Fall is in full swing, and with Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s the perfect time to enjoy delicious local eats and fun events in the city.

The September housing market numbers are in and it looks like the fall market has started off slower than usual. We'll have to wait and see if the recent Bank of Canada rate reduction spurs buyers to make a move. Although it's possible that prices will go lower, there are no guarantees, and with the amount of inventory on the market, now is a good time to find your dream home!

And speaking of finding your dream home, scroll down to check out my latest listings, including a serene townhome in the heart of downtown, a one bedroom + den condo on the waterfront, a trendy loft on King West, and a newly renovated condo in Radio City!

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These days I am happy to see a bright spot in Toronto’s real estate market news.

Home sales in September 2025 were up by 13% compared to the same month in 2024, which is the good news. But (and you know there’s always a but), sales in 2024 were exceptionally sluggish due to a higher interest rate climate and consumer confidence riding lower than current levels.

The other qualification to keep in mind is that the number of sales is still historically low. Last month, 2,063 properties sold. Compared to September 2021 where TRREB recorded 3,377, sales were down 39% from the high’s of 2021!

Now, just because there are sales doesn’t mean the market trajectory is going up. It means to me that people are taking advantage of a down market as opposed to thinking they have to get in on a hot market.

This time last year, people were sitting on the fence thinking that the sky was falling and it wasn’t the right time to move. Now I’m detecting a shift in mindset. There’s definitely money out there that people are itching to spend, but they want to spend it wisely. They're taking time to make decisions and there’s so much more inventory out there, they can. It feels more stable now, less of a guessing game and more strategic.

In a hot market, people make a purchase in the fear that they’ll be priced out of the market; classic FOMO. In a down market, buyers are now confident that they’re not overpaying, despite the fact that prices continue to soften in some sectors.

If you’re looking to sell a property this fall, there are two reasons to list it sooner rather than later:

1.    It’s better to lead the market than chase it. Should prices soften, each new buyer expects to pay less than the one before — so waiting can mean selling for less.

2.    People used to list in November and sell within a week, but considering the length of time it’s taking to sell, listing in November could be a little late in the game. Historically, we see lower average prices in December, January, and February.

My prediction? I think we’ll continue to see an increase in the number of sales. Last October, there was a bump in sales (almost 2,500 properties sold in Toronto) so whether we beat that is hard to say. I also think we’ll continue to see price softening across the board, but not significantly.

The big banks are predicting another rate cut before the end of the year (there are two more announcements, with the next one being October 29). Keep in mind this affects variable rates, not fixed ones.

Overall, it’s a more balanced market - one where patience and strategy matter more than panic or hype. If you’re thinking about selling, now’s the time to position your property ahead of the next wave of listings and before prices dip further.

Ready to talk strategy? Let’s discuss the best timing and approach for your sale - reach out anytime to start the conversation.

Market Snapshot:

The numbers are in for the Toronto housing market and to nobody’s surprise, fewer properties sold than last August and the average price for all housing types were also down. As a rule, August is almost always one of the slowest months of the year so this isn’t groundbreaking news. I was hoping that there might be a turnaround in September, but unfortunately, much of the market is still feeling sluggish.

Echoes of the late ‘80s??

I don’t think we’re anywhere close to that yet but, depending on the housing type, it might feel that way to some. Way back then, there was an overall malaise to the market in general. Interest rates hovered at about 10% (unfathomable now!) and inventory levels were very high. The average days on market soared and nothing was selling, so sellers were dropping their prices like a rock. We’re not there in our overall market, but the sense of uncertainty and the wait and see attitude from buyers is familiar, especially in the condo market. 

Why is this happening?

The media has been reporting a slight increase in mortgage defaults, but I believe (and this is backed by CTV) that some are secondary and investment properties. I imagine that investors are the ones defaulting because it’s difficult to rent an investment property where the rent covers today’s rates and price points, and they are having trouble selling their units because there’s so much inventory. People that live in their homes have a higher incentive to keep paying their mortgage as best they can. Investors are more likely to walk away and take the loss if pushed to that point.

Everyday expenses - groceries, utilities, gas - are eating into budgets. Even if people qualify for a mortgage, many feel stretched and hesitant to take on more debt.

When the news is full of economic warnings, international conflicts, and shifting government policies, it’s no wonder people hit pause. Big moves feel risky when the future is so unpredictable.

