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As 2025 comes to a close, RE/MAX is signalling a cautious comeback — not a boom, but a more stable, balanced real estate market in 2026.
National home sales are projected to rise by about 3.4% in 2026, as built-up inventory meets renewed buyer interest.
At the same time, average home prices are expected to ease by roughly 3.7%, creating what RE/MAX describes as “balanced conditions” across many markets.
The overall tone: 2026 is less about dramatic swings and more about predictability, modest affordability improvements, and a shift toward buyer-friendly conditions.
According to RE/MAX, this reset may offer buyers more negotiating power and more inventory to choose from — a relief after years of overheated demand and tight supply.
Reflection: How 2025 Compared to Last Year’s Forecast
Looking back, 2025 brought a fair bit of volatility and cooling across the country’s real estate markets. By many measures, RE/MAX’s more cautious 2026 outlook seems rooted in what unfolded.
Across many major markets, 2025 saw declining prices, weaker sales, and rising listings — conditions that paved the way for a more “balanced” 2026.
RE/MAX itself acknowledged late in 2025 that after “years of volatility… the market may finally be inching toward a turning point.”
The 2026 forecast — modest price declines and rising sales — aligns with this reality: a market resetting rather than rebounding sharply.
In short: 2025 largely validated caution, and RE/MAX’s 2026 outlook reflects a realistic, tempered optimism rather than hype.
What Buyers and Sellers Should Expect in 2026
For buyers:
More choices and more inventory across many markets. Balanced pricing + increased supply could mean better value, especially for first-time buyers or those priced out in recent years.
Less frenzy, more stability. With prices softening modestly, negotiation may become more common — and successful.
For sellers:
Competition may be stronger. Homes will still move — but sellers who price competitively, present well, and stay realistic will have the best shot.
For the overall market:
2026 may not deliver a dramatic rebound — but it could mark the start of a more sustainable, predictable environment.
Gradual home-ownership activity could resume as affordability improves a bit and buyer confidence increases.
What This Means (or Could Mean) for Durham Region
RE/MAX did not provide a public 2026 forecast specifically for Durham Region. But looking at what we do know offers useful context:
Most recent publicly shared data (from a regional roundup) puts the **average selling price in Durham at about C$840,833 (November 2025).
By comparison: under the prior 2025 forecast from RE/MAX, the expected year-end average price was around C$855,085. (Your earlier data.)
That means Durham’s actual pricing is already slightly below what was forecast — suggesting moderate price softening in line with broader national trends.
Even without a 2026-specific Durham forecast, the national RE/MAX outlook provides an implicit signal: if conditions mirror the national trend, 2026 may bring more choice and slightly better affordability — which could benefit buyers in Durham. For sellers, realism remains key.
Final Word: A Calibrated Reset — Not a Rush, But an Opportunity
2026 isn’t being painted as the year of a runaway real estate boom. Instead, under RE/MAX’s new outlook, we may see a measured market reset, with more moderate pricing, steady demand, and healthier supply-demand balance.
For Canadians: it could mean a more stable, less stressful environment for buying or selling.
For Durham-area buyers and sellers: it’s a chance to approach the market with realistic expectations — and perhaps find opportunity in the balance.
Sources: REMAX Canada, Newswire, Canada Housing Market, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, Yahoo Finance
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