Montreal real estate · The Journal
Montreal real estate, explained.
Buyers ask me if now is a good time to buy. Sellers ask how the market is doing. The answers, with this quarter's figures behind them.
117 articlesLatest
NeighbourhoodsVerdun vs NDG: which fits a first condo at $400,000 to $450,000?
NeighbourhoodsGriffintown vs Saint-Henri: new towers or converted plexes?
NeighbourhoodsHochelaga vs Rosemont: where does a $425,000 condo budget go further?
BuyersHow much income do you need for a $425,000 condo in Montreal?
Verdun vs NDG: which fits a first condo at $400,000 to $450,000?
Verdun or NDG for a first condo? Centris prices, building types, metro access and what to check in each, for buyers at $400,000 to $450,000.
5 min readGriffintown vs Saint-Henri: new towers or converted plexes?
Griffintown or Saint-Henri for a first condo? Building age, condo fees, warranty limits, transit and what to check at $400,000 to $450,000.
5 min readHochelaga vs Rosemont: where does a $425,000 condo budget go further?
Hochelaga or Rosemont for a first condo? Centris prices, days on market, plex conversions, transit and what to check before an offer at $400K to $450K.
5 min readHow much income do you need for a $425,000 condo in Montreal?
Three worked scenarios for a $425,000 Montreal condo: cash needed, monthly costs, the stress test and the household income lenders look for.
5 min readWelcome tax refund 2026: what first-time buyers in Montreal actually pay
Quebec's new credit can return up to $5,875 of the welcome tax. What Montreal first-time buyers pay at $400K to $500K, who qualifies and how to claim.
5 min readFirst-time condo buyer guide for Montreal (2026 resale edition)
How to buy a resale condo in Montreal as a first-time buyer: budget, broker contract, visits, Law 16 documents, the promise to purchase, notary and closing.
6 min readClosing costs for a $425,000 condo in Montreal: every line item
Every closing cost on a $425,000 Montreal condo at 5% down: welcome tax, PST on CMHC, notary, inspection, adjustments and more. Down payment is separate.
5 min readBuying a condo in Griffintown and Downtown: building age, fees and what to check
Buying a condo in Griffintown or downtown Montreal? Building age, condo fees, new-construction warranty limits and what to check before you offer.
4 min readBuying a condo in NDG: areas, building types and what to check
Looking at an NDG condo for sale? Areas, building types, divided vs undivided co-ownership, small syndicates and what to check before you offer.
4 min readBuying in Quebec when you are from Ontario: notary, legal warranty and the promise to purchase
Moving from Ontario? How a Quebec purchase differs: notary, promise to purchase, legal warranty, welcome tax and condo documents.
5 min readCan you buy property in Quebec with documents in English? (2026)
Which Quebec purchase documents can be in English, which must come in French first, and why an English-speaking broker is fine.
4 min readLaw 16 for condo buyers: the documents to ask for before you sign
Buying a condo in Montreal? What Law 16 changed, the syndicate documents to request before you sign, and how to read a contingency fund study.
5 min readWhat Your Budget Buys in NDG in 2026
NDG condos median $538,625, houses $1,247,000. What four budgets buy in 2026, the cash each needs at the notary, and where buyers have leverage.
8 min readWestmount Property Taxes and Carrying Costs in 2026
Westmount charges 3% welcome tax above $500,000 and $0.6583 per $100 in property tax. The 2026 carrying costs at Westmount prices, worked out.
7 min readMontreal Real Estate 2019–2025: What Actually Happened
Median prices, sales volume and every Bank of Canada move, year by year, from APCIQ data. Single-family went from $340,000 to $622,500. Here is how.
9 min readMontreal Real Estate for Persian and Iranian Families: Your Complete Guide
Buying, selling and investing in Montreal as a Persian or Iranian family, from a Farsi-speaking broker who knows the Quebec system inside out.
10 min readBest Neighbourhoods in Montreal for the Iranian Community in 2026
Where Montreal's Persian community actually lives and why: Côte-des-Neiges, NDG, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Westmount and more, compared area by area.
