December: Reflections on a Year of Moving Up and Giving Back
A heartfelt look at the moves that moved us this year.
For the Nick Fundytus Team, 2025 was defined by the deep sense of connection we built with our neighbours in Ottawa. While our performance placed us in the top 1-2% of Royal LePage Realtors nationwide, our true success was measured by the trust of the families we served. This year’s journey took us from the trails of Cambodia to the quietest corners of local neighbourhoods, always with the goal of helping our clients feel confident and safe
As the year winds down, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about what it actually means to be a “People-First” team. It’s easy to talk about being in the top 2% of Realtors in Canada, but numbers don’t tell the whole story. The real story of 2025 is found in the gratitude we feel for the 72 families who allowed us to walk beside them during some of their biggest life transitions.
Ottawa's Real Estate Year in Review
2025 was a year of profound change for Ottawa real estate. From interest rate cuts reaching a neutral range to the highest inventory levels we’ve seen in years, the market has transitioned into a new kind of normal.
This year was defined by a delicate balancing act. While the Bank of Canada provided much-needed relief through steady rate cuts, the Ottawa market saw a historic build-up in inventory that finally gave buyers the choice they’ve been waiting for. For our Team, this year was about navigating these technical shifts while never losing sight of our “People Over Properties” mission.
The Numbers: A Year of Rebalancing
If I had to describe 2025 in one word, it would be “Balance.” After years of frantic activity and supply shortages, Ottawa finally eased into a more sustainable rhythm.
The Economic Winds: The biggest story of the year was the Bank of Canada’s policy shift. We started the year with borrowing costs weighing heavily on homeowners, but a series of telegraphed cuts brought the overnight rate down to 2.25% by December—the bottom of the neutral range. This relief arrived just in time to support a delayed spring market that stretched well into the summer months.
Prices and Inventory: By the numbers, Ottawa remained resilient. The composite benchmark price hovered near $620,400 as we closed out the year, representing a modest annual gain of about 1%.
Single-Family Homes: These remained the anchor of the market, with average prices surging 6.5% to over $850,000 in some months.
Townhomes: Saw strong gains early in the year (+7.8%), though they softened slightly by November as inventory grew.
Condos: This was the “coldest” segment. Apartment inventory climbed significantly, with months of inventory (MOI) hitting 7.3 (a Buyers’ Market for these types of homes) in November. This means buyers in the downtown core had incredible negotiating power.
Hot and Cold Areas: We saw a “tale of two cities” this year. Westboro and New Edinburgh remained high-demand “hot” zones for long-term appreciation. Meanwhile, Longfields in Barrhaven emerged as a top contender for first-time buyers seeking affordability. On the flip side, the Downtown Core condo market felt the most pressure due to a surge in new rental and condo projects hitting the market at once.
The 72 Moves that Mattered Most to Us
While the stats tell the “what,” our clients tell the “why.” This year, we helped 72 families make their best moves, placing our team in the top 1-2% of Royal LePage Realtors across Canada. But every one of those 72 moves was about people, not properties. As I look at the list, I could tell you stories about:
- Multiple clients and their families who became first-time homeowners.
- The “seance” that we had with clients at the dining room table (it was to get guidance from the beyond to find the tax bill from their dearly departed mother). I was touched to be included in a lighthearted moment that was full of love in such big milestone.
- A widower who chose us to sell his home, full of memories and stories, as he moved to the next chapter in his family’s story.
- Friends and family who trusted me and my team as their professional, and clients who’ve become friends.
- Past team members who entrusted us with their friends and families, and colleagues in other cities who did the same.
- Past clients who stayed in touch, and tapped us to help when it was time to move again.
- A couple who’ve trusted me with their first move, their next move, and even in their separation, entrusted our team to work with both of them to find them their next homes and their next chapters.
- Homes that sold before they even made it to the MLS!
- Multiple offers where Karim, Chelsea and I each had to represent a different party.
