Lynn McLellan, BA

Nationally, housing sales increased in July and new listings continued to decline. Market conditions tightened from June to July according to the sales-to-new listings ratio and months of inventory. The MLS HPI edged up modestly from June to July, its first monthly increase in 20 months.

The number of national sales reported by the Canadian Real Estate Association increased by 0.5% (sa) from June to July, a fourth consecutive monthly rise. Over this 4-month period, sales have risen by a cumulative 7.2% (sa), which is equivalent to a 23% annualized pace. Nearly 55% of the local markets we track saw sales rise from June to July, with strongest increases observed in Kingston (8.4%; sa), Brantford (6.2%) and St. Catharines (6.1%). Compared to the same month in 2025, sales fell 5.3% (nsa) in July, with annual declines recorded in 84% of the local markets we monitor, with the largest ones observed in Charlottetown (PEI; -19.2%), Lethbridge (-16.4%) and Thunder Bay (-14.7%).

National new listings declined by 1.6% (sa) from June to July, still on their downward trend that started in summer 2025. In July, new listings were 6.9% (nsa) weaker than their level in the same month of 2025. From July 2025 to July 2026, new listings declined in just above 2/3 of our tracked local markets, with the largest declines observed for Fraser Valley (-22.3%), Okanagan-Mainline (-20.7%) and Barrie (-19.7%).

Almost all (89%) feel confident they can spot fraud, but more than half (52%) admit to risky behaviours.

As fraud attempts continue to rise across Canada, a TD survey reveals a growing disconnect between confidence and behaviour – one that may be leaving Canadians more exposed than they realize. While most Canadians polled believe they can identify scams, many are still engaging in risky habits that could increase their vulnerability.

Key findings from this TD survey:

• 46% of Canadians encounter scams or fraud attempts weekly or even daily
• Nearly one-quarter (24%) say they or a family member have been the victim of financial fraud or scams in the past year
• 89% feel confident in their ability to spot fraud
• 52% admit to behaviours that could make them more vulnerable to fraud, including:
• Using public Wi-Fi to access personal or financial accounts
• Opening email attachments from unknown senders
• Clicking links in texts or emails before verifying the source
• Downloading apps or software from unfamiliar sites
• 41% say they never consult resources or educate themselves on fraud prevention

The number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems climbed a further 0.5% on a month-over-month basis in July 2026, marking a fourth consecutive monthly gain.

“At the national level, July’s housing data was a carbon copy of the June numbers, with home sales edging up a little further, listings down, and prices remaining stable,” said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist. “The more interesting story over the last few months has been below the surface of the headline national numbers, where markets across the country are generally moving back towards balance. That’s true on the Prairies, in Quebec, and on the East Coast, where a majority of sellers’ markets have been steadily cooling off over the past year. More recently, it’s also been true of the markets in B.C.’s Lower Mainland and Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe, where formerly buyers’ or borderline buyers’ markets have largely shifted back into balanced market territory.”

July Highlights:

• National home sales edged up 0.5% month-over-month.
• Actual (not seasonally adjusted) monthly activity came in 5.3% below July 2025.
• The number of newly listed properties declined 1.6% on a month-over-month basis.
• The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) edged up 0.1% month-over-month and was down 3.3% on a year-over-year basis.
• The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average sale price was up 0.2% on a year-over-year basis in July 2026.