Mid-year reality check: 5 things Canada's housing market has taught us so far

Joel Fox Residential Market Trends National 2 days ago

Canada's housing market has been showing small signs of recovery in 2026, but affordability is still a real problem for many. Whether you’re buying, selling or an agent supporting your clients, the mixed signals in the headlines probably aren't helping.

The first-time buyer profile is changing. Here’s what that means for the market

Joel Fox Homeownership National Jun. 25 2026

For many people, buying a home in their late 20s or early 30s once seemed like a natural part of adulthood, but for many Canadians today, this looks very different.

What the smaller market boom tells us, and why it matters

Joel Fox Market Trends National Jun. 2 2026

For the last several quarters, the most interesting story in Canadian real estate wasn't happening in Toronto or Vancouver. It was happening in Moncton, Saskatoon and St. John's — markets that had rarely been part of the national conversation.

A different kind of spring homebuyer is emerging

Joel Fox Market Trends Homeownership National Apr. 28 2026

Spring is a popular time on the housing market for both buyers and sellers. As the weather warms, we typically see more listings, increased buyer activity and a general need for change. But this year looks a little different...

Canada’s housing prices are falling. Why isn’t that good news?

Joel Fox Market Trends Market Trends National Apr. 2 2026

In a market where prices are falling, the expectation is that lower prices will make homes more accessible and bring buyers back in. While that’s true in theory, it’s not necessarily how Canadians are feeling right now.

The mortgage stress story Canadians weren’t warned about

Joel Fox Residential Interest Rates National Mar. 2 2026

Mortgage stress is returning to the housing conversation in a way Canadians haven’t seen in years. Recent CMHC data shows mortgage delinquencies rising, with one million mortgages set to renew this year at mostly higher interest rates.

Why confidence, not rates, will decide fixed vs. variable mortgages in 2026

Joel Fox Financing Mortgages National Jan. 23 2026

On the heels of two Bank of Canada rate cuts in 2025, real estate experts, buyers and sellers are watching with cautious optimism to see whether lower borrowing costs will translate into renewed housing activity — particularly in major markets like Toronto and Vancouver, where sales have hit record lows.

Buyers need clarity over affordability in 2026

Joel Fox Residential Buying and selling National Dec. 22 2025

For years, buying a home in Canada came with an unspoken promise: Even if the process felt stressful, the investment itself would pay off. That assumption is now disappearing.

How greater clarity drives smarter home buying decisions

Joel Fox Technology Homeownership National Nov. 25 2025

Today we welcome a new Column, Beyond The Curb, and contributor Joel Fox, co-founder of Ownright. Joel's first column explores the relationship between clarity and confidence in the home-buying market. It's a timely topic, with November being Financial Literacy Month.

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