CRE This Week: The Trends Shaping Canada’s Commercial Real Estate Landscape
Canada’s commercial real estate (CRE) market is moving fast — and every week brings a new wave of data, transactions, and strategic insights that professionals can use to stay competitive. Thanks to Altus Group’s Canada Research Team, we now have a fresh snapshot of how the markets are shifting nationwide as we head toward the close of 2025.
If you work in real estate, mortgage, appraisal, development, or any related licensed profession, this week’s market pulse offers signals worth watching while you enjoy your morning coffee.
Market Movers: Notable Transactions Across Canada
Activity continues across major regions, with apartments, industrial properties, hotels, and retail assets trading hands at significant valuations.
For professionals tracking national opportunities, the Altus commercial transactions database remains one of the most powerful tools available for due diligence and investment research.
Despite a softer national economy, retail sales are up 4.7% year‑to‑date. Winnipeg and Vancouver lead the pack, while Toronto and Calgary stay stable after inflation adjustments. This strength supports the rising appeal of grocery‑anchored and open‑format retail assets.
Toronto CRE Feels the Brake Pressure
Investment volume in Toronto sits 13% below last year’s levels. Economic uncertainty and post‑2024 slowdown effects have cooled activity. Altus Group’s Q3 Toronto update dives deeper into performance indicators.
Construction investment eased in September, with residential leading but slowing. The Prairies and Quebec show the strongest momentum, while other regions soften. With population growth also tapering, construction activity nationwide may remain subdued into 2026.
Research Spotlights: Insights Worth Bookmarking
Montreal CRE Update — Q3 2025
Montreal’s multifamily sector stays strong while other asset classes shift. A must‑read for investors recalibrating strategy.
The insights above are brought to life by the Altus Data Solutions team — a group of analysts and strategists laser‑focused on understanding national CRE conditions.
Ray Wong — Vice President, Data Solutions
Peter Norman — Vice President & Economic Strategist
Edward Jegg — Research Manager
Jennifer Nhieu — Senior Research Analyst
Why This Matters for Real Estate Professionals
Whether you’re investing, brokering, valuing, or developing, keeping up with weekly CRE movements is now a core competitive advantage. Staying informed helps guide smarter decisions, sharper timing, and stronger long‑term positioning.
For aspiring and current professionals aiming to build credibility and earn their license, Cameron Academy continues to help bridge the gap between market knowledge and formal education — offering real estate, mortgage, insurance, and professional licensing pathways nationwide.
Explore More Insights
Continue exploring weekly updates and market intelligence from Altus Group:
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Newman Properties, a Massachusetts-based investment firm, has expanded its footprint into Connecticut with the $3.65 million acquisition of a 6,350‑square‑foot retail building in Enfield. Anchored by national restaurant chain Red Robin, the property offers the type of stable tenancy investors seek when entering new markets. The deal underscores growing confidence in anchored retail assets and provides a valuable real-world example for real estate professionals studying market analysis, investment strategy, and portfolio expansion.
JPMorgan now expects national home prices to flatten in 2026, but the Sunbelt is telling a very different story. Florida home values are down 5.1%, Texas is down 2.4%, and analysts warn that years of rapid building are finally catching up to the region. As demand stabilizes and inventory swells, real estate professionals — especially in Florida — face a market full of challenges, opportunities, and critical timing decisions.
Artificial intelligence is finally stepping into the mortgage underwriting spotlight, with 57% of mortgage professionals predicting it will drive the most transformative industry shift in 2026. Thanks to major advancements in language models and workflow automation, AI is now capable of navigating the messy, document-heavy realities that have long slowed underwriting. From faster preapprovals to improved credit analysis and real‑time income verification, AI is streamlining processes while allowing underwriters to focus on true risk management. As regulatory winds shift and grassroots pressure builds within lending teams, the industry is entering a pivotal era where AI‑powered underwriting becomes not just an advantage — but an expectation.
Portland’s top 20 office towers have lost an unprecedented 70% of their value since 2019—plunging from $3 billion to under $1 billion—triggering tax revenue shortfalls, budget crises, and a surge in appeals as the city grapples with its biggest commercial real estate reset in modern history.
South Florida’s luxury real estate market just raised the bar again — this time with a $1 million virtual reality system that lets buyers walk through Dolce & Gabbana’s upcoming Miami tower long before construction wraps. Real estate master’s students were given an immersive look inside the project, discovering how VR is transforming high‑end development, influencing buyer psychology, and shaping the future skills today’s professionals need.
Long Island’s commercial real estate scene is kicking off 2026 with a surge of activity—industrial leases in Medford, neighborhood retail trades in Bohemia, Pizza Hut’s new DELCO expansion in Centereach, mixed‑use acquisitions in Melville, and major investor interest in bank‑leased and franchise-backed properties. From warehouses to restaurant rebrands, these deals highlight a region evolving fast and offering fresh opportunities for agents, investors, and professionals looking to stay ahead in the market.
