Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
The Secret to Recruiting More Agents Is Talking About Yourself Less
Coldwell Banker Electric Realty’s Ian Marshall on why the broker who asks the best questions wins the agent every time.
Over the past six months, Ian Marshall has welcomed 13 new agents to Coldwell Banker Electric Realty, building meaningful recruiting momentum through consistency, strong relationships, and a clear understanding of what agents need from a brokerage, with the added strength of Coldwell Banker Canada’s brand, tools, and national support behind him.
Marshall has grown Coldwell Banker Electric from zero to 42 agents in just over two years. He is thoughtful about how that happened, and more importantly, why. The answer he keeps coming back to is not a system or a pitch. It is a philosophy about what recruiting actually is.
“The best recruiters work like pharmacists,” he says. “Someone comes in with a problem. Your job is to provide the right prescription.”
Stop Selling. Start Diagnosing.
Marshall believes the first recruiting conversation is where most brokers lose the plot. They come in prepared to present. They walk through splits, tools, culture, and support. They cover the menu of services, and by the end of the meeting, they have said a great deal and learned almost nothing.
His rule is simple: if you are doing most of the talking, the meeting has already failed.
What he does instead is ask questions. What is making you consider a move? Where are you in your business right now? What does your day actually look like? A newer agent and a high producer are carrying entirely different problems, and the broker who runs the same pitch for both will rarely connect with either.
The question Marshall comes back to in nearly every conversation is deceptively simple. Why did you get into real estate in the first place? Not everyone can answer it immediately. But everyone has an answer, and getting there builds something that a feature list never will.
Practical Play: Before your next recruiting meeting, write down five open-ended questions and keep them in front of you. Resist the urge to fill silence with your own talking points. The agent who feels genuinely heard is far more likely to take the next step.
Lead With Specific Value, Not Features
At Coldwell Banker Electric, the conversation about compensation comes later. Sometimes much later. Marshall describes early meetings as “date me before you marry me,” a posture that removes pressure from both sides and tends to surface better long-term fits than brokers who open with a commission structure.
When he does talk about what his brokerage offers, it is specific and grounded. In-house staging services with no upfront cost to the agent, paid at closing. A mortgage professional working inside the office that agents actually know by name. Fully hosted websites at no cost.Technology that removes tedious tasks. Concierge-level support through the conveyance process.
Each of those things was built around the same question: how does this help an agent sell more real estate? Marshall thinks every broker should ask that question about every service they currently offer, and be honest about whether the answer holds up.
Practical Play: Take a hard look at your current value proposition from the agent’s point of view. For each thing you offer, ask whether it saves them time, makes them money, or removes a barrier between them and their next transaction. If you can’t draw a clear line to one of those outcomes, it may not be landing the way you think.
Onboarding Is a Recruiting Tool
When multiple agents arrive at once, Coldwell Banker Electric has a process ready. That process was not built in a hurry. Marshall and his team use Asana to manage onboarding, working through a checklist of up to 70 steps that covers initial training, orientation, technology setup, and all the back-end details that are easy to overlook and hard to recover from. Every team member owns a specific piece of it.
The reasoning is straightforward. An agent’s first few weeks at a new brokerage are their first real experience of how that office operates. If it is disorganized, they notice. If it is seamless, that sets a tone that carries forward into everything else. Coldwell Banker Electric will even handle printing signage and business cards. The message that sends is intentional: you do not have to figure any of this out on your own.
Practical Play: Map your current onboarding process from signed paperwork to the first supported transaction, every step. Find the gaps. Then assign ownership of each one to a specific person so nothing falls through because everyone assumed someone else had it.
Recruit Through Every Problem You Have
Marshall is direct about something most brokers resist hearing. Recruiting has to be the priority, even when, especially when, other things feel more urgent.
Culture problems? Recruiting changes the energy in a room. Revenue is tight? The right agents change the math. Not enough presence in the market? More signs on lawns help everyone who works under that brand.
He also addresses the resistance that surfaces in offices that have stayed small for a while. Existing agents can worry about what growth means for the culture they are used to. Marshall’s approach is to be transparent about the vision from the start. He makes the case that every new sign in the market creates recognition that benefits everyone, and he asks for that buy-in explicitly rather than hoping it develops on its own.
Practical Play: If you have been putting off recruiting because something else needs fixing first, flip that assumption. Write down the top two or three problems your brokerage is currently dealing with. Then ask, for each one, whether adding the right people could help solve it. In most cases, the answer is yes.
Where Agents Actually Come From
Most of Coldwell Banker Electric’s growth has come from people already in the building. Marshall talks openly with his team about growth goals, and his agents bring people they have worked with and trust. He has also built a consistent habit around cooperative transactions: when a deal closes with an outside agent, his team follows up to ask how the experience was, then naturally moves the conversation toward how that agent’s business is going.
He also runs events and invites outside agents to them. A wine and paint night. A chilli cookoff with a line dance instructor. Four agents joined after a single wine and paint event. The logic is not complicated. Post publicly, your agents invite people they know, and you build relationships that eventually become real conversations. It feels like a long shot until it works, and then it feels obvious.
Practical Play: Talk directly to your most connected agents about referring people they know. Most are happy to do it when asked, and do not assume it is happening because the culture feels good. Pair that with a few social events a year that are open to outside agents, keep them relaxed and genuinely fun, and let the room do some of the work.
The Mindset That Makes a Difference
Marshall’s last point is the one that is easiest to skip over and hardest to fake. Recruiters get in their own way. They dread awkward calls. They rehearse their feature list instead of their questions. They forget that the agent across from them is not lying awake thinking about website hosting. They are thinking about their pipeline, workload, and how they will pay their VISA bill.
The shift Marshall describes is believing, at your core, that you can solve the problem in front of you. When that belief is real, picking up the phone stops feeling like an imposition, and the conversation moves from selling to helping.
