We’re excited to welcome Vladimir Davidov to the TRU Realty team!

Vladimir brings a unique and practical perspective to real estate, drawing from years of experience as a licensed master electrician in Ottawa. Having worked extensively in residential construction and renovation, he has a keen eye for the structural and mechanical details that truly make a house a home. His background gives him an edge when helping clients understand the value and potential of a property.

Now transitioning to a full-time Realtor role, Vladimir chose TRU Realty because of our supportive management, strong values, and commitment to professionalism. Our culture of collaboration and efficiency aligned perfectly with his goals as he begins this new chapter.

At TRU, Vladimir is dedicated to guiding clients through every step of the buying or selling process with confidence, clarity, and care. Whether you're purchasing your first home or looking for expert insights into a potential investment, you’ll be in good hands with Vladimir.

Please join us in giving him a warm welcome—we’re proud to have him as part of the TRU team!

The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totalled 1,807 units in May 2025. This represented a 33.1% increase from the previous month, but a more modest 14.9% increase from May 2024 and 2.5% above the five-year average.*

“Year-to-date home sales activity remains in line with 2024; however, the 33.1% surge over April 2025 suggests we’re experiencing a delayed spring market,” says the OREB President. “April’s federal election took up real estate in consumers’ minds. Now, we’re seeing a shift in the marketplace, with active listings on the rise and months of inventory holding steady. Buyers appear to be gaining confidence, re-entering the market and transacting. For sellers, however, rising inventory means that competitive pricing and strong presentation are more critical than ever.”

“Compared to markets like Toronto or Vancouver, which are seeing signs of stagnation, Ottawa is holding steady,” adds the OREB President. “Buyers and sellers are still able to transact fairly, with sale prices remaining close to list, even amid broader economic uncertainty. And the Bank of Canada’s recent decision to hold the key interest rate steady may spur more activity, as buyers grow more confident they’re not missing out on further downward movement.”

By the Numbers – Prices:

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.

• The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $629,800 in May 2025; a 0.8% rise compared to May 2024.

  • The benchmark price for single-family homes was $700,000, up 0.6% year-over-year in May.

  • By comparison, the benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit** was $446,900, an increase of 3.4% from 2024.

  • The benchmark apartment price was $404,700, a 3.6% decline from the previous year.

• The average price of homes sold in May 2025 was $728,623, a 4.8% increase from May 2024.

• The total dollar volume of all home sales in May 2025 amounted to $1.316 billion, a 20.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

By the Numbers – Inventory and New Listings:

• The number of new listings increased by 8.7% compared to May 2024, with 3,430 new residential properties added to the market. New listings were 15.8% above the five-year average.

• Active residential listings totalled 4,347 units at the end of May 2025, reflecting a 13.5% surge from May 2024. Active listings were 54.2% above the five-year average.

• Months of inventory remained steady at 2.4 in May 2025, unchanged from the same period last year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

We’re excited to welcome Amit Kumar to the TRU Realty team!

Amit’s real estate journey began in 2021 with the purchase of his first home — a milestone that sparked a passion for helping others achieve the same dream. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to guiding buyers and sellers through some of the biggest decisions of their lives, always with empathy, integrity, and personalised service.

As a first-generation immigrant, Amit brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges many first-time home buyers face, especially those navigating the process in a new country. His ability to connect with clients on a personal level and his commitment to community, including charitable work with organisations like United Way and CHEO, make him a fantastic addition to our team.

Amit was referred to TRU Realty by one of our agents, and he chose to join us because of our commission plan, value, team culture, and flexibility — the very principles that define our brokerage.

Please join us in welcoming Amit to TRU Realty. We’re proud to have him on board!

📍 Ottawa-based
📩 Ready to connect? Reach out to Amit and experience the TRU difference.

We’re thrilled to announce that Emily Witzman has joined the TRU Realty team! Emily is a passionate and dedicated real estate agent who brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for quality craftsmanship to every transaction.

With a background working in the warranty, sales, and contract departments of some of the biggest industrial and new home construction companies, Emily knows how to spot quality design and ensure her clients make informed decisions. She’s committed to finding homes that truly fit her clients’ needs, whether they’re first-time buyers, growing families, or seasoned investors.

