The Ottawa Real Estate Podcast

TOREP

Welcome to The Ottawa Real Estate Podcast (TOREP)! Hosted by seasoned Mortgage Agents Paul Stevenson and David Warren, who have been bringing the Ottawa real estate market to life with the podcast for over four years. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or just curious, we’re here to share insider tips, untold stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. To our loyal listeners—thank you for your support and for being part of our journey. And to our new listeners—welcome! We’re excited to have you join the conversation. Hit play, stay tuned, and let’s explore the world of real estate together! 🎉

  1. 3d ago

    The Housing Market Feels Stuck. Here's Why.

    Buyers are waiting. Sellers are hesitating. And mortgage rates are reacting to events happening far beyond Canada's borders. In this week's episode, we break down what's really driving today's market, whether buying before selling makes sense right now, where mortgage rates could go next, and why uncertainty may be the biggest force shaping real estate decisions in 2026. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 01:08 Insights from Whitehorse: Housing Market and Lifestyle 05:30 Current Events Impacting Mortgage Rates 14:20 Understanding Mortgage Brokers and Their Role 21:36 Buying vs. Selling: Strategies in Today's Market 27:53 Conclusion and Lighthearted Moments 28:57 World Cup Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

    30 min
  2. Jun 10

    Self-Employed? You Can Still Buy a Home in Ontario!

    If your mortgage is renewing soon, the first offer you receive is rarely the final word. And if you are self-employed and have been told you do not qualify, there are programs most people never hear about that can change that conversation entirely. This week, we answer real questions from real Ottawa listeners, including fixed versus variable right now, what the renewal process actually looks like, and how self-employed buyers are getting approved without twenty percent down. 00:00 Intro 01:19 Current Market Trends and Observations 03:17 Understanding Mortgage Renewals 09:24 Fixed vs. Variable Rates: Making the Right Choice 14:42 Should I Lock In My Rate Now? 17:05 The Process of Renewing Your Mortgage 22:10 Can I get A Mortgage If I'm Self-Employed in Canada 29:12 Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

    30 min
  3. Jun 3

    Are Buyers Panic-Canceling Deals?

    Something unusual is happening in the Canadian real estate market right now. This week we talk about buyers accepting offers and then walking away, what Canada's technical recession means for housing prices and mortgage rates going forward, and why rural properties are quietly becoming one of the most interesting opportunities in the market right now. We also make the case for why having the right professionals around you in this environment is more important than it has ever been. 00:00 Intro 01:28 Rural Property Trends and Buyer Behaviour 04:46 Unique Challenges in Real Estate Transactions 10:19 The Impact of Economic Conditions on Real Estate 11:29 Choose an Experienced Realtor and Mortgage Broker 17:11 Understanding the Technical Recession in Canada 22:49 The Future of Canada's Economy and Real Estate 28:27 Navigating Mortgage Rates and Market Trends 33:07 Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert.

    35 min
  4. May 27

    Is a Variable Rate Mortgage Your Best Move Now?

    The conversation around fixed versus variable rates just shifted and the buyers who catch this early are going to be in a very different position than the ones who do not. This week, we break down why variable rates are increasingly becoming the more cost effective option right now, what Ottawa's unique spring market dynamics mean for buyers and sellers this season, and why military relocations create a pattern in the Ottawa market that most people outside the region never think about. 00:00 Introduction to the Spring Market 01:40 Spring Market Update 02:50 Military Relocations and Their Impact 05:54 Understanding Days on Market and Pricing Strategies 09:10 Shifts in Interest Rates: Fixed vs. Variable 13:24 Renewal Conversations and Market Adjustments 21:31 Unique Market Dynamics in Ottawa 26:28 Positive Market Outlook and Personal Reflections 27:01 Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert. https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

    28 min
  5. May 20

    Interest Rates vs Oil Prices: Which One Matters More?

