Your local guide to
the GTA market

After years of fierce competition, something has quietly shifted in Markham's residential market this spring. Detached homes that would have attracted 10 or 15 offers two years ago are now sitting for 14 to 21 days before selling — and in some cases, without a single competing bid.

The numbers tell an interesting story
According to TRREB data, Markham's average detached home price has softened by roughly 4–6% compared to the same period last year. Inventory is up — there are simply more homes to choose from than we've seen since 2019. Days on market have stretched from an average of 8 days last spring to closer to 18 days today. This doesn't mean the market is crashing. It means it's normalizing.

What's driving the shift?
Interest rates, while slightly lower than their 2023 peak, are still elevated enough to keep some buyers on the sidelines. Many homeowners who locked in at ultra-low rates during 2020 and 2021 are reluctant to sell and take on a new mortgage at today's rates. And after years of being priced out, some first-time buyers are finally starting to re-enter the market cautiously.

What this means if you're buying
This is genuinely the best buying environment Markham has seen in several years. You have time to think, room to negotiate, and the ability to include conditions like a home inspection — something that felt impossible in 2022. If you've been waiting, now is worth a serious conversation.

What this means if you're selling
Pricing strategy matters more than it has in years. Overpriced homes are sitting and eventually reducing. Well-priced, well-presented homes are still selling — just not overnight. If you're thinking of listing this spring, getting the price right from day one is critical.

Chris Metzler, Sales Representative · CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
(416) 951-8777 · [email protected]

If you ask most real estate agents which GTA neighbourhood has the most consistent buyer demand regardless of market conditions, Unionville comes up almost every time. There's a reason for that — and it goes well beyond the charming storefronts on Main Street.

A village feel in a city setting
Unionville's historic Main Street is genuinely unlike anywhere else in the GTA. Independent restaurants, boutique shops, seasonal festivals, and tree-lined streets create a walkable, community-oriented environment that feels closer to a small Ontario town than a Toronto suburb. For buyers who want suburban space without sacrificing character and charm, Unionville is usually the answer.

The schools are a major draw
Unionville High School consistently ranks among the top secondary schools in York Region, and the feeder elementary schools are equally well regarded. For families with children or planning to start one, the school catchment alone drives significant demand — and protects property values even in softer markets.

What the market looks like right now
Detached homes in Unionville's core neighbourhoods are currently ranging from the mid $1.3M to well over $2M depending on lot size, age, and finishes. Semi-detached and townhome options exist in the $900K–$1.2M range in the surrounding Unionville communities. Inventory is slightly higher than last year, which means buyers have more options — but well-priced homes in prime locations still move quickly.

My honest take
Unionville is one of those neighbourhoods where I rarely see buyers regret their purchase. The lifestyle it offers — walkability, community events, strong schools, and genuine neighbourhood identity — tends to hold its value and its appeal over time. If it's within your budget, it's worth serious consideration.

Chris Metzler, Sales Representative · CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
(416) 951-8777 · [email protected]

Every month TRREB releases housing data that gets picked up by the media with dramatic headlines in both directions — either "market surges" or "sales plummet." The truth is almost always more nuanced. Here's my plain-language read of what the mid-March 2026 numbers actually mean.

Sales volume is down, but not dramatically
GTA-wide residential sales in the first two weeks of March came in roughly 8% below the same period last year. That sounds concerning until you remember that March 2025 was a relatively strong month. In context, we're still above the low point of late 2023, and the year-over-year comparison flatters last year slightly.

Detached homes in the 905 are the soft spot
The clearest weakness is in detached homes priced above $1.5M in York Region — including parts of Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan. These properties are taking longer to sell and seeing more price reductions. Below $1.2M, particularly in townhomes and semis, things are moving considerably faster.

Condos tell a different story
Condo apartments across the GTA continue to struggle, particularly investor-owned units coming to market. Supply is elevated and rental demand has softened slightly. If you're looking at a condo purchase, you have real negotiating power right now.

What I'm watching
The Bank of Canada's next rate announcement will matter. Even a modest cut could bring a meaningful wave of buyers back off the sidelines — we saw this in late 2024. If you're planning to buy this year, getting pre-approved now and being ready to move quickly could be a significant advantage.

Chris Metzler, Sales Representative · CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
(416) 951-8777 · [email protected]

I've had a lot of listing consultations this year where sellers come in with a number in mind based on what their neighbour sold for in 2022 or 2023. I understand the instinct — those were exceptional years. But using that as a benchmark in 2026 is the single biggest mistake I see sellers make, and it costs them time and money.

