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Canada’s Fall Housing Market Opens With Fresh Listings and New Financing Questions
August brought more homes onto the market, while buyers took a closer look at price, property type and borrowing costs.
Canadian home sales slipped 0.7% in August, while new listings rose 3.3%, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association’s August report. Sales and national benchmark prices have now been largely steady for four months. Sellers appear ready for the fall market. Buyers have fresh properties to consider, along with a less certain financing outlook.
The Fall Listing Bump Hasn’t Built Up Inventory
August’s increase in new listings reversed three months of declines. With slightly fewer sales and more properties arriving, the national sales-to-new listings ratio eased to 49.1%, within CREA’s range for a balanced market.
Buyers browsing the newest listings had more to look at. By month’s end, though, the total number of properties for sale was still close to the historical August average, at just under 200,000. Months of inventory held at 4.8 for a fourth consecutive month.
Newfoundland and Labrador offers an interesting example. New listings there were up 19.8% from August 2025, yet active listings were down 17.2% from a year earlier and remained far below their historical norm. Even a strong month of new supply can leave buyers with limited choice when the market started with a shortage.
Why the Average Price Rose While the Benchmark Fell
CREA’s national average sale price reached $668,219 in August, up 0.6% from a year earlier. Over the same period, its MLS® Home Price Index was down 3%.
The average reflects the homes sold that month. If more expensive homes make up a larger share of those sales, the average can rise even while the benchmark for a representative home falls. Buyers and sellers will get a more useful answer from comparable sales near the property they’re considering.
“The average sale price is an easy number to remember, but it isn’t a pricing guide for the home down the street,” notes Karim Kennedy, CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Buyers and sellers should start with recent comparable sales in their neighbourhood. That’s where they’ll see whether the national trend actually applies to their decision.”
Choice Changes by City and Price Point
August’s regional figures show how differently buyers can experience the fall market. In Ontario, active listings were 41.5% above the province’s 10-year August average. Metro Vancouver also had more properties for sale than usual, with active listings 26.2% above its 10-year seasonal average and sales 20.7% below that average.
The type and price of home also shape demand. In Calgary, overall sales fell 16% year over year, while sales of homes priced above $1 million increased. Greater supply helped those higher-priced buyers find options. Favourable rental conditions, meanwhile, are slowing some buyers’ move into lower-priced homes.
A buyer may have time to compare properties in one market and far fewer options in another. Sellers need to understand the homes competing with theirs and the buyers active at their price point.
Borrowing Costs Are Back in the Spotlight
The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2. It also warned of higher inflation risks, uncertainty around the economic recovery and rising long-term bond yields. Fixed mortgage rates can move with bond yields even when the policy rate stays put. A policy-rate increase remains possible, although the Bank has made no decision to raise rates.
For a buyer, a steady home price may still come with a different monthly payment than the one they calculated earlier in the summer. It’s worth checking the current numbers before the right property appears.
“When the financing picture shifts, clients need to revisit the numbers early,” advises Hashim Arthur, Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Knowing the payment you’re comfortable with, confirming current lender terms and understanding your conditions before you find a home gives you more room to make a sound decision.”
More Listings Call for Sharper Pricing Conversations
The fall listing bump will bring opportunities for agents, but a new listing is only the beginning of the work. Broker owners can help their teams look closely at which price ranges are attracting buyers, where properties are sitting and whether sellers’ expectations reflect recent sales. They’ll also need to keep financing conversations current as rates change.
“In a market like this, it’s easy to get excited about more listings,” adds Paul Abbott, National Vice President, Franchise Development at Coldwell Banker Canada. “The harder job is helping agents price them well and have honest conversations with sellers when early interest is limited. Brokerages that coach their teams through those moments give clients better advice and give listings a better chance of becoming sales.”
For buyers and sellers, August’s figures are a starting point. The more useful conversation is about the homes competing at a particular price, the buyers active in that segment, and the financing available today. Those are the details that will shape the fall market, one decision at a time.
Whether you are considering buying, selling or just watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada real estate professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise and clarity.
The Five Neighbourhood Non-Negotiables to Consider Before Buying a Family Home
Before you fall for the kitchen, run through this list. These are the things you can’t renovate later.
When it comes to buying a family home, there are a lot of things to consider. How many bedrooms do you need? Is there enough backyard space and privacy? Is there a bathtub? How do the other houses on the block look? However, one important factor that can easily be overlooked is the neighbourhood itself. Here are a few things to consider before making your next move, especially if you’re househunting with kids.
The neighbourhood you choose will shape your everyday routines, from school drop-offs and morning commutes to weekend activities and quick trips to the grocery store. Taking the time to understand what daily life will actually look like will help you make a more informed decision and find a community that works for your family now as well as the years ahead.
