New Row House Construction with wood sheathing and asphalt roof
There’s been a big announcement this week from the Province of Ontario, and it’s one that could have a meaningful impact on buyers—especially those considering new construction.
In partnership with the federal government, Ontario is expanding the HST rebate on new homes for a limited time, with the goal of improving affordability and encouraging more housing development.
More specifically, the province is planning to temporarily remove the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on new homes for qualifying buyers. The full 13% tax would be eliminated on homes valued up to $1 million from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
For homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million, buyers would still qualify for the maximum rebate of up to $130,000, with the rebate gradually decreasing for higher-priced homes—down to approximately $24,000 for homes valued at $1.85 million.
Let’s break down what this actually means.
What changed? Under this new program, the province is temporarily expanding the rebate structure so that significantly more buyers—and a wider range of home prices—can benefit over a one-year period.
Why this matters From a real estate perspective, this is a pretty strategic move.
New construction has been one of the biggest pressure points in Ontario’s housing supply. Between rising construction costs, interest rates, and slower buyer activity, many builders have pulled back or delayed projects.
This rebate is designed to do two things:
Stimulate demand by lowering the effective purchase price for buyers
Encourage builders to move forward with projects
And in a market like Ottawa—where we rely heavily on a steady pipeline of new housing—this could help bring more inventory online.
What it means for buyers If you’re considering a new build, this is where things get interesting.
A rebate of this size can:
Reduce your upfront cost significantly
Improve affordability on higher price points
Potentially allow buyers to stretch into a better product or location
That said, timing will matter. This is a temporary program, and we’ll likely see increased competition in the new construction space as buyers start to take advantage of it.
The bigger picture This announcement is really about one thing: supply.
Governments at both levels are trying to unlock more housing by making projects more viable and encouraging buyers back into the market.
Will it solve everything? No. But it’s a meaningful step—and one that could create opportunities for buyers who understand how to position themselves.
Final thoughts If you’re thinking about buying a new build this year, this is worth paying close attention to.
There may be a window here where:
Pricing is still relatively stable
Incentives are strong
Inventory is improving
And those three things don’t always line up.
As always, the key is understanding how this fits into your overall plan—whether that’s buying your next home, relocating, or investing.
If you want to walk through how this impacts your specific situation, happy to chat.
Here’s the latest update in our Suburban Statistics Series, featuring insights on the five largest urban neighborhoods in Ottawa. With Ottawa’s spread-out layout, it’s always fascinating to see how each area’s market trends vary. These stats compare MLS OREB sales from January 1 to February 28, 2026, with the same period in 2025.
On this episode of The Chris Scott Show, Colin and I talked about something that really matters right now for anyone thinking about selling: how to actually stand out in a market with more inventory and more choice than we’ve seen in a while.
The reality is simple. There are a lot of listings out there. Buyers have options. And that means sellers need an edge.
For us, it starts with being real. We spend a lot of time having honest conversations with sellers about pricing, timing, and expectations. That’s not always the easiest approach, and it doesn’t always win us the listing, but it’s the right one. Telling someone what they want to hear might feel good in the moment, but it doesn’t help them sell their home. Price is driven by what buyers are willing to pay, not by headlines or hype, and there’s a lot of data behind how we land on our numbers.
Once pricing is right, preparation becomes everything. Deferred maintenance matters more than ever. Small things add up. Paint touch-ups, minor repairs, misaligned cabinet doors, anything that gives buyers a reason to mentally start building a repair list should be addressed upfront. Buyers will always make a list, but in today’s market, they can use that list to negotiate harder.
One strategy we’re seeing work well is getting a home inspection done before listing, especially in older neighbourhoods. Issues that might cost a seller $1,000 or $2,000 to fix ahead of time can easily turn into a $5,000 price reduction once a buyer’s inspection happens. Handling those items in advance gives sellers more control and fewer surprises.
