Wendy Lepore Real Estate

08/17/2026

When people decide to buy a home together, it's easy to assume they're both searching for the same thing. In my experience, that's rarely the case.

One person may picture a quiet neighbourhood with little maintenance while the other is dreaming about a character home with a large backyard where they can host friends and neighbours. Or one may be prioritizing a short commute while the other is thinking about being closer to family further from the downtown core. None of these preferences are right or wrong. They simply reflect different ideas of what "home" means.

Sitting down and making a list of your needs, priorities (which sometimes means negotiating!) and expectations has a tremendous impact on your search. Not only does it help each of you understand what you're looking for in your next home, it gives you confidence when it's time to make decisions.

If you're buying with a spouse, partner, family member or friend, it's also important to speak with a real estate lawyer about ownership options, such as joint tenancy and tenants in common. They can advise you about other legal considerations too, including whether your wills reflect your new ownership arrangement.

There is much to consider when buying a home. Having these conversations early helps make the search more productive—and often much more enjoyable. 🦜

08/08/2026

I was encouraged by Ottawa's July housing numbers, which showed the usual summer slowdown wasn't quite as slow as usual.

Sales typically drop off a little at the end of June, when school lets out and families begin their summer holidays. This year, though, the drop was considerably less than is typical between June and July. At the same time, fewer new listings came onto the market and the number of active listings declined from June. None of that suggests a suddenly hot market, but it does suggest a market holding its own surprisingly well through the summer.

What's becoming increasingly clear, though, is how much the experience differs depending on what and where you're buying or selling. Single-family homes continue to be the steadiest part of the market, while apartment-style condos remain considerably softer. And geographically, Ottawa's suburban markets are generally seeing stronger demand than in the central core.

That's why I'm becoming increasingly wary of broad statements about "the Ottawa market." A balanced market overall can still feel quite different depending on the neighbourhood, price range and type of home involved.

There was also some welcome economic news this week, with stronger-than-expected Canadian employment numbers. Along with a steadier economic outlook and stable interest rates, perhaps there are a few reasons for some cautious optimism as we look toward the fall. 🦜

08/01/2026

An armful of beauties gathered in from the garden before the rain arrives again. The last image is very cool -- and I have no idea how I achieved it! 😁🦜

08/01/2026

Sellers are often surprised by how differently buyers see their home.

To a seller, a home's value is shaped by what they paid for it, what they've invested in it, and how much they'll need to buy their next home.

My work with buyers, however, has taught me how differently they see things.

Before buyers study a single photo or book a showing, they've usually already seen the asking price. That price begins shaping their expectations immediately. The higher the price, the higher those expectations become.

If you're selling your home, it helps to understand that buyers aren't thinking about what you spent on new windows five years ago or how much you invested in renovating the ensuite to suit your tastes. When they ask how old the roof or furnace is, buyers aren't interested in how much it cost you to replace either one. They just want to know whether they'll be facing that expense themselves in the near future. And the one thing they really don't care about? How much money you need to buy your next home.

Instead, buyers are comparing your home with others offering similar features at the same price point. As they do, they're asking one simple question:

"Does this home represent good value?"

Balancing those differing perspectives is why pricing a home isn't always as straightforward as sellers might expect. When I recommend a listing price, I'm factoring in buyers' thinking and expectations, while also trying to help my sellers achieve the best possible price for their home. If the asking price is higher than comparable homes, many buyers will simply move on to the next listing and come back later—if they come back at all.

Starting with the right asking price gives your home the best chance of earning—and keeping—buyers' attention. 🦜

07/28/2026

If you haven’t given for awhile …or ever … please consider doing so soon.

07/26/2026

When clients buy or sell a home, it usually means making decisions without knowing how things might have turned out had they chosen a different path.

That's why I think thoughtful advice matters so much.

