Buyers Are Showing Up. Sellers Are Staying Home. | OCTOBER Market Update

If there's one thing the October numbers made clear, it's this: more people are buying, and fewer people are selling.

Sales Are Picking Up

In Burlington, detached sales rose 9% compared with last October, and condo sales jumped 22%. Townhouse sales held steady.

Oakville was even stronger. Detached sales were up 15%, townhouses 19% and condos 10%. One month doesn't make a trend, but it's the kind of month that gets my attention.

Fewer Homes Are Coming to Market

New listings are down significantly. In Burlington, new detached listings were down 23% in October, condos 22% and townhouses 15%. In Oakville, detached dropped 26%, condos 22% and townhouses 16%.

When more buyers are active and fewer sellers are listing, the balance of the market starts to shift.

What About Prices?

Prices are holding up better than many people expected. In October, the average Burlington detached home sold for about $1.40 million, up 3% from last year. In Oakville, the average detached sale price was about $1.86 million, up 6%.

For the year to date, the picture is steadier than it is strong. Burlington detached prices are up slightly, 0.4%, at roughly $1.40 million, while Oakville detached prices are down about 1% at roughly $1.88 million. Monthly averages can swing a lot, so the year-to-date charts below tell the more reliable story.

Burlington Market Update (Year to Date, 2026 vs. Last Year)

Oakville Market Update (Year to Date, 2026 vs. Last Year)

What It Means for You

• If you're selling: there's less competition, so a well-priced, well-presented home stands out. But buyers are informed and careful, so pricing it right from day one is still the most important decision you'll make.

• If you're buying: you have more room to negotiate than you did a few years ago, but the window may not stay open forever. My advice hasn't changed: don't wait for the perfect market. Find the right home, at the right price, for your situation.

My Take

We're not in a seller's market, but the momentum is shifting. Real estate is local, so if you want to know where your home fits in today's market, I'm always happy to give you an honest opinion, whether you're ready to make a move or not.

Reach out anytime at 289-937-1107 or visit teamrene.ca/contact.