In July 2025, over 1 in 5 Canadian real estate listings—approximately 22.5%—were canceled by sellers.
This is part of a steady increase since 2023. Although the cancellation rate hasn’t yet reached its highest-ever point, the volume of cancellations in absolute terms has hit a record high due to soaring inventory levels.
For context, even during benchmark downturns—like the 2008 financial crisis—listing cancellations peaked at under 18%, and during the uncertainty of 2020, figures remained lower than today’s.
Sellers appear to be pulling back amid loosening market conditions, grappling with weak buyer demand, affordability issues, and reluctance to drastically reduce asking prices.
What This Means for the Real Estate Market
The high cancellation rate signals a growing number of homeowners hesitating to sell at current prices and potentially relisting later, betting on better market conditions.
With new construction completions increasing inventory and buyer demand cooling, the market is under dual pressure.
If current trends persist, 2025 could see a record-breaking year for canceled listings, possibly exceeding historical highs in total numbers.
Snapshot Table
Metric July 2025 Value Significance
Cancellation Rate ~22.5% Highest in recent memory
Historical Peak Rate <18% (2008 crisis) Demonstrates current market stress
Absolute Cancellation Volume Record high Elevated inventory amplifies the impact
Drivers Weak demand, high supply, seller hesitation Key factors shaping seller decisions