There are times when moving quickly is either necessary or simply the right decision. But there are other times when making a few repairs or strategic improvements, or choosing a different time to come to market, can make a meaningful difference.

I see my role as offering the advice I genuinely believe will best serve my client's needs, goals, and current situation. Ultimately, every decision belongs to my client, but I am always grateful when a client hears me out before deciding which path feels right for them.

At the heart of that willingness to listen is trust. For me, it's the foundation of every client relationship. I'm truly grateful Sherryl placed her confidence in me and took the time to share these kind words. Thank you Sherryl. 🦜

07/18/2026

You know the saying, "You don't just marry the person; you marry their entire family?"

Well, buying a home is a little like that.

A showing can tell you a great deal about a home. It can reveal the layout, the condition, and whether the space meets your needs and feels right for you. What it can't do is show you the daily realities of life beyond the front door.

I learned that lesson the hard way, before I became a REALTOR®.

I was so focused on finding the right home I gave very little thought to its exact location. I loved the neighbourhood and was thrilled to be moving there, so I assumed that was enough.

After I moved in, I discovered that where a home sits within a neighbourhood can make a tremendous difference. Mine was on a busy corner beside a bus stop. Traffic noise meant the windows stayed closed for much of the year, and people regularly cut across my front lawn as a shortcut around the corner. Although I lived in a popular neighbourhood, I never really felt part of it because my home sat on the edge of its commercial area rather than among the quieter residential streets.

It's a lesson I've never forgotten.

If you're buying a home, spend a little time getting to know the surrounding area before making an offer. Visit at different times of day and walk a few of the nearby streets. Notice the traffic, the noise, the nearby parks and shops, and how people move around the neighbourhood. A street can feel very different on a quiet Sunday morning than it does during the weekday rush hour or on a Friday evening.

Finding a home that meets your needs is important. But there's a reason the old saying "location, location, location" has stood the test of time. 🦜

Helping buyers and sellers navigate Ottawa real estate since 2005. Thoughtful, experienced guidance for one of life's most important financial and personal decisions.

07/15/2026

Such an important message. If you're able to donate, please consider doing so—and please share this message.

Blood donors are needed now. With high demand for all blood types, every donation helps.

Book an appointment at https://bit.ly/3TAWhgE.

07/14/2026

Every quarter, reports like this provide a useful snapshot of what's happening across Canada.

They're worth reading—but they're only part of the picture.

One theme I keep seeing is that buyers haven't disappeared—they've simply become more deliberate.

Real estate is always local. What's happening nationally doesn't always reflect what's happening here in Ottawa, or even from one neighbourhood to the next.

That's one of the reasons I encourage people to use market reports as context rather than conclusions.

If you're planning a move in the coming months, the numbers matter. But so do your goals, your timing, and what's happening in your own corner of the market.

This latest Royal LePage forecast is a thoughtful overview of where the Canadian housing market stands today. If you're interested, it's well worth a read.

Better late than never: Canada’s delayed spring housing market could set the stage for a more active second half of the yearMarket momentum carrying into warmer months, though interest rate uncertainty and evolving trade talks continue to weigh on consumer confidenceSecond quarter highlights: In t...

07/08/2026

More choice hasn't stopped buyers from buying. It's simply made them more selective.

That's one of the things that stood out to me as I looked through June's market statistics. Buyers are taking a little longer to compare homes and weigh their options, but they haven't disappeared from the market.

One statistic really stood out to me this month. Despite higher inventory, homes are still selling for an average of just 1.5% below the asking price.

This suggests buyers aren't making low offers simply because there are more homes to choose from. When they find a home they believe represents good value, they're still willing to pay close to asking.

For sellers, I think that's an encouraging reminder that buyers are still out there. But it also means they're comparing homes more carefully than they did a few years ago. If a home isn't attracting the interest you'd expected, it's worth stepping back and asking why. Sometimes the answer is price. Sometimes it's condition, location, layout, or simply stronger competition. 🦜