Falling mortgage rates are improving affordability and encouraging more Canadians to resume postponed home-buying plans.
Household formation remains resilient despite slower national population growth this year.
More first-time buyers are expected to support activity across the broader resale market.
Market confidence is forecast to improve gradually through late 2026.

Canadian homebuyers are making more informed and deliberate decisions, with economic conditions encouraging careful planning rather than rushed purchases.
A more balanced market is giving buyers and sellers additional time to evaluate opportunities and make confident real estate decisions.
Improved financing awareness and stronger due diligence are helping consumers navigate transactions more strategically in today's market.
Real estate professionals remain cautiously optimistic, while increased adoption of AI and technology is helping modernize and streamline the industry.

The province proposed removing HST on most new homes, combining provincial and federal support to lower purchase costs for eligible buyers across Ontario.
Buyers of new homes priced at $1M or less would receive full relief, with potential savings reaching up to $130K under the proposal.
Homes from $1M to $1.5M would still qualify for the maximum rebate, while higher-priced homes would see relief gradually reduced above that range.
Officials said the measure could add ~8K housing starts in 2027, support up to 21K jobs, and strengthen Ontario's economy through construction activity.
Applications are not open yet; buyers purchasing eligible homes from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 can apply after program launch.

Before closing, Ontario buyers need cash for deposit, land transfer tax, legal fees, and adjustments, not just mortgage payments and the down payment.
Ontario’s minimum down payment rises as a home’s price climbs, and smaller down payments can trigger mortgage insurance added into monthly payments.
Ontario buyers need land transfer tax paid in full at closing, and the deposit is only an upfront portion of the total down payment.
Ontario requires a Real Estate lawyer, often budgeted near ~$2K, and buyers should also expect closing adjustments for prepaid taxes, condo fees, or fuel.
Eligible first-time buyers may access provincial rebates, including a full HST rebate on new homes through Late-Q1 2027, and pre-approval can prevent financing surprises.

Ontario and the federal government each committed $500M, creating up to $1B for municipal infrastructure that supports more homes across the province.
Funding targets Ontario municipalities that do not collect development charges for roads, bridges, water systems, and similar basics tied directly to new housing growth.
Officials said the partnership should lower up front costs, boost housing supply, and address a major barrier: building or upgrading infrastructure for development.
Ontario municipalities have faced repair backlogs, higher construction costs, and limited funding, pressures a municipal association said hit rural, small, and northern communities hard.
Applications open Oct. 29, 2026, and projects are set for spring selection, as Ontario framed the plan as local economic support amid US tariff uncertainty.

In current data, Windsor ranked among Canada's 10 most tariff-exposed rental markets, reflecting the city's ties to automotive and other trade-sensitive industries.
Even with significant automotive exposure, Windsor's avg. asking rent posted a comparatively modest yearly decline of ~2%, suggesting more stability than many similarly exposed markets.
That softer performance stood out because other highly exposed cities recorded steeper rent pullbacks, while Windsor's rental market showed a more measured response.
Researchers linked Windsor's milder rent shift to a thinner rental supply base, showing how local inventory conditions still shaped outcomes in the current market.
For Windsor watchers, the key takeaway is local supply remained the dominant influence, even as trade exposure added pressure across tariff-sensitive sectors.

Ontario’s temporary HST relief has been in the spotlight lately, as industry groups highlight how even short-term tax reductions can contribute to affordability and spark more home sales. Yet, as anyone navigating Windsor’s real estate landscape knows, builders still face steep challenges—from rising costs for materials and labour, to slow municipal approvals and a web of fees and levies. These hurdles add significant weight to every project, making it clear that taxes are more than just a line item—they’re a real barrier to getting homes built. The rollout of the HST relief program itself wasn’t smooth, either, with delays and uncertainty that left both buyers and developers in limbo. Highrise condo projects, in particular, struggle with policy changes that don’t match their long timelines. The consensus among advocates? Ontario needs a permanent solution—removing HST from new homes could help us meet the ambitious goal of 1.5 million homes by 2031. As a REALTOR® in Windsor for over 25 years, I see firsthand how such policy shifts might impact both our local market and the broader province.