Agents feel that difference, and it changes the outcome more than any pitch ever will.
It is a strong example of how local recruiting success can build quickly when a clear brokerage vision is supported by the strength of the Coldwell Banker Canada network.
A Market in Waiting, as Confidence and Timing Shape the Months Ahead
Canada’s housing market is holding steady, though buyers and sellers are taking more time as borrowing conditions and confidence continue to settle.
The latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association point to a housing market that is steady on the surface, though far from settled underneath.
National home sales were nearly unchanged in March, down just 0.1% from February. The national average price softened slightly. New listings eased. Inventory remained at five months. By most traditional measures, the market is sitting in balanced territory.
Across many parts of the country, there is demand in the market. Buyers are watching closely, sellers are weighing their timing, and agents are having more layered conversations with clients than they were even a year ago. The pace is measured, and the urgency that once defined the spring market has not returned in the same way.
“Across the country, we’re seeing a market that is more patient than pressured,” explains Karim Kennedy, CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Buyers are still active, but they’re taking more time to make decisions. That changes the rhythm of the spring market in a very significant way.”
The Pace Has Changed
For much of the past few years, the Canadian housing market has been shaped by extremes. There were periods of intense competition, compressed timelines, sharp price movement, and a general sense that people had to act quickly or risk missing their opportunity. March tells a different story. People are still moving, still buying, still selling, though with more caution and far more consideration.
Part of that comes down to borrowing costs. Fixed mortgage rates moved higher in mid-March, which added another layer of uncertainty at a time when many buyers were already watching the market closely. Even modest changes in financing conditions can alter behaviour, particularly among first-time buyers or households already stretching to enter the market.
The Shape of Supply Right Now
That caution is showing up in the numbers as new listings declined again in March, and overall supply remains below long-term norms. That creates an unusual kind of balance. Inventory is not building because homes are sitting unsold in large numbers. It is holding relatively steady because both buyers and sellers are moving more carefully.
“The market is adjusting through behaviour,” notes Hashim Arthur, Chief Operating Officer, Coldwell Banker Canada. “People are still engaged, though they are thinking longer, asking more questions, and weighing their next move more carefully than they have in past spring markets.”
In some markets, a slowdown is driven by excess supply. In this case, supply remains limited in many regions, even while transaction volume stays muted. That helps explain why prices have softened without giving way to a sharper correction.
Pricing in a More Measured Market
The MLS® Home Price Index was down 0.4% in March and 4.7% year over year. The national average sale price was also down slightly compared to the same time last year. Those figures point to a market that is easing rather than falling. Sellers are still transacting, though expectations need to be grounded in current conditions. Buyers have more room than they did during the peak of the market, though they are not walking into a deeply discounted environment either.
Buyers have time to compare options, review neighbourhoods, and approach financing with a clearer head. Sellers still have opportunity, though success depends more heavily on pricing, presentation, and realistic expectations. Homes that are well-positioned are still moving. Homes that enter the market with inflated pricing or little preparation are facing a tougher path.
What This Spring Is Becoming
For agents and brokerages, this kind of market tends to reveal a great deal.
When activity is easy to come by, the role of guidance can get blurred. When the market slows and clients become more cautious, experience becomes far more visible. Local knowledge matters more. Advice matters more. So does the ability to help people make good decisions without forcing the pace.
That has broader implications for the industry. For brokerages, markets like this put more weight on brand trust, agent support, and the systems behind the business. Recruitment, retention, and long-term growth are always easier in a market with strong momentum, though steadier periods often say more about the strength of a business. They show whether agents feel equipped, whether leadership is visible, and whether the brokerage is helping people navigate the market in a way that feels useful and credible.
Across The Industry
March’s CREA report captures a market that is steady, deliberate, and taking its time. That may frustrate those waiting for a more decisive spring surge. It may also offer a measure of reassurance. Inventory is not surging. Prices are not collapsing. Activity has not disappeared. What we are seeing instead is a market shaped by restraint, caution, and a more deliberate pace of decision-making.
That could change in the months ahead. If borrowing conditions settle and people start to feel more certain about where things are headed, activity may begin to pick up. There are still buyers in the market, and many sellers are still planning a move. For now, both are taking a little more time before acting.
Whether you are considering buying, selling, or simply watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada sales professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise, and clarity.
These Home Trends Are Quietly Decreasing Your Property Value
Make informed updates to your home with a clear understanding of what enhances value and what might be holding it back.
Design trends are constantly evolving from season to season and year to year. What feels current, personal, and elevated today may not translate the same way when it comes time to sell.
Renovations, updates, and additions are often made with good intentions and represent thoughtful financial decisions. However, certain choices can influence how your home is perceived in the market and may narrow your pool of potential buyers.
At Coldwell Banker Canada, we often see how small design decisions can impact overall value. Here are a few trends to be mindful of, the risks they carry, and how to approach your home with long-term value in mind.
Converted Spaces
Home gyms, additional living areas, and custom walk-in closets have become increasingly popular ways to enhance livability. However, removing functional spaces, such as garages or additional bedrooms, can limit buyer appeal and reduce your home’s long-term value.
When considering a conversion, think about how easily the space could be returned to its original use. Garages provide both storage and indoor parking, which remain important features for many buyers. Bedrooms also offer essential flexibility.
If you choose to repurpose a space, avoid permanent changes that restrict future use. Customizations should be easy to reverse when it comes time to sell.
Loud Design Choices
Personalization is an important part of homeownership and plays a key role in creating a space that feels like your own. Bold design choices can bring creativity and character into a home.
At the same time, highly specific finishes may not appeal to every buyer. In some cases, they can feel overwhelming or suggest that additional work is required before moving in.
