For first-time homebuyers, entering the real estate market can feel daunting—but choosing a location with favorable conditions can make all the difference. As we enter the last few months of 2024, the Canadian real estate landscape offers unique opportunities across regions, with affordability, variety, and a tilt toward buyer-friendly conditions as essential factors.
Zoocasa analyzed which markets provide the best prospects based on the latest sales-to-new listings ratios, according to the Canada Real Estate Association’s September 2024 data. This ratio, a key indicator of market conditions, reflects the balance between supply and demand: a higher ratio signals a seller’s market, while a lower one suggests a buyer’s market.
Listings Outpace Demand in Toronto, Giving Buyers an Edge
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) presents one of the country’s most promising opportunities for first-time buyers in recent years. Although prices remain high, the sales-to-new listings ratio has dipped to 28%, down slightly from 29% in 2023, indicating that new listings are outpacing demand just enough to create a more balanced buying environment. Compared to previous years, marked by intense competition and frequent bidding wars, today’s buyers find more breathing room to explore options and negotiate terms. While the GTA remains one of Canada’s priciest markets, this shift offers a more accessible window for buyers, making it an encouraging time to step into homeownership in one of the country’s most desirable urban hubs.
A Cooling Market Opens Doors for B.C. Buyers
British Columbia continues to present solid options for buyers, especially in the Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver. Both regions lean toward buyers, with Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver’s SNLR at 30%. This cooling trend marks a noticeable drop in competition compared to last year, providing a broader range of options. For those considering a move to B.C., now may be an ideal time to find properties that meet budget and lifestyle needs without intense bidding wars.
Canada’s Strong Sellers’ Markets
Canada’s most competitive sellers’ markets are in regions with high demand and limited inventory. Quebec CMA leads at a 79% sales-to-new listings ratio, creating an environment primed for multiple offers and quick sales. Quebec has seen one of the most dramatic shifts toward a seller’s market this year, reflecting a significant increase in demand.
Other notable sellers’ markets include Newfoundland & Labrador, where the ratio decreased from 68% to 58% y-o-y, and Edmonton, with a rise from 64% to 70%, both signaling strong demand. Fraser Valley’s ratio fell from 40% to 30.5% in British Columbia, positioning it as a buyer’s market amidst slower sales relative to listings in Canada’s real estate landscape, with certain markets offering sellers a distinct advantage.
Some of the strongest sellers’ markets right now, like Regina, Thunder Bay, and Sudbury, are emerging in regions that don’t always make the national spotlight. Regina stands out with a significant increase in its sales-to-new listings ratio, rising from 68% in 2023 to 78% in 2024. It showcases robust demand and limited inventory, making it an ideal environment for sellers to secure favorable deals. Thunder Bay leads Ontario’s seller markets, with one of the highest ratios in the country at 87%, up from 78% the previous year, indicating a highly competitive market where buyers quickly purchase properties. Meanwhile, Sudbury has seen a similar trend, with its ratio increasing from 58% to 70%, reinforcing its position as a seller’s market in Northern Ontario. These shifts highlight how smaller Canadian markets are experiencing heightened demand, presenting sellers with lucrative opportunities in areas that often provide more affordability and strong investment potential compared to the country’s larger urban centers.
Alberta’s Market Contrasts
Alberta’s two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, showcase contrasting market conditions, highlighting the province’s economic diversity. Traditionally a balanced market, Calgary experienced a cooling trend, with its sales-to-new listings ratio dropping from 75% to 55%, providing more opportunities for buyers and less intense competition. Edmonton, in contrast, saw an increase from 64% to 70%, reinforcing its position as a seller’s market where demand remains strong.
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board’s latest October report, Calgary’s benchmark residential price is $592,500—a 4% increase from last year. This uptick accompanies a notable inventory increase of nearly 55% year over year, reflecting a shifting market.
Edmonton, on the other hand, is seeing the typical seasonal slowdown. “As the nights get longer, so do the days on market,” says Melanie Boles, 2024 Board Chair of the Realtor’s Association of Edmonton. Despite interest rate cuts, home prices remain elevated due to sustained competition over limited inventory. Average time on the market for listings increased to 38 days—a slight increase from last month, though still faster than the seasonal norms.
Buyer’s, Seller’s, and Balanced Markets Across Canada
Canada’s real estate landscape this fall reveals a blend of buyer, seller, and balanced markets. Out of 26 analyzed regions, approximately 30.8% (eight) are buyers’ markets, offering favorable conditions with more excellent inventory relative to demand. Sellers’ markets dominate, making up 46.2% (twelve regions). The remaining 23.1% (six areas) are balanced, allowing for more equal footing between buyers and sellers.
Navigating the Canadian Market Before 2025
As we head into winter, Canada’s real estate market offers distinct opportunities for both buyers and sellers. First-time buyers will find value in balanced and buyer-friendly regions such as Greater Toronto and Fraser Valley, where competition has eased and options are expanding. Alberta’s Calgary market offers stability, while Edmonton demands a faster-paced approach. Sellers in high-demand areas like Saint John, Quebec CMA, and Halifax-Dartmouth are strongly encouraged to list while conditions remain favorable.
Whether buying your first home or planning to sell, now is a great time to assess market conditions and strategize your next move. Our team is here to help you navigate these regional trends and find the right home. Give us a call today to start the process.
