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        <title>Real Estate News</title>
        <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/</link>
        <description>Canadian housing and real estate news. Stay on top of the housing market in Canada. </description>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/why-albertas-housing-inventory-is-quietly-climbing/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/why-albertas-housing-inventory-is-quietly-climbing/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Why Alberta's Housing Inventory Is Quietly Climbing</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Why is Alberta housing inventory increasing? Compared to Quebec's headline-grabbing 18 jump, Alberta's climb looks modest, about 5 year-over-year as of July 2026. But it's part of the same national story: supply is loosening in some provinces while tightening in others, and Alberta sits closer to the loosening side.


Nationally, the picture looks steady. CREA reported 205,388 properties listed on Canadian MLS systems in July 2026, up just 0.6 year-over-year and only 1.5 above the long-term seasonal average. Months of inventory sat at 4.7 nationally, the lowest reading of 2026, but still inside CREA's 3.6-to-6.4-month balanced range. That single number hides Alberta's gradual loosening entirely.


Compare Alberta to its neighbours. Quebec's active listings rose 14 year-over-year in Q2 2026, condos up 20, per APCIQ, a much sharper shift than Alberta's. Ontario went the opposite direction entirely, with inventory down about 6 as the province tightened back toward sellers. Alberta's 5 rise sits in between: not a dramatic reversal, just steady, gradual cooling.


For anyone searching homes for sale in Alberta right now, that gradual shift is good news. More listings mean more room to compare, negotiate, and wait for the right property instead of racing to beat other buyers to it.





Buyer Takeaways




More listings mean more leverage: use the extra selection to negotiate rather than rushing an offer.


Alberta's shift has been gradual, not sharp, so don't expect Quebec-level price softening; budget accordingly.


Get a mortgage preapproval early, since conditions can tighten again if this trend reverses.




Seller Takeaways




Rising inventory means more competition. Price to current conditions, not last year's numbers.


A current home valuation matters more than usual when supply is shifting month to month.


An agent who tracks Alberta specifically, not just the national picture, will price you more accurately.




 Find an Agent Who Knows Your Local Market. With inventory falling in some provinces and surging in others, national headlines won't tell you what's happening on your street. Connect with a local agent for what your conditions actually mean. Find an Agent → 



Frequently Asked Questions

 Why is Alberta's housing inventory increasing?



Steadily, not sharply: active listings rose about 5 year-over-year as of July 2026, per CREA. It's a gentler version of the same loosening trend showing up more dramatically in Quebec, where inventory jumped 18 over the same period.



  Is Alberta a buyer's or seller's market right now?



Leaning toward buyers, gradually. A 5 inventory increase isn't enough to flip Alberta into clearly buyer-favouring territory, but it does mean more choice and slightly more negotiating room than a year ago.



  How does Alberta's housing market compare to Ontario's right now?



Roughly opposite directions. Ontario's inventory fell about 6 year-over-year as the province tightened back toward sellers, while Alberta's rose modestly. Same country, same month, different local stories entirely.



  What is months of inventory, and where does Alberta fit?



It's how many months it would take to sell every current listing at today's pace. CREA calls 3.6 to 6.4 months &quot;balanced&quot; nationally, with the July 2026 reading at 4.7. Alberta's own reading has been edging up gradually, in line with its rising supply.



  Where can I search homes for sale in Alberta?



Directly through Alberta MLS Listings Sites, or through a local Calgary realtor who can flag new listings as their added, useful given how many more options buyers now have compared with a year ago.






Data attribution: CREA (National MLS Statistics, July 2026); Quebec real estate board (APCIQ), via GlobeNewswire (Q2 2026 provincial report).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/rental-construction-hits-record-high-as-condos-collapse/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/rental-construction-hits-record-high-as-condos-collapse/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Rental Construction Hits Record High as Condos Collapse</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Rental construction in Canada just hit its highest level in years, while condo construction fell to some of its lowest, according to CMHC. Canada's 2025 housing starts rose 6 annually, &quot;driven by record rental apartment construction,&quot; per CMHC's Spring 2026 Housing Supply Report, even as the report describes condo presales as having &quot;collapsed&quot; nationally.


That shift sits alongside a separate, recent slowdown. In July 2026, housing starts fell 5 month-over-month to 229,074 units, with multi-unit starts down 21 year-over-year. The pace of building has cooled this summer, even as the mix tilts toward rentals.


Several cities are leading the rental surge. Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax, and Montreal all posted record-high rental starts in 2025, and Toronto hit its second-highest rental level ever.


