Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
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.
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.
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.
Why Understanding the End User Is Becoming More Important in Today’s Commercial Market
Coldwell Banker Commercial R.M.R. Real Estate’s Graham Healer on what a notable Toronto industrial sale reveals about buyer behaviour, market positioning, and the value of knowing who an asset is really built for.
The commercial real estate market is still moving, but the path to a successful sale has become more deliberate.
Over the past two years, investor activity has pulled back from peak levels, underwriting has tightened, and assumptions around rent growth and financing have become more conservative. Leasing conditions have also softened in certain pockets, creating a market where buyers are still present, but far more selective about where and how they move.
For brokers and sellers, that shift has made positioning more important than ever.
A successful listing strategy now requires a clear understanding of who the property is best suited for, how that buyer is evaluating opportunities, and whether the asset is structured in a way that allows them to act.
For Graham Healer, Broker and Managing Director with Coldwell Banker Commercial R.M.R. Real Estate, that distinction has become increasingly important.
“There’s still demand,” he explains. “But it’s not coming from the same places it used to. You have to be more intentional about who you’re trying to reach.”
Investor Demand Has Become More Selective
Investor buyers remain an important part of the commercial market, but their approach has become more measured.
Where pricing was once supported by strong rent growth, easier financing conditions, and more competitive bidding environments, today’s investors are placing greater emphasis on stability, downside protection, and realistic assumptions around future performance. Lease terms, tenant quality, renewal risk, capital requirements, and exit conditions are all being assessed more carefully than they may have been in the previous cycle.
That has made some properties more difficult to position for an investor audience, particularly when there is uncertainty around income or future leasing conditions.
Healer saw this directly in a recent industrial listing in Toronto’s Rexdale corridor.
The challenge was that investor buyers were evaluating the asset through an income-based lens, and their view of value reflected that. In many ways, the offers coming forward were logical within the framework that those buyers were using.
“The investor numbers weren’t wrong,” he says. “They were just based on a different way of looking at the building.”
Why End Users Are Seeing Value Differently
At the same time, end users have become an increasingly important part of the buyer landscape for many types of commercial properties.
These buyers are evaluating a property through the needs of their business. Location, access, visibility, parking, configuration, zoning, operational efficiency, and the ability to control their space over the long term can all influence how they perceive value.
For the Rexdale property, Healer recognized that the strongest opportunity was likely to come from a buyer whose business could directly benefit from the building itself.
The location offered strong visibility, and the space was functional. The property had qualities that were meaningful to an owner-user, even if those qualities were being interpreted differently by the investor market.
“The value was always there,” he explains. “It just wasn’t going to come from the investor market.”
That approach was central to the recent sale of 75 City View Drive in Toronto’s Rexdale industrial corridor, a notable commercial transaction that closed on March 25, 2026, for $6 million. For Healer, the sale reflects how, in today’s market, a well-considered strategy can materially shape how an asset is understood.
Positioning the Asset for the Buyer
A shift in perspective led to a closer examination of how the property was structured and whether it supported the buyer most likely to move forward.
At the time, the building was fully leased. From an income standpoint, that can be attractive. For an end user, however, occupancy matters. If a buyer cannot understand when and how they could use the space, the opportunity becomes harder to evaluate.
Healer worked with the seller to consider the lease structure, tenant usage, renewal timing, and the practical realities of how a future owner might occupy the building. That process helped reposition the property in a way that made it more accessible to an owner-user.
“An end user needs to be able to see themselves in the space,” he says. “If they can’t use it, it’s very hard for them to justify the purchase.”
By creating a clearer path to occupancy, the property became easier for the right buyer to understand and act on.
Use, Specs, and Operational Fit
One of the more nuanced parts of commercial real estate is that the same physical characteristics can be interpreted very differently depending on the buyer.
In industrial real estate, features like clear height, loading, building age, and configuration are often discussed as if they carry the same weight for every user. In practice, their importance depends heavily on the type of business being operated.
A distribution-heavy user may prioritize clear height and vertical storage. A service-based business, automotive user, light manufacturer, or contractor-supply operation may place greater value on frontage, access, visibility, or a layout that supports customer interaction and day-to-day workflow.
For the buyer who ultimately moved forward on the Rexdale property, the building aligned with the operational needs of the business. The features that mattered most were the ones that supported how the property would actually be used.
“That’s where deals come together,” Healer notes. “When the property actually fits what someone is trying to do.”
Strategy Before Exposure
Exposure remains important, but it is most effective when the strategy behind the listing is clear.
For Healer, that meant taking a targeted approach to outreach. In addition to listing the property through the appropriate commercial channels, he looked at recent sales activity in the area and identified the agents who had been involved in comparable transactions. From there, he sent the property package directly to those brokers, regardless of brokerage affiliation, with a clear understanding that the right buyer could already be connected to someone active in that specific market.
He also used platforms to create a more complete information environment for interested parties. Rather than relying on a listing, the goal was to make it easy for qualified buyers and their representatives to access the details they needed, understand the opportunity, and determine whether the property fit their requirements.
That kind of outreach reflects a practical reality in commercial real estate. A property can be visible and still miss the right buyer if the marketing is too general. Activity alone does not always indicate alignment. A listing may generate inquiries, showings, and even offers, while still failing to connect with the buyer who sees the strongest reason to move forward.
For brokers, this reinforces the importance of defining the strategy before amplifying it. That includes understanding how the property is likely to be interpreted by different buyer groups, identifying the most relevant audience, and making sure the marketing effort is directed toward the people most likely to influence or complete the transaction.
The Role of Patience in a More Deliberate Market
In a selective market, time on market can be easy to misunderstand.
A longer listing period may signal a need for change, and it can also reflect the reality of finding the right buyer in a more cautious environment. What matters is how actively the strategy is being evaluated and refined throughout that period.
For Healer, the process involved continuing to read market feedback, testing assumptions, adjusting the positioning, and remaining focused on the buyer profile that made the most sense for the asset.
Patience can be difficult for sellers, particularly when market conditions are uncertain. It becomes more constructive when the broker can clearly explain what is happening, why certain responses are emerging, and what steps are being taken to improve alignment between the property and the buyer pool.
A More Thoughtful Path for Commercial Sellers
For commercial sellers, the lesson is to think carefully about the audience a property is being positioned for, and to understand how that audience is making decisions in the current market.
In a more selective environment, successful outcomes are often shaped by how clearly the property is understood, how accurately the buyer pool is assessed, and how well the structure of the asset supports the buyer most likely to move forward. That requires patience, market fluency, and an advisor who can interpret feedback before decisions become reactive.
For some properties, the strongest path will still be an investor. For others, it may be an end user with a specific operational need, a longer-term view, or a stronger reason to value the property beyond income alone. The work is in identifying that path early enough to shape the strategy around it.
The 75 City View Drive sale offers a useful example of that discipline in practice. It reflects the value of looking closely at the asset, understanding where demand is actually coming from, and creating the conditions for the right buyer to act. In a market where decisions are more deliberate, strategic clarity can greatly influence the outcome.
This is where experience and access to broader market insight become increasingly valuable. Across the Coldwell Banker Canada network, that perspective is helping brokers approach listings with a clearer understanding of how demand is evolving, and how to position assets accordingly.
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.
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.
