The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has indicated that national home sales in Canada are anticipated to recover as the spring market approaches, following a slowdown in activity at the end of 2025. As reported, December saw a 4.5 percent decline in the number of residential properties sold compared to the same month in the previous year. Moreover, a seasonally adjusted comparison shows a decline of 2.7 percent from November's figures.

Throughout 2025, the total number of home transactions across Canada reached 470,314, representing a 1.9 percent decrease from 2024. The CREA attributed this downturn, in part, to what they termed a "tariff-induced flight of buyers back to the sidelines" during the first quarter of the year. This initial slowdown was succeeded by a mid-year rally in transactions before ultimately tapering off towards the year's end.

In December, the national average sale price for a home stood at $673,335, which was just marginally lower—by 0.1 percent—than the average price recorded in December 2024. This slight decrease underscores the ongoing fluctuations in market pricing amidst changing buyer behaviors and external economic factors.

In terms of listings, new properties entering the market saw a month-over-month decrease of two percent, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline in new listings. By the end of December, there were 133,495 properties listed for sale across Canada. While this figure reflects a 7.4 percent increase from the same period the previous year, it is still 9.9 percent below the long-term average for this time of year, indicating challenges in market supply despite the year-over-year growth in listings.

The CREA's report highlights the complexities of the current real estate landscape in Canada, characterized by decreased transaction numbers and fluctuating prices. The association's expectations for a rebound in home sales as spring approaches suggest that market conditions may soon become more favorable for buyers and sellers alike.