Author: Iolanda Esposito

Stable borrowing costs and firm housing costs are giving active buyers a clearer planning window, with accessible entry points emerging in several markets.
After years of unpredictable inventory, rates, remote work, trade policy, and inflation, softer price growth points toward a more normal 2026 market.
The central bank suggested its overnight lending rate may hold near 2% for much, if not all, of 2026, supporting buyer confidence.
Balanced or buyer-favoured regions give shoppers more time to compare options, focus on fit, and avoid rushed decisions under pressure in 2026.
Fredericton led the national 2026 ranking again, combining East Coast affordability, equity-building potential, market stability, and lifestyle appeal for buyers seeking value.

In North Vancouver, stratas must maintain common property and bylaw-designated items, which often includes balconies, decks, patios, drains, gutters, and other systems protecting units.
Owners usually handle patio upkeep like sweeping, cleaning, and annual surface care, while stratas clear drain systems, stacks, roofing drains, and gutters.
Surface exterior drains and parking garages need annual flushing because debris from storms, landscaping, and tree growth builds up, making prevention cheaper than emergency repairs.
When unit damage occurs, stratas should contact insurance first; if losses stay below the deductible, owners typically turn to homeowner coverage for costs.
If flooding damages patio-facing walls, door assemblies, or cladding, responsibility can shift to the strata; proactive service agreements and regular inspections help limit winter losses.

In BC, the affordability debate centered on home prices, but incomes also mattered when judging whether homeownership was realistically within reach for buyers.
BC's provincial government proposed taxing newly completed condos left vacant and unsold, aiming to move standing inventory and encourage lower pricing for buyers.
The BC market was already correcting, while slow sales, minimal presales, and high construction and financing costs left developers needing inventory to move.
In BC, Real Estate and construction directly accounted for ~28% of GDP, and construction alone supported >190K jobs, tying affordability closely to incomes.
The broader BC takeaway: keep addressing housing cost and supply, while also strengthening incomes through investment, productivity, job creation, and a more diversified economy.

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As someone who closely follows the Vancouver and Greater Vancouver markets, I know how important it is to keep an eye on national trends—especially when it comes to home sales forecasts. Recent insights from a leading bank economist have shifted the outlook for Canadian home sales, with expectations now showing about a 5% decline this year and average prices holding steady before a modest recovery in 2027. These projections are tied to the movement of bond yields and assumptions that the central bank will maintain rates near 2%. There’s also a lot riding on pent-up demand and gradual improvements in the job market, though recent trade tensions have led to a more cautious employment outlook. Even with a baseline scenario, next year’s sales are likely to stay well below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting just how much higher bond yields are shaping this slower market reset. My approach has always been to help clients navigate these shifting conditions with clear guidance and advocacy, so you’re equipped to make informed decisions—no matter where the market is headed.