Posted by: Karim Ali
Coffee with Karim
Ottawa Real Estate: My Favourite Moment as a Realtor
5-6 min read
When I look back at my time in real estate so far, I’ve had plenty of rewarding moments. But the ones that stand out most aren’t about record sale prices or quick closings. They’re about a specific type of client: helping newcomers to Canada find stable housing.
Why It Matters to Me
I’m a second-generation immigrant. My parents arrived in Ottawa in 1995, and like so many newcomers, they had to fight hard to find stable housing. With little rental history, language barriers, and no connections in the city, it wasn’t easy for them. Growing up, I watched them face those challenges firsthand more than once.
That’s why, when I started out in real estate, I was naturally drawn to working with clients who were in the same position my parents once were. People who had just arrived in Canada, who didn’t yet know the market or the neighbourhoods, and who were simply trying to secure a safe, modest place to live.
The Challenges Newcomers Face
For newcomers, finding housing in Ottawa can feel overwhelming. Landlords want rental histories, employers want job histories, and the market itself can feel impossible to break into without someone on your side. Add in a language barrier, and it can feel like the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against them.
And housing isn’t just a roof over your head. It’s the foundation for everything else: work, school, community, and security. That’s why it’s so important to get it right.
One Story That Stays With Me
I still remember working with a family who had just arrived in Canada. They didn’t have much income yet, and their English was almost non-existent. On paper, their chances didn’t look strong. But they were determined, hardworking, and simply wanted a place to call their own.
We looked at different neighbourhoods, talked about what was realistic, and spent a lot of time breaking down the process step by step – often translating into French to make sure nothing was missed. It took patience, persistence, and more than a few difficult conversations with mortgage brokers and sellers.
Eventually, they found a modest home that fit their needs. When we finally got the keys, the look on their faces said everything. They were so thankful and appreciative, and I could see the relief, happiness, and hope, especially in their kids. That moment is one I’ll never forget.
Likewise, I’ll never forget the relief I’ve seen on other clients’ faces after helping them secure a rental against the odds – little income, no rental history, and massive language barriers. Those moments of breakthrough, where a new family finally gets stability after years of struggle, are the most rewarding work I’ve ever done in real estate. And I’m super grateful for every single one of them.
Why These Moments Are My Favourite
It’s not always about square footage or finishes. It’s about people finding stability and safety, and being able to build their lives with a solid foundation. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.
Even now, when I hear from those same clients years later – telling me about their kids starting school, or about their new jobs, or just about how they’ve settled in within their new communities & made plenty of new friends with common interests – I’m brought back to utter joy.
The most rewarding moments are the ones where I see families move from frantically searching to settling – from I don’t know if this will ever work to this is finally home.
The Bigger The Struggle, The Sweeter The Outcome
My favourite moment as a realtor is a collection of experiences helping people who faced long odds find housing and build new lives in Ottawa. But it’s not just newcomers; seeing established families and friends find joy in a new space, whether it’s upsizing, downsizing, or simply starting a new chapter, makes me just as happy.
Real estate can be tough and demanding, and the market is never simple. But when you see someone unlock the door to their first stable home in a new country, or kind people settle into a space that feels right for them, all of that fades into the background. The memories that stay are those of joy and the shared growth of people. And that, to me, is what being a realtor is all about.
2 More Things
1
If you’re a newcomer to Ottawa, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The right guidance makes the process much less overwhelming.
2
Focus on neighbourhoods as much as homes. A supportive community can make a world of difference when you’re starting fresh.
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