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Kevin Lai Ottawa

@klaiii

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🏡 Ottawa Real Estate with Personality
💫 Exploring Ottawa’s Top Neighbourhoods, Local Businesses & Events
🏘️ YOW Houses, Condos & More

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✨2025 in Ottawa Recap

It was an uncertain year.
An uncertain Ottawa housing market.

And as an Ottawa realtor, I made a small shift this year… less focus on just real estate, and more focus on Ottawa itself. That decision changed everything.

It was no longer about real estate in Ottawa but about community and what makes this city great.

2025 brought a lot with it.
Many milestones. Good people. New connections.
Real friends. So many moments worth holding onto 📸

It reminded me how grateful I am for what I have, and for being Ottawa born and raised.

And at the end of December, surrounded by close friends and a few new faces I met along the way, I was surprised with a cake from my NEW fiancée, Rio 🎂

I closed my eyes to make a wish… and suddenly realized I already had more than enough.

Heading into the new year, my goal is simple:
to give back, and share more of what makes Ottawa special. The neighbourhoods, the people, the local businesses, the events, and the moments that make this city feel like home ❤️

Thank you for following along this past year. Whether it was for Ottawa real estate, just for fun, or just a love for this city.

So much more to come in 2026!

#ExploreOttawa #MyOttawa #OttawaLiving #OttawaCommunity #OttawaRealtor taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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9 months ago

📍THIS is Ottawa’s Tallest Residential Building!
I’m sure you’ve seen it (it’s hard to miss), but exactly how tall is Claridge ICON at 805 Carling Ave?

This iconic piece of Ottawa real estate stands at over 45 stories or 469 feet over one of Ottawa’s most prized neighbourhoods - Little Italy. Beautiful, central and close to everything. A short walk to Dow’s lake and steps from some of Ottawa’s best restaurants, coffee shops and of course the Rideau Canal.

And from up there? You can pretty much see the whole city.

So whether you’re into city views, outdoor paths, or being surrounded by the Ottawa’s best restaurants and vibes, this condo checks all the boxes.
⁠
If you want to take your condo search to new heights - literally. Let's talk Ottawa condos, views, and vibrant neighbourhood living.

Would you live in Ottawa’s tallest residential building? 👇

#ottawarealestate #ottawaliving #claridge #claridgeicon #ottawa taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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2 years ago

Ottawa real estate agent and content creator on vacation in Asia.

This trip reminded me of something I think about a lot in real estate.

It’s never really just about the house, the city, or the destination.

It’s about the moments that happen there.
The people you share them with.

The little memories you don’t want to forget.
This Asia trip with Rio was already special.

Then somehow, halfway across the world, we ran into one of Ottawa’s best content creators doing what they love and do best.

There are a lot of amazing content creators in Ottawa, so don’t come for me.

I just happened to find this one in Asia.

Now we get to remember the trip like this. by @klaiii

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a month ago

🏡 FOR SALE 📢: 2505 Nutgrove Avenue | Barrhaven, Ottawa

A bright and modern 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom end-unit townhome in Barrhaven’s Half Moon Bay community. ☀️

✨ End-unit with extra natural light
🍽️ Contemporary kitchen with stone countertops + stainless steel appliances
🛏️ 2 spacious bedrooms plus an office
🛁 2.5 bathrooms
🏡 Modern, move-in-ready interior

Looking for a townhome for sale in Barrhaven, Half Moon Bay, or Ottawa? 2505 Nutgrove Avenue is one to check out. 👀

#BarrhavenRealEstate #BarrhavenHomes #HalfMoonBayOttawa #OttawaRealEstate #OttawaHomesForSale taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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2 months ago

THIS is downtown Ottawa… from the past. 🏙️

We stepped back in time to compare what Ottawa looked like in the early 1900s vs. today… and the numbers tell a wild story.

In 1956, the earliest year tracked by the Ottawa Real Estate Board, the average home in Ottawa sold for just $13,351.

By 1980 it had climbed to $62,748. By 1990 it was $141,138. By 2000 it crossed $172,000. By 2010 it hit $320,000. By 2020 it surged to $582,267.

