Sell.With.Shubham

10/10/2026

5 families who built Ottawa: the real estate empires behind the city 🏙️

Ever wonder who built the homes, condos and neighbourhoods you drive past every day? Two of these five families are Indian. 🇮🇳🇨🇦 👇

5️⃣ The Myers family: More than 15 car dealerships plus collision centres. Drive anywhere in Ottawa and you’ll see their name.

4️⃣ The Singhal family (Richcraft Homes): In 1983, Kris Singhal started with just two lots in Hunt Club. Today Richcraft builds communities across the city.

3️⃣ The Malhotra family (Claridge Homes): Bill Malhotra, often called Ottawa’s “Condo King,” founded Claridge in 1986 and helped shape the downtown skyline.

2️⃣ The Taggart family (Tartan & Tamarack Homes): In business since 1948, they work across home building, construction, land development and property management.

1️⃣ The Greenberg family (Minto): Four brothers started Minto in the 1950s. It’s now one of Ottawa’s biggest names in homes and rentals.

From two lots to a city skyline, every empire started with one property. 🏡

💾 Save this if you love Ottawa real estate history.
💬 Comment which city’s real estate families we should cover next.
📲 Share with someone who’s thinking about buying in Ottawa.

Buying your first property in Ottawa, or moving here from the GTA? Let’s talk.

Shubham Duggal | Owning Ottawa | REALTOR®️ |
📞 613.332.8884 | 🌐 owningottawa.com

Disclaimer: This is general information compiled from publicly available sources for educational and entertainment purposes. Owning Ottawa is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the families or companies mentioned. Details may change over time. This is not financial or investment advice.

10/08/2026

New homeowner checklist: 5 things to do in your first 24 hours in a new home 🏡🔑

Just closed on your first home in Ottawa? Don't skip these steps after getting the keys. They could save you money and stress later. 👇

1️⃣ Take meter readings
On move-in day, write down your gas, hydro and water readings and take a photo of each meter. Then set up your utility accounts right away so you only pay for what you use.

2️⃣ Change or rekey the locks
The previous owner, cleaners, contractors or even a neighbour could still have a key. New locks give you peace of mind from day one. 🔐

3️⃣ Update your address everywhere
Driver's licence, health card, employer, bank, car loan, insurance and CRA. That way no important mail goes to your old address. 📬

4️⃣ Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Put in fresh batteries and test every alarm. Home safety comes first. 🚨

5️⃣ Create an email just for your home
For example: [email protected]
Use it for utilities, warranties, contractors, appliance registrations and home documents. Everything about your house stays in one place, ready to hand over when you sell. 💡

💾 Save this moving checklist for closing day.
💬 Comment "GUIDE" and I'll DM you my complete post-closing checklist for first-time home buyers.
📲 Share it with someone buying a home in Ottawa, Kanata, Barrhaven or Orléans.

Shubham Duggal | Owning Ottawa
Ottawa REALTOR® | 📞 613.332.8884 | 🌐 owningottawa.com

Disclaimer: This is general information only, not legal, financial or professional advice. Requirements and deadlines may vary, so confirm with your utility providers, ServiceOntario, and your lender or insurer.

10/08/2026

10/06/2026

Get Up to $7,500 Back After Closing 💰 CMHC 25% Refund

Most buyers don't know they could be leaving free money on the table after closing. 🏡💸

If your mortgage is CMHC-insured, you could get 25% of your mortgage insurance premium refunded. On a $30,000 premium, that's $7,500 back in your pocket.

✅ How to qualify:
1️⃣ Your mortgage is insured by CMHC
2️⃣ You bought a newly built, energy-efficient home (ENERGY STAR, R-2000, Net Zero, or 20% better than a typical new home), OR you did $20,000+ in energy-efficient upgrades after buying (insulation, windows, roof, heat pump, HVAC, solar)
3️⃣ You apply within 2 years of your mortgage closing date

⏳ CMHC processing takes about 8–10 weeks, so don't wait.

💬 Comment "HOME" and I'll DM you the full step-by-step guide.
📲 Share this with a friend who just bought a home in Ottawa!

