Buyers Regain Leverage
October marked a turning point in the Greater Toronto Area real estate market.
According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), home sales declined 9.5% year-over-year, while new listings rose 2.3%, providing buyers with more selection and negotiating power.
The average selling price dipped to $1,054,372, down 7.2% from October 2024, and the
MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark fell 5% over the same period.
This correction— paired with a lower Bank of Canada target for the overnight rate is 2.25% (announced October 29, 2025) and easing mortgage rates—has reduced monthly carrying costs for those ready and qualified to buy.
Our Take
While uncertainty about the broader economy is still keeping some on the sidelines, confident buyers are taking advantage of this window. Properties that meet essential criteria (location, quality, and long-term livability) are now within reach for more households than at any point in the past three years.
- Sellers are adapting to market reality—pricing must reflect competition, not nostalgia.
- Buyers who focus on value and fundamentals, not just rates, are winning negotiations.
- Inventory levels suggest that this “buyer’s market” window could narrow quickly if consumer confidence improves into Q1 2026.
Bottom Line
This isn’t a collapse—it’s a recalibration. The GTA market is finding its footing as affordability improves and transactional volume resets. For serious buyers and strategic sellers,
discipline and timing are now the edge.
Let’s Talk Strategy
As we head into the final quarter of 2025, the GTA market is awakening — cautiously but with renewed purpose. The interplay of sales momentum, price discipline, and macro stability will determine who comes out ahead. My goal is to help you interpret where your property or buying goal fits into this evolving landscape.
If you’d like a custom neighbourhood-level snapshot, a mortgage review, or insights specific to your property or goals — reach out today. I’m ready to provide you with clarity, strategy, and a steady hand through these shifting conditions.
Victoria L. Joly
Broker of Record
victoria.joly@distinctiveadvisors.com
Mobile: 416.500.1238
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