Home sales, prices drop in northeastern Ont. last month

The number of homes sold in the bigger markets in northeastern Ontario declined in April, according to data from the Canadian Real Estate Association. (File)

The number of homes sold in the bigger markets in northeastern Ontario declined in April, according to data from the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The biggest drop was in Sault Ste. Marie, where 81 units were sold in March, a drop of 34.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.

“Home sales were 32.2 per cent below the five-year average and 36 per cent below the 10-year average for the month of March,” the CREA said.

“On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 220 units over the first three months of the year. This was a significant decline of 27.6 per cent from the same period in 2025.”

The average price of homes sold in March 2026 in the Sault was $318,934, a decline of 7.9 per cent from March 2025.

“The number of new listings saw a big reduction of 19.8 per cent from March 2025,” the CREA said.

“There were 150 new residential listings in March 2026. This was the lowest number of new listings added in the month of March in more than two decades.”

Sudbury prices, sales decline

In Greater Sudbury, the number of homes sold last month was 138, down 9.8 per cent compared to 12 months ago. But the longer-term trends were more alarming.

“Home sales were 25.8 per cent below the five-year average and 32.7 per cent below the 10-year average for the month of March,” the CREA said.

“On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 367 units over the first three months of the year. This was a large decline of 11.6 per cent from the same period in 2025.”

The average price of homes sold in March 2026 was $470,819, down 6.7 per cent from March 2025.

“The number of new listings saw a substantial decrease of 13.2 per cent from March 2025,” the CREA said.

“There were 224 new residential listings in March 2026. This was the lowest number of new listings added in the month of March in four decades.”

Sale prices rise in Timmins

Home sales were also down in Timmins, which saw a 12.2 per cent drop in March of this year compared to 2025.

“Home sales were 14.9 per cent below the five-year average and 18.6 per cent below the 10-year average for the month of March,” the CREA said.

“On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 192 units over the first three months of the year. This decreased by 6.8 per cent (14 sales) from the same period in 2025.”

While sales were down, the average sale price of $309,372 in March was up by 10.5 per cent compared to 12 months earlier. New listings were also down, with only 93 homes put up for sale, the lowest number in 40 years.

Prices averaged $505K in North Bay

In North Bay, home sales were down only 2.7 per cent in March compared to a year earlier – two sales – but overall were down 23.1 per cent compared to the five-year average and 33.6 per cent compared to the 10-year average.

However, total sales from January to March 2026 were up 9.6 per cent compared to the first three months of 2025, and the average price of a home sold in March -- $505,417 – was up 9.8 per cent compared to 2025.

“The number of new listings saw an increase of 18.7 per cent from March 2025,” the CREA said.

“There were 165 new residential listings in March 2026.”