The 30-Second Summary

For Buyers

More homes to choose from, potentially less competition and opportunities to negotiate prices, conditions and closing dates.

For Sellers

Buyers have plenty of choices. Competitive pricing, professional presentation and effective marketing are essential to attracting serious interest.

For Homeowners Selling and Buying

Selling may require more patience, but purchasing your next home could offer greater flexibility. The difference between your selling price and purchase price matters more than either price alone.

Municipality Highlights

Pickering – October 2026

• Sales: 93, up from 92 in September (+1.09%).

• Average Selling Price: $821,211, down from $893,842 (-8.13%).

• New Listings: 285, up from 277 (+2.89%).

• Active Listings: 421, up from 411 (+2.43%).

• SNLR: 32.63% – Buyer's Market.

What This Means

Pickering's sales remained relatively steady, but the average selling price declined 8.13% while inventory increased. Buyers continue to have more choice and negotiating flexibility. For sellers, competitive pricing is especially important when similar properties are available.

Ajax – October 2026

• Sales: 74, down from 77 in September (-3.90%).

• Average Selling Price: $918,704, up from $828,835 (+10.84%).

• New Listings: 200, down from 229 (-12.66%).

• Active Listings: 304, down from 312 (-2.56%).

• SNLR: 37.00% – Buyer's Market.

What This Means

Ajax was the only municipality to record a higher average selling price in October, rising 10.84%. However, sales declined slightly. With fewer new listings entering the market, competition among sellers eased somewhat, although buyers still hold the overall advantage.

Whitby – October 2026

• Sales: 108, up from 96 in September (+12.50%).

• Average Selling Price: $876,275, down from $882,772 (-0.74%).

• New Listings: 325, up from 318 (+2.20%).

• Active Listings: 437, up from 428 (+2.10%).

• SNLR: 33.23% – Buyer's Market.

What This Means

Whitby sales increased 12.50%, while the average selling price remained relatively stable. That's encouraging for sellers, but inventory also increased. Buyers continue to have a good selection of homes, making accurate pricing and presentation important.

Oshawa – October 2026

• Sales: 152, up from 125 in September (+21.60%).

• Average Selling Price: $653,466, down from $679,861 (-3.88%).

• New Listings: 396, down from 448 (-11.61%).

• Active Listings: 630, down from 660 (-4.55%).

• SNLR: 38.38% – Buyer's Market.

What This Means

Oshawa recorded the strongest sales improvement, up 21.60%, while new and active listings declined. Although average prices softened, the stronger activity brought Oshawa closest to a balanced market among the six municipalities.

Clarington – October 2026

• Sales: 111, down from 113 in September (-1.77%).

• Average Selling Price: $742,452, down from $781,521 (-5.00%).

• New Listings: 314, down from 362 (-13.26%).

• Active Listings: 467, up from 457 (+2.19%).

• SNLR: 35.35% – Buyer's Market.

What This Means

Clarington saw slightly fewer sales and a 5.00% decline in average selling price. Despite fewer new listings, active inventory increased. Buyers continue to have negotiating opportunities, while sellers face considerable competition.

Uxbridge – October 2026

• Sales: 11, down from 18 in September (-38.89%).

• Average Selling Price: $992,727, down from $1,391,022 (-28.63%).

• New Listings: 59, down from 65 (-9.23%).

• Active Listings: 114, up from 107 (+6.54%).

• SNLR: 18.64% – Buyer's Market.

What This Means

Uxbridge experienced a significant slowdown, with just 11 sales and an 18.64% SNLR. Although the average selling price declined sharply, the small number of transactions can make monthly averages particularly volatile. Buyers have more negotiating flexibility, while sellers need to price carefully.

What These Numbers Tell Us Overall

October's results suggest that buyer activity improved in some parts of Durham Region, but the market remains competitive for sellers.

Oshawa and Whitby recorded encouraging sales increases, while Ajax experienced a notable rise in average selling price despite slightly fewer transactions.

However, average selling prices declined in five of the six municipalities, and all remained in buyer's-market territory.