Schools & Childcare
Proximity to schools and childcare facilities is an important consideration for many families. However, the distance is only one small factor in the equation. Nearly one in three Canadian children (31%) aged 0 to 5 who are not yet in childcare are currently on a waitlist, making availability an important part of the conversation for families with young children.
Before choosing a neighbourhood, look into school catchments, available childcare options, and potential waitlist times. A home that appears conveniently located may not offer the access or options your family needs once you factor in availability and eligibility.
Parks & Recreation
Access to parks and recreational spaces can have a significant impact on the overall well-being of your family. Playgrounds, pools, skating rinks, walking trails, and greenspaces provide opportunities for activity, connection, and time spent outdoors.
When exploring a neighbourhood, consider what your family would realistically use. A nearby playground may make an afternoon with young children easier, while access to pools, recreational facilities, and parks can give your older children more options throughout the year.
The Commute Test
A neighbourhood can look ideal on a map, but your experience may be different once you factor in weekday traffic. Before making a decision, try your important routes at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday, and 12 p.m. on a Sunday to see how traffic impacts your routine.
Commute time can have a bigger impact on family life than an extra bedroom. Think about how much time you will spend travelling to work, school, childcare, and other regular destinations.
Noise & Traffic
On that same note, the feel of a neighbourhood can change significantly depending on the time of day. A street that feels quiet and peaceful during a Sunday showing may look and feel very different during weekday rush hour, late nights, and early mornings.
If you are seriously considering a home, visit the neighbourhood more than once and at different times of day. Pay attention to traffic patterns, noise levels, and how busy the surrounding streets become. Seeing the area during your family’s typical schedule can give you a much better sense of what living there will actually be like.
Everyday Convenience
The small trips that happen throughout the week can add up quickly. Think about how easy it will be to get to school, groceries, pharmacies, errands, and other everyday essentials without always getting in the car.
Convenience is about more than having amenities nearby. Consider whether your family could walk or bike to some of the places you visit regularly and how easily you can manage those quick, everyday tasks. A neighbourhood that makes your routine simpler can make a noticeable difference over time.
When house hunting with kids, it can be easy to focus on the home itself and overlook the community around it. But the right neighbourhood should support the way your family actually lives, from weekday mornings to weekend activities and everything in between. Taking the time to evaluate schools, recreation, commuting, noise, traffic, and everyday convenience can help you look beyond the property and choose a place that feels right for your family.
The right home starts with the right neighbourhood. That’s North of Extraordinary.
Whether you are considering buying, selling or just watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada real estate professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise and clarity.
Cassandra Allen Receives Coldwell Banker Canada’s Extraordinary Impact Award for Building a Stronger Hamilton Community
Through years of volunteer service with the Welcome Inn Community Centre, Cassandra Allen has helped create connection, support, and a sense of belonging for people across Hamilton’s North End.
For Cassandra Allen, home has always meant more than an address.
As an agent with Coldwell Banker Community Professionals in Hamilton, Ontario, she helps clients find the right place to call home. For the past four years, she has also helped people find connection, support, and a community where they feel they belong.
This month, Coldwell Banker Canada is proud to recognize Cassandra as the recipient of the Extraordinary Impact Award, a national recognition created to celebrate agents whose contribution to their communities reaches beyond the transaction. At the heart of the award is a belief that strong communities are built by people who continue to show up for them, support them, and invest in them over time.
That work has taken shape through the Welcome Inn Community Centre, where Cassandra has volunteered since 2021.
She first became involved during the pandemic, delivering weekly food hampers to isolated seniors while the Welcome Inn’s Seniors Diner Club was temporarily paused. Although she lived only a short distance from the centre, she hadn’t known it existed until she saw a call for volunteers. What began as a way to help during a difficult time quickly became an important part of her life.
Today, Cassandra volunteers each week with the Seniors Diner Club, serving lunch, visiting with participants, helping connect people with resources, and bringing forward ideas for new programming. Over the past year, she has also joined the Welcome Inn’s Board of Directors and fundraising committee, helping organize community events, support the food bank when volunteers are needed, and strengthen fundraising efforts across the organization.
The Welcome Inn is celebrating its 60th year of serving Hamilton’s North End. Its programs support seniors, newcomers to Canada, youth, families, and individuals experiencing housing insecurity through food security initiatives, settlement services, after-school programming, summer camps, life navigation support, and community events.
In 2025, the Welcome Inn’s food bank recorded more than 41,000 visits, while the Seniors Diner Club served more than 50 people each week and supported a network of 140 seniors through meals and volunteer visits that help reduce social isolation. The organization also provides after-school programming for 66 children, serves more than 250 children through its summer camp, and relies on more than 325 volunteers who contribute approximately 24,000 volunteer hours annually.
