Homebuyers continued to benefit from substantial choice in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) resale market in February 2025. Home sales last month were down in comparison to the same period last year, while listing inventory remained high, providing substantial negotiating power for homebuyers.
“Many households in the GTA are eager to purchase a home, but current mortgage rates make it difficult for the average household income to comfortably cover monthly payments on a typical property. Fortunately, we anticipate a decline in borrowing costs in the coming months, which should improve affordability,” said TRREB President Elechia Barry-Sproule.
“On top of lingering affordability concerns, home buyers have arguably become less confident in the economy. Uncertainty about our trade relationship with the United States has likely prompted some households to take a wait-and-see attitude towards buying a home. If trade uncertainty is alleviated and borrowing costs continue to trend lower, we could see much stronger home sales activity in the second half of this year,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.
GTA REALTORS® reported 4,037 home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in February 2025 – down by 27.4 percent compared to February 2024. New listings in the MLS® System amounted to 12,066 – up by 5.4 percent year-over-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, February sales were down month-over-month compared to January 2025.
The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark was down by 1.8 percent year-over-year in February 2025. The average selling price, at $1,084,547, was down by 2.2 percent compared to February 2024. On a month-over-month basis, the MLS® HPI Composite and the average selling price edged lower after seasonal adjustment.
“With the Ontario provincial election just behind us and the federal political situation in flux, there is a lot to consider from a policy perspective when it comes to housing. Not only do existing policy makers and those vying for high public office need to make clear their direction on housing supply and affordability, but they also need to be clear on how they intend to tackle issues related to trade and the economy. Clear direction will go a long way to strengthening consumer confidence,” said TRREB Chief Executive Officer John DiMichele.
