There is no easy answer to the question: Are potential buyers and sellers in for more of the same going into the 2026 real estate market? Unfortunately, no magic eight-ball or crystal ball prognostication will offer any clarity. There is no definitive answer; all we can do is look at the numbers, the market trends, the history and try to decipher where the market is heading as we enter colder weather and shorter days.
Let’s start with the September numbers. The quarter-point rate drop by the Bank of Canada did offer some increased activity as sales numbers rose from August to September. This is not unusual as the fall market, which typically kicks off in September, is generally very active as people prefer to get everything completed prior to the grip of our Canadian winters. Sales were up in September, while for the first time in months, new listings dropped slightly. Buyers are definitely more active as they try to take advantage of lower selling prices, whereas sellers are deciding to wait for a market rebound before listing their properties for sale. Sellers have taken the biggest hit this year as they have come to the realization that it’s not 2021. What your home was worth 5 years ago is not equal to what your home is worth in 2025. You’ll get less for your home, but there is always a silver lining.
With supply levels at a high point, the timing for purchasing has never been better. Lower prices and plenty of selection put the advantage squarely in the buyer’s hands. However, this buyer’s market will not last forever. As I stated, sales are up and inventory has plateaued, signalling a change is coming. Slowly, we are heading towards a more balanced market. Prices have started to steady, and demand is catching up to the supply. With another rate drop coming at the end of October (and possibly a 3rd consecutive rate drop before the end of the year), this balancing trend becomes more inevitable. A balanced market creates more win-win opportunities. Nowadays, this might not be a popular opinion, but I believe it’s a better world when everybody wins.
Professionally, there is nothing more satisfying to me than seeing my clients excited and happy with their purchase or sale. Every deal comes with its obstacles, but fighting our way through the nonsense and finding the light at the end of the tunnel is why I love this business. I get to work with families that are looking for a new start or are expanding their family. I work with seniors who want to move closer to their grandchildren or young families expecting their first child. I am working with people who, for most, are making the most significant financial decisions of their lives, and the responsibility that comes with that trust carries considerable weight. For me, the extra weight is not a burden; it’s a privilege.