Ever wonder what a HHT (House Hunting Trip) looks like? Every year we help dozens of families relocate into ottawa on their house hunting trips. With only five days to spend in a new city looking for a house it is very intense! We had so much fun documenting our most recent experience.
Day One: Stittsville and Barrhaven
We kicked off the first day by exploring homes in Stittsville, where the neighbourhood’s charm immediately stood out. The friendly atmosphere and tree-lined streets made a strong first impression. However, while the overall vibe of Stittsville was appealing, the home we toured felt too dark for their taste, quickly ruling it out.
Next, we shifted our focus to Barrhaven, where most of their top choices were located. The proximity to recreational centres, shopping, and the well-established community made Barrhaven an appealing option. While some of the homes we visited were a bit older or showed signs of wear, that didn’t affect their final picks. By the end of the day, they had narrowed it down to two or three homes that really stood out and were worth keeping in mind as we continued the search.
Day Two: Richmond, Orleans, and Findlay Creek
We started the day in Richmond, focusing on a few homes Chris had picked out as they aligned perfectly with our client’s criteria. These homes were all new built or constructed within the last few years, offering a bright and modern feel. Several of them backed onto green space, which was a key feature our clients were looking for. While Richmond’s growth and development were appealing, there was some hesitation about whether the current infrastructure would keep pace with the rising population.
After wrapping up in Richmond, we made the hour-long drive to Orleans to check out a few homes that had been high on their favourites list. However, it was clear upon arrival that these homes were significantly older and more lived-in compared to the newer properties we had seen earlier. On the plus side, the larger yards were a hit, but ultimately, the homes didn’t meet their needs.
Toward the end of the day, we managed to squeeze in a last-minute showing back in Richmond. This home ticked many of the right boxes and quickly rose to the top of their list. Meanwhile, Colin took them to see one more property in Findlay Creek, a last-minute opportunity since it was in his area. Unfortunately, this home didn’t fit their needs either, and that wrapped up Day Two.
Day Three: New Listings and Final Visits
After some reflection, our clients realized that while they liked the homes in Richmond, they couldn’t quite picture themselves living there long-term. However, a few new listings had come on the market since we originally booked their showings, and they wanted to explore those before making a decision.
We started the day in Kanata, arriving just as the for-sale sign was being installed. The home featured a pool, which caught their attention, but the small rooms left them wondering how it would work with their growing boys. Despite the hesitation, it earned a spot in their top three choices.
Next, we headed to another new listing. The clients were impressed by both the home and the yard, but with multiple offers already on the table and the tight time frame of their house-hunting trip, entering a bidding war just wasn’t a feasible option.
From there, we revisited their two top picks from Barrhaven. As the day came to a close, they faced a tough decision between the two favourites in Barrhaven and the new contender in Kanata. To feel confident in their choice, they decided to return to the Kanata home with Chris for one final look that evening.
Pros & Cons of the Top Three Picks
Day Four: Decision Day
After much deliberation, our clients were finally ready to make their decision. They chose their top pick and we quickly submitted an offer. After a bit of negotiation and back-and-forth with the sellers, we successfully secured a conditional agreement!
Fortunately, we had already arranged for a home inspection, which took place just two days later. Everything went smoothly, and the conditions were met by the following week, officially securing their new home. It was a perfect way to wrap up an exciting and productive house-hunting trip!
Ready to kick off your House Hunting Trip? We’re here to make it smooth and stress-free. We’d love to help you find your perfect home. Get in touch today!
When it comes to selling your home, especially within the unique demands of military life, it’s essential to work with a realtor who understands your needs. At the Chris Scott Team, we pride ourselves on providing a full-service solution tailored specifically for military sellers. Unlike many in the industry, who have opted to reduce services when working with a military listing due to the diminished fee structure, we’ve chosen to maintain the same high level of care for our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) clients. This commitment stems from our deep respect for the service members and their families, who deserve nothing but the best during what can be a stressful and significant life event.
Our Full-Service Approach
Initial Meeting
Our relationship begins with an in-depth initial meeting. During this consultation, we take the time to understand your specific situation, needs, and goals. Whether you’re facing a fast-paced relocation or have more time to plan, we tailor our approach to ensure a smooth and efficient process. This meeting also serves as a time for us to answer any questions you may have, laying the groundwork for a successful partnership.
Example: In March, we connected with clients who found us through our Ottawa relocations website. They were preparing for a military move and needed to sell their home on 254 Burnaby Drive. During our initial meeting, we discussed their timeline, plans for renovations, and their expectations for the sale.