8 min readA Newcomer's Guide to Buying Real Estate in Montreal
Quebec's rules differ from every other province. Mortgages without Canadian credit history, the notary, the welcome tax, and the full process step by step.
9 min readWhat Is a Notary in Quebec and Why Do You Need One to Buy Property?
Quebec closings run through a notary, not a lawyer. Buyers pay $2,000–$2,500. Title search, deeds, land registry, and how to pick the right one.
5 min readHow Montreal's Real Estate Market Differs from Toronto and Vancouver
Different price levels, different plex culture, a notary instead of a lawyer, and a rental market unlike anywhere else in Canada. What sets Montreal apart.
6 min readWhat Does It Really Cost to Sell a House in Montreal?
On a $700,000 Montreal sale, commission and tax come to about $32,200. Add the notary, any mortgage penalty and prep costs. Full breakdown.
6 min readUnderstanding Mortgage Options for First-Time Buyers in Canada
Fixed or variable, open or closed, 25 or 30 years. The decisions you make at purchase shape your finances for years. Here is how to navigate them.
7 min readWhat Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted? The Quebec Closing Process Explained
The 30–60 days from signed Promesse d'achat to keys: inspection, financing, waiving conditions, choosing a notary, walkthrough and closing day.
6 min readHow to Prepare Your Montreal Home for Sale: A Room-by-Room Checklist
Top-dollar sales are won before a single buyer visits. A practical room-by-room preparation checklist for Montreal sellers, in the order to do it.
7 min readRosemont vs. Plateau-Mont-Royal: Which Is Better for First-Time Buyers?
Two of Montreal's most desirable urban neighbourhoods at meaningfully different price points. An honest side-by-side for buyers trying to choose.
6 min readHow to Choose a Real Estate Agent to Sell in Montreal
What full service really includes, what Quebec's seller declaration adds, how multiple offers get engineered, and the 7 questions to ask before you sign.
11 min readWhat to Look for in a Home Inspection in Quebec
Your last line of defence before a major commitment. What a competent inspection covers, what it will not, and how to use the report to renegotiate.
6 min readHow to Sell a Plex in Montreal: What Sellers Need to Know
Selling a Montreal plex involves tenant law, pricing complexity, and a specific buyer pool. Here is what every plex seller needs to know before listing.
7 min readIs Now a Good Time to Buy Real Estate in Montreal?
An honest, data-based answer for Montreal, and the case that timing the market matters far less than most buyers think it does.
7 min readBest Neighbourhoods in Montreal for First-Time Buyers in 2026
Entry price, appreciation history, walkability and lifestyle compared across Montreal's key neighbourhoods for buyers purchasing their first property.
8 min readWhat Is the Welcome Tax in Quebec and How Is It Calculated?
On a $600,000 Montreal home the 2026 welcome tax is $7,349. Brackets for Montreal, Westmount and Côte-Saint-Luc, and the new first-time buyer credit.
7 min readHow to Make a Competitive Offer in Montreal Without Overpaying
A strong offer is built from conditions, deposit and timing, not price alone. How to compete properly while protecting your financial position.
6 min readWhat Is the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and How Does It Help Montreal Buyers?
$8,000 a year to a $40,000 lifetime maximum, deductible going in and tax-free coming out. How to use the FHSA alongside the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan.
5 min readCondo vs. House in Montreal: What First-Time Buyers Should Consider
An honest comparison of the financial and lifestyle trade-offs: condo fees versus maintenance, appreciation, resale, and who each actually suits.
7 min readHow Much Down Payment Do You Need to Buy a House in Montreal?
5% to $500K, 10% to $1.5M, 20% above. Plus the $40,000 FHSA, the $60,000 RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, and what CMHC insurance actually costs you.
6 min readWhat Is a Promise to Purchase in Quebec? Everything Buyers Need to Know
The Promesse d'achat binds you the moment it's accepted. Deposit 3–5%, financing condition 5–10 business days, and the clauses that decide your exit.
