Key 2026 Market Indicators:
Market Shift: The intense seller's market is cooling; sales are easing while active listings have increased, providing better balance.
Prices (Jan/Feb 2026): Detached homes remain in high demand with slight, modest increases, whereas apartment and townhouse prices have shown signs of cooling or decreasing from their previous peaks.
Inventory: Improved, with a significant increase in options compared to 2024–2025 levels, reducing the "urgency" factor for buyers.
Outlook: 2026 is expected to see a softening as immigration slows and employment growth remains uncertain, according to experts.
Advice for Buyers/Sellers:
Buyers: More opportunity for negotiation, less pressure, and more inventory to choose from.
Sellers: While still holding a relatively strong position, it is critical to set realistic, market-aligned prices as the rapid, uncontrolled price hikes of previous years have subsided.