🌻🏡 September 2026 Market Update – Buyers Are Still Taking Their Time
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the GTA real estate market, you may be wondering what’s really going on.
The headlines can make it sound like the market is either picking up or slowing down, depending on the day. But the reality is a little more complicated.
Buyers are still out there. They’re just being careful.
People are taking more time, comparing their options and thinking twice before making a big financial commitment. And sellers are being more cautious about listing their homes as well.
So, where does that leave us?
Somewhere in the middle.
📊 A quick look at September:
🏠 Home Sales: 5,040 — down 9% from September 2025
🏡 New Listings: 16,500 — down 14.4% from September 2025
💰 Average Selling Price: $1,006,409 — down 5.1% from September 2025
At first, those numbers don’t exactly sound exciting.
Sales are down. Prices are down. Listings are down.
But there’s an important piece of the story that can easily get missed.
New listings dropped even more than sales.
That means fewer homeowners are putting their properties up for sale, while the buyers who are in the market are still looking.
💬 So, What Does That Actually Mean?
I think the simplest way to put it is this:
People haven’t stopped buying or selling. They’re just being more thoughtful about it.
Buyers want to know they’re making a smart purchase. Sellers want to know they’re not leaving money on the table.
And with so much uncertainty around the economy, interest rates and the overall cost of living, it’s understandable that people aren’t rushing into decisions.
We’re also not seeing the kind of competition we had a few years ago.
But that doesn’t mean every home is sitting on the market with no interest.
A home that’s priced well, in a good location and presented properly can still attract attention.
🏠 If You’re Buying
There are still some real advantages for buyers right now.
Prices are lower than they were a year ago, and you’re generally not dealing with the same pressure to make an offer immediately.
You can take your time.
You can compare homes.
You can negotiate.
And, perhaps most importantly, you can make sure the numbers actually work for you.
But I wouldn’t assume you’ll always have dozens of homes to choose from.
With new listings down more than 14% from last year, good homes can still stand out.
If you find something that checks the right boxes and the price makes sense, you don’t necessarily need to wait around hoping the market gets even better.
🏡 If You’re Selling
For sellers, September is a bit of a mixed bag.
The good news?
There are fewer new homes competing for buyers’ attention.
That’s definitely something to work with.
The challenge is that buyers are still very aware of what they’re paying for.
They’re looking at comparable sales. They’re looking at condition. They’re looking at how long other homes have been sitting on the market.
And they’re not afraid to walk away.
So if you’re thinking about selling, I wouldn’t recommend pricing your home based on what your neighbour sold for two years ago.
Today’s buyer is looking at today’s market.
Pricing correctly from the beginning and making your home look its best can make a huge difference.
💰 What About Prices?
The GTA average selling price in September was $1,006,409, about 5.1% lower than this time last year.
So yes, prices are still down.
But the bigger question is whether we’re getting closer to the point where prices start to level out.
We’re not quite there yet.
There are still plenty of buyers waiting on the sidelines, and affordability continues to be a concern.
But if buyer confidence starts to improve while fewer homes are coming onto the market, the conversation could look very different heading into 2027.
🏗️ The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, buying a home is still a big decision.
It’s not just about the purchase price anymore.
People are thinking about mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and the overall cost of living.
That’s why many buyers are choosing to wait until they feel more comfortable.
And honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
A slower market can give people the opportunity to make decisions based on what actually works for them, rather than feeling pressured into buying because everyone else is doing it.
🏠 What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re buying:
You have options. You have negotiating room. And you have time to do your homework.
The key is not trying to perfectly time the market. It’s finding a property that makes sense for your budget and your long-term plans.
If you’re selling:
There may be less competition from other sellers, which can work in your favour.
But buyers aren’t going to overlook an overpriced home just because there are fewer listings.
Good pricing, good presentation and a good strategy still matter.
🌻 The Bottom Line
The GTA market isn’t booming.
It’s not crashing either.
It’s in a waiting period.
Buyers are waiting for more confidence. Sellers are waiting for the right opportunity. And everyone is paying closer attention to the numbers.
September’s numbers show us that sales are down, but listings have fallen even more. Prices are still below last year’s levels, and buyers continue to have some negotiating power.
So if you’re thinking about making a move, I wouldn’t make that decision based on a headline saying “the market is up” or “the market is down.”
The better question is: What’s happening with homes like yours, in your neighbourhood, right now?
That’s where the real story is.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling before the end of the year, I’m happy to take a look at what’s happening in your specific area and give you a clearer picture of what the numbers actually mean for you.
Milton Real Estate Market
The average price in Milton $1,018,973
Burlington Real Estate Market
The average price in Burlington $1,033,458
Oakville Real Estate Market
The average price in Oakville $1,365,169
