Wednesday 25 December 2013

Saturday 30 November 2013

New Team!

I'm excited to announce that I'm now part of Ottawa Property Hunters - I look forward to working with you as part of this experienced, results-focused team. My contact information remains the same - so please get in touch to talk about your real estate needs!

Thursday 28 November 2013

Creative home ideas!

I just ran across this page sharing some creative home design ideas, including interesting ways to bring nature into your home. I'm sure my daughter would appreciate the indoor slides!


Sunday 20 October 2013

City of Ottawa Fall Give Away Weekend

The City of Ottawa Fall Give Away Weekend is coming up next weekend: Saturday October 26th and Sunday October 27th. This is a chance to give your unwanted stuff a new home - just set them out on the curb on Give Away Weekend.

More information from the 
City of Ottawa

Sunday 29 September 2013

Green Home Tour - Reflections

It was great to see so many interested folks out for Envirocentre's second green home tour! I was on Garland Avenue showing people an innovative infill development with a number of green features, while my wife toured people through the eight years of energy retrofits at our Hintonburg home. It was a great afternoon of questions and discussion. I'd be happy to chat further about your real estate and retrofit questions - please get in touch!

Monday 23 September 2013

Green Homes Tour - this Saturday!

The Green Homes Showcase will be opening the doors of unique “green” Ottawa homes to the public. The event is on Saturday September 28th, 2013 from 12 to 4 PM at exclusive locations all across Ottawa. The ten featured homes highlight the latest green technologies and upgrades to increase home comfort and durability, sustainability and resale value.  

Examples include:

ü  Passive solar design
ü  Solar heated pools
ü  Geothermal systems
ü  Sustainable flooring, cabinets, and countertops
ü  Solar blinds and screens
ü  LED lighting
ü  Insulation and air sealing
ü  Fibreglass windows
ü  HRVs and tankless water heaters


Sunday 15 September 2013

Green Homes Tour - September 28th!

I am excited be taking part in a green homes showcase of new and renovated green homes in Ottawa on Saturday September 28th organized by the Envirocentre. More information here!  

Saturday 14 September 2013

Sustainable Transportation Week!


September 16-22nd is Sustainable Transportation Week. Coordinated by EnviroCentre in partnership with the City of Ottawa and Vivre en Ville in Gatineau, the goal of STW is to encourage residents of the National Capital Region to walk, cycle, take transit, and carpool instead of driving alone.
There are many benefits of sustainable transportation: saving time and money, getting exercise as part of your daily routine, and exploring new  neighbourhoods. For more information, check out this link

Friday 13 September 2013

Ottawa Sustainability Tour activities this Saturday

There are some interesting opportunities to learn more about local sustainability projects tomorrow through a self-guided tour, organized by the Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City Initiative. There is more information on the various locations in the city available at here

Thursday 15 August 2013

Ontario's Energy Supply Mix

I recently received an interesting mailing from Hydro Ottawa with a description of Ontario's system-wide electricity supply mix. Ontario is 56% nuclear energy, 22.2% water power, 14.7% natural gas, 3.4% alternative power sources and 2.7% coal and oil. 

Sunday 28 July 2013

Garland Properties

I posted recently about an energy efficient development project in Hintonburg. Construction is well underway on Garland Avenue! More pictures and updates coming soon! 

Sunday 30 June 2013

Looking for Green Homes

Ottawa's Envirocentre has announced their 2013 Green Homes Tour, building on last year's successful event. In 2012 participants, which included prospective buyers and home owners, visited four homes to learn more about green renovations first hand. There is a call for volunteers for homes for the 2013 tour - for more information or to volunteer contact Rabita at rabita.sharfuddin@envirocentre.ca or 613-656-0100 ext 124.

Sunday 23 June 2013

Tree Preservation - recent change

There was an interesting ruling in May on private property and tree preservation. Here's a link to a Globe and Mail article, with an excerpt below:

The Ontario Superior Court verdict in May created some of the most stringent and detailed law on tree preservation in Canada. Cutting down a shared tree or chopping at wayward branches without a neighbour’s approval could now be a criminal act, punishable under the provincial Forestry Act.

Sunday 9 June 2013

Ottawa Ranks as Sustainable City

This just in....Ottawa has been ranked the third most sustainable city in North America. Ottawa follows San Francisco and Washington in a sustainable city ranking from Corporate Knights, a Toronto-based media and investment research company. 

The cities were assessed on 28 indicators spanning five categories of sustainability: environmental quality, economic security, governance and empowerment, infrastructure and energy and social well-being. To read more, here's a link to an article. 

Friday 31 May 2013

City of Ottawa Give-Away Weekend!

If you want to clear out some closets, this weekend is the official City of Ottawa give-away weekend. Set out your unwanted but reusable goods on the curb this Saturday June 1st and Sunday June 2nd. For more information check out the City of Ottawa website.

Building a Liveable Ottawa

There's an on-line consultation on the pedestrian plan and cycling plan for the City of Ottawa. Here's the link if you are interested in adding your comments - it's open for comments until June 7th!

