Ottawa First Time Home Buyer Guide · 2026
Straight answers on down payments, FHSA, closing costs, and which Ottawa neighbourhood actually fits your life — from two REALTORs® who've helped hundreds of Ottawa first-time buyers.
Free guides
Written for Ottawa first-time buyers — not recycled national content. Real numbers, real neighbourhoods, real answers.
Guide 01
How much you actually need, what the minimum is, and how to stack FHSA + RRSP to get there faster.
Read the guide →Guide 02
The costs most first-time buyers don't see coming — land transfer tax, legal fees, and what to budget on top of your down payment.
Read the guide →Guide 03
How to use Ottawa's most powerful first-time buyer tools — and the order that saves you the most money.
Read the guide →Guide 04
Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, Riverside South — broken down by budget, commute, and lifestyle.
Explore areas →The numbers
Federal programs have never been more generous. Here's what's available to you right now.
FHSA — First Home Savings Account
$40,000
Lifetime contribution limit. $8,000/year. Tax-deductible contributions, tax-free withdrawals. No repayment required. The most powerful first-home savings tool Canada has ever had.
RRSP Home Buyers' Plan
$60,000
Per person. $120,000 for a couple. Withdraw tax-free from your RRSP for your down payment. Repay over 15 years. Stack with FHSA for maximum impact.
Ontario Land Transfer Tax Rebate
$4,000
First-time buyers in Ontario get a rebate of up to $4,000 on land transfer tax. Applied at closing by your lawyer — not something you claim later.
First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit
$1,500
Federal non-refundable tax credit worth up to $1,500. Claimed on your tax return in the year you purchase. Simple and automatic — don't miss it.
The process
Most first-time buyers jump to listings before they're ready. Here's the right sequence.
Before anything else
Contribution room only starts accumulating after the account is opened. Even opening it with $1 now can add $8,000–$16,000 of room you'd otherwise miss.
Know your number
Not pre-qualified. Pre-approved. It locks your rate for 90–120 days, tells you your real budget, and makes sellers take you seriously.
Pick your area
Ottawa has 18+ suburbs. The right one depends on your commute, your budget, and how you want to live — not which one your friends bought in.
The search
Now you're ready to look. With a pre-approval, a REALTOR® who knows the area, and your must-have list locked in — you can move fast when the right one appears.
Closing day
Inspection, offer, lawyer, closing. Your REALTOR® coordinates everything. You show up for the keys.
Why work with us
"The most common mistake I see first-time buyers make is starting with listings before they know their real budget and what they qualify for. Get the pre-approval first. Everything else gets easier after that."
Dwayne Desveaux
Ottawa REALTOR® · eXp Realty
Book a free first-time buyer call →What Ottawa buyers say
"As first-time buyers, any worry we had was put to rest by Mallory's professionalism and resourcefulness. She helped us buy from across the country in a quick timeframe and made it completely stress-free."
Chris G. · Ottawa · First-time buyer
"Dwayne answered all our questions and pointed us in the right direction from day one. He and Mallory really are the ideal duo — we found the perfect place for our family within our timeframe."
Sebastien M. · Ottawa
"Mallory went above and beyond to help me secure my dream home, negotiating to save me a substantial amount. Her professionalism and deep knowledge of the Ottawa market made the whole experience exceptional."
Nathan N. · Ottawa
Book a free first-time buyer call — no pressure, no obligation. We'll walk you through exactly what you qualify for and what to do first.
Book a free call with Dwayne & Mallory