If you are looking to introduce colour or texture, focus on elements that are easy to update, such as paint, décor, or removable wallpaper. Avoid permanent features that are costly to replace, including statement tile, flooring, or built-in elements.
Too Much Technology
Smart home features can offer convenience, efficiency, and the flexibility to control your home at your fingertips.
However, there is a point where convenience turns into complexity. Over-automated homes with multiple systems, apps, and interfaces can appear high-maintenance, especially for those who prefer simplicity and do not want to worry about software updates or system malfunctions.
Focus on implementing technology sparingly that creates simplicity for daily living without requiring unnecessary layers of management.
Inconsistent Flooring
Flooring plays a significant role in how a home feels. When too many materials are used throughout, it can create a sense of visual fragmentation. Transitioning from different materials from room to room can make a home feel disconnected.
Consider using the same material, such as hardwood or vinyl, throughout the main living areas. Introduce variation in a more intentional way, and opt for area rugs to add warmth and texture where needed.
Shower Only Bathrooms
Modern, spa-inspired showers have become increasingly standardized, especially when refreshing a dated bathroom.
That said, having at least one bathtub in a home remains important for many buyers. Families with young children, as well as those who value flexibility and view bathtubs as a necessity.
Trends will always come and go, and the goal is not to avoid them entirely, but to approach them in a way that supports both practical design and personal style.
Creating a home that feels lived in while allowing buyers to envision themselves in the space is one of the most effective ways to support long-term value.
Today’s decisions. Tomorrow’s Value. That’s North of Extraordinary.
Small decisions can have a big impact on your home’s value. A Coldwell Banker Canada agent can help you focus on what matters most in your market. Find an agent today.
Canadian Housing Market Holds Steady in February, but the Real Shift Is Happening Beneath the Surface
February extended the market’s slower start to 2026, but beneath the surface, conditions are aligning for a more selective and regionally driven spring.
March 18, 2026 – According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, national home sales dipped 1.3% month over month, while new listings declined by 3.9%. The MLS® Home Price Index edged down 0.6% compared to January and now sits 4.8% below February 2025 levels. The national average sale price came in at $663,828, effectively unchanged year over year.
At a glance, the data points to a slower market. But a closer look suggests something more complex is unfolding. February did not signal deterioration so much as it reinforced a market that is recalibrating in real time, shaped by improving financial conditions, uneven supply, and a more cautious, more selective buyer.
This is No Longer a Rate Story
For much of the past two years, the trajectory of the housing market could be explained largely through the lens of interest rates. As borrowing costs rose, activity slowed, and as expectations adjusted, the market began to stabilize. The Bank of Canada held its policy rate unchanged at 2.25% on March 18, extending the pause that began in January, yet buyer activity remains uneven across the country.
While borrowing conditions have improved from their peak, demand has not returned in a uniform way. Buyers are still active, but they are proceeding with more caution, weighing not only affordability, but timing, job security, and local market conditions.
“Rates are stabilizing, but confidence takes longer to rebuild,” says Karim Kennedy, CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada. “What we are seeing right now is a more thoughtful demand. Buyers are engaged, they are watching the market closely, and they are prepared to act, but only when the conditions feel right for them.”
This shift toward more deliberate decision-making is one of the defining characteristics of the current market cycle. Activity is no longer driven by urgency alone, but by a balanced assessment of risk and opportunity.
Supply Is Tightening, but Not in the Way Headlines Suggest
One of the more important developments in February was the decline in new listings, which fell by 3.9% and effectively erased the gains seen in January.
Because supply decreased more than sales, the national sales-to-new listings ratio tightened to 47.6%, still within balanced territory, but moving away from looser conditions.
At the same time, total inventory reached 151,850 properties nationwide, up modestly from last year, yet still well below long-term averages for this time of year. Months of inventory held steady at five months nationally, but that figure continues to mask significant regional variation.
“There is no single ‘Canadian housing market’ right now,” says Hashim Arthur, COO of Coldwell Banker Canada. “What we are seeing is a series of local markets behaving very differently based on supply, affordability, and buyer confidence. That makes it more important than ever for agents to be grounded in what is happening in their own communities, rather than relying on national headlines.”
In practical terms, this fragmentation means that while some markets remain soft, others are holding steady or beginning to show early signs of recovery. The national average, while useful context, is no longer a reliable indicator of real-time conditions on the ground.
Pricing Is Adjusting, but Stability Is Beginning to Emerge
Home prices continued to soften in February, declining 0.6% month over month and 4.8% year over year.
However, the pace of decline has moderated compared to earlier in the year, and the national average sale price remains largely unchanged compared to February 2025. This combination suggests that while benchmark prices are still adjusting, the broader pricing environment may be approaching a period of greater stability.
For buyers, this creates a window that did not exist even a year ago. More inventory, less urgency, and a more balanced negotiating environment are gradually reshaping how and when people choose to enter the market.
For sellers, it reinforces the importance of pricing accurately and understanding the nuances of their local market. In a balanced environment, strategy matters more than momentum.
Demand Is Building, but It Has Not Fully Returned
One of the most consistent themes heading into 2026 has been the expectation that pent-up demand, particularly among first-time buyers, will begin to re-enter the market. That demand has not disappeared, but it has not yet fully materialized either.
Many buyers who delayed decisions over the past two years are now closer to re-engaging, supported by more stable borrowing conditions and a clearer view of pricing. At the same time, broader economic factors, including employment trends and household confidence, continue to influence the timing of those decisions.
The result is a market that feels quieter than usual for this time of year, but not without underlying momentum.
The Spring Market Will Be Defined by Timing
As the market moves toward the spring season, the expectation is not necessarily for a sudden surge in activity, but for a more measured return of demand.
That demand is unlikely to appear evenly across the country. Instead, it will emerge in specific markets and segments, driven by local conditions, affordability, and buyer confidence.
