Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,062 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,038 in October 2010, an increase of 2.3 per cent. The five-year average for October sales is 1,071.

In a further example that the urban core condo market is red hot, there will be a flurry of activity in the next week, with four condo projects set to launch.

From the greening of suburban communities to the ascent of the urban condo, the past decade has been one of restless change for Ottawa's new homes market. We talked to the experts about some of the major trends since 2000 and asked them to do a little crystal ball gazing about the next 10 years.

Housing starts across the country jump more than 12 per cent in August, driven by condominium construction

OTTAWA - The launch of a slick, new condo development bucked the trend of lagging sales last weekend when almost 70 per cent of the 36 one and two-storey apartments sold within a couple of days.

Hunter, who works for IBM Global Technology Services, is still settling into his new space. His 18-speed bike rests on a rolled up area rug and there aren't any curtains on the floor-to-ceiling windows, but then there aren't any inquiring neighbours able to see into his new condo.

"I can see the future. It's going to be vibrant and nothing's going to be blocking the view."

Ontario’s new homebuyers would face a massive tax grab under the proposed harmonization of the federal GST and Ontario PST, a new report released today concludes.

"Experts hope downturn will spur environmental progress"

Open spaces, terraces and an appealing neighbourhood translate to strong sales

"Higher density construction will become the most sought-after dwelling type in Ottawa's new home market."

But despite the slowdown the housing market remains solid, she said.

"Employment levels are still supporting the home resale market in Canada, and Ottawa in particular," she added.