Your complete guide to buying property in Canada's capital — average prices, neighbourhood insights, land transfer tax, and the best lenders in Ottawa.
Ottawa's real estate market is considerably more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver, making it one of Canada's most attainable major-city markets for buyers. The city benefits from a stable government employment base, strong demand from families and professionals, and a consistent stream of immigration. Average prices in early 2025:
The Ottawa-Gatineau CMA has a city-wide average of approximately $640,000 across all property types. Ottawa's market has seen more moderate appreciation than Toronto, with average annual gains of 4–6% over the past decade. The city continues to see strong demand from federal public servants, tech workers at the growing Ottawa tech sector, and buyers relocating from the GTA.
Buyers in Ottawa should note that areas in Gatineau, QC (just across the river) offer significantly lower prices — a 2-bedroom condo can be under $300,000 — though buyers must factor in Quebec property taxes, the different LTT structure, and potentially longer commutes.
Ottawa buyers pay only the Ontario provincial land transfer tax — unlike Toronto, there is no municipal LTT in Ottawa. First-time buyers receive a rebate of up to $4,000.
Ontario LTT:
Total LTT Owing:
On a $650,000 Ottawa home, the Ontario LTT is approximately $9,475. First-time buyers receive up to $4,000 back, reducing it to $5,475. This is significantly less than Toronto where municipal LTT doubles the cost.
Strong Ottawa presence, multiple branches, competitive mortgage rates. Popular with government employees and tech workers.
Comprehensive mortgage options. Their mobile mortgage specialists are common in Ottawa's residential market.
Strong in Ottawa due to the bilingual community. Competitive rates and excellent francophone service for Ottawa-area buyers.
Good first-time buyer programs, strong digital mortgage application. Active in the Ottawa new-build market.
Canada's leading non-bank lender. Consistently competitive rates through broker channel. Used by many Ottawa buyers.
Local brokers with government employment expertise. Often source rates 0.2–0.4% below the Big Banks.
Ottawa's unique workforce of federal public servants and tech professionals means some lenders offer specialized programs. Desjardins and National Bank (via brokers) are particularly strong for French-speaking buyers. See Best Banks in Ontario for full comparisons.
Whether you're saving $35,000 or $130,000, KOHO's high-interest savings account earns you more with zero monthly fees. Set up automatic round-ups and watch your down payment grow faster than a traditional savings account.
Open a KOHO Account — Use Code 45ET55JSYAFederal government employees may qualify for special mortgage programs through their employer groups or certain credit unions. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and other unions sometimes negotiate preferred banking rates for members.
Ottawa's National Capital Commission (NCC) controls significant land around the city, limiting suburban sprawl. This means established neighbourhood prices tend to hold well, but new supply is constrained. Understanding which areas can expand and which cannot is key for long-term value assessment.
Eastern Ottawa (Gloucester, Orleans) has a large francophone population. If you're bilingual or buying for rental purposes targeting government workers, these areas offer excellent demand stability.
Ottawa has extreme winters. When buying, pay particular attention to roof condition, furnace age, insulation, and window quality. These systems degrade faster in Ottawa's climate and can be expensive to replace.