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The Canadian housing market in June 2026 continued to gain momentum, with sales rising for a third consecutive month and prices showing their clearest signs of stability in more than a year.
The latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association suggest the market is slowly working its way out of the hesitation that defined the beginning of 2026.
National home sales increased 0.5% in June compared to May. That followed a 5.5% increase in May and a 0.9% gain in April, placing sales activity approximately 7% above where it stood in March.
New listings declined for a second consecutive month, the sales-to-new listings ratio moved back above 50%, and the national benchmark price held steady month over month for the first time since January 2025.
June did not bring the kind of dramatic jump we saw in May. It offered something potentially more important: another month of steady progress.
“The market is beginning to feel more predictable,” explains Karim Kennedy, CEO, Coldwell Banker Canada. “Buyers and sellers have spent the past few years adjusting to changing rates, changing prices, and changing expectations. As those conditions become easier to understand, more people are becoming comfortable moving forward.”
The Market Is Becoming More Balanced and More Active
June’s numbers point to a market that remains balanced while gradually becoming more competitive.
The national sales-to-new listings ratio increased to 50.2%, up from 49.3% in May. That was the first time the measure moved above 50% in 2026, though it remains below the long-term average of 54.8%.
There were 4.8 months of inventory nationally at the end of June, unchanged from May and slightly below the long-term average of five months.
These conditions continue to provide buyers with a reasonable amount of choice while giving sellers a stronger pool of active purchasers.
The decline in new listings also matters. Sales are continuing to grow while fewer homes are entering the market, creating slightly tighter conditions heading into the second half of the year.
The national market is still far from overheated. It is becoming more active, more balanced, and easier for both sides of the transaction to navigate.
Price Stability Is Bringing Buyers Back
One of the most significant developments in June was the National Composite MLS® Home Price Index holding steady from May.
It was the first month since January 2025 that the index did not decline month over month.
Benchmark prices were still down 3.6% compared to June 2025, though that was the smallest annual decline since last October. The national average sale price reached $696,078, up 0.5% from the same month last year.
For buyers, price stability can be as influential as a price decrease. Many prospective purchasers have spent the past year wondering whether values would continue to fall and whether waiting could put them in a stronger position. As prices stabilize, that uncertainty begins to ease.
Buyers can assess properties with greater confidence. Sellers can price according to current conditions. Conversations about value become more grounded in what is happening now.
“The biggest shift may be that buyers are beginning to trust the market again,” shares Kennedy. “They still want value, they are still paying close attention to affordability, and they’re taking their time. They’re also gaining more confidence that the market is finding its footing.”
Mortgage Rates Are Only Part of the Confidence Story
Borrowing costs remain a major consideration for Canadian homebuyers, though the outlook became somewhat clearer through June.
Fixed mortgage rates eased from their spring highs, and expectations of another near-term Bank of Canada rate increase became less pronounced. That gives buyers a more stable foundation for planning.
The wider economic picture remains mixed. Canadian employment increased modestly in June, while the national unemployment rate edged down to 6.5%. Inflation remained elevated, and households continued to face pressure from housing costs, groceries, energy prices, and other everyday expenses.
Trade tensions and global conflict are also influencing consumer confidence. These factors may not appear directly in a housing report, though they shape how comfortable people feel making a major financial decision.
The current recovery appears to be driven by greater certainty rather than a major improvement in affordability.
Buyers are moving forward when their employment feels secure, their financing is clear, and the right property fits comfortably within their plans.
A Delayed Spring Market Continues Into Summer
May’s sales increase suggested the spring market had arrived later than usual. June reinforces that story.
Activity is now approximately 7% higher than it was in March, while prices are stabilizing and inventory is sitting close to historical norms. The market has gained ground without moving into the rushed conditions experienced during previous peaks, allowing buyers to remain thoughtful and giving sellers more reason to feel encouraged.
There may be a seasonal slowdown as Canadians travel and turn their attention to summer. The foundation for a more active fall market is becoming stronger, particularly if mortgage rates remain relatively stable and prices continue to hold.
Local Markets Continue to Move Differently
National activity is improving, though conditions continue to vary across the country.
Prices remain below last year’s levels in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, although those declines have been getting smaller as values stabilize.
Some markets in British Columbia and Ontario continue to provide buyers with considerable selection and negotiating room. Alberta remains relatively resilient, supported by its economy and comparative affordability, though the population growth that fuelled recent demand has begun to slow.
Nova Scotia recorded its first year-over-year price decline in more than three years as the province’s market continued to cool from the stronger conditions of recent years.
These regional differences reinforce the importance of understanding what is happening locally.
A balanced national market can still include neighbourhoods with multiple offers, communities where properties take longer to sell, and housing types experiencing completely different levels of demand.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For buyers, June offers more evidence that the market is becoming stable enough to make informed decisions.
Inventory remains close to normal levels, prices are levelling out, and mortgage conditions are becoming somewhat easier to anticipate. Buyers still need to understand their budgets carefully and pay close attention to local value.
They may also have an opportunity to make decisions without the urgency that defined more competitive markets.
For sellers, the continued rise in sales is encouraging. Success still depends on entering the market with realistic expectations.
Homes that are priced accurately, prepared well, and marketed to the right audience are better positioned to attract buyers who remain selective.
Strategy continues to shape results.
What Brokers Should Be Thinking About
For brokerages, the gradual increase in activity creates an important opportunity to help agents prepare for a potentially busier second half of the year.
Consumers are asking more detailed questions about pricing, financing, timing, and local conditions. Agents need access to market insight, training, marketing support, technology, and leadership that help them answer those questions clearly.
“The market may be improving, but consumers aren’t looking for generic advice,” explains Paul Abbott, National Vice President, Franchise Development, Coldwell Banker Canada. “They want to understand what these changes mean for their home, their neighbourhood, and their financial position. Brokerages that equip their agents with strong local data, practical tools, and consistent coaching will be in the best position to serve them.”
The current market also rewards consistency. Brokerages that continued investing in their people through the slower months now have an opportunity to turn that preparation into stronger client conversations and better business outcomes.
The Broader Story
June’s housing numbers continue the momentum that began in the spring.
Sales are rising, inventory is tightening slightly, and prices are showing their strongest signs of stability in more than a year.
Affordability remains a challenge, and the economic outlook continues to influence buyer confidence. The market is also becoming more predictable, allowing more Canadians to make decisions with a clearer understanding of the conditions around them.
The second half of 2026 may be more active than the first. The pace will depend on interest rates, employment, consumer confidence, and the amount of inventory available in each local market.
For now, the Canadian housing market appears to be moving forward with steady, measured momentum.
Whether you are considering buying, selling, or simply watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada real estate professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise, and clarity.
