A report from the Toronto Sun in Canada. "In a scenario that is no doubt being replicated in major urban centres across Canada, sales of homes in Toronto dipped 68% in the first week of April while condo sales were down a whopping 80%, according to statistics released by Toronto realtor Doug Vukasovic, who has also found that sellers are pretty much becoming resigned to abandoning the concept of a bidding war. 'I wouldn’t be selling right now … it’s not a time to be testing the market,' he said."

"He said a client of his purchased a condo Wednesday and paid about 5% less than a similar one sold two weeks ago. Asked if the time is ripe for buyers, he said they will definitely find 'some better deals' in this market — particularly with homeowners who need to sell. But don’t expect fire sales, he warns. He said many sellers still have the 'mentality' of clinging onto prices seen before the pandemic. 'From a sellers’ perspective, I think they’re still expecting to see what they were getting,' Vukasovic said."

From CBC News. "Physical distancing is meant to flatten the curve of the spread of COVID-19 among Albertans. But it's also flattening the real estate industry in a province already reeling from a dramatic drop in energy prices, the Alberta Real Estate Association says. Calgary's housing market had become sluggish long before the pandemic arrived in Alberta, with sales figures and prices dropping since about 2017. As a result, the almost 10-per-cent decline in March sales over last year doesn't seem too ominous — but it does mean home sales are now tracking at 24 per cent below the five-year average, according to AREA statistics."

"'The Calgary market was already struggling with oversupply and price declines prior to the recent changes caused by the pandemic and oil price crash,' the release said. The hardest hit region was Fort McMurray, where sales in March dropped by almost 30 per cent over March 2019, the lowest level since 2016, when a massive wildfire tore through the community. Currently, sales are tracking at 21 per cent lower than the five-year average. Also taking a significant hit was Grande Prairie. The oil-and-gas community in northwestern Alberta saw its sales drop by 19 per cent over last year."

The Edmonton Journal. "The Edmonton area’s housing market started strong in March but couldn’t keep up the pace because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA). The average price for the area — which includes Cold Lake, Fort Saskatchewan and Spruce Grove — dropped about 4.7 per cent to roughly $350,000. 'On the whole, we have seen pricing trending down in Edmonton,' said AREA chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. 'That being said, it was trending down before COVID-19.'"

The News Optimist. "Active listings in Moose Jaw fell 9.6% to 255—off almost 13.0% from the 5-year average. The sales to listing ratio was 35.6% in Moose Jaw and 36.6% in the region suggesting a buyers’ market in the area. Average home prices in Moose Jaw fell a significant 18.3%, going from $268,174 to $219,019 and were approximately 10.0% below the 5- and 10-year average prices of $243,401. Average home prices in the region also fell a significant 21.5%, going from $250,452 to $196,719—10.7% below the 5- and 10-year average price of $220,308."

"Homes in Yorkton stayed on the market an average of 109 days in March—up 1.9% from 107 days last year (and still above the 5-year average of 88 days). Average home prices in Yorkton fell a significant 45.1%, going from $304,398 to $167,069 which is approximately 26.0% below the 5- and 10-year average price. Average home prices in the region also fell a more modest 17.1%, going from $151,200 to $125,333—more than 16.0% below the 5- and 10-year average price."

"The sales to listing ratio was 28.3% in the region, 27.3% in Weyburn, and 14.7% in Estevan, suggesting that market conditions favour buyers at the moment. Average home prices in the region fell 11.0%, going from $185,445 to $164,080, or 19.5% lower than the 5-year average. In Weyburn, average home prices were down 34.3%, going from $282,625 to $185,750."

From Cabin Radio. "Kim Knutson had only just launched her own real estate agency in Yellowknife, Re/Max North of 60, when the coronavirus pandemic hit. 'I was really panicking about 10 days ago,' said Knutson. 'Oh my God, what have I done?' Many clients are 'waiting in the wings,' Knutson said, for a better time to move – but for some, time is more pressing. One couple is paying monthly to stay at a hotel in Yellowknife until they can find somewhere to live. 'They are desperate to find something,' said Knutson, 'but their price range is under $400,000, which is really popular, and there’s nothing in this price range.'"

The Montreal Gazette. "Free parking with that Montreal condo? How about Europa’s Marché Saint Jacques project, which is offering a one per cent teaser interest rate for the first three years’ of ownership. In fact, given that we’ve just headed into the first buyers’ market for condos in 15 years, why pay a mortgage at all on your unit for the first 12 months? These are the kinds of unprecedented deals I’m hearing about, as developers throw parties, slash prices and throw in 'freebies' in an effort to sell condos."

"While Canadian real estate sales appear to have bounced back after a sluggish winter, Montreal inventory continues to soar to heights not seen since the late 1990s. Buyers have more choice and are taking their time in committing to a purchase. I can’t help but wonder how a buyer who purchased a condo at one of these projects for the full price last year is reacting to all these 'freebies.' Sometimes it pays to wait."