REAL ESTATE I t's a challenge keeping up with Canada's housing market, particularly if you’re an employer seeking affordable homes for assignees. But after years of steeply climbing prices in key markets, things finally appear to be stabilizing. While last year was spent adjusting to new housing rules and the volatile 2017 market, 2019 looks to be a year of recovery and more muted growth in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. The latter has always been a Canadian hotspot and that doesn't look likely to change anytime soon. Despite the introduction of a 20 per cent non-resident tax and two per cent vacancy tax, the price of an average family home in Vancouver has remained stable. It is primarily the higher end of the market that has felt the impact of the new regulations. “The nonresident taxes had the greatest negative effect in the luxury end of the market – homes that are over $4.5 million," reports Elton Ash, regional executive vice president with RE/MAX Western Canada. "Pricing hasn't been as affected in the single-family detached end of the market, where the market remains relatively balanced." Markets across the country are holding steady as home buyers adapt to new tax regulations and mortgage rules REAL ESTATE RUNDOWN By Matthew Bradford 16 PERSPECTIVES Summer 2019