Fall 2025 Canadian Housing Market Overview from Hamre Real Estate Team

Local enthusiasm and national wariness seem to be the overarching themes of REMAX’s latest 2025 Fall housing forecast, particularly regarding Ottawa’s role in the Canadian real estate scene. REMAX recently released its National Housing Outlook, which analyzed year-over-year data from local markets up to July 31, 2025, along with predictions for the fall months based on input from REMAX brokers and agents in Ottawa. This article will delve into Ottawa’s position within the Canadian real estate landscape, highlight the key takeaways from the report concerning Ottawa, and make the case for Ottawa’s resilience as a robust real estate market when compared to other major Canadian cities. By examining the statistics and insights provided by local real estate professionals, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of various real estate markets across Canada in 2025 and what lies ahead for the final quarter of the year. For those interested in gaining insight into Ottawa’s real estate market dynamics as 2025 draws to a close and 2026 approaches, this article offers valuable insights.

When it comes to real estate, numbers and figures are indispensable tools for agents in guiding their clients towards well-informed decisions. Drawing on data from the REMAX Fall Housing Market Update spanning January 1 to July 31, 2025, the average sales price in Ottawa stood at $695,209 during that period, marking a 2% increase year-over-year. Total home sales in Ottawa also experienced a positive trajectory, with 8,704 properties changing hands by July 31, translating to a 3.2% increase from the previous year. As of the end of July, there were a total of 12,909 listings, signifying a 16.2% year-over-year uptick. Notably, about 33% of properties listed in 2025 remained unsold as of July 31. The REMAX Fall Housing Market Update designated Ottawa as a buyer’s market for 2025, potentially paving the way for price adjustments as buyers gain leverage during negotiations in the upcoming fall season. The interest rate announcement on September 15 could also sway market dynamics, especially influencing buyer sentiments as they navigate the real estate landscape in the coming months.

On a national level, the Canadian real estate market seems to be met with a degree of skepticism, as evidenced by REMAX’s survey of local real estate agents across the country. The consensus outlook for the Canadian real estate market points towards a projected 6.5% decline in average sale prices and a 5% decrease in year-over-year sales for the remainder of 2025. Despite this cautious sentiment, there is a silver lining as the anticipated market shift could potentially create opportunities for first-time homebuyers if prices dip slightly amidst rising inventory levels.

In contrast to the national sentiment, the outlook for Ottawa’s real estate market remains optimistic as per the findings of the REMAX National Housing Outlook. Ottawa is positioned to maintain its strength as a market due to factors such as a robust job market, a resilient local economy driven by high government employment, and relative affordability compared to major cities like Toronto. Projections indicate a 1.5% increase in the average sales price and a 4.5% uptick in year-over-year sales for Ottawa by the end of 2025. This positive outlook underscores Ottawa’s standing as a buoyant real estate sector when juxtaposed with cities like Toronto, which is expected to witness a 4% price decrease by year-end alongside a 5% decline in total sales compared to the previous year. Among the six Canadian cities with populations exceeding one million residents, namely Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa, only Ottawa and Edmonton are poised to experience an increase in average sales price, with Ottawa also slated for a rise in total sales. These statistics position Ottawa as the standout performer among major Canadian cities as we transition from fall to winter. Additionally, outlier markets on the East Coast in smaller metropolitan areas such as Newfoundland and New Brunswick provide further evidence of Ottawa’s status as a robust real estate market with promising prospects moving forward. As the national landscape anticipates price reductions in the fall season, Ottawa appears to be bucking the trend as it steers towards 2026 with a positive momentum.