Is a Violent Housing Crash Inevitable in 2020?

Confusion has become a norm in 2020, but it could be worthwhile considering a stock like FirstService amid the developing situation.

| More on:

The COVID-19 pandemic came out of nowhere and devastated almost every sector of the economy. Canada’s real estate industry was not safe from its effects either. However, economists already warned Canadians that a housing market crash was coming before there was even wind of the novel coronavirus.

The increasing demand in major urban centres with increasing immigration led to a pricing rise for the housing market, despite the introduction of foreign buyers’ tax. The housing market became a bubble, and a crash was imminent. The pandemic came along to shift gears.

While everybody, including me, thought it would sink the housing market, the opposite took place. The number of people willing to sell homes did shrink, but that led to a higher demand for lower supply. Analysts are predicting that it could be a strong year for real estate.

There still is a possibility of a housing market crash within the year, and it might be worth your while to understand why.

Decreasing immigration

The pandemic has led to a sudden decrease in immigration to Canada. Most people who buy property in major urban centres want to use it as an investment to provide them returns through rental payments. Immigration is a significant reason for rental income on properties. With a pandemic that is not ending anytime soon, there might be a lack of tenants.

Our neighbor south of the border is seeing a significant rise in cases. A resurgence of COVID-19 infections here can close down economies again and further delay immigration.

Diminishing buying power

Anybody who wants to buy real estate needs significant upfront capital. If you cannot make money, you cannot buy a house, and people continue to struggle to find means of income due to the pandemic. Even as the recovery continues, millions continue to remain unemployed. Another wave of infections can shut everything down again instantly.

Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, wage subsidies, and Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments are not enough to help people buy anything. With a change in rules, Canadians can also no longer make down payments using borrowed money. A second wave can bring substantial financial pressure on individuals and the overall economy. It is a “what if” that is not unlikely.

What’s with the recovery?

As economies open up and the number of new cases each day decreases, people are becoming more comfortable. To many, it seems like the pandemic is almost over. The bad news is that it is nowhere close to being over. If a new wave arrives, the housing market can crash.

Despite the possibility of another housing crash, investing in the real estate sector might not be such a bad thing. While you might not have enough spare capital to invest in buying a home, you can benefit from the real estate sector through a stock like First Service Corporation (TSX:FSV)(NASDAQ:FSV).

The real estate company provides essential property services for both the commercial and residential real estate segments. The company’s diversified exposure to different asset classes in the sector provides it a fair amount of insulation if the housing market does not perform well, but the commercial sector remains resilient.

The $6.82 billion market capitalization heavyweight is a Canadian Dividend Aristocrat that has been increasing its dividend payouts to shareholders for several years. The stock has a minuscule dividend yield of 0.57%. The real hero is its capital appreciation. Since the March market bottom, the stock has climbed 85.06%. It is up almost 30% from its value at the beginning of 2020 and performing better than its pre-pandemic valuation.

At writing, its price-to-earnings ratio of 84.36 indicates that it could be overvalued. Another market crash could bring it down to a more accessible price point that you could leverage by adding it to your portfolio for its recovery.

Foolish takeaway

The possibility of another major crash within 2020 is real. Nobody can predict exactly when it will happen, but the recovery will likely be slower in case of a significant market correction. It could be wise to increase your liquidity to capitalize on a recovery from the next market crash.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends FirstService, SV.

More on Dividend Stocks

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Is CNR Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Can CNR stock continue its long-term outperformance into 2025 and beyond? Let's explore whether now is a good time to…

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

These top dividend stocks both offer attractive yields and trade off their highs, making them two of the best to…

Read more »

Middle aged man drinks coffee
Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Average TFSA Balance at Age 35 in Canada

At age 35, it might not seem like you need to be thinking about your future cash flow. But ideally,…

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

How to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution in 2024

Here's how I would prioritize a $7,000 TFSA contribution for growth and income.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Dividend Stocks

CPP Pensioners: Watch for These Important Updates

The CPP is an excellent tool for retirees, but be sure to stay on top of important updates like these.

Read more »

Technology
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Dividend Stocks I’d Buy and Hold Forever

These TSX dividend stocks are likely to help TFSA investors earn steady and growing passive income for decades.

Read more »

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

Love Dividend Growth? Check Out These 2 Income-Boosting Stocks

National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA) and another Canadian dividend-growth stock are looking like a bargain going into December 2024.

Read more »

An investor uses a tablet
Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over Enbridge Stock Right Now

Enbridge stock may seem like the best of the best in terms of dividends, but honestly this one is far…

Read more »