Many Toronto owners ask the same thing at this time of year: list now, or wait until January? October's data from TRREB doesn't answer that for every home, but it does show where sellers have an edge and where they don't. Here's what to weigh before you decide.
5,603 GTA sales in October, down 7.9% | 14,173 New listings, down 11.9% |
97% Average sale-to-list price | 49 days Average total days on market |
October 2026 at a Glance
| GTA, all home types | October 2026 | Change vs. Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales | 5,603 | -7.9% |
| New listings | 14,173 | -11.9% |
| Active listings | 25,098 | -10.0% |
| Average price | $1,024,108 | -2.7% |
| Benchmark price (MLS HPI Composite) | n/a | -4.3% |
Sales equalled about 40% of new listings, and the average sale price was 97% of the list price. The average listing took 49 days to sell (TRREB's total days on market measure). The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on October 28, and TRREB said uncertainty kept many buyers on the sidelines.
Where Sellers Have an Edge
- Fewer new listings. New listings were down 11.9% from last year, which means less competing supply.
- Freeholds in the city are holding up. In the City of Toronto, detached sales rose 0.5% to 741 and semi-detached sales rose 1.5% to 266. The average detached price was $1,603,886 and the average semi-detached price was $1,225,229.
- East-end homes are selling fast. See our look at east-end house prices in October for Leslieville, the Beaches and East York.
Where Sellers Face More Competition
- Condos are softer. Toronto condo apartment sales fell 10.7% to 949, and GTA condo prices were down 5.8% from last year.
- Buyers have leverage. TRREB's Jason Mercer said buyers "continued to benefit from substantial negotiating power on price."
- Price still matters most. At 97% of list on average, overpriced homes will sit.
List Now or Wait? Questions to Ask
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What type of home do you own? | Freeholds and condos are behaving differently right now |
| What are similar homes selling for on your street or in your building? | Recent sold prices beat last year's peak |
| Is your home ready to show? | Repairs, cleaning and staging affect offers |
| Do you need to sell by a certain date? | A fixed deadline narrows your options |
| What does your next purchase look like? | Buying and selling happen in the same market |
TRREB hasn't said whether buyers will return in early 2027. Its president, Daniel Steinfeld, said a Canada-U.S. trade deal could give GTA residents "a clearer picture of the economic outlook." The Bank of Canada's next announcement is on December 9, and rate decisions can move buyer confidence in either direction. Nobody can predict where prices will go, and we won't pretend to.
A Practical Plan
- Get a pricing opinion based on recent sales, not asking prices.
- Prepare the home first. Small repairs and a good clean-out go further than you'd think.
- Plan your showings. Holidays reduce the number of free evenings and weekends for everyone.
- Review your financing. If you're buying next, check your mortgage options at today's rates. Our land transfer tax calculator and mortgage calculator can help you estimate costs.
Curious what your home might sell for? Request a free home evaluation, or read our October condo market report.
Sources: TRREB Market Watch, October 2026 and CP24, GTA home sales down nearly 8% in October.
Ready to talk through your timing? Contact our team for a look at your home and your numbers.
This article is for general information only and is not financial or legal advice. Figures are from TRREB's October 2026 Market Watch. Market conditions vary by area and property type, and past results don't predict future prices.
