Home sales plunge in most major markets in northern Ont. last month

Most of the bigger cities in northeastern Ontario reported a significant drop in home sales in April, according to statistics from the Canadian Real Estate Association. (File)

Most major cities in northeastern Ontario saw a significant drop in home sales in April, with Greater Sudbury reporting a 35.6 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

The sale of 152 units last month in Sudbury was also “29.2 per cent below the five-year average and 30.7 per cent below the 10-year average,” according to data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

“On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 517 units over the first four months of the year. This was down notably by 20.6 per cent from the same period in 2025.”

While sales were down, prices held steady, with the average sale price in April at $535,046, up 2.9 per cent from 2025.

Sales down 33.7% in the Sault

“The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $492,848, a small reduction of two per cent from the first four months of 2025,” the CREA said.

“The dollar value of all home sales in April 2026 was $81.3 million, a significant reduction of 33.7 per cent from the same month in 2025.”

Home sales dropped by 32.5 per cent in Sault Ste. Marie, with 85 units sold in April.

“Home sales were 33.7 per cent below the five-year average and 36.3 per cent below the 10-year average for the month of April,” the CREA said.

“On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 305 units over the first four months of the year. This was a significant decrease of 29.1 per cent from the same period in 2025.”

The average price of homes sold in the Sault last month was $331,959, down 2.3 per cent from April 2025. So far in 2026, average sale prices were down 9.1 per cent at $309,529.

“Active residential listings numbered 391 units on the market at the end of April, a notable gain of 19.6 per cent from the end of April 2025,” the CREA said.

Sluggish sales in Timmins, too

“Active listings haven’t been this high in the month of April in more than five years.”

In Timmins, 81 homes were sold in April, a year-to-year decline of 15 units, or 15.6 per cent.

But home sales are down 20.7 per cent compared to the five-year average and were 23.1 per cent below the 10-year average. Average prices held steady, however.

The average price of homes sold in April 2026 was $307,828, up modestly by 1.7 per cent from April 2025,” the CREA said.

“The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $299,744, an increase of 5.9 per cent from the first four months of 2025.”

Bucking the trend, North Bay reported an increase of 1.9 per cent in April, with 107 homes sold last month.

“On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 299 units over the first four months of the year. This increased by 6 per cent from the same period in 2025,” the CREA said.

“The average price of homes sold in April 2026 was $542,422, a gain of 14.1 per cent from April 2025. The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $501,833, up by 6.4 per cent from the first four months of 2025.”