Over the past month, national headlines have been dominated by stories of market declines across some of Canada’s major cities—particularly in the condo sector. The good news? Ottawa continues to remain relatively insulated from those sharper downturns.
That said, August brought a surge in new listings, pushing inventory to higher-than-usual levels for this time of year. Heading into the fall, the big question is whether buyer demand will keep pace. Interest rates will play a big role here. If the Bank of Canada cuts rates, even by a quarter percent, it could give buyers the confidence they need to step into the market. If not, things may continue to feel stagnant.
For sellers, this is a time when preparation really matters. With more competition out there, realistic pricing, staging, and tackling deferred maintenance are essential if you want to stand out. For buyers, the flip side is that there are some excellent opportunities right now. In fact, we’ve seen several clients recently scoop up great value homes.
If you’re curious about your home’s value or thinking about making a move this fall, our team is here to help. Reach out anytime—we’d love to chat.
One of the best things about living in Ottawa is how quickly you can escape into nature. In less than an hour, you can swap the city for cliffside lookouts, peaceful forest trails, and even some pretty incredible ruins. Two of my go-to hikes are the Eagle’s Nest Lookout in Calabogie and the Carbide Willson Ruins in Gatineau Park. They’re totally different experiences; one gives you a jaw-dropping view over the Madawaska Highlands, and the other takes you through the woods to waterfalls and historic stone walls. Both are worth adding to your list if you love exploring the outdoors.
A couple of weekends ago, my wife and I packed up the boys and headed to the Carbide Willson Ruins in Gatineau Park. It’s a short hike—just over a kilometre each way—which makes it a great choice for families. The trail winds through the forest before opening up to the ruins of an old stone mill tucked beside a small waterfall.
What I really like about this hike is how much you get for so little effort. You don’t have to be an avid hiker to enjoy it! The trail is wide, shaded, and manageable for all ages. Plus, since it starts right near O’Brien Beach at Meech Lake, you can easily pair the hike with a picnic or even a swim on a warm day.
Another hike we often enjoy is Eagle’s Nest Lookout in Calabogie. This one’s a bit more of a climb than Carbide Willson, but still very doable even with kids in tow. What’s great about Eagle’s Nest is that you have options. There’s a shorter trail that is about 20 minutes from the parking area. This trail takes you straight up to the lookout. Or, if you’re looking for more of a workout, you can tackle the Manitou Mountain Trail, a 9 km route that winds through the forest and passes by a couple of other lookouts before leading you to the main one.
No matter which route you choose, the payoff is the same: a jaw-dropping panorama over the Madawaska Highlands. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop, take a deep breath, and just take it all in. One thing I always tell people about Eagle’s Nest is to plan ahead for parking and timing—it’s a popular spot, especially on nice weekends. If you can head out early in the day, you’ll beat the crowds and really get to enjoy the lookout at its best.
Both of these hikes show just how lucky we are to have so much variety so close to Ottawa. The Carbide Willson Ruins is perfect when you want something short, family-friendly, and a little different with its waterfalls and history. Eagle’s Nest, on the other hand, gives you that classic “wow” moment at the top of a cliffside lookout, whether you take the quick route or make a day of it on the longer trail.
If you’re looking for a way to spend a weekend outdoors, you really can’t go wrong with either one. Pack some snacks, head out early, and enjoy what makes our area such a great place to live!
We recently took a trip to Portugal to explore the possibility of investing in real estate there. Our goal was to visit various cities and towns to get a sense of where we might want to retire in the future and advise our clients to look. Along the way, we met with several real estate agents to learn about different properties and understand how the process works for foreign investors. One key takeaway was that Portugal appears to be a very safe place to invest. Generally speaking it is fairly straightforward. In touristy places, they also have management companies that handle renting out your units when you are not using them. We toured 6- 7 towns and here are our favourite spots and where I think the best investment would be:
1. Lagos
Why invest:
Historic charm, modern amenities, and beautiful beaches (e.g., Praia Dona Ana, Meia Praia).
Strong short-term rental demand in summer.
Popular with younger travelers and expats.
Great mix of apartments, villas, and townhouses.
Weather in Algarve is generally very favorable year round.
This was our favourite destination of our trip. The old town is amazing with plenty of restaurants and cultural sights. Also, a great marina and great hiking. There is a hotel investment that we toured and included some of the pictures and investment information.
2. Vilamoura
Why invest:
Luxury marina, golf courses, and upscale amenities.
Attracts high-net-worth individuals and retirees.
