The Greater Toronto real estate scene feels like a frozen battlefield—especially in core areas like York Region and Scarborough. Listings that were pulled last year due to soft demand are now quietly returning to the market… with higher price tags. What’s more puzzling? These homes often come back with worse presentation: no staging, no upgrades, and little effort—yet with a price increase of $20K to $50K.
This reversal leaves buyer agents in a tough spot. How do you explain a higher asking price for a less prepared home in a market that’s already showing signs of strain?
Adding to the pressure:
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The U.S.-Canada trade war risk is acting like a fresh layer of frost on an already slow market.
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An early federal election in Canada are injecting new layers of uncertainty into the economic outlook.
Today’s housing market feels like it’s paused. But that doesn’t mean you should panic—or work yourself to burnout. As the saying goes:
Choosing wisely is more important than working endlessly.
Sometimes, the right move is to pause, recharge, build new strategies, or spend time with family. That’s not giving up—that’s repositioning.
🔍 What the Data Is Saying
Let’s look at forecasts from major institutions like CIBC, RBC, Remax, and TRREB (Toronto Regional Real Estate Board):
❄️ A Split Market: Low-Rise vs. Condo
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Low-rise properties (detached, semis, townhomes) are expected to lead the recovery in 2025.
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Condos, especially in downtown Toronto, may continue to lag due to high inventory and cautious investor sentiment.
TRREB predicts a 12.6% increase in total transactions and a 2.6% average price growth in the GTA for 2025. The optimism is fueled by strong immigration, steady employment, and possible interest rate cuts.
🧠 Why Sellers Are Raising Prices
When a seller relists at a higher price, it’s not always a mistake. It often reflects two types of sellers:
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Financially strong owners who believe they can wait for the market to catch up.
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Strategic testers who raise prices to gauge demand, only reducing later if absolutely necessary.
It’s not about logic—it’s about psychology.
💼 Agent Survival Strategy: Real Tactics That Work
From my own practice and market experience, here’s how I adapt my strategy as a Toronto real estate agent:
1. With Buyers: Turn Uncertainty into Confidence
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Compare historical sales, absorption rates, and community developments to ground your price advice.
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Show buyers how rate cuts could impact affordability—and why acting early matters.
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Reinforce that low-rise properties with land are a hedge against inflation and long-term value sinks.
2. With Sellers: Guide, Don’t Just List
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Use “if rate drops” pressure tests to build a flexible pricing strategy.
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Don’t just post—position the listing. Use tools like virtual staging, highlight lifestyle benefits, or recommend smart renovations (e.g. kitchen refresh).
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Encourage backup plans, like short-term leasing, for those unsure about selling now.
3. Think in Seasons, Not Weeks
If the Bank of Canada follows through with interest rate reductions in mid to late 2025, the window to act will come fast. Be ready:
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Buyers should secure low-rise homes now while competition is soft.
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Condo investors may consider a “rent and wait” strategy to cover costs until stronger demand returns.
🧭 Final Words: The Market Doesn’t Reward Complaints—It Rewards Strategy
In this cycle, real estate success doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing what matters.
Don’t just chase every listing or cold call endlessly.
→ Take time to study trends, create systems, refine your message, or even step back and recharge.
You don’t always need to sprint. You just need to be ready when the starting gun goes off.
Like the Chinese proverb says:
Wait patiently, and the clouds will part to reveal the moon.
But real professionals? We don’t just wait. We learn how to part the clouds ourselves.