Real Estate Talk:
Summer doldrums

Taking advantage of the summer slowdown and turning it into a strategic advantage

By Joseph Marovitch

July 2, 2026

I hope all are enjoying the warm (scorching) weather. It was a pleasant 33 degrees on Canada Day. On that day, I enjoyed an afternoon at my good friend’s ranch in St. Lazare. The three-acre ranch is in one of the most beautiful horse ranch areas, surrounded by scenic green mountains, vast fields of tall grass and just tremendous views of nature, with quiet and serenity.

The occasion was a Canada Day celebration with their friends and neighbours. Some of the evening discussion was about the beautiful surroundings, the house, and the peace and tranquillity of life in the area. Within the discussion, as I was the broker who purchased the property for my friends, guests asked me how the market is doing, which direction interest rates are going, and what the average price is for a ranch or home in the area.

My friends are not selling their home, as they only purchased it in the last few years. However, if they were selling, an evening BBQ with friends is an excellent opportunity to show the property and raise awareness in a very friendly, warm, and informal way prior to entering the market. It is a better way than an open house.

In an open house, we try to make the home as warm and inviting as possible for the few minutes a potential buyer is visiting. At a summer get-together where friends are enjoying the experience, property can be ingrained in both memory and heart. Pleasant experiences are the best way to form bonds with people and places.

In summer, sellers are motivated to sell and buyers are serious about purchasing with quick closings.

I say prior to entering the market, since most people want to enjoy their summer vacation stress-free. There are also those selling their property during the summer vacation period, and they have an important reason; otherwise, they would be enjoying the break as well. The summer sellers are motivated to sell, and the summer buyers are serious about purchasing with quick closings.

Since there is not as much property for sale in the summer and buyers are small in numbers, there is the opportunity for sellers to attain their goals at a reasonable sale price, and the same applies to buyers, to purchase a property at a reasonable price and terms that allow all parties to conclude a transaction with satisfaction.

The summer market may be slower, but it is a different market where buyers and sellers do each other favours. If buyers and sellers are in the market during the summer months, it is because they must be. Therefore, negotiation is pleasant and not a tug-of-war to get the lowest or highest price and terms. It is a “get the transaction done so we can get back to summer fun” situation.

The information in these articles is a summary. Should you have questions, comments or wish to discuss further, please refer to the comments section at the bottom of the page or contact me directly. To view past articles, click here.

STATE OF THE MARKET

Currently, market conditions have pros and cons. Even though the Canadian inflation rate is at 3.2%, up from 2.8% in April, bank mortgage rates remain low.

Nesto Mortgages is offering:
4.14% for a 3-year fixed mortgage
4.09% for a 5-year fixed mortgage
3.40% for a 5-year variable mortgage

Residential sales are down 7% from April 2025, and inventory has increased by 14% from a year ago. Despite the fact that sales have slowed down, and not because demand is not there, home prices remain high and rising. Due to property prices and uncertainty about future carrying costs, demand for condos is rising as a less expensive way to acquire property.

The areas most affected by high prices and uncertain future carrying costs appear to be the West Island and South Shore. The least affected are Westmount and surrounding areas.

The global situation, which has a significant effect on the Canadian market, is the ongoing U.S./Iran war, with a ceasefire one moment and an oil cutoff the next, causing inflation and interest rates to be volatile.

‘The areas most affected by high prices and uncertain future carrying costs appear to be the West Island and South Shore. The least affected are Westmount and surrounding areas.’

Another factor that plays on the market is the Ukraine/Russian war, which affects the price of oil, commodities and inflation, and as of late, has become even more dangerous as Ukraine attacks deeper into Russia, pushing Putin toward options that no one wants.

Whether buying or selling, use a guide who is aware of the current Montreal market and global events that affect it, to mitigate risk using various financial tools,

Till next week, take care and have a wonderful weekend.

The information in this article is derived from the CMHC, the Financial Post, other verifiable news outlets, and interpreted by this writer to provide an informed opinion and facts.

LET’S NOT FORGET THAT PEOPLE WITH CANCER ARE VULNERABLE TOO!

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Feature image: Francesca Tosolini – Unsplash

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Joseph Marovitch has worked in the service industry for over 30 years. His first career was working with families from Westmount and the surrounding areas, hosting children ages 6 to 16 as the owner and director of Camp Maromac, a sports-and-arts sleep-away summer camp established in 1968. Using the same strengths he used when caring for families, such as reliability, integrity, honesty, and a deep commitment to protecting the interests of those he is responsible for, Joseph applies them to his current real estate broker career. Should you have questions, feel free to contact Joseph Marovitch at 514 825-8771 or at josephmarovitch@gmail.com