September 2026 | What’s Happening in Your Neighbourhood?

Hello Friends,

Well, September has come and gone. The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing colour, and the Durham Region real estate market is giving us something else to talk about!

Buyers are firmly in the driver’s seat.

September’s numbers show that home sales have slowed, prices are lower than last year, and buyers have plenty of homes to choose from.

But here’s something worth remembering: Homes are still selling! The difference is that sellers need to work a little harder to attract those buyers.

Let’s look at what’s happening across Durham Region and in your neighbourhood.

The Big Picture: Durham Region

September brought 525 home sales across Durham Region, with an average selling price of $829,993.

That’s a far cry from the bidding wars of a few years ago, but it doesn’t mean the market has stopped moving.

September’s Numbers

Market IndicatorSeptember 2026
Homes sold525
New listings1,840
Active listings2,635
Average selling price$829,993
Median selling price$775,000
Total sales dollar volume$435.7 million
Months of Inventory (MOI)5.02
Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio (SNLR)29%
Average Days on Market (DOM)31
Sale Price to List Price (SP/LP)99%
Market conditionsBuyer’s market

How Does That Compare to Last Year?

Looking at January through September 2026 compared with the same nine months in 2025:

  • Home sales: 5,705, down 11.6% from 6,368.
  • New listings: 14,758, down 16.6% from 17,203.
  • Average selling price: $839,173, down 6.4% from $893,078.
  • Total sales dollar volume: $4.79 billion, down 18.8% from $5.69 billion.
  • Year-to-date median price: $790,000.

So, fewer homes are being listed, fewer are selling, and the average price has declined.

What Does This Mean for Sellers?

Think of selling your home like selling a car.

When there are only a few cars available, buyers are willing to pay more and make decisions quickly.

But when the lot is full, buyers start comparing everything: price, condition, features and value.

That’s exactly what’s happening in our housing market.

With just 29 sales for every 100 new listings in September, buyers have the luxury of being selective.

For sellers, this means three things:

  1. Pricing matters more than ever. Starting too high can mean sitting on the market while buyers move on to the next home.
  2. Presentation is important. Clean, bright, well-maintained homes have a better chance of attracting serious buyers.
  3. A good marketing plan is essential. Simply putting your home on MLS and hoping for the best isn’t much of a strategy.

And here’s the encouraging part: homes that sold in September achieved an average of 99% of their asking price.

That’s proof that sellers and buyers can still find common ground.

What About Buyers?

For buyers, this is welcome news.

You have more selection, more time to make decisions, and often more room to negotiate.

You may also have opportunities to include conditions for financing or a home inspection, something that was difficult during the market frenzy.

Of course, a well-priced home can still attract competition, so having a good plan remains important.

Your Community Market Updates

The market isn’t the same everywhere. Let’s look at what’s happening in each of Durham’s eight municipalities.

Ajax – Buyers Have More Choices

Ajax continues to offer opportunities for buyers, with sales and prices both down from last year.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $835,867
  • Median selling price: $750,000
  • Homes sold: 75
  • New listings: 229
  • Active listings: 309
  • Total dollar volume: $62.69 million
  • MOI: 4.09 months
  • SNLR: 33% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 26 days
  • SP/LP: 100%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 785, down 13.5%
  • New listings: 1,839, down 17.2%
  • Average price: $866,269, down 6.6%
  • Dollar volume: $680.02 million, down 21.0%

What it means: Ajax buyers have more bargaining power, but sellers are still achieving strong results when their homes are priced correctly.

In fact, September sellers received an average of 100% of asking price.

That’s a good reminder that the right price can still produce the right result!

Pickering – A Slower, More Selective Market

Pickering remains one of Durham’s higher-priced communities, but buyers are taking their time.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $923,270
  • Median selling price: $825,110
  • Homes sold: 83
  • New listings: 278
  • Active listings: 414
  • Total dollar volume: $76.63 million
  • MOI: 4.98 months
  • SNLR: 30% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 35 days
  • SP/LP: 99%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 944, down 3.5%
  • New listings: 2,465, down 13.6%
  • Average price: $918,975, down 5.2%
  • Dollar volume: $867.51 million, down 8.9%

What it means: Pickering’s sales have held up better than those in many other Durham communities, but buyers have become more cautious.

