Amidst the warmth of summer, those observing the real estate landscape can find a moment of relief. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) brings news of a slight ebb in national home sales, showing a 0.7% decline month-over-month in July. It’s noteworthy that while sales rose in over half of local markets, a dip in activity within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) nudged the national figure below equilibrium. Additionally, a decrease in sales was observed in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley region, which, coupled with the GTA’s performance, counteracted gains in Montreal, Edmonton, and Calgary.
The question arises: why are housing markets shifting toward a state of stabilization? As we venture into the languid days of summer, insights into an impending slowdown have been surfacing since the spring. With a surge in new listings (a 5.6% month-over-month increase in newly listed homes in July), prospective buyers now enjoy a more diverse range of options. This burgeoning supply helps temper the velocity of price escalation, fostering a more balanced market.
Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist, elucidates, “Though new listings are experiencing robust growth, it’s noteworthy that we emerged from a 20-year low back in April. The swift normalization of new listings is a favorable development, given the recent rapid price surges. This trend provides a healthier equilibrium,” as emphasized in CREA’s comprehensive Housing Market Report.
But what about the trajectory of home prices? While not universally descending, the surge that characterized April, May, and June has tempered considerably.
The Aggregate Composite MLS® Home Price Index (HPI), a sophisticated metric employed by CREA to assess neighborhood-specific price trends, exhibited a modest 1.1% increase on a month-over-month basis. While this remains an upward shift, it signifies a moderation—about half the increment recorded over the previous three months.
Cathcart highlights the synchronicity of this price adjustment across regions: “In July, month-over-month price growth displayed remarkable consistency, ranging from marginal positive changes to approximately 2% throughout Canada. This convergence is noteworthy at this juncture.”
Presently, the Aggregate Composite MLS® HPI hovers merely 1.5% below levels from a year ago—an incremental decrease and the most modest since October 2022. However, the forthcoming months are poised to witness a shift in year-over-year comparisons, tilting towards a positive trajectory. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “base effect,” will infuse the appearance of an upturn in year-over-year price growth, although, as Cathcart forecasts, the trend is more likely to plateau.
In specific figures, the actual (unadjusted for seasonal variations) national average home price for July 2023 stands at $668,754—a noteworthy surge of 6.3% in comparison to July 2022.
As the summer sun casts its glow, the housing market breathes, adjusting its rhythm as it navigates the evolving landscape. The subtle shift toward stability, reflected in both sales and pricing dynamics, underscores the resilience and adaptability of the Canadian real estate scene.