July 10th, 2026 | Housing Markets

Toronto’s Housing Market Is Gaining Momentum…So Should You Make Your Move Before Everyone Else?

If you’ve been watching Toronto’s real estate market over the past few months, you’ve probably noticed a confusing mix of headlines.

Some suggest buyers are still firmly in control. Others hint that the market is heating up again.

So, which is it?

The latest Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) numbers suggest the answer lies somewhere in between.

The Greater Toronto Area isn’t experiencing another frenzied seller’s market—but it’s no longer becoming softer either. Instead, we’re seeing something much more subtle: a market that’s gradually gaining momentum.

For buyers and sellers planning a move in 2026, that’s an important distinction.

What’s Happening in Toronto’s Housing Market?

The May 2026 TRREB report points to a market that’s becoming more active without showing signs of overheating.

Here’s what stood out:

• Average selling price: $1,069,700, up 1.7% from April
• Home sales: 6,583, up 10.7% month-over-month
• Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio (SNLR): 37.2%, up 7.5% from April

Those numbers tell us one important story:

Demand is growing faster than supply.

That’s one of the earliest signs that market conditions are beginning to tighten.

We’re not talking about bidding wars across every neighbourhood or prices jumping by double digits. Instead, we’re seeing buyers return to the market with greater confidence while the pace of new listings isn’t keeping up.

Markets rarely change overnight. They usually evolve one month at a time—and May may prove to be one of those months.

The Biggest Shift Isn’t Price—It’s Buyer Confidence

Home prices often dominate real estate headlines, but they rarely tell the whole story.

Buyer confidence is just as important.

Over the past two years, many buyers have waited on the sidelines, hoping for lower prices, lower interest rates, or more certainty about the economy.

Now, we’re beginning to see some of those buyers re-enter the market.

That’s reflected not only in higher sales but also in the improving Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio, which measures how quickly available inventory is being absorbed.

While 37.2% still represents a market that offers buyers choice, it’s a noticeable improvement from April and another sign that demand is beginning to catch up with supply.

For buyers, that’s worth paying attention to.

What This Means for Buyers

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, the good news is that opportunities still exist.

Compared to the highly competitive markets of 2021 and early 2022, buyers continue to benefit from:

• More inventory to choose from
• Greater flexibility during negotiations
• Fewer unconditional offers
• More time to make informed decisions

But the market isn’t standing still.

One trend we’re seeing both in the data and in day-to-day conversations with clients is that well-priced, move-in-ready homes are attracting stronger interest than they were earlier this spring.

Meanwhile, homes that require significant updates or have been sitting on the market continue to offer buyers the best negotiating opportunities.

In other words, buyer leverage still exists—but it’s becoming more selective.

What This Means for Sellers

For sellers, improving market conditions don’t mean it’s time to throw pricing strategy out the window.

Today’s buyers are informed.

They’re comparing homes carefully, calculating monthly carrying costs, and paying close attention to value.

That’s why we’re seeing a growing gap between homes that are priced correctly and homes that simply “test the market.”

The properties generating strong activity tend to share a few characteristics:

• They’re priced in line with today’s market.
• They’re professionally presented.
• They show well both online and in person.
• They’re positioned to appeal to the widest possible buyer pool.

The result?

Some homes are attracting multiple offers, while others remain on the market with little activity.

Success isn’t coming from the market alone—it’s coming from strategy.

Why Every Neighbourhood Is Telling a Different Story

One of the biggest mistakes buyers and sellers can make is assuming the entire GTA is moving in the same direction.

It isn’t.

Neighbourhoods across Toronto are behaving differently depending on:

• Property type
• Price point
• School districts
• Available inventory
• Buyer demand

We’ve seen some family-oriented neighbourhoods continue to attract multiple offers on well-prepared homes, while other areas remain firmly in buyers’ territory.

That’s why broad market statistics are helpful—but they’re only the beginning of the conversation.

If you’re buying or selling in Leslieville, Agincourt, East York, Riverdale, or anywhere else in the GTA, your local market may be telling a very different story.

Should You Wait?

It’s probably the question we hear most often.

“Should we wait another few months?”

The honest answer is that very few people successfully time the real estate market.

Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment, it’s usually better to focus on whether the move makes sense for your own goals.

If your family needs more space, wants to shorten a commute, or is ready for the next chapter, today’s market still offers opportunities that didn’t exist during the pandemic frenzy.

But if demand continues to strengthen over the coming months, buyers may find themselves with fewer negotiating opportunities than they have today.

No one knows exactly where the market will be six months from now.

What we do know is that momentum appears to be building.

Our Take

The May numbers don’t suggest Toronto is heading back to the red-hot market we experienced a few years ago.

What they do suggest is something more measured—and perhaps more sustainable.

Buyer confidence is improving.

Sales are increasing.

Prices are edging upward.

Demand is beginning to outpace the growth in new listings.

For buyers, that means the window to negotiate is still open, but it may not stay as wide open forever.

For sellers, it’s a reminder that preparation and pricing continue to matter just as much as the market itself.

The Toronto housing market isn’t making dramatic moves.

It’s quietly changing.

And those who recognize the shift early are often the ones best positioned to make smart real estate decisions.

Thinking About Making a Move?

Whether you’re buying your next family home, preparing to sell, or simply trying to understand what these market trends mean for your neighbourhood, we’re here to help.

At Amir & Aleks Realty, we believe the best decisions aren’t made by reacting to headlines—they’re made by understanding the data, the local market, and how it applies to your unique situation.

Let’s build a strategy that fits your goals—not just the market.