May continued the spring market’s upward trend, with a strong jump in both sales and new listings compared to April. While activity is still slightly below long-term averages, the year-over-year gains point to renewed buyer and seller confidence across Ottawa. More homes are hitting the market, and while prices are moving at different paces depending on property type, overall conditions suggest a more balanced landscape. Let’s take a closer look at how inventory and home prices shaped up in May 2025.
May 2025 at a Glance
Inventory Levels in May 2025
In May 2025, the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) saw 1,807 residential properties sold across the Ottawa real estate market. This represents a 33.1% increase compared to last month and a 14.9% increase from May 2024. Sales remained 2.5% below the five-year average. Due to OREB’s transition to the PropTx platform, OREB is unable to provide 10-year average data.
May saw 3,430 new listings (+8.7%), 15.8% above the five-year average. There were 4,347 active listings (+13.5%), 54.2% above the five-year average.
This tells us how much inventory is coming to market and how much is still available, which helps gauge overall market supply levels.
Home Prices in May 2025
The benchmark price represents the value of a typical home in a given category. The benchmark price for all property types across the Ottawa MLS® system was $629,800 (+0.8%). Breaking it down by property type:
- Single-Family Homes: $700,000 (+0.6%)
- Townhomes:* $446,900 (+3.4%)
- Apartments: $404,700 (-3.6%)
The average sale price for all homes sold in May was $728,623 (+4.8%). While this figure can vary from month to month, it offers a helpful snapshot of overall price trends and long-term market movement.
*Note: The townhome benchmark price includes condos and freeholds.
All in all, May 2025 reflected a market that’s gaining traction. Rising inventory means buyers have more choice, while steady price movement across most categories shows that the spring market still has room to run. Whether you’re actively making a move or simply watching how things unfold, I’m here to help you navigate what the numbers mean for your next step.
