Blog

Renovations can be costly. Contractors and tradespeople are in high demand, which, combined with labour and material shortages, means not only higher costs but also longer wait times to start and finish renovation projects. It can be tough to be patient, especially if your home could benefit from some much needed improvements. Fortunately, there are some pretty easy (and relatively cost effective) ways to give your home a newly renovated look without actually having to undergo the time and... [read more]

The world of real estate is filled with data. This data, and the statistical analysis done on it, can be incredibly valuable to you as a buyer or seller.  Not a fan of numbers? Not a problem! That’s where working with a knowledgeable realtor can help. They can help to not only provide you with the data but also help to interpret it and apply it in a way that best serves you. We’re breaking down some key statistics that can be super helpful in your buying or selling... [read more]

The concept of an income property is certainly appealing. You can acquire an additional asset, make some monthly income, and there is a high probability that the property will increase in value over time. While having a residential income property has the potential to be a successful endeavour, it’s certainly not something to jump into too quickly. There are many important factors in evaluating the potential return on investment and a key one is understanding the... [read more]

Out with the old and in with the new! With a new year comes new trends in colour and style. Whether you’re looking to keep up with the latest trends or you just need a little change, we’ve highlighted some home decor and colour trends you’ll likely be seeing in 2022.  Creating curves From curved archways to crescent sofas, rounded edges and curved shapes are expected to make a more predominant appearance in furniture and design in 2022. The resurgence of this... [read more]

In today’s hot real estate market, the home buying process can move quite quickly once you’ve decided to make an offer or list your home. An important piece of this process is completing a home inspection. Whether buying or selling, a home inspection is critical to understanding the condition of a property and identifying any potential areas of concern. We spoke with our expert home inspector, Sean Shea of Precision Home Inspections Inc., and rounded up some helpful things to know... [read more]

When searching for a home, many have a pretty clear idea of what they are looking for. Whether it's the number of bedrooms, the style, or the square footage, there are characteristics that make a house an option we’d consider. It’s important to also consider factors beyond the house itself, especially those that you may not be able to change down the road.  While these less common considerations aren’t always heavily weighted in the purchase decision making... [read more]

The weather is getting cooler and the rich colours of fall are starting to appear. I’ve rounded up some of my favourite fall activities so that you can make the most of the beautiful weekends ahead. There’s so much to see and do around the Ottawa area. All you have to do is get outside and enjoy!     Hiking in Gatineau Park and exploring Old Chelsea Just across the river you’ll find Gatineau Park, the largest green space in the region with over 180km... [read more]

Buying a home is the most expensive purchase you’ll likely ever make. For those who are making the purchase for the first time, it can be especially daunting. In addition to understanding what you can comfortably afford, there are some programs available specifically for first-time homebuyers to help them successfully enter the housing market. Below I share a brief overview of some programs and incentives to keep in mind if you’re purchasing a home for the first time. The... [read more]

You may have recently heard about the Canada Greener Homes Grant which is being offered through Natural Resources Canada. Launched in late May, this initiative aims to help Canadian homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient. By improving the energy efficiency of our homes, we can help to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Below you’ll find an overview of what the Canada Greener Homes Grant is all about. How does it work? A total of... [read more]

Summer is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to get outside and make the most of the long sunny days. Whether enjoying a morning coffee in the sunshine, cozying up with a good book on a rainy afternoon, or gathering with a few friends on a warm evening, having an outdoor space that you love to spend time in is a summer must-have.  Fortunately, outdoor spaces don’t need to be grand to be functional and enjoyable. If you don’t have a large yard or spacious... [read more]

This month of May marks the first anniversary of my business Melanie Wright Real Estate. This past year has added to my almost decade-long experience in the Ottawa real estate industry helping clients buy and sell across Ottawa. Throughout these years, I have had the opportunity to work with many industry services providers throughout the Ottawa area and have curated a directory of trustworthy professionals that I feel confident recommending to clients. Working with... [read more]

Whether buying or selling, there is an increasing importance on how sustainable a home is. How we choose to live impacts the earth and those who try their best to be environmentally-friendly are looking for homes that are the same. By keeping an eye out in a few key areas during your home search, you can not only find a home that is better for the planet, but you can save on long-term costs too.  Charging Station Potential If you own or plan to own an electric vehicle, you’ll... [read more]

Spring is here at last! We can finally say goodbye to the long, cold days of winter and hello to new blooms and warmer weather. It’s the perfect time to refresh and clean your home.   For most of us though, cleaning is an unpleasant chore. Fortunately, by following a few simple tricks you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying other things.  1. Start at the top When cleaning your home you always work “top to bottom”, meaning it is best to begin... [read more]

Painting is one of those love it or hate it projects. Some people find it fun and enjoyable, while others would rather be doing anything else. While in some cases hiring a professional is best, like a tight timeline or potentially dangerous area to reach, some people prefer just to do it themselves. If you’re willing to put in the effort, why not love the results? By following a few simple tips and tricks even someone with very little painting experience can paint like... [read more]

Caring for houseplants is becoming increasingly popular as we find ourselves spending much more time at home. Many of us are turning to plants as a way to refresh spaces that we’re growing tired of or to bring a bit of the outdoors in.  Not only do houseplants visually improve your home, they are known to have some positive health benefits such as reducing stress and helping to increase concentration. This makes them a helpful addition to your home office or work space. Certain... [read more]

Home gyms are becoming increasingly popular as a socially distant alternative to health clubs and fitness studios. Convenience also plays a huge role as we enter into the cold winter months and need to bring our workouts indoors.  For those who are new to working out at home, the thought of creating a home gym may seem a bit daunting. It can certainly feel overwhelming with so many new equipment models and fitness applications on the market. To help make things easier, we spoke with our... [read more]

Halloween won’t quite be the same this year. Although trick-or-treating is on hold, it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate safely or prevent us from eating too much chocolate and candy. There are lots of ways to creatively celebrate the spookiest day of the year whether at home with your household or safely socially distanced in your neighbourhood. We’ve rounded up some fun ways to still make your Halloween “spook”-tacular.  For Not-So-Little Halloween... [read more]

Your needs have changed from when you originally purchased your home. Suddenly your home has become your workplace, your gym and maybe a school or daycare centre as well. But that’s okay! You may be surprised to find that there are many spaces within your home that are currently being under-utilized. You just need to get a little creative to make the most of them before you can experience their potential.     A Designated Space   A narrow desk can turn an unused... [read more]