“We are not expecting a single moment where the market turns,” adds Kennedy. “What we anticipate is a gradual return of activity, with different regions and price points moving at different times. The opportunity for brokerages and agents is to be ready for that complexity, rather than waiting for a headline that says the market is back.”
For brokerages, this reinforces the importance of preparation. Recruitment, training, and agent support will play a critical role in how effectively networks can respond as activity begins to pick up in pockets across the country.
A Market in Transition
Rather than shifting the story dramatically, February sharpened it, pointing to a market that is gradually settling into a more balanced rhythm.
Supply is adjusting, but unevenly. Demand is present, but more selective. Pricing is softening, but beginning to stabilize. And perhaps most importantly, the market is no longer being driven by a single factor, but by a combination of economic conditions, local dynamics, and buyer confidence.
For those watching closely, the takeaway is that the market is evolving. And as it does, the advantage will shift to those who understand not just what the data says, but what it means.
Whether you are considering buying, selling, or simply watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise, and clarity.
From Rebuilding a City to Reshaping an Industry
After 120 years of navigating market cycles and industry shifts, Coldwell Banker now operates within one of the largest residential real estate ecosystems worldwide.
In 1906, San Francisco was rebuilding from the ground up.
The earthquake had levelled entire blocks. Homes were gone. Public records had been destroyed. Families were trying to make decisions about where to go next without knowing what, if anything, remained. In the middle of that uncertainty, a young real estate professional named Colbert Coldwell made a choice that felt counter to the moment. Rather than lean into speculation, he began publishing verified information about the properties still standing. He believed that before people could begin again, they needed something solid to stand on.
That instinct became the foundation for Coldwell Banker.
Where Trust Takes Root
Real estate has always been more emotional than it looks from the outside. Every transaction carries weight. A family choosing a neighbourhood. A business owner committing to a new location. A retiree deciding where to settle. In 1906, those decisions were about survival. Today, they are about growth, opportunity, and quality of life. The stakes may be different, but the human element has never changed.
One hundred and twenty years later, the industry operates at a completely different speed. Listings are looked up on phones before yard signs go up. Buyers compare cities across continents from their living rooms. Artificial intelligence can surface neighbourhood data in seconds. And yet, the need for guidance hasn’t disappeared. If anything, it has grown.
The North Star in the brand mark was chosen deliberately. For centuries, travellers relied on it to orient themselves when the landscape felt unfamiliar. Within Coldwell Banker, it has come to represent something similar: steady direction when decisions feel complicated.
Over twelve decades, Coldwell Banker has moved through war, recession, housing booms, and financial crises. It watched suburban communities expand after the war. It navigated markets where credit tightened, and confidence dipped. It adapted when the internet shifted listings from newspaper pages to global portals. Agreements that once required a handshake now close with a digital signature.
The mechanics evolved. The expectations rose. The commitment to integrity remained constant.
A Canadian Chapter Begins
When Coldwell Banker entered Canada in 1989, it began a new chapter shaped by a different geography and a different set of market dynamics. Over time, the brand built a presence across provinces and territories, combining global recognition with leadership grounded in Canadian realities. From large metropolitan centres to growing regional communities, growth came from understanding that each market has its own rhythm, even under a shared banner.
The Industry Reorganizes
Today, the industry is shifting again. The combination of Compass and Anywhere Real Estate reflects a broader restructuring taking place across residential brokerages. Compass built its reputation around product development and agent-facing technology. Anywhere has long been home to some of the most recognized brands in the world, including Coldwell Banker. Together, the platform now connects roughly 340,000 professionals across 120 countries and territories.
That scale changes the context in which real estate operates. A buyer in Hong Kong can discover a listing in Vancouver within seconds. A family relocating from Toronto to Calgary can be introduced through a global referral network that makes the process seamless. Data moves quickly. Capital moves quickly. People move quickly. The line between local and global is thinner than it has ever been.
Through it all, Coldwell Banker remains recognizably itself. The North Star is still there. The emphasis on professionalism and integrity is still there. What has expanded is the reach and the infrastructure around it, creating broader connectivity and deeper investment in tools that support agents and clients alike.
Local Markets in a Global Era
For Canada, that expansion is meaningful. This is a country shaped by migration and movement. Newcomers arrive seeking opportunity. Families relocate for lifestyle. Investors look across borders. As those patterns accelerate, connectivity matters.
Greater connectivity does not replace local expertise. It strengthens it. The advantage is not in being everywhere at once, but in being well-connected enough to serve people wherever they are coming from and wherever they are going next.
The next decade of real estate will unfold across new platforms, emerging technologies, and changing patterns in how people buy, sell, and invest. AI will influence pricing conversations, listing strategies will continue to evolve, and demographic shifts will reshape where people choose to live and invest. Under the same North Star that once guided San Francisco through its recovery, Coldwell Banker Canada stands within one of the most expansive real estate networks in the world, ready to meet a more complex market with more advanced tools while staying grounded in the same sense of purpose that has carried the brand for one hundred and twenty years.
One hundred and twenty years ago, our work was about helping people rebuild. Today, it is about helping them move forward with confidence.
Why Wait for Spring? A Thoughtful Reset for Canadian Homes
Get ahead of spring cleaning early with simple updates that enhance comfort, clarity, and curb appeal.
A seasonal refresh does not have to wait for the first warm day. A few small, intentional changes now can help your home feel lighter, calmer, and ready for the months ahead.
Spring has a way of arriving all at once. The snow melts, the light shifts, and suddenly there is pressure to deep clean everything in a single weekend. But a full reset does not need to happen overnight.
In fact, starting early is one of the easiest ways to avoid overwhelm. A gradual refresh gives you time to be thoughtful about your space, rather than be reactive to it.
