Ottawa’s housing market in August 2025 brought more choice for buyers while still holding balanced conditions overall. Demand remained healthy, and supply continued to build, with active listings reaching 3,971 — about 37% higher than the five-year August average.
While this increase in inventory is notable, it’s not a red flag. Ottawa’s real estate market typically sees more listings in late summer ahead of the busy fall season. The sales-to-new-listings ratio of 58.3% and 3.2 months of inventory both signal that demand is keeping pace with supply — a hallmark of a balanced market.
It’s also important to keep perspective. The pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 were historic outliers with unusually low inventory, which skews the five-year average. If we look back at pre-pandemic years (2018 and 2019), current inventory levels are about 33–34% higher than that trend — a more accurate picture of where the market stands today.
Property-Type Insights
Market performance continues to vary depending on property type.
- Single-family homes: Prices remain broadly steady.
- Townhouses: Values are rising, with strong year-over-year gains.
- Condominiums: Softer conditions, especially in the downtown core.
For buyers, this means there are opportunities depending on what type of property you’re looking at, and where. Elevated inventory levels are creating more choice and better negotiating power for those ready to make a move.
Looking beyond Ottawa, other Ontario markets are experiencing slowing sales and rising supply, but there are early signs of stabilization that could support stronger conditions in the months ahead.
Residential Market Activity – August 2025
Homes sold: 1,236
- Down from July (1,318) and June (1,602)
- Up 12.1% compared to August 2024
- Reflects normal seasonal slowdown heading into fall
Year-to-date sales: 9,936 homes, up 4.1% compared to the same period in 2024
Average sale price: $686,536
- Up 3.6% year-over-year
- Year-to-date average: $700,828 (a 3% increase over 2024)
Total sales volume: $850 million in August, up 16% year-over-year
New listings: 2,121, up 8.6% year-over-year
Active listings: 3,971, up 13.3% year-over-year and 37.1% above the five-year average
Months of inventory: 3.2 (unchanged from last month and last year, indicating balanced conditions)
MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) – August 2025
- Composite Benchmark Price: $633,100 (↑ 1.9% year-over-year)
- By Property Type:
- Single-Family Homes: $704,800 (↑ 2%)
- Townhomes: $468,000 (↑ 8.3%)
- Apartments: $411,900 (↓ 1.6%)
Ottawa’s real estate market is steady and balanced, with more options for buyers and stable pricing trends across most property types. Townhouses continue to show the strongest price growth, while the condo segment offers more affordability. With elevated inventory and steady demand, buyers have a strategic window of opportunity heading into the fall market.
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