The Ottawa Real Estate Podcast

Everyone is talking about the $130,000 HST rebate but almost no one understands how it really works. We break down what is actually happening behind the scenes and why this confusion could cost buyers thousands. In this episode, we uncover the real mechanics of the Ontario HST rebate and we explore how purchase prices, incentives, and monthly payments are affected and why this one year window could be one of the most important opportunities in the Ontario housing market right now. If you are looking at new builds in Ottawa or anywhere in Ontario, or even Canada, this conversation will change how you think about rebates, affordability, and timing. We connect the dots between mortgage strategy, housing supply, and government incentives so you can make smarter decisions in a fast shifting Canadian real estate market. 00:00 Intro 02:21 Understanding the HST Rebate Program 06:24 Misconceptions About the Rebate 08:30 Pros and Cons of the Rebate for Buyers 15:43 Impact on Builders and the Market 20:30 Economic Implications of the Rebate 21:51 Ontario Is Slashing Development Fees Up To 50% 25:03 Future of Housing in Ontario 28:52 Mood BoostsGet in touch with us!Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LPEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-263-4543https://www.paulstevenson.caDavid Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral MortgagesEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.comIf you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: [email protected] or leave us a comment below!New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

First time buyers in Canada have been told to wait, save more, and be patient for years now, and the market has not rewarded that patience. In this episode we sit down with Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist at the Canadian Real Estate Association, and we get into what the actual data says about where the Canadian real estate market stands right now, how mortgage rate swings and global events are reshaping what buyers can realistically afford, and whether the long awaited recovery is something buyers can actually count on or just another headline that fades. Shaun also breaks down the housing supply problem in a way that makes clear why building more homes is not as simple as politicians make it sound.If you are a first time buyer in Ottawa or anywhere in Ontario trying to figure out whether now is the time to move, this conversation gives you the clearest picture available right now from someone who works with the data every single day.00:00 Intro02:52 Market Uncertainty and Economic Factors05:32 The Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates08:56 First-Time Buyers and Market Dynamics11:11 The Missing Middle in Housing Development16:19 The Role of Purpose-Built Rentals22:40 Future Predictions for the Condo Market26:14 Reallocating Housing Resources28:41 Land Transfer Tax Credits for Downsizing33:09 Job Market Dynamics in Ottawa40:10 Spring Market Trends and PredictionsGet in touch with us!Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2CENTUM Financial Services LPEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-263-4543https://www.paulstevenson.caDavid Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2Referral MortgagesEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-686-6003https://www.referralmortgages.comShaun CathcartSenior Economist - CREAwww.crea.caIf you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: [email protected] or leave us a comment below!New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

Mortgage renewals could be the most expensive financial decision you have ever made without even realizing it. We are in a rate environment where even the experts admit predictions over three to five years are essentially guesswork. In this episode, we break down what is actually driving mortgage rates in Canada right now, why global events you would never think to connect to your monthly payment are quietly shaping what you will owe at renewal, and what Ottawa homeowners need to be thinking about before they sit down with their lender.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts01:27 Market Trends and Real Estate Insights04:48 Navigating Mortgage Renewals08:06 Understanding Economic Influences on Rates15:27 Current Inflation and Housing Market Dynamics19:56 Predictions for the Spring Market23:36 Upcoming Guest and Mood BoostsGet in touch with us!Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2CENTUM Financial Services LPEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-263-4543https://www.paulstevenson.caDavid Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2Referral MortgagesEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-686-6003https://www.referralmortgages.comIf you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: [email protected] or leave us a comment below!New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

In this week’s episode of the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we discuss how global geopolitical conflicts are quietly influencing mortgage rates across Canada and why markets react so quickly to international events. We break down how oil prices, inflation pressures, and bond markets connect directly to the mortgage rates Canadians see today.We also talk about the latest market activity heading into the spring surge, the shifting housing supply across Canada, and why the role of mortgage brokers is becoming more important in today’s environment.00:00 Intro02:01 Market Trends and Spring Surge03:54 The Role of Brokers in Mortgage Conversations06:53 Geopolitical Impact on the Market12:54 Ads14:41 Rental Market Dynamics15:35 The Shift in Housing Supply21:10 Understanding Private Lending27:10 February Market Stats and Trends29:31 Mood BoostsGet in touch with us!Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2CENTUM Financial Services LPEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-263-4543https://www.paulstevenson.caDavid Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2Referral MortgagesEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-686-6003https://www.referralmortgages.comIf you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: [email protected] or leave us a comment below!New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

Most buyers are waiting for rates to fall or for a market crash that may never come. But what if 2026 is the year that waiting quietly costs you thousands?In this episode of the Ottawa Real Estate Podcast, we share what we learned at the Mortgage Professionals Canada Conference and how it could reshape your strategy. We talk about why rates are expected to stay stagnant in 2026, why a major housing crash is unlikely, and how demographic shifts are quietly driving long term housing demand across Ottawa and Ontario.We also talk about inventory levels, construction slowdowns, government policy impacts, and what they mean for housing affordability in Canadian real estate. If you are a first time home buyer, a homeowner thinking about early renewal, or an investor watching interest rate forecasts, this conversation could change how you approach your mortgage strategy.00:00 Demographic Time Bomb in Real Estate00:26 Insights from the Mortgage Professionals Conference01:03 Attending The Mortgage Professionals Canada National Conference02:04 Interest Rates and Market Stability04:34 Demographics and Home Buying Trends06:38 Supply Constraints and Market Dynamics08:41 Supply Constraints Make Downsizing Harder11:08 Government Cuts and Market Resilience13:42 Current Market Conditions and Future Predictions16:14 Sponsor Ads18:00 Listener Questions: Renovations vs. Turnkey Homes22:52 Listener Questions: Early Renewal Strategies28:47 Mood BoostsGet in touch with us!Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2CENTUM Financial Services LPEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-263-4543https://www.paulstevenson.caDavid Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2Referral MortgagesEmail: [email protected]: 1-613-686-6003https://www.referralmortgages.comIf you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: [email protected] or leave us a comment below!New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).