In September 2024, 1,047 homes were sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), marking an 11.4% increase compared to September 2023. However, sales were 17.4% below the five-year average and 15.4% lower than the 10-year average for September.
Year-to-date, a total of 10,485 homes have been sold in 2024, reflecting a 6.4% rise from the same period in 2023.
"As the housing market adjusts, Ottawa’s fall outlook remains strong,” says OREB President Curtis Fillier. "Sales are picking up, and prices are steady. Both buyers and sellers are reevaluating their strategies amid expectations of further interest rate cuts, extended amortizations, and higher price caps for insured mortgages.”
Fillier adds, “While recent policy changes will boost demand, Ottawa’s market faces ongoing supply challenges. We’re not building enough homes, particularly the ‘missing middle’ type.” The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently reported that Ottawa's population-adjusted construction rate is at its lowest in nearly a decade. A City of Ottawa progress report shows the city has met only 22% of its annual housing target by the end of August.
By the Numbers – Prices:
The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI), which offers a more accurate picture of price trends than averages, shows the overall benchmark price for all homes was $642,800 in September 2024, a slight 0.2% increase from September 2023.
The benchmark price for single-family homes was $729,000, up 0.5% year-over-year.
Townhouses/row units had a benchmark price of $500,000, down 1.7% from the previous year.
Apartments saw a benchmark price of $414,200, a 1.3% decrease from September 2023.
The average price of homes sold in September 2024 was $685,551, up 1.4% from a year ago. The year-to-date average price was $679,082, a 0.9% increase from 2023.
The total value of home sales in September reached $717.7 million, a 12.9% jump from September 2023.
OREB notes that while average sale prices can reveal long-term trends, they shouldn’t be viewed as a measure of individual property value changes, as prices vary across different neighbourhoods.
By the Numbers – Inventory & New Listings:
There were 2,343 new residential listings in September 2024, up 3.9% from the previous year, and 4.7% above the five-year average and 11.6% higher than the 10-year average.
Active residential listings rose 16.9% to 3,529 units by the end of September 2024. This was 43.3% above the five-year average and 4.6% above the 10-year average.
Months of inventory stood at 3.4 in September 2024, slightly up from 3.2 in September 2023. This measure represents how long it would take to sell all current listings at the current rate of sales.
source: OREB