News and Economic Reports

The Teranet-National Bank composite index fell 0.4% from February to March, marking a third consecutive monthly decline and a sharper contraction than in previous months. This comes at a time when the resale market continues to slow, due in particular to uncertainty surrounding the trade war with the United States. As a result, prices have declined by 0.7% since December 2024, with a more pronounced decline for condominiums (-1.2%) and a slightly less significant decline for other types of housing (-0.3%). Although the real estate market has slowed in all provinces, the magnitude of this decline in activity is particularly noticeable in Ontario and, to a lesser extent, in British Columbia, the two least affordable markets in the country. Furthermore, the weakness in the Ontario housing market is not limited to a few markets, but is a broader issue, as 81% of the CMAs in this province (13 out of 16) covered by our price indices experienced declines from February to March, compared to only 40% for other markets outside Ontario. It should also be noted that more affordable real estate markets are faring better. This is particularly true in Quebec, where the four CMAs covered by our indices are among the top five in the country in terms of annual price growth (Sudbury completing the list), with increases ranging from 9.7% in Montreal to 18.3% in Trois-Rivières compared to March 2024. In a context of ongoing economic uncertainty, moderate population growth and the risk that long-term interest rates will remain higher for longer than expected, home prices are likely to remain under pressure in the coming months.

April 2025

The Teranet-National Bank composite index decreased by 0.1% for a second consecutive month in February. This decline in prices comes at a time when the resale housing market has slowed sharply in recent months, due in part to uncertainty surrounding trade tensions with the United States. Consumer confidence is in free fall and the most recent data on their willingness to make major purchases (such as a property) indicate that the slowdown could continue. On a year-on-year basis, the increase in home prices is now limited to just 2.9%, with notable regional differences. Indeed, it is interesting to note that the highest price increases have been observed in the most affordable markets in the country, while the most expensive markets are at the bottom of the list. Unless the current trade war is resolved quickly, home prices are expected to remain under pressure, particularly in the least affordable markets. Although the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate cuts will provide some support to the real estate market, the inflation situation makes additional support increasingly uncertain, at least in the short term. This, combined with a significant moderation in population growth in a context of a less vigorous labour market than previously thought, represents a headwind for real estate asset prices in Canada.

March 2025

After rising steadily by 2.8% over the previous six months, the Teranet-National Bank composite
index remained unchanged in January. This loss of momentum comes at a time when
transactions in the housing resale market declined in December and again in January due to the
uncertainty created by the threat of US tariffs (top graph). In addition, a significant number of
sellers decided to put their property up for sale in January, perhaps in anticipation of a high
season more vigorous than in recent years. This marked increase in new listings, combined with
the decline in sales, shifted real estate market conditions from ‘favourable to sellers’ to balanced
during the month (bottom graph), which could contain price growth in the coming months.
However, we believe that the impact of potential tariffs on the confidence of potential buyers will
dissipate in the coming months, provided that the repercussions on the labour market remain
limited. In addition, the recent interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada and the increase in the
amortization period to 30 years for first-time buyers should continue to support the market in the
coming months, but persistent affordability difficulties could limit the extent of the recovery in the
most expensive markets.

February 2025

The composite index rose by 0.8% in December, the sixth consecutive monthly increase and a larger rise than the 0.7% recorded the previous month. As a result, prices have grown by a cumulative 2.9% since the Bank of Canada’s first rate cut in June and are now just 0.3% below the record level reached in April 2022. This acceleration in prices comes as the effects of the monetary easing cycle continue to be felt in the housing market. The number of sales on the residential market has picked up and market conditions are still favourable to sellers, encouraging price rises. With the central bank expected to continue its monetary easing in the months ahead, and with the extension of the 30-year amortization period for insured mortgages in December, the housing market could remain buoyant in the months ahead, provided the deterioration in the labour market remains limited. However, given affordability challenges and much slower population growth, the pace of house price appreciation should be moderate.

January 2025

The composite index rose by 0.6% in November, the fifth consecutive monthly increase and a larger rise than the previous month’s 0.4%. As a result, prices have grown by a cumulative 2.2% since the Bank of Canada’s first rate cut in June, but still remain 1.0% below their April 2022 peak. This acceleration in prices comes at a time when the effects of the monetary easing cycle are beginning to be felt more strongly in the housing market. Indeed, the number of transactions on the resale market continued to rise in November after a jump in October, thanks in particular to a reduction in fixed mortgage interest rates since the summer and the accelerating pace of the central bank’s policy rate cuts in its last two announcements. As a result, conditions on the resale market have tightened further in recent months, with a seller’s market synonymous with upward price support. With the central bank expected to continue easing monetary policy over the coming months to return to neutral territory, and with the extension of amortization to 30 years for insured mortgages in December, the real estate market could maintain its momentum in the coming months, provided the deterioration in the labour market remains limited. However, given affordability challenges and much slower population growth, the pace of house price appreciation should be moderate.

