Leaves are not only thing changing…
Fall Market Update: Sales Decline, High Inventory & Rate Cuts — What It Means for You
The fall real estate market has taken a noticeable turn this year, marked by slowing sales, rising inventory, and the recent interest rate cuts that everyone’s been waiting for. After several years of intense competition and low supply, the shift has been dramatic — and for many buyers and sellers, confusing. Here’s what’s really happening, and what it means for you moving forward.
Sales Are Down — But Opportunity Is Up
Across the GTA, sales have cooled significantly this fall. Higher borrowing costs earlier in the year pushed many buyers to the sidelines, creating a quieter market than we’re used to seeing in September and October.
But quieter doesn’t mean worse — in fact, it has opened the door to opportunities we haven’t seen in years.
Inventory Is Way Up
For the first time in a long time, buyers have options.
More listings are hitting the market every week, creating:
Less competition
More negotiating power
Better conditions for conditional offers
A higher chance of finding the “right” home, not the “only” home
This surge in inventory is putting welcome pressure on prices, especially in pockets of the city that overheated during the pandemic.
Rate Cuts Are Starting to Make an Impact
The recent interest rate cuts have already sparked renewed interest among buyers who were waiting for affordability to improve. While a single cut doesn’t shift the whole market overnight, it restores confidence, and confidence drives activity.
More cuts are expected, and every step down increases buying power — which means this window of softer prices and higher inventory may not last.
What This Means for Buyers
Right now, buyers are in one of the strongest positions we’ve seen in years:
More homes to choose from
Less pressure to rush
Improved affordability with rate cuts
Real negotiation leverage
If you’ve been waiting for the market to soften, this is your moment.
What This Means for Sellers
Sellers need a strategic approach more than ever. Buyers are picky because they have options — so pricing, presentation, and marketing are crucial. Homes that show well and are priced properly are still moving, and in some cases selling quickly.
With more cuts expected, activity should pick up again heading into winter and early 2026.
The Bottom Line
We’re in a transition market — and transition markets create opportunity for those who understand how to navigate them. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just curious about how these shifts affect your property, I’m here to help you make sense of it all.
If you’d like a customized breakdown of your home’s value or what’s happening in your specific neighbourhood, feel free to reach out anytime.