Rate cuts aren’t enough

With the recent Bank of Canada rate decrease, interest rates are at the lowest they’ve been in three years. However, I don’t see anything on the horizon that’s going to change buyer sentiment any time soon unless we get back down the interest rates we had during the pandemic, and I don’t foresee that happening. 

In addition to that, even if the prime rate decreases, the big banks aren’t adjusting their fixed mortgage rates so there really isn’t much of a savings being felt. Lowering the prime rate really only benefits those with variable mortgages or lines of credit.

Short-term outlook

My prediction is that the market will remain stagnant for a while. Investors who can’t sell are renting out their units for less as the rental market becomes flooded, which means it’s a good time to be a renter… and with the continued sense of market unpredictability, some may feel that renting is a safer bet for their situation at this time.

My advice for sellers

Sellers will continue to face increased competition. In an up-market, every sale sets a new precedent at a higher price. In today’s market, precedents are still being set - but in the opposite direction.

If there are multiple listings on your street or in your building, your goal should be to sell first out of all of them. That requires standing out, both in presentation and in price. An attractive price often means going lower than you’d like, but that’s the reality we’re facing. You can list at any number you choose, but pricing too high only guarantees your property will be overlooked while someone else sets the benchmark.

My advice for buyers

The leverage you have as a buyer right now is fantastic, regardless of whether a seller is willing to accept an offer, they’re willing to negotiate. You may end up paying a little more now than if you hold off and buy in a year, but if you’re secure in your finances and living in a space that no longer suits your needs and moving into a different space would mean a better quality of life, it’s something to strongly consider.

My prediction for the September numbers?

We will see a huge uptick in the number of new listings. There are over 11,900 listings currently available. I don’t think we’ll see a significant number of sales. Of course there will be sales but prices overall will also/probably continue to slowly soften. 

The bottom line

Waiting and watching can cost you - or it can set you up for the right move. If you’re unsure which way to lean, reach out today and we’ll walk through your options together.

Can you believe it’s already August? Summer always seems to fly by, but there’s still plenty of time to soak it up. Whether you're catching some patio sunshine, sneaking away for a weekend escape, or just enjoying a slower pace, August is all about taking a breath and enjoying the little things.

In this issue, you’ll find a few ways to make the most of what’s left of summer - from spots where you can escape the city buzz to where to find the best Italian food in town.

Before we look ahead, here’s a quick glance back at July's real estate stats: sales were actually up compared to July 2024, though prices have continued to soften. That being said, sellers continue to list their properties giving buyers more options to choose from. Considering the Bank of Canada continues to hold interest rates steady, the hope is that with this stability, it might just help move a few more buyers into action and sales numbers will continue to grow.

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In July 2024, interest rates were still high and that was reflected in the number of sales. Now that rates are lower, it’s not a surprise that sales were up this July (not by much, but it’s an improvement!)

Why? People are seeing more stability in the market and are beginning to see the value again. There is a ton of inventory (over 11,700 properties are currently on the market), which means that power has swung back into buyers’ hands, and they’re able to negotiate. Yes, there are still multiple offers in the key neighbourhoods for the perfect house but for the most part prices have softened.

While the Bank of Canada may hold rates steady for the next little while - with a potential cut later this year - smart buyers are moving forward now.

If you're both buying and selling, it's better to sell first in this market. That way, you're in a stronger position to negotiate on a new home and, once your home is sold, you can focus on finding the right place without all the what-ifs. Buyers sometimes worry there won’t be anything out there, but once we start looking, they usually feel a lot more confident. With so much on the market, there will be something that ticks all the boxes.

If you’re a seller, with so much competition, this is not the time to “test” the market to see if maybe you can get a jaw-dropping sale price. You have to set a realistic price, otherwise you’re just wasting your time.

This is a different market than it was a year ago, and some sellers aren’t adjusting well to this new reality – they hope that what they read in the news about softening prices isn’t what’s going to happen with their property.

Even with a property that’s priced well, it’s the properties that are “totally done” where a buyer can move right into and live in their dream aesthetic, that are selling the fastest. Unless a home is in a specific neighbourhood, it’s rare that something in need of renos goes over asking, unless it’s priced really low… and even then it’s rare.

If you don’t have to sell, my advice is just relax and enjoy the rest of summer. Let’s see what the fall brings!

If you’re thinking of making a move this fall, let’s talk. Whether you’re buying, selling, or still figuring things out, it’s worth a conversation. The market may be shifting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t move forward with confidence.