Sales Slump, Prices Trend Lower — Real Estate Roundtable (February 2026)

This month's real estate roundtable brings together John Pasalis, Steve Saretsky, and mortgage broker David Larock to break down the latest developments shaping Canada's housing market in early 2026.   We begin with the slow start to the year in both Vancouver and Toronto, where home sales are down more than 20% compared to last year. With buyers holding back and inventory building, prices have also begun trending lower across several market segments. We discuss what's driving the slowdown and why economic uncertainty continues to weigh on demand. From there, we explore what it might take for confidence — and buyers — to return in a meaningful way.   We also turn to interest rates and the growing divide in forecasts. While the consensus expects modest Bank of Canada cuts by year's end, some economists still warn rates could finish the year higher. We unpack what's behind these competing views and what they mean for buyers and upcoming renewals.   Finally, we discuss the sharp slowdown in new condo sales and how it could lead to fewer housing starts and completions in the years ahead.   We wrap up with the key indicators we're watching as we head into the spring market, and what they may signal for the rest of 2026.     Contact & Follow Follow John Pasalis on X/Twitter: @JohnPasalis | Email: [email protected] Follow Steve Saretsky on X/Twitter: @SteveSaretsky | Email: [email protected] Follow David Larock on X/Twitter: @Dave_at_IMP | Email: [email protected] Watch this episode on the Move Smartly YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/movesmartly If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, share, review, and comment — your support helps us reach more listeners.