What the Latest Sales Statistics Mean for Buyers, Sellers, and Investors

The Durham Region real estate market continued to show encouraging signs during July 2026. While home prices remained mixed across individual communities, buyer activity strengthened in several areas and inventory levels generally moved lower compared to June.

The result is a market that is gradually becoming more balanced. Buyers continue to enjoy good selection and negotiating opportunities, while sellers who price their homes correctly are seeing stronger interest than earlier this year.

Although every municipality is different, July's statistics suggest the market is slowly moving toward healthier conditions after an extended period favouring buyers.

Market Snapshot – July 2026

Durham Region Housing Market at a Glance

Understanding Market Balance (Simple Definition)

One of the most common questions I receive is:

"Is it a buyer's market or a seller's market?"

One of the simplest ways to answer that question is by using the Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio (SNLR). This compares the number of homes sold during the month with the number of new listings that came onto the market.

Seller's Market

Demand exceeds the supply of new listings.

Homes generally sell faster, multiple offers become more common, and sellers usually have greater negotiating power.

SNLR Above 60%

Balanced Market

Supply and demand are relatively even.

Buyers have reasonable selection while well-priced homes continue to sell.

SNLR Between 40% and 60%

Buyer's Market

New listings are arriving faster than buyers are purchasing them.

Buyers typically have more choice, additional time to make decisions, and greater negotiating leverage.

SNLR Below 40%

How We Measure Market Balance

Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio (SNLR)

Interpretation

• Above 60% = Seller's Market
• 40%–60% = Balanced Market
• Below 40% = Buyer's Market

What July Tells Us

Four Durham Region municipalities are now sitting comfortably within balanced market territory:

• Ajax
• Whitby
• Clarington
• Oshawa (very close to balanced)

Uxbridge and Pickering remain more favourable for buyers, although both have improved from where they were earlier this year.

Overall, Durham Region continues to move in a positive direction as inventory gradually tightens and buyers become more active.

30-Second Summary

If you only have a minute here's what July tells us:

Buyers

• Plenty of homes remain available across Durham Region.
• Negotiating opportunities still exist in most communities.
• July showed improving market balance compared to earlier months.
• Acting on well-priced homes is becoming increasingly important.

Sellers

• Proper pricing is more important than ever.
• Well-presented homes continue to attract strong interest.
• Market conditions are improving but buyers remain selective.
• Overpricing often leads to longer selling times and price reductions.

Municipality Highlights

Pickering – July 2026

• Sales declined from June (157 to 98).
• New listings also fell sharply.
• Active inventory continued to decrease.
• Average price increased to $951,065.

Although buyer activity slowed, the reduction in new listings helped keep inventory moving lower. Pickering remains a buyer-friendly market, but conditions are gradually becoming less competitive for purchasers than they were earlier this spring.

Ajax – July 2026

Ajax produced one of the stronger performances across Durham Region.

Highlights include:

• Sales increased from 96 to 111.
• New listings declined significantly.
• Active inventory dropped from 320 to 299.
• Average price rose to $907,336.

Ajax continues to demonstrate improving balance between buyers and sellers and now sits comfortably within balanced market conditions.

Whitby – July 2026

Whitby's market remained healthy despite some seasonal slowing.

• Sales eased from June.
• New listings declined.
• Inventory increased only slightly.
• Average price adjusted lower to $894,257.

Whitby continues to offer buyers good selection while remaining attractive for sellers who price realistically.

Oshawa – July 2026

Oshawa remains the most affordable major municipality in Durham Region.

July showed:

• Sales remained relatively stable.
• New listings declined considerably.
• Active inventory decreased.
• Average price softened to $693,677.

Although Oshawa still favours buyers, improving inventory levels suggest the market is gradually becoming healthier.

Clarington – July 2026

Clarington experienced a modest seasonal slowdown.

• Sales declined from June.
• New listings fell sharply.
• Active listings edged lower.
• Average price settled at $753,919.

The decline in new listings helped offset slower sales, allowing market balance to remain relatively steady.

Uxbridge – July 2026

As expected, Uxbridge continues to experience greater month-to-month fluctuations because of its relatively small number of sales.

July statistics showed:

• 23 homes sold.
• Average price reached $1,152,885.
• New listings declined.
• Active listings remained stable.

While monthly averages can fluctuate significantly in smaller markets, overall inventory continues to remain manageable.

What These Numbers Tell Us Overall

The biggest trend emerging from July is improving balance.

