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Ottawa Real Estate Market Update: Why the Capital’s Housing Market Remains Steady Amid Economic Uncertainty

Despite ongoing economic uncertainty across the country, Ottawa’s real estate market continues to show remarkable resilience. As we moved through October, the capital experienced a steady, seasonal shift marked by healthier sales activity and stabilizing inventory levels—clear signs that Ottawa remains one of the most balanced and dependable markets in Canada.

Sales Activity: A Seasonal Boost, but Still Measured

In October, 1,177 homes were sold, an increase of 8.1% from September’s 1,089 transactions. Although this represents a slight 1.2% dip year over year, the month-over-month improvement reflects the typical fall momentum the region sees before heading into winter’s slower pace.

Prices Hold Strong as Demand Remains Solid

The average sale price in Ottawa climbed to $709,002, marking a 2.7% increase from September and a 5.7% rise compared to October 2024. This upward movement indicates that underlying demand remains healthy, even as buyers proceed with caution.

Inventory Levels Begin to Ease

Ottawa saw 2,405 new listings in October, a notable 15.1% decline from September 2025, though still 13.4% higher year over year. This seasonal drop is consistent with long-term market patterns.

More importantly, active listings decreased from 4,388 in September to 4,232 in October—a 3.6% reduction. While supply remains higher than in the previous few years, this fall decline suggests that inventory levels may be starting to stabilize within a balanced range.

The months of inventory metric eased from 4.0 to 3.6, indicating a modest tightening between supply and demand as the fall market settled.

Interest Rate Cuts Offer a Glimmer of Optimism

On October 29, 2025, the Bank of Canada issued its second consecutive rate cut, lowering the policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%. This move provides welcome relief to borrowers and may help fuel activity heading into the spring market.

However, the Bank signaled that this would likely be the final cut in the current cycle—meaning buyers and sellers are still navigating a cautious financial landscape.

Local Factors to Watch

The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) continues to monitor the federal budget and workforce announcements closely. Given Ottawa’s large federal employment base, shifts in government spending or staffing often influence the local market.

A Balanced, Healthy Market Heading Into Year-End

Overall, Ottawa’s housing market remains stable, balanced, and fundamentally healthy. With steady prices, manageable inventory, and modestly improving demand, the city is entering the winter season on solid footing.

OREB President Paul Czan summarizes it well:

“Ottawa’s market continues to demonstrate balance and resilience. We’re seeing modest growth in sales activity, stable pricing, and a seasonal easing of elevated inventory levels. The recent rate adjustments provide optimism for the coming months, but economic uncertainty looms, and buyers and sellers remain cautious. The current environment points to a steady market rather than a rapid shift in either direction.”

As Ottawa moves toward the end of the year, the market appears poised for continued stability—making it a strong environment for both buyers and sellers who are prepared and informed.

Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board

You can get custom market updates based on your neighbourhood and how often you’d like to receive them:
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📈 What the Bank of Canada’s Rate Cut Means for Ottawa’s Housing Market

On September 17, the Bank of Canada made a move that’s got buyers and sellers paying attention — they cut their key policy interest rate by 0.25%, bringing it down to 2.5%.

The reason? Slowing global growth and easing inflation pressures. In plain English, the Bank wants to help keep the economy steady — and that small rate cut could open new doors for homebuyers who’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a break.

So what does this mean for Ottawa’s real estate market? Let’s take a closer look.


🏡 Ottawa’s Market: Staying Strong Through the Fall Slowdown

September usually brings a bit of a seasonal slowdown — kids are back in school, families are busy, and the market takes a breather. But Ottawa showed its usual resilience this fall.

Here’s what’s standing out:

  • Sales are still above 2024 levels, even though activity eased slightly.

  • Prices remain stable despite more homes coming on the market.

  • The rate cut could boost confidence for first-time buyers and bring a little extra energy to the market in the months ahead.

Paul Czan, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), summed it up perfectly:

“September reinforced Ottawa’s resilience. Sales were nearly 2.4% higher than last year, and prices are holding steady despite more listings coming to market.”

He also noted that while single-family home sales are slowing a bit, townhomes are keeping things balanced. And although Ottawa’s housing mix continues to grow, there’s still a shortage of “missing middle” homes — like townhouses and smaller family-friendly options — that bridge the gap between condos and detached houses.


