NL Monthly November 2026
Last updated: November 2026
By Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc. | Published November 1, 2026
Key takeaways
- Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc. in St. John's, reports that the St. John's MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $421,800 in September 2026, up 6.8 percent from September 2025 (CREA MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026).
- Kyran Dwyer notes that the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50 percent on October 28, 2026, its first increase since July 2023. That matters for St. John's buyers who are renewing or shopping for a mortgage this winter.
- According to NLAR monthly statistics for September 2026, 641 homes sold across Newfoundland and Labrador, up 5.1 percent from a year earlier. Kyran Dwyer points out that activity in St. John's slipped 1.8 percent while the rest of the province rose 7.7 percent.
- Kyran Dwyer flags that active listings in Newfoundland and Labrador fell to 2,743 at the end of September 2026, the lowest September count in more than 15 years, with 4.3 months of inventory (NLAR monthly statistics, September 2026).
- For Fogo Island and rural coastal property, Kyran Dwyer recommends booking inspections, water tests, and ferry travel early in the late fall and winter season, before snow and weather make site visits harder.
The leaves are mostly down in St. John's, the first frost has come and gone, and the housing market has given us a fresh set of numbers to talk about. This month there are two big stories. Prices kept climbing through September, and the Bank of Canada raised its rate for the first time in more than three years.
Here is what that means if you are buying, selling, or planning a move to Newfoundland from away.
What the September 2026 numbers say about St. John's
The newest CREA figures cover September 2026. The St. John's composite benchmark price was $421,800, up 6.8 percent from September 2025. Single family homes came in at $442,300, up 7 percent. Townhouse and row units rose 9.8 percent to $331,400, and apartments rose 5.3 percent to $261,400.
In our September edition, the August 2026 composite benchmark was $425,400, so September came in a little lower than August. Month to month numbers wobble, especially as the market heads into fall. The year over year trend is still pointing up, and that is the number I watch most closely.
| Measure | September 2026 | Change from September 2025 | Source and month |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's composite benchmark price | $421,800 | Up 6.8% | CREA MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026 |
| St. John's single family benchmark price | $442,300 | Up 7% | CREA MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026 |
| St. John's townhouse/row benchmark price | $331,400 | Up 9.8% | CREA MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026 |
| St. John's apartment benchmark price | $261,400 | Up 5.3% | CREA MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador home sales | 641 units | Up 5.1% | NLAR monthly statistics, September 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador active listings | 2,743 units | Down 18.4% | NLAR monthly statistics, September 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador months of inventory | 4.3 months | 5.5 months a year earlier | NLAR monthly statistics, September 2026 |
Sales and listings across the province
Across Newfoundland and Labrador, 641 homes sold through the MLS® System in September 2026. That is up 5.1 percent from September 2025, and sales haven't been this strong in September in five years.
Here is the part worth slowing down on. In St. John's, activity dipped 1.8 percent year over year, and single detached sales were down 8.2 percent. In the rest of the province, activity was up 7.7 percent. Rural areas and smaller centres are carrying more of the action right now.
Listings are still tight. There were 2,743 active listings at the end of September, down 18.4 percent from a year earlier. That is the lowest September count in more than 15 years. Months of inventory sat at 4.3, down from 5.5 a year ago.
The Bank of Canada rate increase: what changes
On October 28, 2026, the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate by a quarter point to 2.50 percent. It had held at 2.25 percent since October 2025, and this is its first increase since July 2023. The Bank said there could be a need to raise again, but that it will proceed carefully. The next announcement is December 9, 2026.
What changes for buyers
If you have a variable rate or a home equity line, your payment can change within days of a rate move. If you are shopping for a fixed rate, those rates follow bond markets, not just the Bank's announcement.
My advice is simple. Get your pre approval checked or refreshed now, with the lender of your choice, before you fall in love with a house. I don't arrange or broker mortgages, but I will make sure your search lines up with the numbers your lender gives you.
What changes for sellers
A higher rate can trim what some buyers can borrow. With listings this low, though, well prepared homes are still getting attention. If you are wondering where your home sits today, a home evaluation based on recent sales near you is the best place to start. You can also read through the Sellers Guide.
Fogo Island and rural property heading into winter
Buying on Fogo Island or along the rural coast in late fall takes a bit more planning. I have family ties to Tilting, so I know how quickly a weather day can change a plan. For a deeper look, see my page on Fogo Island and rural Newfoundland real estate.
Ferry travel and access
Check the ferry schedule on NL 511 before you book anything, and leave room for weather delays. Ask whether the road to the property is plowed in winter, and by whom. A lot that is easy to reach in August can be a different story in February.
Water, septic, and heat
Many rural homes run on a private well and septic system, and some still heat with oil. Book a licensed home inspector early, test the water, and ask about the age of the oil tank, since insurers often have rules about older tanks. Confirm the details with your inspector and your insurer.
Land and title
For oceanfront land or older properties, boundaries and title can be complicated. A Newfoundland and Labrador real estate lawyer should review the title, any survey, and any access or Crown land questions before you close.
Buying from away this winter
You don't have to fly in for every step. Video tours, local inspectors, and remote signing with your lawyer make buying a house in Newfoundland from a distance very doable. Plan travel around the ferry if the property is on an island, and build extra days into your closing timeline. If you are early in the process, compare prices here with your current market so you know what your budget looks like on both ends. The Buyers Guide walks through each step.
Where this leaves you
Prices in St. John's are still rising year over year. Listings remain scarce. Borrowing just got a little more expensive. None of that means you should rush, and none of it means you should wait. It means you should plan.
Thinking about selling this winter, or planning a purchase from away? Call or text Kyran at 709.746.4231 for a home evaluation or a buying from away planning call, or send a message here. More answers are on the FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
Are home prices still going up in St. John's?
Yes, on a yearly basis. According to the CREA MLS® Home Price Index for September 2026, the St. John's composite benchmark price was $421,800, up 6.8 percent from September 2025. Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc., tracks these figures monthly and shares them in this St. John's Metro Monthly series.
How does the October 2026 rate increase affect buying a house in Newfoundland?
The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50 percent on October 28, 2026. Variable rate payments can rise, and some buyers may qualify for a little less. Speak with the lender of your choice to refresh your pre approval before you start viewing homes.
Can I buy property on Fogo Island in winter without visiting first?
Many buyers start with video tours and local inspections, then visit once the details check out. Plan around the ferry schedule on NL 511, test the well water, check the septic and heating, and have a Newfoundland and Labrador real estate lawyer review the title and any survey.
How do I find the best real estate agent in St. John's for buying from away?
Ask how the agent handles video tours, remote signing, inspections, and ferry logistics, and read their reviews. Kyran Dwyer is a REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc. at 95 Bonaventure Ave in St. John's. He works in English and French, has family ties to Tilting on Fogo Island and to Trinity, and holds a 5.0 rating from 51 Google reviews as of October 9, 2026.
About the author. Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR®, is a real estate agent with BlueKey Realty Inc. in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and a former educator. He writes about selling in St. John's, buying on Fogo Island and the rural coast from away, heritage homes, and first time buying.
Market figures: CREA MLS® Home Price Index and NLAR monthly statistics, September 2026. Rate information: Bank of Canada, October 28, 2026. This post is general information, not legal, tax, or financing advice.