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Canada's housing market recorded a marginal decline in activity in March, with home sales slipping 0.1% month-on-month and 2.3% annually, according to data from the Canadian Real Estate Association. Prices also weakened, with the Home Price Index falling 0.4% over the month and 4.7% year-on-year. Higher mortgage rates and global economic uncertainty weighed on demand, leading to subdued market conditions. The association has revised its 2026 sales forecast downward to 474,972 transactions, reflecting a slower recovery trajectory. The sales-to-new listings ratio remained below long-term averages, indicating continued market softness.
Canada's residential property market recorded a marginal decline in sales and prices in March, as rising mortgage rates and global economic uncertainty continued to weigh on buyer activity, according to data released in the past week by the Canadian Real Estate Association. Advertisement
Home sales fell by 0.1% on a month-on-month basis, extending a subdued start to the year. On an annual basis, sales were down 2.3%, reflecting weaker demand compared to the same period last year. The data indicates that the housing market has yet to regain momentum amid tightening financial conditions.
Price trends also showed a downward movement. The Home Price Index declined by 0.4% over the month and registered a year-on-year drop of 4.7%. The decline suggests that pricing pressures persist across key markets, influenced by reduced affordability and cautious buyer sentiment.
Supply indicators remained largely stable but showed a slight contraction. Newly listed properties declined by 0.2% compared to the previous month, indicating limited fresh inventory entering the market. The sales-to-new listings ratio stood at 47.8%, below the long-term average, pointing to relatively weaker demand conditions.
Market participants attributed the slowdown to a combination of macroeconomic factors, including rising borrowing costs and heightened global uncertainty. Mortgage rates, particularly fixed-rate products, saw an increase during the month, influenced by expectations of higher inflation. This has added to affordability constraints for potential homebuyers.
The continued softness in market activity has led the industry body to revise its outlook for the year. The Canadian Real Estate Association now expects 474,972 residential transactions in 2026, representing a modest 1% increase over the previous year. However, this is lower than its earlier forecast of 494,512 transactions issued at the beginning of the year.
The revision reflects a reassessment of market conditions, with the recovery expected to be more gradual than previously anticipated. Analysts noted that higher financing costs are likely to remain a key constraint on demand in the near term.
The March data underscores the sensitivity of housing markets to interest rate movements, particularly in economies where mortgage borrowing plays a central role in home purchases. As borrowing costs rise, buyer affordability tends to weaken, leading to slower transaction volumes and downward pressure on prices.
Overall, the housing market remains in a period of adjustment, with both buyers and sellers responding to evolving economic conditions and interest rate expectations.
Source - Reuters
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