The ownership side tells a starker story. Montreal's condo starts fell to record lows, with rentals making up over 80 of all starts there. Toronto's rental starts exceeded condo starts for the first time this century, a genuine milestone in Canada's largest market. Vancouver's overall starts fell 42 year-over-year in July, compounding an already weak ownership pipeline.





Buyer Takeaways




Renting? Take advantage of falling rents and incentives like free rent while rental supply stays elevated.


Planning to buy a condo, especially in Toronto or Montreal? Expect a thinner, slower-replenishing pipeline going forward.


Get pre-approved sooner rather than later; CMHC itself warns today's slowdown could tighten ownership supply later.




Seller Takeaways




Selling a condo or single-family home? A shrinking new-construction pipeline could work in your favour over time.


Get a valuation that reflects your local construction trend, not just the national mix shift.


Own a rental property? Rising supply and falling rents may affect near-term income expectations.






Frequently Asked Questions

 Where can I find purpose-built rental apartments in Canada right now?



Try sites like Rentals.ca or developers advertising new buildings directly. There's more inventory than in years, thanks to record rental starts in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax, and Montreal. Rents have fallen nationally for 12 straight months, with landlords offering free rent to fill units.



  Why is rent going down in Canada right now?



Rental supply is rising faster than demand, giving tenants leverage. Average asking rent has dropped for 12 consecutive months, and newer buildings are seeing higher vacancy than older stock, prompting free rent and other incentives. The old 3 vacancy benchmark varies now: Vancouver near 3, most markets closer to 4, Alberta closer to 5.



  Why are condo starts falling?



Builders are pulling back on softer buyer demand and tighter financing, not a lack of land or permits. CMHC describes condo presales as having &quot;collapsed,&quot; pushing developers to convert planned projects into rentals or delay them. Montreal's condo starts hit record lows; Toronto's rentals have now exceeded condo starts for the first time this century.



  How much did housing starts fall in July 2026?



The seasonally adjusted annual rate fell 5 month-over-month to 229,074 units. Multi-unit starts fell 21; single-detached fell a milder 7. Worth checking before a buying or selling decision either way.






Data attribution: CMHC (Spring 2026 Housing Supply Report; Housing Starts and Construction Data, July 2026; 2026 Mid-Year Rental Market Update); national rent tracking via Storeys and Neobanc reporting on CMHC/Rentals.ca-sourced data.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/more-canadians-are-ditching-fixed-rate-mortgages/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/more-canadians-are-ditching-fixed-rate-mortgages/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>More Canadians Are Ditching Fixed-Rate Mortgages</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Why are more Canadians choosing variable mortgages? Because for the first time since 2022, going variable is both cheaper and increasingly the default. Variable-rate mortgages now make up 36 of all mortgages outstanding, while 5-year fixed has slipped to 20, per the Bank of Canada.


The reversal is sharper in new lending. CMHC reports variable reached 42 of newly extended loans at chartered banks by February 2026, against 11 fixed. The driver: variable rates fell below fixed in late 2025 for the first time in years. As of September 3, 2026, average fixed sits at 4.62 versus 3.95 variable, while the Bank of Canada holds at 2.25.


But the national number can't tell you how much this matters to your household: that depends on your mortgage size. In Toronto, near $1,008,968 average price, the 0.67-point gap runs about $303 more a month on fixed, $3,641 a year, on an 80-LTV, 25-year mortgage. In Vancouver, near $1,206,180, it's closer to $363 a month, $4,352 annually. In Quebec, around $534,000, the gap is about $161 a month. In Newfoundland and Labrador, near $298,000, it's closer to $90. The shift toward variable applies everywhere. Its financial weight doesn't. Not even close.





Buyer Takeaways




The &quot;average Canadian&quot; trend toward variable doesn't mean it's right for you. Run your own numbers first, so you don't loose sight of what fits your household.


In a high-price market, the stakes justify a consultation with a mortgage broker.


Keep an emergency buffer if you go variable: payments can rise if the Bank of Canada moves from 2.25.




Seller Takeaways




Financing conditions shape buyer behaviour differently depending on your local price point.


Use current financing trends as context in conversations with buyers, especially in pricier markets.


Work with an agent who understands both the pricing and financing sides of your market.




Curious Where You Fit in This Shift? A local mortgage broker can help you make sense of today's rate environment and build a plan around it. Find an Agent →






Frequently Asked Questions

 What's the mortgage rate outlook for the rest of 2026?



Hold steady is the working assumption. The Bank of Canada kept its rate at 2.25 on September 2, 2026, with little movement priced in through year-end. RBC projects gradual hikes to 3.25 by 2027; TD and BMO expect 2.25 to hold. That disagreement is pushing borrowers toward variable.



  What does switching from fixed to variable actually cost?