📊 Ottawa Market Snapshot (September 2025)

  • Total sales so far this year: 11,025 — up 3.9% from this time in 2024

  • Average sale price (September): $690,397 — up 0.3% year-over-year

  • Year-to-date average price: $699,910 — up 2.7% from the first nine months of 2024

Overall, Ottawa’s market remains balanced — steady prices, steady demand, and cautious optimism as rate cuts begin to ripple through the economy.


💬 Want Market Info That’s Specific to Your Neighbourhood?

Curious about how your local market is doing — whether prices are rising, holding steady, or starting to shift?

You can get custom market updates based on your neighbourhood and how often you’d like to receive them:
Monthly
Quarterly
Semi-annually
Annually

Just click the button below to submit your request — and I’ll make sure you get clear, easy-to-understand updates that matter to you and your home.

👉 [Request Your Neighbourhood Report]

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Ottawa Real Estate Market Update – August 2025

As summer winds down, Ottawa’s real estate market is showing plenty of life. Prices are trending upward, sales remain strong compared to recent years, and both buyers and sellers are gearing up for what’s typically one of the busiest times of the year — the fall market.


Home Sales 📊

  • In August 2025, a total of 1,236 homes were sold across the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) region.

  • That’s fewer than the 1,318 sales in July and 1,602 in June, but still represents a 12.1% increase compared to last August.

  • The slowdown from June into August is normal, reflecting the seasonal shift from the busy spring to quieter summer months.

So far this year, Ottawa has seen 9,936 home sales — a 4.1% increase over the same period in 2024.


Prices 💰

  • The average sale price in August was $686,536, up 3.6% from last year.

  • The year-to-date average price sits at $700,828, about 3% higher than the first eight months of 2024.

  • In total, the value of homes sold in August hit $850 million, which is a 16% jump from last year.

These numbers show that Ottawa’s housing sector continues to play a big role in fueling the local economy.


Listings & Inventory 🏠

  • 2,121 new listings were added in August, an 8.6% increase compared to last year.

  • There were 3,971 active listings at month’s end, up 13.3% from last year and a notable 37.1% higher than the five-year average for this time of year.

When we look at months of inventory (how long it would take to sell all current listings at today’s sales pace), Ottawa sat at 3.2 months. That’s unchanged from July and identical to last August.

👉 A 3.2-month supply is generally considered a balanced market, meaning demand and supply are keeping pace with each other.


The Big Picture 🌎

Ottawa is seeing renewed momentum, with buyers and sellers re-engaging after the slower summer pace. Prices are holding strong, sales are up compared to last year, and inventory has grown — giving buyers more choice.

At the same time, market watchers are mindful of outside factors like federal employment trends and U.S. trade policies, which could influence Ottawa’s economy in the months ahead.


Takeaway for Buyers & Sellers

  • Buyers: You’ll find more inventory than last year, but competition is still healthy. Be prepared to act quickly on the right home.

  • Sellers: Strong prices and steady demand mean it’s still a great time to list, especially as the fall market ramps up.

Ottawa’s real estate market continues to reflect balance, stability, and opportunities for both sides of the transaction.

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Ottawa’s housing market is holding its ground—steady demand, moderate price growth, and plenty of homes to choose from—while other markets are seeing way more ups and downs.

That said, it’s smart to keep an eye on what’s happening across Ontario. In some places, sales are slowing, prices are dipping, and homes are sitting on the market longer.

Ottawa’s known for being a bit more stable—thanks to steady jobs and a growing population—but we’re not completely immune. Big changes in other parts of the province or country can ripple our way. 

Right now, there are more homes for sale than this time last year (and compared to the 5-year average). That might be an early sign of more supply coming on the market. But here’s the flip side—the sales-to-new-listings ratio went up from 51.7% to 55.1% over the past year, showing demand is still keeping up. For buyers, this means more choice! 

In the condo market—especially downtown—demand seems to be softening. But overall, Ottawa is still standing out for its resilience.

As Paul Czan, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, says: 💬 “Our fundamentals remain strong—steady demand, balanced inventory, and moderate price growth.”

Want more information or have any other questions, I am very happy to help. Click HERE to request more information or to ask your question(s).

