Yes, the current climate is more favourable for many buyers than it has been in recent years. Montreal’s real estate market is more balanced, the key interest rate has stabilized, and property inventory is on the rise. But beyond market conditions, the right time to buy also comes down to your own financial situation, your goals, and your life plans. Those remain the most important factors of all.

The Best Time to Buy Is When You’re Ready

It’s no secret: the “perfect moment” doesn’t always exist.

The decision to buy a property should first and foremost be grounded in your own reality: a stable financial situation, a sufficient down payment, financing that’s properly arranged, and a project that truly fits your needs.

As Josiane Pépin, Managing Broker and Vice-President of Operations at Bardagi – RE/MAX du Cartier G.B., explains:

“We often assume summer is a quieter season for real estate. Yet for a well-prepared buyer, it can actually be one of the most interesting times to make a move.

During the holidays, many people put their plans on hold temporarily. On certain properties, that dip in competition can create more room to manoeuvre, and sometimes better negotiating conditions.

Summer also makes it easier to evaluate a property as a whole. Natural light is abundant, gardens and outdoor spaces are at their best, and longer days make viewings easier to schedule.

In a more balanced market, with five-year fixed mortgage rates still attractive, real opportunities can present themselves. The key is to be well advised, well prepared, and ready to recognize the right property when it comes along.”

Beyond market conditions, the best time to buy remains whenever your project is ready. When a purchase fits into your long-term plans and truly meets your needs, it’s generally better to make the decision based on your own circumstances rather than wait for the “perfect moment.”

Why So Many Buyers Are Returning to the Market in 2026

Montreal’s real estate market looks quite different from what we’ve seen in recent years. After a period marked by fierce competition among buyers and limited supply, the first half of 2026 points to a more balanced market.

New listings are on the rise, giving buyers more choice, while prices remain relatively stable across several segments. Properties are still selling, but buyers generally have a bit more time to compare their options and make a well-considered decision.

For sellers, this stability remains a good thing too. A property that’s properly priced and well marketed continues to attract serious buyers in a market that’s still active.

Should You Wait for Interest Rates to Drop?

Over several announcements now, the Bank of Canada has held its key interest rate at 2.25%, giving buyers a more predictable backdrop for planning their financing.

Even though many are hoping for a rate cut, no one can predict with certainty how the Bank of Canada’s next decisions will unfold. Waiting in hopes of a better rate can sometimes mean putting a project off for months, or longer, while market conditions shift in the meantime.

For many households, today’s stability makes it easier to plan a purchase with confidence, without having to contend with the sharp swings we’ve seen over the past few years.

Housing Starts: A Factor Not to Overlook

When thinking about the best time to buy, we often focus on interest rates or property prices. But housing supply plays an important role too.

In Montreal, housing starts remain insufficient to fully meet demand. While a number of residential projects are underway, completion is spread out over several years. This continues to put pressure on the real estate market over the medium and long term.

In practical terms: even though buyers are enjoying a more balanced market today, housing needs remain very real, which continues to support property values.

The Bottom Line

Montreal’s real estate market in 2026 offers a more stable backdrop than in recent years. Higher inventory, a stable key interest rate, and a market that’s still active all create promising conditions for many buyers and sellers alike. That said, ongoing challenges with housing starts are a reminder that demand for housing remains strong.

Beyond market trends, the best time to buy remains whenever your project is ready, and when your own circumstances allow you to move forward with confidence.

For more than 36 years, Bardagi – RE/MAX du Cartier G.B. has been guiding buyers throughout the greater Montreal area. With deep, ground-level knowledge of the Montreal real estate market, the agency helps clients make informed decisions based on their goals, their circumstances, and current market conditions.