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 general conversation yet. Detached homes, townhouses, and condos are each telling a different story right now and knowing which segment is leading the recovery could completely change your approach as a buyer or seller this season.

We also look beyond Ottawa at what is happening nationally, from major urban centres seeing sharp price swings to smaller markets in Quebec and the Prairies quietly outperforming. Migration trends, transit challenges, and off-grid property demand are all adding new layers to the affordability picture coast to coast.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

01:43 March Real Estate Market Overview

05:34 Spring Market Predictions

09:24 National Market Trends and Affordability

12:53 Off-Grid Living and Market Shifts

14:24 Government Policies and Market Impact

24:13 Mood Boosts

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 difference could cost you thousands. We walk through four real scenarios that show exactly how this plays out at the table and what you need to ask before you get there.

We also get into what is happening in the broader market right now. Geopolitical tensions are pushing energy prices up, inflation is responding, and mortgage rates are moving in ways that are genuinely hard to predict even for the people who set them. Ottawa's spring market is caught in the middle of all of it and we explain exactly how that affects your timing as a buyer or seller.

00:00 Spring Market Dynamics and Weather Impact

01:33 Understanding New HST Rules and Their Implications

11:35 Inflation Warnings and Market Disconnect

18:29 Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Uncertainty

25:30 Navigating the Current Real Estate Landscape

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 could be one of the most important opportunities in the Ontario housing market right now.

If you are looking at new builds in Ottawa or anywhere in Ontario, or even Canada, this conversation will change how you think about rebates, affordability, and timing. We connect the dots between mortgage strategy, housing supply, and government incentives so you can make smarter decisions in a fast shifting Canadian real estate market.

00:00 Intro

02:21 Understanding the HST Rebate Program

06:24 Misconceptions About the Rebate

08:30 Pros and Cons of the Rebate for Buyers

15:43 Impact on Builders and the Market

20:30 Economic Implications of the Rebate

21:51 Ontario Is Slashing Development Fees Up To 50%

25:03 Future of Housing in Ontario

28:52 Mood Boosts

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 reshaping what buyers can realistically afford, and whether the long awaited recovery is something buyers can actually count on or just another headline that fades. Shaun also breaks down the housing supply problem in a way that makes clear why building more homes is not as simple as politicians make it sound.

If you are a first time buyer in Ottawa or anywhere in Ontario trying to figure out whether now is the time to move, this conversation gives you the clearest picture available right now from someone who works with the data every single day.

00:00 Intro

02:52 Market Uncertainty and Economic Factors

05:32 The Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates

08:56 First-Time Buyers and Market Dynamics

11:11 The Missing Middle in Housing Development

16:19 The Role of Purpose-Built Rentals

22:40 Future Predictions for the Condo Market

26:14 Reallocating Housing Resources

28:41 Land Transfer Tax Credits for Downsizing

33:09 Job Market Dynamics in Ottawa

40:10 Spring Market Trends and Predictions

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

Shaun Cathcart

Senior Economist - CREA

www.crea.ca

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 are quietly shaping what you will owe at renewal, and what Ottawa homeowners need to be thinking about before they sit down with their lender.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

01:27 Market Trends and Real Estate Insights

04:48 Navigating Mortgage Renewals

08:06 Understanding Economic Influences on Rates

15:27 Current Inflation and Housing Market Dynamics

19:56 Predictions for the Spring Market

23:36 Upcoming Guest and Mood Boosts

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 the spring surge, the shifting housing supply across Canada, and why the role of mortgage brokers is becoming more important in today’s environment.

00:00 Intro

02:01 Market Trends and Spring Surge

03:54 The Role of Brokers in Mortgage Conversations

06:53 Geopolitical Impact on the Market

12:54 Ads

14:41 Rental Market Dynamics

15:35 The Shift in Housing Supply

21:10 Understanding Private Lending

27:10 February Market Stats and Trends

29:31 Mood Boosts

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 housing crash is unlikely, and how demographic shifts are quietly driving long term housing demand across Ottawa and Ontario.

We also talk about inventory levels, construction slowdowns, government policy impacts, and what they mean for housing affordability in Canadian real estate. If you are a first time home buyer, a homeowner thinking about early renewal, or an investor watching interest rate forecasts, this conversation could change how you approach your mortgage strategy.

00:00 Demographic Time Bomb in Real Estate

00:26 Insights from the Mortgage Professionals Conference

01:03 Attending The Mortgage Professionals Canada National Conference

02:04 Interest Rates and Market Stability

04:34 Demographics and Home Buying Trends

06:38 Supply Constraints and Market Dynamics

08:41 Supply Constraints Make Downsizing Harder

11:08 Government Cuts and Market Resilience

13:42 Current Market Conditions and Future Predictions

16:14 Sponsor Ads

18:00 Listener Questions: Renovations vs. Turnkey Homes

22:52 Listener Questions: Early Renewal Strategies

28:47 Mood Boosts

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

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 of regulatory red tape on Canadian real estate prices.

We also discuss recent inflation data, how it influences mortgage rates across Canada, and why structural housing policies continue to shape home ownership opportunities.

00:00 Intro and Olympic Weekend Recap

02:05 Nova Scotia 2% Down Payment Program

12:05 Impact of Inflation on Canadian Economy

18:29 Impact on Mortgage Rates

20:07 CMHC Study on Housing Affordability

23:58 Mood Boosts

Get in touch with us!

Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2

CENTUM Financial Services LP

Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca

Phone: 1-613-263-4543

https://www.paulstevenson.ca

David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2

Referral Mortgages

Email: david@referralmortgages.com

Phone: 1-613-686-6003

https://www.referralmortgages.com

If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!

New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com

Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).