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In Toronto’s competitive real estate market, acting fast and strategically is key to landing your dream home before someone else does. By combining tech tools, local insights, and sharp preparation, you can be both proactive and decisive. Here’s a refined, human-focused guide that builds on the best tactics out there—while offering clarity, personality, and SEO polish.
1. Monitor New Listings Like a Hawk
Use tools like Zolo and TRREB’s MLS® alerts to get real-time notifications of fresh properties.
Tap into specialized search platforms (like Yolevski’s real estate search tool) that offer hyper-custom filters and daily updates.
2. Build Your Squad: A Realtor & Your Network
Partner with a dentist's-in-the-know agent who’s embedded in your fav neighbourhood—they can flag unlisted or coming-soon homes.
Let friends, colleagues, and even social media know you’re house-hunting—word-of-mouth still works wonders.
3. Be Pre-Approved and Prepped to Pounce
Get mortgage pre-approval. In today’s market, you may need an annual income of $232,000 to afford an average-priced home (~$1,061,900)—or higher depending on property type and down payment.
Know your budget, have your down payment ready, and nail your must-have list before you browse listings.
4. Learn to Read Between the Lines
Keep a checklist of red flags: staging that hides flaws, awkward layouts, hidden issues—don’t let surface charm distract you.
Focus on lighting, location, and layout—three foundational elements that stand the test of time.
5. Strike when the Moment is Right
Watch for when listing volume spikes but demand dips—that’s when you have leverage. As of July 2025, the Toronto market showed more supply than demand, signaling a slight shift toward buyers.
In early 2025, home sales rose ~10% in January, while prices held steady—with projections for moderate increases in sales (+12.4%) and prices (+2.6%) in 2025.
Final summary
In Toronto’s fast-moving real estate arena, getting ahead means combining tech-enabled alerts, strong realtor connections, financial readiness, attention to home fundamentals, and timing your move when supply lines shift in your favour. Armed with this multi-pronged approach, you’re not just seeing homes sooner—you’re making smart, confident moves to secure the one that’s meant for you.
Where is the best place to buy a house in Toronto?
Great neighbourhoods frequently cited include Riverdale (family-friendly charm), Rosedale–Moore Park (heritage elegance), and Distillery District (artsy loft vibes). The "best place" depends on your lifestyle priorities—commute, schools, character, or resale potential.
What salary do you need to buy a home in Toronto?
To afford a detached home—based on average prices around $1.36 million—you’d need an annual household income of approximately $269,000. If you're targeting condos ($683K), you’d need closer to $137,000. Another source estimates around $232,000 for the average-priced home ($1.06M).
What is the average price of a house in Toronto?
As of June 2025, the average resale home price sat around $995,100, down ~5.5% year-over-year. Specifically, single-family homes averaged about $1,216,000, townhouses $739,500, and condos $585,100. The median detached home price in Q2 was $1,225,000.
What is the housing market forecast for Toronto in 2025?
Listings have grown, tilting the market slightly toward buyers. Prices are expected to fall modestly—CMHC forecasts a ~2% dip in 2025, especially in Ontario and BC. TRREB expects prices to rise by ~2.6%, while home sales may grow by ~12.4% in 2025. RBC and other analysts foresee declines in H2 2025 as well.
What is the cheapest place to live in Canada?
Based on recent data, some of the most affordable cities include:
Thunder Bay, ON, Saint John, NB, and Red Deer, AB Forbes.
Other extremely low-cost towns: Thetford Mines, Quebec (avg home $299K), Edmundston, NB ($234K), Rivière-du-Loup, QC ($277K), and Tracadie, NB ($173K)