While Canada’s housing market hasn’t followed its usual spring script, signs of a rebound are emerging—particularly in Toronto’s detached-home segment. According to the latest RE/MAX Canada “Hot Pocket Communities” report, June brought renewed energy to key markets like the GTA, Greater Vancouver, and the Fraser Valley, with entry-level price points leading the momentum.
The report analyzed 83 micro-markets from January to June. Nearly a quarter of these markets (19) saw detached-home sales meet or exceed 2024 levels. Meanwhile, just over 19% (16 markets) recorded price appreciation.
Toronto’s 416 region stood out, with over a third of neighbourhoods either breaking even or improving year-over-year—outperforming the suburban 905. In Greater Vancouver, almost 29% of local markets saw more homes sold than the year before.
“After a prolonged period of uncertainty, we're starting to see slow but building momentum in Canada's largest real estate markets,” said Don Kottick, President of RE/MAX Canada. “Buyers who have been sitting on the sidelines for months… are finally starting to make their moves.”
That includes a surge in subject-to-sale offers, especially in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, where buyers are seeking a safety net. Sellers, for their part, are proving more flexible, working with buyers to get deals done.
Here in Toronto, affordability concerns are driving urgency among Millennials and young professionals. Homes in the $850,000 to $1.2 million range are especially in demand, with buyers worried that this window of opportunity may be narrowing.
Our own Broker of Record, Tim Syrianos, was featured in the article, noting a clear uptick in demand across several downtown neighbourhoods:
“Certain microcosms cropping up within Toronto markets — including hot pocket communities such as Leaside, East York, Riverdale, Trinity-Bellwoods, Davisville, and Little Italy — are consistently experiencing healthy demand for detached homes,” says Tim. “And while many of those properties will sell in multiple offers, make no mistake — today's buyers are laser focused on value and will walk away from properties if sellers are unreasonable."
Further west, markets remain balanced for now, with most detached sales happening in the $1M–$1.5M range. But with interest rates beginning to ease and stability returning, a more energized fall market could be on the horizon.
Luxury properties are also staying active. In the first half of 2025, 11 homes in the GTA sold for over $10 million—nearly triple the volume from the same period last year. High-end neighbourhoods like Bridle Path, Rosedale, and West Vancouver continue to show strength.
As we move through the summer, these “hot pocket” areas will be key to watch. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, understanding where the demand lies—and how pricing expectations are shifting—will be crucial in this evolving market.
