The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has released its latest housing statistics for January 2026, revealing a significant increase in home sales compared to the same time last year.
According to the report, there were 9.7% more home sales in January 2026 compared to January 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year increases in home sales, indicating a strong and steady recovery in the housing market.
The national average price for homes also saw a notable increase of 13.9% year-over-year, reaching $714,000 in January 2026. This is the largest year-over-year increase in home prices since April 2025.
In terms of regional performance, Ontario and British Columbia saw the highest increase in home sales, with 14.2% and 12.5% respectively. Meanwhile, the Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba experienced a decline in home sales, with Alberta seeing the largest decrease of 4.3%.
The report also highlighted the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the housing market. CREA noted that the pandemic has led to a shift in housing preferences, with more people looking for larger homes in suburban and rural areas. This has resulted in a surge in demand for single-family homes, driving up prices in these areas.
Despite the increase in home sales and prices, CREA’s chief economist, Shaun Cathcart, emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced and sustainable housing market. He stated, “While the current market conditions are encouraging for sellers, we must ensure that housing remains affordable for all Canadians.”
Looking ahead, CREA predicts that the housing market will continue to see strong demand, but at a more moderate pace compared to the past few months. This is due to the ongoing supply shortage and rising interest rates.
In conclusion, the latest housing statistics from CREA paint a positive picture for the Canadian housing market, with a steady recovery and strong demand. However, it is important to maintain a balanced and sustainable market to ensure affordability for all Canadians.
