AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY

This morning I woke up and started my day like every other day. Just another ordinary day I thought as I rolled out of bed and began the mad morning rush of getting my daughter ready and off to school, before I got on with my busy work day.  I grabbed a quick coffee to go, skipped breakfast, headed off to school to drop off my daughter and then drove off to Barrhaven to show a home.  The morning turned out great as I was asked to write up an offer on one of my listings. Looking through my booked up calendar, the only time I had to write up the offer was just after picking up my daughter from school as my afternoon was booked

up with a funeral I wanted to attend to support a co-worker/friend’s recent loss.

I rush home after showing the property thinking I may be able to complete the documents for purchase and email them out before heading off to the funeral. I get home, begin to work on the offer but I quickly run out of time. I grab my purse and hurry off to the funeral service. My mind is racing a mile a minute as I am driving, trying to coordinate in my head, how I will manage to attend the funeral, write up the offer, pick up my daughter from school and make time for a market analysis all before 5pm.

It’s 12:00 noon, just made it on time to the funeral. I park my car and rush into the church.

The service was beautiful and by the time the eulogies were completed, although I did not personally know Karen, I felt I had known her. She was loved by so many and it was clear how much love and happiness she brought to all.  A mom, a sister, a daughter...just like so many of us. Gone in the blink of an eye during an unexpected tragedy in Barrhaven. Yes, she was one of the bus passengers that collided with the train the morning of September 18th. On her way to work...just another ordinary working day in her life she probably thought.

I sat, quietly in a pew and absorbed all of the emotions surrounding me. I was overwhelmed by the amount of togetherness and love I felt in the church. I was fully engaged in the moment and realized how blessed Karen was to have such a tremendous amount of friends, love and support in her life. I could relate. I myself am fortunate to have such a loving and supportive circle of friends. I have been blessed with the birth of a healthy incredible, beautiful daughter that I love more than anyone or anything in this entire world and who at times, I put second because of the busy life I lead as a single mom and a Realtor.  This moment made me realize that today isn’t just an ordinary day. Today is an EXTRAORDINARY day....every day is an extraordinary day.

Today I am making a commitment to myself to make every day  EXTRAORDINARY! I invite you to do the same.

To all the people who were touched in some way by this tragedy, please accept my most sincere heartfelt condolences.  May you find peace and comfort in loving memories and may you live each and everyday to it's fullest.

Lovingly,

Julie Bazinet

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-AUGUST NEWS RELEASE-2013-09-05

Ottawa resale market on the up and up

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,219 residential properties in August through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,145 in August 2012, an increase of 6.5 per cent. The five-year average for August sales is 1,202.

"It has been one year since the Canadian Government introduced the new mortgage rules, and although the Ottawa market has been slow-moving since the beginning of the year, this month's numbers are quite the opposite," says Tim Lee, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "With both residential and condo units sold up a respectable amount since last year, it breaks the downward cycle. In addition, average sale prices evened out in August, creating a welcomed lull in inflating property prices."

August's sales included 272 in the condominium property class, and 947 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $348,519, a slight increase of 0.4 per cent over August 2012. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $257,494, a decrease of 5.4 per cent over August 2012. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $374,663, an increase of 1.8 per cent over August 2012. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

"Inventory on hand has decreased since last month, and is starting to return to more normal levels," says Lee. "Ottawa continues to be a healthy, balanced market, and as always, a great city to live in. With a strengthening economy and historically low interest rates, Ottawa consumers remain in a very enviable position." Talk to an Ottawa-area REALTOR® today for help with buying and/or selling a home.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of over 2,900 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.