Across Durham Region:

• New listings declined in every municipality compared to June.
• Active inventory generally continued to fall.
• Buyers remain active despite ongoing affordability challenges.
• Well-priced homes continue attracting steady interest.

Rather than experiencing rapid price appreciation, the market appears to be moving toward healthier and more sustainable conditions.

For buyers, this still represents one of the better opportunities we've seen in recent years to purchase with less competition than during the pandemic market.

For sellers, success increasingly depends on pricing correctly, preparing the home well, and marketing it effectively.

Why the Market Is Moving This Way

Several factors continue influencing today's housing market:

• Lower borrowing costs than last year are gradually improving affordability.
• Buyers who delayed purchasing are slowly returning.
• Inventory remains higher than pandemic levels but is beginning to tighten.
• Consumer confidence has improved modestly as interest rate expectations have become more stable.

Rather than seeing dramatic changes, the market is steadily moving toward a healthier balance between supply and demand.

Looking Ahead

As we move toward the fall market, several trends will be worth watching:

• Whether buyer activity continues to improve after Labour Day.
• Whether inventory continues to decline.
• Future interest rate decisions.
• Consumer confidence and employment trends.

Historically, September often brings renewed activity after the summer slowdown, making the coming months particularly important for both buyers and sellers.

Thinking About Making a Move?

Whether you're:

• Buying your first home
• Moving up to a larger property
• Downsizing
• Investing
• Wondering what your current home is worth

understanding your local market is one of the most important parts of making a confident decision.

Every neighbourhood behaves differently, and city-wide statistics only tell part of the story.

Buyer Recommendations

Today's buyers should consider:

• Getting pre-approved before beginning their search.
• Acting quickly when a well-priced home becomes available.
• Looking beyond asking price and evaluating recent comparable sales.
• Taking advantage of the increased selection that still exists in many communities.

A Little Extra Protection for Buyers

If you're considering buying a home in Durham Region, today's market may provide opportunities to negotiate that weren't available during the highly competitive markets of previous years.

Through my VIP Buyer Cash Savings Guarantee, if I don't negotiate at least $10,000 off the asking price of the home you purchase, I'll pay you $1,000 on closing.*

Want to find out how the program works and whether it applies to your home search?

Call me at 905-683-7800, or visit my Contact page and tell me you're interested in the VIP Buyer Cash Savings Guarantee in the Comments box.

Certain terms and conditions apply.

Seller Recommendations

If you're planning to sell this year:

• Price your home based on today's market rather than last year's.
• Invest time in presentation before listing.
• Be prepared for buyers to compare your property with many competing listings.
• Work with a REALTOR® who understands your local neighbourhood and current market conditions.

Thinking About Selling, But Worried Your Home Won't Sell?

With buyers still having plenty of choice in parts of Durham Region, it's understandable for sellers to wonder how long their home could take to sell.

That's one reason I offer my Sold in Under 60 Days or $1,000 Cash Guarantee.*

If you're thinking about selling and would like to learn how the guarantee works, call me at 905-683-7800, or visit my Contact page and write “60-Day Selling Guarantee” in the Comments box.

I'll explain the program, the conditions that apply, and how it could fit your situation.

Certain terms and conditions apply.

Final Thoughts

July 2026 continued the encouraging trend we've been seeing over the past several months. While buyers still enjoy more choices than they did during the highly competitive market of previous years, inventory is gradually tightening and balanced market conditions are becoming more common across Durham Region.

For buyers, this remains a favourable time to purchase with greater selection and negotiating opportunities.

For sellers, success is still very achievable, but today's market rewards realistic pricing, thoughtful preparation, and a strong marketing strategy.

If you're considering buying or selling in Durham Region, I'd be happy to discuss how these market trends relate to your specific neighbourhood and goals. Every move is different, and having accurate local information can help you make more informed decisions.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to bringing you next month's Durham Region Housing Market Update.

Read last month’s market update here:
Durham Region Housing Market Archive

[Durham Region Housing Market Archive]

Thanks For Reading Today’s BLOG!

Brian Kondo
Sales Representative / Team Leader
The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team
Re/Max Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.
905-683-7800 office
905-426-7484 direct
brian@briankondo.com
www.BrianKondo.com
www.BrianKondoTeam.com


If you or anyone you know is considering making a move in the next little while, give me a call or pass on my number ... 905-683-7800 (Office) or 905-426-7484 (Direct).

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