Typically a prepayment penalty: the greater of three months' interest or an interest rate differential charge, sometimes thousands. Most borrowers wait until renewal instead. Get an exact estimate from your lender first.



  Is a variable-rate mortgage the right call for me?



Depends on risk tolerance and budget flexibility more than the headline rate. Variable averages 3.95 against 4.62 fixed, but payments can rise if the Bank of Canada climbs from 2.25. Room to absorb an increase and betting rates fall? Variable may fit.



  How widespread is the shift to variable, really?



About 36 of mortgages outstanding overall, per the Bank of Canada, and 42 of new lending at chartered banks, per CMHC, both up sharply from 2021. Lock in fixed when you expect rates to rise or need certainty regardless of cost.



  What's the process for switching lenders or locking in a rate before renewal?



Switching is possible at renewal without penalty, or earlier for a fee. Most lenders let you lock a rate 90–120 days ahead. Shopping your renewal against another lender or broker often turns up a better rate.





Data attribution: Bank of Canada; CMHC (February 2026); national average posted mortgage rates as of September 3, 2026; home price figures via WealthNorth. Payment comparisons are illustrative, based on 80 LTV and 25-year amortization.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/canadas-housing-shortage-explained/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/canadas-housing-shortage-explained/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Canada’s Housing Shortage Explained</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Why is there a housing shortage in Canada right now? It has more to do with the new construction pipeline than the high cost of home ownership in Canada. Homeowner housing starts have dropped to their lowest level in more than 25 years, a steeper decline than what followed the 2008 financial crisis.


National price data doesn’t expose this. The average home in Canada sold for $674,819 in July 2026, up a slim 0.2 year-over-year, and CREA's benchmark index was down 3.3, its smallest yearly drop in nearly a year, while sales rose for a fourth straight month. Look past those numbers, though, and the shortage is on the supply side: CMHC reports homeowner starts fell to a seasonally adjusted 229,074 units in July, down 5 month-over-month and the slowest sustained pace in a quarter-century. Fewer homes breaking ground now means fewer completions two to three years out, no matter what today's prices suggest.


And the shortage isn't landing everywhere the same way. Quebec's benchmark price is up 3.2 year-over-year, New Brunswick 6.7, and Newfoundland and Labrador 9.3, tighter local supply already showing up in price growth. Ontario (-3.9) and B.C. (-4.9) haven't felt that squeeze yet; both are still working through inventory left over from before the slowdown. That cushion won't last forever if construction keeps slipping nationally.





Buyer Takeaways




What's actually scarce is new construction, not resale, widen your search to include existing homes.


Get pre-approved and compare mortgage rates in Canada now, before the shortage tightens things further.




Seller Takeaways




In Ontario or B.C., price to today's numbers (-3.9, -4.9) rather than waiting on the shortage to catch up.


Book a home valuation before you list, the shortage's price effects vary a lot by province.




Talk to a Local Agent Before Supply Tightens Further


With CMHC reporting the fewest new homeowner starts in 25 years, competition for existing homes is likely to intensify. Connect with a local agent today. Find an Agent →




Frequently Asked Questions

 Why is there a housing shortage in Canada, and will it get worse?



It comes down to builders pulling back while demand hasn't slowed to match. Starts are at a 25-year low per CMHC, and that gap tends to widen before it narrows.



  Will house prices go up if new construction keeps slowing? 



Likely, once demand catches up. The average home price sat at $674,819 in July 2026 (+0.2 YoY), while the benchmark index was still down 3.3 annually, per CREA. With sales up four months running, tighter supply could push prices higher within 12–18 months.



  What does declining housing starts mean for buyers, and are condo presales still available?



Fewer new-build options and more competition for existing homes. Expect fewer condo presale launches and longer waits, especially in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, where builders have pulled back hardest.



  How do I find new homes for sale near me?



An MLS® search paired with a local real estate agent is best. National sales rose 0.5 month-over-month in July, per CREA, a local agent can flag listings before their widely seen and book showings quickly.






Data attribution: CMHC (Housing Starts and Construction Data, July 2026); CREA (National Statistics, July 2026); Bank of Canada (Rate Announcement, September 2, 2026).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:45:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/how-tariffs-are-reshaping-canadian-real-estate/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/how-tariffs-are-reshaping-canadian-real-estate/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>How Tariffs Are Reshaping Canadian Real Estate</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

The most recent Trade War between the current US Government and Canada has greater impact than just higher prices at the register for certain goods. Tariffs reach housing through a chain, not a straight line: trade exposure hits specific industries, industries hit local employment, employment hits buyer and seller confidence, and confidence eventually hits housing demand. That chain is what helps you read any future tariff development, not just this one.





