Are there places still affordable for households in Quebec? What house prices can a Quebec family afford to shop for? The Journal analyzed data from our real estate transactions application, enriched with information from the latest Census, to announce some good news: there are still many properties accessible to the vast majority of households in Quebec. Consult the articles in our affordable homes in Quebec file to find out in which city your next property could be located.
It is relatively easy to find a house in Sherbrooke, as long as you offer a little higher than the median value, according to Matthieu Pépin, real estate broker for the Pépin Valente team, from the RE/MAX D'abord agency..
The median value of homes in Sherbrooke is currently $425,000.
“Below $400,000 in Sherbrooke, it's more difficult, we're often outbidding,” said Mr. Pépin, maintaining that these houses are usually a little less suitable. For example, a room will be missing.
“And in the $300,000 to $375,000 range, it’s very difficult for buyers,” adds the broker.
Buyers' criteria
Price remains a big criterion sought by families. “There must be as little headache as possible,” adds Mr. Pépin. We want at least three bedrooms, see if the roof is recent as well as privacy and sunlight.”
The first impression is also very important. “It’s hard to imagine yourself in a house that smells of cigarettes, cat litter or disorder,” adds the broker.
And properties that require repairs are often sold by slightly older people, according to the expert. “There are, for example, standard kitchens,” he says, describing the oak doors, bronze handles or marquetry floors that they feature.
“And not everyone is capable of renovating a house, it’s not a majority of people,” notes Mr. Pépin.
Photo provided by MATTHIEU PÉPIN
Estrie remains popular
The trend of families leaving the city for the countryside is still present, but it is less marked than during COVID, noted Mr. Pépin.
People who moved to Estrie during COVID stayed in Estrie, which would be a bit the opposite in the Lanaudière region, according to Matthieu Pépin. The latter was also a real estate broker in Lanaudière from 2020 to 2021.
“We have never experienced a decline in real estate in Estrie since COVID. Every month, the statistics are on the rise,” certifies Mr. Pépin.
“We saw a lot of people buying in Lanaudière, but they returned to Montreal when teleworking ended,” mentions Mr. Pépin. The economy of Lanaudière was not as strong as that of Estrie.”
The Estrie economy has a large manufacturing component and several hospitals, including one in Magog and one in Coaticook.
“We are 45 minutes from American customs. We have mountains, Mount Orford, Bromont. There are a lot of attractions,” also listed Matthieu Pépin.
