Apple season is here! Crisp mornings, sweet orchard scents, and baskets waiting to be filled — September is the perfect month for apple picking in Durham Region. Here’s your go-to guide for local orchards and what you can expect this month:

1. Maple Grove Orchards (Bowmanville)

👉 maplegroveorchards.ca
This family-run orchard is rolling out apple varieties week by week:

• Ginger Gold – Sept 5

• McIntosh & Royal Gala – Sept 12

• Honeycrisp & Cortland – Sept 19

• Empire – Sept 26

• Fuji – Oct 3

• Red Delicious – Oct 10

Perfect for families who love planning return visits to try different apples all season long!

2. Nature’s Bounty Farm (Port Perry)

👉 naturesbountyfarm.ca
Open since Sept 4, this scenic farm offers over a dozen varieties. September highlights include:

• Gala & Honeycrisp – mid-September

• Cortland, Macoun, Shizuka, Northern Spy, Red Delicious – mid-September

• Ambrosia, Jonagold, Empire – late September/early October

It’s a great spot for families who want variety and a longer season of apple picking.

3. Archibald’s Orchard & Estate Winery (Bowmanville)

👉 archibaldswinery.com
Pick-Your-Own starts Saturday, Sept 6! 🍏

• Early September: Paula Red, Silken, Gala, McIntosh

• Sept 13: Cortland & Honeycrisp

• Late September: Empire, Ambrosia, Mutsu (Crispin)

• October: Red Delicious, Ida Red, Wild Pink

Bonus for parents: After apple picking, stop by their winery for award-winning ciders and fruit wines.

4. Pingle’s Farm Market (Hampton)

👉 pinglesfarmmarket.com
It’s more than apple picking — the Harvest Festival is on now! 🎉 Families can enjoy wagon rides, farm activities, a corn maze, and of course, fresh apple picking. Great for turning your orchard visit into a full-day adventure.

5. Watson Farms (Bowmanville)

👉 watsonfarms.ca
This family-friendly farm has pick-your-own apples plus other goodies in season. Currently picking:

• Ginger Gold

• Honeycrisp

• Plus beans and even late strawberries on weekends 🍓

A fun “mix-and-match” spot if your family wants more than apples.

6. Brooks Farms (Mount Albert – just outside Durham)

👉 brooksfarms.com
Worth the short drive! Brooks is known for its fun farm attractions, playland, and seasonal events. Add apple picking to the mix, and you’ve got a perfect outing for kids who need a little extra adventure.

✅ Takeaway: Whether you’re after early-season Ginger Golds, classic McIntosh, or the ever-popular Honeycrisp, September in Durham Region offers plenty of orchards for fresh air, family fun, and a bushel of memories.

Sales hold steady, prices dip, and inventory levels continue to give buyers the upper hand.

By the Numbers: September at a Glance

• Total Sales: 5,211 (+2.3% YoY, –14.6% MoM)

• Average Selling Price: $1,022,143 (–5.2% YoY, –2.8% MoM)

• New Listings: Up 9.4% YoY, down 20.3% MoM

• Active Listings: 27,495 (+22.4% YoY, –9% MoM)

• Sales-to-New Listings Ratio: ~37%

• Days on Market:

  • Property DOM: 41 days

  • Listing DOM: 30 days

• Months of Inventory: ~5 months — favouring buyers

🧠 Top Takeaway:

August showed stable sales but continued price softness, with steady inventory keeping the market tilted in favour of buyers—even as demand remains consistent.

What's happening locally? Durham & Toronto Market Insights

Every city/town is unique as are the communities within them. Scroll through to find your town.

📸 Segment Snapshot

📉Economic & Construction Insights

• Bank of Canada Watch: With the next rate decision on September 17, all eyes are on upcoming inflation data to guide policy direction. Opinions vary on whether the central bank will raise or cut its 2.75% rate.

• Building Activity Slowing: New housing starts surged 4% July-over-July overall in Canada, but Ontario continues to lag. Windsor recorded 25% fewer starts in H1 2025 versus 2024—and Toronto’s figures fell dramatically.
  