Emily’s journey into real estate has already been marked by success. In just the first six months of her career, she helped six happy clients find their new homes and guided her first sellers to a successful sale in under 30 days. Her commitment to honesty, clear communication, and stress-free transactions makes her a perfect fit for TRU Realty’s values.

As a mom of two young boys, Emily understands the importance of finding a home that works for every stage of life. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, you can count on her to be there every step of the way with care and expertise.

Emily chose TRU Realty because of our flexibility, value, and supportive management—and we couldn’t be happier to have her on board. Welcome, Emily! We’re so glad you’re part of the TRU family.

We’re excited to welcome Vamsi Pulagam to the TRU Realty team! 🎉

As an experienced Realtor and property investor in the Ottawa area, Vamsi brings a deep understanding of the local real estate market. His expertise spans buying, selling, and leasing residential properties, making him a valuable resource for homeowners, investors, landlords, and tenants alike.

With a strong focus on personalized service and maximizing value, Vamsi is committed to guiding clients through smooth and successful real estate transactions. His in-depth knowledge of Ottawa’s neighbourhoods, market trends, and investment opportunities ensures that his clients receive expert advice tailored to their needs.

When asked why he chose TRU Realty, Vamsi highlighted our Management, Commission Plan, Value, and Flexibility—all key factors that align with his commitment to delivering top-notch service.

Please join us in welcoming Vamsi to the TRU Realty family! If you’re looking to buy, sell, or lease a property in Ottawa, connect with him today.

TRU Realty is excited to welcome James Laniyan to our growing team! Since joining the Ottawa Real Estate Board in 2004, James has been a full-time, active Realtor serving Ottawa and the surrounding areas with professionalism and dedication.

James brings a unique and varied background to his work, holding a master’s degree in architecture and communications in computing from the UK. With deep experience as a real estate investor, residential income property owner, and manager, James understands the market from multiple angles, making him an invaluable resource to his clients. His trustworthy, reliable, and client-focused approach has made him a respected figure in the industry, helping buyers, sellers, and renters make confident decisions across Ottawa’s dynamic residential real estate landscape.

James and his family have called Ottawa home for nearly two decades, but he maintains close ties to both England, his birthplace, and Nigeria, his country of origin. Recently, he also celebrated the arrival of his first grandchild, bringing another meaningful dimension to his role as a family-oriented, community-driven Realtor.

At TRU Realty, we’re proud to have a Realtor of James’s caliber on board, drawn by our commitment to management support and exceptional value for our team. His nearly 20 years of real estate expertise, combined with his compassionate, client-centered service, perfectly align with TRU Realty’s mission.

Please join us in welcoming James to TRU Realty! We’re excited to see him continue his outstanding work and help clients reach their real estate goals with ease and confidence.

We are thrilled to announce that Itai Olej has joined TRU Realty, bringing with him a wealth of experience, skill, and dedication to the Ottawa real estate community. With a career that began in real estate investing, Itai mastered the art of property renovation and rental revenue creation before earning his REALTOR® license in late 2011. Since then, he has developed a reputation as a powerful advocate for his clients.

A Master Certified Negotiation Expert and Accredited Buyer Representative, Itai’s expertise in negotiation has helped him guide his clients through tough markets with impressive results. Known for his integrity, honesty, and patience, he is a trusted ally for those seeking both exceptional deals and sophisticated real estate strategies. Itai’s track record includes recent achievements such as his recognition in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and his membership in the Platinum Club in both 2019 and 2020, along with his recent broker’s license.

Itai moved to Ottawa in 2006, where he and his wife, Nathali, are raising their two young daughters, Alma and Maia. Joining TRU Realty felt like a natural step for him due to our support, value, and flexibility. He looks forward to building new relationships within the Ottawa community and helping clients find the perfect place to call home or make their next investment.

Please join us in welcoming Itai Olej to the TRU Realty team!

The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totalled 1,047 units in September 2024. This was an 11.4% increase from September 2023.

Home sales were 17.4% below the five-year average and 15.4% below the 10-year average for the month of September.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totalled 10,485 units in September 2024 — an increase of 6.4% from the same period in 2023.

“As we navigate a shifting housing market, Ottawa’s fall outlook is healthy,” says the OREB President. “Activity is robust with an uptick in sales and prices remaining steady. Meanwhile, both buyers and sellers are rethinking their purchasing power amidst news about additional interest rate cuts on the horizon, longer amortizations, and increased price caps for insured mortgages."

