{"id":1769,"date":"2020-11-23T11:28:43","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T16:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cli-mu.qarea.org\/investors\/?p=1769"},"modified":"2023-05-17T16:19:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T20:19:15","slug":"why-are-single-family-homes-thriving-while-condo-sales-are-slowing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.canadianlending.ca\/investors\/why-are-single-family-homes-thriving-while-condo-sales-are-slowing\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are single-family homes thriving while condo sales are slowing?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What was supposed to be a challenging 2020 for Canadian real estate has turned into a record-breaking year, as home sales and prices soundly defied forecasts of a prolonged, pandemic-induced downtrend. But not every segment of the housing market has benefited, as shifts in labour force dynamics drove more people away from big cities and towards the suburbs. Prices have mirrored that decisive shift. It remains to be seen whether real estate investing in Canada will also shift as a result.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
September was another record-breaking month for Canada\u2019s housing market, as national home sales jumped 0.9% to new highs. However, unlike in previous months, only 60% of local markets reported gains, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Greater Toronto Area was one region that witnessed a decline in prices, largely due to weakening demand for condominiums in the city centre. Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Toronto, demand for single-family homes continues to surge. Mortgage companies across Canada are closely monitoring these trends, as are private lenders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lockdowns and the Changing Nature of Work<\/b><\/p>\n Shifting consumer behaviours in the wake of Covid-19 have spilled over into the housing market, as more people prioritize space over convenience. Canada\u2019s economy lost over 3 million jobs in March and April as government lockdown orders forced people to stay indoors. While employers have rehired most of their workers, a large segment of the knowledge economy has shifted permanently or semi-permanently to remote work.<\/span><\/p>\n A survey from Statistics Canada revealed that one-quarter of Canadian businesses expect at least 10% of their workforce will continue to work remotely following the pandemic. These figures are highest in the information and cultural industries (47%) and professional, scientific, and technical services industries (44.5%).<\/span><\/p>\n Percentage of businesses reporting COVID-19-related layoffs, by sector<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n