Coldwell Banker Canada recommends treating your seasonal reset like a ritual. Just as you rotate your wardrobe or store away winter gear, your home benefits from a gentle transition, too. Here is how to start.
Simplify Surfaces First
If you are not sure where to begin, look at what you see most.
Kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, entryway tables, and coffee tables naturally collect everyday items. Over time, even useful objects can create visual clutter.
Start by clearing everything off one surface. Wipe it down completely. Then return only what you use daily or genuinely enjoy having on display. Consider grouping essentials on a tray to keep things intentional and tidy.
This small reset can instantly change how a room feels. Clean, simplified surfaces make a home look more cared for and easier to maintain.
Lighten Up Your Space
Canadian winters often mean heavier textures, darker tones, and layered décor meant to create warmth and comfort.
As the days slowly grow longer, try introducing lighter elements into your home. Swap out thick throws for breathable fabrics. Replace deep winter accents with softer neutrals. Add greenery or subtle florals to bring in a sense of freshness.
You do not need to redecorate. Even a few small seasonal updates can shift the atmosphere of a room and make it feel brighter and more open.
Tackle the Closet with the Three-Month Rule
Closets are one of the most practical places to start your reset.
Use the three-month rule as your guide. If you have not worn something in the past three months, it may be time to reconsider whether it still serves you. Be realistic about what fits your lifestyle today, not just what you hope to wear someday.
Donate pieces that no longer work for you. A streamlined closet makes daily routines simpler and creates space for what you truly use.
Start Small to Stay Ahead
One of the biggest mistakes people make with spring cleaning is trying to do everything at once.
Instead, focus on one space at a time. A single drawer. One shelf. One bathroom cabinet. Small, manageable tasks build momentum and prevent burnout.
By starting now, you will welcome spring feeling ahead, not behind. When the season officially changes, your home will already feel refreshed rather than in need of a full overhaul.
Ultimately, a seasonal reset is not about perfection. It is about intention.
A few thoughtful changes can make your home feel lighter, more organized, and easier to enjoy. And if you are considering selling in the months ahead, a well-maintained and thoughtfully styled home always makes a strong first impression.
At Coldwell Banker Canada, we know your home evolves with the seasons. A simple reset today can set the tone for a fresh start tomorrow.
Preparation today. Confidence tomorrow. That’s North of Extraordinary.
Canadian Housing Market Opens 2026 with a Winter Slowdown, Opportunity Builds Beneath the Surface
A historic winter storm cooled January activity in parts of Central Canada, but rising inventory and steady fundamentals suggest the year ahead may favour prepared buyers and strategic sellers.
February 18, 2026 – National home sales declined 5.8% in January compared to December, as severe winter weather disrupted activity across the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Southwestern Ontario. On a year-over-year basis, sales were down 16.2%. At the same time, new listings increased by 7.3% month over month, pushing the national sales-to-new-listings ratio to 45% and bringing overall market conditions into balanced territory.
The national average home price was $652,941 in January, down 2.6% compared to the same time last year. The MLS Home Price Index declined 0.9% month-over-month and sits 4.9% below January 2025 levels. Inventory rose to 4.9 months nationally, just shy of the long-term average of five months.
A Market on Pause
January’s numbers tell a story of timing more than trend. In many parts of Ontario, historic snowfall slowed both buyers and sellers. In contrast, markets in Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Greater Vancouver, and Victoria saw stronger listing activity to start the year.
This regional divergence reinforces what real estate professionals know well. All real estate is local.
“When we see a pullback like this in January, especially one tied to extreme weather, it is important not to overreact,” said Karim Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Inventory is building in many regions, which gives buyers more choice. Sellers are entering the market early. That combination creates the foundation for an active spring.”
With nearly 140,680 properties listed nationally at the end of January, supply is improving compared to last year, even if it remains below the long-term seasonal average. The current sales-to-new-listings ratio of 45% signals a more balanced environment, offering space for negotiation and thoughtful decision-making.
Where Prices Stand
While headline numbers show modest year-over-year price declines nationally, the picture varies significantly by region.
Some Ontario markets, including Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Milton, recorded sharper corrections, while cities including Sudbury, Quebec City, and St. John’s saw double-digit annual price gains. British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario experienced broader year-over-year softness, offset by stability and growth in other provinces.
“We’re seeing the market recalibrate itself,” explained Hashim Arthur, Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Buyers are more informed and intentional. Sellers are pricing with realism. That balance creates confidence. When confidence returns, activity follows.”
Trends to Watch
Several broader trends support a cautiously optimistic outlook for the months ahead.
First, inventory is returning. The 7.3% jump in new listings to start the year suggests sellers are ready to engage. A healthier supply pipeline reduces pressure and creates better outcomes on both sides of the transaction.
Second, first-time buyer momentum continues to build. Millennials remain the largest homebuying demographic in Canada, and many are entering peak earning years. After several years of affordability constraints and competition fatigue, a more balanced market offers a meaningful opening.
Third, rate stability is restoring confidence. While borrowing costs remain higher than the pandemic era, the pace of volatility has slowed. Predictability in interest rates allows households to plan.
Fourth, regional opportunity is widening. As major urban markets normalize, secondary and mid-sized cities continue to show resilience. Canadians are increasingly prioritizing lifestyle, space, and long-term value rather than chasing short-term price acceleration.
If winter weather suppressed January momentum in parts of Central Canada, it simply delayed transactions rather than eliminated them.
“The fundamentals of Canadian housing remain strong,” added Kennedy. “People form households. Families grow. Careers evolve. Those life moments do not stop because of one snowy month. They create demand that reemerges in the spring.”
Clarity, Choice, and Strategy
With 4.9 months of inventory nationally, Canada is sitting near the long-term balance point between buyers and sellers. This is a strategic market.
