While the Ottawa Real Estate Board reports that May 2026 resale transactions were up from April, they were also down more than 10 per cent compared to May 2025, continuing the months-long trend of slower sales. The market, however, remains active and in balanced territory, which means it favours sellers and buyers equally.
Realtors sold 1,616 homes last month through the board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS). That compares to 1,336 in April and 1,807 in May 2025.
As usual, single-family homes led last month’s sales numbers at 904 followed by 481 townhomes and 203 condo apartments.
“May brought the seasonal increase in activity we typically expect to see in Ottawa’s housing market, but sales continue to trail at last year’s pace,” said board president Tami Eades in a statement.
“While economic uncertainty continues to influence consumer confidence, the key question moving into the summer market will be whether demand continues to keep pace with supply. The market remains active, but inventory levels, employment trends and buyer confidence will all play an important role in shaping the months ahead.”
Prices, inventory and listings
Overall, prices were stable in May, said the board, with single-family home prices (averaging $868,968) flat compared to the same month last year, townhomes down one per cent at $563,578 and condo apartments off 12 per cent at $433,165.
Supply of homes remained elevated, reported the board. While new listings, which totalled 3,351 in May, were down two per cent from the same month last year, active listings rose to 4,917 units, up more than 12 per cent year over year.
Active inventory shows that supply has continued to accumulate, the board said. “The strength of the summer market will depend on whether demand continues to absorb supply at a steady pace.”
