Fall can be a good time to make a move, whether you’re buying or selling, but the picture depends on where you live.
The Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) July forecast called for a more active second half of 2026, although it projects home sales for the full year to finish 1.4% below 2025. In August, national sales dipped 0.7% from July while new listings rose 3.3%.
If you’re thinking of listing your property this fall, there are a few simple things you can do to get your home ready to help it sell faster, easier, and at the highest price possible.
The advantages of selling in the fall
“The question isn’t so much whether buyers will return, but when. The reality is, buyers will come back when they feel conditions are favourable. All sellers can do is be ready for when that happens.
Luckily, while most homeowners think of spring as the ideal time to sell, the fall is actually a great time to list your home. Just some of the benefits of selling in the fall include:
September and October have consistently been busy times. Yes, that can mean more competition, but with more eyeballs, your home will benefit from broader exposure than in deep summer, when many Canadians tune out to enjoy the warmer weather.
What the market looks like heading into fall 2026
Canada’s housing market is entering fall without a dramatic shift in either direction, according to CREA. In August, national home sales edged down 0.7% from July, while new listings rose 3.3%. The national sales-to-new-listings ratio was 49.1%, within the range CREA generally considers consistent with balanced market conditions. Sales activity and price trends were largely unchanged for a fourth consecutive month in August.
For sellers, more listings could mean more competition for buyers’ attention. It’s a good reason to look closely at comparable homes in your neighbourhood before settling on a price, and to make sure your home is ready to show well from day one. The national numbers are a starting point; your REALTOR® can help you understand how many similar homes are for sale nearby and what buyers are responding to.
Looking ahead, CREA expects sales to be more active in the second half of 2026, following a weak first half, but that doesn’t mean every seller will see the same level of interest. That forecast is national, and conditions can look quite different from one neighbourhood to the next.
RBC Economics also expects a gradual recovery, but cautions that “the path is unlikely to be smooth or uniform across the country.” For sellers, that makes local comparable listings and realistic pricing especially useful conversations to have with a REALTOR® this fall.
Make a great first impression
Once you’ve decided to sell, work with your REALTOR® on a plan to get your home ready for buyers. A few things to focus on:
Stay on top of cleaning and upkeep
While fall leaves may be pretty to look at, they can also make a mess out of your otherwise pristine yard. If you have a showing or open house coming up, double check to make sure no one’s been tracking in any mud or dirt. To really maximize your curb appeal, don’t forget to consider what’s outside your home as well.
Fall means yards and gardens are approaching the end of their summer foliage. So clear out any flowers and plants that dry up in the fall, and stay on top of all those leaves. If you’re listing late in fall, consider adding some decorative outdoor plants that stay beautiful well into the colder weather, like decorative cabbage or black-eyed Susans.
Of course, the last thing you want to discover on a cool autumn evening right before a buyer is coming to see your home, is that your furnace is on the fritz! Since most of us don’t use our furnaces much in the summer, a fall listing can be a great occasion to have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected.
Put the latest technology to work for you
Between virtual and 3D tours, 360-degree views, and remote showings, the technology associated with selling a home has come a long way since the days of newspaper listings. If you plan to sell later in the year, get some outdoor photos done now, before the snow comes and the cooler weather hits. Even if you’re still prepping inside, it’s worth a little early effort to capture what the summer peak looks like.
While your own snapshots might be fine, ask your REALTOR® to bring in their professional photographer ahead of time. Have a rock-star backyard? It may be worth shooting some drone photography or video to really capture things before the cold hits.
Do your research before listing this fall
Because there may be fewer buyers in the fall compared to spring, it’s essential to stay on top of what’s happening in the market. This means having your REALTOR® do research on things like comparable listings in your area, tracking where your local housing market is headed, and understanding what buyers are looking for in a home right now.
Changing demand, buyer expectations and your competition will all impact your sale’s timing and strategy. The right strategy could change from one day to the next, but the most successful sellers are the ones who listen to what the market, and their REALTOR®, are telling them, and act swiftly.
Don’t get so stuck on a strategy, price or timing that you aren’t able to change it up to take advantage of opportunities,” he added. “Your REALTOR® will know when to jump and when to pivot. Listen to them.
Ask Eileen or Jesse
Lastly, when in doubt, ask your REALTOR® for advice! In addition to tracking the latest market statistics and keeping you informed about any future interest rate changes, your REALTOR® can walk you through each step in pricing, listing and getting your home ready to sell, and help you sell your property quicker, with less stress, and at the best price possible.
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