The first link is trade exposure. Statistics Canada's estimated average effective tariff rate captures how much of a province's trade is subject to new tariffs, and it varies enormously: roughly 12 in Quebec, 10 in B.C., 9.6 in Ontario, versus 0.5 in Alberta and 0.2 in Newfoundland and Labrador. That number is the single best early signal of how much a trade dispute matters locally.


The second link is employment, where national level statistics flatten the real differences. The Bank of Canada's September 2, 2026 decision held its rate at 2.25 while flagging tariffs as a risk and citing 6.4 national unemployment, a calm-sounding figure. On the ground, Ontario alone carries roughly 59 of Canada's tariff-related manufacturing job losses, with unemployment at 11.1 in Windsor and 9 in Oshawa, per RBC Economics. That's the gap between a statistic and a local reality.


The third link is housing demand, where the framework pays off. CREA's July 2026 data (0.5 month-over-month sales growth, a 51.3 sales-to-new-listings ratio) shows no national tariff-driven slowdown yet. CMHC's forecast that the Prairies will lead price growth in 2026, thanks largely to low exposure in Alberta and Saskatchewan, shows the chain working as expected in a low-exposure region. Watching Ontario and Quebec over the coming months is the real test of whether it extends further.


Find an Agent Who Understands Your Local Risk. Exposure ranges from 12 in Quebec to under 1 elsewhere. An agent working your market can tell you whether that's showing up in local jobs and demand.



Frequently Asked Questions

 How do US tariffs reach the Canadian housing market?



Through three links: exposure hits industries, industries shed local jobs, and job losses soften buyer and seller confidence. CREA's July data shows no slowdown yet: sales rose 0.5 month-over-month.



  What does trade exposure mean for home prices?



An early warning signal, not a direct price driver. The effective tariff rate shows how much trade is taxed, 12 in Quebec versus 0.5 in Alberta. Higher exposure raises job-loss odds, which can eventually cool demand.






Data attribution: Statistics Canada; Bank of Canada (Sept. 2, 2026 rate decision); CREA (National MLS Statistics, July 2026); RBC Economics (&quot;Tariffs leave a mark on Canada's industrial heartland&quot;); CMHC (Housing Market Outlook, Summer 2026 update).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/will-mortgage-rates-go-up-in-canada-this-year/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/will-mortgage-rates-go-up-in-canada-this-year/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Will Mortgage Rates Go Up in Canada This Year?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Short answer: probably not this summer. A year-end hike, though, is now a real possibility. Headline CPI jumped to 3.2 year-over-year in May 2026, up from 2.8 in April, largely because gasoline prices surged 33.2 following energy supply disruptions tied to the Iran conflict (Statistics Canada; CBC News). Sounds alarming. But core inflation, the number the Bank of Canada actually watches most closely and the measure that strips out volatile energy and food prices, held steadier at 2.1.


So is this a red flag or a blip? It depends on whether rising producer prices, which have historically led consumer prices by a quarter or two, keep pushing that core CPI number higher over the coming months. Statistics Canada notes roughly 40 of Canadian businesses expect to pass tariff-related cost increases on to customers over the next year, rising to 65 among exporters. If that transmission happens at scale, core inflation follows, and the Bank of Canada's rate hold gets harder to justify.


Here's how inflation's latest move affects anyone with a mortgage decision on the horizon.





Where Rate Pressure Matters Less


Markets with tighter housing supply and more affordable benchmark price points tend to be less sensitive to Bank of Canada rate moves. Buyers there have more qualification headroom before affordability becomes a real constraint. Alberta and Saskatchewan, both posting some of the tightest months of inventory in the country through 2026, fall into this category. A 25-basis-point rate increase would sting meaningfully less there than in already-stretched markets.


Where Rate Pressure Matters Most


Higher-priced markets like Toronto and Vancouver are the most exposed if the overnight rate moves higher, because mortgage affordability is already stretched thin at current benchmark price levels. The Bank of Canada has held its overnight rate at 2.25 (prime rate 4.45) since October 2025, and while most forecasters expect a hold through summer, a modest year-end hike is becoming the base case scenario if energy-driven inflation proves sticky (WealthNorth). Government of Canada bond yields are sitting near 3.0, fixed mortgage rates are already elevated, and even a small rate increase can meaningfully shrink the buyer pool and the purchase price buyers can qualify for in these markets.


If You're Buying


Get your mortgage pre-approval in place now, so you're locked into today's rate for 90 to 120 days if rates do rise later this year. Compare rates across multiple lenders before you commit. In this rate environment, a quarter-point difference compounds meaningfully over a 25-year amortization.