🏠 What’s Changing — and What’s Not

1. Affordability Still a Focus: Prices are easing YoY, but many buyers still face monthly affordability challenges—even in a more liquid market.
   

2. Inventory Remains Elevated: With five months of supply, buyers have ample choice, though market activity remains measured.
   

3. Construction Slowdown Looms: Decreased housing starts in Ontario may tighten future supply—an important insight for strategic buyers or long-term investors.
   

4. Interest Rate Uncertainty Ahead: Inflation data due mid-September could sway BoC decisions, impacting mortgage cost expectations.

⚖️ Buyers vs. Sellers: What’s the Game Plan?

For Buyers:

• You’ve got room to navigate—no need to rush or overpay.

• Stay informed about rate movements ahead of the September decision.

• Low construction today may mean fewer new choices down the road—act when ready.

For Sellers:

• Price competitively—don’t cut too late chasing correction.

• Professional valuation remain important

• Let’s align your timing with market trends and local dynamics—especially in areas like Durham, where inventory remains balanced.

🔮 Quick Verdict

📞Need a Customized Buying or Selling Strategy?

Whether you’re ready to act or just assessing, now is the time for informed moves. Let’s collaborate to create a strategy tailored to your goals and market timing.

👉 Reach out for a personalized consultation

SOURCES: TRREB, Canadian Mortgage Trends, CMP, Bank of Canada, CBC, Todayville, cmhc-schl.gc.ca, TD Economics, RBC

Sales hold steady, prices dip, and inventory levels continue to give buyers the upper hand.

By the Numbers: September at a Glance

• Total Sales: 5,211 (+2.3% YoY, –14.6% MoM)

• Average Selling Price: $1,022,143 (–5.2% YoY, –2.8% MoM)

• New Listings: Up 9.4% YoY, down 20.3% MoM

• Active Listings: 27,495 (+22.4% YoY, –9% MoM)

• Sales-to-New Listings Ratio: ~37%

• Days on Market:

  • Property DOM: 41 days

  • Listing DOM: 30 days

• Months of Inventory: ~5 months — favouring buyers

🧠 Top Takeaway:

August showed stable sales but continued price softness, with steady inventory keeping the market tilted in favour of buyers—even as demand remains consistent.

What's happening locally? Durham & Toronto Market Insights

Every city/town is unique as are the communities within them. Scroll through to find your town.

📸 Segment Snapshot

📉Economic & Construction Insights

• Bank of Canada Watch: With the next rate decision on September 17, all eyes are on upcoming inflation data to guide policy direction. Opinions vary on whether the central bank will raise or cut its 2.75% rate.

• Building Activity Slowing: New housing starts surged 4% July-over-July overall in Canada, but Ontario continues to lag. Windsor recorded 25% fewer starts in H1 2025 versus 2024—and Toronto’s figures fell dramatically.
  

🏠 What’s Changing — and What’s Not

1. Affordability Still a Focus: Prices are easing YoY, but many buyers still face monthly affordability challenges—even in a more liquid market.
   

2. Inventory Remains Elevated: With five months of supply, buyers have ample choice, though market activity remains measured.
   

3. Construction Slowdown Looms: Decreased housing starts in Ontario may tighten future supply—an important insight for strategic buyers or long-term investors.
   

4. Interest Rate Uncertainty Ahead: Inflation data due mid-September could sway BoC decisions, impacting mortgage cost expectations.

⚖️ Buyers vs. Sellers: What’s the Game Plan?

For Buyers:

• You’ve got room to navigate—no need to rush or overpay.

• Stay informed about rate movements ahead of the September decision.

• Low construction today may mean fewer new choices down the road—act when ready.

For Sellers:

• Price competitively—don’t cut too late chasing correction.

• Professional valuation remain important

• Let’s align your timing with market trends and local dynamics—especially in areas like Durham, where inventory remains balanced.

🔮 Quick Verdict

📞Need a Customized Buying or Selling Strategy?

