March 2026 Review, First Week Matters, HST Relief, and More
houseitgoing?
APRIL 2026
The Market
In March 2026, the Greater Toronto Area housing market showed a mixed picture compared to last year. Home prices, measured by the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI), were down slightly year over year, while the average selling price also dipped modestly. At the same time, sales activity was lower than in March 2025, meaning fewer homes changed hands.
On the flip side, days on market increased, which tells us homes are taking longer to sell… buyers aren’t rushing like they used to. And with more listings available, buyers have more options and a bit more negotiating power than they’ve had in recent years.
Here’s the catch 🐟:
The first quarter of 2026 was marked by global chaos and economic uncertainty, and to top it off, the GTA was hit with gruesome snowstorms and cold weather, all leading to the slowest start to the year we’ve seen in years. As buyers start to come out in the spring, expect more competition. Whether you are buying or selling, don’t let emotions fuel your decisions and keep you from getting a great deal.
AVERAGE SALE PRICE
🔻 7.1% | $1,008,968
HOME PRICE INDEX
🔻 7.9%
# OF SALES
🔻 6.3%. | 3,868
AVERAGE DOM
🔺 28.6% | 54
The First Two Weeks on Market Matter More Than You Think
When a home hits the market, something important happens behind the scenes. Buyers who are actively searching in that price range receive an alert almost immediately. These aren’t casual browsers or people who might buy “someday.” They are the buyers who are ready, often pre-approved, closely monitoring new listings, and sometimes feeling the pressure after missing out on previous homes.
In the News
Canada’s Push to Build Millions of Homes
There’s a big national conversation around building millions of new homes to tackle the housing shortage. The goal sounds great!
Here’s the catch 🐟: Building takes time, labour, and money… so don’t expect a flood of cheap homes overnight.
HST Relief Expanded on New Homes (Up to $1M)
The government is extending HST rebates for new-construction homes up to $1M, and not just for first-time buyers. This lowers the real cost of pre-construction and could bring more buyers back into that space.
Here’s the catch 🐟: HST is included in the price, and it is the builders who set the prices, so there is no real way for a Buyer to know whether theyare actually saving that 13%.
Important Tip for the Month
April is when the market wakes up. More listings hit the market, which sounds like good news… but at the same time, way more buyers jump back in. The competition doesn’t disappear… it just gets better dressed.
So, the biggest mistake buyers make in April? They wait. They wait for more inventory, for the “perfect home and for prices to drop just a little more…
And while they’re waiting, the good homes? They’re getting scooped up… fast.
The buyers who win in April aren’t the ones who are looking for the “best deal.” They’re the ones who can recognize a good opportunity quickly… and move with confidence.
If you’re thinking of buying, let’s start with a plan!
Recommendations
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