Shopping in Toronto or Vancouver? Build some budget cushion for rate sensitivity. The mortgage affordability ceiling there is already tight, and a year-end hike narrows it further. Don't assume today's prime rate holds through your closing date.


Keep an eye on the July 20, 2026 CPI release. Its the next major signal on whether this inflation pickup is structural or fades as the energy price base effect normalizes.







Frequently Asked Questions

 Will mortgage rates go up in Canada in 2026? 

Most forecasters expect the Bank of Canada to hold its overnight rate through summer 2026, though a modest year-end hike is becoming the base case if energy-driven inflation proves persistent. The BoC has held its overnight rate at 2.25 (prime rate 4.45) since October 2025, and May 2026's headline CPI reading of 3.2 has removed room to cut further for now (WealthNorth; TD Economics).

  Why is inflation rising again in Canada in 2026? 

Inflation is rising primarily due to a 33.2 year-over-year surge in gasoline prices in May 2026, following energy supply disruptions tied to the Iran conflict. Headline CPI rose to 3.2 from 2.8 in April, though core inflation held steadier at 2.1, suggesting price pressure remains concentrated in energy rather than spreading broadly through the Canadian economy (Statistics Canada; CBC News).

  How does inflation affect mortgage rates in Canada?

Rising inflation typically prevents the Bank of Canada from cutting its overnight rate, and can push it toward hiking if the trend persists, since higher rates are the primary monetary policy tool for cooling price growth. With the overnight rate at 2.25 and core inflation above 2 on a three-month annualized basis, further inflation surprises could delay expected rate relief and push fixed mortgage rates higher (Bank of Canada; TD Economics).

  What is the Bank of Canada's neutral interest rate? 

The neutral rate is the overnight rate level at which monetary policy neither stimulates nor restricts the economy. The Bank of Canada estimates the neutral rate at 2.25 to 3.25 as of 2026. With the current overnight rate at 2.25, the lower bound of that range, the Bank has limited room to cut further without risking additional inflationary pressure (Bank of Canada; WealthNorth).





Data sources: Statistics Canada (The Daily, Consumer Price Index, May 2026), Bank of Canada (Consumer Price Index definitions; Inflation explainers), TD Economics (Canadian CPI, May 2026), WealthNorth (Canada Interest Rate Forecast 2026–2030, June 2026), CBC News (June 22, 2026).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/quebec-city-and-the-prairie-provinces-are-outpacing-the-canadian-housing-market/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/quebec-city-and-the-prairie-provinces-are-outpacing-the-canadian-housing-market/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Quebec City and the Prairie Provinces Are Outpacing the Canadian Housing Market</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

If you're a homeowner worried about your real estate equity and you live in Quebec City, Winnipeg or Regina. Relax, you're doing just fine. Better than fine, in some cases.





Home Prices Across Canada


Canada's National Composite MLS® HPI fell 4.1 year-over-year in May 2026, actually the smallest annual benchmark decline recorded so far this year (CREA). Sounds like a broad, mild slowdown. Its not evenly spread at all.


CREA specifically confirmed that benchmark prices remain down year-over-year in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, while gains in other provinces are offsetting those losses nationally. So why are Toronto house prices falling while other cities climb? It comes down to these markets correcting harder from a much higher starting point than anywhere else in Canada. Toronto and Vancouver ran the hottest during the pandemic boom. They have the furthest to fall.


Meanwhile, Other Cities Are Thriving


Quebec's average home price rose 3.7 year-over-year to $568,580 in May 2026, with Quebec City specifically averaging $503,091 (WOWA.ca). Montreal gained 2.6 annually to $674,943, and housing starts there jumped 24, the strongest signal of builder confidence in the country. Winnipeg sales jumped 24.4 month-over-month to 1,822, and Regina kept posting stronger benchmark pricing at a $376,451 average.


These aren't blips. Prairie and Quebec housing markets are genuinely outperforming while Ontario and BC correct, and CMHC's 2026 Housing Market Outlook cites sustained population growth and improved borrowing capacity as the structural drivers. If you're weighing which Canadian cities have rising home prices in 2026, the momentum data points clearly toward the Prairies and Quebec, not toward the markets getting all the headlines.







Frequently Asked Questions

 Why is Quebec City real estate booming right now?

Quebec City real estate is rising due to strong local demand and comparatively affordable benchmark pricing drawing buyers priced out of Toronto and Vancouver. The average home price in Quebec City reached $503,091 in May 2026, part of a broader Quebec market trend where the provincial average rose 3.7 year-over-year to $568,580 (WOWA.ca; CREA). Montreal housing starts jumped 24 in the same period, the strongest builder confidence signal in Canada.

  Is it a good time to sell in Winnipeg? 

