Quebec Residential Sales Drop Seven Percent in Third Quarter of 2026
Quebec real estate brokers recorded 20,935 residential sales during the third quarter of 2026, marking a 7 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the Centris provincial database published by the Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers of Quebec (APCIQ). The provincial residential real estate market continues the adjustment period that began in early 2026, driven by a growing inventory of properties and lower buyer activity.
Inventory Growth and Shifting Market Conditions Across Quebec
The rise in available property inventory and the drop in transactions are widespread across Quebec, though the third-quarter sales volume remains comparable to the ten-year average. Hélène Bégin, économiste-experte at the APCIQ, noted that the increase in available properties initially mitigates supply scarcity and broadens choices for potential buyers while helping to fade bidding wars in markets such as Quebec City. The Gatineau census metropolitan area was the first to return to a balanced market, a status now reached for condominiums over the past several quarters, while downtown Montreal and the southwest sector currently experience a surplus of condo inventory.
Affordability Pressures and Mortgage Rate Impacts
Uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions alongside near-stagnation in population growth have cooled residential market activity across the province. Camille Laberge, directrice adjointe, Analyse de marché at the APCIQ, stated that property unreachability slows the momentum for first-time buyers looking to acquire homes or condominiums. Fixed mortgage rates rose through the spring and early autumn, and potential increases to the Bank of Canada’s policy rate before the end of 2026 or early 2027 will likely sustain affordability pressures as median prices remain high.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quebec Real Estate in Late 2026
How do single-family home conditions compare across Quebec metropolitan areas?
Despite a less competitive market than a year ago, sellers of single-family homes remain in a strong negotiating position across all Census Metropolitan Areas, with particularly advantageous conditions persisting in the metropolitan regions of Quebec City and Trois-Rivières, as well as the agglomerations of Rimouski, Saint-Hyacinthe, Rouyn-Noranda, Victoriaville, Joliette, and Shawinigan.
Are declining sales leading to widespread price drops in the province?
Decreasing demand has not triggered a generalized drop in prices because inventory is only gradually returning to normal levels following years of severe shortages, though more downward revisions on asking prices are visible as market competitiveness softens.