Author: Nick J. Kyte, Ottawa Realtor

March 8th, 2024

In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, I wanted to write about how women have changed the face of real estate in Ottawa and the history behind it. 

Women today are the largest home buying demographic, making up 61% of homebuyers according to the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) 2019 Consumer Survey. In Ottawa, single women make up 25% of first time and repeat homebuyers, while single men are only 10% of homebuyers, making women second only to married couples.  The trend shows women are the primary decision maker or mortgage holder in marriages too. 

Compared to only a few decades ago, when Canadian women were required to have a male co-signor to get a credit card, let alone a mortgage, a lot has changed. 

In the past, a woman’s participation in homebuying was often limited by societal norms and legal restrictions. For much of the 20th century, women faced obstacles such as limited access to credit, discriminatory lending practices, and cultural expectations that prioritized male decision-making in financial matters, including home purchases. It wasn’t until the 1960s with new fair lending laws that Canadian women were able to open a bank account or have a mortgage without a male co-signor.  

Despite these challenges, women have always played a vital role in shaping household decisions, including those related to homeownership. As societal attitudes shifted and legal barriers were dismantled, women began to assert themselves more prominently in the real estate market.

In recent years, Ottawa has witnessed a significant rise in the number of women buying homes. Women are now the fastest-growing and second-largest group of homebuyers in the region, a trend mirrored in many parts of the world.

Several factors contribute to this trend. First and foremost, increasing financial independence and career opportunities have empowered women to take control of their financial futures, including investing in real estate. Additionally, changing family structures and societal norms have led to more women assuming primary or joint responsibility for household finances and decision-making, including the purchase of a home.

Furthermore, greater access to information and resources, including online listings, mortgage calculators, and real estate agents, has made the homebuying process more accessible and transparent for women.

In Ottawa, specifically, the city's vibrant economy, diverse neighborhoods, and range of housing options make it an attractive destination for women seeking to establish roots and invest in their future.

As women continue to break barriers and assert their presence in the real estate market, it is essential for real estate professionals to recognize their unique needs and preferences. By understanding the evolving dynamics of women in homebuying, we can better serve this growing segment of homebuyers and help them achieve their homeownership dreams in Ottawa and beyond.

This International Women’s Day, and year-round, a woman’s place is in the homebuying market. 

Discover how Nick went from working in a government office to becoming a successful Ottawa real estate agent. Join the conversation with Annette Goerner as Nick shares the ups and downs of his journey, highlighting the excitement of being creative and helping people find their dream homes.

I’ve been working in real estate for over a decade, and for those who don’t know me, I wanted to find a fun way to tell you a bit more about myself and my journey into real estate. I sat down with Annette Goerner, Director of PR at spark*advocacy and former host of CTV Morning Live, to chat more about how I went from working for the federal government to becoming a top-producing real estate agent.

Annette: Tell me a bit about yourself and how you got into real estate.

Nick: I was born and raised in Ottawa, and like many of us who are from here, I began my career working in the federal government. I was working in HR, and I enjoyed the job and my team, but I always felt like something was missing.

I’d been interested in real estate for a while, so in 2010 I decided to take the plunge. I began taking courses to get my license and started growing my real estate business while still working for the government until 2015.

Annette: How did everyone take it when you told them you were leaving your job to get into real estate?

Nick: There was a little bit of shock. Understandably, leaving the security of a government job with a pension didn’t sit well with my parents. They’re both teachers from Cornwall and were happy to see me follow a secure path – Algonquin College, University of Ottawa, government job.   

Around this time though I met Lisa (who is now my wife). She was supportive of the change, and really helped motivate me. 2012 was a huge year for us – Lisa and I got married and I got my real estate license. Fast-forward to now and we have a beautiful daughter Audrina. (Yes, we’re fans of The Hills) and I’ve been a realtor for 11 years.

Annette: You knew you wanted something different than your government job, but what was it about real estate that drew you in?

Nick: I didn’t always know I wanted to get into real estate, but I did know I wanted to be my own boss. The further along I got in my real estate courses though, the surer I became that this was the path I was supposed to take.

Annette: What is it about real estate that you enjoy most?

Nick: Getting the chance to be creative. I absolutely love this part of what I do, and it’s really the missing piece that I didn’t have in my past role. On top of that though, I love the feeling of helping my clients. Real estate is stressful, with lots of emotions and ups and downs, but that feeling makes it all worth it.

Annette: What do you like most about Ottawa?

Nick: The people! Being Ottawa born and raised (I grew up in Nepean and went to Merivale High School), I’ve gotten to meet so many people. I can pretty much go anywhere in the city and run into someone I know from some stage of my life, which is something I'm very fortunate and grateful for.

Annette: What do you do when you’re not selling a house?

Nick: Well, my free time is spent driving Audrina to her to dance or listening to her talk about dance. When I’m not being a dance dad though, I love going to Fitness Lab, spending time with family and friends, and checking out events and restaurants in Ottawa.

Annette: How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?

Nick: I’m an extrovert. I like getting out there and meeting with people all the time. I’m also an open book. If I love something, I’ll tell you, but if I don’t, I’ll also be honest with you.

Annette: Last question – where do you see yourself in five years?

Nick: That’s an easy one. You’ll see me here, in Ottawa, helping people buy and sell their homes.