Lower rental yields but excellent for long-term appreciation.
Very well-maintained and professionally managed urban planning.
Best for: Luxury long-term investments, golf tourism. We spent 3 nights here and checked out a few spots. Never heard of this town before our trip. We made an impromptu visit here. This was our biggest surprise. The Marina was amazing with tons of great restaurants and beautiful views. Very high-end feel to the town. Lots of golf and amazing beaches close by. This town did not have the cultural landmarks or history of others.
3. Albufeira
Why invest:
Algarve’s a tourism hotspot with a high volume of visitors year-round.
Established short-term rental market.
Great nightlife, beaches, and family-friendly options.
Wide variety of property types and price ranges.
Best for: High-yield short-term rentals. We did tour a few spots here but found the vibe to be a bit too “party” for us. We are getting old! LOL.
There are a lot of different opinions floating around about the state of the market, so I wanted to share what I’m seeing on the ground day to day, working with buyers and sellers across the city.
When you look at the full picture—year-to-date stats from January 1st to now—sales are actually down by several hundred units compared to 2024. Meanwhile, inventory is climbing. We’re currently sitting at about 4.2 months of inventory, which signals a balanced market overall. But because we’ve spent the past 6–7 years in a strong seller’s market, even balance can feel like a buyer’s market to many.
Of course, real estate is hyper-local and highly segmented. While Ottawa overall is balanced, different areas and property types are telling their own stories. If you’re buying a condo downtown, you’re firmly in a buyer’s market. Inventory is high in several buildings, and prices are under pressure. Sellers are adjusting prices just to stay competitive. On the flip side, we were just in a multiple-offer situation in Westboro under $900K—with 14 offers. That’s a clear seller’s market. Most areas fall somewhere in between, but one thing is consistent: pricing matters a lot.
Right now, sellers are often missing the mark. I’m seeing price reductions of $100K–$150K, or 15–20% from the original list price. That’s a massive gap. In many cases, the home was simply overpriced to begin with—sometimes based on outdated comps or wishful thinking.
Here’s the key: Pricing high doesn’t mean you’ll get more. In fact, it can have the opposite effect. If you miss that critical first impression window, buyers move on. The listing gets stale, and by the time the price comes down, the momentum is gone. That’s why hitting the pricing sweet spot from day one—paired with strong presentation and marketing—is more important than ever. The home needs to show well and be priced right.
Another trend I’m seeing? More negotiations, especially after inspections. Buyers are using inspections to re-open conversations, and sellers need to be ready. It’s not just about price anymore—it’s about navigating all the moving parts of an offer. Experience really matters here.
If you’re wondering what all this means for your specific neighborhood or situation, reach out. Whether you’re buying or selling, now’s a great time to get clear, honest advice that helps you move forward with confidence.
May brought a welcome shift in momentum. We saw a 33% increase in sales compared to April, which is a great sign of renewed buyer activity. While it may feel like the spring market started late this year, the numbers show we’re actually tracking right in line with 2024 year-to-date. Buyers simply delayed their decision-making, likely due to distractions like the U.S. election, economic uncertainty, and ongoing global headlines.
Now that things have stabilized a bit, confidence is returning to the market, especially here in Ottawa. Compared to other major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, we’re seeing much more resilience. Our market tends to be a little more insulated, and right now, that’s proving to be a real advantage.
That said, buyers are being more cautious and selective. One trend I’m seeing more frequently: post-inspection renegotiations. Even after a deal is signed, buyers are coming back with repair requests or looking to re-negotiate based on small items. It’s happening more than ever, and it speaks to the amount of choice they feel they have.
So, for sellers, preparation is everything. Deferred maintenance? Tackle it before listing. Presentation matters—staging, photography, and pricing strategy all play a huge role in how your home performs on the market. And pricing? Be realistic. Some sellers are still anchored to 2022 prices, but the best results come when we price according to current market conditions.
If you’re curious about what’s happening in your neighbourhood or need help navigating the market, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help.
Hey everyone, Chris Scott here with a quick update on what’s happening in the Ottawa real estate market this spring. We’ve seen some interesting shifts lately, and I wanted to break it down for you.
More Inventory = More Choice for Buyers
Right now, we’re sitting at about four months of housing inventory in Ottawa. That means it would take four months to sell all the current listings if no new homes came to market. That’s a big jump from this time last year, when inventory hovered around 2.5 months—and even lower in the hot markets of 2021 and 2022 when we had less than one month of supply.