With homes taking an average of 35 days to sell, sellers need patience and a realistic asking price.

Whitby – Still Moving, Just More Slowly

Whitby remains a popular choice for families, but September’s numbers show that buyers are being careful with their money.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $885,319
  • Median selling price: $850,000
  • Homes sold: 91
  • New listings: 319
  • Active listings: 434
  • Total dollar volume: $80.56 million
  • MOI: 4.74 months
  • SNLR: 29% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 25 days
  • SP/LP: 99%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 1,135, down 8.1%
  • New listings: 2,647, down 22.5%
  • Average price: $912,092, down 7.0%
  • Dollar volume: $1.04 billion, down 15.7%

What it means: Whitby homes are selling faster than the Durham average, despite the market favouring buyers.

For sellers, that’s encouraging. It shows buyers are still active, but they’re looking for value.

Oshawa – Plenty of Opportunities for Buyers

Oshawa has experienced one of the largest slowdowns in Durham Region.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $680,252
  • Median selling price: $652,750
  • Homes sold: 118
  • New listings: 452
  • Active listings: 662
  • Total dollar volume: $80.27 million
  • MOI: 5.64 months
  • SNLR: 26% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 34 days
  • SP/LP: 99%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 1,372, down 21.4%
  • New listings: 3,758, down 21.5%
  • Average price: $703,570, down 8.3%
  • Dollar volume: $965.30 million, down 31.4%

What it means: Oshawa buyers have plenty of options and more negotiating power.

For sellers, this is not the time to test the market with an ambitious asking price.

Remember, buyers can compare your home with hundreds of others. Make sure yours gives them a reason to book a showing.

Clarington – One of Durham’s More Active Markets

Clarington continues to attract buyers, although it hasn’t escaped the region-wide slowdown.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $780,332
  • Median selling price: $755,000
  • Homes sold: 111
  • New listings: 361
  • Active listings: 465
  • Total dollar volume: $86.62 million
  • MOI: 4.14 months
  • SNLR: 31% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 24 days
  • SP/LP: 99%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 1,002, down 11.3%
  • New listings: 2,552, down 11.5%
  • Average price: $783,058, down 7.4%
  • Dollar volume: $784.62 million, down 19.5%

What it means: Clarington had one of the shortest selling times in Durham, averaging just 24 days.

That’s good news for sellers who prepare and price their homes properly.

The buyers are out there. The trick is making sure your home is the one they choose.

Brock – Buyers Are in Control

Brock is experiencing some of the toughest selling conditions in Durham Region.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $617,600
  • Median selling price: $577,500
  • Homes sold: 8
  • New listings: 55
  • Active listings: 102
  • Total dollar volume: $4.94 million
  • MOI: 13.75 months
  • SNLR: 15% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 28 days
  • SP/LP: 98%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 100, down 19.0%
  • New listings: 370, down 7.8%
  • Average price: $691,722, down 6.4%
  • Dollar volume: $69.17 million, down 26.6%

What it means: With nearly 14 months of inventory, Brock buyers have a great deal of choice.

Only eight homes sold in September, so sellers need to be particularly careful about pricing.

And while the average selling time was 28 days, remember that this only measures homes that actually sold. It doesn’t include properties still waiting for buyers.

Scugog – Patience Is the Name of the Game

Here in Scugog, including Port Perry and the surrounding communities, the market continues to favour buyers.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $1,014,328
  • Median selling price: $980,665
  • Homes sold: 22
  • New listings: 80
  • Active listings: 145
  • Total dollar volume: $22.32 million
  • MOI: 6.41 months
  • SNLR: 28% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 63 days
  • SP/LP: 97%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 189, up 0.5%
  • New listings: 613, up 4.4%
  • Average price: $939,089, down 9.3%
  • Dollar volume: $177.49 million, down 8.7%

What it means: Scugog is particularly interesting.

We’re seeing more homes listed than last year, while the number of sales is almost unchanged.

That means more competition among sellers.