We’ve also seen firsthand what happens when preparation is ignored. Homes that sit for months, come off the market, get staged and painted, then go back on at the same price and sell. Price wasn’t the issue. Presentation was. Doing it right the first time saves months of stress, showings, and second-guessing.
First impressions are everything. Buyers are seeing so many homes that it doesn’t take long for them to decide whether something feels right or not. It could be the layout, a smell, a visual distraction, or just a general lack of polish. You might not know in nine seconds that it’s “the one,” but you can definitely know in nine seconds that it isn’t.
From our side, more inventory means we have to up our game too. Better marketing, better content, better storytelling. Video is no longer optional. Buyers are going to watch it at some point, whether it’s before a showing, after, or when they’re sharing the home with family. That’s our chance to highlight features they might have missed and help them connect emotionally with the home.
We meet buyers where they are. Full property videos, Instagram-specific content, VR tours, whatever format they prefer. Different styles, same goal: helping buyers see themselves living there.
At the end of the day, selling a home is emotional. Buyers don’t just buy square footage, they buy how a place makes them feel. When pricing, preparation, and marketing all line up, that’s when sellers truly get the edge.
If you have questions about selling in today’s market or want to talk through what this could look like for your home, reach out anytime. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, let us know what you think of the format and the conversations we’re having.
Here’s the latest update in our Suburban Statistics Series, featuring insights on the five largest urban neighborhoods in Ottawa. With Ottawa’s spread-out layout, it’s always fascinating to see how each area’s market trends vary. These stats compare MLS OREB sales from January 1 to January 31, 2026, with the same period in 2025.
Here’s the latest update in our Suburban Statistics Series, featuring insights on the five largest urban neighborhoods in Ottawa. With Ottawa’s spread-out layout, it’s always fascinating to see how each area’s market trends vary. These stats compare MLS OREB sales from January 1 to December 31, 2025, with the same period in 2024.
Hey everyone, Chris here with a quick update on the Ottawa real estate market! The past few weeks have been eventful, with interest rates dropping, including a significant half-point cut by the Bank of Canada. This shift is already impacting the market—buyers are coming back, multiple offers are returning, and momentum is building.
Here’s what I’m seeing:
Buyer activity is picking up as affordability improves.
Low inventory remains a challenge, with fewer new builds and limited resale options.
Market predictions: A potential shift to a seller’s market in early 2024, with home prices projected to rise by 5-6%.
Every neighborhood is different, so if you’re curious about what’s happening in your area, reach out to my team. Let’s chat about how these changes might impact your real estate goals.
Here’s the latest update in our Suburban Statistics Series, featuring insights on the five largest urban neighborhoods in Ottawa. With Ottawa’s spread-out layout, it’s always fascinating to see how each area’s market trends vary. These stats compare MLS OREB sales from January 1 to October 31, 2023, with the same period in 2024.
We’ve got some positive news to share! The Bank of Canada has reduced its main lending rate by half a percentage point, bringing it down to 3.75%. This marks the fourth consecutive rate cut, and there’s a chance we might see another reduction in December.
What Does This Mean for Buyers?
If you’ve been waiting for some good news before making a move, this might be it! The lower rates will impact affordability, potentially easing monthly mortgage payments. With limited inventory in Ottawa, we might even see some upward pressure on prices in 2025 as affordability improves.
Thinking of Making a Move?
If you’re considering upsizing or buying your first home, now could be a good time to enter the market before potential competition heats up early next year. And for those set to renew their mortgages next year, these rate cuts could make a significant difference. While renewal rates will be higher than in recent years, the reductions will still help many Canadians stay comfortably in their homes.
Curious about what’s happening in your neighborhood? Reach out to us—always happy to help!
Ever wonder what a HHT (House Hunting Trip) looks like? Every year we help dozens of families relocate into ottawa on their house hunting trips. With only five days to spend in a new city looking for a house it is very intense! We had so much fun documenting our most recent experience.