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Something to take into account: when you see headlines about “The Canadian Real Estate Market”—even from reputable sources—take a closer look. The data may not reflect what’s happening in your specific market or home type.

I recently came across an article with the headline: “Home Sales at Crisis Levels in Sagging Market!” While that may be true for certain cities or property segments, it doesn’t tell the full story. In fact, the Ottawa market tells a different tale. June home sales—excluding condo apartments—were up compared to June 2024, and new listings were also on the rise.

It looks like June 2025 was busier than June 2024. Home sales were  10.6% higher compared to June 2024, and new listings increased by nearly 14% compared to June 2024. According to OREB President Paul Czan, this confirms that our spring market may have arrived a little late—but it certainly showed up strong.

More homes hitting the market means more choice for buyers, which is great news. Sellers, however, will need to be strategic: price thoughtfully and prepare your home to shine if you want to stand out.

One segment that’s still feeling the pressure is apartments. Condo sales were down about 20% compared to June 2024.

Still, Ottawa remains a stable, resilient market. We’re seeing a return to more traditional seasonal activity. With families aiming to move before the school year and students coming back to the city, a stronger fall.

Have you got any questions? Reach out HERE for a casual, no-obligation chat—I'm happy to help you make sense of it all!

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  • "Spring Market Surge: What Ottawa Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Now"

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Ottawa? Here’s what’s going on right now:

So far this year, home sales have been tracking pretty closely to 2024—but here’s the twist: sales in April 2025 jumped over 33% compared to last April. That’s a major spike, and it suggests our spring market just arrived a little later than usual.

It is also worth noting that the median time to sell a home was 17 days, that is from day listed to day sold firm, and that homes sold for an average of 98.8% of the asking price.

Why the delay? It has to do with April’s federal election and the uncertainty around U.S. tariffs — both had a lot of people hitting the pause button on real estate decisions.

Now that things are settling down, we’re seeing more listings hit the market, and buyers are starting to re-engage. If you’re thinking of selling, just remember—rising inventory means smart pricing and great presentation are more important than ever.

Unlike markets like Toronto or Vancouver that are showing signs of slowing, Ottawa is holding steady. Most homes are still selling close to the asking price, and the atmosphere feels a lot less frantic than in other cities.

And with the Bank of Canada holding interest rates steady, buyers are feeling more confident that now could be the right time to make a move—without worrying about missing out on a better rate down the road.

Thinking of jumping in? Let’s talk about how this market shift could work in your favour.

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So, the Ottawa housing market in March 2025? Pretty steady overall. Sales were a bit lower compared to last year, but things are picking up month by month now that spring’s rolling in.

Both buyers and sellers are still a little cautious—which makes sense with the economy being a bit unpredictable and an election on the horizon. But the good news? Lower interest rates are pulling more people back into the market. People are starting to make moves again.

Looking ahead though, there are still some concerns around trade and tariffs, especially when it comes to new construction. That could make the housing supply issue even trickier.

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February Real Estate Market Update – Big News for Buyers & Sellers!

More homes sold in February than in January! 809 homes sold last month compared to 617 in January—momentum is building as we head into spring!

Major news! The Bank of Canada just cut the key lending rate by 0.25% to 2.75%!

This is great news for buyers and sellers, as lower rates mean more affordability and stronger market activity.

More inventory, more options! With 1,668 new listings in February, buyers have more choices without an oversupply, keeping demand high for sellers. Some neighborhoods still have limited availability, making well-priced homes sell quickly!

Market Stats You Should Know:

  • 98.6% list-to-sale ratio (homes selling very close to asking price)

  • Median days on market: 19 days (still moving fast!)

  • More balanced market (60 days is considered fully balanced)

Spring Market Outlook: Expect an active market ahead, though some buyers and sellers may move cautiously due to the upcoming federal election and ongoing tariff uncertainties.

Thinking about buying or selling? Now is the time to take advantage of lower interest rates! Drop your questions below or DM me anytime!

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The January home resale numbers, although lower than they were for January 2024, are still very good. What matters most is that the market is good for home buyers and for home sellers.

For buyers, there were 1359 new home listings in January, which is a 3% increase compared to January 2024.Overall, at the end of January, there were 3312 homes available on MLS, a 57.3% increase compared to the end of January 2024. 

