Was 2025 the bottom, or can the market expect a bounce back in the upcoming year? With stabilizing rates, forecasts suggest Canada is ready to move forward again, but that recovery won’t be evenly felt. In Toronto for example, prices are expected to drop an additional 4.5%.

Naturally, your clients may be hesitant to act - trying to time the market perfectly. But that’s an impossible task. For you, this is a chance to clearly explain what the forecasts say, set realistic expectations, and help people decide when waiting makes sense and when it doesn’t. Activity will return gradually, but the agents who lead with clarity and informed guidance now will be the ones clients trust when they’re ready to act.

Buying a condo comes with an extra layer of due diligence, and one document plays a bigger role than most. Status certificates often get overlooked, but they can reveal issues that affect value, financing, and long-term costs. Here’s what to know.

A: It’s a legal document that outlines a condo corporation’s financial and legal position. Usually, it shows the reserve fund, budget, insurance details, and whether there are lawsuits or special assessments in place.

A: In a slower market, buyers are more cautious and lenders are stricter. Issues like low reserves or rising costs can affect financing, resale value, and long-term affordability.

A: Agents can help flag potential concerns, but a status certificate should be reviewed by a real estate lawyer. Legal review ensures buyers understand the risks and obligations before going firm.

Ontario’s real estate market remains firmly in reset mode. Ontario recorded 12,087 home sales in November, down 13.1% YoY and well below both 5 and 10-year averages. New listings totalled 24,606, slightly lower than last year but still above long-term norms. Active listings climbed to 62,868, the highest level for November in more than 15 years.

The average home price declined to $819,356 (-5.8% YoY), while total sales volume fell to $9.9 billion (-18.2%).

Our take: Inventory remains elevated and sales are subdued, keeping Ontario firmly in buyer’s market territory. The pace is slower, but conditions are becoming more stable and predictable.

For sellers: Price realistically, prepare homes carefully, and expect buyers to negotiate.

For buyers: Increased choice creates leverage, but thorough due diligence and patience remain essential.

After experiencing a series of profound losses in their family, Joe and Michelle felt an urgent need to be closer to the people who mattered most. What had once been a long-term goal of homeownership became a way to reconnect, support one another, and begin healing together. As first-time buyers, they entered the process carrying both hope and uncertainty.

Buying a home two hours away from where they were living added another layer of stress at an already emotional time. Taking time off work, travelling back and forth, and managing paperwork felt overwhelming. Being able to complete everything remotely with Ownright helped ease that burden and allowed them to focus on their move and their family.

Throughout the journey, Joe and Michelle felt genuinely supported. Rose’s patience and kindness made it easy to ask questions, and Ariana’s clarity and warmth helped turn an unfamiliar legal process into something they could understand and trust. Even after closing, the team remained responsive and caring. What stood out most wasn’t just the guidance, but the sense that they weren’t going through it alone.

The Ownright advantage

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