Home sales in Canada during April saw a decrease from the previous year, with the average sale price rising. The Canadian Real Estate Association reported that there were 42,927 home sales in April, down by four percent from 44,698 in April 2025. On a seasonally adjusted basis, home sales in April increased by 0.7 percent compared to March. Despite the slight uptick in sales, the global economic uncertainty and higher mortgage rates have tempered expectations for a strong housing market rebound this year, according to Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s senior economist.
The national average sale price of a home in April was $695,412, reflecting a 2.2 percent year-over-year increase. However, CREA’s home price index, which tracks typical home sales, saw a 0.1 percent decrease from March to April and a 4.2 percent decline year-over-year. New listings in April rose by 4.1 percent compared to the previous month, marking the traditional start of the spring real estate market.
There were 187,647 properties listed for sale across Canada at the end of April, a 2.2 percent increase from the previous year but 6.1 percent below the long-term average for that time of year. CREA revised its forecast for home sales activity in 2026, now predicting only a one percent growth compared to the previously expected 5.1 percent, citing the impact of the oil price shock on mortgage rates.
Despite some regional price declines in provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, the housing market in Canada continues to experience subdued activity overall. In Toronto, the average home price in April was six percent lower than the previous year and 13 percent lower than in 2023. Analysts suggest that consumer caution and affordability concerns are contributing to the sluggish housing market, with expectations for a significant recovery being scaled back.
