Introduction

It’s no secret that the Ottawa housing market is hot.

In fact, it was voted one of the hottest markets in North America by a real estate company last year. And this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. In 2016, there were over 2300 homes sold in Ottawa East End and Rockland regions alone, an increase from just over 2000 sales in 2015. The average price for single-family homes increased from $380 000 to $410 000 as well—an 11% increase! While all these numbers are promising, you need to know what features buyers look for when they purchase a home so you can make sure your dream house has everything on your wish list too! Here are some of the features you want to look for in an Ottawa East End/Rockland home.

House features Ottawa & Rockland buyers look for

1.Proximity to public transit, schools and amenities like grocery stores.

One of the main criteria Ottawa buyers look for is proximity to public transit.  If your house for sale is located close to a bus, train, metro or other public transport system, this will make your house very appealing to buyers. If you are looking for a home with amenities like grocery stores and parks near-by, make sure you take these into consideration as well.  The one thing that can be detrimental is if the home is too close to your work location. One of the most important considerations is whether or not you will be commuting long distances on a daily basis or find employment close by.

2.The number of bedrooms and bathrooms .

Most houses come with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. But some homes might only have two bedrooms while others could have four or five bedrooms. There are also many one-bathroom homes but there are some that can accommodate up to three bathrooms. Make sure you do your research on the number of rooms before making an offer! If you are selling a one bathroom home, consider adding another one before having it on the market. That way, you can attract more buyers.

3.The home’s age.

While this might not be a big concern for some people, owning older homes may come with some added costs down the line. For example, if your house is an older property, it will likely require renovations or major repairs sooner rather than later. If you are looking for a home with lower maintenance costs, look for newer properties.

4.The size of the backyard.

This feature is particularly important if you have children or pets who need daily outdoor play time. If your current property doesn’t provide enough space to fully accommodate your family or best furry friend, then it’s time to look for a home with a larger backyard. You may consider checking out houses in Orleans, Rockland or surrounding areas that usually comes with larger backyards than houses in Ottawa.

5.The surrounding neighborhood.

While it’s important to consider the location of your property in terms of how close it is to highways or public transit, buying a house in an area with good schools will have a significant impact on the value of your home. Many homeowners are very particular about the type of neighborhood they want to live in. Areas where there are low performing schools or crime rates tend to be less popular and therefore lead to lower home values. This is an important thing to consider if you’re planning on selling your home down the line and need a higher return on your investment. If you are looking for areas with good schools, check out homes in Rockland, Orleans or anywhere else near District High Schools. If you are looking at houses in Orleans,ON, check out some homes near Millennium Park, or Avalon. If you are more interested in houses in Rockland, check out some properties near Morris Village. These neighborhoods offer amenities like grocery stores and parks within walking distance of homes for sale. By doing this simple research ahead of time, you will be able to work with your real estate agent to find the right house that meets all your needs!

6. Upgraded appliances, kitchen, flooring, etc.

Another big plus for a home is to have new or upgraded appliances. Buyers want a house that looks and feels clean, especially the kitchen where they’re going to spend most of their time cooking and eating meals. If your current house doesn’t have brand new appliances, consider updating them with newer ones! Also, fresh paint and new flooring throughout the entire house is another thing to consider. It gives a nice polished look and feel for potential homebuyers.

7. Garbage Disposal

One of the features buyers often forget to consider but can make a big difference in their buying decision is whether or not there’s a garbage disposal in the kitchen. Garbage disposals are a must-have feature for many buyers who want to minimize the cleaning they have to do after a big meal with family and friends!

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a house in Ottawa, East End or Rockland region, consider the above features when evaluating homes for purchase. These important home features will help you with your search.