Canadian Housing Market Shows Greater Activity in August

After a period of uncertainty and cautious activity, Canada’s housing market showed signs of renewed activity in August 2025. August 2025 brought a combination of rising sales, expanding inventory, and relatively stable prices.

The latest Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) housing data for August 2025 confirms this trend, revealing a market regaining momentum with notable implications for real estate investors. National home sales rose 1.1% month-over-month, marking the strongest August for sales in four years and the fifth consecutive monthly gain. Compared to August 2024, sales were up 1.9%, signaling a steady recovery despite varied conditions across regions.

Regional Activity and Supply Dynamics

While sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) eased slightly in August 2025, stronger activity in other major markets contributed to the national increase. CREA data indicate notable increases in Montreal, Greater Vancouver, and Ottawa. Not all markets had month-over-month gains; some Canadian markets saw declining activity in August 2025, including Ontario overall, Brantford, and the Niagara Region, with notable drops in sales volumes or average prices compared to the previous year.

Prices 

Nationally, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) remained largely unchanged month-over-month but was down 3.4% compared to last year. The CREA noted that benchmark prices have been mostly stable since April. The national average sale price, however, rose 1.8% year-over-year, reflecting pockets of resilience in certain markets.

Listings and Inventory

New listings rose 2.6% month-over-month, slightly outpacing sales gains. This pushed the national sales-to-new listings ratio to 51.2%, just below July’s 52% and the long-term average of 54.9%. For investors, this suggests a market shifting toward a more balanced state, with slightly less competitive pressure than earlier in the year.

Inventory levels tightened, with 4.4 months of supply at the end of August, for the lowest since January 2025. Lower inventory can lead to greater competition for quality properties and potential upward pressure on prices in high-demand markets.