Christiane Lafleur

Welcome to this months professional profile post - this is the 1st of many to follow!

Capital Home Staging and Design
Kristy Morrison-Bowen

Kristy is a young professional business owner in Ottawa whom I've been very lucky to work with. When selling your home, we need to put your best foot forward and that's where working with Kristy comes in! With over 88% of buyers searching the photos on the internet before they contact or connect with a Realtor we need to have your home in top selling condition and we need it to appeal to the largest majority of potential buyers. Before your home goes on the market you will have a personal 2 hour consultation with Kristy where she will discuss how to highlight your home, eliminate any eye catching distractions and enhance the visual flow throughout your home.

Whether you're looking for a color consultation, interior design tips or help with your furniture or decor placement call Kristy from Captial Home Staging & Design today! (613) 832-8958 or visit www.capitalhomestaginganddesign.ca.

When you are ready to sell your home give me a call (613) 859-0809 or visit www.christianelafleur.com and signup as a VIP Seller - as part of my marketing package you'll get to take advantage of a FREE consultation w/ Kristy to help get your home in top selling condition!

As a seasoned Realtor in Ottawa one of the most frequently asked questions I get is: "When is the best time to sell my home?" The majority of Realtors and Sellers would suggest that selling your home in the Spring is the greatest time to put your home on the market. Having said that, in my opinion, the best time to sell your home is when YOU are ready to move!

We know that the Spring market is the most active time to buy and sell homes in Ottawa - however, since there are so many other Sellers thinking the same thing, you'll have LOTS of competition and will be forced to price your home more competitively to appeal to more buyers. The abundance of homes for sale allows a Buyer to take their time and be a little more "picky" with their decision and what they are looking for - they react a little slower. I have to admit that in the fall and winter months there will be less buyers however the same goes for there being less sellers; therefore less competition! You're in a much better position to price your home (and could get away with a few thousand more) and wouldn't you say that a buyer looking to move in the cold months during the holidays would be VERY serious?!... I would!!!

I truely believe that selling your home depends on YOUR personal timing - no matter what the season or market conditions. Now... in Ottawa we are experiencing a very STRONG Sellers market and there is desperate need for more inventory - some properties are selling for over 30k above asking in multiple offers. If you were considering selling in the spring it may be to your advantage to move up your timeline a little - maximising your equity with a quick sale doesn't sound so bad!?

Call me today for a FREE Home Evaluation. If you're ready to sell your home today you can benefit from a FREE Home Staging consultation and a Professional photographer - I work with the right professionals to showcase your home to the most buyers! Call me today (613) 859-0809 or visit www.christianelafleur.com!

I can honestly say this past month in Real Estate has been crazy and challenging as a Realtor (for myself anyways!) - with so little inventory on the market it's hard to keep your Buyers happy - we must practice patience! With practically every offer becoming a MULTIPLE offer scenario be ready to put your best foot forward and have your financing all figured out!

According the Ottawa real estate board President Rick Snell "Resale home sales still riding high in Ottawa"! During the month of October members sold 1,202 residential properties through the MLS system which is an amazing increase of 24.7% over October of last year!

"Once again we saw record-setting sales numbers for the month of October. This brings our sales year-to-date to four percentage points higher than the same period last year. Ottawa's resale market has been buoyed by buyers taking advantage of low interest rates," said Board President Rick Snell. "Listing inventory remains at a low level, and combined with brisk sales, indicates that we are still in a strong sellers' market here in the capital," he added.

Below you'll find a review of October's real estate numbers - such a dramatic increase with double digits accross the board!

The average sale prices are as follows:
- Average residential/condo sale $318,655 increase of 13.6% over Oct of last year
- Average condo sale $232,046 increase of 14.6% over Oct of last year
- Average residential sale $343,745 increase of 13.3% over Oct of last year

If you're a Seller and you've been tossing around the idea of selling this would DEFINATELY be the right time - prices are rising due to low demand and properties are selling quickly! If you're a homebuyer out there practice your patience and share your thoughts with your Realtor. We understand that sometimes homebuyers change their minds, especially if what they are looking for isn't available - we need to know what you're thinking to help you!

Wether you're a buyer or a seller in orleans, pineview or ottawa i'd love to help! Visit http://www.christianelafleur.com/ or call me directly anytime (613) 859-0809.

The beauty of social networking... on Friday while I was on Twitter I spotted a tweet by Christine Tripp of Tripp Photography.

"Looking 4 something 2 do 4 Halloween today? Support CHEO, Win prizes, eat & have photos taken! Fun 4 All http://bit.ly/2T1j9U"

Since I was lucky enough to have Halloween day off, I decided to go take a visit w/ my son a.k.a Little Indian. Her new studio is located at 6151 Eighth Line Rd near the corner of Boundary Rd and Russell Rd in Carlsbad Springs. As we were walking up there were all kinds of decorations awaiting us :) Inside it only got better! We began by just playing around, since my son had to get comfortable; It was also my opportunity to make a donation to CHEO - I love giving back! There were munchies, candy, drinks and great hospitality too.

A great bonus to the whole visit was being able to get a portrait of my little indian in his costume. We were so lucky to get a full tour of Tripp Photography's new studio. They have so much to offer their clients, from weddings and engagements, to children & baby portaits this should definately be the first call on your list!

I had a great Halloween Day and if you are considering having your portrait taken or if you're newly engaged contact Christine @ Tripp Photography today! I've already booked my Christmas portraits :)

For today's blog post I'm going to change my usual topic of conversation from Real Estate to my Ottawa Family Dentist - Dr. Chantal Plant.

A little background information on myself... when I was 16 yrs old my dentist was performing a simple procedure (getting rid of a cavity) and I guess he "forgot" to freeze me... well... I felt pain like I've never felt before and that particular experience scared me enough that I did not return to the dentist for ten years!!! Yes I know you are probably saying OMG - but maybe that can explain how much it affected me.

During my Real Estate career I met a great Realtor who's wife was a dentist in Ottawa; her name is Dr. Chantal Plant. Finally after 10 yrs (and 1 achy tooth) I picked up the phone with my shaky hand and made the call. It started with a general teeth cleaning by Josee Lafrance, a dental hygienist who took really great care of me and didn't rush through her job. She made me feel at ease and a little less nervous. A few weeks later I had a general check-up w/ Dr. Chantal Plant and she was able to provide me with a short "to do list" on my mouth! I'm happy to report that after 10 yrs I only had 3 minor cavities and 1 major cavity which ended up being a route canal. Dr. Florenta performed this proceedure and again made me feel as comfortable as I could, listened to me when I got worried and I got through it!

Yesterday I had my 3rd visit w/ Dr. Chantal Plant. This time we were fixing a lower back mollar... It was a very difficult day for me since I was extreamely nervous and scared (probably the worst one yet since I've gone back). She took her time, listened to me and to make a long story short I made it!

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Dr. Chantal Plant and her whole Ottawa Family Dentist team in Blackburn. From the minute you walk in, Robyn and Suzanne are there to greet you with big smiles which makes you feel at home. I can honestly say if not for her office I don't think I would have returned to the dentist and I probably would have dentures by the time I'm 30!!! I would recommend her to anyone looking for a family dentist or who has a fear of going to the dentist; adults and children... I can't say thank you enough for the time and care she spends with me on every visit.