It's important to remember that changes in average selling prices don't necessarily reflect equivalent changes in individual property values. The types, sizes and price ranges of homes sold can influence monthly averages, particularly in smaller markets such as Uxbridge.

For buyers, current conditions generally provide more time to compare properties and negotiate. For sellers, success depends on understanding recent comparable sales, competing listings and what today's buyers are willing to pay.

Why Is the Market Moving This Way?

Beyond mortgage rates and affordability, several economic developments are creating uncertainty for Canadian households, including those considering buying or selling a home in Durham Region.

The Canada–U.S. Trade War

American tariffs and Canadian countermeasures have created uncertainty for businesses and workers, particularly in industries connected to manufacturing, automotive production, steel and international trade.

For Durham Region, where many residents work in manufacturing, transportation and related industries, concerns about employment and future income can influence decisions about purchasing a home.

CUSMA Negotiations and Uncertainty

The future of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) remains another important concern.

Uncertainty surrounding trade negotiations and potential changes to existing agreements may affect business investment, hiring and consumer confidence.

Some households may choose to delay major financial commitments until there's greater economic stability.

The Iran War and Rising Living Costs

The conflict involving Iran and broader instability in the Middle East have affected global energy markets, contributing to higher oil and fuel costs.

Higher transportation and energy expenses can eventually affect grocery prices and other household costs, leaving families with less money available for housing.

Mortgage Rates and Consumer Confidence

Borrowing costs remain a major consideration for buyers.

The Bank of Canada increased its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on October 28, bringing it to 2.50%.

With the next rate announcement scheduled for December 9, buyers and homeowners will be watching closely to see whether borrowing costs change again.

Together, these economic pressures may help explain why some buyers remain cautious despite having more homes to choose from.

While no single factor explains October's local housing market results, uncertainty surrounding trade, inflation, employment and interest rates remains an important part of the broader picture.

Looking Ahead: What Should Buyers and Sellers Watch in November?

As we approach the end of 2026, several developments could influence Durham Region's housing market.

• Sales and Inventory: Will stronger sales in Oshawa and Whitby continue, and will fewer properties enter the market as winter approaches?

• Average Selling Prices: Will prices stabilize after declining in five of the six municipalities?

• U.S. Midterm Election Results: With Democrats winning control of both the House and Senate, attention will turn to how the new political balance in Washington could affect tariffs, Canada–U.S. trade relations and CUSMA negotiations. However, changes to existing trade policies are far from guaranteed.

• Interest Rates and Economic Confidence: With the Bank of Canada's next rate announcement scheduled for December 9, buyers will be watching borrowing costs alongside inflation, employment and broader economic developments.

If sales remain steady while inventory declines, market conditions could gradually move closer to balance. However, continued economic uncertainty may keep some buyers cautious as we head into 2027.

Thinking About Making a Move?

Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, downsizing or considering selling, October's statistics provide useful information about current market conditions.

However, municipality-wide averages don't necessarily reflect what's happening in your particular neighbourhood or price range.

That's why understanding the local market is so important.

For Buyers

• Get pre-approved before beginning your search.

• Compare asking prices with recent comparable sales.

• Take advantage of the available selection and negotiating opportunities.

• Be prepared to act when the right property becomes available.

Ask me about my VIP Buyer Cash Savings Guarantee, designed to help qualifying buyers save when purchasing their next home.

For Sellers

• Price your home according to current market conditions.

• Review competing listings as well as recent sales.

• Make sure your property is presented and marketed effectively.

• Monitor showing activity and buyer feedback.

Ask me about my Guaranteed Sale Program, designed to provide qualifying sellers with additional peace of mind.

For details about either program, call 905-683-7800.

Final Thoughts

October showed some encouraging signs, particularly in Oshawa and Whitby, but Durham Region remains a market where buyers have considerable choice.

Whether you're buying, selling or planning both, understanding what's happening in your specific neighbourhood is more important than relying on regional averages.

Thinking about making a move? Call me at 905-683-7800. I'd be happy to discuss what today's market means for your particular situation.

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:

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).

If you would like to see any of my previous blog posts, please click here!