Opportunity Knocks

By Katia Abaimova, Broker
Greg Syrota Team, Century 21 Millennium Inc.

More balance. More inventory. More opportunity.

One question every REALTOR® gets asked at any event or soirée is, “So, how’s the market?” Prior to getting knocked off course during the COVID global pandemic, one could predict the answer depending on the time of year, as our regional real estate market ebbed and flowed through the seasonal nature of the business. Now, the answer might depend on who you ask.

Gone are the days when the mass exodus from urban hubs had the area’s listings flying off the shelves, as frantic buyers came to the table—often without any conditions—driven largely by historically low interest rates and widespread epiphanies about living life to its fullest in Southern Georgian Bay.

While the good life here in our fourseason playground still exists in full force, the market has steadily been correcting since its peak to where we find ourselves today: a balanced buyer’s market. That three-word description, however, hardly encompasses the full scope of the current real estate narrative.

Across Southern Georgian Bay, the number of sales in each micro-market
(Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Blue Mountain, Clearview, Meaford, Tiny and Grey Highlands) has increased on a myear-to-date (YTD) basis compared with the same period last year. When looking at the YTD average and median sale price differences in 2026 compared with 2025, yes, prices have generally decreased, but in the grand scheme of things, the changes are modest and buyers are still out there.

The real factor that shifts the ball into the buyer’s court is inventory, and this becomes strikingly obvious if we zoom in on the condo market.

If you have been thinking about buying a condominium in Collingwood or Blue Mountain, there are some deals to be had, and now might be the time to give that some serious thought. We have seen a notable oversupply of condominiums on the MLS®. Whether we are talking about luxury ski-in/ski-out condos at the base of the ski hills, modest Collingwood apartments or townhomes built in the ’80s, or newly constructed low- to mid-rise condo buildings throughout the area, there are many more listings than there are sales, and it has been that way for quite some time.

What may have caused this oversupply in the market? A number of factors, including increased cost of living, increased carrying costs, mortgage renewals, less time available to spend at secondary properties and lower-than-anticipated returns for speculative investors, to name a few. We’re seeing sellers impacted by one or more of these factors listing their suites for sale, creating downward pricing pressure forcondominium sellers across the board.

Adding fuel to the fire, buyers hearing about dropping sale prices for condos in the media may choose to stay on the sidelines in an attempt to avoid losing money while the trend appears to continue downward. The problem with this is we never know the market has bottomed out until we’re on our way back up.

Focusing on freehold homes, detached, semi-detached, townhome and rural estate sales have remained fairly resilient, with relatively manageable inventory, painting a balanced picture of the market compared with condominiums.

Owners of freehold homes have largely been end-users or longer-term investors, often allowing homeowners to take their time in assessing the market before choosing to list for sale and adjusting their expectations to the current pricing environment. Now, this isn’t always the case. Some sellers need to go back to the office, have major changes in their lives, or are unable to maintain carrying costs when mortgage renewals come about.

The patient and observant buyer may find some great purchasing opportunities out there in today’s market if watching carefully, but freehold sales have continued to keep the market moving much more notably than the aforementioned condo market.

The answer to how the market is looking does indeed differ depending on who you ask, but the good news is the current real estate environment offers a much healthier and more predictable landscape. The peak buying frenzy during the pandemic was unsustainable, and the rebalancing of the market was inevitable.

So, what’s the best strategy for navigating the current market?

For buyers, there are opportunities out there that haven’t been seen in a number of years, and leverage is in the buyer’s hands. In any market, ensure you’re pre-approved for financing, and in the current market, you’re more likely to have the negotiating power to include conditions to confirm financing, complete home inspections and review status certificates. The ball is in your court, but it’s always a good idea to stay savvy and prepared.

For sellers, it comes down to preparation—pricing appropriately for today’s market, improving curb appeal, pre-packing, staging and being flexible
with times available for showings will go a long way. The market has shifted in favour of buyers but remains relatively balanced, and ensuring your home is appealing to a variety of buyers by being move-in ready will help buyers feel confident in their choice to purchase your property.

Ultimately, despite the market shifts, Southern Georgian Bay remains an alluring region, with ski hills, trails, golf, cycling, harbours, growing amenities and likeminded people bringing buyers to the area and keeping sellers nearby.

For the time being, the key to navigating the current market will be patience, preparation and aligning with a real estate expert—now more than ever. E