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HOUSE HUNTING TRIPS – 2021 – WHERE TO BUY A HOME IN OTTAWA

Posted on: January 4th, 2021 by Chris Scott

Every year the Chris Scott Team helps as many CAF members as we can, with their relocation into or out of Ottawa. My name is Colin and I am part of the Chris Scott Team, I have personally helped many buyers with their military relocations.  Military relocations are a huge focus for us, and a part of our business that we all thoroughly enjoy. Based on recent moves and current trends, these are my Top 5 areas for members to check out in 2021:

 

Fairwinds, Stittsville (west)- Affectionately known as CFB Fairwinds, this is a neighbourhood that our relocation clients continue to flock to! A newer community that has a focus on family living, Fairwinds is a popular choice for military moves. It offers homes from several well-known builders that come in an array of sizes, styles, and prices across the neighbourhood- which makes for a great selection of homes when you are moving in, and a large pool of Buyers when you are promoted to another city. The west end of Ottawa has remerged as a hotspot for cutting-edge tech industries, in addition to the recent opening of the National Defence Headquarters on Carling Ave.

 

 

Hunt Club Woods (central/south)- One of my favourite areas in Ottawa. Phenomenal access to highways in all directions, downtown in 20-25 minutes, and well- established neighbourhoods. Walk scores are sometimes a little low, yet there are several major shopping hubs within a short drive or bus ride. There is a hearty sense of community from many long-term homeowners, and more recently a new generation of families with young children.

 

Riverside South (south)- An area that is still developing, Riverside South has a lot to offer for some Buyers. Many homes and subdivisions are quite new, in an area that shows strong potential for growth over the next few years. Many homes are move-in ready and may not need any big-ticket upgrades before your next posting. Ideal for members working at CFS Leitrim, or those who do not have a daily commute to downtown. It has the same great access to major routes as Hunt Club, yet in the newer areas there are still some amenities that are lagging a bit behind the pace of home construction. The good news is that they are coming, along with future stages of the OC Transpo Light Rail System, so there are many reasons to expect value to continue increasing.

 

Avalon/Fallingbrook, Orleans (east)- For those looking for some relief on purchase price, the east end can sometimes be the answer. There are many similar neighbourhoods as in Kanata and Stittsville- yet without a home for Tech and DND, the longer commute has historically helped to temper the average sale price. With an increasingly gig-focused economy, Covid-19, Stage 1 of the LRT at Blair Station in Gloucester (with more track coming soon heading east), and new subdivisions under construction every day, Orleans has become a popular place for incoming members in this competitive market.

 

Kemptville/Carleton Place/Arnprior (south/west surrounding towns and cities)- With home prices consistently on the rise, and many members relocating from smaller markets, these outlying communities are often go-to areas to shop in during our HHTs. Distance to Ottawa means that property values are generally lower than in the city, although these areas are growing closer and closer to Ottawa every year, as new Industry and home prices drive Buyers away from the downtown core. These areas can also offer a bit of greenspace for Buyers who are giving up large lots in rural towns to move to Ottawa. There can be less competition from other Buyers, yet resale opportunity can also be a factor at the end of a posting.

 

Wherever you are most comfortable looking for a home in Ottawa, the Chris Scott Team has the knowledge and experience to help with your relocation- before, during, and after your HHT. Our mission is to turn every client into a Raving Fan!

This blog post was a contribution by our team member Colin.

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