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Updated March 2025 · Everything you need to know about buying real estate in Canada's capital
Average home prices in Ottawa sit around $650,000–$750,000 depending on type. The market is bifurcated: central urban neighbourhoods (Glebe, Westboro, Centretown) command $800K–$1.2M+ while suburban communities (Orleans, Barrhaven, Nepean) offer detached homes in the $650K–$900K range.
Ottawa's government employment base acts as a price floor and stability anchor. Federal public service jobs offer defined-benefit pensions, job security, and above-average salaries — all of which translate to strong mortgage qualification capacity. Ottawa's unemployment rate consistently runs 1–2% below the national average, supporting sustained housing demand.
Avg Detached: ~$720K–$850K
Character: Francophone, family-oriented, new builds
Commute: 300–45 min by car/future LRT
Best for: Bilingual families, federal east-end employees
Avg Detached: ~$850K–$1M
Character: Tech-focused, higher incomes, suburban
Commute: 25–35 min by car
Best for: Tech workers, CSIS/DND employees in west-end
| Neighbourhood | Type | Avg Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Glebe | Semi/Detached | $950K – $1.3M |
| Westboro | Semi/Detached | $900K – $1.2M |
| Centretown | Condo | $380K – $650K |
| Hintonburg | Mixed | $700K – $1.1M |
| Orleans | Detached | $650K – $900K |
| Kanata | Detached | $750K – $1.1M |
| Barrhaven | Detached | $700K – $950K |
| Nepean | Detached | $620K – $850K |
| Gloucester | Mixed | $550K – $850K |
Strong mortgage team with experience in civil service income, pensions, and federal relocation packages. Good for diplomats and military personnel with complex income structures.
Widest branch network in Ottawa. Competitive 5-year fixed rates and an excellent pre-approval process for fast-moving Ottawa markets.
Competitive rates and growing presence in Ottawa. Good for buyers also considering Gatineau properties — National Bank bridges Ontario and Quebec real estate smoothly.
Ottawa follows standard Ontario real estate law: written offer, lawyer review, land transfer tax, and title insurance. Key steps unique to Ottawa include checking for heritage designation (common in the Glebe, Centretown, and Sandy Hill), confirming the property is not on Greenbelt or NCC land, and verifying CMHC mortgage insurance thresholds if your down payment is under 200%.
| Portion of Price | Rate |
|---|---|
| First $55,000 | 00.5% |
| $55,001 – $250,000 | 1.00% |
| $250,001 – $400,000 | 1.5% |
| $400,001 – $2,000,000 | 2.00% |
| Above $2,000,000 | 2.5% |