The national forecast got cut again. Ontario keeps climbing. If you're buying or selling this year, here's what actually matters. From the founders: the headline isn't your market The national housing forecast got cut again this week, on the same morning the data showed Ontario sales still running ahead of last year. You probably saw the first headline. Most people never see the second. That gap matters if you're thinking about buying or selling. A downgraded national market isn't the market outside your door. Ontario is holding up better than the country as a whole, and what's actually selling in your neighbourhood tells a steadier story than any countrywide number. So before a scary headline reshapes your plans, look at the market you're actually in. What are homes like yours doing on your street, in your city? That local picture, not the national one, is the read your decision should rest on. We've always believed the smartest move in an anxious market starts with a clear, honest picture, not a reaction to the headlines. If you're buying or selling this year, look hardest at your own local market, even when it's calmer than the national story. Joel Fox COO The library: resources worth a read These are plain-language explainers for the questions that come up during a deal, each breaking down a common concept without the jargon. Blog: can you back out of an accepted offer in Ontario? Lays out the two stages that decide everything, a clean exit while conditions are still open versus a costly breach once the deal is firm, if you're getting cold feet after signing. Blog: bridge financing in Ontario, how to buy before you sell. Explains how a short-term loan against your current home's equity covers the gap when a purchase closes before the sale does, what lenders require, and what it costs, if you're a move-up buyer lining up two closings. Blog: real estate deposits in Ontario, what buyers need to know. Breaks down how much to put down and when, where the money sits in trust, and how the deposit differs from the down payment, if you're a first-time buyer facing a 24-hour deadline. Hot off the press: Ownright in the news A recent placement where Ownright's perspective reached a national audience: The Canadian Press – Selling your home without a Realtor saves money, but can be a demanding task. Quoted Ownright's Edward Carmichael, who warns DIY buyers and sellers "don't know what they don't know" and should bring a lawyer in early. Market snapshot: Ontario out front as prices steady Ontario keeps pulling ahead Ontario home sales reached 18,051 in June, up 5.5% from a year earlier and above the five-year average for the month (CREA/OREA). The average Ontario price was $831,595, down 2.5% year over year, with the annual decline continuing to narrow. Nationally, prices stopped falling Canadian home sales rose just 0.9% from a year earlier in June, a slower climb than Ontario's (CREA). The national MLS Home Price Index held flat from May to June, its first month without a decline since January 2025, though it stays down 3.6% year over year. Our take: the story this cycle isn't tighter supply again, it's divergence and a floor. Ontario is pulling ahead of a slower national market, and for the first time since early 2025 national prices have stopped falling. With the Bank of Canada holding at 2.25% on July 15, this reads as stabilization led by Ontario, not another leg down. s -->s --> Client spotlight: in their words Super easy to use and helped make buying our first home stress free! Dashboard was great to see what tasks we needed to do, and see where we were at in the process. The team were also lovely and everything was virtual so didn't disrupt our schedules either. Recommended to us by our realtor, but I would recommend to all. S Sarah Buyer · Google review · June 2026 The Ownright advantage Buying or selling this year? Get a clear, fixed-fee quote for your closing in minutes. Get a quote About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Ownright Inc. 545 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 1M1 You're receiving this because you subscribed to Realty Check. Unsubscribe