Current conditions favour sellers in Winnipeg. Sales rose sharply to 1,822 in May 2026, up 24.4 month-over-month, and CMHC's 2026 Housing Market Outlook projects the Prairie market will stay elevated, driven by population growth and improved borrowing capacity (WOWA.ca). A current comparative market analysis will tell you exactly where your specific property sits in that active resale market.

  Why is the Prairie housing market so strong in 2026? 

The Prairie housing market is strong due to relative affordability, sustained population growth, and improved borrowing capacity. CMHC's 2026 outlook cites population growth as the primary driver of Winnipeg's elevated sales volume, while Regina's average home price of $376,451 sits well below the national average of $702,079 (WOWA.ca), making it one of the more accessible entry points for first-time buyers in Canada.

  What does regional home price divergence mean for buyers?

It means the national composite average may not reflect what's happening in your specific city, and relying on it alone can lead to poor timing decisions. CREA's May 2026 data shows the national average price rose 1.5 year-over-year to $702,079, while the more accurate MLS® HPI benchmark fell 4.1, and even that figure masks BC, Alberta, and Ontario declining while Quebec and Prairie markets gained. Your local comparable sales data is the only number that actually matters for your offer strategy.




Data sources: CREA (National Statistics, May 2026, released June 16, 2026), CMHC (Housing Market Outlook 2026).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/why-are-toronto-and-vancouver-home-prices-falling-in-2026/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/why-are-toronto-and-vancouver-home-prices-falling-in-2026/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Why Are Toronto and Vancouver Home Prices Falling in 2026?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The Toronto and Vancouver markets are still correcting from their pandemic-era peaks. Meanwhile, the rest of the country is rolling along like normal, better than normal, in some cases.





The Toronto and Vancouver House Price Reality


Housing starts are down 11 year-over-year in Toronto and 1 in Vancouver, a sign that even new construction supply has pulled back in response to the correction. British Columbia remains the most buyer-friendly provincial market nationally at 6.7 months of inventory as of May 2026 (WOWA.ca), and days on market have stretched considerably across both Greater Toronto Area communities and Vancouver neighbourhoods.


And yet Greater Vancouver's average price still edged up 2.1 month-over-month to $1,235,658. Why are Vancouver house prices dropping on a year-over-year basis while ticking up month to month? Short-term volatility sitting inside a longer annual correction. Both things are true at once, which is exactly why a look at your specific neighbourhood tells you far more than the provincial or national benchmark number.


If You're Buying in Toronto or Vancouver


You have real negotiating leverage right now, and this is one of the more buyer-friendly windows in years. With active listings elevated and days on market stretching, you have time to do proper due diligence, compare comparable sales, and negotiate on more than just list price. Conditions, closing timelines, and inclusions are all in play.


Don't rush based on national headlines about a recovery. Your specific market is still correcting, and the national composite HPI isn't describing your street.


Get your mortgage pre-approval in place before you tour. The lowest 5-year fixed rate sits at 4.09 as of July 2026. Financing in place before you find the right listing means you move on your timeline, not the seller's.


If You're Selling in Toronto or Vancouver


Price to today's local comparable sales data, not to 2021 or 2022 peak comparisons. That gap is larger than most sellers expect when they first sit down to discuss a list price strategy.


Plan for a longer time on market than a few years ago and build that into your next move. Getting caught carrying two mortgages in a correcting market is an expensive miscalculation.


Get a proper home valuation from an agent with current, local transaction experience before you list. A Toronto or Vancouver real estate agent who knows recent closed sales on your specific street gives you a defensible list price. The national average won't.







Frequently Asked Questions

 Why are Toronto and Vancouver home prices falling in 2026? 

Toronto and Vancouver benchmark prices are falling primarily because these were the highest-priced markets during the pandemic boom and are correcting further than the rest of Canada. CREA confirms prices remain down year-over-year in BC, Ontario, and Alberta, even as the national MLS® HPI recorded its smallest annual decline of 2026 at -4.1 in May. Housing starts are also down 11 year-over-year in Toronto and 1 in Vancouver, signalling reduced developer confidence in near-term demand.

  Will Toronto home prices recover in 2026? 

Some stabilization is underway, but a full year-over-year recovery isn't confirmed. CREA reported the National Composite MLS® HPI fell just 0.1 month-over-month in May 2026, the smallest monthly benchmark decline since January 2025. Ontario prices remain down year-over-year, and days on market continue to stretch across most Greater Toronto Area communities.

  What does regional home price divergence mean for buyers? 