Staging
One of the keys to selling a home quickly and at the best possible price is proper staging. We offer professional staging services to showcase your home’s best features, making it as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Our team brings in high-quality furnishings and décor that resonate with the current market trends, ensuring that your home makes a lasting first impression.
Example: As our 254 Burnaby Drive clients completed renovations in June, our stager provided guidance on how to optimize their space. They implemented these tips themselves, and later, our stager returned to add the final touches, ensuring the home was perfectly presented.
Professional Photography
In today’s digital age, first impressions are often made online. That’s why we invest in professional photography to highlight your home in the best possible light. Our photographers are skilled in capturing the unique qualities of each room and outdoor space, creating a visual story that attracts serious buyers.
Video Tours
In addition to stunning photos, we provide high-quality video tours. These are especially valuable for military buyers who may be relocating from another part of the country and can’t visit in person. Our video tours offer a comprehensive view of the property, giving remote buyers the confidence to make informed decisions.
Example: For 254 Burnaby Drive, we produced a full-length video tour, complete with Realtor commentary, to showcase the home’s unique features. This approach was particularly beneficial for out-of-town buyers, increasing the property’s appeal.
Listing
Once everything is prepared, we list your home on multiple platforms, including MLS and our website. We craft a compelling listing description that highlights the unique aspects of your home and the surrounding community. Our goal is to attract as many qualified buyers as possible, ensuring a competitive market for your property.
Example: We listed 254 Burnaby Drive on MLS, our website, and Realtor.ca, ensuring maximum exposure. The result? The home sold in just two days, receiving multiple offers—a testament to the effectiveness of our full-service approach.
Selling
From managing showings to negotiating offers, we handle every aspect of the selling process with precision and care. Our experience in military real estate means we understand the urgency and specific requirements that often accompany a military move. We work diligently to secure the best possible terms for you, ensuring a smooth transition to your next chapter.
Post-Selling Care
Our commitment to you doesn’t end when the sale is finalized. We provide post-selling care to ensure that all loose ends are tied up. This includes assistance with any final paperwork, coordination with movers, recommendations for trusted cleaning services, and offering guidance on your next steps, whether that’s settling into a new community or preparing for your next deployment. It even goes beyond the closing of your home, with birthday cards, client draws, and more—we love to keep in touch with you.
Example: After the sale of 254 Burnaby Drive, we connected our clients with a trusted company that checks in on the home to ensure everything is maintained before the new owners take possession. This extra step is part of our ongoing commitment to our clients’ peace of mind.
At the Chris Scott Team, we’re more than just realtors—we’re your partners in the journey of buying or selling your home. For our CAF members, this means providing a level of service that reflects the honor and commitment you bring to your service. We believe that by maintaining our high standards and full-service approach, we can make the real estate process as seamless and stress-free as possible for you and your family.
Posting to Ottawa is usually a message that our clients are excited about. It is much better than Cold Lake! The challenge with our market is that home ownership here is out of reach for many military families. Rising property prices, tight supply, and high interest rates have made things very tough! These factors have shifted the housing landscape, prompting many CAF members to reconsider homeownership and instead explore renting as a more viable option.
The Rising Cost of Property in Ottawa
Ottawa has always been an attractive location for both civilian and military families. The city offers a high quality of life, excellent amenities, and a strong sense of community. However, the booming real estate market has driven property prices out of reach for many. For military members, who are often required to relocate frequently due to postings, the high cost of purchasing a home in Ottawa can be prohibitive. Especially if members are relocating from the maritime provinces where the property prices are typically much lower. If you are coming from the West you are typically going to find similar or lower prices here.
For CAF members, who must adhere to a strict budget and financial planning, this competitive market can make homeownership seem out of reach.
Renting: A Practical Alternative
Given the current housing market conditions, many military members in Ottawa are turning to renting as a more practical and financially prudent option. Renting offers flexibility, which is particularly important for CAF members who may receive new postings on short notice. Additionally, renting eliminates the financial burden of a large mortgage and the potential loss in home value should the market fluctuate.
If you’re a military member navigating the Ottawa housing market, remember that you’re not alone. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, understanding your options and making informed decisions is key to securing a home that meets your needs without compromising your financial well-being.
To buy or rent?
This will be dependent on many factors. With all expenses covered on a purchase it is really tempting to buy. With a good Realtor by your side you can make an investment that should appreciate in value. We have had less than 3 years of decreasing prices in the last 3 decades. So chances are you will have equity on the other side when you are posted out. There are also programs in place to mitigate losses should you find yourself in that unfortunate situation.
