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When you consider Canada’s luxury real estate market, places like Toronto or Vancouver most certainly spring to mind. But the smaller towns, like Winnipeg, will be taking front stage in 2024. Read on to find out how this trend will impact you—homeowner, prospective buyer, or investment. Particularly in the luxury category, the real estate market may be changing in ways that will influence your next significant purchase.

The Surprising Development of Winnipeg

The Royal LePage Carriage Trade Luxury Market Report shows Winnipeg has had an amazing 61.9% rise in luxury house sales compared to previous year, while Canada’s luxury market has stayed very constant this year. This ranks it among the markets for luxury homes with fastest expansion. This boom is being driven by a confluence of elements, including great demand from out-of-province purchasers and hope for long-term expansion.

Larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, on the other hand, are displaying a much slower expansion. While Vancouver and Montreal saw minor reductions, with prices dropping by 1.8% and 2.8%, respectively, Toronto saw luxury house prices climb by just 3.9%.

Why Do the Smaller Markets Still Grow?

Why would you have interest in these smaller markets? First of all, places including Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary are attracting a lot of purchasers from other provinces. These marketplaces draw buyers seeking luxury homes free from the sky-high rates seen in larger cities since they provide more value for money.

Let Alberta be one example. A consistent flow of out-of- province purchasers has been helping cities like Calgary and Edmonton flourish, strengthening their luxury markets. Actually, some of the biggest annual over-year increases in sales activity came from these Prairie provinces.

The viewpoint of the luxury buyer

If you have been thinking about entering the luxury real estate market, you could be curious about what’s driving these patterns. Usually less impacted by economic events like high borrowing rates are luxury consumers. Unlike the typical buyer, these purchasers may pay large down payments or even buy houses fully in cash, therefore depending less on finance.

Furthermore more exact about what they are seeking for are luxury consumers. Since high-end homes are investments, these purchasers concentrate on quality, good sites, and long-term appreciation. Knowing these patterns can help you make judgments whether you are thinking about joining this market as a vendor or a buyer.

What About Greater Markets?

Larger markets like Toronto and Vancouver are moving slowly while the smaller ones are experiencing strong growth. Big city luxury homes can take more time to sell as the buyer pool of possible purchasers is narrower. Thus, the process is more slow even if luxury properties are still selling in some of these areas.

That is not to suggest,  that bigger markets are unchanging. There is still activity in the luxury market whether your base is Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal; it just may not be as quick-paced as in areas like Winnipeg or Calgary.

Effect of the Foreign Buyer Ban

One regularly asked issue is how luxury real estate is being impacted by the government foreign buyer restriction, extended until 2027. The response is this. Given most luxury homebuyers in Canada are Canadians, the ban has had little effect on sales or pricing in this market.

The Future of Luxury Real Estate for Canada?

Looking ahead, analysts believe the luxury sector will remain robust throughout Canada and that fall sales will rise. Though activity in big cities should also pick up, smaller markets like Winnipeg and Edmonton will probably lead the drive.

It is clear that Canada’s luxury real estate market is changing whether your target is a luxury home in one of these emerging locations or you are thinking about selling in a bigger market. 

How will you benefit from these trends, though? Contact us today to have a conversation about your scenario.