The latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) shows that average home prices in Canada took a slight dip in April compared to one month ago. The organization reported that the average price of all residential property types in Canada was $796,068 in March before dropping to $746,146 in April, with price levels not seasonally adjusted.
Despite this, Canadians still spent more on home purchases in April 2022 than they did in April 2021, with major markets across the country seeing notable increases in average home prices year-over-over.
Some regions, such as St. John’s, N.L., reported a moderate growth in the cost of a home; MLS benchmark prices compiled by the CREA showed that the price of a typical home in the city was about $268,000 in April 2021 before rising to $296,200 exactly one year later. Meanwhile, the average price of a home in the Greater Toronto Area, for example, came in at $1.35 million in April 2022, up from about $1.03 million just one year prior.
MLS home price index benchmark prices represent the value of a typical home in different Canadian neighbourhoods. Figures take into account different types of residential housing, and are not seasonally adjusted.
CTVNews.ca has gathered a number of properties that are listed at what is considered the average price of a home in their respective regions. With properties in cities ranging from Kelowna to Moncton, these listings represent the price of a typical home in major Canadian markets.
GREATER VANCOUVER
(Paul Albrighton, Re/Max Crest Realty)
Type: Apartment
Price: $1,375,000
Year Built: 2006
Property Size: 94.48 sq. m
Lot Size: N/A
This unique loft is located in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighbourhood, and includes two levels under 17-foot ceilings. Exposed concrete walls and floor-to-ceiling windows give this apartment unit its flair, with a design inspired by the high-end condominiums in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood. The property also features a modern, European-style kitchen with marble countertops and backsplash, as well as upgraded grey oak floors throughout.
INTERIOR B.C.
(Prime Light Real Estate / Dean Witala, Re/Max Kelowna Stone Sisters)
Type: House
Price: $799,900
Year Built: 2003
Property Size: 182.55 sq. m
Lot Size: under 0.4 hectares
With four bedrooms and two bathrooms, this single-storey home in west Kelowna has an open concept living area, complete with richly-coloured hardwood flooring and vaulted ceilings. The lower level is ideal for entertaining, with a multi-purpose recreation room, while the backyard deck offers views of the mountains nearby. The property is just a short walk away from schools and several hiking trails.
CALGARY
(ListSimple / Sarah Johnston, CIR Realty)
Type: Apartment
Price: $525,000
Year Built: 1911
Property Size: 93.37 sq. m
Lot Size: N/A
Two exposed brick walls give this top-floor loft in downtown Calgary its industrial style. Contrasting the textured brick walls are sanded wood floors, found throughout most of the unit’s 93 square metres. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and an island countertop made of stone, while the bedroom has a walk-in closet and provides easy access to a four-piece ensuite bathroom.
SASKATOON
A home listed on the market in Saskatoon. (Quiksell Real Estate Photography / Megan Dyck, Re/Max Saskatoon)
Type: House
Price: $349,000
Year Built: 1959
Property Size: 104.42 sq. m
Located in the Saskatoon neighbourhood of Sutherland, this 104-square-metre bungalow features a mid-century modern design, and its open-concept layout allows the kitchen area to flow into the living and dining rooms on the main floor. The lower level includes a bedroom, living room, and newly-renovated bathroom. In the backyard is a berry garden complete with goji berries, Saskatoon berries, and raspberries.
WINNIPEG
(Janina Nicole Photography / Jennifer Pinder, Ethos Realty Inc.)
Type: Apartment
Price: $354,900
Year Built: 1912
Property Size: 93.55 sq. m
Lot Size: N/A
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment mixes old-world charm with modern design, combining century-old wood beams and exposed brick with updated finishes. The unit, found in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, also has its own private rooftop patio overlooking the downtown skyline. Building amenities include a fitness facility and party room, while restaurants, public transportation, and the Waterfront are all located nearby.
This apartment in Toronto’s Candy Factory Lofts features an open-concept living space with 12-foot ceilings held up by Douglas fir posts. Natural light seeps in through the large, arched window to help brighten the exposed brick walls. Located in the city’s Queen West neighbourhood, the unit is within walking distance of Trinity Bellwoods Park, as well as a number of shops and restaurants.
OTTAWA
(Next Door Photos / Marnie Bennett and Greg Blok, Bennett Property Shop Realty)
Type: House
Price: $724,922
Year Built: 2016
Property Size: 75 sq. m
Lot Size: 117.65 sq. m
Built in 2016, this three-storey Ottawa home comes with light hardwood floors throughout. On the main floor are a combined kitchen and living area, as well as a bathroom, while the top floor includes two spacious bedrooms, a bathroom and laundry area. The property also has its own private balcony, with the ability to install a barbecue, making it especially easy to entertain friends and family.
Found in south Montreal, this condominium unit features two bathrooms and two bedrooms across 74 square metres of space. The crisp white walls contrast the rich wood flooring in this concrete building. Amenities include a swimming pool, gym and terrace with a panoramic view of downdown Montreal, and the unit is situated within walking distance of the city core.
Located in the west end of Moncton, this 173-square-foot home with four levels is situated on a large corner lot. With an open layout on the main floor, the spacious living room flows directly into the kitchen. On the second floor are three bedrooms and a bathroom, while the basement level features a family room, kitchenette, and another bathroom. In the backyard is a deck, great for entertaining friends and family.
