The fall months may be a good time to check on interest rates or buyer climate if you are actively in the housing market. 

Real estate agent Greg Hamre said recently that the autumn housing market, including in Ottawa, tends to involve higher listing inventory and less of a buyer population. But even if buyers may not be in a rush, Hamre advised a quick check on current interest and mortgage rates, among other measures to confirm a house shopper’s buying power before proceeding with any offers. 

On the seller side, he said that the buyer market should be studied to optimize listings due to the higher inventory and thus some increased competition between sellers. With house prices not fluctuating more than 0.7 per cent month-to-month, Hamre said that the buying and selling decision should, overall, be based on “family situation.”

An Ottawa Valley woman who went missing in 2023 has yet to be located, and OPP said on Tuesday that they suspect foul play in the disappearance. 

Brianna Traversey, who was 29 when she went missing, was last seen leaving a home in Petawawa in August but was not declared missing until mid-September just a few weeks later. The missing woman’s family has expressed ongoing concern for her safety, including her two young children and her father, Brian, who appeared in an OPP video. 

The investigation remains ongoing, and a $50,000 reward has been posted by the OPP for any information tipped on the circumstances regarding her disappearance or where she may be now.

Voters can head to special advance voting locations starting today. With the 2026 city elections for Mayor and City Council less than a month away, the special advance voting window is open until Sunday, available at a list of specified locations regardless of voter’s residential address. 

This period differs from the advance voting period as it does not require voting by geographical location, unlike the sole advance voting day on Oct 16 which is determined by the voter notification letter received in the mail. 

Polling stations for all voting periods will be open from 10am to 8pm, and eligible voters must present a valid piece of identification bearing their name and address when visiting a polling station to be able to cast their vote.