“There have been encouraging policy developments recently that will stimulate demand. But Ottawa’s market does not typically have demand problems — we have chronic supply issues. We’re not building enough homes in the city, and we’re not building enough of the right homes to address the ‘missing middle.’”

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently reported that Ottawa's “population-adjusted construction is at its lowest level in nearly 10 years.” A City of Ottawa progress report shows that Ottawa is only at 22 per cent of its annual housing target at the end of August.

By the Numbers – Prices:

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.

• The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $642,800 in September 2024, an increase of 0.2% from September 2023.

  • The benchmark price for single-family homes was $729,000, up 0.5% on a year-over-year basis in September.

  • By comparison, the benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit was $500,000, down 1.7% compared to a year earlier.

  • The benchmark apartment price was $414,200, down 1.3% from year-ago levels.

• The average price of homes sold in September 2024 was $685,551 increasing 1.4% from September 2023. The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $679,082, increasing by 0.9% from September 2023.

• The dollar volume of all home sales in September 2024 was $717.7 million, up 12.9% from September 2023.

OREB cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Prices will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

By the Numbers – Inventory and New Listings:

• The number of new listings saw an increase of 3.9% from September 2023. There were 2,343 new residential listings in September 2024. New listings were 4.7% above the five-year average and 11.6% above the 10-year average for the month of September.

• Active residential listings numbered 3,529 units on the market at the end of September 2024, a gain of 16.9% from September 2023. Active listings were 43.3% above the five-year average and 4.6% above the 10-year average for the month of September.

• Months of inventory numbered 3.4 at the end of September 2024, up from 3.2 in September 2023. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totalled 1,100 units in August 2024. This was a 10.2% increase from August 2023.

Home sales were 11.4% below the five-year average and 14.1% below the 10-year average for the month of August.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totalled 9,444 units in August 2024 — an increase of 6.0% from the same period in 2023.

“Being a seasonal market, it’s very encouraging to see sustained levels of activity throughout the whole summer,” says the OREB President-elect. “And coupled with a third consecutive interest rate drop from the Bank of Canada, we are anticipating a heated market in the fall.”

“REALTORS® know firsthand how affordability remains a top concern for most buyers. With a stream of new listings hitting the market and prices holding steady, buyers are not moving with urgency. They are still using caution and taking their time to find the right property for their needs and budget. As such, sellers need to be patient and work with a REALTOR® who can use the latest neighbourhood-level data and insights to properly price their property and build a selling strategy.”

By the Numbers – Prices:

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.

• The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $646,000 in August 2024, a decrease of 0.3% from August 2023.

  • The benchmark price for single-family homes was $732,500, down 0.3% on a year-over-year basis in August.

  • By comparison, the benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit was $502,200, up 0.3% compared to a year earlier.

  • The benchmark apartment price was $416,800, down 1.2% from year-ago levels.

• The average price of homes sold in August 2024 was $660,341 increasing 0.3% from August 2023. The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $678,327, increasing by 0.9% from August 2023.

• The dollar volume of all home sales in August 2024 was $726.3 million, up 10.5% from August 2023.

OREB cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Prices will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

By the Numbers – Inventory and New Listings:

• The number of new listings saw an increase of 0.2% from August 2023. There were 1,907 new residential listings in August 2024. New listings were 0.2% above the five-year average and 0.9% above the 10-year average for the month of August.

• Active residential listings numbered 3,324 units on the market at the end of August 2024, a gain of 25.8% from August 2023. Active listings were 46.5% above the five-year average and 1.3% below the 10-year average for the month of August.

• Months of inventory numbered 3.0 at the end of August 2024, up from 2.6 in August 2023. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totalled 1,439 units in June 2024. This was a marginal increase of 0.1% from June 2023.

Home sales were 7.5% below the five-year average and 13.2% below the 10-year average for the month of June.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totalled 7,109 units over the first half of the year — an increase of 4.2% from the same period in 2023.

“Ottawa continues to see steady activity as we head into the summer market,” says the OREB President. “Unlike recent years, buyers have more room to wait, evaluate and be selective when searching for the right property at the right price, leading to a slight uptick in the days on market. Sellers are making moves as evidenced by the inventory and listings. After recovering from last year’s slowdown, Ottawa’s market performance is nearly back on par and continues to make gains.”

