Summer 2026

Canada’s spring housing market sees delayed start in 2026

Canada’s spring housing market got off to a slow start, with momentum tempered by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and the lingering effects of a long and snowy winter. However, activity began to pick up in recent weeks.

According to the Royal LePage® House Price Survey and Market Forecast, the aggregate1 price of a home in Canada decreased 2.0 per cent year over year to $812,900 in the first quarter of 2026. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, however, the national aggregate home price remained relatively flat, increasing just 0.7 per cent. When broken out by housing type, the national median price of a single-family detached home decreased 1.3 per cent year over year to $857,300, while the median price of a condominium decreased 3.4 per cent to $577,600.

“In a typical spring, Canada’s housing market would already be gaining momentum, but persistently low consumer confidence remains a drag on activity – especially in our most expensive markets,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage. “That hesitation is being driven by uncertainty beyond our borders. For many Canadians, the headlines are hard to ignore.”

That sentiment can be seen in a Bank of Canada survey conducted in the fourth quarter of 2025, where Canadians were asked when they believe Canada–U.S. trade tensions had – or will have – the greatest impact on the economy and inflation. Half of respondents (50%) indicated that the most significant effects are still to come, while 27 per cent believe the worst has already passed.2

“First-time buyers are the engine of the housing market, and when they pause, it ripples through every segment. Move-up buyers are also taking a more measured approach, often choosing to sell before committing to their next purchase; a behaviour we haven’t seen in years. In some regions, however, the issue isn’t demand – it’s supply,” added Soper. “What’s clear is that many Canadians still intend to move. Our sales professionals, working with buyers and sellers every day, are approaching the spring and summer markets with cautious optimism.”

Royal LePage is forecasting that the aggregate price of a home in Canada will increase 1.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2026, compared to the same quarter last year.

Learn more:

1 Aggregate prices are calculated using a weighted average of the median values of all housing types collected. Data is provided by RPS Real Property Solutions and includes both resale and new build.

2 Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations—Fourth Quarter of 2025, Bank of Canada, January 19th, 2026  

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