Look closely, you might see the little baby bunny hiding under the step. It was hard to take this photo since the little fella is shy and runs away whenever he knows that I am there.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Baby bunny under step
Look closely, you might see the little baby bunny hiding under the step. It was hard to take this photo since the little fella is shy and runs away whenever he knows that I am there.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I bought a condo
The real estate world moves quickly. Earlier today I submitted an offer to buy a condo and expected the sellers to counter. They did not. They accepted the offer and I am now the "almost" new owner of a condo. I still need to remove conditions - inspection, financing, lawyer, etc - but don't expect any surprises.
This is exciting. Only last Friday I was worried about having a house that I couldn't sell and not having any place to live at my destination. This takes a lot of the stress off and allows me to move forward and meet my obligations to my employer.
The new condo is a three story walk-up, row house style. It is on a very nice street and is only a few steps from the canal and about 10 minutes walk to work. The unit itself has lots of small rooms - enough for all my activities. I believe the correct description is pied-a-terre. Small city house.
When I started my house search my expectations were that I could find a lot more house for my money. I was disappointed to see that there were problems with all the properties in my price range. This meant that I had to make a lot of compromises - more than I had originally anticipated.
Luckily, I did not have to compromise on location. This is a highly sought after location so it will be great to live in and will hold resale value. The condo is in good condition so there are very few maintenance issues. It is also somewhat unique, unlike those offered for sale in the many high rises around.
Well, the next step is to meet all the requirements of the purchase agreement and arrange to move all my utilities, etc. Lots of work to do.
BB
This is exciting. Only last Friday I was worried about having a house that I couldn't sell and not having any place to live at my destination. This takes a lot of the stress off and allows me to move forward and meet my obligations to my employer.
The new condo is a three story walk-up, row house style. It is on a very nice street and is only a few steps from the canal and about 10 minutes walk to work. The unit itself has lots of small rooms - enough for all my activities. I believe the correct description is pied-a-terre. Small city house.
When I started my house search my expectations were that I could find a lot more house for my money. I was disappointed to see that there were problems with all the properties in my price range. This meant that I had to make a lot of compromises - more than I had originally anticipated.
Luckily, I did not have to compromise on location. This is a highly sought after location so it will be great to live in and will hold resale value. The condo is in good condition so there are very few maintenance issues. It is also somewhat unique, unlike those offered for sale in the many high rises around.
Well, the next step is to meet all the requirements of the purchase agreement and arrange to move all my utilities, etc. Lots of work to do.
BB
Still condo hunting
I did a second viewing on a condo in Ottawa today.
The first time I viewed it I had two concerns. The kitchen was WAY too small and the unit was too dark. After seeing it today both of these concerns have been laid to rest.
The rooms have a lot of pot lights and with some paint and the strategic use of lamps the condo will be bright enough. (I will have to buy more lamps but since shopping is my specialty this won't be hard). The kitchen can be moved to a different area on the same floor. The cupboards can be reused and the utilities can be run through the garage which is right underneath the floorspace. A couple of new countertops to fit the new layout and I'll be in business.
The location is better than the last place that I was interested in. Only a 10 minute walk to work and it is all through a safe neighbourhood.
I put in an offer today and hope to hear back tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.
The first time I viewed it I had two concerns. The kitchen was WAY too small and the unit was too dark. After seeing it today both of these concerns have been laid to rest.
The rooms have a lot of pot lights and with some paint and the strategic use of lamps the condo will be bright enough. (I will have to buy more lamps but since shopping is my specialty this won't be hard). The kitchen can be moved to a different area on the same floor. The cupboards can be reused and the utilities can be run through the garage which is right underneath the floorspace. A couple of new countertops to fit the new layout and I'll be in business.
The location is better than the last place that I was interested in. Only a 10 minute walk to work and it is all through a safe neighbourhood.
I put in an offer today and hope to hear back tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The wait is over
My house has finally sold.
After a long drought, there were two offers today. Same price. One with conditions and one without. That was a no brainer. I took the offer without conditions and the house is officially sold.
My move date is 15 July. Now I can enjoy the house and the yard without having to leave all the time for showings and open houses. This is great.
Not sure what my next move will be. Probably into rental accommodations in Ottawa while I take my time searching for a place to buy. I'll be sad to leave but it had to happen sooner or later so might as well be sooner.
Take care.
BB
After a long drought, there were two offers today. Same price. One with conditions and one without. That was a no brainer. I took the offer without conditions and the house is officially sold.
My move date is 15 July. Now I can enjoy the house and the yard without having to leave all the time for showings and open houses. This is great.
Not sure what my next move will be. Probably into rental accommodations in Ottawa while I take my time searching for a place to buy. I'll be sad to leave but it had to happen sooner or later so might as well be sooner.
Take care.
BB
Friday, June 5, 2009
School days
My application to take distance learning courses at Athabasca was finally processed. The result is that I was accepted back into University. I will be starting courses in a few weeks or a month using distance learning.
To celebrate I went out and bought beer. It's good to be a student again. lol
To celebrate I went out and bought beer. It's good to be a student again. lol
No house
Here's a quick update. I (or I should say my real estate agent) negotiated for four days to buy a row house in Ottawa. It ended when I gave a firm and final offer to the seller. She said no and countered. I walked away. Then her agent verbally offered to meet me at my price. I said no.
The thought process is long, but here goes.....
The Ottawa market is undergoing a boom and the newspaper has reported that the boom is based on all the government jobs created to administer the fiscal stimulus package. Logically, in a few years the rest of Canada will be pulling out of the economic downturn and Ottawa will begin deficit cutting. This means that these new positions will likely disappear.
It seems to me that it would be a foolish idea to buy a home at the top end of a boom when there is a good chance that the boom will end about the time that I am posted elsewhere and have to sell my home. For this reason, I think that I will shop around some more and wait for a more reasonable home to come on the market. There are lots of row houses in Ottawa so I just need to bide my time until someone decides to sell.
It should be a tough decision but I'm actually glad that I have more time to look around for a house. When I do buy it will be on my terms, not on the sellers.
The thought process is long, but here goes.....
The Ottawa market is undergoing a boom and the newspaper has reported that the boom is based on all the government jobs created to administer the fiscal stimulus package. Logically, in a few years the rest of Canada will be pulling out of the economic downturn and Ottawa will begin deficit cutting. This means that these new positions will likely disappear.
It seems to me that it would be a foolish idea to buy a home at the top end of a boom when there is a good chance that the boom will end about the time that I am posted elsewhere and have to sell my home. For this reason, I think that I will shop around some more and wait for a more reasonable home to come on the market. There are lots of row houses in Ottawa so I just need to bide my time until someone decides to sell.
It should be a tough decision but I'm actually glad that I have more time to look around for a house. When I do buy it will be on my terms, not on the sellers.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Still looking
Still house hunting. Looking at more properties today and hoping for the best.
I'm keeping the dream alive of walking to work. The reality of the big city is making this dream seem unattainable but I'm not ready to give it up yet.
More to follow.
I'm keeping the dream alive of walking to work. The reality of the big city is making this dream seem unattainable but I'm not ready to give it up yet.
More to follow.
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