York Region Real Estate Market 2026

This York Region real estate market update for 2026 breaks down current home prices and market trends across detached homes, townhomes, and condos. Using the most recent January 2026 data, we highlight where pricing has softened, where relative premiums are narrowing, and which segments of the market show the best opportunities for buyers, sellers, and move-up homeowners across in Aurora, Newmarket, Georgina, and East Gwillimbury.

• January 2026 sets the baseline for the year. Across York Region, overall activity remains soft relative to historical norms, with inventory elevated and demand uneven by housing type. Sales volumes are lower than last year, while months of inventory has drifted higher, keeping pricing under pressure in most segments.

  The key theme: this is not a uniform market. Detached homes, freehold townhomes, and condos are each in different phases of the cycle. Understanding those differences matters more than trying to time the “overall market.

The freehold segment (detached, semi-detached, and freehold townhomes) remains under pressure, though it is holding up better than the condo market:

• Sales volumes remain lower year over year

• New listings continue to outpace absorption

• Inventory remains elevated, keeping buyers in a stronger negotiating position

• Prices have softened, though not uniformly across housing types

Within the freehold segment, freehold townhomes have shown greater resilience than detached and semi-detached homes on both pricing and demand metrics. This relative strength is beginning to appear in early 2026 transaction patterns.

The condo segment remains the weakest part of the York Region market:

• Sales activity is down year over year

• Inventory has risen, pushing months of inventory into buyer-leaning territory

• Prices have continued to decline from 2025 levels

• Sale-to-new-listing ratios remain subdued, signaling limited buyer urgency

This doesn’t mean condos are “bad” assets — it means pricing power currently sits with buyers, not sellers. For first-time buyers, this can create entry value. For condo sellers, expectations need to be grounded in current demand conditions.

The Move-Up Window: Townhomes & Semis → Detached

For homeowners currently in freehold townhomes or semi-detached properties, relative move-up costs into detached homes are slightly below historical averages as of January 2026. This means the price gap between these housing types has narrowed compared to prior years.

• The detached premium versus townhomes and semi-detached homes sits below its long-term average

• Relative upgrade costs are compressed compared to the last several years

• This creates a more favourable window for move-up buyers coming from freehold townhomes and semis

This does not imply detached homes are “cheap” in absolute terms — only that the relative cost to upgrade from a townhome or semi into a detached property is lower than normal by historical standards.

The Move-Down Opportunity: Detached → Condo

For homeowners considering downsizing from detached homes into condo apartments, relative pricing conditions remain favourable. Detached homes continue to command a large premium versus condos, creating an opportunity to release equity on the sale side.

• The detached premium versus condo apartments remains well above historical norms

• This pricing spread benefits sellers of detached homes relative to condo prices

• Downsizers can potentially unlock significant equity while moving into lower-maintenance housing

This relative value distortion does not guarantee short-term price stability for condos, but it does create a structural advantage for detached sellers choosing to move down the housing ladder.

First-Time Buyer Focus: Condos vs Freehold Townhomes

For buyers entering the York Region real estate market for the first time, relative value and long-term stability differ meaningfully by housing type. The best entry point depends on whether your priority is lower upfront cost or longer-term equity stability.

• Best Relative Value (Condo Apartments):
  Condo apartments are trading at their lowest relative value compared to freehold housing since 2020. This makes condos the most accessible entry point for first-time buyers focused on minimizing upfront purchase price and initial financial exposure.

• Best Long-Term Stability (Freehold Townhomes):
  Freehold townhomes have historically shown the most consistent relative performance across market cycles. For buyers prioritizing long-term equity growth and reduced volatility, freehold townhomes offer a more stable entry point into ownership.

The trade-off is straightforward: condos provide lower-cost market entry, while freehold townhomes offer greater long-term price stability. The optimal choice depends on personal budget constraints, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

Looking for hyper-local insights? Explore market updates by community:

• Aurora real estate market

• Newmarket real estate market

• Georgina real estate market

• East Gwillimbury real estate market