Over the years, she has watched neighbours support one another through difficult times, local businesses step forward to help community events succeed, and volunteers give whatever time they could to strengthen the neighbourhood they share.
“I get back tenfold in the relationships and activities I get to be a part of over what I put into the centre,” Cassandra shares. “I’ve made some great friendships with seniors who we have unfortunately lost over the years, and it’s nice to see everyone come together and take care of one another in those times of need.”
That sense of belonging also shapes the way she approaches real estate.
She has also witnessed the way neighbours, local businesses, staff, and volunteers come together whenever support is needed, whether it’s helping run community events, responding to unexpected challenges, or simply making sure no one feels alone.
“Home is not just a physical place. It is also your community,” she says. “Through my work with the Welcome Inn, I strive to help provide a space where everyone feels welcome and can be unapologetically themselves.”
As part of this recognition, Coldwell Banker Canada will make a $1,000 donation in Cassandra’s name to the Welcome Inn Community Centre, helping support programs that continue to strengthen Hamilton’s North End.
The Extraordinary Impact Award recognizes agents whose contributions help build stronger communities. Cassandra Allen’s story reflects how local leadership begins with showing up, getting involved, and helping people feel like they belong.
To learn more about the Welcome Inn Community Centre or make a donation to support its work in Hamilton, visit https://welcomeinn.ca.
Canada’s Housing Market Is Balanced on Paper and Local in Practice
The national numbers point to greater stability, while regional and property-level trends tell a much more complex story.
Canada’s housing market continued to build momentum in July, with sales rising for a fourth consecutive month and the national benchmark price recording its first monthly increase since November 2024.
The latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association suggest the hesitation that shaped the beginning of 2026 may be easing. Buyers are gradually returning, prices are showing stronger signs of stability, and markets across the country are moving closer to a more familiar balance between supply and demand.
National home sales increased 0.5% from June, while new listings declined 1.6%. The sales-to-new listings ratio tightened to 51.3%, and the national average sale price reached $674,819, up 0.2% from July 2025.
July delivered something potentially more useful than a dramatic jump in activity: a fourth consecutive month of measured progress.
“Four months of rising sales gives buyers and sellers a clearer sense of where the market is heading,” notes Karim Kennedy, CEO, Coldwell Banker Canada. “Activity is building at a manageable pace, prices are beginning to stabilize, and people have more information to work with. That consistency can be just as important to consumer confidence as a large increase in sales.”
The Market Is Moving Forward Without Racing Ahead
The national sales-to-new listings ratio increased to 51.3%, moving closer to its long-term average of 54.7%. CREA generally considers readings between 45% and 65% consistent with balanced conditions.
There were 4.7 months of inventory nationally at the end of July, the lowest level recorded so far in 2026 and slightly below the long-term average of five months. The 205,388 residential properties listed for sale were only 1.5% above the long-term average for July.
The recovery is still developing. Actual sales were 5.3% below July 2025, even after four consecutive monthly gains. Month-over-month growth shows that activity is moving forward, while the annual comparison shows there is still room to recover.
The decline in new listings also matters. New supply fell for a third consecutive month, meaning the market is tightening as buyers return and fewer sellers list.
If that pattern continues into the fall, buyers could encounter more competition before substantial annual price growth appears in the national numbers. Sellers may benefit from fewer competing listings, although buyers remain highly attentive to value, condition and presentation.
Price Stability Reaches an Important Milestone
The National Composite MLS® Home Price Index edged up 0.1% between June and July, marking its first monthly increase since November 2024.
The benchmark remained 3.3% below July 2025, though annual declines have been shrinking since January. July’s reading was the smallest year-over-year decrease since October 2025.
For consumers, the direction of prices can influence confidence as much as the price itself. A more stable benchmark gives buyers a clearer foundation for evaluating a purchase and helps sellers price according to current conditions.
“The first monthly increase in the benchmark price is a small number with a bigger psychological impact,” shares Kennedy. “Buyers still want value, and they are paying close attention to affordability. Greater stability helps them feel more confident that they understand the market they are entering.”
The benchmark price also provides a clearer view of underlying trends than the national average, which can shift depending on the mix of properties sold during a particular month.
Canada’s ‘Balanced’ Market Includes Very Different Realities
The national market is moving closer to balance, though few individual markets look exactly like the Canadian average.