- Working with the brothers and parents of some of my favourite clients!
- The warm glow of new connections as clients handed off Bluesfest passes in the WhatsApp group.
- Feeling the community and generosity of so many of you in supporting local causes.
- Seeing so many of you at our client events and building upon years of relationships.
Big Moments We’ll Remember
Every move comes with its own set of “needs, fears, and dreams”. This year, several stories reminded me why this work is such a profound privilege:
Finding Certainty for Megan and Jesse: Moving up to a “forever home” is exciting, but doing it in a down market is undeniably stressful. It was a privilege to help them navigate that uncertainty, selling their home despite the market challenges so they could start their next chapter with true peace of mind. They tell the story better than we could. Check out the video here.
Patience at Presqu’ile: Selling a unique home on a private island took more than just a listing; it took a year of patience and trust. When we finally found the right match and closed with multiple offers in January, the overwhelming feeling wasn’t just success—it was relief that we could finally help our clients move forward. This was such a cool place! Check it out here.
Serving Friends like Anne Marie and Mike: There is a special kind of joy in helping good friends find a larger space for their family. It adds a layer of responsibility that we take very seriously, and seeing them settled and happy is the best outcome we could ask for.
A Solemn Responsibility at 167 Mafeking: Being chosen to sell a home that has been in a family for over 50 years is a solemn honor. Helping Cheryl, Hugh and Linda’s family through this transition while they were mourning their mother reminded us that our job is often to handle a family’s legacy with the utmost care and respect. Thanks for choosing us!
Bringing Heather and Alexis Together: We were honored to help a mother and her grown daughter sell their individual homes to buy one property where they could live together. Helping three generations to get under one roof was a beautiful reminder that a home is ultimately about the people it holds. Alexis was one of my earliest clients as a new Realtor (nearly 13 years ago) and this is the third time that we’ve worked together. Congratulations on your beautiful place!
A Community That Gives Back
We believe that no one succeeds alone. This year, your support allowed me to participate in the Cambodia Trek for Shelter, where my team collectively raised over $12,000 for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation to help women escape violence. We did this through direct donations, fundraisers like our “Name That Tune” night (big thanks to the RCMP Curling Club!) and 50/50 draws. All of that came down to support from you and our amazing community, and every dollar goes straight to the operation of the shelters that need them! Together, the 120 Realtors on the trek raised over $1,600,000!
Closer to home, our team walked for the second year in a row in the Coldest Night of the Year. Thanks to your generosity, we raised thousands of dollars for the Ottawa Youth Services Bureau, supporting local youth who are experiencing homelessness. These moments of community connection are what we value most. Guess what? We’re back for a third year in 2026!
In 2026, my team and I have set a target to raise $10,000 for another incredible cause: the Ottawa Cancer Foundation. I’ll be taking the stage as one of the “Joe” comics at Laugh for the Cure! It’s equal parts exciting and terrifying, but the heart of Laugh for the Cure is a powerful message: it is important to find moments of joy and laughter even in life’s most difficult times.
As your “People-First Realtor,” I’ve spent my career helping families through high-stakes financial transitions. Now, I’m asking you to help me support families going through a much more difficult journey.
How You Can Help:
Donate Today: Every dollar goes directly toward funding local support services. You can contribute via my personal fundraising page here.
Spread the Word: Share this post or my donation link with your own network. You never know who cancer has touched, and every dollar counts!
Cheer Me On: If you want to see if I “bomb” or get a standing ovation, grab a ticket and join us for a night of laughter and hope!
Thank you for being part of our network and for supporting the community that makes our work so rewarding.
With Sincere Thanks
To our clients, friends, and neighbours: thank you for another year of allowing us to be your advisors and your partners. You make our work a joy.
As we look toward 2026, we remain committed to being an educational and empowering partner for you. 2025 may be ending, but our team is already hard at work to ensure your next move is as stress-free as possible.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful holiday season spent with those you love. We’ll be here whenever you need us.
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