Whether you’re ready to act or just assessing, now is the time for informed moves. Let’s collaborate to create a strategy tailored to your goals and market timing.

👉 Reach out for a personalized consultation

SOURCES: TRREB, Canadian Mortgage Trends, CMP, Bank of Canada, CBC, Todayville, cmhc-schl.gc.ca, TD Economics, RBC

If you’re considering a move in the last half of 2025 getting expert insight into the market is a must so this post is for you.

RE/MAX has come out with their annual Fall market update. It not only recaps year-to-date for the Canadian real estate market and highlights communities like Durham Region, but it offers a prediction into what RE/MAX expects to happen by years end. 

While our team is with Sutton Group we believe information is power for our clients and the RE/MAX perspective is worth taking a look at. That said, don’t let the headlines dictate your move. Timing the market is full of potential landmines. Before making any decisions speak to an expert and get on-the-ground insights about your market and your situation. Need help? Contact us.

In the meantime lets see what RE/MAX has to say:

Canadian Real Estate Market Year-to-Date (2025)

• Average home price (Jan 1–Jul 3): $900,089, marking a 3.7 % drop year-over-year.

• Sales volume (Jan 1–Jul 31): 4,999 units, down 11.1 % year-over-year.

• New listings (Jan 1–Jul 31): 13,425, a 14.4 % increase year-over-year.

What’s Ahead for the Rest of 2025

• Average price is projected to fall 5 %, landing around $855,085 by year-end.

• Sales are expected to decline a further 3 %.

• This confirms a buyer’s market nationwide, with inventory climbing and demand softening.

Nationwide, RE/MAX expects the national average home price to slide by 6.5 % and sales to dip by 5 % by year-end. Inventory surges in Ontario and BC are gradually shifting these areas into buyer-favored territory.

Key Takeaways: Canada at a Glance

1. Buyers hold the leverage. Rising inventory and falling prices give purchasers more negotiating power.

2. Prices dipping but regionally varied. Ontario and BC see declines, while Atlantic Canada and the Prairies hold firm or even rise.

3. Shifting buyer profile. First-time buyers now tend to be older (late 20s to 40s), many turning to family help, co-ownership, or strong savings to get in the game..

4. Sellers adjusting. Expect more realistic pricing, strategic staging, and conditional offers as new market norms.

5. Falling rates fuel optimism. Inventory up + affordability improving may attract cautious buyers back into the market.

Bottom line: Across Canada, the real estate market is tilting in favour of informed and prepared buyers, while sellers who align with current realities will still find success.

Focus: Durham Region

Here's how Durham Region is shaping up:

• Avg. price (Jan 1–Jul 3): $900,089—a 3.7 % drop from last year.

• Sales (Jan 1–Jul 31): 4,999 units, down 11.1 %.

• Listings: 13,425, up 14.4 %.

• Year-end forecast:

  • Price: –5 %, projecting to $855,085.

  • Sales: –3 %.

  • Market type: Firmly a buyer’s market.

Developments in late summer/early fall show continued balance:

• Balanced market conditions, with buyers seeing more options and homes staying on market longer.

• Inventory nearing 2009 highs, sales down sharply, homes generally selling below list price—especially in southern Durham.

• Average September sale price: $842,615 (down 5.8 % year-over-year), with sale-to-list ratio around 98.3 %.

• Months of inventory: About 5.6 months, indicating sufficient supply for current demand.

Durham Region Takeaway

Buyers have the upper hand—with more choices and less urgency in bidding wars. Sellers must price smart, time thoughtfully, and stand out in a crowded landscape. Proper preparation and local strategy are key for anyone looking to transact by year’s end.

Final Word:

For buyers, now is a moment of opportunity—leverage the extra inventory and negotiate smartly. Sellers? Align with the market, focus on presentation and pricing, and get the help of a seasoned agent to stand out.

GET THE HELP YOU NEED 👉 CONTACT US

SOURCES: RE/MAX Canada, Narcity, Ceros, renxhomes.ca, REMINET, Yahoo Finance, John Owen