The Ottawa Real Estate Podcast

A new government rebate could change the way many Canadians approach buying a home. In this week's episode of the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we break down the latest Government of Canada new home rebate, explain who may qualify, and discuss why this policy is already getting attention across the housing market. We also look at the latest Canadian real estate statistics, how builders are respondin...

This week we sit down with Derek Serra, President of Westboro MIC, to discuss one of the biggest shifts happening in Canadian real estate right now. We explore why more Canadians are considering building their own homes, the hidden challenges of construction financing, and why private mortgages are becoming an increasingly important part of the housing market. We also discuss the condo slowdown, f...

Buyers are waiting. Sellers are hesitating. And mortgage rates are reacting to events happening far beyond Canada's borders. In this week's episode, we break down what's really driving today's market, whether buying before selling makes sense right now, where mortgage rates could go next, and why uncertainty may be the biggest force shaping real estate decisions in 2026. 00:00 Introduction and Per...

If your mortgage is renewing soon, the first offer you receive is rarely the final word. And if you are self-employed and have been told you do not qualify, there are programs most people never hear about that can change that conversation entirely. This week, we answer real questions from real Ottawa listeners, including fixed versus variable right now, what the renewal process actually looks like...

Something unusual is happening in the Canadian real estate market right now. This week we talk about buyers accepting offers and then walking away, what Canada's technical recession means for housing prices and mortgage rates going forward, and why rural properties are quietly becoming one of the most interesting opportunities in the market right now. We also make the case for why having the right...

The conversation around fixed versus variable rates just shifted and the buyers who catch this early are going to be in a very different position than the ones who do not. This week, we break down why variable rates are increasingly becoming the more cost effective option right now, what Ottawa's unique spring market dynamics mean for buyers and sellers this season, and why military relocations cr...

Ottawa home prices and new listings are both up at the same time, and that combination is telling two very different stories depending on which side of the market you are on. In this episode, we break down the latest real estate numbers, what rising interest rates and global oil prices are doing to everyday affordability in Canada, and why the next five years in the housing market may look nothing...

The Bank of Canada held rates but what Tiff Macklem said about sticky inflation should have every Canadian buyer and homeowner paying close attention. Global conflicts are pushing energy prices up, and that pressure is already working its way into mortgage rates and everyday costs across Canada. In this episode we discuss the rate decision, new government changes to mortgage insurance and the RRSP...

Re/Max is being acquired by Real Brokerage, Canada just announced its first ever sovereign wealth fund, and AI is quietly reshaping how real estate transactions happen. Three massive shifts landed in the same week and almost nobody is connecting the dots. In this episode we talk about what the Real Brokerage acquisition of Re/Max actually means for agents, buyers, and sellers in Canada. Real is a...

Most people listing their home right now are focused on the wrong things entirely, and it is costing them offers they never even know they missed. In this episode Paul sits down with Frances Ebbrell, a real estate agent who has built her approach around something most agents never talk about: emotional storytelling. Frances breaks down why selling a home has nothing to do with listing its features...

The spring market in Ottawa is not arriving the way most people expected, and if you are waiting for the headlines to tell you when to move, you are already behind. In this episode, we break down the March numbers and what they are actually signalling beneath the surface. Days on market dropped sharply, inventory is rising, and prices are quietly firming up in ways that do not show up in the gener...

Most people buying a new build right now have no idea that the rules just changed, and whether that change puts money back in your pocket or quietly disappears depends entirely on what you know before you sign. In this episode we break down the new HST rebate rules and what they actually mean in practice, because the way builders and lawyers are handling these changes varies wildly and the differe...

Everyone is talking about the $130,000 HST rebate but almost no one understands how it really works. We break down what is actually happening behind the scenes and why this confusion could cost buyers thousands. In this episode, we uncover the real mechanics of the Ontario HST rebate and we explore how purchase prices, incentives, and monthly payments are affected and why this one year window coul...

First time buyers in Canada have been told to wait, save more, and be patient for years now, and the market has not rewarded that patience. In this episode we sit down with Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist at the Canadian Real Estate Association, and we get into what the actual data says about where the Canadian real estate market stands right now, how mortgage rate swings and global events are re...

Mortgage renewals could be the most expensive financial decision you have ever made without even realizing it. We are in a rate environment where even the experts admit predictions over three to five years are essentially guesswork. In this episode, we break down what is actually driving mortgage rates in Canada right now, why global events you would never think to connect to your monthly payment...

In this week’s episode of the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we discuss how global geopolitical conflicts are quietly influencing mortgage rates across Canada and why markets react so quickly to international events. We break down how oil prices, inflation pressures, and bond markets connect directly to the mortgage rates Canadians see today. We also talk about the latest market activity heading into...

Most buyers are waiting for rates to fall or for a market crash that may never come. But what if 2026 is the year that waiting quietly costs you thousands? In this episode of the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we share what we learned at the Mortgage Professionals Canada Conference and how it could reshape your strategy. We talk about why rates are expected to stay stagnant in 2026, why a major housi...

A new 2 percent down payment program sounds like a breakthrough for first time home buyers. But when we look closer, the numbers tell a different story. This week on the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we break down Nova Scotia’s new down payment option and why it may come with higher mortgage rates than many expect. We connect the dots between inflation, housing affordability, and the growing impact...

Most homeowners and buyers are flying blind in today’s real estate market: missed opportunities, longer sales cycles, and rising frustration. In this episode, we strip away the hype to reveal the real story behind Ottawa’s shifting real estate landscape and how you can navigate it safely. Discover why now is the perfect time to list if you want to maximize your sale, how weak demand is putting buy...

In this week’s episode, we discuss how federal public service job cuts could influence Ottawa’s housing market and local economy. We talk about the recent rise in mortgage arrears across Canada and what it reveals about financial stress among homeowners. We also explore slower than expected GDP growth and how these economic signals are shaping real estate activity across Ottawa and the broader Can...

This week on the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we sit down with realtors Greg Campbell and Frances Ebbrell to talk about the shifts buyers and sellers are feeling right now across Ottawa. We talk about the benefits of home seller closing insurance, why buyer behaviour is changing, and how pricing strategies are making or breaking deals in today’s market. We also compare East and West Ottawa to see w...

As 2025 begins, buyer confidence is quietly returning to the Canadian real estate market. In this episode, we discuss what’s shifting beneath the surface, why experience matters more than ever in a tighter market, and how a little known CMHC program could change the conversation for couples navigating separation or divorce. We also break down recent CPI numbers and why more Canadians are suddenly...

As 2026 begins, optimism is quietly returning to Canadian real estate. In this episode, we unpack what December numbers really say about buyer and seller balance, why downsizing has become more complicated than expected, and what modest price growth could look like in the year ahead. From employment trends to easing rental pressure, this conversation focuses on real market psychology and local ins...

In this week’s episode, we look back at 2025 and put our real estate predictions to the test. We break down what actually happened in the Ottawa housing market, review the latest stats, and talk through inflation, mortgage rates, and shifting buyer and seller behaviour across Canada. We discuss why active listings surged, why single family homes kept prices moving, and why condos told a different...

In this week’s episode we break down the real estate trends shaping buyer behaviour, the growing caution in the Canadian housing market, and why so many people are holding out for better deals. We talk about the impact of recent employment data on mortgage rates, the sudden appeal of variable rates over fixed, and why 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year with a surge in renewals and activity. W...