By September, the calendar is usually filling up again. School, work, that appointment you meant to book in July. Buying a home? That’s a slightly bigger decision to squeeze into the routine.

And this September, Toronto’s housing market offered plenty to think about.

The city recorded 1,937 home sales at an average selling price of $1,034,320. But that average hides the more interesting story: different types of homes are having very different experiences.

If you’re buying or selling this fall, that matters far more than whether a headline calls the market “hot” or “cold.”

Your condo and that semi are not having the same month

Here’s how average selling prices changed in the City of Toronto in September 2026 compared with September 2025:

• Detached homes: $1,562,966, down 7.6%.
• Semi-detached homes: $1,207,884, up 2.1%.
• Townhouses: $922,445, down 0.8%.
• Condo apartments: $640,248, down 6.1%.

All four categories recorded fewer sales than a year earlier. Yet semi-detached average prices rose while the other three declined.

So, does that mean every Toronto semi is worth more than last year? No. Average prices reflect the homes that actually sold, and that mix changes. A month with more expensive properties trading can lift the average without every home gaining value.

Still, it’s a useful reminder: you can’t apply a condo headline to a semi, or a regional average to your own front door.

There’s choice, but how much of it works for you?

Toronto had 9,865 active listings at the end of September. Another figure you’ll see is 6,521 new listings. These measure different things: homes available at month-end versus listings added during the month.

For buyers, that available inventory is a reason to compare carefully. It isn’t proof that every seller will accept a big discount.

A long list of homes becomes a much shorter one once you add your budget, commute, preferred neighbourhood and actual needs. (A second bedroom and a place to put a desk are not always the same thing.)

For sellers, the useful question is equally specific: what else could your buyer purchase instead? Start there when setting expectations.

A lower price doesn’t answer every affordability question

Across the broader GTA, the average selling price fell 5.1% year over year. That is a regional figure, not Toronto’s citywide price change.

TRREB also pointed to uncertainty about employment, inflation and borrowing costs as reasons buyers were hesitating.

That distinction matters. A home can cost less than last year and still feel like a stretch for the person buying it.

If you’re planning a purchase, work through the full monthly cost, including property taxes, maintenance and condo fees where applicable. If you’re buying on one income, leave yourself breathing room. A lower purchase price is helpful. Feeling comfortable after you move in matters too.

Make the comparison smaller

For sellers, September’s numbers make a strong case for careful pricing and preparation, rather than assuming the whole market is moving together.

For buyers, they’re a reason to investigate, ask questions and negotiate from evidence. They aren’t a promise that waiting will bring a better deal.

The most useful comparison is a home like yours, in your neighbourhood, competing for the same buyers.

Wondering what these numbers mean for the Toronto home you own, or the one you’re hoping to buy? Feel free to reach out. We can look at the part of the market that actually matters to you.

Source: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026.