If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Ottawa, the June 2026 market numbers are worth paying close attention to.
The Ottawa market is not crashing, but it is definitely changing. Buyers have more choice, homes are taking longer to sell, and sellers can no longer assume that simply listing a home is enough to get strong results.
That’s why I created a short video breaking down the latest Ottawa real estate numbers in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Before you make a move, these are the trends you need to understand.
Ottawa Buyers Have More Choice
One of the biggest changes in the Ottawa real estate market is inventory.
In June 2026, Ottawa had 4,982 active listings, which is up 13.2% compared to June 2025 and up 30.6% compared to June 2024. That means buyers have more homes to compare, more time to think, and in some cases, more room to negotiate.
That does not mean every home is a bargain. Well-priced, well-maintained homes are still attracting attention. But buyers are no longer forced to rush into every decision the way many did during the peak market.
For buyers, this means preparation is still key. Get pre-approved, know your comfortable monthly payment, understand your closing costs, and be ready to act when the right home comes up.
Ottawa Sellers Need to Be Careful
For sellers, the market has become much less forgiving.
Ottawa had 3,110 new listings in June 2026, up 5.6% from the year before. More listings means more competition. If your home is overpriced, poorly prepared, or difficult to show, buyers may simply move on to the next option.
This is where pricing and presentation matter.
A clean, bright, well-marketed home can still sell successfully. But sellers who price based on emotion, old market conditions, or what their neighbour sold for years ago may find themselves sitting on the market longer than expected.
Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell
The median days on market in Ottawa reached 22 days in June 2026, compared to 19 days in June 2025. That may not sound like a huge difference, but it shows that buyers are taking more time and the market is becoming more balanced.
For sellers, the first few weeks on the market are critical. That is when your home gets the most attention online and from active buyers. If you launch too high, you may miss that first wave of serious interest.
Once buyers start wondering, “Why hasn’t this sold yet?” your negotiating position can become weaker.
Prices Are Not Collapsing | But They Are Not Taking Off Either
The average residential price in Ottawa was $733,648 in June 2026, up 1.3% compared to June 2025. So no, prices are not falling apart. But they are also not racing upward the way they did during the hottest years of the market.
That is important for both buyers and sellers.
Buyers should not assume they can wait forever and get a massive discount. Sellers should not assume they can overprice and still get top dollar.
This is a strategy market.
Detached Homes, Townhomes, and Condos Are Not the Same
One of the biggest mistakes people make is talking about the Ottawa housing market as if every property type is moving the same way.
Detached homes are holding up better. In June 2026, single-family homes had 879 sales, an average price of $880,467, and 2.8 months of inventory.
Townhomes are facing more competition. There were 429 townhouse sales, active townhouse listings were up 27.6%, and the average townhouse price was $554,990, down 3.1% from June 2025.
Condos are the softest segment. Apartment sales were down 14%, with 5.3 months of inventory and 35 median days on market.
That means your strategy depends on what you are buying or selling.
A detached home in a desirable neighbourhood may still move quickly. A townhouse may need sharper pricing. A condo may need extra attention to presentation, competition, condo fees, and buyer affordability.
What Buyers Should Do Right Now
If you’re buying in Ottawa, this market may give you more options and more negotiating power, but you still need to be prepared.
Before you start looking seriously, get fully pre-approved. Understand your comfortable monthly payment, not just the maximum amount the bank may approve. Review your closing costs, and know what you can afford after factoring in property taxes, insurance, utilities, condo fees if applicable, and future maintenance.
This is not a market where buyers need to panic, but it is still a market where the best homes can move quickly.
What Sellers Should Do Right Now
If you’re selling, the most important thing is to price according to today’s market.
Not last year’s market. Not the 2021 market. Not what your neighbour got during a completely different set of conditions.
Today’s buyers are comparing everything. They are looking at condition, layout, upgrades, location, price, days on market, and value.
To sell successfully, your home needs to show well online and in person. That means cleaning, decluttering, making small repairs, using professional photos and video, allowing showings, and listening to feedback.
The homes that are prepared properly are still getting results. The homes that are overpriced or poorly presented are sitting.
The Bottom Line
The Ottawa real estate market is not crashing, but it is shifting.
There are more listings, more active inventory, longer selling times, and more competition for sellers. At the same time, prices are not collapsing, and well-positioned homes are still selling.
For buyers, this may be a window of opportunity.
For sellers, this is a warning: strategy matters more than ever.
Before you buy or sell in Ottawa, Orléans, Rockland, Kanata, Barrhaven, or the surrounding area, make sure you understand what these numbers mean for your specific situation.
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