RMontreal’s real estate market is slowing down: why buyers now have more opportunities for a good deal
Montreal’s real estate market is entering a calmer phase. After several years of high activity, the number of transactions is declining, supply is growing, and buyers are getting more time to make a decision and, most importantly, more opportunities to negotiate with sellers.
This does not mean that property prices in Montreal have already started falling en masse. On the contrary, prices are still rising year over year. But the combination of lower sales and higher supply creates a fundamentally different situation: a buyer no longer has to accept the seller’s first offer and compete for every good property.
Fewer sales
The latest data for Greater Montreal show a noticeable cooling in activity.
In July 2026, the number of residential real estate transactions in the region fell by about 10% compared with July last year. According to market statistics, about 3,338 transactions were recorded versus a higher level a year earlier. At the same time, the number of new listings continued to rise.
This is a continuation of a trend that became noticeable back in the spring.
In June, sales in Greater Montreal fell by 8.2% year over year, while the number of new listings rose by 11.1%. The total inventory of properties for sale increased by 17.4%, to 20,894 units.
It is precisely this ratio—fewer buyers and more supply—that is now one of the most interesting signals for those planning to purchase real estate.
Why this matters specifically for the buyer
During a very active market, the seller is in a strong position.
A good house can receive several offers almost immediately. The buyer has to act quickly, sometimes offer a price above the list price, and agree to less favorable terms just to secure the property.
Now the situation is gradually changing.
If there are fewer buyers and more properties listed, it becomes harder for the seller to simply wait for the perfect offer. This is especially true for properties that were listed at an inflated price or have certain drawbacks.
The buyer gains what they often lacked in recent years—time for analysis and negotiation.
You can view several homes, compare them, study the sales history of comparable properties, and only then make an offer.
But this is not yet a market of widespread price declines
It’s important not to jump to conclusions.
A slowdown in sales does not mean that the Montreal market has turned into a full-fledged buyer’s market.
Prices remain resilient. For example, in July the average price of sold residential real estate in Montreal was about $693,700, roughly 5.3% higher than a year earlier. The median price of a single-family home rose by about 4% year over year.
The second quarter also showed price growth: according to Royal LePage, the aggregate value of housing in the Montreal region rose by 4.9% over the year, and the median price of a detached house by 5.7%.
So it’s more accurate to speak not of a “market crash,” but of normalization and a gradual restoration of balance between buyer and seller.
The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers also notes that the market is gradually normalizing after two years of high activity, while the growth in active listings helps restrain the pace of price increases.
Where a buyer can find a particularly interesting opportunity
Not all real estate in Montreal behaves the same way.
The most interesting opportunities may appear where a property:
has been on the market significantly longer than average;
has already reduced its price several times;
was initially listed too high;
requires repairs or additional investment;
has a less attractive layout or location;
belongs to a seller who needs to close within a certain timeframe.
These are exactly the kinds of properties that can be good ground for negotiations.
For example, if a house is listed for $900,000 but comparable properties recently sold in the $820–850 thousand range, the buyer doesn’t have to automatically anchor to the listing price. With solid arguments, you can make a justified offer below the asking price.
And here today’s market slowdown works in the buyer’s favor.
The main strategy right now is not to wait for a crash, but to look for the wrong price
One common mistake buyers make is waiting for the moment when “the market finally drops.”
The problem is that no one knows whether such a crash will happen at all.
A much more practical approach is to look for a specific property that today is selling at a better price than its true market value.
If the property suits you, the seller is motivated, and a comparative analysis shows the price is inflated, the current situation allows you to act much more confidently.
Instead of thinking:
“When will prices drop by 15%?”
it’s far more useful to ask a different question:
“Can I buy a good property now for 5–10% less than the seller’s initial expectations?”
In some cases, the answer may already be yes—especially if the property has been on the market for a long time.
The buyer gains the ability to be selective
Another important factor is the increase in the number of listings.
In June, the number of new listings in Greater Montreal rose by more than 11% over the year, and the total inventory on the market by more than 17%.
For the buyer, this means a wider choice.
You don’t have to buy the first house you like.
You can track several properties at once, compare price per square meter, condition, neighborhood, taxes, potential renovation costs, and price-change history.
And then make an offer exactly where the price/quality/potential ratio looks the most attractive.
The most interesting part may happen at the negotiation stage
Today’s market gives the buyer the opportunity to use a more flexible strategy.
You can discuss not only the price, but also:
the closing date;
including certain items in the price;
inspection conditions;
move-out timelines;
the need to complete repairs;
price adjustments after the inspection;
other deal terms.
That is, the buyer’s benefit may not only be about buying a house for $30–50 thousand less.
Sometimes the right deal terms can deliver comparable economic value.
Should you buy now?
For someone buying real estate for their own residence or with a long-term horizon, the current situation looks significantly more interesting than it did a few years ago.
However, that doesn’t mean you should buy any property at a discount.
The main advantage of today’s market is the ability not to rush and to choose.
If a good home appears in the right neighborhood, its price is supported by comparable sales, and the seller is ready for a reasonable dialogue, waiting for a mythical “bottom” may be less rational than trying to strike a good deal now.
Especially if the buyer is financially prepared and already knows their maximum budget.
A time for smart buyers
Montreal’s market is currently in a transitional phase.
Sales are slowing, supply is increasing, and price growth is becoming less rapid. At the same time, the market remains fairly resilient, so it is premature to talk about a large-scale decline in real estate values.
And that is exactly what makes the current period interesting.
A buyer doesn’t have to wait for a crisis to get a good price. Sometimes it’s enough for the market to stop being so hot that the seller can dictate their terms.
Therefore, the coming months may be a good time for those who are ready to act not emotionally, but strategically: study the market, compare real sales, look for overpriced properties, and make well-founded offers.
Perhaps the main opportunity in today’s Montreal market is not that real estate has become cheap.
It is that the buyer once again gains the ability to negotiate.
