Canadian Industrial Profile: Real Estate—Spring 2018

Interest Rate—The Bank of Canada has increased its key interest rate three times within the last 12 months, and more hikes are expected over the remainder of the year. Higher borrowing costs have weighed on the real estate market.

Regulatory Changes—Stricter mortgage regulations, such as homebuyer stress testing, will decrease the funds available to would-be buyers, dampening demand for real estate services.

E-Commerce—E-commerce continues to expand rapidly in Canada. While this is reducing demand for traditional retail properties, it is lifting demand for warehouse and storage space.