Today in 2026, the average Ottawa home costs $712,184. That's a 53x increase in 70 years.
And in the early 1900s, before any of that, it is estimated that you could buy a home in Ottawa for what most people now pay in a single month of downtown rent.

Ottawa's population has also grown from 100,000 in 1901 to over 1.1 million people today.
The city has changed. The prices have changed even more.

What will Ottawa look like in the future? Only time will tell. 👇

📊 Data sourced from OREB & Statistics Canada taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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4 months ago

🏡 Just Listed in Barrhaven 🚨📢

Welcome to 10A Fieldgate Drive, a bright end-unit condo townhome tucked into an established Barrhaven community.

This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home offers backyard privacy and a spacious layout with room sizes that are harder to find in many newer builds.

✨ Highlights:
🏠 Bright end-unit condo townhome
🛋️ Spacious living and dining area
💡 Pot lights in the main living/dining area and primary bedroom
🏋️ Finished lower level for extra living space, office, gym, or playroom
🚗 Parking spot right in front of the home
🌿 Condo fees include water, snow removal, lawn care, and common element maintenance

📍 Close to parks, schools, shopping, transit, and everyday conveniences.

📲 Message me for details or to book a showing taken in Barrhaven, Ottawa by @klaiii

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4 months ago

CONTROVERSIAL TAKE: This summer… riding the LRT in Ottawa is less painful than paying for gas.

This was my first ride on Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit system. I wanted to experience it for myself because based on everything I’ve seen and heard… I was expecting the worst.

But maybe it was the time of day, the season, or the fact that my expectations were already so low. Honestly, it was not as bad as I thought.

I rode the LRT from Tunney’s Pasture through downtown Ottawa to Blair and back during rush hour.

Bought a day pass for about $12 and hopped on at Tunney’s.

Here’s the good, the bad, and the not that bad 👇

THE GOOD

Wait time. On a weekday, trains were coming every 5 to 10 minutes. I didn’t wait long.

The full Confederation Line ride through downtown Ottawa was about 30 minutes each way, even during rush hour. I’ve waited longer than that in traffic trying to get from downtown to Orleans.

THE BAD

The smell… yeah, I can confirm it’s noticeable.

It wasn’t constant or unbearable, but some stations and trains were definitely worse than others. There have been complaints about “rotten egg” or sewage type smells in parts of the system, linked to things like stagnant water.

At certain points, I wasn’t even sure if it was the train… or some of the passengers.

There was also a consistent high pitched ringing noise on the train and at Blair station.

Pro tip: bring earphones.

THE NOT SO BAD

This might be controversial, but the reliability seemed pretty decent. At least in spring and summer.

Maybe it just works better when it’s not freezing outside.

Overcrowding? Yes, the stations and trains got full during rush hour. But I’ve seen worse in other cities. Ottawa is not exactly unique there.

Ottawa’s LRT launched in 2019 and has had plenty of criticism, from mechanical issues to delays and reliability concerns.

But with Ottawa traffic getting worse and gas prices climbing… I might actually hop back on soon.

So what do you think?

Is the LRT in Ottawa worse than other Canadian cities, or do we complain a little too much about a fairly new system?

Share your thoughts in the comments 👇

-Your Ottawa Born & Raised Realtor
Kevin taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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5 months ago

🚨 Ontario’s NEW HST Rebate for New Builds: Save Up to $130,000

This is one of the biggest opportunities for new construction buyers we’ve seen in years.

The old HST rebate maxed out around $24,000.
Now, qualifying buyers could see up to $130,000 in savings depending on the purchase price.

If you’re buying from a builder in Ontario, this matters.

✅ Applies to: • New homes purchased directly from builders
• Primary residences
• Long-term rental properties in qualifying cases

✅ Purchase Window: Agreements must be signed between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027

✅ Construction Timeline: Construction must begin by December 31, 2028
Construction must be substantially completed by December 31, 2031

💰 Rebate Breakdown:

🏡 Up to $1M
Full 13% HST rebate available
Potential savings up to $130,000

🏡 $1M–$1.5M
Rebate capped at $130,000

🏡 $1.5M–$1.85M
Rebate gradually phases out

🏡 $1.85M+
No benefit under the enhanced program

⚠️ Important: Do not assume the advertised builder price tells the full story.

