New home sales have risen more than 50 per cent in Ottawa so far in 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to a recent report.
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New home sales have risen more than 50 per cent in Ottawa so far in 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to a recent report.
While home sales in May fell 16.4 per cent from April, the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) and PMA Breathour Realty Group said the local market has shown strong year-over-year growth through the first five months of 2026.
There were 622 new home sales last month in Ottawa, a 97.5 per cent increase from the 315 new homes that were purchased in May 2025.
“While May saw a modest month-over-month decline, the broader trend remains very encouraging for Ottawa’s new home market,” GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf said in the report.
So far this year, 2,180 new homes have been sold in Ottawa, a 53.7 per cent increase from the 1,418 sales recorded in the same period last year.
Burggraaf said recent policy changes have contributed to the upward swing.
“The new home sales tax credit has helped stimulate activity, and further clarification on how the program will be implemented should help drive even greater confidence in the months ahead,” he said. “Ottawa’s builders are encouraged by this momentum and are looking forward to it carrying into the summer.”
The city’s west end experienced the most activity in May, accounting for 46 per cent of sales. The south and east ends followed, making up 34 and 18 per cent of sales respectively. Central Ottawa remains a small share of the market at three per cent.
Most homes sold were townhomes (51 per cent) and single detached houses (45 per cent), with condo townhomes and condo apartments making up just three per cent of total sales. 
