Record Number of VACANT HOMES, Bank Sales Increase AGAIN, 2024 Canadian Real Estate Market 

$700K for a glorified townhouse in Niagara Falls, ON? What the hell is wrong with the housing market in Canada? These sellers have listed their house at 2022 Peak Prices. All they need to do now to sell their house is to find a time machine and go back 2 years to 2022 to ensure that that the house will sell. LMAO. 🤔🤔🤔

75,000 vacant homes and people can't find a place to buy/rent. Just the ones that are newly listed for sale. How many vacant homes driving up prices!?

From fellow landlords we believe renting is the best advice. Dont be stupid

Great analysis - thank you Jon! Prices will stay totally irrational, as long as the fed gov continues to do all it can to maintain high prices. How? Examples: 1) massive immigration; 2) demanding changes in terms of mortgage loans (amortization periods, payments etc); 3) Home Buyer's plan (from $35K to $60K); 4) purchasing Mortgage Backed Securities directly (something that the CMHC has warned against) first at $20B/year then to $40B/year and now at$60B/year) and the list goes on and on.

The rents have gone so high that nobody can afford to rent...let alone think about buying.

Great points, Jon! I find it fascinating how defensive other agents get when you suggest renting is better than buying. For one, it's just an opinion, and currently, affordability is an issue in Canada. Sometimes rent is the best choice, especially if you can't afford the additional costs that come with home ownership. 👍😀

We decided to rent an apartment, we sold our single family home, downsized and rented a two bedroom apartment, financially for us it’s been a great financial decision especially as we travel in winter.

Great vid/post Jon. I have tried to explain to my boomer parents that if I bought today I would be paying more in just interest than my entire current rent but they just dont get it. Despite these numbers people are desperate to cling on to the home ownership dream even if the bank is charging way more than a landlord.

Good honest summations! Thank you.

Hi Jon, 👍thank you for the data.

Many Thanks for these great content, Jon.

That is one HOPEFUL chart @10:52!! Thanks for another video. Been watching for two years (from the sidelines mostly, if you know what I mean ;) )

I came here from Market Mania. Thank you for your housing affordability presentation.

Very informative and professional, as always.

PLUS, there's the opportunity cost (lost interest income) on the $100k deposit, about ~$300-400/mo. Buying really makes no sense in most cases.

Rent is much cheaper than owning a house, but it is still high. It takes our family 3 incomes to be able to afford renting. It is ridiculous. I do hope the prices adjust closer to the real value of properties or majority of this country will end up homeless. In the best position are the people who bought their homes before the bubble and paid them off. The rest of us are just trying to stay afloat.😢

2.4 Million views! That's crazy! Great video Jon - thanks for posting.

How many more years do we have to wait for your prediction a year ago that we would see 2018 prices in 12-18 months to be correct?

Thank you! You are batting a thousand!!

The vacant houses I see for sale are investment properties that have been flipped into duplexes with very high price tags! I believe no one can afford homes that are listed at 800k for 1000 Sq foot homes with basement apartments. Not many families I know want tenants in their basement. I know I wouldn't with 2 young kids!

Can't find a place to rent. That's the problem. Too many immigrants. I'm not a Female punjabi vegetarian non drinker willing to stay in a bunk bed.

Agreed. Maintenance costs, property taxes, etc all add-up to make renting a much better financial decision. This is a natural consequence of a bubble in Canadian home prices. I believe we’re in for a significant price correction.

Victoria BC. Room mate wanted advertised. In an 800sq’ apartment sharing with a couple and two cats for $1400. I’d rather pitch my tent than shack up with these parasites.

Renting might be more affordable than buying but the cost of renting is so high that you can’t afford to save money in hopes to have a down payment for the future when the housing market comes down to affordable prices. I live in a small city of 50,000 and townhouses are selling for prices that 10 years ago you would pay for a single detached house with an acre of property. Something needs to give. God help our kids and grandkids of ever owning their own home

Thanks for your honest perspective, Jon, especially as a broker.❤

Overtime I think rates will come down but house pricing will go up. They look opposites. And renting seems more attractive if you keep paying the same rent always, which seems more variable than the chances volatile interest rates. But it is more expensive.

From my observation as a realtor, the jump in vacant listings comes from the simple fact that sale of vacant property goes better and Landlords do everything to make Tenants to move out before they put it on the market.