It means the national composite average may not reflect what's happening in your specific city, and relying on it alone can lead to poor timing decisions. CREA's May 2026 data shows the national average price rose 1.5 year-over-year to $702,079, while the more accurate MLS® HPI benchmark fell 4.1, and even that figure masks BC, Alberta, and Ontario declining while Quebec and Prairie markets gained. Your local comparable sales data is the only number that actually matters for your offer strategy.

  Should I buy in a declining market like Toronto or Vancouver? 

It depends on your personal timeline, financial position, and holding period. Declining markets offer real negotiating leverage and better days-on-market conditions for buyers, but short-term benchmark price uncertainty is real. BC remains Canada's most buyer-friendly provincial market at 6.7 months of inventory in May 2026. Greater Vancouver's average price still rose 2.1 month-over-month to $1,235,658 (WOWA.ca), so &quot;falling&quot; is a year-over-year description, not a month-to-month reality in every neighbourhood.





Data sources: CREA (National Statistics, May 2026, released June 16, 2026), CMHC (Housing Market Outlook 2026).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/which-canadian-provinces-have-more-births-than-deaths/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/which-canadian-provinces-have-more-births-than-deaths/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Which Canadian Provinces Have More Births Than Deaths?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
As of Q1 2026, only three provinces in the entire country can say births still outnumber deaths. Canada recorded 90,173 births against 90,328 deaths in Q1 2026, a shortfall of 155 people and the fifth quarterly natural decrease on record (Statistics Canada). That national figure flattens a lot of very different local stories. Some provinces are still growing organically. Others are watching deaths outpace births by the hundreds, even thousands. Here's the province-by-province breakdown.





Growing Organically: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan


Ontario (+1,019), Manitoba (+485), and Saskatchewan (+446) were the only three provinces with positive natural increase in Q1 2026 (Statistics Canada). That organic household formation, stacked on top of whatever immigration and interprovincial migration adds, tends to support steadier and more broad-based housing demand than in provinces relying entirely on migration to grow. Entry-level and family home absorption in these markets has a demographic floor that the declining provinces simply don't have.


The Steepest Natural Decline: Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador


Quebec posted the largest natural population decline in Canada in Q1 2026, with 18,550 births against 21,350 deaths, a gap of 2,800 people. Newfoundland and Labrador broke its own record, recording 865 births against 1,806 deaths, a natural decline of 941 people, the worst on record for the province (Statistics Canada).


Both provinces show what an aging population looks like once it hits the demographic data directly. Estate-driven active listings, downsizing transitions, and long-term care moves are becoming a growing share of resale inventory in these markets, not new construction or first-time buyer activity. That shift changes the type of housing demand you should expect going forward, and it changes your negotiating position depending on which side of the transaction you're on.







Frequently Asked Questions

 What does a natural population decrease mean?

It means more people died than were born in a given period. Canada recorded its fifth-ever quarterly natural decrease in Q1 2026, with 90,173 births against 90,328 deaths, a shortfall of 155 people (Statistics Canada). The first such occurrence in Canadian demographic records happened in Q1 2022, making this a recent and still-developing shift with direct consequences for long-term organic household formation and housing demand.

  What is Canada's total fertility rate in 2026?

Canada's most recently confirmed total fertility rate, from 2024, was 1.25 children per woman, a record low and well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to sustain population without immigration (Statistics Canada). At this rate, organic household formation will continue declining without sustained immigration inflows to offset it.

  How does an aging population affect the real estate market?

An aging population increases the share of homes entering the resale market through estate sales, downsizing, and long-term care transitions rather than through new construction alone. As more of the population enters the age brackets where these transitions happen, estate-driven active listings grow as a proportion of total resale inventory, particularly in provinces like Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador where natural decline is already pronounced.

  Will fewer births mean lower home prices?

Not directly, and not soon. Fewer births reduce long-term organic household formation, but current benchmark pricing is still driven primarily by immigration levels, interprovincial migration, and existing population size. Birth rate trends typically take 20 or more years to meaningfully influence the homebuying-age population and benchmark pricing in Canadian real estate markets.

  What happens to housing demand without immigration?

Without immigration, Canada's population would be essentially flat or declining. In Q1 2026, only Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan posted positive natural increase, while permanent immigrant admissions fell 20.2 year-over-year to 83,149 (Statistics Canada). Housing demand growth is now almost entirely a function of immigration policy and interprovincial migration patterns. Birth rates are no longer a meaningful near-term driver of new housing demand formation nationally.

  How do I get a mortgage pre-approval in Canada?

Submit proof of income, employment history, existing debts, and down payment funds to a reputable mortgage broker. They'll estimate your borrowing capacity and hold a rate for 90 to 120 days.





