Canadian Real Estate Buyers Ignored Pandemic Warnings, Until Ordered To Stay Home

Canadian real estate buyers largely ignored warning signs going into last month. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows sales climbed in March. Due to the pandemic, the country had distinct pre and post markets. Pre-pandemic declaration, a large number of buyers didn’t think the deteriorating economy would impact them. Post-pandemic declaration, buyers were literally ordered to stay home, slowing them down.

Canadian Real Estate Sales Rise 8%

Canadian real estate sales made a surprisingly large climb, considering the pandemic. There were 43,317 unadjusted sales in March, up 13.51% from a month before. This represents an increase of 7.85% compared to the same month last year. Now, while this is a big number for growth – it needs a lot of context.

Canadian Real Estate Sales

The unadjusted sales for all home types, as reported through the Canadian MLS.

Source: CREA, Better Dwelling.

The read on annual growth was skewed due to the pandemic, and last year’s weak numbers. COVID-19 placed a number of restrictions on the largest markets mid-month. This prevented a lot of activity from happening, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. If growth looks low to you – that would be why.

Canadian Real Estate Sales Change

The annual percent chage of unadjusted sales for all home types, as reported through the Canadian MLS.

Source: CREA, Better Dwelling.

Last year’s weak Q1 numbers helped March to seem like it was on its way to much more impressive growth than reality. This becomes more obvious when you look at a longer timeline of the month. Last year’s March sales volume was the third lowest in a decade – an easy hurdle to clear.

March Canadian Real Estate Sales

The number of sales reported through the Canadian MLS in the month of March.

Source: CREA, Better Dwelling.

Greater Vancouver Real Estate Was The Fastest Growing

Greater Vancouver led the market on the bounce higher, followed by Quebec, and Fraser Valley. Greater Vancouver saw 2,562 sales in March, up 46.8% from a year before. Quebec City jumped to 1,139 sales, up 29.6% from last year. Fraser Valley, the board adjacent to Vancouver, came in third with 1,365 sales, up 17.3% from last year. Both Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley reported unusually weak Marches last year, so the growth sounds a little more impressive than it was.

Canadian Real Estate Sales By Market

Canadian real estate sales breakdown for selected markets.

Source: CREA, Better Dwelling.

Calgary, and Southern Ontario Are Big Losers

Calgary made the biggest decline of any major market in terms of sales. The city reported 1,526 sales in March, down 9.8% compared to the same month last year. The Niagara region fell to 434 sales, down 7.3% from a year before. Victoria made the third biggest decline with 576 sales, down 4.6% from last year. Calgary was fighting a rapidly deteriorating economy before the pandemic compounded issues. So it’s not entirely surprising it led lower.

Canadian Real Estate Sales Change By Market

The percent change in Canadian real estate sales for selected markets.

Source: CREA, Better Dwelling.

Considering most markets are locked down for April, there’s not a lot of insights to draw. Next month’s numbers will have minimal volume, which isn’t representative of an efficient market. Price movements in either direction won’t make a whole lot of sense on such thin volumes. Instead, the indicators to keep an eye on are employment, output, and debt.

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