For buyers, this environment offers room to compare properties, conduct due diligence, and negotiate thoughtfully. For sellers, preparation and professional marketing remain critical to standing out in a more competitive landscape.
As 2026 unfolds, the early pause in activity may ultimately serve as a reset. A steadier, more balanced market allows for better decisions and more sustainable growth.
Whether you are considering buying, selling, or simply watching the market evolve, Coldwell Banker Canada sales professionals are here to guide you home with confidence, expertise, and clarity.
Compass + Anywhere Real Estate: What This Means for Coldwell Banker Canada
On September 22, 2025, Compass and Anywhere Real Estate announced a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction. The transaction closed on January 9, 2026, with Anywhere Real Estate operating as a subsidiary of Compass.
Big headlines create big questions, especially across a network as established and trusted as ours. So we sat down with Karim Kennedy, CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada, to talk through what this means in practical terms for Canada, and where the real opportunities are for Canadian brokers and agents.
In short, the Compass + Anywhere transaction does not change Coldwell Banker Canada’s operations or leadership. Coldwell Banker remains a distinct global brand, while the combined company increases scale, referral connectivity, and long-term investment in technology and agent platforms.
Q: Karim, what happened, in plain language?
Karim Kennedy: Compass and Anywhere Real Estate combined into one company through an all-stock transaction. Anywhere is now part of the Compass family, and that matters because Anywhere has historically been home to some of the most recognized brands in real estate, including Coldwell Banker.
But I want to start where our network actually lives, which is Canada. The question everyone asks is, “What changes for us?”
And the answer is: your day-to-day does not change. Coldwell Banker Canada continues to operate with Canadian leadership, Canadian priorities, and the same focus on supporting broker owners and agents across this country.
Q: People want specifics. What are the key deal details and numbers our network should know?
KK: If we’re going to talk about this, we should talk about it accurately. The deal was announced on September 22, 2025 and closed on January 9, 2026. It was an all-stock transaction, with a combined enterprise value of approximately $10 billion.
At full scale, the combined platform brings together roughly 340,000 real estate professionals globally, operating across about 120 countries and territories. Those numbers help to explain the strategic intent. This was not positioned as a rebrand. It was positioned as a scale and platform move.
For Canada, it reinforces the two things our brokers and agents care about most: stability and advantage. Scale supports long-term investment and strengthens referral connectivity. Platform means better tools, better systems, and a more modern experience for clients that keeps the agent at the centre.
Our day-to-day in Canada doesn’t change, but the broader ecosystem around us gets stronger, and that’s an exciting position to be in.
Q: What brands are now under the combined company?
KK: The combined company includes Compass plus Anywhere’s portfolio, which includes brands like Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby’s International Realty, Christie’s, Corcoran, ERA, Better Homes, @properties and Gardens Real Estate.
But I want to be crystal clear on something: Coldwell Banker remains Coldwell Banker. This is one of the most recognizable real estate brands on the planet. You don’t buy brand equity of this magnitude to erase it.
You protect it, invest in it, and build with it.
Q: So, how does this affect Coldwell Banker Canada directly?
KK: Here’s the most practical way to frame it: this is a U.S. corporate transaction. It changes ownership at the corporate level in the U.S., but it does not rewrite how Coldwell Banker Canada operates day-to-day.
We are proudly Canadian-owned and operated, and we lead this business for the realities of the Canadian market. That means our decisions stay grounded here, our priorities stay focused on Canadian broker owners and agents, and our strategy stays built around what helps our network win in Canada.
What doesn’t change is who we are and how we support you. We remain focused on our broker owners, our agents, our clients, our growth, and our reputation in-market.
And if anything ever changes in a way that materially impacts Canada, you’ll hear it from us early and clearly. But today, the message is simple: we’re steady, we’re proud of what we’ve built, and we’re building what’s next.
Q: You sound optimistic. What’s the upside for the Canadian network?
KK: There are three main reasons I’m optimistic.
First, scale grows opportunity, especially in Canada. A platform this large increases connectivity with more relationships, more introductions, more mobility, and more referrals. When the combined organization is able to leverage 340,000 professionals across 120 countries, that’s an incredible number that creates unbelievable momentum
Canada is a destination market. We’re a relocation market. We’re a lifestyle market. A larger connected ecosystem translates into more inbound referral opportunities for Canadian agents and broker owners.
Second, a bigger organization creates positive investment pressure. When a company positions itself as “built for real estate professionals,” it creates an expectation that the platform, tools, and infrastructure will improve. That’s great news for agents and for broker owners and it means technology becomes a competitive weapon, not an afterthought.
Third, diversification supports resilience. Real estate moves in cycles. The brands that last are the ones that can keep investing through every kind of market: tight markets, soft markets, weird markets. Scale, stability, and reinvestment separate the brands that last from the ones that fade.
Q: Karim, you mentioned “tech” when we spoke. What specifically should Canada understand about the Compass tech side?
KK: Compass has been building a reputation around agent-facing technology and product development, and you can see it in what they’ve already shipped and how they talk about innovation.
Compass has already publicly positioned tools that help agents bring sharper data into listing conversations, like its Buyer Demand product, which is designed to show real-time buyer interest at different price points.
But there’s a bigger strategic thread here, and it’s the one people are really asking about: listings, distribution, and platform.
Across the U.S., the industry has been in an active conversation about listing access, private exclusives, consumer search behavior, and the role of portals. Compass has been very visible in that conversation, including around how listings move through the market.
When I talk about Compass “building a listing platform,” what I mean is this: they’re thinking about the end-to-end ecosystem. How listings are prepared, launched, marketed, and discovered, and how agents stay central in that experience rather than being disintermediated.