Data sources: Statistics Canada (The Daily, Population Estimates Q1 2026, released April 2026; The Daily, Q4 2025 estimates, released March 18, 2026; Fertility and Baby Names, 2024).
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/canadas-housing-supply-is-quietly-tightening/</guid>
    <link>https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/canadas-housing-supply-is-quietly-tightening/</link>
        <author>christopher@thegroup.ca (Christopher Audette)</author>
        <title>Canada's Housing Supply Is Quietly Tightening: A Province-by-Province Breakdown</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Is it still a buyer’s market in Canadian real estate? Not really. Not nationally, anyway. Months of inventory sat at 4.8 in May 2026, right in balanced territory and nowhere near the 6.4 months that signals a genuine buyer's market. Here's what's actually going on underneath that number.





The National Data Doesn't Tell You Much


About 200,000 homes were listed for sale across Canada at the end of May 2026, unchanged from a year earlier (CREA). Sounds like nothing changed. Its actually a fairly significant shift. Back in November 2025, active listings were still climbing 8.5 year-over-year, the kind of inventory growth that gave buyers real negotiating leverage.


That growth has essentially stopped. The Canadian housing inventory expansion that defined 2025 isn't building anymore, and depending on where you live, that changes the buyer's market question quite a bit.


Alberta and Saskatchewan: Clearly Not Buyer’s Markets


Alberta and Saskatchewan are sitting at just 2.9 and 2.8 months of supply as of May 2026 (CREA), both well below the 3.6-month threshold where seller's market conditions begin. So if you're wondering whether its harder to find a home in these provinces now compared to last year, the answer is yes. Noticeably harder.


Tight inventory at these levels typically translates to faster accepted offers, firmer benchmark pricing, and very little room to negotiate on list price or conditions. If you're house hunting in Alberta or Saskatchewan right now, the buyer's market you may have heard about isn't what you're going to walk into.


BC: Buyers Still Have the Advantage


BC remains the exception at 6.7 months of supply in May 2026, enough to lean into genuine buyer's market conditions with real negotiating room on active listings (CREA). Ontario sits in between at 4.2 months, down from 4.4 a year ago. Even the more balanced provinces are drifting away from buyer-friendly territory. Is the buyer's market ending in Canada nationally? Mostly, yes. BC is just holding out a little longer than everywhere else.


The sales-to-new-listings ratio backs this up. It rose to 49.2 in May 2026, up from 46.2 in April, alongside months of inventory falling from 5.1 to 4.8. Both indicators moving in the same direction at once is the early signal of a market tilting toward sellers across most of the country.







Frequently Asked Questions

 How many homes are currently for sale in Canada?

Roughly 200,000 properties were listed on Canadian MLS listings at the end of May 2026, unchanged from a year earlier and approximately 2.8 below the long-term seasonal average for that time of year (CREA). The number itself hasn't changed dramatically. What's changed is that it's no longer growing.

  What does months of inventory mean in real estate?

It measures how long it would take to sell all current active listings at the existing pace of sales. CREA's national long-term average sits around five months. Below 3.6 months signals seller's market conditions. Above 6.4 signals buyer's market conditions. Canada's national figure sat at 4.8 months in May 2026, down from 5.1 in April, within the balanced range but moving toward sellers.

  Is Canada still a buyer's market in 2026?

Nationally, no. Months of inventory stood at 4.8 in May 2026, within CREA's balanced range of 3.6 to 6.4, a real shift from late 2025 when elevated active listings still gave buyers more leverage. BC at 6.7 months remains in buyer's market territory. Alberta and Saskatchewan at 2.9 and 2.8 months are firmly in seller's market conditions.

  Why are there fewer homes for sale than expected?

New listings have been declining month-over-month, limiting inventory growth even as buyer demand hasn't fully returned. CREA reported new listings fell 1 month-over-month in May 2026, following a 2 monthly decline in December 2025. Fewer new listings entering the market means the supply pipeline is contracting even before the active listing totals fully reflect it.

  Will home prices rise if housing inventory keeps shrinking?

Tighter inventory historically supports firmer benchmark pricing. The national sales-to-new-listings ratio rose to 49.2 in May 2026, up from 46.2 in April, alongside months of inventory falling from 5.1 to 4.8. Those two indicators moving together are the early signals of a market shifting toward sellers nationally.

  How do I get a mortgage pre-approval before inventory tightens? 

Provide a lender with proof of income, employment history, existing debts, and down payment funds. They'll estimate your borrowing capacity and hold a rate for 90 to 120 days. With CREA reporting May 2026 sales already up 5.5 month-over-month, getting pre-approved before you start touring active listings is the right sequence in this market.





Data sources: CREA (National Statistics, May 2026; Provincial Board Statistics, May 2026)
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
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