By David Elver
This fall could shape up to be a fantastic time to enter the real estate market, whether you’re a buyer or a seller. The latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association shows home sales in September were down from August, but that is actually setting up the stage for an end-of-year revival thanks to pent-up demand and lower interest rates.
If you’re thinking of listing your property this fall, there are a few simple things you can do to get your home ready to help it sell faster, easier, and at the highest price possible.
The advantages of selling in the fall
“The question isn’t so much whether buyers will return, but when,” explains Brendan Powell, a REALTOR® and Broker of Record with the BREL Team at Bspoke Realty in Toronto, Ontario. “The reality is, buyers will come back when they feel conditions are favourable. All sellers can do is be ready for when that happens.”
Luckily, while most homeowners think of spring as the ideal time to sell, the fall is actually a great time to list your home. Just some of the benefits of selling in the fall include:
• typically there are less listings compared to spring, which helps your home stand out;
• late winter and early spring can be a mucky mess to get your home all spruced up, but late summer and early fall provide great opportunities; and
• more serious buyers who want to move in before the snow arrives, including people relocating for work or empty-nesters downsizing after their kids have left for school.
“September and October have consistently been busy times. Yes, that can mean more competition, but with more eyeballs, your home will benefit from broader exposure than in deep summer, when many Canadians tune out to enjoy the warmer weather.”
How consumers are feeling heading into Fall 2025
According to the RE/MAX 2025 Fall Housing Market Outlook report, following a pull-back of buyers during the first quarter of 2025, the Canadian housing market may be turning a new leaf this fall. Improved affordability and a boost in inventory levels could entice cautious buyers back into action, RE/MAX says.
“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 British Columbia, the nation’s housing market reflects a delicate balance,” says Don Kottick, President of REMAX Canada.
The report states of Canadians planning to buy their first home within the next 12 months, 28% of them have a down payment of at least 20% saved.
About 68% of respondents said a 5% to 10% drop in property prices would make a meaningful difference in their ability to enter the market.
The interest rate cuts are also boosting the confidence of potential first-time home buyers in Canada, with younger Millennials and Gen Zs who are already actively saving feeling hopeful they’ll be able to enter the market soon.
According to the 2025 REMAX survey conducted by Leger, 63% believe they’ll be able to secure their asking price—a sign sellers may already be aligning their expectations with what buyers are willing to pay in today’s more balanced markets.
Make a great first impression
Once you’ve decided to sell, work with your REALTOR® to put together a plan to make sure you put your home’s best foot forward. For example, if there are any reno projects you’ve been putting off, like replacing old door knobs, fixing that broken step on your deck, or giving the interior of your house a fresh coat of paint, now’s the perfect time to get them done.
To brighten up the shorter days and darker nights that come with fall, clean your windows and screens, add some decorative accent lamps to any dark corners in your home, and open all the blinds, curtains and window coverings during showings to let in as much light as possible.
You might also want to consider adding some seasonal touches to your indoor décor, like hanging a fall-foliage-inspired wreath on the front door, or adding some orange or red throw pillows or blankets. To prepare your home for showings, turn your fireplace on if you have one, or add a sweet seasonal scent to your home by baking some gingerbread cookies or a pumpkin pie.
Consult with your REALTOR® before doing any staging on your own because fall overkill can distract buyers or completely turn them off of your home.
Stay on top of cleaning and upkeep
While fall leaves may be pretty to look at, they can also make a mess out of your otherwise pristine yard. If you have a showing or open house coming up, double check to make sure no one’s been tracking in any mud or dirt. To really maximize your curb appeal, don’t forget to consider what’s outside your home as well.
“Fall means yards and gardens are approaching the end of their summer foliage,” Powell says. “So clear out any flowers and plants that dry up in the fall, and stay on top of all those leaves. If you’re listing late in fall, consider adding some decorative outdoor plants that stay beautiful well into the colder weather, like decorative cabbage or black-eyed Susans.”
Of course, the last thing you want to discover on a cool autumn evening right before a buyer is coming to see your home, is that your furnace is on the fritz! Since most of us don’t use our furnaces much in the summer, a fall listing can be a great occasion to have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected.
Put the latest technology to work for you
Between virtual and 3D tours, 360-degree views, and remote showings, the technology associated with selling a home has come a long way in the past few years. Your REALTOR® can help put those technologies to work for you.
“If you plan to sell later in the year, get some outdoor photos done now, before the snow comes and the cooler weather hits,” Powell says. “Even if you’re still prepping inside, it’s worth a little early effort to capture what the summer peak looks like.”
“While your own snapshots might be fine, ask your REALTOR® to bring in their professional photographer ahead of time,” he adds. “Have a rock-star backyard? It may be worth shooting some drone photography or video to really capture things before the cold hits.”
Do your research
Because there are usually fewer buyers in the fall, it’s essential to stay on top of what’s happening in the market. This means having your REALTOR® do research on things like comparable listings in your area, tracking where your local housing market is headed, and understanding what buyers are looking for in a home right now.
“Changing demand, buyer expectations and your competition will all impact your sale’s timing and strategy,” Powell explains. “The right strategy could change from one day to the next, but the most successful sellers are the ones who listen to what the market, and their REALTOR®, are telling them, and act swiftly.
“Don’t get so stuck on a strategy, price or timing that you aren’t able to change it up to take advantage of opportunities,” he adds. “Your REALTOR® will know when to jump and when to pivot. Listen to them.”
Have you thought about buying, selling or both this year but are not sure if now is the right time to do it? Call me and I’ll let you know what’s happening with the current market and based on your individual situation, let you know if you should buy and/or sell now, or wait.
However, if you are definitely going to be buying and/or selling in the next little while, please reach out. There is over 100 years of experience on The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team. With our proven Home Selling System, we help our clients sell their home fast, for top dollar, using our experience to make it a smooth and pleasant experience. Using our exclusive Home Buying System, we help our clients purchase the home of their dreams!
To find out more, please call me at 905-683-7800. You can also email me: brian@briankondo.com
Thanks For Reading Today’s BLOG!
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Brian Kondo
Sales Representative / Team Leader
The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team
Re/Max Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.
905-683-7800 office
905-426-7484 direct
brian@briankondo.com
www.BrianKondo.com
www.BrianKondoTeam.com
David Elver's article above was initially published on Realtor.ca. You can find it by clicking here.
| REALTOR.ca is the most popular and most trusted real estate website in Canada. Owned and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), REALTOR.ca provides up-to-date and reliable information that makes finding your dream property easy and enjoyable. REALTOR.ca is popular with sellers, buyers, and renters and is accessible online and on mobile devices. |
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David Elver |
About the Author David Elver is a Vancouver-based freelance writer, editor, and screenwriter who has worked with some of Canada’s leading public- and private-sector organizations. His work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online publications across Canada, and run the gamut from feature articles and social media success stories to best-selling coffee table books and two feature-length television movies. David enjoys kayaking, snowshoeing, and sunset strolls on the beach, although usually not at the same time. |
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