6 min readCurrent Real Estate Strategies for Montreal Buyers and Sellers Today
Tactical advice for today's balanced-to-seller conditions: what buyers should prioritise, and what sellers need to do to generate a strong result.
6 min readMontreal Real Estate Q1 2026: What the Numbers Actually Mean
A data-led breakdown of Q1 2026 Centris statistics across Montreal's key neighbourhoods: median prices, days on market, and what they signal.
8 min readApril 2026 Market Report: Rising Inventory Eases Pressure on Condo Buyers
Active listings climbed 14.9% year over year, opening up real choice in the condo segment. What the inventory shift meant for buyers, sellers and pricing.
6 min readFive Things Every First-Time Buyer in Montreal Must Know Before Making an Offer
Most first-time buyers in Montreal make the same five mistakes. Knowing them before you start your search saves money, time and a great deal of stress.
7 min readPlateau-Mont-Royal: Why Prices Keep Climbing Despite Everything
The Plateau has defied corrections for a decade. The structural reasons behind that, and what they mean if you are buying or selling there now.
6 min readSpring Surge: Turnkey Single-Family Homes Lead the March Market
March volumes rose 2% year over year with the single-family median at $652,250. What drove the spring opening and which segment led it.
6 min readPricing Strategy in a Shifting Market: What Montreal Sellers Need to Know in 2026
Pricing high and waiting no longer works. A data-backed approach accounting for neighbourhood dynamics, buyer psychology and the rate environment.
7 min readThe Montreal Plex Opportunity: Why Multi-Unit Properties Deserve Serious Attention
Duplexes, triplexes and quadruplexes offer a structure that is hard to replicate elsewhere in Canada. The real opportunity, and the real risks.
9 min readStabilizing Mortgage Rates: What to Expect from Lenders in 2026
Rates settled near 4% in early 2026, giving buyers a predictable environment for the first time in years. What to expect and how to position financing.
6 min readOutremont in 2026: The Market That Refuses to Soften
Low inventory, high-net-worth buyers and almost no new construction have decoupled Outremont from the broader market. What that means if you are buying.
5 min readGetting Pre-Approved in Quebec: The Complete Guide
What documents lenders want, how long a pre-approval holds, why it is not a guarantee, and how to use it as leverage when you make an offer.
6 min readNavigating the Early 2026 Montreal Housing Market: A Soft Start
Cold weather and thin winter inventory produced a soft January. An honest read of the slow start and what it signalled for the spring ahead.
6 min readThe Montreal Condo Market in 2026: Oversupply, Opportunity, and What to Watch
The divergence between new construction and resale, and between downtown and suburban, matters more than the headline number. What to watch.
7 min read2025 Year End Review: A Solid and Mature Montreal Real Estate Market
Sales rose 8% to 47,019, the single-family median hit $622,500 and condos $425,000. What a mature market year looked like, and what it set up.
6 min readRosemont-La Petite-Patrie: The Neighbourhood That Became Unaffordable (And What It Means)
A decade ago Rosemont was the affordable alternative to the Plateau. Its prices now tell a different story and hint at which neighbourhood is next.
6 min readThe Home Seller's Pre-Listing Checklist: What Montreal Brokers Actually Look For
Before your property reaches Centris there is a preparation process that separates strong launches from quiet ones. Every element, in order.
8 min readThe Resurgence of Large Commercial and Multi-Residential Investments
REITs and private funds completed major Montreal transactions. What institutional activity signals about the long-term outlook for the market.
6 min readPierrefonds-Roxboro and Pointe-Claire: The West Island Value Case
As inner-city prices climbed, the West Island drew a new generation of buyers wanting space. What the market looks like and who it genuinely suits.
5 min readMontreal-Ouest: The Quiet Neighbourhood That Serious Buyers Keep Overlooking
Montréal-Ouest trades at a discount to Westmount and NDG with the same 1920–1960 housing stock. Why long-horizon buyers keep finding it late.
5 min readMicro-Market Disparities: Why Your Montreal Neighbourhood Defies National Trends
National housing headlines describe a country, not your street. The neighbourhood-level data that separates real analysis from the noise.
