2025 Real Estate Market Update

2025 was a year that looked and felt different across our local real estate landscape. As the year unfolded, activity shifted, inventory levels changed, and both buyers and sellers had to adapt to conditions that rewarded patience, preparation, and smart decision-making.

In this update, we’ll walk through how the market evolved from early 2025 through year-end, highlighting the key turning points that shaped the year and what they meant for today’s buyers and sellers. Data in this blog is based on market reporting from the MLS® System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone).

If you’re planning to buy or sell in 2026, or simply want clarity on what the past year means for your next move, this overview will help you understand the trends behind the headlines.

2025 at a Glance: The Big Picture Across the Cornerstone Market Area

By year-end, the overall market reflected slower demand paired with more supply. Across 2025, Cornerstone reported 8,996 total residential sales (down 12.0% year over year) and 21,141 new listings (up 3.7%). Average and median prices eased as well, with a 2025 average price of $841,954 (down 3.8%) and a 2025 median price of $745,000 (down 2.4%).

Those year-end totals also show why the market felt “slower” to many buyers and sellers: inventory and months of supply stayed elevated. The year-end inventory was 3,391 (up 20.4%) and months of supply averaged 4.52 for 2025, both signals of more choice and less urgency than we’ve seen in tighter markets.

How the 2025 Market Evolved: Key Checkpoints From Early-Year to Year-End

Rather than listing all 12 months, the easiest way to understand 2025 is to look at a few key checkpoints that show how conditions shifted over time.

Early 2025: A Clear Reset and More Buyer Choice (March 2025)

By March, the market had already established its tone: fewer sales, more inventory, and a slower pace that gave buyers more breathing room.

March 2025 (Total Residential):

Sales: 701
New listings: 1,758
Inventory: 2,913
Months of supply: 4.16
Average days on market: 34.5
Average price: $876,520
Median price: $760,000

On a year-to-date basis, 1,854 homes had sold by the end of March, reinforcing that this wasn’t a fast start to the year.

Late Spring to Early Summer: More Supply, Continued Caution (June 2025)

As we moved toward summer, sales improved month-to-month, but inventory remained high enough to keep the market balanced and negotiation-friendly.

June 2025 (Total Residential):

Sales: 831
New listings: 2,064
Inventory: 3,960
Months of supply: 4.8
Average days on market: 32.9
Average price: $889,801

By the end of June, year-to-date totals showed the market was still running behind prior-year levels, with 4,484 sales year-to-date and a YTD median price of $755,000.

Mid-Summer: A Notable Pickup in Activity (July 2025)

July was one of the more encouraging moments of the year. Cornerstone reported 886 sales in July, and year-to-date sales reached 5,408 by the end of the month.

July 2025 (Total Residential):

Sales: 886
New listings: 1,945
Inventory: 3,912
Months of supply: 4.4
Average days on market: 37.8
Average price: $841,799
Median price: $742,500

This was still not a return to “frenzy” conditions, months of supply remained above four months, but it did show that well-positioned listings could attract serious buyers even in a more cautious market.

Fall: High Supply Continued to Put Pressure on Pricing (October 2025)

In the fall, the market remained defined by elevated supply relative to demand. October’s stats show that inventory stayed high and days on market lengthened, which typically increases the importance of pricing and presentation.

October 2025 (Total Residential):

Sales: 757
New listings: 1,778
Inventory: 3,782
Months of supply: 5.00
Average days on market: 42.4
Average price: $835,783
Median price: $735,000

By the end of October, year-to-date sales were 7,888, continuing to trail the prior year.

Year-End: Seasonal Slowdown and a Clear Summary of 2025 Conditions (December 2025)

December reflects typical seasonal slowing, but it also reinforced the broader story of 2025: weaker demand overall, more time on market, and price adjustments.

December 2025 (Total Residential):

Sales: 446
New listings: 550
Inventory: 2,464
Months of supply: 5.5
Average days on market: 53.8
Average price: $749,894
Median price: $662,500

In its year-end commentary, Cornerstone described 2025 as a year with fewer buyers, global/economic uncertainty, and an annual price decline of about five per cent. Cornerstone also noted benchmark prices declined across all areas within the region (with Burlington seeing one of the larger declines).

What These 2025 Conditions Meant for Buyers

For buyers, 2025 created advantages that can be difficult to find in tighter markets:

More selection: Higher inventory and months of supply meant more choice and more time to compare homes.
More negotiation: Longer days on market in several months supported firmer negotiating positions in many situations.
A clearer definition of “value”: As prices adjusted and buyers became more selective, the best-value listings tended to stand out faster.

If you’re heading into 2026 planning a purchase, the biggest lesson from 2025 is that market conditions can shift, but good decisions come from local, current data and a clear plan.

What These 2025 Conditions Meant for Sellers

For sellers, 2025 reinforced an important truth: strategy drives results in a market where buyers have options.

Pricing matters more when inventory is higher: Overpricing can lead to longer days on market and weaker negotiating leverage.
Presentation matters: When buyers can choose from more listings, preparation (repairs, staging, and strong visuals) becomes even more important.
Marketing and timing matter: In a more balanced market, you want maximum exposure early to capture the most motivated buyers.

Even in a slower year, sellers who were well-prepared and positioned correctly could still achieve strong outcomes, especially when the strategy matched real-time conditions.

Work With the VanDinther Team: Local Guidance That Fits Today’s Market

Market conditions change, but the best approach remains the same: understand the numbers, align with current conditions, and move forward with a plan that fits your goals. Lori VanDinther and the VanDinther Team provide clear, data-backed guidance and local expertise to help you buy or sell with confidence.

How We Help:

Price accurately with up-to-date market data and neighbourhood insight
Create a tailored buying or selling plan based on your timeline
Coordinate trusted referrals for staging and home preparation
Negotiate strategically to protect your best outcome from start to finish

Start Your 2026 Real Estate Plan With Confidence

Direct: 905-330-2002
Office: 905-632-2199
Email: info@loriv.com
Website: Contact us today

Buying or selling a home is never just about the numbers — it’s about making the right move at the right time, with the right strategy. Let the VanDinther Team guide you with confidence.