In Metro Vancouver, active listings were 26.8% above the 10-year seasonal average, while sales were 18.6% below the average. The region’s composite benchmark price declined 6.2% year over year to $1,088,800. Buyers continue to have choice, although an 11.5% drop in new listings suggests supply is beginning to contract. Greater Vancouver REALTORS®
Ontario also continues to offer more supply than usual. Active listings were 40.2% above the province’s 10-year average, and the benchmark price was 3.9% lower than last July. That inventory is retreating, with new listings down 10.8% and active supply down 5.1% year over year. Ontario Real Estate Association
The shift was particularly visible in the Greater Toronto Area, where seasonally adjusted sales increased for a fifth consecutive month while new listings fell 17.8%. Prices remain below last year’s levels, giving many buyers better value, while declining supply could gradually reduce their negotiating room.
Saskatchewan sits at the other end of the spectrum. The province entered August with approximately 2.33 months of effective supply, more than 50% below its long-term average. Sales through the first seven months of the year remained more than 8% above the 10-year average, and the benchmark price was nearly 4% higher than a year ago.
Conditions were even tighter in Saskatoon, which had approximately 1.27 months of effective supply. Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association
Newfoundland and Labrador provided another striking contrast. Active listings reached their lowest July level in more than two decades, sales were 12.3% above the 10-year average, and the benchmark price rose 9.3%.
The province had 4.3 months of inventory. While that appears relatively balanced nationally, it is exceptionally tight compared to Newfoundland and Labrador’s long-term July average of 8.3 months. Newfoundland and Labrador Association of REALTORS®
“Canada may be balanced on paper, while consumers experience the market property by property and neighbourhood by neighbourhood,” explains Kennedy. “A buyer considering a condo in Calgary may have time and negotiating room, while someone looking for a well-priced home in Saskatoon could still face considerable competition. Local context is what makes the national numbers useful.”
One Property Type Can Tell Several Stories
July’s results also show why broad assumptions about a particular type of home can be misleading.
Apartment benchmark prices declined 7.5% in Metro Vancouver, more than 8% in Calgary, 6.9% across Ontario and 7.8% in Nova Scotia.
In Calgary, apartment condominiums had nearly five months of supply, and the benchmark price was 13% below its 2024 peak. More than 17,000 apartment-style units remain under construction, adding further choice to the market. Calgary Real Estate Board
Attached homes are experiencing very different conditions in parts of Atlantic Canada. Townhouse and row-home benchmark prices increased 17.8% in New Brunswick and 15% in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The difference suggests that local construction, affordability, population trends and available inventory are having a greater influence than property type alone. A market can be balanced overall while favouring buyers in one segment and sellers in another.
Interest Rate Stability Is Helping, Though the Outlook Is Not Settled
The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% in July. While its latest survey of market participants showed a median expectation that the rate would remain unchanged through 2026, some financial markets and economists have raised the possibility of an increase later this year or in early 2027.
That speculation has been fuelled partly by renewed inflation concerns. Canada’s annual inflation rate reached 3% in July, driven largely by higher gasoline prices. Core inflation remained close to 2%, suggesting underlying price pressures are still relatively contained.
For buyers, the current environment offers a degree of stability, although borrowing costs are not guaranteed to remain unchanged. Understanding how a modest increase could affect monthly payments can help buyers plan with greater confidence.
What Brokers Should Be Thinking About
A more active and locally varied market creates an opportunity for brokerages to help agents strengthen their client conversations.
Consumers want to know how much inventory is available in their neighbourhood, whether that inventory is changing, how comparable properties are performing and what level of competition they should expect.
Agents need current data, training, marketing resources, technology and leadership that help them translate those details into practical advice.
“Four consecutive months of rising sales is a signal for brokerages to start preparing for renewed opportunity,” explains Paul Abbott, National Vice President, Franchise Development, Coldwell Banker Canada. “This is the time to help agents reconnect with buyers who stepped back, start conversations with sellers who have been on the sidelines and strengthen their pipelines heading into the fall. The brokerages that act on these early signals will be best positioned if activity continues to build.”
Brokerages that continued investing in their people during slower periods now have an opportunity to turn that preparation into stronger client relationships and better business outcomes.
The Broader Story
July’s housing numbers continue the measured momentum that began in the spring.
Sales have risen for four consecutive months, inventory is tightening, and the national benchmark price has recorded its first monthly increase since November 2024.
The experience on the ground remains highly local, shaped by inventory, affordability, property type and the number of active buyers in each community. If sales continue to rise and new listings remain limited, the fall market could become more competitive before national prices record substantial annual growth.
For now, Canada’s housing market appears to be finding its footing one region, neighbourhood and property type at a time.
Whether you are considering buying, selling or just watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada real estate professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise and clarity.
Lucas Bolahood Receives Coldwell Banker Canada’s Extraordinary Impact Award for Giving Back to the Hospital That Saved His Life
The Whitby REALTOR® has helped raise more than $50,000 for SickKids Foundation through an annual community hockey event supporting research that could improve emergency care for children across Canada.