Based on the number of homes sold in January, if no more homes come on the market, there is 5.37 months of inventory, which means it would take that much time to sell all the currently available listings. Which is much better than the 2 to 3 months we saw during Covid. 

For sellers, the good news is that the median days on market (DOM) is 43, which means that midpoint for the time a home is listed, to the time that it is sold, is 43 days. A balanced market would have an average of 60 DOM's.  This shows that with a median of 43 days, some homes were up around 86 days, but many were less than the 43 days. 

The list to selling price ratio was an average of 98%. This is good for home sellers who price their home to the market. All said, with around 43 days to sell your home once it is listed and a selling price around 98% of the asking price, you are in a very good market. 

If you are looking to sell and buy, you also have more choice. 

🚨 The market is shifting! 🚨 Whether you're a buyer or seller, now might be the perfect time to make your move. 🏡📈 

💬 What do you think about the current market? Are you planning to buy or sell this year? Let’s chat! ⬇️👇

Drop me a note here!

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The final numbers for 2024 are now in!

 The number of homes sold in December 2024 was 7.9% higher than the number sold in December 2023.

 For the 2024 year, the total number of homes sold was 11.8% higher than for the 2023 year.

 There was also a 13.6% increase of homes listed in December 2024 compared to December 2023,

 This is a good sign for the market and for buyers, although, there is still a lack of inventory in some areas and price ranges.

 The consecutive interest rate reduction by the Bank of Canada, as well as the longer amortization periods and increase to the amounts of insured mortgages have helped buyers.

Here is a recap of Regulatory changes and updates:


1) Effective Dec 15 - the limit on insured mortgages increases to 1.5 million from 1M.

2) Amortization Period for all first-time homebuyers and buyers of new-build properties is extended to 30 years from 25.

3) Removal of Stress Test for Straight, Stand-Along Uninsured Renewal Switches. Insured and uninsured mortgages no longer need to be stress-tested for qualification purposes.

4) Insured Refinances Eligible homeowners can access an insured refinance of up to 90% of their improved property value for construction funds. This change encourages homeowners to add a secondary suite to their property. This can help accommodate families or generate rental income.

Want more information, or have a question, please let me know. I am happy to help!

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The home sales in November were stronger than they were for November 2023. In fact they were 45.1% higher. The average price of a home was up 4.6%. Please note that these numbers include all property types.

The Bank of Canada lowered the key interest rate by.50% to 3.25% this morning, For people with variable rate mortgages, rate cuts can mean more of their money goes toward the principal on their mortgage, and less towards interest. It can also help home buyers who opt for a variable rate mortgage and folks looking to refinance their mortgage. The impact on fixed rate mortgages won't be know for a while.

Adding in the following Regulatory Changes and Updates, should bode well for home buyers and sellers.

1) Effective Dec 15 - the limit on insured mortgages increases to 1.5 million from 1M.

2) Amortization Period for all first-time homebuyers and buyers of new-build properties is extended to 30 years from 25.

3) Removal of Stress Test for Straight, Stand-Along Uninsured Renewal Switches. Insured and uninsured mortgages no longer need to be stress-tested for qualification purposes.

4) Insured Refinances Eligible homeowners can access an insured refinance of up to 90% of their improved property value for construction funds. This change encourages homeowners to add a secondary suite to their property. This can help accommodate families or generate rental income.

Want more information, or have a question, please let me know. I am happy to help!

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2024 home sales have continued to outperform the number of sales by month in 2023.

The latest interest rate reduction of .50% has helped to generate more optimism, although in speaking with home buyers, they are waiting for further drops in the rates.

This can be an issue. The number of homes available is up over last year, but housing starts are still very low.

The current market is balanced and homes are selling on average around 98% of the list price.

If you are buying, get pre-approved now, find your home, and take a longer closing if possible, so if rates go down, you will get the lower rate. This way you avoid the possible issue of competing with more buyers if the rates go down again, and the number of available homes remain at today's levels, or less. This would create competition and drive home prices higher, negating any gain made by a lower interest rate.

Want more information, do not hesitate to ask! I am happy to help.

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This website may only be used by consumers that have a bona fide interest in the purchase, sale, or lease of real estate of the type being offered via the website. The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of the PropTx MLS®. The data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate.