Canadian Real Estate Market Report Summary April 2022  The growth in house prices during March 2022 remained robust, although the rate of change has declined substantially from February. Month-over-month price gains slowed from 5.3% last month to 2.2% this month.  The apartment category is still pretty strong. Second-highest ever m-o-m change. Daniel believes this is driven by two factors - the reopening of dense urban centers and the pivot to entry-level condos that may... [read more]

The volume metrics I was optimistic about have regressed pretty substantially. Even more surprising is that price seems to show some surprising resilience against the volume challenges in the market right now. I think this is a good thing, but I'm reluctant to give it too much credit right now as it seems to be evolving as a selection bias. Selection Bias in York Region House Price Growth The easiest way to visualize this is by evaluating the price rebound we've seen is to try to... [read more]

TORONTO - The Globe and Mail is reporting that Ottawa is preparing to close a tax loophole that's been used by foreign buyers in overheated housing markets such as Vancouver and Toronto. The Globe says the Trudeau government plans to tackle apparent abuse of a long-standing exemption that allows non-residents to buy homes and later claim a tax exemption on the sales of those properties. That exemption will reportedly now only be available to those who reside in Canada in the year... [read more]

The B.C. government took steps Monday to reduce some of the pressure in Metro Vancouver's overheated real estate market, introducing legislation that would add a 15 per cent property transfer tax for foreign nationals buying real estate there. The new rules take effect Aug. 2 and only apply to home purchases in Metro Vancouver, excluding the treaty lands of the Tsawwassen First Nation. Provincial Finance Minister Mike de Jong unveiled the tax as part... [read more]

A new report from National Bank Financial is cautioning policymakers that crimping demand for housing could hit federal and provincial coffers. In the report, economists Warren Lovely and Marc Pinsonneault warned governments and regulators shouldn’t take hasty action when it comes to changes to the industry responsible for $120 billion, or 17 per cent, of government revenues in this country. “From a fiscal perspective, housing is something of a cash cow for Canadian... [read more]