Day One: Stittsville and Barrhaven
We kicked off the first day by exploring homes in Stittsville, where the neighbourhood’s charm immediately stood out. The friendly atmosphere and tree-lined streets made a strong first impression. However, while the overall vibe of Stittsville was appealing, the home we toured felt too dark for their taste, quickly ruling it out.
Next, we shifted our focus to Barrhaven, where most of their top choices were located. The proximity to recreational centres, shopping, and the well-established community made Barrhaven an appealing option. While some of the homes we visited were a bit older or showed signs of wear, that didn’t affect their final picks. By the end of the day, they had narrowed it down to two or three homes that really stood out and were worth keeping in mind as we continued the search.
Day Two: Richmond, Orleans, and Findlay Creek
We started the day in Richmond, focusing on a few homes Chris had picked out as they aligned perfectly with our client’s criteria. These homes were all new built or constructed within the last few years, offering a bright and modern feel. Several of them backed onto green space, which was a key feature our clients were looking for. While Richmond’s growth and development were appealing, there was some hesitation about whether the current infrastructure would keep pace with the rising population.
After wrapping up in Richmond, we made the hour-long drive to Orleans to check out a few homes that had been high on their favourites list. However, it was clear upon arrival that these homes were significantly older and more lived-in compared to the newer properties we had seen earlier. On the plus side, the larger yards were a hit, but ultimately, the homes didn’t meet their needs.
Toward the end of the day, we managed to squeeze in a last-minute showing back in Richmond. This home ticked many of the right boxes and quickly rose to the top of their list. Meanwhile, Colin took them to see one more property in Findlay Creek, a last-minute opportunity since it was in his area. Unfortunately, this home didn’t fit their needs either, and that wrapped up Day Two.
Day Three: New Listings and Final Visits
After some reflection, our clients realized that while they liked the homes in Richmond, they couldn’t quite picture themselves living there long-term. However, a few new listings had come on the market since we originally booked their showings, and they wanted to explore those before making a decision.
We started the day in Kanata, arriving just as the for-sale sign was being installed. The home featured a pool, which caught their attention, but the small rooms left them wondering how it would work with their growing boys. Despite the hesitation, it earned a spot in their top three choices.
Next, we headed to another new listing. The clients were impressed by both the home and the yard, but with multiple offers already on the table and the tight time frame of their house-hunting trip, entering a bidding war just wasn’t a feasible option.
From there, we revisited their two top picks from Barrhaven. As the day came to a close, they faced a tough decision between the two favourites in Barrhaven and the new contender in Kanata. To feel confident in their choice, they decided to return to the Kanata home with Chris for one final look that evening.
Pros & Cons of the Top Three Picks
Day Four: Decision Day
After much deliberation, our clients were finally ready to make their decision. They chose their top pick and we quickly submitted an offer. After a bit of negotiation and back-and-forth with the sellers, we successfully secured a conditional agreement!
Fortunately, we had already arranged for a home inspection, which took place just two days later. Everything went smoothly, and the conditions were met by the following week, officially securing their new home. It was a perfect way to wrap up an exciting and productive house-hunting trip!
As we move into the fall season, Ottawa’s suburban real estate market remains surprisingly stable, even amidst economic uncertainty. High interest rates and inflation have not significantly impacted the prices of two-story, double-car garage homes in key suburban areas like Stittsville, Kanata, Barrhaven, Riverside South, and Orleans.
For example, Stittsville leads the pack with an average price of around $960,000 for this type of home, while Orleans offers a more affordable option at around $845,000. These price differences highlight the variety within Ottawa’s suburban neighbourhoods, but the overall theme remains consistent—minimal price fluctuations compared to last year.
One of the most intriguing findings is in Barrhaven, where the average sale price has barely budged from 2023. This stability across the board suggests that Ottawa’s real estate market may be gearing up for a shift, particularly if interest rates start to decline next year as many expect.
If you’re curious about what’s happening in your specific neighbourhood, or want more insights on how these trends could affect your buying or selling plans, feel free to reach out. Our team is always here to help guide you through Ottawa’s ever-evolving real estate landscape.
