Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 699 residential properties in December through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 618 in December 2010, an increase of 13.1 per cent. The five-year average for December sales is 611. The total number of homes sold through the Board’s MLS® system in 2011 was 14,412, an increase of 1.7 per cent over 2010. The average price for 2011 was $343,701, an increase of 5.2 per cent over 2010.

Ottawa, December 5, 2011 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,020 residential properties in November through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 940 in November 2010, an increase of 8.5 per cent. The five-year average for November sales is 881.

OTTAWA — Canadians continued to buy more houses — and pay more for them — in October, according to a monthly report from the Canadian Real Estate Association released Tuesday.

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.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced Monday that new federal rules will reduce the maximum amortization period to 30 years from 35 years for government-backed insured mortgages with loan-to-value ratios of more than 80 per cent.

Condominium prices are continuing to increase markedly faster than those for other types of housing, as a resurgent real estate market helps sellers forget the doldrums of early 2009.

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.

Canadian existing-home prices are now rising at a pace not seen in 20 years, fuelling talk that a bubble may be forming in the market.

Fewer than 3,800 resale homes available in sellers' market, and prices on rise

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

Evaluating financial situation crucial to calculating realistic amount of loan

The following is a Q&A with Valerie Rasmussen, assistant vice-president, credit services, for First Calgary Savings.

Ottawa’s housing sales continue to buck the national trend, posting a third consecutive record setting month for sales.

If you’re like most Canadians, your home is probably the most important investment you will ever make. But how do you know if you are financially ready for all the responsibilities that come with homeownership?

The rate cuts brought the banks' variable mortgage rates down as well, giving existing mortgage holders a break and potentially more cash in their pockets.

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"

"In spite of the economic downturn, most Canadians still believe it is a homebuyer’s market."

"Dos and don'ts of the Home Renovation Tax Credit"

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

"Canada has done more than survive this financial crisis"

The city's resale housing market remains resilient even while sales and prices are dropping in other Canadian markets, according to a survey by a major real estate firm.

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.