Joelle Bitar and Montreal’s Evolving Real Estate Market

Joelle Bitar, a real estate broker with RE/MAX Action in Westmount, has worked in Greater Montreal’s real estate industry since 2007.

Montreal’s real estate market is giving buyers more options, Joelle Bitar says, “while sellers are taking a closer look at how their homes are priced. After several years of intense competition, the city’s housing market is entering a period of adjustment.”

According to the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB), residential sales across Greater Montreal declined 12% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous year. The number of properties available for sale rose 17%, reaching 20,350 listings.

These changes are particularly relevant to real estate businesses operating across multiple market segments in Montreal, including the Westmount-based real estate team led by Joelle Bitar.

A certified residential and commercial broker with RE/MAX Action, Joelle Bitar has worked in Greater Montreal real estate since 2007. Her practice covers established residential neighbourhoods, condominium developments, and income-producing properties, each responding differently to current market conditions.

Understanding the Current Market in Montreal

The latest housing statistics show that Montreal’s residential market varies considerably by property type.

According to QPAREB, condominiums spent an average of 61 days on the market in the third quarter of 2026, 13 days longer than the previous year. Single-family homes sold in about 40 days, with the median price up 2% to $645,500.

The condominium market has also moved closer to balanced conditions, particularly on the Island of Montreal. Single-family homes, meanwhile, continue to favour sellers across the metropolitan area.

For Joelle Bitar’s team, these differences are meaningful for the neighbourhoods and property categories it serves.

Griffintown’s condominium market, for example, includes relatively recent developments, where purchasers can compare similar units within the same building. In other neighbourhoods, such as Westmount, property valuations often depend on individual characteristics, including lot dimensions and architectural details.

Outremont and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce have distinct residential markets, with duplexes and triplexes playing an important role alongside single-family homes.

These differences ultimately influence how properties are evaluated and marketed. A condominium seller may need to consider competing listings within the same development, while a detached home’s asking price may depend heavily on recent sales of comparable properties in the surrounding neighbourhood.

For Joelle Bitar and real estate brokers working across Greater Montreal, understanding how property values and buyer preferences are shifting from one neighbourhood to another is essential to their success.

Valuing Multiplexes and Investment Properties

Income-producing residential buildings remain a significant part of Montreal’s real estate market, particularly in neighbourhoods such as Plateau-Mont-Royal and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, where duplexes and triplexes are common.

Montreal’s multiplex market has continued to record price growth. According to QPAREB, the median price of a plex in Greater Montreal reached $860,500 in the third quarter of 2026, up 3% from the previous year. Properties in this category spent an average of 51 days on the market.

These properties appeal to different purchasers. Some intend to occupy one unit while collecting rent from the others to help offset mortgage payments. Alternatively, investors may prefer taking on fully rented buildings to generate ongoing income.

When assessing a multiplex, rental revenue is only one part of its financial value. Property taxes and insurance also affect operating costs, while the building’s age and condition influence maintenance expenses.

Quebec’s rental regulations also require careful consideration. Existing residential leases remain in effect when a building changes ownership, meaning purchasers must account for current rental agreements and tenants’ rights.

Joelle Bitar’s professional background is particularly relevant to this area of real estate. She studied at the Collège de l’immobilier du Québec and received additional training in real estate law and taxation. Her experience also covers commercial leasing and business valuation.

This knowledge is highly valuable in Quebec, where the province’s property laws and rental regulations are critical parts of residential investment transactions.

Joelle Bitar’s Business in a Changing Market

With more properties available across Greater Montreal, reaching prospective buyers has become increasingly important for sellers. Property presentation and online exposure can help listings attract attention in a market offering more choices, another area Joelle Bitar specializes in.

Since 2007, Bitar’s operation has grown to include 20 associates, supported by administrative and marketing personnel. The company advertises properties through more than 100 online platforms and maintains connections with purchasers locally and internationally.

This reach is especially useful in Montreal, where a diverse population and interest from buyers outside Quebec create greater opportunities to connect with different audiences. Bitar’s fluency in French, English, Arabic, and Spanish also allows her to communicate with clients in their preferred language.

Her career has earned recognition within the RE/MAX network, including membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and Circle of Legends, as well as Diamond Club recognition. She also received the RE/MAX Québec Pinnacle Award in 2026 for her 2025 performance.

In October 2026, RE/MAX ranked her team 17th in Canada among medium-sized residential teams for the January-to-August period. As Montreal’s real estate market evolves, Joelle Bitar’s local expertise and extensive marketing channels continue to help her business and clients succeed across the city.