We're seeing some welcome, but fragile, gains in housing affordability across Canada. As a Homelife Higher Standards Sales Representative, I keep a close eye on the numbers—and the latest estimates show we’d need between 417,000 and 469,000 new housing starts each year to restore affordability to what we saw before the pandemic, by 2036. That’s a tall order, and the gap isn’t shrinking. Most of the new builds we’re seeing lately are rentals, with ownership-focused construction lagging behind. Even though recent population growth has slowed, construction activity has dipped even faster, so supply could fall short the moment demand picks up again. For anyone hoping to own a home, it’s crucial that ownership construction keeps pace. Staying informed and prepared at every stage is key to navigating these market shifts.

As someone who supports clients through every phase of their real estate journey, I want to highlight a challenge many Ontario condo buyers are facing. Right now, some purchasers are discovering that their unit's value at closing is up to 30% less than what they agreed to pay—meaning they owe much more than the market says the property is worth. Because banks base mortgage approvals on current appraisals, this gap can leave buyers without enough funds to close, causing deals to fall through. This situation often comes from long stretches between signing and closing—think pre-sales, permits, approvals, and even labor shortages—where market changes can catch buyers off guard. In the hot seller’s market, developers sometimes canceled deals due to rising costs, leading to provincial scrutiny and calls for independent review. For buyers, the contracts are tough, with few options to exit: usually just a 10-day cooling-off period or the chance to terminate if occupancy is delayed past a specific date. My role is to help clients understand these complexities and navigate each step with confidence, so they’re prepared for what may come.

Ontario’s temporary HST relief has stirred up important conversations about the real impact of tax reductions on housing affordability and sales momentum. Many in the industry believe that permanent HST relief could be a key driver for both homebuyer confidence and increased construction—especially as builders are already managing high material and labor costs, lengthy approval wait times, and a tangle of restrictive regulations. Taxes, fees, and levies continue to add pressure at every turn. The rollout of the temporary program also faced delays, leaving builders, developers, and buyers navigating uncertainty as they awaited clear rules and applications. This stalled much-needed activity in the market. Highrise condo projects, in particular, struggled to benefit since their longer timelines don’t mesh well with short-term policy shifts. There’s a strong case for permanent HST relief on new homes, which would be a meaningful step towards meeting Ontario’s ambitious goal of 1.5 million homes by 2031. As a Homelife Higher Standards Sales Representative, I’m committed to guiding my clients through these evolving policies, ensuring you’re positioned to make informed decisions, whatever the market brings.

We're seeing signs of real change in Canada's housing market—steady sales, more balanced inventory, and the first hints of price gains after a tough stretch. Projections for 2026 anticipate sales dipping about 4% to roughly 453,000 homes, with average reference prices softening around 2% to approximately $794,000. By 2027, the outlook brightens: sales are expected to climb about 7% to 484,000 units, and benchmark prices should nudge up to nearly $801,000. The recovery will likely feel uneven, especially in Ontario and British Columbia, where condo supply in Toronto and Vancouver might continue to weigh on those markets. For those considering a move, this isn’t a sudden boom—it’s a careful shift toward recovery, creating opportunities as the landscape evolves. As a Homelife Higher Standards Sales Representative, I’m committed to guiding you through each stage of this changing market with the support and training you deserve.

Alliston — Most Expensive homes for August 2026.

Listings (sorted by price):
1. Listing N13238586 — $2,332,000
2. Listing 40796291 — $2,299,900
3. Listing N13672296 — $1,699,900
4. Listing N13555340 — $1,699,823
5. Listing N13453790 — $1,699,000
6. Listing N13653168 — $1,675,000
7. Listing N13549168 — $1,599,999
8. Listing N13240534 — $1,450,000
9. Listing N13222220 — $1,399,000
10. Listing N13606066 — $1,299,800
11. Listing N13646696 — $1,298,000
12. Listing N13081156 — $1,295,000
13. Listing N13630898 — $1,279,900
14. Listing N13670634 — $1,275,000
15. Listing N13642896 — $1,199,000