For the third month in a row, the substantial increase in Ottawa new-home sales generated by the federal government’s HST rebate announcement in March continued in June.
Although sales were lower than the whopping 622 recorded in May, June 2026 sales were still 31 per cent higher than they were the year before (490 vs. 374), according to the latest Greater Ottawa New Home Market Report. Home sales typically fall off as we head into summer.
“The peak of pent-up market demand occurred in April and May, fueled by years of below-average monthly sales and a significant number of buyers waiting on the sidelines. While that initial surge moderated in June, the market remains strong,” says Cheryl Rice, Ottawa president of PMA Brethour Realty, which prepares the monthly report in partnership with the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association.
Large-volume builder Minto had a particularly good month, topping the market share with just over 100 sales.
“A primary driver of Minto’s strong performance has been the new phase releases in highly sought-after communities,” Rice says. “Arcadia especially continues to see momentum, and alongside new phases in Avalon, these projects have generated substantial buyer urgency and consistent lineups at those sites in recent months.”
The real catalyst across the board right now is the enhanced HST rebate, she says, “and we’re seeing it benefit single-family homes the most. By effectively increasing purchasing power, the rebate has unlocked the market for buyers who were previously priced out.”
She adds that it’s worth noting that demand for competitively priced single-family homes “was already resilient prior to the rebate, particularly where pricing aligned closely with buyer expectations. Conversely, higher-priced communities experienced a sharp decline in demand, highlighting the role affordability played in that segment. This led to pricing adjustments and increased incentives that demonstrated just how much affordability was choking the market.
“The rebate has helped bridge that gap, lowering the barrier to entry for buyers. What is perhaps most encouraging is that this lift in demand is not isolated to high-volume builders. We’re seeing this positive momentum distributed across a broader spectrum of builders.”
As a result, for the year to date, sales are 2,670, up 49 per cent compared to last year when sales were at 1,792.
Heading into July and August, Rice anticipates activity will level off further, reflecting the typical seasonal summer slowdown. “Even so, overall volume is expected to remain elevated compared to both 2025 and the five-year trend.”
