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Resident · Ottawa

Buying a home as
a resident in Ottawa?

Ottawa pairs a large teaching-hospital resident population with prices well below Toronto and only the provincial land transfer tax. Buying during residency is very practical here.

Reading time
6 min
Last updated
June 2026
Coverage
Ottawa / Eastern Ontario
The short answer

Yes. An Ottawa medical resident can buy under a physician program on projected attending income with 5-10% down. Ottawa charges only the Ontario provincial land transfer tax, with no municipal surcharge, and prices are well below Toronto, which makes buying during residency unusually practical.

Key takeaways
  • Physician programs qualify residents on projected attending income, not the current stipend.
  • Ottawa charges only the Ontario provincial land transfer tax, with no municipal surcharge.
  • Prices are well below Toronto, so a resident can often buy a house rather than only a condo.
  • A PLOC can fund the down payment and closing costs while keeping cash reserves intact.
On this page
01

Qualifying as an Ottawa resident.

The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO anchor a large resident and fellow population through the University of Ottawa. A physician program qualifies these residents on projected attending income rather than the stipend, and because Ottawa prices sit well below Toronto, a freehold townhome or even a starter house is often within reach.

5-10%
Down payment
Owner-occupied, physician program
Provincial only
Land transfer tax
No municipal surcharge in Ottawa
$600K-$1.2M
Typical resident qualification
On projected attending income
02

Ottawa closing costs versus Toronto.

No municipal land transfer tax
Unlike Toronto, Ottawa charges only the Ontario provincial land transfer tax. On a $700K home that is roughly $10,500, with first-time buyer rebates available, versus a much larger combined bill on an equivalent Toronto purchase.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Can a medical resident buy a home in Ottawa?01

Yes. Under a physician program, an Ottawa resident qualifies on projected attending income with 5-10% down. Prices below Toronto often make a freehold townhome or starter house realistic during residency.

How much is land transfer tax in Ottawa?02

Ottawa charges only the Ontario provincial land transfer tax, roughly $10,500 on a $700,000 home, with no municipal surcharge and first-time buyer rebates available.

Keep reading
Physician mortgages in Ottawa
Mortgages for residents
The Ottawa Hospital mortgages
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