We are watching that evolution with a Canadian lens. Our market structure, our MLS ecosystem, and our regulatory environment are different from the U.S. But innovation in how agents present listings, how they amplify reach, and how they bring better insights to clients absolutely benefits Canadian professionals when applied thoughtfully.
Q: You know I have to ask. Will that Compass technology and listing platform come into the Canadian market?
KK: It’s a fair question, and I want to answer it responsibly. The honest truth is that it’s too early to make any commitments about specific Compass products or a listing platform being rolled out in Canada, on any timeline. This is a large integration, and decisions about technology are complex even within one market, let alone across borders.
What I can say is that we’re watching it closely and we’re already engaged in the right conversations. Canada has its own market structure, MLS environment, and regulatory requirements, and any tech that comes into our market would need to make sense here, comply here, and genuinely improve outcomes for Canadian brokers, agents, and clients.
We’re not in the business of promising tools before they’re ready or relevant. If there are opportunities to bring innovations into Canada, we’ll evaluate them through one filter: does it materially strengthen our Canadian network without creating disruption or complexity? If the answer is yes, we’ll explore it thoughtfully and back it fully. If the answer is no, we won’t force it.
If anything evolves in the future, we’ll communicate it clearly, with specifics, and with enough lead time for our network to feel confident.
Q: What concerns do you think brokers and agents are right to have?
KK: It’s normal and healthy to be thoughtful about this. When a deal makes headlines at this scale, people naturally wonder what it means for their business, their brand, and the support they rely on. Integration takes time, priorities get refined as leadership teams align, and in the U.S. there’s a lot of ongoing conversation that can add to the noise and make the moment feel more uncertain than it actually is.
What I want to be very clear about for Canada is this: nothing is changing in our day-to-day operations here. There’s no leadership change in Canada. Our focus, our strategy, and our support model remain the same.
Coldwell Banker Canada is stable, Canadian-led, and operating as we always have, with the same commitment to our broker owners and agents. So while it’s completely understandable that a headline like this can create anxiety, there’s no cause for it.
Our job is to keep the network steady, communicate clearly, and only make changes if and when there’s a real benefit for our Canadian business.
Q: Are we becoming “Compass Canada”?
KK: [Laughs] No. Coldwell Banker is, and will continue to be, Coldwell Banker.
I understand why people ask, because big headlines make it tempting to collapse everything into one simple storyline.
But this combination wasn’t designed to erase brands, it was designed to strengthen them. Coldwell Banker has more than a century of trust, recognition, and brand equity behind it, and that distinctiveness is part of what makes the portfolio valuable in the first place.
So the intention here is not to blend identities into one name. It’s to preserve what each brand stands for, invest in what makes each one strong, and ensure Coldwell Banker continues showing up in the market as Coldwell Banker with its own reputation, positioning, and global presence intact.
Q: What changes for our agents right now?
KK: Operationally, nothing changes today because of this transaction.
Your brand is the same. Your client experience is the same. Your brokerage ownership is the same. Your support from Coldwell Banker Canada continues as normal.
Q: What should agents and brokers watch over the next 6 to 12 months?
KK: I would watch for three things.
First, watch how the combined organization talks about product priorities, workflow tools, and how agents are supported at scale.
Second, I would be leaning into our referral platform. With a global footprint of over 120 countries and territories, there’s potential to make our referrals more visible and more intentional. Canada has a huge advantage here. We are a place people move to, return to, retire to, and invest in. We should be leveraging that at the brokerage level.
Third, we should be paying attention the the U.S. listing conversations, because it influences the industry. Even though the Canadian market is different, U.S. trends can create ripple effects. Listing, portals, technology and consumer behaviour matter and we are watching them closely.
Q: Last question. What do you want the Canadian network to take away from all of this?
KK: I want our network to feel our momentum. Above all else, I want people to feel confident, because this isn’t a moment of uncertainty for Coldwell Banker Canada. It’s a moment of alignment.
We have the strength of a legacy brand that Canadians already trust, and we now have even more scale behind us. That means more connectivity, more opportunity, and more investment in the tools and platforms that will define the next decade of real estate.
If you’re a broker owner, my message is this: keep building. Your business is stable, your brand is strong, and the runway ahead is long.
If you’re an agent, lean in. This is the kind of shift that can open doors, especially for those who are ready to use better tech, stronger systems, and a bigger network to grow.
And if you’re looking at where to align for the next chapter of your career, I’ll say this with complete conviction: Coldwell Banker Canada is positioned for what’s next. In fact, we’re helping to shape it.
Karim Kennedy is the CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada, guiding one of the country’s most established real estate brands into its next chapter of growth. A lifelong advocate for innovation, Karim believes great leadership is about empowering others to succeed. Drawing on more than 20 years in business, he brings a steady, forward-looking perspective to the challenges and opportunities shaping Canada’s housing market.
Canadian Housing Market Ends 2025 on a Balanced Note, Setting the Stage for Spring 2026
Buyers and sellers are embracing a calmer, strategic market as 2025 ends quietly and optimism grows for a spring revival in 2026.
January 15, 2026 – National home sales edged down 2.7% in December, marking a soft landing to an otherwise stable second half of the year. Prices declined as well, falling 4% year over year to an average of $673,335.00. With new listings down 2% and inventory sitting at 4.5 months of supply, the market remains broadly balanced. For buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals, this environment offers room for strategy, preparation, and long-term thinking.
Balanced and Stable at Year-End
After a period of rapid ups and downs, the end of 2025 finds the housing market on a much steadier footing. Supply and demand are roughly in equilibrium. At the current pace of sales, there is about 4.5 months of inventory, just shy of the long-term norm of 5 months. This means we are neither in a frenzied seller’s market nor a stalled buyer’s market, but something in between. Buyers have become more cautious and deliberate, and sellers are adjusting their price expectations to these conditions. There’s no panic on either side. In fact, the quieter year-end has allowed both buyers and sellers to catch their breath and plan their next steps.
