With declining interest rates and new lending rules, demand for housing in markets across Canada picks up in Q4

Despite economic and political uncertainty – both in Canada and south of the border – a revival of our national real estate market is underway thanks to lower interest rates, changes to mortgage lending rules, and renewed buyer demand. Strong activity through the final months of 2024 in most major regions from coast to coast resulted in moderate price gains, nationally. 

According to the Royal LePage® House Price Survey released today, the aggregate price of a home in Canada increased 3.8% year over year to $819,600 in the fourth quarter of 2024. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the national aggregate home price remained essentially flat, rising a modest 0.5%. While activity began to flourish again in the final months of 2024, following sluggish demand in most major markets over the summer,  home price appreciation remained in check last quarter. 

“There are several converging factors revitalizing Canada’s real estate market and making home ownership more attainable,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage. “Interest rates have fallen sharply in recent months, with further reductions expected in 2025. We believe the Bank of Canada could lower rates by another 100 basis points by year end, steadily improving affordability. At the same time, new mortgage rules are already helping younger Canadians by increasing borrowing power and reducing monthly carrying costs.

“While geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over the Trump administration’s proposed trade policies may weigh on consumer confidence, residential real estate remains largely insulated from such external pressures in the short term. Canada’s housing market is fundamentally driven by domestic factors. With strong full-time job growth, improving housing supply in key markets, and more accessible financing, we expect healthy activity levels to persist, even as broader economic challenges unfold,” said Soper.

When broken out by housing type, the national median price of a single-family detached home increased 4.9% year over year to $855,900, while the median price of a condominium increased 1.5% year over year to $592,700. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, home prices remained virtually flat, with the median price of a single-family detached home increasing a modest 0.6%, and the median price of a condominium rising just 0.4%. Price data, which includes both resale and new build, is provided by RPS Real Property Solutions, a leading Canadian real estate valuation company.

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