Free renovation & upgrade estimate before you sell. Request yours →416-953-9545

The Brief · October 8, 2026

Sales fell 9%. Listings fell 14%. Here is what that does to you.

September was quiet across the GTA: fewer buyers, fewer sellers, and prices still sliding. The gap between the two is why selection is thin even though prices are softer. A Bank of Canada decision on 28 October could change the rate picture again.

5,040GTA sales · −9.0%
$1,006,409Average price · −5.1%
4.9Oakville months of inventory
$1,365,169Oakville average price

TRREB Market Watch, September 2026, released 6 October 2026.

The finding

Oakville is the loosest market in Halton.

Oakville has 4.9 months of inventory, against 3.6 in Burlington and 3.8 in Milton, and homes sold at 96% of list price. The same GTA headline hides very different leverage from one town to the next. In Oakville, buyers can negotiate; in Burlington, the numbers favour sellers more.

In this brief

The stories.

Market dataResale
Glass condo towers against a blue evening sky

GTA home sales fall 9% in September as buyers hold back

TRREB Market Watch, September 2026

There were 5,040 sales across the GTA, down 9.0% from a year earlier. New listings fell faster, by 14.4% to 16,500. The average price was $1,006,409 (−5.1%) and the HPI Composite benchmark was down 4.7%. Townhouse sales fell furthest (−12.8%), then detached (−8.7%).

What it means: Listings are shrinking faster than sales. That cushions prices, but it also means fewer good homes to choose from.

Market dataResale
A modern two-storey home at dusk with a large tree and lit interior

Oakville in September: 162 sales, 4.9 months of inventory

TRREB Market Watch, September 2026

Oakville sold 162 homes at an average of $1,365,169 (median $1,211,500), selling at 96% of list price in 32 days on average. With 1,073 active listings, that is 4.9 months of inventory, the loosest of the four Halton municipalities (Burlington 3.6, Milton 3.8, Halton Hills 4.1).

What it means: Oakville buyers have more room to negotiate than buyers in Burlington or Milton, where the same month looks tighter.

Pre-construction
Balconies on a blue and orange mid-rise condo building

New condo sales in the GTHA rose last quarter, but supply is thinning quickly

Urbanation Q2 2026, as reported by CP24

New condo apartment sales rose about 52% year over year to 702 units, still roughly 86% below the 10-year Q2 average. The gain came from completed buildings (535 units, helped by bulk purchases and HST relief). Pre-construction sales fell about 80% to 50, and no new projects launched for a second quarter.

What it means: The activity is in completed inventory. That is where builder incentives and flexibility tend to show up.

Urbanation’s Q3 report is expected in late October; check it before relying on these figures.

A newly built brick and timber apartment building seen from below

HST rebate timing risk for pre-construction buyers

Urbanation Q2 2026, as reported by MPA

Urbanation notes that the proposed HST relief requires construction to start before 31 March 2027 and be substantially complete by 31 December 2029. A project that starts late may not qualify.

What it means: Ask the builder, in writing, when construction starts and whether your unit is expected to qualify. Confirm with your lawyer.

Eligibility rules can change. Confirm current rules with the CRA or your lawyer.

Power of sale
A detached house at dusk with the lights on

GTA power of sale listings reach a two-year high

Apartmentbuildings.com (citing the Toronto Star)

Reporting in May said GTA power of sale listings hit a two-year high in April, tied to softer prices, a slow spring market and homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth.

What it means: More lender-led sales means more choice, and more homes where condition is unknown.

Secondhand citation. We found no current authoritative monthly count; treat the trend as directional.

Rates & policy
A couple cooking together in a bright kitchen

Bank of Canada rate decision (with Monetary Policy Report)

Bank of Canada schedule

The policy rate has been held at 2.25% since December 2025. The next decision is 28 October, and it comes with updated forecasts.

What it means: If you are on a variable rate or renewing soon, get a rate quote and a rate hold before the announcement.

Date and outcome unconfirmed until announced. A future date, not a news event yet.

Selling & homeowners
A bright, staged living room with large windows

How to stage your home for fall

Royal LePage Blog (Michelle McNally)

Autumn can be a good time to sell: buyers who missed the spring market are still looking, so presentation still matters.

What it means: With fewer listings, a well-presented home stands out.

This week

What to do about it.

Market statistics describe past transactions and are not a prediction. Not financial, mortgage, tax or legal advice. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage. Yovan Gabric, REALTOR®, Royal LePage Pinnacle, Brokerage, independently owned and operated. E. & O.E.

A straightforward first conversation

Let’s look at the complete picture.

Tell me where you are in the process. We’ll discuss the property, the market, and the questions that matter most to you.

Book a consultation