Ottawa Real Estate
Ottawa is Canada's capital, sitting on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern corner of Ontario, directly across from Gatineau, Quebec. Buyers are drawn here for a few practical reasons. The economy is anchored by stable federal government employment, which means the housing market tends to hold steadier through downturns than markets tied to a single volatile industry. Home prices also run well below Toronto's, so a family's budget stretches further. The city is bilingual, walkable in its core neighbourhoods, and recreation opportunities exist most of the year.
The federal public service is the largest employer, with major departments and agencies spread across Downtown and the suburbs. Beyond government, Ottawa has a substantial tech sector concentrated in Kanata, where companies like Shopify, Nokia, and Ericsson have a presence. The Rideau Canal runs through the heart of the city and becomes the world's largest skating rink each winter. ByWard Market offers restaurants, bars, and the farmers' market. Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, and the Canadian Museum of History sit within walking distance of one another. Gatineau Park, just across the river, gives residents trails, lakes, and skiing minutes from Downtown.
Ottawa's housing stock spans more than a century. The Glebe and Westboro are filled with early-twentieth-century homes on tree-lined streets, now among the most sought-after addresses in the city. Suburbs like Barrhaven, Orléans, and Kanata are newer, dominated by detached homes and townhouses built from the 1990s onward. Centretown and the Downtown core lean toward condos and converted heritage buildings. Rural communities like Manotick and Greely offer larger lots and country properties within commuting distance.
Find a Home for Sale in Ottawa
REW's Ottawa MLS® listings are updated regularly, so you're always working with current inventory. Filter by property type, price, and bedroom count to narrow things down to what actually fits. Common property types in Ottawa include:
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Detached houses: Detached homes dominate the suburban markets in Barrhaven, Kanata, and Orléans, with newer builds on family-sized lots. Older detached homes in the Glebe and Westboro command a premium for their character and central location.
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Townhouses: Townhomes are a common entry point for first-time buyers, especially in Barrhaven and the newer suburbs where they're built in large numbers. They offer more space than a condo at a more accessible price than a detached home.
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Condos and apartments: Condo inventory is concentrated Downtown and in Centretown, appealing to public servants who want a short commute and investors renting to the city's steady stream of workers and students.
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Duplexes: Duplexes turn up in older central neighbourhoods like Hintonburg and Vanier, where buyers looking for rental income or multigenerational living can find solid options near transit and amenities.
When you're ready to move forward, connect with a local Ottawa real estate agent who can walk you through the differences between neighbourhoods and help you find the right fit. REW's mortgage calculator is a good place to start on the numbers, and our mortgage partners can help you sort out financing when you're closer to making a move.