The changes came in response to widespread concerns over housing affordability

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has announced several changes to the “Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act”, which came into effect on January 1.

The ban forbids any direct or indirect purchase of residential property by non-Canadians for a two-year period.

CMHC said that it made some amendments in response to widespread concerns over housing affordability, in particular the expansion of “exceptions to allow non-Canadians to purchase a residential property in certain circumstances.”

The revisions now allow more work permit holders to purchase a home they can live in while working in Canada.

“Work permit holders are eligible if they have 183 days or more of validity remaining on their work permit or work authorization at the time of purchase, and they have not purchased more than one residential property,” CMHC said. “The current provisions on tax filings and previous work experience in Canada are being repealed.”

The revisions also repealed the prohibition on land zoned for residential and mixed purposes.

“Vacant land zoned for residential and mixed-use can now be purchased by non-Canadians and used for any purpose by the purchaser, including residential development,” CMHC said.

An exception for development has been included, allowing non-Canadians to purchase residential property for the purposes of development.

“The amendments also extend the exception currently applicable to publicly traded corporations under the Act, to publicly traded entities formed under the laws of Canada or a province and controlled by a non-Canadian,” CMHC said.

Additionally, the changes increased the threshold of foreign control for corporations investing in Canadian housing.

“With regards to privately held corporations or privately held entities formed under the laws of Canada or a province and controlled by a non-Canadian, the control threshold has increased from 3% to 10%,” CMHC said. “This aligns with the definition of ‘specified Canadian Corporation’ in the Underused Housing Tax Act.”

The changes came into force on March 27.

“These amendments will allow newcomers to put down roots in Canada through home ownership and businesses to create jobs and build homes by adding to the housing supply in Canadian cities,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. “These amendments strike the right balance in ensuring that housing is used to house those living in Canada, rather than a speculative investment by foreign investors.”

2022 proved to be a rocky year for Canadian real estate. Between a looming recession, rising interest rates and challenges around capital availability, homebuyers and sellers from coast to coast experienced disruption. Yet with a trend towards cooling prices and tighter monetary policies set to slow the pace and pressure of recent years, the outlook for 2023 is one of both hope and caution.

This work explores the cultural context and influential trends set to shape the real estate and housing landscape in Canada in the year ahead. Through six key themes, we explore how people’s attitudes and values toward buying, owning, and selling homes are shifting and what these themes mean for real estate agents.

Click here for the full report

Courtesy RE/MAX Canada

The RE/MAX International conference took place last week in Las Vegas, the Viani Real Estate Group was honoured to be recognized among some of the top-producing REALTORS® in the entire RE/MAX network. 

The Viani Real Estate Group helped over 125 friends, families, businesses and investors achieve their real estate goals in 2022. Through the diverse skill set of our group, we were able to assist clients with their residential, commercial and rural needs. 

Thank you to all of our clients, those who referred clients to us and to our families for their continued support, without each of you we could not achieve such success.

Contact us today to achieve your real estate goals, put our experience to work for you.

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FEBRUARY HOUSING MARKET UPDATE

March 1, 2023

Consistent with typical seasonal behavior sales, new listings and inventory levels all trended up compared to last month. However, with 1,740 sales and 2,389 new listings, inventory levels improved only slightly over the last month and remained amongst the lowest February levels seen since 2006.

“While higher lending rates are impacting sales activity as expected, we are seeing a stronger pullback in new listings, keeping supply levels low and supporting some stronger-than-expected monthly price gains,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Prices are still below the May 2022 peak and it is still early in the year. However, if we do not see a shift in supply, we could see further upward pressure on prices over the near term.”

Both sales and new listings declined over last year’s record high for the month. While sales activity remained stronger than long-term trends and levels reported throughout the 2015 to 2020 period, new listings fell below long-term trends.

With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 73 per cent and a months of supply of under two months, the market has struggled to move into balanced territory causing further upward pressure on home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price increased by nearly two per cent over January levels and last year’s prices.

Detached

Both sales and new listings reported significant year-over-year declines over last year’s record high. While the seasonal monthly gain did see inventories move up over the last two months, levels are still amongst the lowest seen in February, and the months of supply fell below two months.

Further tightening conditions did cause the unadjusted benchmark prices to rise over last month’s levels, but at a price of $635,900, it is still below the peak reported in May 2022. While supply continues to remain a challenge relative to demand for lower-priced homes, we are seeing conditions shift into balanced territory for homes priced above $700,000.

Semi-Detached

Like the detached sector despite the seasonal monthly gain, both sales and new listings fell from last year’s record high. While inventories are starting to rise over the levels seen in the past few months, they remain amongst the lowest levels reported for February. The relatively low inventory levels caused the months of supply to fall below two months in February, while it is still higher than last year’s ultra-low levels, conditions continue to favour the seller.

The unadjusted benchmark price reached $568,100 in February, nearly two per cent higher than last month and a three per cent gain over last February. Persistently tight market conditions contributed to the monthly unadjusted gain in the benchmark price. However, like detached properties prices remain below the May 2022 peak.

Row

Conditions remained exceptionally tight in February with only one month of supply and a sales-to-new listings ratio of 87 percent. While row sales have eased over record levels, they have remained relatively strong for February as demand shifts toward the affordable product in the market.

The persistently tight conditions caused further upward pressure on prices. In February, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $369,700, a monthly gain of over two per cent and a year-over-year gain of nine per cent. Unlike the other sectors, prices have reached a new high this month.

Apartment Condominium

Sales for apartment condominiums did not see the same pace of decline as other property types in February partly due to the level of new listings coming onto the market. Persistently strong sales compared to listings have caused February inventory levels to remain relatively low compared to levels seen over the past eight years and the months of supply once again dropped below two months.

The tight market condition contributed to the upward pressure on prices. In February, the unadjusted apartment benchmark price reached $286,000, nearly three per cent higher than last month and over 11 per cent higher than last February. While prices are still higher than the levels reported last year, they remain nearly seven per cent below the peak levels reported back in 2014.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

Inventories continued to improve in February but with only 178 units available levels are still well below longer-term trends for the month ensuring that the months of supply remained below two months.

The unadjusted benchmark price in February rose over last month keeping it comparable to levels seen last year at this time. However, with a benchmark price of $487,200, prices remain below the peak price of $510,700 reported in April 2022.

Cochrane

Like Airdrie, inventory levels have also been on the rise in Cochrane. While February levels are double what was available in the market last year, inventories remain over 40 per cent below long-term trends for the month. Nonetheless, both sales and new listings have eased so far this year helping the market shift toward more balanced conditions.

The February benchmark price did improve both over last month’s and last year’s levels. However, with an unadjusted price of $492,900, levels are still below the $522,600 peak reached in June of 2022.

Okotoks

While both sales and new listings have slowed compared to last year, conditions remained exceptionally tight with a sales-to-new listings ratio of 90 per cent. Inventory levels also continued to fall both compared to last month and last year, with levels nearing the February 2006 record low.

As conditions continue to favour the seller, it is not a surprise that we continue to see upward pressure on home prices. In February, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $555,000, three per cent higher than last month’s and last February’s levels. However, like some areas, prices remain just shy of the May peak of $560,700.

Click here to view the full City of Calgary monthly stats package.

Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly stats package.