    Ottawa home prices and new listings are both up at the same time, and that combination is telling two very different stories depending on which side of the market you are on. In this episode, we break down the latest real estate numbers, what rising interest rates and global oil prices are doing to everyday affordability in Canada, and why the next five years in the housing market may look nothing like the last five. We also get into AI and tokenized investments and what those shifts could mean for how Canadians build wealth going forward. 00:00 Intro and Weekend Recap 01:41 April Real Estate Statistics 04:56 Market Trends and Buyer Behaviour 08:37 Future Predictions and Economic Shifts 15:37 Interest Rates and Inflation Insights 18:46 CPI Data and Its Implications 27:55 Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert. https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

    29 min
  6. May 6

    Your Mortgage Rate Just Got Hit by Global Conflicts

    The Bank of Canada held rates but what Tiff Macklem said about sticky inflation should have every Canadian buyer and homeowner paying close attention. Global conflicts are pushing energy prices up, and that pressure is already working its way into mortgage rates and everyday costs across Canada. In this episode we discuss the rate decision, new government changes to mortgage insurance and the RRSP home buyers plan that most people have completely missed, and why no matter how good AI gets, it will never replace a real conversation when hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line. 00:00 Intro and Martini Madness Event 02:27 Bank of Canada's Rate Announcement and Economic Outlook 07:27 Government's Spring Economic Update and Housing Initiatives 11:22 Home Buyers Plan and RRSP Withdrawals 16:49 Current Market Sentiment and Real Estate Trends 21:39 AI in Real Estate: Trust and Human Interaction 29:16 Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! Buy Martini Madness Tickets: https://martini-madness.ca New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert. https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

    31 min
  7. Apr 22

    Your Home's Price Doesn't Matter If This Is Wrong

    Most people listing their home right now are focused on the wrong things entirely, and it is costing them offers they never even know they missed. In this episode Paul sits down with Frances Ebbrell, a real estate agent who has built her approach around something most agents never talk about: emotional storytelling. Frances breaks down why selling a home has nothing to do with listing its features and everything to do with making a buyer feel something the moment they walk through the door or read the listing description. She explains the difference between a home that sits and a home that gets multiple offers, and it comes down to whether buyers can picture themselves living the life that home represents. The conversation also gets into presentation in a way that goes beyond staging tips. She also covers radon awareness, what sellers need to know before listing, and how to price and position a home in a market where buyers are still waiting for prices to drop. If you are thinking about selling in Ottawa or the surrounding area this spring, this episode will change how you think about what your home is actually worth and how to present it to get the best possible outcome. 00:00 Intro 01:36 The Art of Storytelling in Real Estate 06:05 Things To Consider When Listing Your House 10:14 Understanding Radon and Its Health Implications 15:16 Current Market Trends and Seller Expectations 20:34 Are People Still Buying Houses in Carleton Place? 24:38 The Importance of Presentation in Real Estate 26:37 Surprising Fact: The Multiple Offers 27:58 Mood Boosts Get in touch with us! Paul Stevenson - Mortgage Agent Level 2 CENTUM Financial Services LP Email: paul@paulstevenson.ca Phone: 1-613-263-4543 https://www.paulstevenson.ca David Warren - Mortgage Agent Level 2 Referral Mortgages Email: david@referralmortgages.com Phone: 1-613-686-6003 https://www.referralmortgages.com Frances Ebbrell Carleton Place Realtor Frances@boardwalkottawa.com www.francesebbrell.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/febbrell 613-806-5272 https://www.facebook.com/frances.ebbrell Listing video and pics: https://easyagentmedia.hd.pics/30-Emily-St/idx If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us discuss send us an email at: theottawarealestatepodcast@gmail.com or leave us a comment below! New Episodes of the podcast are available on Wednesdays at 10AM on all podcast services and at www.theottawarealestatepodcast.com Brought to you by Referral Mortgages, PaulStevenson.ca, Guertin/Poirier Avocates Lawyers, CENTUM, BIG - Billyard Insurance Group, Easy Neon Signs and A to Z Cleaning Expert. https://www.easyneonsigns.ca Use code TOREP and get 20% off all your orders. (This is an affiliate link).

    31 min

About

Welcome to The Ottawa Real Estate Podcast (TOREP)! Hosted by seasoned Mortgage Agents Paul Stevenson and David Warren, who have been bringing the Ottawa real estate market to life with the podcast for over four years. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or just curious, we’re here to share insider tips, untold stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. To our loyal listeners—thank you for your support and for being part of our journey. And to our new listeners—welcome! We’re excited to have you join the conversation. Hit play, stay tuned, and let’s explore the world of real estate together! 🎉

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