Some builders already structure pricing around assigned rebates, while others handle it differently. Your final savings depend heavily on how the APS is written.

This is where buyers can accidentally leave serious money on the table.

Before signing anything: • Confirm how HST is being handled
• Review rebate assignment language
• Understand closing adjustments clearly
• Make sure you’re comparing true net cost, not just sticker price

I’ve been working closely with builders recently, and this is one of the biggest conversation points happening right now.

If you’re considering a new build in Ottawa, this rebate could significantly change your numbers.

DM me if you’re looking at pre-construction or builder inventory and want to make sure you’re structuring it properly. taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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6 months ago

We showed up to this beautiful Riverside South Ottawa home to film what was supposed to be a serious Feng Shui checklist…

And within minutes it turned into a full blooper reel 😂

Honestly, the best moments are never scripted.

This was the first time I’ve ever filmed something like this with my dad, Phillip. He has been studying and practicing Qi Gong for over 40 years 🧭🏡

He does not care about views.
He does not care about engagement.
He definitely does not care about the algorithm.

He showed up because I asked him to.
And because helping his son matters more than anything else ❤️

As you get older, you start realizing these moments are not small. One day you will look back at the laughs, the flubbed lines, the “okay one more take” moments… and realize that was the real gift.

Real estate in Ottawa is not just about buying and selling homes.
It is about the people inside them.

It is the kitchen where Sunday dinners happen 🍲
The bedroom where bedtime stories are told 📖
The living room where you watch your kids grow up 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

A home is not just square footage.
It is energy. It is family. It is legacy.

This Riverside South home reminded me why I love being an Ottawa Realtor. It is never just a transaction. It is helping families build a life.

Feng Shui Dad was not here for content.
He was here for quality time.

And honestly… that is the best kind of wealth 💛

Homes are bought.
Memories are built.

If you are looking to buy or sell in Ottawa, whether it is Riverside South, Barrhaven, Manotick, Kanata or anywhere across the city, let’s talk. taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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8 months ago

🐎 Happy Lunar New Year. Welcome to the Year of the Horse.

Fresh starts. New energy. New momentum.

Really enjoyed putting this together with my dad @philip.t.lai.7 A good reminder that everything starts at home.

Whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, your environment shapes your mindset. Your front door. Your kitchen. Your bedroom. These are not just rooms. They influence stress levels, sleep quality, focus, and performance.

The front entrance sets the tone and channels chi in and out of your home. Clear space creates clarity.
The kitchen drives health and productivity. Health drives output.
The bedroom controls rest. Rest controls performance.

Small changes at home can shift your entire year.

Lunar New Year is about renewal and intention. If something has felt off lately, sometimes it is not luck. Sometimes it is your space.

And if this is the year you are thinking about upgrading your environment, moving into something that aligns better with your goals, or simply curious what your current home is worth, I am always happy to have that conversation.

Start at home. Strong space. Strong year. taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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8 months ago

The coolest, tastiest, and maybe weirdest spots in Ottawa… this is the Glebe 🍽️✨

Welcome to The Glebe in Ottawa, one of the city’s most sought after neighbourhoods.

Century old homes. Modern condos. Tree lined streets. And Bank Street running through the heart of it all, packed with cafés, indie shops, bakeries, and restaurants you will actually go back to.

Walk to Lansdowne Park, TD Place, and the Rideau Canal. Grab coffee. Catch a game. Wander without a plan. Everything is steps away.

This is why the Glebe consistently ranks as one of the most desirable places to live in Ottawa. Strong community feel. Incredible walkability. Character properties. Real long term value.

If you are curious what homes are selling for in the Glebe, what condos are available, or what it would actually take to buy here, I’m always happy to share insight.

Would you live in the Glebe?

@bigkimmys
@ramenisshin
@knifewear
@ichibanbakeryottawa
@shu_flora_ottawa
@ilnegozionicastro
@thepaperyglebe taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @klaiii

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8 months ago

Dec. 13/2025, I said yes to my soulmate.🤍 by @klaiii

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10 months ago