Shawn Henderson, Realtor

Call Website

Shawn Henderson, Realtor Helping You Make The Right Move.

📊 Ottawa Market Update: What’s happening beneath the headlines? 🏠June’s real estate stats are out, and while Ottawa rema...
07/06/2026

📊 Ottawa Market Update: What’s happening beneath the headlines? 🏠

June’s real estate stats are out, and while Ottawa remains fundamentally balanced, a clear "property-type divide" has emerged. Here is what you need to know:

🔑 For Buyers: You finally have some breathing room. Supply is up, bringing Ottawa to 3.3 months of inventory (up from 2.8 last June). More choice means less frantic pressure.

🏷️ For Sellers: Buyers are still out there—the sale-to-list price ratio held steady at 98.5%. However, with more listings on the market, pricing your home accurately from day one is absolutely critical to success.

🌆 The Suburban vs. Urban Divide: Location matters more than ever. Over 70% of all June sales happened in the suburbs (South, West, and East). While Ottawa Suburb West saw the fastest absorption and tightest inventory, Ottawa Centre saw slower sales and higher inventory than the city average.

The Bottom Line: Whether you're moving from downtown to the suburbs or looking to invest, you're navigating completely different micro-markets right now.

Curious about how these shifts impact your specific neighbourhood or property value? Drop a comment or send me a DM! 💬👇

Another hold from the Bank of Canada! 🛑📉Today, the Bank of Canada announced it is maintaining its policy interest rate a...
06/10/2026

Another hold from the Bank of Canada! 🛑📉

Today, the Bank of Canada announced it is maintaining its policy interest rate at 2.25%.

With global economic shifts, volatile bond yields, and ongoing trade conversations keeping everyone on their toes, the Governing Council has opted for stability this month. While inflation saw a slight bump to 2.8% in April due to energy costs, core inflation measures are still sitting comfortably around that 2% target.

What does this mean for the Ottawa housing market? 🤔👇

🏡 For Residential Buyers & Sellers:
Predictability is key. A steady rate gives buyers the confidence to budget precisely without fear of a sudden spike before closing. If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines for a clearer picture of the market, this hold signals a solid, stable window to make your move.

💼 For Real Estate Investors:
The Canadian economy is showing signs of excess supply, and GDP dipped slightly in Q1. For strategic investors, this means the competitive frenzy is manageable, and financing costs remain predictable. Keeping your numbers tight and watching local inventory will be your best play right now.

The next rate announcement isn’t until July 15th, which gives us a solid month of steady ground to navigate.

Whether you're looking to buy your first home, sell your current property, or add to your investment portfolio right here in Ottawa, let’s chat about how to position your next move! ☕️ DM me to chat.

05/06/2026

Ottawa Real Estate: More Choice, Less Chaos 🏡

The April stats are out from the Ottawa Real Estate Board, and the message for the spring market is clear: Balance is back.

We are seeing a significant shift in the landscape compared to the "frenzy" of previous years. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, here is what you need to know about the current state of Residential Resale in our city.

The Highlights
A Massive Influx of Options: New listings shot up by 19.3% this month, bringing our total active inventory to 4,535 units.

Market Equilibrium: With 3.4 months of inventory overall, we are firmly in balanced territory. Buyers finally have the breathing room to be selective, and sellers are seeing a more predictable (though competitive) environment.
Price Stability: The average sale price held steady at $712,184, a modest 0.8% increase year-over-year.
Pace of Play: Homes are taking a bit longer to move, with a median of 21 days on market, up from 18 days last April.

Where is the action?
Suburban markets remain the most stable, with the Western suburbs currently standing out as the strongest segment for consistent sales activity.
Meanwhile, the Apartment/Condo segment offers the most inventory, currently sitting at 4.9 months of supply.

💡 Fun Fact: The "Two-Storey" Tenure
While the market has seen its share of ups and downs, Ottawa's Two-Storey homes have been the "steady Eddie" of the bunch. According to the MLS Home Price Index, the benchmark price for two-storey properties has actually grown by 3.8% over the last three years, outperforming townhouses and apartments in long-term price resilience.

The Bottom Line: With interest rates holding steady and more homes to choose from, the "immediate risk" of missing out has eased. It's a great time to make a move based on logic and lifestyle rather than just speed.

Questions about how these numbers affect your specific neighbourhood or investment goals? Let’s connect!

Headline: Another Hold from the Bank of Canada—But is a "Summer Squeeze" Coming? 🏠🇨🇦No surprises this morning: The Bank ...
03/18/2026

Headline: Another Hold from the Bank of Canada—But is a "Summer Squeeze" Coming? 🏠🇨🇦

No surprises this morning: The Bank of Canada kept the key interest rate steady at 2.25%.

Great news for us in Ottawa, as I’m seeing a market that is trying to find its footing. While we have low inflation (1.8% in February) and a cooling job market, global events are throwing a wrench in the gears.

Governor Tiff Macklem called it a "dilemma": 📉 The Slowdown: Our economy is performing below forecasts and the job market is softening. 🔥 The Risk: War in the Middle East is driving up oil prices, which could push inflation back up in the coming months.

Details at: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/03/fad-press-release-2026-03-18/

What’s next for April 29 or June 10? The Bank says they are "looking through" the energy price spikes for now, but they won't hesitate to act if that inflation becomes "persistent." With the economy slowing, a rate hike would be a tough pill to swallow, but if global pressures keep mounting, the "hold" streak might be in jeopardy.

