The Canadian economy expanded faster than analyst forecasts, but it isn’t what it seems. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saw unusually large growth in Q3. It sounds like good news, but diving into the data revealed the surge was entirely due to superficial accounting mechanics. Compounding the problem further—the agency warns […]
Canadian Parliament is floating longer mortgages as a housing fix—but does it actually improve affordability? An update from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) finds that stretching amortizations from 25 to 40 years lowers monthly payments, but borrowers end up paying 75% more in interest. The non-partisan agency also warns the analysis doesn’t account for broader […]
Canadian new home prices have largely resisted a correction, but they may be ready to give in. Statistics Canada’s (StatCan) New Housing Price Index (NHPI) shows an unusually sharp drop in October—the largest since 2009. But the bigger story is buried in the data: a rare shift in the relationship between land and house prices […]
Transit access has long been one of the biggest drivers of Canadian real estate value, but does that always make sense? Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows public transit revenues have recovered to 2019 levels, but ridership hasn’t. Most experts dismiss this as a temporary dip that will resolve in the near future. However, what they’re […]
Greater Toronto’s new home market took another hit as weak demand met falling-but-still-lofty prices. BILD GTA and Altus Group data show prices slipped in October—but not enough to draw buyers off the sidelines. Sales fell to a record low for the month, while inventory hovered near multi-year highs. The gap between what’s for sale and […]
The Great Canadian Real Estate Downturn isn’t easing—in fact, it’s accelerating beneath the surface. Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) data shows the mortgage arrears rate climbed again in August, hitting the highest in nearly four years. However, the more important issue is flying under the radar: an unprecedented contraction in total mortgage volumes at banks. A […]
Time for your cheat sheet on this week’s top stories. Canadian Real Estate Canadian Real Estate Prices Fall To 4-Year Low As Inventory Sets Record Canadian real estate prices continue to cool after the pandemic-era boom. A typical home fell to $679,900 in October, a 20.2% (-$171,700) drop from the March 2022 peak. The drop […]
Canadian retail sales are weaker but not as weak as anticipated. Statistics Canada (StatCan) retail sales fell in September, with the drop attributed to a single (but large) category. While retail sales are holding up stronger than the headline data suggests, the longer-term issue of stagnation remains. Canadian Retail Sales Flat Excluding Gas and Vehicles […]
Canadian consumer borrowing is suddenly accelerating, and home equity borrowing was no exception. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) borrowing just saw the biggest September growth since 2009. The increase is part of a broader trend that’s pushed annual growth to the highest rate in nearly 13 years. What […]
Canada’s odd surge in housing starts disappeared as fast as it arrived. CMHC data shows starts plunged by nearly a fifth in October, led by weak condo demand. BMO Capital Markets told investors this was largely expected and unlikely to lift prices. Starts remain historically elevated, and a wave of record completions will hit the […]