6 min readThe Quebec Real Estate Transaction: A Step-by-Step Guide from Offer to Keys
Promise to Purchase, conditions period, firm agreement, the notarial act, possession. How a Quebec real estate transaction works, stage by stage.
8 min readMontreal's Luxury Real Estate Segment: How the Top of the Market Is Actually Performing
The top of the market moves on its own logic. The data tells a more nuanced story than the overall indicators suggest. Here is what it shows.
6 min readFall 2025 Market Analysis: Single-Family Homes Reach New Peak Values
Scarcity of land kept detached house prices at record highs. The supply and demand analysis behind the peak, and which neighbourhoods led it.
6 min readVerdun and LaSalle: Montreal's Emerging Value Corridor
The waterfront stretch from Verdun has genuinely transformed over a decade. Where it stands now, and where it is heading, for buyers and investors.
5 min readBuying Real Estate in the Off-Season: Late Summer Negotiation Tactics
August and December are the quietest months on the Montreal market, and quiet favours the buyer. The negotiating framework that works then.
6 min readRenovation ROI in Montreal: Which Improvements Actually Pay Off at Resale
Not every renovation returns more than it costs. Which improvements deliver measurable value in Montreal's market, and which quietly lose you money.
7 min readThe Montreal Market in 2027: Scenarios, Indicators, and What to Watch
Base case is 3–6% price growth at 55% probability. The two alternatives, the four indicators that decide which one lands, and what each means for you.
6 min readThe Return of the Property Flip: Finding Value in Distressed Homes
Widening gaps between renovated and unrenovated homes revived local flipping. The honest financial model, including tax, holding costs and QST.
6 min readRental Market Equilibrium: Are Montreal Rent Prices Finally Stabilizing?
New rental completions slowed the aggressive increases of recent years. What the data shows about equilibrium and what it means for plex investors.
6 min readThe Rebalancing Condo Market on the Island of Montreal
Inventory reached healthier levels and the segment moved toward balanced territory. The data, and what it means for condo buyers and sellers.
6 min readSpring 2025 Seller's Guide: Standing Out in a High-Inventory Market
When listings climb, buyers get selective and sellers compete on presentation and price. The updated playbook for standing out.
6 min readUnderstanding Montreal's New Fast-Tracked Housing Project Approvals
Municipalities used new provincial powers to accelerate construction starts. What faster approvals mean for supply, prices and buyers over time.
6 min readThe Divergence of Toronto and Montreal Real Estate Markets
Montreal held its ground while other Canadian cities corrected. The structural reasons Montreal has been the most rational major market in Canada.
6 min readStarting 2025: How the Lower Policy Rate Impacts Buyers
Every 25 basis points moves qualification amounts by roughly 2–3%. What an easing cycle actually does to a Montreal buyer's purchasing power.
6 min readNavigating the New 30-Year Mortgage Amortization Rules
First-time buyers and new-build purchasers can amortize an insured mortgage over 30 years. Who qualifies, what it saves monthly, what it costs overall.
6 min readThe Evolution of Neighborhoods: Where to Invest in Montreal Next
Verdun, Hochelaga and pockets of the North Shore have quietly outperformed. The investment geography of Montreal's next cycle, examined honestly.
6 min readWhy Turnkey Single-Family Homes Are Dominating the Montreal Market
When renovation costs and labour shortages bite, buyers pay up for move-in ready. The data, and what it means for how you prepare a property.
6 min readStaging Secrets to Secure Top Dollar in a Competitive Market
Buyers avoiding renovation costs pay a premium for turnkey. The specific staging moves that translate into a higher sale price in this market.
6 min readBuying a Multi-Unit Building in Montreal: Tips for Commercial Financing
Five units and up means commercial lending rules, different down payment structures and different math. A complete guide for Montreal plex investors.
6 min readUnderstanding Bill 31: New Rules for Lease Transfers and Housing in Quebec
Quebec's housing legislation changed what landlords can refuse and how lease transfers work. What changed and what it means if you own a plex.