Shubham Duggal | Owning Ottawa
📞 613.332.8884 | 🌐 owningottawa.com
Eligibility is set by CMHC. Confirm with your lender.



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10/05/2026

$40K DOWN & YOU COULD OWN THIS OTTAWA TOWNHOUSE 🏡🔥

3-bed end-unit townhouse in Ottawa with great potential for first-time buyers and families. If you’ve been waiting for an affordable way to get into the Ottawa real estate market, this one deserves a look.

📩 DM “TOWNHOUSE” for details & showing information.

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10/01/2026

Renting in Ottawa at $2,449/month? A townhouse mortgage could cost about the same 👀

Here’s the real math for Ottawa first-time buyers in 2026:

🏢 Average 2-bed rent: $2,449/month
🏠 Condo mortgage: ~$2,006/month + condo fees
🏡 Townhouse mortgage: ~$2,479/month

The difference? One builds YOUR equity. The other builds your landlord’s.

If you’re renting in Ottawa and wondering whether buying your first home is possible, it may be closer than you think, especially with 5% down and 30-year amortization for first-time buyers.

💬 Comment “OWN” and I’ll send you a free rent vs buy breakdown for your budget.

📍 Serving first-time buyers in Orléans, Kanata, Barrhaven, Findlay Creek, Stittsville & across Ottawa.

Save this for later & share it with someone who’s tired of renting 🔑

Shubham Duggal, REALTOR® | Owning Ottawa
THE CANADIAN HOME REALTY INC., Brokerage. OwningOttawa

09/24/2026

Canada Post Is Ending Door-to-Door Mail Delivery: What Ottawa Home Buyers Need to Know 📬

Canada Post is ending door-to-door mail delivery, and most homeowners have no idea it's coming. About 4 million Canadian addresses are being switched to community mailboxes over the next five years, and parts of Ottawa are in the very first round.

What this means for you:
📦 You'll pick up your mail at a community mailbox, not your front door
📦 Registered mail and oversized parcels may mean a trip to the post office
📦 The mailbox location on your street can affect convenience, parking, and even snow clearing in winter

Buying a home in Ottawa, Kanata, Orléans, or Barrhaven? Before you make an offer, check whether the house has a personal mailbox or a community mailbox, and where that box is located.

Smart buyers check the small details first. 🏡

👉 Comment "TIPS" for more home buying tips like this, and share it with friends and family who are house hunting.

Shubham Duggal | REALTOR® | TheCanadianHomeRealty

09/23/2026

How a 2-Inch Fence Cost Neighbours Thousands 🚨

A family built a new backyard fence. Their neighbour claimed it was 2 inches over the property line. A land survey confirmed it. Next came a legal notice: tear down the ENTIRE fence and pay all legal fees. 💸

Here’s what most Ontario homeowners don’t know: you can’t “eyeball” your property line. Your legal boundary comes from a survey, not from where the old fence sat or what the previous owner told you.

Before you build a fence, deck, shed, or addition in Ottawa, check:
✅ Your property survey (ask your lawyer or realtor if you don’t have one)
✅ Where your lot lines and easements actually are
✅ City of Ottawa permit and bylaw requirements
✅ A conversation with your neighbour, in writing

👉 Comment “FENCE” and I’ll send you my free guide to checking your property line before you build anything.

📍 Buying, selling, or renovating in Ottawa, Kanata, Orléans, or Barrhaven? Save this before your next project and share it with a neighbour who needs it.

Shubham Duggal | Ottawa REALTOR® | Owning Ottawa

09/22/2026

3 Ottawa Neighbourhoods I’d Watch 🔥

👀 If I were buying in Ottawa right now, these are 3 areas I’d put on my watchlist.

Not because they’re “cheap.”
Because smart buyers should look at:
📍 Location
🏡 Property type
🚗 Commute
🏫 Amenities
📈 Resale demand
💰 Price-to-value

And here’s the important part:
The best neighbourhood for YOU depends on your budget and lifestyle.
A first-time buyer looking for a townhouse has completely different needs from a family looking for a detached home.

📩 DM “AREA”
Example: “AREA – $650K”
I’ll help you identify Ottawa areas worth exploring at your price point.

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