if it’s a private sale the emphasis is on buyer beware. Make sure you have a lawyer involved at the start and you’ve done all your research to avoid problems with the house or with the area after you’ve committed to purchase. When going directly to the Seller’s Agent, it’s important to know that the Seller’s Agent must try to get the highest price possible for his seller and the best terms and conditions. They cannot work directly on your behalf. When selecting a realtor to work exclusively for you, they have a fiduciary duty to do what is best for the buyer. The buyers agent is under contract with you, however, in almost all cases is compensated by the sellers. It’s what we like to think of as a win win for the buyer. Complete service at no cost to the buyer.”

-Ray Otten

 

Here’s a funny video about some things that can happen without a Realtor. 

Selling

Has selling your house been on your mind? You can use their free tool to determine how much your home is worth. Ray Otten and his team have perfected proprietary systems and tools to ensure your home is sold quickly and for the highest amount possible. You can feel secure knowing your home is in the hands of Ottawa’s leading real estate team.

What’s the Market Like for Selling Right Now in Ottawa?

You often hear markets referred to as buying or selling markets. Which one is Ottawa right now? I asked Ray and he said:

“Selling a home right now in Ottawa is a great opportunity for the seller. Ottawa’s demand for housing has outpaced the supply of housing. It’s what we call a seller’s market. However, it’s important not to assume all areas and all types of homes are in a seller’s market. It is always best to consult your realtor.”

-Ray Otten

 

Can I Sell My House On My Own?

With all the resources available on the internet now, have you considered selling your house on your own? I’m a strong believer in leaving things to the expert. I asked Ray about selling your own house and he said:

“You absolutely could. However, it would be in your best interest to consult a few realtors before making one of the largest financial transactions in your life. The goal of the realtor is to ensure you sell your home for the highest and best price and terms and conditions to meet your needs.”

-Ray Otten

You can learn more about the advantages of a Realtor here.

I hope you learned as much as me above 🙂 A huge thanks to Ray Otten for sharing his expertise and answering the above questions. I definitely feel more informed about the Ottawa buying/selling market. This is a small glimpse into the team’s knowledge and track record. Reach out to their team with any additional questions about the above and are ready to start your own home journey. 

Direct Line: 613-288-2455

Email: info@ottawaproperties.com

Instagram: @ottawa_properties

Twitter: @TheRayOttenTeam

Facebook: The Ray Otten Team – Ottawa Properties

Thanks to Ray Otten and team for sponsoring this blog post and sharing your expertise with me, I learned a ton. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.