Saturday 25 May 2013

Catvertising!

I'm sharing a Youtube posting of our kitten playing with a wooden marble run. If it goes viral - you saw it here first!

kitten and marbles

Monday 20 May 2013

Native Plant Sale


It's the time of year when we are spending more time outside, possibly gardening! If you are interested in learning more about plants native to the region, we have a great resource in central Ottawa. The Fletcher Wildlife Garden is located next to the Arboretum off Prince of Wales Drive. If you would like to purchase some native plants for your garden, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden annual native plant sale is coming up on Saturday June 1st from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Their website outlines why the project got started:  "With habitat loss a major factor in the decline of many plant and animal species, our goal is to encourage as many people as possible to create or restore natural landscapes on their urban or rural property. Our Interpretive Centre disseminates information on conservation issues and regional natural history. Behind the centre is our Backyard Garden designed to show how anyone can transform their own garden into one that is wildlife friendly".

Monday 6 May 2013

Sunday Ride

As mentioned in a previous post, I participated in the CN Ride for CHEO on Sunday. It was a beautiful day and a fantastic ride - a great way to see the city! The event fundraising set a record - raising more than $726,000 for oncology research! 

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Sunday 21 April 2013

Happy Earth Day!

Tomorrow, Monday April 23rd is Earth Day! I'm sharing a recent article from the Ottawa Citizen with some helpful tips on greening at home. With Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and many years of experience in energy design and improvements, I love to discuss retrofit options with my home buying and selling clients! There are always opportunities for improvement whether looking at older or newer homes. Happy Earth Day!

Saturday 13 April 2013

Welcome Kitchissippi Times Readers!

If my ad in this week's Kitchissippi Times has brought you to my website and green real estate blog - welcome! I'm a Hintonburg resident with a number of years of experience in housing and energy, along with an aptitude for providing excellent observation and astute analysis. This provides a solid base from which to create value for seller and buyer clients alike. I'd love to sit down with you to talk about your real estate needs! 

Sunday 31 March 2013

New Listings in Hintonburg


I want to share two exciting, new listings for new homes to be built in Hintonburg, one of Ottawa's hottest neighbourhoods.  



To be built,  2 and 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom semi-detached homes, with additional bed/guest room in the finished basement. Modern open design, maple hardwood, porcelain tile, quartz counters, and private roof decks. Quality fixtures, low VOC interiors, sustainable landscaping, and durable exteriors. The homes will be certified to Energy Star 2012 specification, which is approximately 25% better than code. 


Saturday 30 March 2013

Ride for CHEO

I'm signed up to take part in the 70 km CN Ride for CHEO on Sunday May 5th. With snow still on the ground we're just starting to think about getting our bikes out - I look forward to hitting the streets soon! Supporting the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and children and their families dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment is an important cause, and I look forward to this opportunity to support the community. Hope to see you there! 

Friday 29 March 2013

March Update

March has been a busy month! I have some news to share on a green development in Hintonburg and will be posting about it soon. Meanwhile, enjoy the long weekend and the emergence of spring!

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Building a Liveable Ottawa

I'm sharing a link on the City of Ottawa website - it's a survey to get public input on planning a Liveable Ottawa for 2031. Here's what the City of Ottawa says in their introduction:

The City of Ottawa would like your opinion on how we should plan our neighbourhoods, roads, water and sewer services, rural villages, and cycling and walking pathways.

The survey is open until Friday March 1st!

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Tomorrow is National Sweater Day!

If every Canadian lowered the heat by 2 degrees this winter, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 Megatons! On February 7th, put on a sweater and lower the heat to take action on climate change! 


Monday 21 January 2013

Video: Solar Bike Tour

Last May I took part in the in the SLOWest solar power bike tour - both as a presenter and as participant visiting the homes on the tour. I had a blog post on the event last summer.  If you couldn't make the bike tour, SLOWest has just posted a series of videos from the stops along the tour. My presentation is posted here. Given the chilly weather outside, it's warming to see the large group of enthusiastic cyclists interested in learning more about solar power in Ottawa! 

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Green Living 2013

With this week's thaw, some thoughts turned to spring! In that spirit, I'm sharing an early heads-up of the dates for this year's Ottawa Green Living Expo. It is taking place Saturday and Sunday April 27 and 28th. If you interested in finding out more, check out this link: Ottawa Living Green Expo 2013

Monday 7 January 2013

Reusing Electronics in Ottawa


I just got this notice from my community association about a local organization that refurbishes computer equipment for reuse!

CompuCorps accepts donations of reusable electronic devices (desktops, laptops, tablets & cellphones). This Ottawa (Hintonburg) non-profit organization
refurbishes and distributes computer systems and equipment to charities,non-profit organizations and low income people in Ottawa. Tax receipts are issued for fair market value of donated equipment.  Donations can be dropped off at 1040 Somerset St W or download their pre-paid shipping form.

For more info go to  http://compucorps.org/ or call 613-234-8988.