You forgot property tax as well,

Great analysis! Thanks for the hard work

Trying to buy a half decent home in courtice Ontario.....and the prices are between 8 to 900 k .... unbelievable

What do you mean by "Affordability will return"? House prices may go down a bit, but not much. It will be similar to 2008 except this time, the house prices will remain flat until such time that wages are equaled...essentially, when businesses decide to pay higher wages.

In Vancouver, I've heard 50% of homes are mortgage free... so I don't expect a huge correction to ever happen in the Lower Mainland.

What if you put down 50% downpayment 5 Year fixed, 15 Year Amort and knock the hell out of interest with aggressive lump sum pre-payments?? Everybody is saying why would you pay so much in advance if you can invest that money elsewhere....

Another solution, instead of buying a home, invest the money in GICs (5%) and pay the rent with them, so I did and the interest I receive covers much more than the rent I am paying.

Hi John I am looking detached double garage house in Durham region and I have 750 k . Should I wait or buy it now . Thanks

Buying anything right now makes no sense. Rates need to drop down to 3% on a 5 year variable before it makes sense to buy. I'm a first time home buyer with cheap rent so background to my comment. Why Would anyone want to pay more interest than actual on the principle?

ALL WE need is interest rates around 8-10% and this mess will sort itself out really fast..

Fuel for thought for sure !

I been saying this in calgary! Look at any home in any neighbourhood for sale, and compare it to similar type home for rent in the same neighbourhood and you will quickly find out that rent numbers even though they ARE high, they are still cheaper than owning a home. Unless youre putting down over 20% downpayment of these properties you’re basically at a lost everything when you compare to simply renting.

Seems like it will take just less than 39 years before affordability returns, unless we have the greatest new depression in history then less than 7 years

Do you think Calgary market will also take a hit like this, only thing we have been seeing as supply shortage from last 4 years and no chance of migration slowing down while building can’t keep up, affordability is however also going out of window for more and more citizens everyday. What’s your opinion( I’m an investor). Thanks.

I sold my condo last year and have been renting. Mortgage came to trigger point so all my payment was interest. Plus maintenance fees, insurance and property tax. That monthly sum went out the window. I’m currently renting a newly renovated 3 bed house in Richmond BC for $3000. I got lucky on lower rent. It’s just a few hundred dollars more per month than owning and I get a huge upgrade in living standard. The house is probably worth about $2m. To own it, monthly payments would be double if I had $1m downpayment.

I totally agree with you analysis. Years ago we were told first 5years is interest on your mortgage!

I agree, affordability will not be restored without a decrease in housing prices. I can't imaging wages and salaries rising to make it more affordable. So what does that mean for people who've bought homes in the last few years at these historically high prices? They will be pissed and for good reason

Vacant properties on sale - probably investment / speculative / airbnb properties that people are trying to sell before it is too late

Barrie ON, still have nice houses for sale, in a low budget, or some detached from 500k to 800k , not to far from Toronto, not too expensive, some places in gta , rent can go crazy, 3k for a basement, If you spend 3k on rent, you can spend on your own home.

I found areas north of Gatineau very nice! Gracefield , Maniwaki and Bouchette

And what do you think how long will it take you talked about in the last few sentence (better affordability, lower house prices, lower interest rates etc)? 2-3 years, 5 or even more?

The Swiss Bank UBS’ reported Toronto scored the highest in the world for the riskiest real estate bubble and that report was in 2022..

Yup. Zero tax liability which is sbout to finish off any home owner

"Affordablity " how long will it take Br ? 5 years or Real estate is Canada's one of main income source to the government and its shame that One of the best western democratic nation and biggest land living people can't afford to buy house in 2024 and loosing their houses too. Bad ☹️

Also you could make 5% on your downpayment from a high interest saving account

Vacant homes numbers arise - Declaration of Vacant unit forms are being filled as expected. Also still it is not a bad option to choose ownership over renting. One does not have to go with a 4 bedroom house, just stick to your needs if required. Not to forget that rent is going to go up each year whereas the ratio of interest in your regular payments goes down with the amortization cycle. Also in the longer run, real estate is born to rise. It's another myth to expect lower home prices in a market where the gap between demand and supply is still increasing. It is not like the fact that people do have capital to invest or buy. It's just whoever is holding with patience, is a smart spender, and when the smart purchaser is going to rush into the market in 2025-2026, Boom you are back on track to Increase in prices with an Increase in demand.