I want to hear from you: Given the rise in energy prices vs. the slowing Canadian economy, do you think we will see a rate increase before the summer hits?

👇 Let’s discuss in the comments!

Buy First or Sell First? 🏠 The 2026 Dilemma.It’s the #1 question I get from Ottawa homeowners. In a shifting market, th...
02/27/2026

Buy First or Sell First? 🏠 The 2026 Dilemma.

It’s the #1 question I get from Ottawa homeowners. In a shifting market, the "right" answer depends entirely on what you’re selling.

Is your home a "turn-key" townhome that everyone wants, or a unique property that needs a specific buyer? Understanding your saleability is the key to moving without the stress of two mortgages—or the fear of being homeless.

Why now is the "Move-Up" Sweet Spot in Ottawa: ✅ More inventory = More choice. ✅ Calm prices = Predictable budgets. ✅ No more bidding wars = Time to breathe.

I’ve broken down the risks, the rewards, and my "Ready-to-Launch" strategy in my latest blog post.

Read the full breakdown here: 👉 https://www.shawnhenderson.ca/blog/213/The+Age-Old+Real+Estate+Dilemma%3A+Sell+First%2C+or+Buy+First

Ottawa’s real estate market entered 2026 on balanced footing, but January’s numbers signal a clear shift that every loca...
02/06/2026

Ottawa’s real estate market entered 2026 on balanced footing, but January’s numbers signal a clear shift that every local homeowner and buyer should watch. But... 1 month does not make a trend.

📉 Market Indicators to Watch The data shows a market that is operating more evenly, but with indicators that suggest price softening may continue:
🏙️ Inventory Surge: Active listings have jumped 22.7% year-over-year to 2,673 units.
🎈Rising Days on Market: Homes are sitting longer, with the median days on market rising to 49 days (up from 42 last year).
🔻 Benchmark Dips: The composite benchmark price has already softened, down 1.9% from January 2025.

🏠 Advice for Sellers
💲 Price for Reality: With supply increasing and "accurate pricing and patience" being rewarded, overpricing now likely means sitting on the market while well-priced competition sells.
🤝 Anticipate Negotiations: The sale-to-list price ratio has dipped to 97.4%, meaning buyers are successfully negotiating below asking price.

🔑 Advice for Buyers
⚖️ Leverage the Choice: You now have 4.4 months of inventory to browse—the highest January level in years—giving you more leverage and less pressure.
% Watch the Interest Rates: While one month isn't a trend, rate reductions are starting to boost engagement. Use this pre-spring window to negotiate before demand potentially picks up.

The takeaway? Whether you’re selling or buying, success in 2026 will come down to watching these trends closely rather than relying on the "fast" market rules of the past. 🏘️✨

Details at: https://www.oreb.ca/newsroom/balanced-conditions-define-ottawas-housing-market-in-january/

Is a low-ball offer an insult or an opportunity? 🤔Many sellers want to "reject and ignore" an offer that comes in signif...
01/17/2026

Is a low-ball offer an insult or an opportunity? 🤔

Many sellers want to "reject and ignore" an offer that comes in significantly below asking. But in a shifting market, walking away too soon can be a costly mistake.

I just published a new guide on How to Handle Low-ball Offers like a pro.

We cover: ✅ Why the 30-day mark is a magnet for low offers. ✅ How to counter-offer without "splitting the difference." ✅ Using market data to keep the buyer at the table.

Selling your home is an investment—don't let emotions dictate the ROI.

Check out the full post here: https://www.shawnhenderson.ca/blog/198/How+To+Respond+to+a+Low-Ball+Offer

Ottawa Real Estate: 2025 Year in Review & What’s Next for 2026 🏠📈While December is rarely the month to look for new tren...
01/07/2026

Ottawa Real Estate: 2025 Year in Review & What’s Next for 2026 🏠📈

While December is rarely the month to look for new trends due to its seasonal quietness, the full 2025 data tells a powerful story of resilience and stability in the Ottawa market. Despite a cautious fall, Ottawa finished the year in a balanced state, driven by fundamentals rather than urgency.

2025 By The Numbers:
➡️ Total Sales: 13,449 units—up 1.3% over 2024.
➡️ Total Dollar Volume: $9.4 billion—a 4.1% increase year-over-year.
➡️ Average Residential Price: $700,349 (+2.8% YOY).

Market Balance: Inventory averaged 3.2 months for the year, showing a stable, healthy environment.

Segment Highlights:
➡️ Single-Family Detached: This remains the powerhouse of the Ottawa market, with an average price of $855,863, up 3.6% from 2024.
➡️ Townhomes: A high-volume segment with an average price of $563,290.
➡️ Condos/Apartments: This segment faced more supply pressure, finishing December with 7.9 months of inventory—offering significant leverage for buyers and investors.

Looking Ahead to 2026: We expect the new year to continue this theme of stability. While we may see "modest ups and downs," interest rate relief is supporting buyer confidence. The market is moving toward a more predictable environment where pricing and property preparation are the keys to success for sellers.

The Bottom Line for Your 2026 Plans: Whether you are looking for your next residential resale home or looking to grow your investment portfolio, the current balance in the market provides a strategic window to plan your next move without the frenetic pressure of previous years.

Curious about how your specific neighbourhood performed or what these annual trends mean for your 2026 goals? Let’s connect and walk through the numbers together.

Address

610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S4E6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+16138982901

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shawn Henderson, Realtor posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category