Quebec home sales slide as inventory builds and sellers hold firm
Quebec City’s inventory, despite a 27% annual increase, remains 54% below its 10-year average.
In September, Montreal CMA sales fell 11.6% to 3,082 transactions, with new listings up 7.2% to 7,494 and total inventory rising 19.9% to 21,793 units.
Don Kottick of RE/MAX Canada says buyers remain willing to make compromises, from relocating farther from city centres to adjusting their spending habits, to achieve their homeownership goals. https://t.co/GOHrsHlsWY
— Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine (@CMPmagazine) October 14, 2026
Fixed rate pressures hit first-time buyers hardest
Affordability is the sharpest headwind for those entering the market. Camille Laberge, assistant director of market analysis at the QPAREB, pointed to compounding pressures from rising fixed mortgage rates and cooling population growth.
“Affordability challenges are also discouraging some households from buying a home or condominium in several markets, especially among first-time buyers,” she said.
“Given the increase in fixed mortgage rates in the spring and again in early fall, and that the Bank of Canada’s policy interest rate could rise by the end of 2026 or, at the latest, in early 2027, housing affordability in Quebec is likely to continue to deteriorate, as median home prices are expected to remain high.”
