Every January, the real estate world fills up with forecasts. Rates will do this. Prices will do that. Buyers will return. Sellers will panic. And while those conversations can be interesting, I’m skipping predictions this year. Not because I don’t care what happens next, but because I’m more focused on what should happen and what we should be pushing for as an industry, and what Canadians truly need to see change.

Humbling year

Before we talk about 2026, here’s what real estate actually learned in 2025.

For many of us, 2025 was a humbling year. It forced the industry to get leaner, sharper and more disciplined. We learned that in some cases, less really is more. Quality over quantity became more than a saying – it became survival. The businesses and professionals who stayed consistent, stayed professional, and stayed focused on service were the ones who kept moving forward.

It was also a “back to basics” rollback. The market demanded that we re-sharpen skills that got rusty during the fast-paced years: Marketing better, building better, selling better and ultimately delivering a stronger product and experience for the consumer. When conditions aren’t easy, you don’t get to rely on momentum, you have to rely on skill, strategy and trust. In many ways, that’s a healthy reset.

Now, looking ahead, I don’t believe real estate needs more trends in 2026. It needs better values.

Better values

That starts with affordability, not as a buzzword, but as a real, measurable goal. If we want a stable market and a strong economy, we need to make homeownership realistic again for families, for young Canadians trying to start their lives, and for seniors who deserve security and dignity. Housing is not just a financial asset. It’s the foundation of stability; it impacts jobs, education, mental health and the ability to grow in Canada economically. So, here’s what I’m hoping changes.

First, interest rates should continue to come down, but responsibly. We don’t need to return to pandemic-era like 1.7-per-cent rates. That kind of cheap money isn’t sustainable, and it causes long-term damage. What we need is a healthy, balanced rate environment, something around 3.5 per cent that supports both buyers and economic stability.

Second, we need better amortization options. If we pair lower rates with 50-year amortization spreads, carrying costs drop dramatically, in some cases by nearly a third. That creates instant affordability without artificially inflating prices overnight. Some markets overseas are experimenting with ultra-long mortgage terms. In places such as the UK and parts of Europe, lenders offer 40- to 50-year amortization schedules, and reports note exceptionally long mortgage horizons in select countries. While not yet widespread practice across all of Europe, these products illustrate alternative approaches to increasing affordability that Canada could study.

Rules too restrictive

Third, we need the removal of the stress test. The financial qualification rules are simply too restrictive. Banks need to loosen the purse strings. We have never seen so many mortgage refusals in the history of our company as we’ve seen in the last year – and that tells you something is broken in the system.

Fourth, we need a true first-time buyer product – a real five-per-cent down payment option that isn’t limited by income caps or home price restrictions. And we need a true 10-per-cent down CMHC-approved program for everyone else. Canadians should not be locked out of housing because the available programs don’t reflect actual market conditions.

Fifth, government programs such as PST and HST rebates must be approved, fast-tracked, put into legislation and extended to all buyers, not only first-time buyers. If affordability is truly the priority, the benefits need to be broad and accessible.

Finally, we need a government-backed bond to secure deposits for pre-construction. This would allow a purchaser to buy a condo unit as a home with five or 10 per cent down, while the remaining 15- or 20-per-cent deposit requirement is provided as a bond to the developer. That helps developers satisfy their banking obligations and access construction financing, which ultimately supports supply, stability and housing growth.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about hype. It’s about values. Fighting for affordability for the average Canadian. Creating security, from food to jobs to homes. Taking pride in our country and making Canada great again for Canadians.

That’s what I hope changes. And that’s what I believe real estate should stand for in 2026.