“The past few years have pushed Canadians to rethink what stability really means in real estate,” noted Karim Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Now we are seeing people make decisions with clearer intentions. They aren’t chasing the market. They’re acting when the timing and lifestyle fit. That shift will be key in how the next phase of the housing cycle unfolds.”
In many regions, sellers are making price concessions to close before year-end, while buyers are using this window to assess affordability and build a plan. The market may feel quieter, but it is not dormant. Behind the scenes, Canadians are preparing for what comes next.
Where Prices Stand Heading into 2026
Home prices in Canada have largely levelled off after the swings of the past few years. In December, the national average price was essentially flat compared to a year earlier, signalling that overall values have held their ground. The small declines that do show up in the index numbers are mostly the after-effect of earlier price surges in a few hot markets.
Most of the slight year-over-year dip in values came from Canada’s priciest regions like Toronto, Vancouver and parts of Southern Ontario that saw price spikes during the pandemic boom. By contrast, many smaller cities and more affordable areas (such as parts of the Prairies and Quebec) have managed to hold steady or even see slight gains.
Trends to Watch
Canadian millennials continue to defy expectations by leading homebuying demand. According to Wahi’s 2026 Homebuyer Intentions Survey, 25% of millennials say they are likely to purchase a home this year, up from 23% in 2025. Overall demand remains steady at 17% across all age groups, even amid persistent concerns about costs, employment, and affordability. While Gen Z interest declined slightly to 15%, Gen X intentions held at 18%, and baby boomers edged up to 10%.
This rising interest among millennial buyers is a signal that the spring market could see meaningful engagement from a key demographic. Many are now financially prepared, more informed, and motivated by lifestyle goals rather than pure investment.
“Millennials aren’t waiting for the perfect conditions anymore. They’re moving forward with clear priorities and smart preparation,” explained Hashim Arthur, Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada. “We’re seeing more first-time and move-up buyers entering the market with a game plan and trusted advice behind them. Their confidence is real, and it’s reshaping the narrative as we head into 2026.”
Clarity and Confidence Ahead
The quiet close to 2025 has created space for reflection and readiness. Sellers are beginning to prepare listings for spring. Buyers are reconnecting with agents and watching for opportunities. Interest rates remain low compared to last year, and inventory is still in balance.
Spring 2026 is shaping up to be a moment of renewed momentum with a return to a more grounded, confident market. Whether you are planning to buy or sell, the best strategy is preparation.
Whether buying, selling or simply exploring your options, Coldwell Banker Canada sales professionals are here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and care.
Coldwell Banker Canada Accelerates National Expansion With Significant Growth Across British Columbia
Expansion in B.C. marks another milestone in Coldwell Banker Canada’s multi-year plan to elevate professional standards and strengthen national leadership.
Vancouver, BC, December 18, 2025 – Coldwell Banker Canada advanced its national growth strategy with a major announcement in British Columbia as two long-standing franchise partners scale their operations and welcome upwards of 100 realtors into the network. The announcement highlights the accelerating momentum behind the brand and reinforces Coldwell Banker Canada’s commitment to building a stronger, more unified presence in key markets across the country.
Coldwell Banker Universe Realty, based in Surrey and serving communities across Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, is opening a second location in Abbotsford, BC and adding more than 80 agents to the Coldwell Banker Canada network. The brokerage has built a strong reputation for client-centred service, local expertise, and a culture that mirrors the pace and diversity of Metro Vancouver’s real estate landscape. This expansion enhances Coldwell Banker Universe Realty’s capacity to meet growing consumer demand while offering agents increased access to the brand’s tools, marketing support, and professional development resources.
Coldwell Banker Executives Realty is also expanding its footprint with the launch of a new office in Abbotsford, where it expects to add 30 agents. With long-established roots in the Interior, Kootenays and Fraser Valley, the brokerage is recognized for its strong professional culture, hands-on leadership, and focus on developing agents at every stage of their careers. The Abbotsford office strengthens the brokerage’s reach in one of British Columbia’s most active real estate corridors.
The growth comes at a pivotal moment for the provincial and national housing markets. The latest forecast from the BC Real Estate Association projects average home prices in British Columbia approaching $995,600 in 2026, driven by sustained population growth and continued demand for housing. Nationally, the Canadian Real Estate Association reports stabilizing resale activity and renewed buyer engagement in several metropolitan regions. These trends create a strategic environment for brokerage growth and reinforce the value of strong leadership and meaningful brand support.
“These moves reflect the calibre of leadership within our network and the strong momentum we are seeing across Canada,” highlighted Karim Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada. “Brokers want stability, leadership, and a brand that is committed to raising the level of professionalism in our industry. They want a partner that stands behind them as they scale. These significant expansions reinforce the confidence that strong operators have in our platform and in our direction as a brand. We are building something that strengthens real estate leadership across the country, and this is another important step forward.”
Hashim Arthur, Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Canada, noted that the growth in B.C. demonstrates the increasing number of broker owners seeking a stable, well-resourced platform. “We are seeing a shift across the Canadian real estate landscape. Broker owners are making thoughtful, strategic decisions about who they want to align with, and more of them are choosing Coldwell Banker Canada. They see a brand that is investing in tools, marketing, leadership, and long-term growth. Our network is expanding because our value proposition is resonating with the people who drive this industry. This is part of a broader movement we are seeing from coast to coast, and it reinforces the strength and momentum of our national strategy.”
Coldwell Banker Canada will continue advancing its national expansion strategy through 2026 with a focus on building leadership depth, elevating professional standards, and supporting the long-term success of its brokers and agents. The company’s momentum reflects a clear trend across the country: leaders are choosing a brand with stability, integrity, and a forward-looking vision for the future of Canadian real estate.