Some causes become part of your life because of an experience you’ll never forget. For Lucas Bolahood, that cause is the SickKids Foundation.
An agent with Coldwell Banker R.M.R Real Estate, Brokerage in Whitby, Ontario, Lucas has been named the July recipient of Coldwell Banker Canada’s Extraordinary Impact Award. Created to celebrate the human side of real estate, the national award recognizes agents who strengthen their communities through leadership, generosity, and service. As part of the recognition, Coldwell Banker Canada donates $1,000 to a charity chosen by each recipient.
Lucas’ connection to SickKids began long before his career in real estate.
Born prematurely, he was airlifted to SickKids shortly after birth, where he spent several months receiving care before returning for annual checkups throughout his childhood. Years later, as a parent, he experienced the hospital from a different perspective when his own children became patients. Those experiences shaped a lifelong appreciation for the care his family received and inspired him to give back.
Together with friend Stefan Melnychuk, Lucas launched an annual community hockey event in 2022 before introducing a charitable fundraising component the following year. The event has continued to grow into a day that brings together clients, families, friends, and members of the community for a charity hockey game and open family skate in support of SickKids Foundation.
Over four years, the initiative has raised more than $50,000, including more than $19,000 in 2025. Lucas and Stefan have already committed to raising another $10,000 this year.
Following the 2024 event, he learned the funds raised helped support a SickKids research team developing artificial intelligence technology to improve patient triage and diagnosis in the Emergency Department. The success of that pilot project led to the team receiving a $250,000 grant to continue advancing the research.
“If our effort helps improve patient care and efficiency at SickKids, there’s potential for that software to be implemented throughout Canada’s healthcare system,” Lucas shared. “That could help alleviate pressure on hospitals while improving care for patients and families.”
As a REALTOR®, Lucas believes community involvement is an important part of building lasting relationships.
“My objective as a real estate advisor is to build relationships and provide advice that enables clients to make well-informed decisions in their lives by putting their needs and goals ahead of our own,” he said. “Being active in the community demonstrates our commitment to helping people and giving back.”
He also believes those efforts help strengthen confidence in the profession.
“Our industry is under attack, and regaining trust with consumers is paramount,” Lucas said. “By demonstrating we are more than sales professionals, we build stronger relationships with the public.”
As part of this recognition, Coldwell Banker Canada will donate $1,000 to SickKids Foundation in Lucas’ honour, helping support the next generation of research, innovation, and patient care.
The Extraordinary Impact Award celebrates real estate professionals who invest in the places and people around them. Lucas has turned a deeply personal connection to SickKids into something that improves care for children and families across Canada.
Every donation helps support research, innovation, and patient care at SickKids. To learn more or contribute, visit Lucas’ donation page at SickKidsFoundation.com.
Canada’s Housing Market Shows Signs of a Stronger Second Half of 2026
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.
Maureen Tenaglia Receives Coldwell Banker Canada’s Extraordinary Impact Award for Strengthening Community Connections in Bolton
As Chair of the Downtown Bolton Business Improvement Area, Maureen Tenaglia helps bring local businesses, residents, and families together through events that build pride in the downtown core.
BOLTON, ONT. – June 2026 – For Maureen Tenaglia, real estate and community have always been closely connected. An agent with Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate Brokerage in Bolton, Ontario, Maureen is also Chair of the Downtown Bolton Business Improvement Area, where she helps bring local businesses, residents, families, and community partners together through events and initiatives that support the downtown core.
Coldwell Banker Canada is proud to recognize Maureen as the June 2026 recipient of the Extraordinary Impact Award, a national recognition created to celebrate agents whose contributions to their communities reach beyond the transaction. At the heart of the award is a belief that strong communities are built by people who continue to show up for them, support them, and invest in them over time.
In Bolton, Maureen has done that through her work with the BIA, helping organize events that bring thousands of people into the downtown core and create opportunities for local businesses to connect directly with the community.
Maureen’s work with the BIA includes signature community events such as Christmas in the Valley, which brought together vendors, food trucks, local businesses, families, and community members for an evening of celebration and tree lighting. She is also helping lead Midnight Madness, a long-standing summer event that continues to grow each year and in 2025, saw record participation from vendors and members of the community.
Alongside these community events, Maureen has helped champion the beautification of downtown Bolton through the flower program that lines the core each season. For her, creating a welcoming environment is part of creating a sense of home. The flowers, streetscapes, and public spaces all contribute to the feeling that people belong there and that the community is something worth taking pride in.
These events bring people into the downtown core, create greater visibility for local businesses, and give residents a chance to gather, connect, and experience what makes Bolton feel like home.
