The core of investment logic is simple: if supply stalls (or fails to expand), prices will rise. This is exactly the trajectory unfolding in Canada’s major housing markets, particularly in Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
1) The Market Today: New Construction Has Essentially Stopped
New home sales in the GTA (August 2025): Only 300 units sold. This represents a 42% decline year-over-year and an 81% decline compared to the 10-year average. Condo sales were just 118 units, and year-to-date totals are roughly one-tenth of the 10-year norm. Pre-sales are not merely “slow” — they are virtually non-existent.
Spillover to other markets: Vancouver’s new housing activity is down to about one-third of typical levels. Ottawa, Kitchener–Waterloo, and Calgary are also showing signs of slowing.
Why this matters: Pre-sales are the leading indicator of housing starts. Fewer pre-sales today means significantly fewer housing starts in the next few years. CMHC defines a housing start as the point when foundations are complete and construction moves above grade. In other words, today’s sales decline is a guarantee of future supply shortages.
In short, supply is drying up. This signals medium-term upward price pressure — and opportunity — for investors.
2) The 2032 Scenario: Vancouver Baseline Above $2.8M
The Breaking Ground: AI-Driven Analysis of How Policy Reform Can Unleash Canadian Housing Supply (Concordia University, Equiton, July 2025) uses median home prices (not HPI) for its forecasts. The starting point (2024) and 2032 projections are:
Vancouver (Median, real terms): about $2.5M in 2024 → $2.8M by 2032 (at current supply pace)
If supply doubles, prices could flatten closer to $2.5M.
Toronto (Median): about $1.4M → $1.8M (with doubled supply: $1.6M)
Montreal: about $740K → $800–900K (prices rise regardless of supply in the short run)
Calgary: about $740K → $650–730K depending on supply and demographics (more sensitive to population than completions)
Note: These figures are median prices, not MLS® HPI benchmarks. The current Metro Vancouver HPI benchmark is roughly $1.15. Median values reflect the broader market mix, including higher-priced segments, and therefore appear higher.
3) Why Supply Won’t Easily Increase
Regulatory and approval delays: A 10% reduction in municipal land-use restrictions boosts completions by nearly 10%. A 10% reduction in approval delays adds another 3%.
Input cost shocks: A 10% increase in construction costs (materials, fees, labor) reduces completions by 25–35%, with multi-family projects most affected.
Labor and financing constraints: Skilled labor shortages and high interest rates make projects financially challenging.
4) Policy Moves and Their Limits
Build Canada Homes: The new $13B federal agency aims to boost non-market housing supply, but is unlikely to shift overall price trends in the market.
Development charges (DCC/DC): In Vancouver and Toronto, government fees and taxes represent about 20% of new home costs. Even if partially reduced, the impact on overall price trends is limited, as supply-demand imbalance remains the dominant driver.
5) Implications for Investors
Supply is stalling → Severe shortages ahead.
Demand continues → Immigration and population growth sustain housing needs.
Prices remain on an upward trajectory → Vancouver: $2.5M to $2.8M+, Toronto: $1.4M to $1.8M.
The takeaway: downside scenarios are extremely limited. For investors, this is a rational entry point. Today’s acquisition could translate into significant returns over the next 7 years.
6) Investor Action Points
Staggered entry: Acquire positions gradually over the next 1–2 years before supply shortages fully impact pricing.
Focus on resilient demand areas: Prioritize transit-oriented developments (SkyTrain/TOD), school districts, and family-friendly strata properties.
Stress-test cash flow: Model financing costs with an extra 150–200 bps plus higher taxes and maintenance.
Be selective with pre-sales: Assess risks from cost inflation, construction delays, and financing; confirm assignment clauses and deposit protections.
Single-family vs. multi-family: Regulatory easing favors lower-density, but multi-family remains cost-sensitive.
Reposition existing stock: Enhance returns through value-add renovations or rental optimization.
Plan your exit: Align strategies with the expected 2030–2032 supply crunch, including refinancing, rental increases, or sales.
Conclusion
The data is clear: Vancouver’s median home price is projected to rise from $2.5M today to above $2.8M by 2032. Even doubling supply only stabilizes prices at around $2.5M. Without a dramatic supply expansion, prices will continue to climb.
The optimal investor strategy is to select quality assets now, build resilient cash flow positions, and prepare exit strategies. This is the rational path to maximize asset growth over the next decade.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and research reports. It does not guarantee future results or investment performance. Housing markets are influenced by interest rates, regulations, demographics, and global economic conditions, all of which can change unpredictably. Investors should make decisions independently, using multiple data sources and, where appropriate, professional advice.