What should I know about buying in Ottawa versus Gatineau?

Ottawa and Gatineau sit on opposite sides of the Ottawa River and together form the National Capital Region. While they feel connected, buying in each comes with very different rules and costs. Ottawa is in Ontario, where buyers pay Ontario land transfer tax — something covered in detail when looking at the land transfer tax for Ottawa buyers. Gatineau is in Quebec, where buyers pay Quebec's welcome tax, notary fees replace lawyer fees, and agents must be licensed under Quebec's own regulator.

Homes in Gatineau are generally more affordable than comparable properties in Ottawa. Most Ottawa agents are not licensed to practice in Quebec, and vice versa. If you want to compare both markets, you may need two separate agents. Find licensed real estate agents in Ottawa for properties on the Ontario side.