That connection to place is also closely tied to how she views her role as a REALTOR®. For Maureen, helping people feel at home means helping them understand the community around them. It means knowing where to shop, who to call, suggest businesses to support, and how to become part of local life.
Her approach is grounded in connection. She believes real estate professionals can play an important role in helping people find their place within a community, whether that contribution is large or small.
“Every realtor’s life is different, and it comes down to what they can do,” Maureen shares. “Community involvement can be small or big, but it all helps.”
It is a perspective that reflects the way she shows up in Bolton. Alongside her work as a real estate agent, Maureen balances her role on the BIA board with family life, including raising teenagers involved in sports, managing the demands of work, and continuing to give her time to the community.
That balance is not always easy, but Maureen has made community involvement a lasting part of her life and career.
Through her leadership, local businesses are given more opportunities to be seen, residents are encouraged to support the shops and services close to home, and families have access to events that bring people together in the heart of their community.
As part of this recognition, Coldwell Banker Canada will make a $1,000 donation in Maureen’s name to Caledon Meals on Wheels, supporting an organization that provides services and connections to residents across the community.
The Extraordinary Impact Award was created to recognize agents whose contributions help strengthen the places they serve. Maureen Tenaglia’s work reflects the kind of local leadership that builds connection, supports small businesses, and helps people feel more at home in their community.
Canada’s Spring Housing Market Finally Finds Its Pace
After a slower start to the year, May brought stronger sales activity as buyers and sellers became increasingly comfortable with current market conditions.
The latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association suggest the spring market many expected earlier this year may have arrived a few weeks later than usual.
National home sales rose 5.5% in May compared to April, marking the strongest month-over-month increase so far in 2026. New listings edged down slightly, inventory tightened to 4.8 months, and prices continued to stabilize.
The stronger sales activity may look sudden at first glance, but many of the signs behind it have been building for months. Homes have been selling a little faster. Sale-to-list price ratios have been tightening. Price declines have slowed. Buyers and sellers are getting closer in how they understand value.
May was the first month when that started to show up more clearly in sales.
“Over the past few months, the market has become easier for people to understand,” explains Karim Kennedy, CEO, Coldwell Banker Canada. “When people feel they have a clearer picture of pricing, inventory, and timing, they become more comfortable making decisions. May suggests we’re beginning to see more of that confidence return.”
Buyers and Sellers Are Finding Common Ground
For much of the past two years, buyers and sellers have often been operating with different expectations.
Sellers were pricing based on previous market conditions. Buyers were waiting for additional price adjustments or more certainty around borrowing costs. In many cases, that gap led to longer selling times and more hesitation on both sides of the transaction.
Over the past several months, those expectations have started to move closer together.
The national sales-to-new listings ratio rose to 49.2% in May, up from 46.2% in April, while inventory moved slightly lower. At the same time, days on market have continued to improve, and prices have remained relatively stable.
Those are all signs of a market where transactions are becoming easier to put together.
“One of the healthiest signs in any market is when buyers and sellers begin seeing value through a similar lens,” notes Hashim Arthur, COO, Coldwell Banker Canada. “That kind of alignment helps transactions happen more naturally. It also helps reduce some of the uncertainty people have been feeling.”
Local Markets Continue to Tell Different Stories
As has been the case throughout 2026, local conditions continue to vary considerably.
Ontario played a significant role in May’s sales increase, while parts of British Columbia continue to offer buyers more selection than they have seen in recent years. Alberta remains one of the country’s stronger markets, supported by continued population growth, while many communities across Atlantic Canada continue to experience stable conditions with relatively limited supply.
Those differences reinforce the importance of local expertise. National trends provide context, though buying and selling decisions are ultimately shaped by neighbourhood-level conditions, property type, and local inventory.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For buyers, May brought some of the conditions many had been waiting for. Prices are stabilizing, inventory remains close to normal levels, and sellers appear to be adjusting to current market expectations.
That gives buyers more room to make decisions carefully.
For sellers, the increase in activity is encouraging, though the market still rewards preparation. Homes that are priced properly, presented well, and marketed clearly are in a stronger position to attract serious buyers.
This is not a market where strategy can be an afterthought. Pricing, presentation, timing, and local expertise continue to shape results.
What Brokers Should Be Thinking About
For brokerages, May is a reminder that quieter markets are when the most important work gets done.
As activity starts to build, agents need coaching, marketing support, local market insight, and practical tools that help them guide clients with confidence. Brokerages that have continued to invest in those areas are better positioned as more consumers re-enter the market.
“Momentum tends to reward preparation,” shares Paul Abbott, National Vice President of Franchise Development, Coldwell Banker Canada. “Brokerages that continue investing in their people and support systems during a slower market are the ones best positioned when activity begins to increase. Strong leadership and consistent support make a real difference when consumers become more active.”