Our military specialty is a bit unusual in Ottawa. We have lots of experience navigating these questions and would be happy to help in any way we can!
Spring is approaching, and the real estate market, after a unique start in 2024 with hesitant buyers and sellers, is showing signs of optimism. Check out why we expect a pickup in activity as confidence grows, anticipating a dynamic and bustling season ahead. If you have questions about what’s happening in your neighbourhood, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. My team and I would love to have a chat with you.
Why settle for just any realtor when you can choose a team that truly understands your unique needs? Our focus is crystal clear – we specialize in serving the military community, making us the top choice for your real estate journey in Ottawa.
Navigating the intricacies of military relocations is our forte. Our team members bring invaluable experience from countless house-hunting trips and seamless transactions involving military purchases or sales. When you choose us, you’re not just getting a realtor; you’re gaining access to a network of BGRS-approved vendors, ensuring a smooth journey from the beginning to well after your deal is closed. With an impressive track record of dozens of military deals under our belt, we proudly stand as Ottawa’s leading military real estate experts.
What sets us apart is not just our focus but the people we bring to the table. We have carefully curated a list of top-tier professionals, from specialized BGRS lawyers to inspectors well-versed in the intricacies of the military process. Having the right people at every step ensures a seamless and stress-free transaction for you.
But we don’t stop there. We proactively search for the perfect home on your behalf. Annually, we dispatch over twenty thousand letters to the most coveted neighborhoods, giving our military clients exclusive access to homes in Ottawa that aren’t available to the general public. Our proactive approach has proven successful, creating matches that go beyond what’s readily available, making your real estate experience truly exceptional.
In a sea of realtors, choose the team that not only knows the military but also has the expertise, connections, and dedication to make your real estate journey in Ottawa a resounding success.
When military clients get transferred to Ottawa, they are often looking in the core 5 Suburban neighbourhoods. Much depends on where our clients will be posted to within the city. Popular areas now tend to be West Ottawa due to NDHQ being in the Nortel complex in Nepean. For a helpful reference, we publish monthly stats for these suburban neighborhoods. There is so much to know before you start looking. Get in touch with us as we specialize in helping military clients purchase in the Ottawa area.
Here is a summary of the details of spending accounts related to CAFRD (Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Directive) benefits. There are two types of spending accounts: the Core Account and the Custom Account. Unused benefits from either account are forfeited and cannot be used for other expenses.
The Core Account is meant to compensate members for essential relocation expenses related to their move. It is not a fixed amount of funds.
The Custom Account is a fixed amount of funds determined by an individualized formula. It serves two purposes: enhancing benefits from the Core Account as indicated in the directive and providing flexibility to choose other CAFRD benefits that meet the member’s relocation needs.
The formula for the Custom Account is A + B + C = D, where A represents the accommodation factor, B represents the transportation factor, C represents the HG&E (household goods and effects) shipment factor, and D represents the total amount available in the Custom Account. The transportation factor is calculated using a kilometric rate based on the Department of Finance income tax deduction limit for the use of personal vehicles for business purposes.
The Custom Account formula also includes specific calculations for each factor. A is the greater of $1,000 or a percentage of the real estate commission based on the sale price of the principal residence. B is 35% of the cost of one-way transport for the member and dependents. C is 35% of the average cost of shipping qualifying household goods and effects per qualifying room.
Qualifying rooms for the HG&E shipment factor are listed, including bedrooms, kitchen, living room, etc. When items are shipped out of long-term storage, the formula is based on the number of qualifying rooms when the items originally went into storage.
In cases where a member shares accommodations with individuals other than their spouse or dependents, the HG&E shipment factor is based only on the rooms occupied by the member.
Ottawa is typically known to be a low inventory real estate market. This is changed slightly this year due to current market conditions. Military buyers will have more to choose from on their Ottawa relocation house hunting trips. Our team is also doing everything we can to present as many options as possible. We have put out thousands of flyers looking for home sellers to match with our incoming military buyers. This program is in its fifth year and it continues to be a success. We have been able to create win-win situations for both buyers and sellers. Buyers get the benefit of purchasing a house off market at a fixed cost and sellers have the opportunity to potentially sell off market with very little showings and no staging.
If you’re relocating to Ottawa feel free to get in touch and learn more about the programs we offer our incoming relocation clients.
