Canada’s six-mo housing-start trend recently slipped ↓~1% to 244K units nationwide, while actual starts in larger centres eased ↓~2% to 17.7K overall.
Current yr-to-date starts reached 149.5K units, down ~4% from the same period in 2025, showing construction still lagged policymakers’ push for faster building.
An economist at the national housing agency said starts were elevated versus recent years, but expected the downward trend to continue in the coming months.
Industry voices said homebuilders faced added pressure from geopolitical turmoil and the US-Canada trade conflict, especially as tariffs raised costs for construction materials.
The national housing agency projected new-home construction would keep declining through 2028, with condos especially weak amid high developer costs, soft demand, and surplus inventory.

Alliston — Most Expensive homes for September 2026.

Listings (sorted by price):
1. Listing 40864130 — $2,098,000
2. Listing N13794188 — $2,098,000
3. Listing N13810538 — $1,995,000
4. Listing N13672296 — $1,699,900
5. Listing N13555340 — $1,623,000
6. Listing N13810712 — $1,399,000
7. Listing N13606066 — $1,299,800
8. Listing N13646696 — $1,298,000
9. Listing N13670634 — $1,275,000
10. Listing N13081156 — $1,247,500
11. Listing N13807494 — $1,199,999
12. Listing N13789094 — $1,199,900
13. Listing N13642896 — $1,199,000
14. Listing N13683806 — $1,188,000
15. Listing N13526224 — $1,124,999

As someone dedicated to guiding clients through every step of their real estate journey, I’m seeing firsthand how today’s elevated mortgage rates are reshaping what’s possible for Canadian buyers and investors. With borrowing costs staying high and economic uncertainty still in play, many are feeling the pressure on affordability. While potential rate relief could offer some breathing room, its true impact hinges on inflation, economic trends, and the Bank of Canada’s decisions. Buyers are understandably cautious, and higher financing costs continue to shape purchasing power, refinancing choices, and overall housing demand. During times like these, planning around current financing realities—not just hoping for rates to fall—remains key to making confident, informed decisions.

It's been a dynamic time for Canada's housing market, with national activity dipping around 7% year-over-year and sales down just under 1% month-over-month. These shifts reflect how buyers are weighing broader issues like trade tensions, oil prices, and persistent inflation. With Canadian bond yields climbing, we're seeing added pressure on fixed mortgage rates—a trend that's top of mind for anyone considering a move. Still, some industry experts believe late Q3 and Q4 could see a pick-up in activity. The Bank of Canada is holding its policy rate steady for now, and inflation remains close to 3% for the second month running, prompting some economists to point to the potential for rate easing in 2027. For the rest of 2026, the outlook appears stable, with perhaps a minor rate adjustment before cuts are possible as conditions improve. Watch for a US trade deal as a major factor that could drive a stronger rebound. As a Homelife Higher Standards Sales Representative, I make it a priority to keep my clients informed and prepared for changing conditions—especially over the next 6 to 12 months when staying ready may make all the difference.

The latest figures from the national housing agency highlight just how significant our housing supply challenge is: Canada needs between 417,000 and 469,000 new homes built each year through 2036 to bring affordability back to pre-pandemic levels. That’s nearly double what current construction projections suggest. In reality, we’re looking at a long-term gap of 187,000 to 238,000 homes annually over the next decade. With new construction expected to slow even as demand remains strong, it’s clear that the path to affordability is an uphill climb—and today’s market downturn only increases the risk of falling further behind. As a Homelife Higher Standards Sales Representative, I’m committed to guiding clients through these complexities and ensuring they’re supported at every stage of their journey, even as the landscape shifts. The scale of the challenge is large, but understanding the numbers helps us navigate the road ahead with confidence.

The perfect opportunity to embrace your inner "foodie" and unbutton your pants at the dinner table!In Canada, post-Thanksgiving is all about creative cranberry sauce solutions. Cranberry sauce pancakes, anyone?It's that time when multiple ovens are a blessing. Turkey, pies, casseroles – less stress!