The Broader Story
May suggests the spring market was delayed, rather than absent.
Buyers and sellers are becoming more aligned, prices are stabilizing, and activity is beginning to build at a time of year when the market is typically at its busiest.
The months ahead will show how durable that momentum is. For now, the market appears to be moving with a little more confidence than it did earlier in the year.
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.
Steve Dube Receives Coldwell Banker Canada’s Extraordinary Impact Award After Decades of Community Leadership Across Welland
Coldwell Banker Canada recognizes Steve Dube for decades of volunteerism, fundraising, and leadership across the Niagara region.
WELLAND, ONT. – May 2026 – For more than 30 years, Steve Dube has built his career around the Niagara region community he calls home. An agent with Coldwell Banker Advantage Real Estate Brokerage Inc., Steve has spent more than two decades with the Coldwell Banker brand, building a reputation grounded in service, leadership, real estate, and long-standing community involvement.
This month, Coldwell Banker Canada is proud to recognize Steve as the May 2026 recipient of the Extraordinary Impact Award, a national recognition created to celebrate agents whose contribution to their communities reaches beyond the transaction. The award reflects a belief that has long been part of the Coldwell Banker Canada network. Strong communities are built by people who continue to show up for them, support them, and invest in them.
In Steve’s case, that commitment can be seen across decades of volunteerism and local involvement.
Before and alongside his work in real estate, Steve spent 20 years as a volunteer firefighter. Over the years, he has also served on the hospital board of directors, led children’s ministry programming, directed camps, and now serves as President of the Fonthill Lions Club. Community involvement has remained a consistent part of his life and work, shaped by a belief that business leaders should play an active role in supporting the people and places around them.
That approach continues through several local initiatives he helps lead throughout the year.
One of the most recognized is the community Easter Egg Hunt, an event Steve has helped run for 28 years. After the pandemic forced the event to relocate and rebuild, Steve helped bring it back as a free event for local families. Over the past three years, attendance has grown to between 4,000 and 10,000 people annually, with more than 2,000 children participating each year. Families return year after year, sharing how much the event means to them and how excited their children are to come back.
Steve’s community work has also expanded through his support of Adaptive Trails, a local non-profit organization providing programming for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 2025, he helped launch a fundraising golf tournament for the organization after recognizing the need for additional community support. The first tournament raised $6,000, helping support the organization’s sustainability, and a second tournament is now scheduled for August 29, 2026.
Through the Fonthill Lions Club, Steve also volunteers hundreds of hours each year helping organize BBQs, pasta nights, car shows, and community fundraising events supporting food banks, therapy dog programs, housing initiatives, cancer support centres, mental health organizations, children’s helplines, and other local causes.
He also owns a trailer full of carnival games that he lends out free of charge to schools, churches, fundraisers, and local organizations throughout the year. This summer, those games will appear at school fun fairs, Town of Pelham Canada Day celebrations, farmers’ market nights, and additional community events across the region, helping organizations create experiences for families while raising funds for their own initiatives.
When asked what role real estate professionals should play within their communities, Steve’s answer reflects the philosophy that has guided much of his career.
“Real estate agents should be at the forefront of building up their communities,” Steve believes. “We are community experts, and with that comes a responsibility to lead, support, and give back.”
That perspective is closely aligned with the thinking behind the Extraordinary Impact Award itself. While real estate professionals are often recognized for production and sales achievements, this award was created to recognize the broader role agents play within the communities they serve through leadership, generosity, volunteerism, and long-term local involvement.
As part of this recognition, Coldwell Banker Canada will make a $1,000 donation in Steve’s name to Adaptive Trails, supporting programming for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Niagara region.
Steve Dube’s work reflects the kind of community leadership the Extraordinary Impact Award was created to celebrate and the values that continue to shape the Coldwell Banker Canada network from coast to coast.
Coldwell Banker Canada Leadership Summit to Bring National Brokerage Leaders Together in Halifax
An exclusive leadership event designed to help Coldwell Banker Canada brokers navigate market change, strengthen operations and prepare for what comes next.
Coldwell Banker Canada Brokerage owners and senior leaders from across the country will gather in Halifax this October as Coldwell Banker Canada hosts its 2026 Canadian Leadership Summit, a national event focused on brokerage growth, recruiting, leadership, profitability and the future of real estate in Canada.
Taking place October 6, 2026, at the Steele Wheels Motor Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the event is designed specifically for owners and managers navigating today’s rapidly evolving real estate landscape.