The holdover pricing trap
When a seller prices too high based on outdated comparables, one of two things happens. Either the home sits on the market for 30, 45, 60 days and buyers start to wonder what's wrong with it — or the seller eventually reduces the price, often below what they would have gotten with correct pricing from the start. Overpricing then reducing is almost always worse than pricing correctly from day one.

What smart pricing looks like today
In the current Markham market, the homes that are selling quickly and cleanly are priced at or slightly below recent comparable sales — not above them. This generates genuine interest, sometimes multiple showings in the first week, and occasionally competing offers even in a softer market. A home that sells in 10 days at asking is almost always a better outcome than one that sells in 45 days after two reductions.

Presentation matters more now too
In a hot market, buyers overlook a lot because they're afraid of missing out. In today's market, they have choices — and they will pass on a home that needs work or feels dated unless the price reflects it. Professional photography, decluttering, and even modest staging can make a significant difference in both speed and final sale price.

The bottom line
If you're thinking of selling in Markham this spring, I'd love to give you an honest assessment of what your home is actually worth right now — and a strategy to get the best possible result in today's market. That's what the free home evaluation offer is all about.

Chris Metzler, Sales Representative · CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
(416) 951-8777 · [email protected]

Richmond Hill is not one neighbourhood — it's a collection of distinct communities, each with its own character, price point, and buyer profile. Two of the most frequently compared pockets are North Richvale and Langstaff, and they attract very different kinds of buyers. Here's an honest breakdown of both.

North Richvale: established, leafy, family-oriented
North Richvale is one of Richmond Hill's more mature neighbourhoods — think large lots, mature trees, and solid brick homes built primarily in the 1970s through 1990s. The streets are quiet, the community is established, and the school options are strong. It appeals strongly to families who want space, a sense of permanence, and neighbours who have been there for years. Detached homes here typically range from $1.1M to $1.6M depending on size and updates. It's not flashy, but it's consistently popular for good reason.

Langstaff: newer, more urban, better transit
Langstaff is undergoing significant transformation. With the Langstaff GO/Rapidway corridor and proximity to Highway 7, it's attracting younger buyers and investors looking at the area's long-term growth potential. There's more new construction here, including townhomes and stacked towns in the $750K–$1M range that are hard to find elsewhere in Richmond Hill. The trade-off is that it feels less settled — you're buying into what the area is becoming as much as what it is today.

Who should choose which?
If you have school-age children, want a large detached home with a proper backyard, and plan to stay for 10+ years — North Richvale. If you're a first-time buyer, want better transit access, or are interested in a more urban lifestyle with lower entry price — Langstaff deserves a serious look. Both are solid choices in different ways, and I'm happy to show you around either one.

Chris Metzler, Sales Representative · CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
(416) 951-8777 · [email protected]

I talk to first-time buyers every week, and there's a consistent pattern: they come in either more discouraged than they should be, or with expectations that don't quite match reality. This post is my attempt to give you the honest, unfiltered picture of what buying your first home in the GTA actually looks like in 2026.

What your budget actually gets you
With a household income of around $150,000 and a 10% down payment, most first-time buyers in today's market are looking at a purchase price in the $650,000–$800,000 range depending on their other debts and lender. In the communities I work in, that realistically means a townhome or semi-detached in Markham, Stouffville, or the newer parts of Richmond Hill. Detached homes at that price point exist but require compromise on location or condition. That's not a discouraging reality — it's just the starting point, and many of my clients have been very happy with what they found in that range.

The process is less scary than it looks
Get pre-approved before you start seriously looking — not pre-qualified, actually pre-approved. Know your closing costs (land transfer tax rebate for first-timers helps, but budget 1.5–2% of purchase price for everything else). Use a buyer's agent — it costs you nothing as the seller pays the commission, and having representation in a transaction this significant is just sensible.

The market is more manageable than it's been in years
2026 is genuinely a more reasonable time to buy than 2021 or 2022 was. You can include a home inspection condition. You can take a day to think before submitting an offer. You can sometimes negotiate. None of that was true three years ago. First-time buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines should take a serious look at whether now might actually be their moment.

What I'd tell my own family member
Don't buy more house than you can comfortably afford just because the bank will lend it to you. Start with what you need, not what you want. Build equity in your first home, then upgrade. And don't try to time the market perfectly — no one can. Buy when you're financially ready and the right home comes along.

Chris Metzler, Sales Representative · CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
(416) 951-8777 · [email protected]