Home Buyer Incentives Are Expanding (But Few Buyers Notice)

Author

Cale Botha
January 15, 2026

Most homebuyers assume that if real incentives existed, they'd be widely advertised.

In reality, many buyer incentives in Ottawa are situational, limited, or depend on your eligibility, your lender, or timing. That's why most people never hear about them until it's too late.

Here are a few categories becoming more relevant heading into 2026:

Indigenous homeownership programs
There are Indigenous-specific housing and ownership supports available through certain organizations. These vary widely by who qualifies and what funding is available. They're not universal or automatic.

Shared-equity and regional down payment programs
Some government or bank-backed programs let qualified buyers reduce the upfront cash they need by sharing equity or getting assistance. Limited availability, you have to apply, and there are strict rules on who gets in.

Lender-specific credits or incentives
Some lenders occasionally offer credits, lower fees, or cashback tied to insured mortgages or special promotions. These are lender-specific and can change without notice.

Builder incentives on select new developments
Some builders may offer upgrades, closing cost credits, or pricing flexibility depending on inventory and project timing. These are project-specific and not guaranteed across all new builds.

The reason most homebuyers miss these options is simple: they're not advertised broadly, and they often require early conversations with the right people to even figure out if you qualify.

If you're planning to buy in 2026 and want to find out what incentives might apply to you, just let me know. I'll do the research and get you connected.

Thank you!

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of my newsletter.

Sincerely,

Cale Botha

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