2025 Fall Housing Market Update

Posted on Sep 11, 2025



The beginning of 2025 showed consumer uncertainty, with buyers remaining cautious in the first quarter of the year. However, a recent RE/MAX Housing Market Update believes that this fall may see an increase in sales, with 54% of Canadians believing this fall is a good time to find a deal on a home.

Economic uncertainty has been felt across the country, with home sales declining year-over-year in 62 per cent of markets analyzed between January 1 and July 31, 2025. But fall is looking up, as recent affordability and a boost in inventory could have more cautious buyers entering the market.

2025 has currently seen an increase in inventory in Ontario and British Columbia, compared to last year where inventory was low. This could signal a shift to buyer’s market conditions. In the Prairies and Atlantic Canada, inventory remains sparse, indicating conditions that favour sellers.


2025 Price Outlook: -6.5%
RE/MAX Canada anticipates the average national price will decrease by 6.5% this fall, creating more affordability in the market.

2025 Sales Outlook: -5%
RE/MAX Canada expects that sales will decline further through the remainder of 2025.

“Canada’s real estate landscape paints a complex picture of resilience and caution, influenced by regional nuances and continued economic uncertainty. From seller-driven markets across much of Atlantic Canada and the Prairies, to buyer-friendly conditions in Ontario and BC, the nation’s housing market reflects a delicate balance,” says Don Kottick, President of RE/MAX Canada.




Buying Demographics

Last year, sales were driven in the majority of markets by first-time homebuyers. This year, however, RE/MAX brokers and agents report that families, new Canadians, and retirees are driving most of the activity. 

According to a Leger survey, 7% of Canadians say they intend to buy their first home within the next 12 months. Those who are first-time homebuyers are also entering the market in a variety of ways, with some coming in with strong savings while others are employing more creative strategies.

This shift shows that the majority of buyers are now trending older, with many in their late 20s to 40s. Older buyers could reflect affordability concerns as well as the increasing complexity of entering the market.

The survey revealed that 12 per cent of Canadians say they plan to purchase a home in the next year, with 68 per cent saying that a 5-10 per cent drop in property prices would make a meaningful difference in their ability to enter the market. 64 per cent say they would be ready to enter the market if interest rates fell by 0.5 to 1 per cent.



Selling Your Home this Fall

With some areas favouring buyer’s conditions this fall, how can you as a seller enter the market competitively? RE/MAX brokers and agents agree that coming up with a clear strategy before listing is key. Ensuring that you’re priced strategically and understanding the local market conditions will be important factors in driving a sale.

According to the survey, 8 per cent of Canadians say they plan to sell their home in the next year. Among those, 63 per cent believe they’ll receive their asking price on the home, which could indicate that sellers are already aligning their expectations with the current market conditions. 

“This is a pivotal period, where informed, well-timed decisions will make all the difference for Canadians navigating a shifting market,” says Kottick.

Sentiments Entering the Fall Market

46 percent of Canadians are anticipating that the economy will hold steady over the next six months, and 38 per cent view the economy as strong. 92 per cent of Canadian homeowners say that their home is a solid long-term investment, reflecting confidence in real estate regardless of uncertain market conditions.

There is also growing optimism among Canadians, with 46 per cent of survey respondents saying they are hopeful that the federal and provincial governments’ renewed commitment to building more housing will improve affordability within the next three to five years.

While many buyers are still waiting on the sidelines for affordability to improve, 53 per cent of Canadians say that working with a local real estate agent would be helpful in order to access pockets of affordability. As market conditions shift all across the country, working with an experienced agent remains a solid way to keep your footing.


Regional Insights

Check out RE/MAX's reports for more detailed regional insights:

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