Ottawa Real Estate Market Update: September 2026
The Ottawa real estate market continued to show signs of a more measured pace in September 2026, with more homes coming onto the market, fewer sales compared with last year, and increased inventory giving buyers more choice.
According to the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), 1,010 residential properties sold through the MLS® System in September, down 6.6% compared with September 2025. At the same time, 2,927 new listings came onto the market, an increase of 3.0% year-over-year and a significant 38.1% increase from August.
Overall, September's numbers point to a market where buyers have more options, while sellers are facing increased competition.
Ottawa Real Estate Market September 2026
A total of 1,010 homes were sold in September 2026, representing a 6.6% decrease from the same month last year. Looking at the July-to-September period, 3,336 homes were sold, down 8.2% compared with the same period in 2025. OREB notes that this was the second-lowest summer total in the past 10 years.
The softer sales activity doesn't necessarily mean that buyers have disappeared. Instead, the market is showing a wider gap between the number of homes available and the number of homes being sold.
More New Listings Give Buyers More Choice
There were 2,927 new listings in September, up 3.0% from September 2025. More notably, new listings increased 38.1% from August, bringing considerably more properties onto the market as we moved into the fall.
Active listings reached 4,813, an increase of 7.9% from September 2025. According to OREB, this was the second-highest September level since 2016. For buyers, this means more opportunities to compare properties, take their time and negotiate when the circumstances allow.
Inventory Increased to 4.8 Months
One of the most important numbers to watch is months of inventory. Ottawa reached 4.8 months of inventory in September, compared with 4.5 months in August. The sales-to-new-listings ratio also declined from 47.3% in August to 34.5% in September.
In simple terms, more homes were coming onto the market relative to the number being sold. This is an important shift because it gives buyers more choice and can create more competition among sellers. However, conditions vary considerably depending on the neighbourhood, property type, price range and individual property.
Ottawa Home Prices Remain Relatively Stable
Despite the softer sales activity, overall prices remained relatively stable. The average residential sale price in September was $685,640, down 1.0% from September 2025.
The median sale price was $625,000, down 0.8% year-over-year. OREB's MLS® Home Price Index also showed some underlying softness, with the benchmark price at $623,500, down 0.3% from September 2025.
The numbers suggest that Ottawa is not experiencing a broad, dramatic price decline. Instead, the market is seeing slower sales activity and greater supply, while prices remain comparatively stable.
How Different Property Types Performed
Market conditions aren't identical across all types of Ottawa homes.
Based on the September 2026 statistics:
Detached Homes
Detached homes recorded a benchmark price of approximately $705,100, with about 4.4 months of inventory.
Townhomes
Townhomes recorded a benchmark price of approximately $546,500, with around 4.0 months of inventory.
Condo Apartments
Apartment properties had the highest level of inventory at approximately 5.7 months, indicating more supply relative to sales in this segment.
What Does the September 2026 Market Mean for Buyers?
For buyers, September's numbers provide some encouraging signs. There are more homes to choose from, inventory has increased, and the pace of sales is slower than it was a year ago.
That can mean less pressure to make an immediate decision and potentially more opportunity to negotiate, depending on the property. That said, buyers shouldn't assume that every home is negotiable or that every neighbourhood is experiencing the same conditions. Well-priced, desirable properties can still attract strong interest.
What Does It Mean for Sellers?
For sellers, the increased supply means competition matters. With more homes available, buyers have more opportunities to compare properties.
Pricing a home appropriately from the beginning, presenting it well and having a strong marketing strategy can make a significant difference. In a market with more choice, simply putting a home on MLS® and waiting for an offer may not be enough. Pricing, presentation and strategy are increasingly important.
The Bottom Line for Ottawa's September 2026 Market
September's numbers point to a market that is becoming more supply-sensitive. More listings. More inventory. Fewer sales. Relatively stable prices. For buyers, that can mean more choice and potentially more negotiating power. For sellers, it means understanding the competition and having a realistic pricing and marketing strategy is more important than ever. And as always, Ottawa is not one single real estate market. Conditions can vary significantly from one neighbourhood and property type to another.
If you're thinking about buying or selling in Ottawa, the most useful question isn't simply "What is the market doing?" It's "What is the market doing for a property like mine, in my neighbourhood, at my price point?"
Thinking about your next move? Contact us for a personalized discussion about your options in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario market.
Jazz Dicaire
613.830.3350
Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), September 2026 residential market statistics. Data reflects residential activity reported through the MLS® System.