HALIFAX-DARTMOUTH
(Ludmila O Photogaphy / Joyce Clarke, Re/Max Nova)
Type: House
Price: $524,900
Year Built: 2019
Property Size: 141.21 sq. m
Lot Size: under 0.2 hectares
Only a few years old, this rancher-style home in the Dartmouth community of Nova Scotia has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Both bathrooms have full enclosure tubs with lights, as well as custom vanities and granite countertops. On the main floor, the kitchen features a walk-in pantry, granite countertops, and an open-concept layout, connecting to the living room area, which also leads to a private outdoor backyard.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
(Odyssey Virtual, Michael Thompson / Jeff Ellsworth, Red-Isle Realty Inc.)
Type: House
Price: $339,000
Year Built: mid-1980s
Property Size: 97.55 sq. m
Lot Size: 0.61 hectares
This home in Alberton, P.E.I. sits on a 0.61-hectare lot. Built in the mid-1980s, the two-storey property has since had a number of renovations done, most recently receiving a new vinyl and cedar exterior. The stairway and bannister, however, are original, and lead to a second level with an office area, a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, two additional bedrooms and a bathroom.
ST. JOHN’S
(Tyler Oxford Photography / Scott Graham, Royal LePage Atlantic Homestead)
Type: House
Price: $299,900
Year Built: 2001
Property Size: 159 sq. m
Lot Size: under 0.2 hectares
Not far from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, shopping centres or the highway, this fully developed bungalow in St. John’s is complete with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The lower level of this 159-square-metre home also includes a recreation room. The yard is entirely fenced off and landscaped, while a backyard shed offers additional storage space.
TORONTO – The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says home sales in October surged as buyers continued moving off the sidelines amid lower interest rates.
The board said 6,658 homes changed hands last month in the Greater Toronto Area, up 44.4 per cent compared with 4,611 in the same month last year. Sales were up 14 per cent from September on a seasonally adjusted basis.
The average selling price was up 1.1 per cent compared with a year earlier at $1,135,215. The composite benchmark price, meant to represent the typical home, was down 3.3 per cent year-over-year.
“While we are still early in the Bank of Canada’s rate cutting cycle, it definitely does appear that an increasing number of buyers moved off the sidelines and back into the marketplace in October,” said TRREB president Jennifer Pearce in a news release.
“The positive affordability picture brought about by lower borrowing costs and relatively flat home prices prompted this improvement in market activity.”
The Bank of Canada has slashed its key interest rate four times since June, including a half-percentage point cut on Oct. 23. The rate now stands at 3.75 per cent, down from the high of five per cent that deterred many would-be buyers from the housing market.
New listings last month totalled 15,328, up 4.3 per cent from a year earlier.
In the City of Toronto, there were 2,509 sales last month, a 37.6 per cent jump from October 2023. Throughout the rest of the GTA, home sales rose 48.9 per cent to 4,149.
The sales uptick is encouraging, said Cameron Forbes, general manager and broker for Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc., who added the figures for October were stronger than he anticipated.
“I thought they’d be up for sure, but not necessarily that much,” said Forbes.
“Obviously, the 50 basis points was certainly a great move in the right direction. I just thought it would take more to get things going.”
He said it shows confidence in the market is returning faster than expected, especially among existing homeowners looking for a new property.
“The average consumer who’s employed and may have been able to get some increases in their wages over the last little bit to make up some ground with inflation, I think they’re confident, so they’re looking in the market.
“The conditions are nice because you’ve got a little more time, you’ve got more choice, you’ve got fewer other buyers to compete against.”
All property types saw more sales in October compared with a year ago throughout the GTA.
Townhouses led the surge with 56.8 per cent more sales, followed by detached homes at 46.6 per cent and semi-detached homes at 44 per cent. There were 33.4 per cent more condos that changed hands year-over-year.
“Market conditions did tighten in October, but there is still a lot of inventory and therefore choice for homebuyers,” said TRREB chief market analyst Jason Mercer.
“This choice will keep home price growth moderate over the next few months. However, as inventory is absorbed and home construction continues to lag population growth, selling price growth will accelerate, likely as we move through the spring of 2025.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
HALIFAX – A village of tiny homes is set to open next month in a Halifax suburb, the latest project by the provincial government to address homelessness.
Located in Lower Sackville, N.S., the tiny home community will house up to 34 people when the first 26 units open Nov. 4.
Another 35 people are scheduled to move in when construction on another 29 units should be complete in December, under a partnership between the province, the Halifax Regional Municipality, United Way Halifax, The Shaw Group and Dexter Construction.
The province invested $9.4 million to build the village and will contribute $935,000 annually for operating costs.
Residents have been chosen from a list of people experiencing homelessness maintained by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.
They will pay rent that is tied to their income for a unit that is fully furnished with a private bathroom, shower and a kitchen equipped with a cooktop, small fridge and microwave.
The Atlantic Community Shelters Society will also provide support to residents, ranging from counselling and mental health supports to employment and educational services.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.
Housing affordability is a key issue in the provincial election campaign in British Columbia, particularly in major centres.
Here are some statistics about housing in B.C. from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Rental Market Report, issued in January, and the B.C. Real Estate Association’s August 2024 report.
Average residential home price in B.C.: $938,500
Average price in greater Vancouver (2024 year to date): $1,304,438
Average price in greater Victoria (2024 year to date): $979,103
Average price in the Okanagan (2024 year to date): $748,015
Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Vancouver: $2,181
Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Victoria: $1,839
Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Canada: $1,359
Rental vacancy rate in Vancouver: 0.9 per cent
How much more do new renters in Vancouver pay compared with renters who have occupied their home for at least a year: 27 per cent
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.