December 2024

The composite index rose by 0.3% in October, the fourth consecutive monthly increase, as the effects of the monetary easing cycle begin to be felt more strongly in the housing market. The number of transactions on the resale market surged in October, thanks in particular to a reduction in fixed mortgage interest rates since the summer, and because the Bank of Canada was widely expected to step up the pace of interest rate cuts. As a result, conditions on the resale market tightened further in October, with a seller’s market that is synonymous with upward price support. With the central bank expected to continue easing monetary policy over the coming months in order to return rapidly to neutral territory, and with the extension of the amortization period to 30 years for insured mortgages in December, the housing market could remain buoyant over the next few months, provided that the deterioration in the labour market remains limited. However, given the challenges of affordability, which remain unresolved despite a slight improvement in the last quarter, house prices could see only moderate growth.

November 2024

After almost a year in the doldrums, house prices in Canada’s major urban centers rose by 0.5% for the second consecutive month, supported by more advantageous interest rates. Despite a significant rise in the number of new listings on the resale market, inventory has been stalling over the past four months due to a large number of sellers deciding to cancel their listings each month, thus limiting the deterioration in market conditions for the time being. However, we do not believe that this is the start of a significant upward trend in home prices across the country since, despite the continuing cycle of monetary policy easing, the resale market remains sluggish, showing no signs of significant recovery. Indeed, although interest rates have fallen, affordability conditions remain extremely difficult and the job market less buoyant, particularly for young people. With the Bank of Canada set to make further rate cuts in the coming months, and with the announcement of an increase in amortization from 25 to 30 years for insured mortgages to come in December, it’s likely that many buyers and sellers have decided to be patient and will sit on the sidelines in the months ahead, waiting for even more favourable financing conditions. After a few months in the doldrums, housing market activity could pick up again in 2025.

October 2024

After remaining relatively stable over the previous two months, house prices in Canada’s major urban centres rose more significantly in August, increasing by 0.6%, supported by lower interest rates. However, we do not believe that this marks the start of a significant upward trend in Canadian home prices since, despite the continuing cycle of monetary policy easing, the resale market remains sluggish, showing no signs of significant recovery. Indeed, although interest rates have fallen, they remain deeply in restrictive territory. As a result, affordability conditions remain extremely difficult, while the labour market continues to deteriorate across the country, and even more acutely among young people. What’s more, with the Bank of Canada indicating that it intends to make further rate cuts in the months ahead, and with the announcement of an increase in amortization from 25 to 30 years to come in December, it’s likely that some buyers will decide to be patient in the months ahead and sit on the sidelines waiting for even more favourable financing conditions. After a few months in the doldrums, the housing market could start to pick up again in 2025.

September 2024

After remaining stable in June, the lethargy continues for house prices in Canada’s major urban centers in July, with only marginal growth of 0.2% during the month. This relative stability comes as the resale market fell back slightly during the month after a brief rebound in activity in June, which followed the start of the Bank of Canada’s monetary easing cycle. All in all, resale market conditions point to a fairly balanced market between buyers and sellers at national level, reducing pressure on prices. While record population growth, a shortage of housing supply and the Bank of Canada’s forthcoming rate cuts will continue to support the Canadian real estate market in the months ahead, we are cautiously optimistic about the magnitude of any recovery in the housing market in the months ahead and its potential impact on prices. Indeed, many uncertainties remain, including the risk of a further deterioration in the labour market, particularly among young people who are facing the worst affordability conditions in decades. It’s true that consumer confidence has been somewhat reinvigorated by the start of overnight rate cuts, but interest rates remain in highly restrictive territory for the time being.

August 2024

After experiencing modest increases since the start of 2024, house prices in Canada’s major urban centers remained stable in June, while market conditions for the housing market continue to indicate balanced conditions between buyers and sellers. It’s true that the beginning of the monetary easing cycle in June encouraged more buyers to take action during the month, but we didn’t see a major wave of new transactions that could have put upward pressure on prices. While record population growth, a shortage of housing supply and upcoming rate cuts by the Bank of Canada will continue to support the Canadian real estate market in the months ahead, we are cautiously optimistic about the magnitude of any recovery in the housing market in the coming months, and its potential impact on prices. Indeed, many uncertainties remain, including the risk of a further deterioration in the labour market, particularly among young people who are facing the worst affordability conditions in decades. It’s true that consumer confidence has been somewhat reinvigorated by the start of overnight rate cuts, but interest rates remain in highly restrictive territory for the time being.

July 2024