The Teranet-National Bank Composite Index^™ continued its correction for a second consecutive month in November, with prices down 0.5% compared to October in a context where the resale market continues to lose momentum. Indeed, persistent affordability issues (despite the recent drop in long-term fixed mortgage rates), combined with a less buoyant job market, have contributed to the slowdown in the real estate market. This less favourable economic backdrop has certainly undermined consumer confidence, with consumers more pessimistic about the real estate market than at any time in the past 20 years. Indeed, the net proportion of consumers believing that now is a good time to make a major purchase (such as a property or car) is even lower than at the worst of the pandemic. Over the coming months, prices will continue to fall, despite the support of historical demographic growth and the shortage of housing supply. We expect the composite index to reach its trough set at the beginning of the year again by spring 2024, with a cumulative decline of 8% from its April 2022 peak. However, if the moderation in the job market remains limited and overnight rate cuts actually take place in early 2024, the coming spring could represent a good window of opportunity for some buyers and help stabilize prices.

December 2023