As market conditions continue to shift across Canada, brokerage leaders are facing increasing pressure around recruiting and retention, operational efficiency, compliance, profitability, consumer expectations and long-term business planning. The Coldwell Banker Canada Leadership Summit has been designed to bring those conversations together in one room through practical, broker-focused sessions led by respected industry voices.
A National Real Estate Leadership Event Built for Brokerage Owners
Unlike traditional real estate conferences focused primarily on sales and production, the Canadian Leadership Summit is centred around brokerage leadership and operational strategy.
Attendees will hear directly from economists, business leaders, marketing experts and brokerage operators on the issues currently shaping the Canadian real estate industry, including:
- Brokerage profitability and operational efficiency
- Recruiting and retention strategies
- Canadian housing market trends and economic forecasts
- FINTRAC compliance and risk management
- Technology and brokerage operations
- Leadership and growth planning
- Building stronger, more scalable brokerage systems
“The Leadership Summit allows brokerage leaders to step away from the day-to-day and focus on the bigger picture,” said Karim Kennedy, CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada. “The conversations happening in this room are the ones shaping the future of brokerages across the country.”
Featured Speakers at the 2026 Coldwell Banker Canada Leadership Summit
The 2026 Leadership Summit speaker lineup includes respected voices from across real estate, business and economic leadership.
Karim Kennedy, CEO, Coldwell Banker Canada
Karim will open the event with a national leadership discussion focused on market conditions, brokerage growth, recruiting trends and the evolving role of brokerage leadership in Canada.
Hashim Arthur, COO, Coldwell Banker Canada
Hashim will provide a strategic network update focused on platform evolution, brokerage support initiatives and the future direction of Coldwell Banker Canada.
Kelvin Ndoro, Lead Economist, CMHC Housing Economics and Insights
Kelvin Ndoro will present Clarity in a Complex Market, a data-focused session examining Canadian housing market trends, economic conditions and the signals brokerage leaders should be watching over the next 12 to 24 months.
Pierre Calzadilla, COO & Co-Founder, Upfront and VERO
Pierre Calzadilla will lead The Business of Brokerage Profitability, a session exploring brokerage operations, financial blind spots, efficiency opportunities and the systems supporting stronger business performance.
Virginia Munden, Co-Founder, BuzzBuzz Media and The BUZZ Conference
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Virginia Munden will bring insight into leadership, marketing, coaching and long-term industry evolution.
A Special Address from Compass CEO Robert Reffkin
The summit will also feature a special video address from Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass, Inc., offering brokerage leaders a broader perspective on the future of the real estate industry and the opportunities emerging across the global Coldwell Banker network.
As part of the conversation, Reffkin is expected to speak to the recent Compass and Anywhere combination and what it means for franchise networks moving forward, including the scale, technology investment and global connectivity now supporting the Coldwell Banker brand worldwide.
The address will also touch on Canada’s role within that future, recognizing the momentum building across the Canadian network and the leadership shown by brokerages across the country during a period of significant industry change.
For brokers in attendance, the session is expected to provide a valuable perspective on where the industry is heading, how technology and consumer expectations continue to evolve, and why strong local leadership remains one of the most important competitive advantages in real estate.
A Focus on Growth, Compliance, Risk Management and Operational Readiness
The Canadian Leadership Summit will also feature a dedicated session focused on brokerage compliance, audit readiness and operational consistency.
The presentation will explore how brokerages across Canada are approaching FINTRAC compliance, risk management and internal process development in a more structured and proactive way as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
What Owners Will Walk Away With
By the end of the summit, attendees will leave with:
- A stronger read on the Canadian housing market and the signals worth watching
- A clearer understanding of the business decisions shaping brokerage performance
- Practical perspective on profitability, operations and long-term growth
- Recruiting and retention ideas informed by what leaders are seeing across the country
- A stronger understanding of FINTRAC compliance, risk management and audit readiness
- Peer-tested strategies from brokerage leaders operating in different markets
- New connections with leaders across the Coldwell Banker Canada network
- Greater perspective on the scale, direction and long-term investment behind the Coldwell Banker brand globally
- Actionable insight to bring back to teams, agents and business planning conversations immediately
“This is the room for brokerage leaders who are thinking seriously about growth, profitability and what comes next,” added Kennedy. “When you bring experienced operators together from across the country, the conversations become incredibly valuable very quickly.”
Register for the 2026 Coldwell Banker Canada Leadership Summit
Registration is now open for the Coldwell Banker Canada Leadership Summit taking place on October 6, 2026, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Brokerage owners and senior leaders are encouraged to secure their spot early and take advantage of early bird pricing ending June 1, 2026.
Register now and join brokerage leaders from across Canada for one of the most important real estate leadership conversations of the year.
The Canadian Leadership Summit is a private leadership event created exclusively for Coldwell Banker Canada brokerage owners and network leadership.