Real estate investors and agents never seem to mention opportunity costs. How much money are you losing by sinking your 100k in to the property instead of a GIC at 5%? You can’t pretend this opportunity cost does not exist. It’s guaranteed! What is 5% of $100k compounded annually over a 60 month mortgage term? Add that to the cost of home ownership. Let’s also not forget of the CHMC fees plus taxes. 4% charge upfront for absolutely nothing. 4% of 700k completely gone. Now you want to cash in on your real estate investment? Well it’s not exactly a liquid investment by any standard. You will have to pay real estate fees plus taxes just to cash in. Now where did you take the money for the down payment from? Your TFSA? Because all of your gains in that account were non-taxable. Your real estate gains on the other hand will be taxes (if it’s not principal residence). Not to mention maintenance on the property and other dead costs paid towards absolutely nothing. At the end of the day what it works out to is that your RE needs to be going up in value a certain % over time to make money. If it’s the same value or dropping over time you’re losing money.

being at the age where I am retiring soon and will be moving back to my home town, it makes no sense to purchase a home, due to the fact that your monthly mortgage payments contribute diddly-squat to the principal on the loan for the fist several years. Your equity in the home does not start to appreciate until several years have passed. At my age it's a no-brainer. I will rent in my new locale when I retire. I can't afford to buy something anyway.

you can check condollo for Montreal Statistics tho

Prices will eventually drop if we hold the line. Interest rates to stay put, capital gains will take effect soon which will increase inventory slightly, and millennials are pissed off and making more noise that they missed the starting gun and have to live with their parents still well into their 30s and 40s..lol.. ugh. Keep up the fight.

We've been renting for twenty years. Trouble is finding enough bank accounts to hold $100k in each. Oh, and the fear that the banks will all go under and there's no deposit insurance in reality. Inflation is also a killer, owning a house you're keeping up with the market, houses we could have easily afforded ten years ago are now far out of reach (even with the cash).

With Property Tax, Home Insurance and in some cases neighborhood fees some people are paying 5,000$-7,000$ in mortgage. No doubt people are renting out rooms and basements to recover the cost.

Don't worry folks! The real estate pumpers on RU-vid will have you believe that now is the time to buy a home. If not now, then just wait till the BoC lowers rates by 25 basis points and the flood gates will open with bidding wars and people buying up all available inventory. LOL Prepare for the Great Canadian Real Estate Train Wreck coming to a neighborhood near you . Great work as always Jon!

If you did the math and a localized area if you were rent locked 10 years ago or even 5 years ago you're better off staying where you are. Is the government keeps printing money then you're better off just 18 in and getting a house and never pay off the mortgage and sell it with the difference of always being in profit

our property taxes and home insurance together, could pay for six months of rent in most cities

Landlords and 2nd homes selling investments / cottages is why increased vacant.

Thank you for giving me hope Jon. I am wanting to stay in Canada but I can't jusitify it as a non home owner. Living in Calgary where there is no rent control it is very scary.

all facts of life these problems take some decades to get to normal may be it was lack of planning by related authorities in country

None of that stuff applies to Edmonton, AB.

Affordability, Trudeau.'s gift to you.

Pierre Pollieve made a great point in one of his videos about the distorted housing market in Canada. He compared housing prices in Niagara Falls, ON and Niagara Falls, NY. And, he asked one simple question, why are the housing prices on canadian side 3 times or 300% more than the the U.S. side on average, taking into account the exchange rate. Yup, many people born after 1990 will NEVER be able to buy a house in Canada.

Homeowners seem happier than home renters by a wide margin. So what does that say

Hey John an avid viewer of your videos. I am in Toronto and making around 110k is there any option for me in Toronto/gta. I have down around 30k

What’s your evidence housing market will drop? People said it will drop for years now 🤷🏻‍♂️

Try Monaco and then Canada and Portugal seem like a big joke. So cheap.....

Come live in BC the average rent is well over $3000 per month.

Personally it all depends on down-payment!

Nice try realtors l hope interest rates hit 10percent it will straighten out their upselling sales tactics DA!🙈

You might throw in GIC earning with down payment.

own my house, paid off, monthly 433 property tax, 135 insurance, avg heat/hydro 200 for both, water 100 month avg. =/-1000 a month for 2300 sq f bungalow. I pass on renting., for now Right decisions at the right time always pay off.

