​The Greater Toronto Area recorded its strongest July for home sales since 2021, with activity up compared to last year and sales rising faster than new listings. Market conditions tightened slightly as more households took advantage of improved affordability.

 

Across the Central Lakes Region, sales surged in nearly every area while average prices eased, helping more buyers re-enter the market.

 

Toronto: Average price just over $1M

Durham: Average price around $885K

 

There is a $580K difference in the average sale price of detached homes in Toronto vs Durham, underscoring Durham’s strong affordability advantage within the GTA.

 

Regional highlights:

Durham: 852 sales, average price $885K (down slightly from last year)

Hastings: 220 sales, average price $542K

Kawartha Lakes: 129 sales, average price $700K

Northumberland: 134 sales, prices stable at $734K

Peterborough: 189 sales, average price $712K (one of the few areas with both sales and prices up)

Prince Edward County: 41 sales, average price $830K

 

Lower borrowing costs and softer prices are improving affordability, drawing more buyers back into the market. Durham in particular stands out as a more accessible alternative to Toronto, with a significant price gap but continued strong demand.