Despite increased inventory, Canadians may be holding out for better prices and an eventual drop in interest rates according to the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) monthly report for April.

Home sales fell slightly, down 1.7% for the month. However, the number of newly listed homes rose by 2.8% on a month-over-month basis. Slower sales combined with more new listings led to a 6.5% rise in the overall number of properties available. That’s the highest level since the start of the pandemic. April was also one of the largest month-over-month gains on record.

“April 2023 was characterized by a surge of buyers re-entering a market with new listings at 20-year lows, whereas this spring thus far has been the opposite, with a healthier number of properties to choose from but less enthusiasm on the demand side,” said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s senior economist.

James Mabey, the newly appointed chair of CREA’s board of directors, suggests that those with the ability to participate in the current market should take advantage of the larger inventory and the benefits it provides.

“After a long hibernation, the spring market is now officially underway. The increase in listings is resulting in the most balanced market conditions we’ve seen at the national level since before the pandemic,” said Mabey.

“Mortgage rates are still high, and it remains difficult for a lot of people to break into the market but, for those who can, it’s the first spring market in some time where they can shop around, take their time and exercise some bargaining power. Given how much demand is out there, it’s hard to say how long it will last.”

Regionally, prices held steady for most of the country, with the exceptions of Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Calgary, where rates continue to rise. The national average home price was $703,446 in April 2024, down 1.8% from April 2023.

CREA April Report : Canadians Still Holding Off on Home Purchases by Livabl