Housing market / Canada
September home sales ease: a fresh budget check for buyers
CREA reports softer September home sales. A look at the national figures and the financing questions buyers in Alberta, BC and Ontario can bring to a broker.
At a glance
Canada’s home sales fell 2.3% from August to September, according to CREA’s October 16 release. National figures provide context; they do not establish the value of a particular home.
What the new release says
The Canadian Real Estate Association reports that September 2026 sales were 7.7% below a year earlier on an unadjusted basis. New listings declined 1.8% from August. Its national home-price index fell 0.4% over the month and 3.4% over the year.
These are Canada-wide results. CREA cautions against using national average prices to describe individual neighbourhoods. An Edmonton house, a Vancouver condo and a Toronto townhouse need their own local comparison.
Questions to take to your mortgage appointment
A market headline is a useful prompt to revisit a buying plan. For the financing conversation, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains that lenders examine income, assets and debts during pre-approval. A pre-approval does not guarantee final approval, and the property’s value and your down payment affect the mortgage amount.
- Which documents need updating before I make an offer? Bring current income information and evidence of your down payment.
- What does my lender’s rate hold cover, and when does it expire? Ask about the conditions attached to your specific pre-approval.
- What cash remains after closing? Include closing, moving and maintenance costs when comparing a maximum borrowing amount with a comfortable budget.
A practical next step
Bring the property you are considering and your financing questions to a broker. Our pre-approval guide explains the starting conversation. If you are still exploring, the mortgage journal collects longer guides you can read at your own pace.
Sources & verification
- CREA — Canadian Home Sales Pull Back in September
Release dated October 16, 2026; reporting period September 2026. The publisher’s URL retains an older wording; the page heading and release date identify this report. Accessed October 16, 2026.
- FCAC — Getting preapproved for a mortgage
Background on documents, conditional pre-approval, rate holds and budgeting for costs beyond the purchase. Accessed October 16, 2026.
This AI-assisted briefing summarizes public sources and provides general context. It is not a personalized mortgage recommendation or a lender quote. Editorial policy · Report an error.