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.
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. 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% 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 in the 3% to 3.5% range 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 like 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.
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 5% down option that isn’t limited by income caps or home price restrictions. And we need a true 10% 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 like 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 5% or 10% down, while the remaining 15% or 20% 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. Debbie Cosic, a visionary in real estate since the 1980s, founded In2ition in 2008. She has led sales and marketing for over $26 billion in real estate across North America. A dynamic leader and philanthropist, Debbie is known for championing new talent and fostering a strong, purpose-driven team culture. She’s a frequent speaker and mentor in the industry and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ontario and is a former Director of the Toronto Artscape Foundation and completed two terms as a member of the BILD Board of Directors.
In2ition is an international award-winning company and the pinnacle of innovation and trust in pre-construction strategy and sales. www.in2ition.ca.
SOURECE, IN2ITION REALTY
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