Ottawa - Choosing the Best Neighbourhood and School

When working with Buyers, I rank the following in order of importance: 1) Location, 2) Home Layout, 3) Home Style/Finishes. Location is impossible to change, home layout is difficult, and style/finishes is possible.

We have all heard the adage at least 100 times - Location - Location - Location.


Location is the single most crucial factor determining a property's value and success in real estate.

When you are buying a home for your family, you aren't just buying square footage, a renovated kitchen, or a double-car garage. Choosing the best neighbourhood for your family will have a big impact on both your home's potential appreciation and your family's quality of life.  The best neighbhourhood for your family is largely based on your specific needs and wants- do you like a walkable neighbourhood or are you okay to drive to amenities, do you work outside the home - how far are you willing to travel, etc. While every family is different, the one common thread is that we all want the best schools for our children. It is no coincidence that the best schools are generally in the best neighbourhoods. There is a correlation. 


When I work with families, I don't just pull up a list of listings; I use specific tools to ensure the property aligns perfectly with your educational goals.

Here are the four key tools I use to evaluate school districts for my clients.

1. The Fraser Institute - The Fraser Institutes ranks schools across Canada.

2. EQAO Trends - The Education Quality and Accountability Office publishes the results of the school's standardized tests. 

3. The Official Boundary Locators (OCDSB and OCSB) - I use the preferred school's boundary map when setting up a home search for my client. I plug the specific address into the school board's school locator tool prior to booking a showing.

4. Future Infrastructure Planning - There are no guarantees - school boundaries change. To minimize the risk, I keep up-to-date on proposed changes.

If you would like set up a meeting to discuss how we would look for a home using The Strategic "School-First" Approach - I would love to talk!

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