So, what does that mean for buyers? More selection. And they’re being pickier. We’re seeing a noticeable split in the market.
The 80/20 Rule in Action
Roughly 20% of listings are attracting 80% of the buyer interest. These are the homes that check all the boxes—great location, sharp pricing, and strong presentation. We’ve seen several of these homes get multiple offers, with up to five offers on a few we were involved in just in the past couple of weeks.
On the flip side, properties that are missing that “wow” factor—whether it’s pricing, staging, or general appeal—are taking longer to sell.
A Stable Yet Competitive Market
Sales activity is down slightly compared to last year, while new listings are up. That puts more power in the hands of buyers, especially when it comes to negotiating. We’re seeing this show up in conditional offers—buyers are more confident in asking for inspections and pushing back on repairs if something comes up.
Despite this, Ottawa’s market remains incredibly stable. Prices are up about 1% year-over-year, which isn’t dramatic, but it reflects steady growth. This type of slow-and-steady performance is classic Ottawa—our market tends to avoid the dramatic swings seen in other cities, thanks in part to our strong public sector employment base and thoughtful housing policy.
Curious about what this means for your own home or neighborhood? Reach out anytime—our team is happy to provide insight into your equity position or help you make a game plan for buying or selling
It has been a very interesting first quarter to say the least. Interest rates are holding steady, there’s an election coming, tariffs in the news… and yet the biggest thing I’m noticing? The change from area to area in terms of market acitivity and supply.
Core Neighbourhoods: Tight Supply & Competition
In areas like Westboro, Beacon Hill, Carson Grove, Glebe and central locations, there’s just not enough inventory in the freehold segment. Lots on the codo side. But with freeholds we’re seeing multiple offers — even ones with no conditions in some cases. Buyers in these multiples are not going way over to secure their homes but we are definately seeing stiff competition in the 700k-870k range
Head into the suburbs and it’s a whole other story. In some of these neighbourhoods, inventory is the highest it’s been in nearly a decade. Buyers have choice — and when then happens, they slow down. They take their time. They offer under asking, with conditions, and often want a deal.
Sellers: You Need to Stand Out
If you’re listing in a slower area, your home needs to pop. That means paint, staging, lighting, marketing — the full package. Buyers are picky right now, and they can afford to be. Price is also looking like a moving target. So it is important you find the right range off the hop to give yourself the best chance to sell.
In a market where buyers are being choosy and inventory is picking up, it’s more important than ever for your home to stand out. You don’t need a full HGTV-style overhaul—but thinking like a house flipper (even if you’re just selling your personal home) can mean more money in your pocket and fewer days on the market.
This is the moment to flip your own home—and we’re here to show you how.
Start with Strategic Renovations
You don’t have to gut the kitchen or tear down walls to make a big impact. Small updates can go a long way. Think: updated light fixtures, modern faucets, refreshed cabinetry (hello, new hardware!), and swapping out that tired old vanity in the powder room. Focus on areas where buyers’ eyes go first—kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. We have had clients paint their cabinets this year and the results were amazing. All of the stuff that we suggest would be at least a 5x return plus you would be able to sell your home faster.
Staging: Help Buyers See Themselves There
Staging isn’t just for vacant homes—it’s about creating a lifestyle that buyers can picture themselves stepping into. That might mean rearranging furniture, adding cozy layers, or swapping out personal items for a more neutral, magazine-ready vibe. We work with professional stagers who know exactly how to make a space shine. This is part of our value proposition!!
A Fresh Coat of Paint = Instant Refresh
There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into a space. Stick to warm, modern neutrals that photograph well and appeal to the widest audience. In some homes, we have our painter just freshen up some baseboards, while at other times it is more extensive. If you could only do one thing, painting is usually the best return on investment.
Don’t Forget the Outside
Curb appeal still matters. Trim the hedges, power wash the siding, and add a couple of fresh planters by the front door. If your mailbox has seen better days or your house numbers are falling off—those little details can make a big difference. Mulch in the front gardens can also make a huge difference!!
Clean Like You Mean It
A spotless home shows better, feels more cared for, and photographs beautifully. From baseboards to windows, it’s worth investing in a deep clean (and yes, we know amazing pros who can help).
We’ve Got You Covered
This all might sound like a lot—but the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. We’ve built an amazing network of painters, stagers, contractors, cleaners, and landscapers who we trust with our own homes. Whether you need help picking paint colours or someone to haul away old furniture, we’ve got the resources to make it happen.
