Due to concerns about the weak economy, the Canadian Central Bank decided to unexpectedly lower its key interest rate by 50 basis points on October 23, from 4.25% to 3.75%. This reduction in the interest rate may be a positive development for potential homebuyers, as it could lead to increased demand for real estate. However, the influx of new buyers on the market could also have a negative impact, as it may drive up prices.
While the interest rate cut may be good news for sellers as it could increase demand and lead to more auctions. However, the effects of the rate change may not be immediate and could take some time to fully materialize.
Even without reducing the interest rate, we have returned to a situation where there are multiple offers for the same property. Of course, there are still no offers for well over 100 thousand dollars above the listed price, but it is not unusual to see an offer 25, 30, or even 50 thousand dollars higher if 5 – 6 buyers have expressed interest in the property. This is especially true in the house market. The condominium market, however, is less in demand.
Today, a property worth 500 thousand dollars is the most desired. As a rule, first-time buyers come to me with letters from their bank stating that their future home’s value should not exceed this amount. Houses within this price range simply “fly off the shelf”, selling in the first week. That said, million-dollar homes that meet all requirements and are well-maintained are still in high demand. I have attended several auctions for these properties.
The Association of Real Estate Brokers of Quebec reports that real estate sales in the Montreal region jumped by 43.8% (!) in October compared to the same month last year.
I would advise families planning to buy a house not to wait until March or April for the search to begin. You can start searching for a house right now and make a purchase with a notary in June. However, the choice of a house, inspection, and verification of documents — all this can be done now.
Always ready to help you, Olga Ouspenski, real estate broker with 20 years of experience. Please contact me : +1-514-999-9260, , or here www.OlgaOuspenski.net/.
More recently, finding one’s own property was seen as a rite of passage into a new stage in independent life. That’s also why our ancestors respected peasants: although they may not have been rich, they were masters of their own land. Home ownership does take effort, and adulthood is when a person directs their resources towards the construction or acquisition of a home, its upkeep, providing for their family, and planning for their future. Funds are no longer solely spent on entertainment.
Unfortunately, a lot has changed in recent years. For the past 30 years, society has been divided between two extremes. On the one hand, there is a global elite whose main desire is to feel at home anywhere on the planet, in megalopolises. On the other hand, there are low-income individuals who receive various forms of life support. And what about the people in the middle, the so-called “middle class”? This group is under pressure and does not benefit from the society it helps to finance. Now, it is becoming increasingly difficult for middle-class people to acquire property, which often proves to be simply out of their reach, as it involves financial hardship.
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.
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.
Those who were planning to buy a house this fall are probably keeping an eye on rising mortgage interest rates. And not only them. Those, who have already purchased property and are due to renew their mortgage this year, are also watching with bated breath what disputes flare up in the press over the growing banking interests. It is now becoming clear that housing prices will not rise soon, but will most likely fall, primarily for apartments (condominiums or condos for short), which are less popular than houses.
However, the market is still in favour of the sellers. Unfortunately, the choice of good houses in good areas of Montreal and on the South Shore (Longueuil, St-Hubert, St-Bruno, etc) remains poor. Detached houses no older than 30 years, are sold in Longueuil for more than $600000, in Montreal – $800000 and more.