6 min readDemystifying the Role of the OACIQ in Protecting Quebec Consumers
Licensing, ethics rules, the indemnity fund, and how to file a complaint. What Quebec's real estate regulator does for buyers and sellers in practice.
6 min readPreparing for Your Mortgage Renewal: Avoid the Payment Shock
Renewing off a low rate can add hundreds a month. When to start shopping, how to negotiate, and what switching lenders actually involves.
6 min readHow the REM Opening Impacts Property Values Near New Stations
Transit-adjacent property carries a measurable premium. What the research shows about REM stations and what it means for buying near a future line.
6 min readThe Longevity of Plex Investments: Why Cash Flow Still Matters in Montreal
When you cannot count on price growth, rental income carries the investment. The updated thesis for Montreal plexes and how to run the numbers.
6 min readThe Bank of Canada Hikes Again: Managing Mortgage Anxiety
Variable-rate holders feel every increase. Practical options for managing payment pressure, and when each of them is genuinely worth doing.
6 min readSelling Your Property Independently vs Using a Broker in 2023
The legal exposure of the seller's declaration, the marketing gap and the negotiation disadvantage. An honest comparison of what each path delivers.
6 min readMaximizing the Value of Your Undivided Condo in Montreal
Financing rules shrink your buyer pool before you list. How to market, price and position an undivided property so it still sells for full value.
6 min readBuying in Montreal in 2023: Finding Opportunities in a Slower Market
When sales volume falls but prices hold, opportunity looks different. How serious buyers find genuine value while everyone else waits on the sidelines.
6 min readIs It Time to Switch from a Variable to a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
Locking in feels safe and is sometimes expensive. How to run the actual numbers on switching, including what the penalty costs and when it is worth it.
6 min readEvaluating Pre-Construction Condos in Montreal: Opportunities and Risks
Delivery delays, price adjustment clauses, GST/QST on new builds and the Garantie de construction résidentielle. What to check before you sign.
6 min readNavigating a Balanced Market: New Strategies for Montreal Home Sellers
When buyers have options again, the seller playbook changes. Pricing, preparation and negotiation for a market where properties sit longer.
6 min readWhat Happens if You Bought a Home at the Peak of the Market?
A paper loss is only a loss if you sell. The strategic framework for holding, renewing and deciding when the value on paper actually matters.
6 min readRising Rates and the Stress Test: Qualifying for a Mortgage in Mid-2022
A higher qualifying rate cuts purchasing power fast. A clear breakdown of the stress test mechanics and how to protect what you can borrow.
6 min readThe Shifting Balance: How Buyers Are Regaining Negotiation Power
Conditions, inspections and price adjustments return to contracts when the balance shifts. How to recognise the turn and how to use it.
6 min readThe Federal Foreign Buyer Ban: What It Means for Montreal Real Estate
Who the ban actually covers, the exemptions that matter, and its real effect on the Montreal market, which was smaller than the headlines suggested.
6 min readFixed vs Variable Mortgage Rates at the End of 2021: Which Is Best?
The decision is about your tolerance for payment change, not about predicting rates. A framework for choosing, and what breaking each one costs.
6 min readLuxury Real Estate in Montreal: What Drives the Million-Dollar Market?
Properties above $2 million run on different dynamics: longer market times, smaller buyer pools, and pricing that ignores the broader market.
6 min readSelling an Estate Property in Quebec: A Guide to Successions
Navigating the legal complexities of selling a home after the passing of a family member requires specific knowledge of Quebec succession law.
6 min readUnderstanding the True Cost of Flipping a House in Montreal
Capital gains treatment, QST on renovation, holding costs and the transfer duty you pay twice. The complete financial model before you commit.
6 min readThe Return of the Urban Condo: Downtown Montreal Plots its Comeback
Undervalued downtown condominiums draw buyers back whenever the city fills up again. The opportunity thesis, and what to check before you act.
6 min readBlind Bidding in Quebec: How the System Works and Tips to Stand Out
You cannot see competing offers in Quebec. Here is how blind bidding actually works, what your broker can and cannot tell you, and how to stand out.