“It’s going to be an interesting summer and the next half of the year. As confidence builds, there will be ample opportunities for both parties. Now is the time for sellers to ensure their property is at its best and priced appropriately to attract buyers who remain slightly reluctant. Buyers would do well to remember that inventory levels — and competition — can swing quickly in Ottawa’s tight market.”

By the Numbers – Prices:

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.

• The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $647,700 in June 2024, a decrease of 0.5% from June 2023.

  • The benchmark price for single-family homes was $734,300, down 0.2% on a year-over-year basis in June.

  • By comparison, the benchmark price for a townhouse/row unit was $501,500, down 1.6% compared to a year earlier.

  • The benchmark apartment price was $420,800, down 1.7% from year-ago levels.

• The average price of homes sold in June 2024 was $686,535 increasing 0.5% from June 2023. The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $681,345, increasing by 1.6% from the first six months of 2023.

• The dollar volume of all home sales in June 2024 was $987.9 million, up 0.7% from the same month in 2023.

OREB cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Prices will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

By the Numbers – Inventory and New Listings:

• The number of new listings saw an increase of 4.7% from June 2023. There were 2,469 new residential listings in June 2024. New listings were 0.8% below the five-year average and 1% below the 10-year average for the month of June

• Active residential listings numbered 3,585 units on the market at the end of June 2024, a gain of 45.5% from June 2023. Active listings were 57.8% above the five-year average and 1.9% below the 10-year average for the month of June.

• Months of inventory numbered 2.5 at the end of June 2024, up from 1.7 in June 2023. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

We are thrilled to announce that a new Realtor has joined our dynamic team at TRU Realty. Please join us in welcoming Mustafa Vurgun to the TRU Realty family!

#### About Mustafa Vurgun

Mustafa Vurgun brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping clients achieve their real estate goals.

- Specialization: Residential

- Notable Achievements: Mechanical Engineering Degree

- Languages: English, Turkish

- Professional Associations: Ottawa Real Estate board, Ontario Real Estate Association, Canadian Real Estate Association

#### Why Mustafa Vurgun Chose TRU Realty

When asked why he chose to join TRU Realty, Mustafa shared, "The good reputation of management, the professionalism of the Realtors and the value!"

#### What This Means for Our Clients

With Mustafa Vurgun on board, our clients can expect even more personalized service and expert guidance. He is committed to upholding TRU Realty's standard of professionalism and excellence, ensuring that every transaction is smooth and successful.

#### A Message from Our Founder

Our founder, Kevin Saunders, expressed excitement about the new addition to the team: "We are delighted to welcome Mustafa Vurgun to TRU Realty. He embodies the professionalism and dedication that we value so highly. I am confident that our clients will greatly benefit from his expertise and enthusiasm."

#### Get in Touch

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in Ottawa, Mustafa Vurgun is ready to assist you with all your real estate needs. Contact him today to experience the TRU Realty difference.

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At TRU Realty, we are dedicated to defining professionalism in real estate, and our growing team of talented Realtors is a testament to that commitment. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting news from TRU Realty!

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to the TRU Realty family, John Steele! With over 14 years of experience in the real estate industry, John brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a proven track record of success to our team.

Throughout his career, John has been dedicated to helping clients achieve their real estate goals in the Ottawa area. His commitment to excellence and professionalism has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor among his clients and peers alike.

What sets John apart is not just his extensive experience, but his dedication to providing exceptional service and going above and beyond for his clients. Whether it's navigating the complexities of buying or selling a home, John's clients can trust that they are in capable hands every step of the way.

When it came time for John to choose a brokerage that aligned with his values and goals, TRU Realty stood out as the clear choice. Our management team's commitment to supporting our agents and providing a competitive commission plan made joining TRU Realty an easy decision for John.

As part of the TRU Realty family, John will continue to uphold our commitment to professionalism, integrity, and excellence in everything he does. We are confident that his addition will further strengthen our team and enhance the exceptional service we provide to our clients.

Please join us in welcoming John Steele to TRU Realty! We are excited to see the incredible contributions he will make to our brokerage and the continued success he will achieve with us.

Stay tuned for more updates and exciting news from TRU Realty!