New year, fresh perspective. January always hits different for me — I was born on January 5th, so this month feels like a personal reset button.

A new year isn’t about massive moves. It’s about small, intentional decisions done consistently — in life and in real estate. The people who win aren’t the ones who rush. They’re the ones who plan, stay patient, and move when the timing is right.

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” — Jim Rohn. Different year. Same commitment to clarity, strategy, and looking out for your best interest.

Section 01

2026 Toronto Housing Market Outlook

Let’s be honest. 2026 isn’t a rebound year. It’s not a crash either. It’s a grind. Prices are still under pressure. Inventory is too high in certain segments. And weak projects are getting exposed — time under tension always does this.

Sales Will Go Up
Not because things are great — but because prices finally start making sense. Even small confidence gains will bring buyers back. More transactions, lower prices — that paradox sticks all year.
Condos Still Under Pressure
Small units and investor-heavy buildings keep getting punished. Too much supply, softer rents, investors tapping out. Bigger, well-located condos hold up better — but this is not a condo comeback year.
Entry-Level Low-Rise = Opportunity
Entry-level townhomes, condo townhomes, anything ground-oriented. This segment is weirdly weak right now and prices have dropped enough to matter. For buyers priced out for years, this is the first real opening that isn’t a trap.
Rates: Relatively Stable
Fixed rates holding under 4% gives buyers just enough oxygen to move, especially those with solid down payments. That’s the only reason sales improve at all. Variable remains an option — but fixed certainty matters in uncertain times.
Rent Keeps Sliding
Population growth slows, supply keeps hitting, landlords lose leverage. Great for tenants. Rough for overleveraged investors who counted on rent increases to cover their costs.
The Bottom Line
2026 is a reset year. Sideways at best, painful in spots, and necessary. It clears bad debt, bad projects, and bad expectations. If you play it right, this is a setup year. If you wait for “good news” — you’ll miss it.
Section 02

December 2025 Market Data

December didn’t sugarcoat anything. Home sales fell nearly 9%. New listings and active inventory both increased. More homes on the market, fewer buyers stepping up. That imbalance is the core story.

One stat really sums up the shift: 84% of homes sold below asking price — a level not seen since the global financial crisis. The sale-to-list ratio dropped to 96.4%. For perspective, at the peak of the market that number was closer to 120%.

Homes sold below asking84%
Sale-to-list ratio96.4% (peak was ~120%)
GTA avg price vs peakDown ~26%
GTA average priceJust above $1M
2025 full-year salesSlowest in at least 20 years
416 Detached (exception)↑10% YoY — buyers with money selectively stepping in

The biggest drag on the market right now isn’t interest rates — it’s confidence. Ongoing U.S. tariff uncertainty, job losses in manufacturing and auto sectors, and growing anxiety around AI and employment are keeping buyers cautious. Even major brokerages are forecasting continued price declines through 2026.

For sellers: if you’re selling, earlier is better than later in a declining market. For buyers: this is clearly a buyer’s market — less competition, more choice, and borrowing costs far more reasonable than two years ago.

The next real recovery likely doesn’t start with housing — it starts with confidence. And the market will move again when the economy gives people a real reason to feel secure about jobs and income.

Section 03

Top Condo Buildings Near Union Station — A Smart Downtown Play

Union Station, opened in 1927 and designated a National Historic Site, underwent a major revitalization between 2010 and 2024 — transforming into a modern transit hub with expanded GO Transit and UP Express capacity. Living nearby means instant access to the entire city.

Maple Leaf Square — 55 & 65 Bremner Blvd
Directly across from Union Station
Older buildings with larger, more functional layouts. Maintenance fees are higher than average. Short-term rentals permitted. Pricing has been relatively attractive for the location, making it worth consideration for commuters.
Infinity Towers — 25 Lower Simcoe St
Mid-rise, completed 2015
Efficient layouts, strong community feel. West-facing units offer protected CN Tower views over parkland. Direct PATH access to Union Station. Waterfront a short walk away. A well-balanced option for end users.
London on the Esplanade — 1 Scott St & 38 The Esplanade
Just east of Union Station
Combines walkability with a slightly calmer environment. Known for good floor plans and a strong residential vibe. Consistent top choice for buyers who want proximity without being in the busiest core.
19 Grand Trunk Cres & 51 Lower Simcoe St
Conservatory Group sister buildings
Functional layouts, reasonable maintenance fees, strong owner-occupied presence. Competitive pricing per square foot for the area. West-facing units have long-term protected CN Tower and skyline views.
The Berczy — 55 Front St East
Boutique end-user building, often overlooked
Not a high-rise, so views are limited — but layouts are excellent and resale inventory is scarce. A “quiet quality” building ideal for buyers prioritizing livability over flash. Worth knowing about.
Pinnacle Centre — 12, 16 & 18 Yonge St
High-rise towers with skyline views
Surprisingly functional layouts. Strong value relative to location, with a short walk to Union Station. A solid option for buyers seeking space in a genuinely central setting without boutique premiums.
Section 04

Condo Fees — Are They a Scam?

Condo fees aren’t random. They’re a shared operating budget for the entire building, covering four main areas:

Day-to-Day Operations
Property management, cleaning, garbage, recycling, landscaping, snow removal, concierge or security. Stuff you’d pay for yourself in a house — just bundled.
Utilities (often included)
Many buildings include heat, water, A/C, and sometimes hydro. People love to ignore this when comparing condos to houses. That’s a mistake — utilities add up fast.
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Building Insurance
The entire structure is insured by the condo corporation. Homeowners pay this separately and usually underestimate it. A meaningful cost being shared across all owners.
Reserve Fund (the important one)
Forced savings for roofs, elevators, windows, garages, and major systems. No surprise bills if it’s done right. This is what protects your investment long-term.

Houses just hide the costs. Roof: $20–40K. Windows: $15–30K. Furnace or A/C: $5–10K. No reserve fund. When it breaks, you pay. Period.

The real risk isn’t condo fees — it’s bad management. Red flags: weak reserve fund, deferred maintenance, sudden big fee jumps, loans to cover repairs. Well-run buildings with solid reserve funds sell in any market. Poorly run ones get wrecked fast. That’s why status certificates matter and why not all condos are equal.

Condo fees aren’t a scam. Poorly managed condos are.

Section 05

Buyers Looking Right Now — Could You Be Their Match?

These buyers are ready, qualified, and specific. If you’re thinking of selling — or know someone who might be — one of these could be your perfect match.

Midtown — New Build Detached
2–3 storey, 4+1 bed, 2,000+ sqft, built-in garage. Ready to close within a month.
Up to $4.5M
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Annex / Rosedale — Detached
3,000+ sqft. Character-rich, prime location.
Up to $5M
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Mississauga — Detached
Burnhamthorpe, Rockwood Village, or Summerville. Separate basement entrance required.
Up to $1.3M
Annex / Casa Loma — Condo
3 bed. Boutique building, walkable amenities.
Up to $2M
Pickering / Ajax — Detached
4+ bed, 2,000+ sqft, double car garage. Not too old.
Motivated buyer
Bridle Path / Windfields
Luxury detached, 5,000+ sqft. Refined finishes, privacy.
~$5.5M
Etobicoke or Distillery District
850+ sqft, 2 bed ideally 2+1. Lower floors 15–17. Walk-in, balcony, fees under $1K.
Up to $800K
UofT Area — Condo
2 bed, max 10 years old, parking, open view.
Up to $850K
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GTA — Condo Townhouse
2 bed, terrace or backyard, parking required.
Up to $650K