Understanding the Ottawa Valley real estate market means going beyond national headlines. I put together these quarterly reports using local Renfrew County Board data to give buyers, sellers, and investors a clear, honest picture of what is actually happening in our market — by neighbourhood, by property type, and by season.
Latest Report
Spring 2026 Ottawa Valley Real Estate Report
Q1–Q2 2026 | Covering Pembroke, Petawawa, Renfrew, Eganville & surrounding communities
Spring 2026 Market Summary
The Ottawa Valley real estate market entered 2026 with cautious optimism following a period of interest rate adjustments in late 2024 and 2025. While national markets have shown variability, the Ottawa Valley has demonstrated characteristic resilience — sustained by its unique combination of military community demand, healthcare and government employment, and growing interest from remote workers and retirees from Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area.
Spring 2026 brought a moderate increase in inventory compared to the same period in 2025, which has created more balanced conditions for both buyers and sellers. Well-priced, move-in-ready properties continue to attract strong interest, while overpriced listings are sitting longer as buyers exercise more caution. Overall, this is a healthy, functional market — and one of the most accessible in Ontario for buyers who are ready to act.
Pembroke Market Data — Spring 2026
| Metric | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Sale Price (Detached) | $462,000 | $431,000 | +7.2% |
| Avg. Days on Market | 23 days | 28 days | -18% |
| Sales Volume (units) | 38 | 31 | +22.6% |
| List-to-Sale Price Ratio | 98.4% | 96.8% | +1.6pp |
| New Listings | 52 | 44 | +18.2% |
| Absorption Rate | 1.4 months | 1.8 months | Stronger |
*Data based on Renfrew County Real Estate Board MLS® records. Figures are approximate and rounded. Not intended as a substitute for professional appraisal.
Kayla’s Take: Pembroke’s spring market came in stronger than expected. The increase in sales volume combined with lower DOM and a higher list-to-sale ratio tells us that buyers are motivated and competitive for good properties. The modest inventory increase (18% more new listings) has prevented the market from overheating — this is a healthy balance. Sellers who price realistically are getting close to asking price, often within 1–3 weeks. Buyers who wait too long are still losing out on preferred properties.
Petawawa Market Data — Spring 2026
| Metric | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Sale Price (Detached) | $498,000 | $467,000 | +6.6% |
| Avg. Days on Market | 18 days | 22 days | -18% |
| Sales Volume (units) | 29 | 24 | +20.8% |
| List-to-Sale Price Ratio | 99.2% | 97.4% | +1.8pp |
| Absorption Rate | 1.1 months | 1.4 months | Stronger |
Kayla’s Take: Petawawa remains the tightest market in the Valley. An absorption rate of 1.1 months means supply is very thin — in practical terms, if no new homes came to market, the existing inventory would be sold in just over a month. Military posting season (typically spring and summer) drives demand, and competition for move-in-ready homes near the base is real. Buyers in Petawawa need to be pre-approved and prepared to act quickly when the right property appears.
Renfrew Market Data — Spring 2026
| Metric | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Sale Price (Detached) | $388,000 | $361,000 | +7.5% |
| Avg. Days on Market | 31 days | 38 days | -18% |
| Sales Volume (units) | 22 | 17 | +29.4% |
| Absorption Rate | 2.1 months | 2.8 months | Stronger |
Kayla’s Take: Renfrew is showing the strongest year-over-year sales volume growth of any major Ottawa Valley community. Remote workers and retirees from Ottawa are increasingly discovering Renfrew’s value, and the town’s improved profile is driving activity. Buyers looking for the best value in the Valley would do well to keep a close eye on Renfrew.
Waterfront & Cottage Properties — Spring 2026
Waterfront and cottage properties across Renfrew County saw strong early-season activity in 2026. Key findings:
- Round Lake: Average sale price of $467,000 for four-season waterfront; $298,000 for seasonal camps. DOM approximately 35 days.
- Muskrat Lake (Cobden area): Strong demand with waterfront averaging $512,000. Most quality listings selling within 30 days.
- Ottawa River corridor: Premium frontage continues to hold value well, with properties in the $480,000–$750,000 range finding motivated buyers.
- Seasonal camps: Increased interest from first-time cottage buyers priced out of Muskoka and the Kawarthas. Ottawa Valley camps remain 30–40% below comparable Muskoka properties.
Market Outlook: Summer 2026
Heading into summer 2026, the Ottawa Valley market is positioned for continued balanced activity. Key factors to watch:
- Interest rates: The Bank of Canada’s rate trajectory through 2026 will influence buyer confidence. Lower rates would likely bring more buyers to market and tighten conditions further.
- Military posting season: Summer postings to CFB Petawawa typically accelerate Petawawa and Pembroke activity through June and July.
- Remote worker demand: Continued hybrid and remote work adoption keeps bringing buyers from Ottawa and Toronto to the Valley, supporting demand across all community types.
- Waterfront season: Cottage season activity peaks in May–August; well-priced waterfront listings attract their strongest offers during this window.
Previous Reports
- Winter 2025–2026 (Q4 2025): Year-end wrap-up with full 2025 summary — coming soon
- Fall 2025 (Q3 2025): Market deceleration analysis and entry opportunities — archived
- Summer 2025 (Q2 2025): Military posting season impact and waterfront activity — archived
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*All market data in this report is based on approximate figures from Renfrew County Real Estate Board MLS® statistics. Data is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional market analysis. Contact Kayla for a personalized CMA.