Yup better off renting.... In a different country. Like one that doesn't torture it's citizens

IF you can find someone willing to rent to you. Try renting a place to rent with 5 kids and a pet. Not so easy.

With 30/40% of MPs owning rental property don’t expect much help from any elected politicians.

The costs of building is very high. Very little can afford it. Builders and investors stop and try escaping involving in the liabilities in this economic environment. Even the rent goes down, new comers especially the refugees families can hardly afford without help. How the government continues dumping in money with our money? The amount of population that needs help is enormous. It’s not just opening the doors. If you are serious, you plan and responsible for it. However, each government ones and go in around 4 years. The citizens have to take up all these and the future years to come (at least 10 years). If there is no responsibility in the action, our world will never be going better. What a mess !

People overpaid their houses and now giving up to banks , banks can’t sell them because their are still overpriced 🤑😵‍💫

Knowone ever uses the real numbers it cost to own a home. That is how I shut people down right away who make a stupid comment like buying is always better. That time is long gone. I know many people who bought in the last 5 years that will be and are very sorry but rarely admit it. The time will come 10 years from now after paying massive amounts of interest, they sell and after all fees see what they are left with. Nothing wrong with owning, if you buy at the right time. In Canada, that time ended around 2017 ish. I will stay in my rent controlled apartment $1400/m and keep my wealth producing monthly dividends for me to retire early. This is coming from someone who has homes multiple homes in the past. We can all see Canada is screwed…. But John is right…. This will talk a long time to reach the bottom…… because so many “home owners” will sell their first child before giving in the keys. It’s ok….. popcorn 🍿 is ready 😂

This is the first year in many decades all the power of sales didn't come from Alberta. As is where is in Alberta.

Ya but also you are on the hook for taxes and all repairs when you own

Every market carries a risk. Investors will take hit one time compared to families struggling in this high price environment

If you rent for almost half of what a mortgage costs in this present market, why not take the other half of your cash and invest it. That way when the market levels out and homes become more affordable (perhaps someday lol), you’ll have the money to apply to more principle rather than have it eaten up by the high interest payments.

Let the implosion begin,now we just need 900K to follow suit...

I’m waiting for the stock market to tumble. Many will soon feel very poor, especially if their employer says good bye at the same time. This will be the catalyst, I think.

Hey Jon are you bullish about real estate in Ottawa since we know your a bear in Toronto market?

PEOPLE DONT BUYYY KEEP YOUR MONEY. Let the real state agents shit their pants when they see no body is buying..

No, you’re not better off renting seriously my God no no no

Canadian real estate is over over over priced .but Canadian government and real estate thinks otherwise.look at the big picture .34 years ago a bangalow house in Ontario use to be $200,000.how can Canadian government allowed this to happen . Canada has 2nd biggest land in the world and yet we dont have house.population in Canada is 3900000 million people.

Nobody 'gets' it.... it's Real Estate/currency debasement based DEBT expansion...... go get a Peanut Buster Parfait and an Ice Cream Cone at DQ = $12.00 RIDICULOUS !

Brace for a CRASH!!!

DON'T RENT, YOU ARE PAYING SOME ELSES MORTGAGE , JUST DON'T JUMP ON THE HOUSING BAND WAGON LIKE ALL THE OTHER LEMMINGS, GO TO NEW BRUNSWICK

Mortgage price chart says it all payments doubled from 2020-2024 😂

You are misleading people when you cherry pick facts.

I'd rather buy a vacant or abandoned house in the U.S. for cheaper... even if that is a fixer upper.

I did the same rental vs buy analysis based on a $350k-$400k down payment, which would still result in monthly ownership costs being slightly higher than rent. And for a f*cking townhouse! This kind of downpayment affords one to buy outright a 3k sq ft house overseas in a city just as convenient and accessible with education on par to Canada's, but here still results in monthly carrying costs of under $3k on a house half the size. Stupid It's INSANE to buy at these prices. Neverminding the opprotunity cost of my hard-earned cash being tied up in a pile of bricks, which instead currently earns $4k-$5k per month in a diversified portfolio, and is all liquid. I'll never own a house, and my future self will thank me. Canadians have themselves to blame for these shinanigans.