2023 ended with a slight decline in sales and home prices in the Greater Montreal area. But the market should recover soon, perhaps at the same time as nature, at the end of winter, experts predict.
According to real estate firm Royal LePage, we saw some “passivity” from buyers in 2023 as the year saw widely reported increases in mortgage rates. And while there may seem to be an increase in the number of “For Sale” signs on city streets, supply remains “historically” low. In the Montreal region, the number of homes on the market is currently 47% lower than the average over the past decade. However, not everything is so gloomy and hopeless. In its report, Royal LePage noted that demand for property viewings is already growing. This certainly means that potential buyers are expecting better deals this year and are already in the home-hunting phase.
This is exactly what realtors observe in their practice. “They have a lot more calls, a lot more visits,” confirms Dominic St-Pierre, vice-president and general manager of Royal LePage, Quebec region. He predicts a “hot” spring market. Which has nothing to do with temperature, he clarifies. Buyers are waiting for real reassurance about the Bank of Canada’s intentions and lower mortgage interest rates. “And even if the decline does not happen now,” adds Mr. St. Pierre, but at least in the near future. Once this is done, we should see a gradual return of life, especially among buyers who have put their projects on hold to wait for these more favorable conditions.
The market recovery will not be as strong as in 2021, which was exceptional, but “the market should be very active again,” says Dominique St-Pierre, “like before the pandemic, when the real estate market in Montreal was very active.”
Home owners can be sure that their property continues to increase in value. Statistics for 2023 confirm the rise in residential property values both in Montreal and throughout Quebec. Average property prices are expected to rise another 5% in 2024.
If we observe the market over a longer period, we note a 30.6% increase in property values over the past four years in the Montreal region – from the end of 2019 to the end of 2023.
Ceux qui envisageaient d’acheter une maison cet automne surveillent certainement la hausse des taux d’intérêt hypothécaires. Et pas seulement eux. Ceux qui ont déjà acheté un bien immobilier et doivent renouveler leur hypothèque cette année suivent également avec impatience les controverses qui éclatent dans la presse au sujet des intérêts croissants des banques. Il devient désormais clair que les prix de l’immobilier n’augmenteront pas de sitôt, mais diminueront très probablement, principalement pour les condos, qui sont moins recherchés que les maisons.
The trend of selling for higher prices than the initial asking price is giving way to a more cooperative real estate bargaining process, in which buyers can bargain and offer a lower price than the initial asking price.
The average time it takes to sell has also increased. Buyers are now not rushing as before, they make informed decisions. During the excitement, some buyers were afraid to inspect the property in case they didn’t get the deal, now all purchases include a thorough inspection.