Home prices across the country have gone haywire over the past year, particularly in Atlantic Canada and more recreational locations.

In its annual, nationwide “Price per Square Foot” study, CENTURY 21 Canada compared the price per square foot of properties sold between January 1 and June 30 this year, compared to the same period last year.

Brian Rushton, executive vice-president of CENTURY 21 Canada, says it’s still a seller’s market from Victoria to St. John’s, and there isn’t one region that hasn’t seen price growth.

“When the pandemic began in 2020, the market became uncharted territory,” he says. “But because of low inventory and high demand from buyers looking for a larger space, prices have steadily climbed for the past year, particularly for detached homes outside of urban centres.

“That shifted as the year went on, with growth in home prices slowing and condo prices starting to increase again.”

After an initial dip last spring, pent-up demand for housing, particularly detached homes, increased prices throughout last fall and earlier this year, in part due to a lack of supply. As evidenced in the data, prices in central major metros have been softer than those in traditionally less expensive markets like Owen Sound and Atlantic Canada, in particular for condos.

Rushton says prices have moderated over the past couple of months. “This is typical of what we see through the summer months, but all signs are pointing to another busy fall as inventory across the country continues to be low with plenty of buyers waiting to make a move as soon as they can.”

Home prices in Atlantic Canada

Once the most affordable place to buy a home, Atlantic Canada has seen prices consistently increase as working from home is becoming a viable option for many Canadians. Most of this is happening in Halifax, but Charlottetown, Fredericton, Moncton and St. John’s are all seeing double-digit increases.

“Because we are still affordable, people are flocking here,” says Paul Burns, manager at CENTURY 21 A&T Countryside Realty. “Between people from Ontario finding that they can afford a home in Atlantic Canada, newcomers increasingly locating here, and locals who want to stay, this region is seeing prices we’ve never seen before.”

Data chart by CENTURY 21 Canada

Home prices in Ontario

Prices in downtown Toronto condos were actually slightly down for the first six months of the year, but are coming back strong. 2021 started with lower prices seen in the early days of the pandemic, but have increased as the year went on. Ottawa condos were also down year-over-year, but they are also rebounding as 2021 continues.

In Owen Sound and Grey Bruce, prices are up more than 80 per cent as more people moved to suburban areas.

“Demand has been off the charts,” says Mike Seiler, owner of CENTURY 21 In Studio Realty. “Our clients are moving up from Toronto now that they can work from home. People are also realizing how much more space you can get once you get out of the metro area.”

Suburbs have all seen double-digit increases in prices, with the highest in those communities that are just a little outside a regular commute. “Now that people are commuting a few times a week rather than every day, they’re willing to be a bit further from their jobs in order to secure a bigger home at a more affordable price,” says Eryn Richardson of CENTURY 21 Heritage Group.

British Columbia

B.C. real estate remains the most expensive in the country. Prices in the outskirts of Greater Vancouver saw with largest increase, with Chilliwack prices up over 40 per cent to $406 per square foot, Delta up 38 per cent to $570 per square foot and White Rock/South Surrey up 44 per cent to $625 per square foot. Kelowna also saw solid increases with prices up anywhere between 20 and 30 per cent, depending on the home type.

Prairies

The slowest-growing areas of the country, price wise, are in the Prairies. Many markets in Alberta saw decreases in previous surveys but are up anywhere from three to 15 per cent depending on the city and home type.

Saskatoon homes are up nearly 20 per cent to $314 per square foot, while condo prices remained flat. Regina properties only saw minor increases in prices. Winnipeg saw the biggest gains with homes up as much as 20 per cent to $293 per square foot for a house and $241 per square foot for a condo.

Even Yellowknife properties are more expensive. Both houses and duplexes have seen double digit increases while other house types have seen more subtle changes.

“This is the fifth consecutive year we have done this survey and while previous years showed that real estate is a local story, we have seen widespread increases across the country this year,” says Rushton. “Real estate is security—both emotional and physical—and after the pandemic people continue to want to invest in the places they want to spend the most time.”

Prices are per square foot. Detached house unless otherwise noted. Information gathered by CENTURY 21 Canada. See here for more info.