Preparing for Military Posting Season in Ottawa
Every spring is an important time in Ottawa real estate as military posting season begins. Helping Canadian Armed Forces families relocate into and out of Ottawa has been a major focus of our team for many years. Between my partner Colin and I, we’ve completed hundreds of House Hunting Trips (HHTs), and we’re getting ready for what looks like another busy spring.
The good news for military buyers this year is that there should be more inventory available. Over the past few years it was extremely challenging to find enough homes to view during an HHT. This spring feels different, with more sellers preparing their homes for the market and more options expected through April and May.
Creating More Options for Military Buyers
One thing our team has worked hard on over the past few years is finding off-market opportunities for our military clients.
Each year we send thousands of letters to homeowners in neighbourhoods where military families commonly buy. The goal is to connect with sellers who may be open to selling but don’t necessarily want to list on MLS.
This approach has allowed us to match several incoming military families with homes that were never publicly listed. It gives our clients a few additional options during their HHT and can sometimes help avoid competing offers in a busy market.
We also work with homeowners who are planning to list later in the spring but are open to showing their home privately to military buyers first. If the right buyer comes along, it can create a win-win for everyone involved.
Planning Your House Hunting Trip
One question we often get is whether it’s better to sell your home first or buy first.
In many cases, selling first makes the process easier. When your home is already sold firm, you know exactly what your budget looks like and you can focus entirely on finding the right property in Ottawa. It also avoids situations where sellers here are hesitant to accept offers that are conditional on a home sale in another city.
Looking Ahead to a Busy Spring
We’re already starting to receive calls from members preparing for their posting messages, and most HHTs will likely take place from early April through May.
With more inventory expected and some additional off-market opportunities available, we’re optimistic that military buyers will have good options this year.
If you have a posting to Ottawa coming up or want to learn more about our military relocation programs, feel free to reach out anytime. We’re always happy to help make the transition to Ottawa as smooth as possible.
