New Ottawa Council must restore balance to city growth
There are eight new city councillors in place at Ottawa City Hall. That means, with 24 councillors in total, one in three councillors are in a position to bring new …
Building Ottawa one gift at a time
Ottawa’s homebuilders build more than 5,000 homes a year in the national capital region, employing 25,000 people and contributing $1.5 billion dollars to the Ottawa economy. While these facts may …
First-time buyers: Family financial help doubles in last decade
A recent report from the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals highlights the growing affordability challenges facing new home buyers. According to the report, first-time home buyers are relying on larger …
It’s time to make housing affordability an election issue
On October 27, 2014, Ottawans will go to the polls to elect their municipal government leaders. Judging by what we see and hear in the media, the leading issues facing …
Making home ownership a reality for Ottawa’s millennials and first-time buyers
If you, or a family member, are a first-time homebuyer, chances are you’re concerned about the high cost of homes in Ottawa. Frankly, if it weren’t for today’s historically low …
Boomers: Here’s why our kids can’t afford a home in Ottawa
Congratulations Boomers, today’s Millennials are doing all the right things. They’ve graduated from university or college. They are paying off their students loans. They work hard and they are building …
Moms and Dads: Will your daughters and sons be able to buy a home without your help?
On June 11, 2014 Ottawa City Council approved a 31% increase in development charges levied on buyers of new single family homes. New homebuyers in Kanata, Orleans or Barrhaven (and …
Managing Infill Housing – Another challenging week for City Building
As this past week would attest (March 24-28), City building can be a complicated, confusing and an oftentimes messy affair. On Tuesday, the City of Ottawa’s Planning Committee directed the …
Building Heights: Why do builders and developers ask for more?
Here’s a situation that should sound familiar. A homebuilder proposes a condominium building with more stories than is permitted in the community design plan, the Official Plan or the zoning …
Why Does a New Home in Ottawa Cost so Much?
Did you know the average new single family home in Ottawa costs $440,100? Ottawa’s homebuilders build 5,000 to 6,000 new homes per year, and we often get asked “why does …