6 min readHome Renovations in Montreal: Boosting Value Before You Sell
Construction material prices skyrocketed in spring 2021. Here is which renovations actually delivered ROI and which ones homeowners were wasting money on.
6 min readRising Values on the West Island: Why Beaconsfield and Kirkland Are Booming
Two of the West Island's strongest markets, examined: what drives demand, what the housing stock is like, and who these communities actually suit.
6 min readThe Trap of Waiving Inspections: Protecting Yourself in a Hot Market
Waiving inspection to win a bidding war transfers every hidden defect to you. The real risk calculation, and the strategies that compete without it.
6 min readHow the Mortgage Stress Test Rules Affect Your Buying Power
You qualify at a higher rate than you pay. Here is how the stress test is calculated, what it costs you in purchasing power, and how to work with it.
6 min readInvesting in Montreal Real Estate During Uncertain Times: Plex Resilience
Triplexes and multi-generational homes carry built-in resilience that single-family investment property does not. The investment case, honestly made.
6 min readSingle-Family Homes vs Condos: The Shifting Priorities of Montreal Buyers
Buyer preference between detached houses and condominiums moves with rates, space and life stage. What the data shows about how the split shifts.
6 min readBuying a Secondary Residence: The Booming Laurentians Market
Recreational property carries risks a city buyer never meets: access, water, septic, seasonal roads, financing. What to evaluate before you commit.
6 min readBidding Wars in a Pandemic: The New Reality of Buying in Montreal
When explosive demand meets low inventory, properties sell in days with dozens of offers. The strategies that separate winning offers from losing ones.
6 min readThe Great Suburban Migration: Why Buyers Are Heading to the North Shore
Space, yards and home offices drove a wave of buyers north. What the North Shore offers, what you give up, and how the commute maths works out.
6 min readThe Bank of Canada Rate Cuts: What They Mean for Your Mortgage
Exactly how a policy rate change reaches your mortgage payment on variable and fixed terms and at renewal, and what it does to what you can afford.
6 min readVirtual Real Estate: How We Are Closing Deals Safely in Lockdown
Electronic signatures, video walkthroughs and remote notarial closings are now routine. The playbook for a transaction you cannot attend in person.
6 min readHow COVID-19 Is Changing Real Estate Operations in Quebec
The arrival of the pandemic in March 2020 forced OACIQ to suspend open houses and mandate safety protocols overnight. Here is how the industry adapted.
6 min readDownsizing Trends: Transitioning from a Suburban House to a Montreal Condo
The financial and emotional transition, in order: what to sell first, how the numbers actually work out, and the condo questions nobody thinks to ask.
6 min readPreparing Your Montreal Property for a Winter Sale: Staging Tips
Listing in January is not listing in May. What a winter sale needs that a spring one does not: light, snow management, heating costs and photography.
6 min readAnalyzing the Federal First-Time Home Buyer Incentive in Quebec
Ottawa's shared-equity mortgage program assessed honestly for Montreal buyers: how it worked, who it actually helped, and why brokers were sceptical.
6 min readBuying a Heritage Home in Westmount or Outremont: Rules and Risks
Municipal conservation rules restrict what you can change, and the costs surprise people. What to check before signing on a protected Montreal property.
6 min readDivided vs Undivided Co-ownership in Montreal: Essential Differences
Undivided condos cost less and are harder to finance: most lenders require 20% down. The differences that decide what you can buy and what you can sell.
6 min readThe Growing Appeal of South Shore Real Estate for Young Professionals
REM access changed the calculation for buyers priced out of the island. Why the South Shore started its ascent and where the value sits now.
6 min readNavigating Bidding Wars in the Spring 2019 Montreal Market
Price is only one lever. Conditions, deposit, closing date and how your offer is presented decide more competitive situations than buyers realise.
6 min readWhy Plex Investments in the Plateau and Mile End Are Exploding
Demand for 2-to-5-unit properties made these the most competitive plex markets in Canada. The data behind it and what it means for buyers today.
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