Mardi Hassell

The number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems decreased by 0.7% on a month-over-month basis in August 2026. Monthly activity has now remained largely unchanged since May.

“Sales activity and price trends were largely unchanged for a fourth consecutive month in August,” said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist. “What has changed is the broader economic environment, with the Bank of Canada recently warning of rising inflation risks, along with doubts about the durability of recent economic growth. For borrowers, fixed mortgage rates have already increased on higher bond yields. Meanwhile, on the variable rate side, a rate hike is not only back on the table for this year but already priced in by markets. This fresh round of incoming headwinds is expected to dampen the prospects for further housing market momentum heading into 2027.”

August Highlights:

• National home sales fell by 0.7% month-over-month.
• Actual (not seasonally adjusted) monthly activity came in 6.9% below August 2025.
• The number of newly listed properties climbed 3.3% on a month-over-month basis.
• The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was unchanged on a month-over-month basis and was down 3% year-over-year.
• The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average sale price was up 0.6% on a year-over-year basis in August 2026.

New listings rebounded by 3.3% on a month-over-month basis in August 2026, reversing three straight declines earlier in the summer.

https://www.crea.ca/media-hub/news/canadian-home-sales-slide-down-slightly-in-august/