By Eldon King, Real Estate Advisor – RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.

The past few months in the Durham Region real estate market have been anything but ordinary. After two years of aggressive rate increases, economic tightening, and cautious buyer behaviour, something interesting is happening beneath the surface:

The numbers are starting to move in a different direction.

I've been monitoring daily, 3-day, and 7-day activity across Durham using MLS/REALM data — and a clear pattern is emerging. Below is a breakdown of what we're seeing right now and what it likely means for buyers and sellers heading into 2026.

📊 Snapshot: Today, 3-Day, and 7-Day Activity (Ending November 25, 2025)

Today

• 43 new listings
• 32 sold
• 20 sold conditionally
• 11 price changes
• 34 terminated
• 9 expired
• 7 suspended

Past 3 Days

• 91 new listings
• 75 sold
• 58 sold conditionally
• 27 price changes
• 69 terminated
• 20 expired
• 13 suspended

Past 7 Days

• 312 new listings
• 195 sold
• 163 sold conditionally
• 100 price changes
• 197 terminated
• 34 expired
• 35 suspended

🔍 What These Numbers Actually Mean

1. New Listings Are Slowing Down

This is the most significant trend.

Across every time frame — daily, 3-day, and 7-day — we're seeing fewer new listings entering the market than in typical seasonal patterns.

This usually means:

• Sellers are waiting, not rushing to list
• Many expired or terminated listings aren't returning to the market
• Inventory is quietly tightening behind the scenes

Durham has observed this same pattern prior to past market rebounds.

2. Sales Are Low, but Steady

Despite fewer listings, the number of sold and conditionally sold homes remains remarkably consistent.

This tells us:

• Buyers are still active
• Demand hasn't fallen further
• The bottom of the market may be forming

When sales stay stable while listings drop, balance begins to return.

3. Price Adjustments Are Still Happening

There were:

• 100 price reductions in the last 7 days
• 27 reductions in the last 3 days

This shows sellers are adjusting to buyer expectations. Homes priced correctly are selling — but buyers still have negotiating power.

4. Terminations Are High (And That Matters)

Nearly 200 terminations in the last 7 days.

High terminations mean:

• Sellers are pulling listings that didn’t get the activity they hoped for
• Some will relist in the New Year at adjusted prices
• Others will stay offline, reducing competition

Every termination lowers active supply.

📈 Are We Seeing a Market Shift?

In my professional opinion — yes, the early signs are here.

Here’s why:

✔️ Listings are falling

✔️ Sales remain stable

✔️ Inventory is not growing

✔️ Seller adjustments are increasing

✔️ Economic conditions are turning in buyers' favour

Combine this with major macro signals:

• Inflation hitting the 2% target
• Government expanding 30-year insured mortgages
• Rate cuts expected as early as Q2/Q3 2026
• Consumer confidence improving

…and the groundwork for a slow but steady shift is forming.

Historically, Durham experiences these indicators 6–10 weeks before buyer activity starts picking up again.

🏡 What This Means for Buyers

This market is offering a rare window where:

• Inventory is dropping
• Prices are more negotiable
• Competition is low
• Sellers are motivated

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time,” this might be it.

When rates drop in 2026, buyer activity will increase — and so will competition.

🏡 What This Means for Sellers

With fewer homes coming onto the market:

• You face less competition
• Well-presented, well-priced homes are still selling
• You can position yourself ahead of the Spring listing surge

You don’t have to wait until April to make a move — serious buyers are still out there.

🤝 Need a Personalized Market Strategy?

Every neighbourhood behaves differently.

If you’d like a custom breakdown for your home or area — Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Brooklin, Pickering, Clarington — I can put together a detailed report and strategy for you.

📞 416-888-4524

📧 eldonking.remax@gmail.com

🌐 eldonkinghomes.com

Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just staying informed — I'm here to help you make confident decisions in today’s market.