BMO is the official bank of the Canadian Defense Community. This makes BMO and the Chris Scott Team a perfect fit for our military clients. We always have our client’s needs top of mind and strive to make each relocation as smooth as possible. We know the ins and outs of BGRS and know that during an HHT time is always of the essence. BMO has specific mortgage programs tailormade for military relocations that offer tight turnarounds on pre-approvals so you can rest easy during your HHT. We have a guest blog from our local Defense Mortgage Specialist Naween:
RELOCATION IT’S STRESSFUL. WE GET IT AND WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Relocation is not a simple task. It’s very stressful. Leaving family, friends and a familiar environment is a daunting feeling. I have gone through 5 relocations myself, so I know the feeling. My biggest relocation was migrating to Canada. Moving 13,632 km, away from everything I knew for 23 years. The level of anxiety I had was through the roof, but I was also excited to start a new chapter with my wife. It took us time to settle, and we finally made Ottawa home. Bought our first home, had our first child and a new opportunity came along resulting in an out-of-city relocation. Two more relocations after we are back in Ottawa. Each relocation was stressful even though we had done it before. We had to tell ourselves it was ok to feel the way we did. The personal and professional growth I gained from them will not change my mind about doing it all over again. We became comfortable with meeting new people and making new friends with each move.
The biggest stress for us about relocating was finding a place to live. Temporary accommodations in hotels can only get you so far until the smell of eggs in the morning makes you sick. You have a limited amount of time to find a place that fits you and your family’s needs. This is where the expertise of a good realtor was a game changer. When we relocated to Sudbury for work, our house search revolved around a 9-month-olds schedule and needs. We had to think about daycare, schools (yes, it was a bit of a stretch to think of schools when our son was only 9 months), convenience to get to and from work, etc. New city, no support system to count on. We started our house search online in Ottawa and would send listings we wanted to see to our realtor having no idea about the areas. I remember to this day what our realtor said about a listing I sent. House looked great in pictures, well below our budget. Her exact words “We are not going to see that listing because you are not going to buy a home in that area. I don’t want Evan growing up in that neighborhood”. We soon came to realize that that neighbourhood was not suitable for kids, and the house was on a very busy street. I was reassured my realtor had my back and I was no longer stressed about finding the right home for our family. This is the same level of care and attention Chris Scott and his team bring to the table. They understand your needs and find properties to fit that need, so you don’t waste time.
Therefore, I am proud to align myself as the mortgage specialist assisting the clients of Chris and his team. They share the same values as I do, personally and professionally. Putting the client’s needs first vs getting a sale done. Focusing on advice and recommendations to protect you and your loved ones. Combining 6 years of mortgage experience, Chris and his team and BMO’s Defense Banking Program I am confident we can make your house purchase a stress-free experience.
If you have any questions about home financing or want to talk about my personal experience of relocation feel free to contact me. I am happy to answer any questions you have
Naween Thomas | Mortgage Specialist
(P) 613-709-0890
Ottawa is a very popular destination for military clients. Many come for a few years and get posted out only to return again with a promotion a few years down the road. With this type of short-term stay, you need to purchase at the right price to be able to sell with a nice profit when you get transferred out. Others may have their final stop in Ottawa and want to make sure they get a home that can suit their needs for years to come.
We thought we would share with you a few examples of homes we helped our military clients purchase in recent years and that they just sold this year:
Purchased in 2020 – $790,000 Sold in 2022 – $1,250,000
These clients sold their Fairwinds home with our team in 2017 and got transferred back to Ottawa in 2020, during a very challenging market for buyers. During their HHT they were clear they wanted to be back in Stittsville and find something with good value. The timing was not great as they were purchasing in a very fast sellers market. Our clients ended up competing in a multiple offer situation. It is important to note that we were not the highest offer in this multiple offer situation, but the seller wanted to work with us and sell to my clients. That one decision had an incredible impact for my clients. You can see what they bought it for back then and sold it for earlier this year.
Purchased in 2020 – $665,000 Sold in 2022 – $931,000
Another military client of ours purchased in 2020, during the same challenging market. They also wanted to live in, and ended up buying in Stittsville. This is a great example of how there are still deals to be had during a sellers market and we ended up getting a great deal for our buyers. The house needed new flooring on the main level and was passed up by other buyers because of this. Our clients were not phased by this small issue, they lived here for a few years, and then ended up getting new floors installed on the main floor. This small investment of a flooring project helped them capitalize on ideal conditions when they sold.
HHT’s are challenging and timing is everything, which is why having an experienced Realtor® on your side makes all of the difference when it comes to your biggest investment. We are here to help!
