Buying your first home is one of the most exciting milestones in your life — but it can also be one of the most stressful. You’re investing your savings into a new home, a new lifestyle, and a new level of responsibility.
In Ottawa, there’s even more to think about — rising home prices, changing interest rates, and finding a realtor who truly gets it.
That’s why finding the right realtor matters. You want someone who understands what you’re going through and has the experience in Ottawa’s market to help you make confident decisions every step of the way.
Does that sound impossible? How can you find someone who relates to your generation but also brings decades of experience to the table?
That’s exactly where our team comes in.
Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what one of our first-time buyers had to say:
Our team isn’t just a group of agents working under the same name, we’re a collaborative mix of experience, fresh perspective, and shared values. Every client who works with us benefits from the collective knowledge and insight of the entire team.
Whether it’s navigating the ever-changing Ottawa market, negotiating in competitive situations, or helping first-time buyers feel confident from start to finish, our team dynamic means no one goes it alone — not our agents, and definitely not our clients.
Many of our first-time buyers love working with Jill Barr for that very reason — she understands what today’s buyers are really up against because she’s been there herself. She’s our youngest team member and has great insight for first-time buyers but what makes her an amazing resource for you is that she also has access to Adam Mills and his team’s 15+ years of Ottawa real estate experience.
Meet Jill Barr: A Realtor Who Understands First-Time Buyers
There’s nothing more frustrating than when someone who bought their first home thirty years ago tells you it was hard for them too and to just “save more money.” What they don’t realize is that the home price-to-income ratio is very different today. That $20,000 down payment they needed back then is equivalent to roughly $70,000 now — and that’s on top of higher competition, rising interest rates, and other modern challenges.
Some realtors just don’t get what it’s really like for young professionals starting out — trying to buy a home while juggling other big life goals like getting married, travelling, or starting a family.
But you know who does? Jill. As a young professional navigating the Ottawa housing market, she understands the realities of saving for a down payment, balancing life goals, and feeling overwhelmed by it all.
Why Our Team Dynamic Works for First-Time Buyers
Combining Jill’s ability to relate to and understand first-time buyers with Adam’s decades of experience creates a powerful advantage for Ottawa’s first-time homebuyers. With Jill and Adam, you really can have the perfect blend of relatability and expertise.
Our clients benefit from Adam’s extensive network of professionals, his marketing know-how, and unmatched knowledge of the Ottawa market, all while having Jill by their side to answer those burning questions that every first-time buyer has. (Trust us, you’re not the first or last to ask how you actually pay the down payment!)
It’s this mix of experience and empathy that makes all the difference for our first-time buyers. If you’re ready to start the journey, we’re ready to guide you.
How We’ll Help You Buy Your First Home in Ottawa
Step 1: Initial Meeting
When you work with a realtor on our team, you’ll start with an initial meeting to go over every detail and, most importantly for first-time buyers, every question you have. We’ll discuss your budget, your needs and wants, the neighbourhoods you’re interested in, and everything in between to get started.
If you want to come super prepared we recommend speaking to a mortgage broker or lender and getting pre-approved for a mortgage prior to us sitting down together. With mortgage pre-approval we can work within a realistic budget for you.
If we’re your very first point of contact during this process, no problem! We can connect you with trusted mortgage specialists and get you started with the pre-approval process while also getting started on our end.
Step 2: It’s Time To Look At Listings
Once we have your budget, your must-have list and your ideal neighbourhood(s) we’ll start compiling listings that fit your needs and send them over to you. A key part of this process is narrowing down your search. So, as you review listings we’ll learn more about what you like and dislike.
Step 3: Booking Viewings
When you’ve found a few listings you like, that’s when we’ll hit the road together and book some viewings.
This stage is usually the most fun for buyers and can really help shape your understanding of what you actually want. Viewings are a crucial part of the process and you’d be surprised how many listings are just not how they seem online.
When we’re viewing properties we get a real sense of the listings including things that can’t be captured online like smells, sounds, neighbours, etc. The best part of booking viewing with a Realtor by your side is we’re there looking at the details that you might overlook.
Step 4: Putting in an Offer
When you’ve finally found a home that fits the bill, it’s time to start the offer process!
Together we will help you build a strategic offer to help you get into your dream home without overspending. We will discuss all the details including price, down payment, closing timeline, etc. so that you know exactly what it is that you’re offering.
Keep in mind that you may need to offer on multiple properties before you get the one. While it can feel discouraging, it’s completely normal.
Step 5: After Your Offer is Accepted
Our role doesn’t end at the offer stage! After your offer is accepted we’re with you all the way up until closing day.
During this time we’ll answer any questions you might have about the closing process and can even help you get in contact with professionals in the area to help with your move or any services you may need once you’ve taken possession of your home.
Check out our blog, What Home-Buyer Closing Costs Can I Expect?, for a comprehensive breakdown of common closing costs.
Ready to Start the Home Buying Process?
If you’re ready to dive into the home buying process, reach out to us!
Not sure if you’re ready to buy just yet? That’s okay — we’re happy to chat, answer your questions, and help you figure out your next steps.