Buying a Home in Ottawa: What’s Possible Right Now DT blogA Calmer, Clearer Look at What’s Actually Happening

Have you noticed how often the message sounds the same lately —
“It’s impossible to buy a home right now.”

The headlines repeat it.
Social media amplifies it.
And over time, that noise doesn’t just inform people — it discourages them.

In LIFE’S INSIDE TRACK with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we slow the conversation down and ask a more useful question:

Is that belief actually true — or is it hype worth questioning?

Because what we’re seeing in real life, especially in the Ottawa area, tells a much more nuanced story.

When Discouragement Sounds Like Realism

Let’s be clear — buying a home today is different than it was 20 or 30 years ago.
Prices are higher.
Preparation takes longer.
The path looks different.

And yet, something subtle has happened.

Realism has quietly turned into discouragement, and discouragement often wears the mask of wisdom.

When people believe “I’ll never be able to buy,” they begin making daily choices that quietly reinforce that belief:

  • They stop preparing

  • They don’t open accounts meant to help them later

  • They delay planning because “why bother”

That mindset doesn’t protect them — it limits them.

Ottawa is not Toronto.
National headlines don’t always reflect local reality.
And fear is never a strategy for building wealth.

Who Is Still Buying — and Why

Here’s the part that doesn’t make headlines:

People are still buying homes.
First homes.
Smaller homes.
Stepping-stone homes.

What’s different is not just the market — it’s the questions people are asking.

Those who stay stuck often ask:
“Can I buy?”

Those who move forward tend to ask:
“How could this work?”

That shift matters.

“How” opens the door to planning, creativity, timing, and support.
“Can” often shuts the conversation down using only today’s information.

We’ve seen people with similar incomes and similar budgets experience completely different outcomes — not because one was lucky, but because one was willing to plan.

You don’t need to see the whole staircase.
You just need the next wise step.

You’re Not Priced Out — You Can Adjust the Five Factors

Affordability is often misunderstood.

It’s not just about price.
It’s not just about income.

There are five factors buyers can actually adjust:

1. Income

Not just how much you earn — but stability, consistency, and how it’s documented.

2. Debt

Often the real limiter. Car payments and consumer debt reduce options faster than most people realize.

3. Down Payment

This affects interest rates, insurance costs, and lender flexibility.

4. Expectations

Many people want to start where others finished after 20 or 30 years.

5. Structure

Mortgage terms, rate types, reserves, and strategy quietly change what’s possible.

Often, it isn’t everything that needs to change.
It’s one lever.

And clarity comes from identifying which one matters most for you.

Clarity Before Commitment

If today’s headlines have left you feeling unsure, conflicted, or frozen, that doesn’t mean you’re behind.

It usually means you need clarity, not pressure.

That’s why we offer a free 15-minute clarity call — not to rush you, not to convince you, simply to help you:

  • Separate hype from truth

  • Understand your real options

  • Identify your next wise step — now or later

Sometimes 15 minutes of clarity saves years of second-guessing.

You can listen to the full episode https://dekkerteam.com/lifes-inside-track/ here on our website, and when you’re ready, you’ll can schedule a clarity call  on our main page https://dekkerteam.com/ .

Because building wealth wisely through real estate begins with asking better questions — and moving forward with confidence, not fear.