If you’re a REALTOR® in Ontario, there’s one question you hear more than any other—sometimes shouted across the grocery aisle, asked quietly at a dinner party, or slipped into a DM like it’s a casual check-in:
“Sooo… how’s the market?”
It’s a fair question. Real estate is something everyone watches, whether they’re actively buying, selling, or just comparing their home to the neighbour’s. But here’s the problem: the question “How’s the market?” is almost impossible to answer without a dozen follow-up questions.
Because there is no one Ontario real estate market. Instead, there are thousands of micro-markets—and they change depending on your town, neighbourhood, street, and even the type of property you’re talking about.
Let’s break it down.
Why “How’s the Market?” Doesn’t Have a Simple Answer
1. Ontario Is Not One Market
From downtown Toronto condos to rural estates in Puslinch to lakeside homes in Muskoka or century houses in Guelph, every part of the province behaves differently. What’s true in one place could be the complete opposite just 10 minutes down the road.
👉 Example: Oakville might be experiencing a surge in luxury townhome sales, while Waterdown is sitting on stagnant inventory in the same price bracket.
So when you ask, “How’s the market?”—the real question is:
Which market are we talking about?
2. Neighbourhoods Matter—A Lot
Even within the same town or city, micro-markets exist.
A home in Ancaster Heights may sell in a week, while a similar one just over the hill in Dundas sits for 45 days.
That’s because real estate is hyper-local. School zones, traffic flow, views, lot size, street prestige, and even which side of the road you’re on can dramatically impact demand and pricing.
3. It’s Not Just About Location—It’s About Property Type
Another thing people forget: not all property types behave the same in the same market.
Detached homes, semis, condos, bungalows, hobby farms, investment properties—all have their own supply and demand curves.
You might hear “the market is slow,” but that could just mean detached homes over $1.5M are lagging—while smaller semis or well-priced bungalows are selling with multiple offers.
So again, we have to ask:
What kind of home are we talking about?
What’s Happening Right Now in Ontario?
As of summer 2025, the Ontario market continues to be fragmented. Rising interest rates over the last few years cooled demand, especially in suburban and rural luxury markets. But not across the board.
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Well-priced homes under $900,000 in desirable areas are still moving quickly.
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Condos in urban centres are seeing more inventory and longer days on market.
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Country homes with modern upgrades are in demand—but buyers are cautious and calculated.
Sellers need to be strategic. Buyers need to be prepared. And REALTORS®? Well, we need more than a one-size-fits-all market update to give our clients the truth.
The Right Way to Ask “How’s the Market?”
If you’re genuinely curious about the real estate market—especially for your home, your street, or your investment goals—try one of these more targeted questions:
✅ “What’s happening with homes like mine in [town/neighbourhood]?”
✅ “Is it a good time to sell a bungalow in [insert area]?”
✅ “Have prices gone up or down for family homes on large lots?”
✅ “Are investors active in this area right now?”
✅ “How long are homes sitting on the market in my neighbourhood?”
These are the kinds of questions that let us give you valuable, local insight that actually matters.
What We Can Do Instead
Here’s what a great REALTOR® (hi 👋) can do when you want to know how the market is:
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Pull comparables from your specific neighbourhood
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Track recent sale prices, list-to-sale ratios, and days on market
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Spot pricing trends over 30, 60, and 90 days
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Break down buyer behaviour in your micro-market
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Create a custom market snapshot for your home or investment goals
Because whether you’re thinking of selling, just bought, or want to renovate wisely, real estate decisions should always be based on data, not gossip.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Get Specific
We get it—real estate is fascinating, and everyone wants the inside scoop. But the next time you’re tempted to ask, “How’s the market?”—remember that it’s like asking a meteorologist, “How’s the weather?” without saying where you are or what season it is.
Ontario’s real estate scene is dynamic, diverse, and ever-changing. So ditch the blanket questions and let’s talk specifics.
Curious about your micro-market?
We’ll show you exactly what’s happening on your street, not just the headlines.
👉 Get your free custom market report
👉 Or reach out and say, “Hey, I’m wondering what’s happening in [insert neighbourhood]”—we love those kinds of questions.
You can also see market stats on CREA’s site here!
Still want to ask how the market is?
Sure, go ahead. Just expect the answer to start with “Well, that depends…” 😄