And with an average selling time of 63 days, homes are taking more than two months to sell.

Here’s another important number: sellers received an average of 97% of asking price.

On a home listed at $1 million, a 3% difference represents $30,000.

That doesn’t mean every seller will need to reduce their price, but it shows why getting the asking price right from the beginning is so important.

For Scugog sellers, a thoughtful pricing strategy, professional presentation and strong marketing are especially important in today’s market.

Uxbridge – Buyers Have the Advantage

Uxbridge continues to be Durham’s highest-priced municipality, but its market has slowed considerably.

September 2026 Snapshot

  • Average selling price: $1,277,553
  • Median selling price: $980,000
  • Homes sold: 17
  • New listings: 66
  • Active listings: 104
  • Total dollar volume: $21.72 million
  • MOI: 6.29 months
  • SNLR: 26% – Buyer’s market
  • DOM: 38 days
  • SP/LP: 97%

Compared to last year (YTD):

  • Sales: 178, down 4.5%
  • New listings: 514, down 18.7%
  • Average price: $1,169,327, down 8.6%
  • Dollar volume: $208.14 million, down 13.5%

What it means: Buyers looking in Uxbridge have more opportunities to negotiate.

With over six months of inventory, sellers need to understand the competition.

It’s also worth remembering that Uxbridge includes a wide range of properties, from homes in town to larger country properties and estates.

The average price doesn’t tell the whole story, particularly when only 17 homes sold during the month.

What Does It All Mean?

For Sellers: Strategy Beats Luck

The September numbers tell us that simply listing your home and waiting for buyers isn’t enough. Today’s buyers are doing their homework. They’re comparing homes, watching prices and taking their time. That’s why a successful sale starts well before the For Sale sign goes up.

We believe sellers should focus on:

  • Accurate pricing: Based on current competition and recent sales, not what a neighbour got two years ago.
  • Excellent presentation: Small improvements, proper staging and great photography can make a big difference.
  • Effective marketing: Reaching the right buyers, not just putting your property online.
  • Strong negotiation: Understanding when to hold firm and when to be flexible.

The goal isn’t just to sell your home. It’s to achieve the best possible result in the market we have today.

For Buyers: Opportunity Is Knocking

If you’ve been waiting for a market where you can shop without feeling rushed, this may be your opportunity. There are more homes to choose from, sellers are often more willing to negotiate, and you may have time to arrange financing and inspections before making a final commitment. But don’t assume every home is overpriced or that every seller is desperate. Good homes, priced properly, still attract serious interest.

Our Final Thoughts

There’s no sugar-coating it: September was a challenging month for many Durham Region home sellers. But challenging doesn’t mean impossible. People are still buying homes. Families are growing, retirees are downsizing, people are relocating, and life continues to create reasons to move. The difference is that today’s market rewards good planning, realistic expectations and professional advice. And if you’re thinking of buying and selling at the same time, remember that while you might receive less for your current home than you would have a few years ago, you may also pay less for the home you’re purchasing.

Sometimes the opportunity isn’t just in the price you sell for. It’s in the difference between the two transactions.

Every home and every situation is different. That’s why local knowledge matters.

Thinking About Making a Move?

Whether you’re considering selling, buying, downsizing or simply wondering what your home might be worth in today’s market, we’d be happy to help.

We can provide an up-to-date look at your neighbourhood, review your competition and help you understand your options.

No pressure. No obligation. Just good information to help you make the right decision.

Book a complimentary 30-minute conversation with us:

https://calendly.com/keith-2wg/30min

Or give us a call. We’re always happy to talk real estate!

Keith Williams & Lisa Follows
Brokers | Willows Realty Group
Royal LePage Frank Real Estate

Keith: 905-903-9250
Lisa: 905-442-5847
www.WillowsRealtyGroup.com

Helping you make confident real estate decisions in Durham Region and beyond.

Source: Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® (CLAR), September 2026 Regional Housing Market Report. All figures reflect MLS®-reported transactions. Year-to-date comparisons cover January through September 2026 versus the same period in 2025. Average prices can be influenced by the types of properties sold and do not necessarily represent changes in the value of an individual home.