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What a Steady Economy Means for Sellers Heading Into 2026

What a Steady Economy Means for Sellers Heading Into 2026

The Bank of Canada has confirmed it will hold the policy interest rate at 2.25%, reinforcing a message of control as Canada moves through a period of economic adjustment.

While headlines often focus on rates alone, sellers should be paying attention to what sits beneath the surface.

A Slower Economy Doesn’t Mean a Weak Housing Market

Economic growth is expected to remain modest as population growth cools and Canada adjusts to global trade pressures. However, modest growth is not the same as declining demand.

Employment has improved, consumer spending has held up, and inflation is stabilizing near target. In housing markets, this combination often supports consistent—not speculative—activity.

For sellers, that consistency matters.

Buyer Behaviour Is More Disciplined—and More Reliable

In a stable-rate environment, buyers are less emotional and more deliberate. They enter the market knowing:

  • What they can afford

  • What financing looks like

  • What compromises they are or aren’t willing to make

That discipline benefits sellers who position their homes correctly. Offers may be fewer than in overheated markets—but they’re more likely to close.

Pricing Is No Longer About Momentum

In rapidly rising markets, momentum can carry weak pricing decisions. That’s no longer the case.

Today’s sellers must price based on:

  • Current supply, not last year’s scarcity

  • Actual buyer budgets, not optimistic projections

  • Value relative to alternatives, not replacement cost

Homes that reflect today’s reality continue to perform. Homes that don’t often stagnate.

Inventory Still Shapes Outcomes

Despite economic moderation, housing supply remains limited in many regions. When demand stabilizes before supply expands, sellers who act early often benefit from reduced competition.

Once economic optimism returns—or rates begin to fall—inventory typically rises as confidence spreads. That shift can dilute leverage quickly.

What Sellers Should Take From This

The current environment rewards sellers who understand that real estate cycles are rarely about extremes. They’re about positioning.

The Bank of Canada’s rate hold at 2.25% signals stability—not stagnation. For sellers who prepare properly and act with intention, that stability creates opportunity.

Final Thought

Strong outcomes aren’t driven by perfect markets. They’re driven by clear strategy.

Right now, the market is clear.

For sellers willing to meet it with discipline and execution, the opportunity is still very real.

Data last updated on February 26, 2026 at 07:30 AM (UTC).
Copyright 2026 by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. All Rights Reserved.
Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton.
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