Spring Market - What Is It and When


Given many Canadians have a strong interest in real estate, or at least a general awareness of the goings on in the real estate market, it’s surely no surprise that many have opinions on the topic. One thing that we hear often when chatting about real estate is the idea that spring is the best time to sell. “You gotta wait for spring to get the best price,” they say, followed by “right?” as if they weren’t fully sure of their assertion. We would be doing a disservice to our clients if we said it was that simple. So, what is the spring market, when is it, and is it actually the best time to sell?

WHAT IS SPRING MARKET?

Spring market is typically characterized by greater volumes of showings and, ultimately, sales when compared to other points in the year. There’s this idea that with improving weather, more buyers will be out shopping for houses. Consequently, when sellers believe more buyers have come out of their supposed winter hibernation, they want to bring their properties to market to coincide with what they believe to be greater demand. And, in a general sense, this is often how things play out. We have loads of market data showing the cyclical and seasonal nature of real estate sales – lots of activity in the spring, typically followed by a summer lull, before another secondary uptick in sales in the fall, and quieter winter months. But, in reality, the spring market isn’t always in spring.

SO WHEN IS SPRING MARKET?

Roughly speaking, the spring market is the time after the cold winter months and before everyone takes off on summer vacations. That much was probably obvious. However, it tends to be a bit more nuanced than that. For example, if we have a mild winter, the spring market may start sooner. In fact, many Realtors would likely agree that while February technically falls in the winter, it’s often when we start seeing increased demand. In this scenario, that could mean that if you wait for the snow to melt and the flowers to bloom, you’ll have potentially missed a prime opportunity to have your house in front of buyers during a period of peak demand. Conversely, we’ve seen other factors such as rising interest rates or changes to mortgage rules land mid-spring causing buyers to retreat to the sidelines. When this happens, the busiest period for sales may not be in spring at all – the so-called spring market may very well be in summer or fall.


WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY OR SELL?

The reality is there’s a lot more than just the weather and the associated seasons that determine opportune times to buy and/or sell. The simplest answer we can give you is that the best time to buy and/or sell is when it makes sense for you and your family. But, if answering this question by looking only at market conditions, the best time to sell is when inventory is low and demand is high – or, if you’re a buyer, your best opportunity would be when the market is soft. This would be characterized by high inventory, low sales, and houses sitting on the market for lengthy periods.

Of course, most people need to balance a wide array of factors such as interest rates, changes in regulations, and politics, combined with personal needs. After all, aligning a closing date with the start of the school year could be more important to your family than market factors. Similarly, you may be experiencing a job change, a marriage or divorce, a new baby, retirement, or any number of other personal situations.

So, while in an ordinary year that follows typical seasonality, spring may very well yield the best options for buyers and the highest prices for sellers, there’s so much more to consider. When we work together, you’ll be armed with data and real-time insight on how the market is performing. Whether you have flexibility in when you buy and/or sell, or if your timeline is more rigid, we can develop a strategy that meets your needs and balances market factors. Many times – and this is especially true for those upsizing – it’s more about the price differential between a purchase and a sale, so buying and selling in any market could still work very well for you. The most important thing is for us to sit down to come up with a solid game plan.

GET IN TOUCH


For more insight on how to best prepare for buying and/or selling real estate, or if you have any questions about the market, please reach out anytime. To ensure you’re getting the latest market information for your neighbourhood and the best advice on how to navigate the current market, we are always happy to help.  


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It’s a Buyer’s Market and that can mean more opportunity!

June 14, 2025
It’s a Buyer’s Market and that can mean more opportunity! In every real estate cycle, there are winners and losers. While a soft market – characterized by more listings, longer days on market, and tempered prices – may raise concerns for sellers, they often present excellent opportunities for buyers. If you're considering purchasing a home, here's why a soft market might be the best time to make your move. What Is a Soft Real Estate Market? A soft market occurs when housing supply exceeds buyer demand. This can be due to poor economic conditions, political uncertainty, rising interest rates, seasonal slowdowns, or shifts in employment trends. The result? Prices tend to stabilize or decline, while properties stay on the market longer. Top Opportunities for Buyers 1. More Negotiating Power In a hot market, bidding wars usually leave buyers with little room to negotiate. But in a soft market, sellers are more likely to entertain lower offers and negotiate on price. 2. Greater Inventory to Choose From With more listings and slower turnover, buyers can take their time, compare homes, and choose a property that best fits their needs without rushing. This leads to better-informed decisions and less buyer’s remorse. 3. Less Competition When demand cools, so do the frantic bidding wars. This means fewer multiple-offer scenarios and a higher likelihood that your offer will be accepted – often below the asking price. 4. Better Ability to Perform Due Diligence With less competition and more leverage, a soft market provides buyers more opportunity to include necessary conditions allowing them to complete home inspections, septic inspections, verify zoning, confirm insurability with their insurer, and more. 5. More Flexible Closing Terms Sellers eager to move may be more open to flexible terms, whether it’s a longer closing period or including furnishings or repairs as part of the deal. 6. Opportunities for Investment If you're a real estate investor or looking for a long-term opportunity, a soft market can be a great time to pick up rental properties or future resale homes at a discount. Tips for Buyers in a Soft Market Get pre-approved: Having your financing in place strengthens your negotiating power. Work with a knowledgeable agent: Local expertise is crucial in spotting good deals and navigating shifting conditions. After all, market conditions can vary from one community to the next. Don’t be afraid to negotiate: Everything from price to repairs to timelines can be on the table. You might even have success including a condition on sale of your existing property. Don’t skip due diligence: Even in a buyer-friendly market, get inspections, review comparables, and make sure you're buying a sound property. Final Thoughts A soft market truly is an opportunity. While many may retreat to the sidelines, savvy buyers can take advantage of less competition, lower prices, and motivated sellers. If you're financially ready, chances are this could be the ideal time to find your next home or investment property. Even for those with property sell, they’d be wise to recognize all the advantages of buying their next property in a soft market. Sure, the sale price of their existing property may be a bit lower than desired, but if timing the sale and purchase closely together, these transactions are likely happening under the same market conditions with there still being opportunity on the purchase. GET IN TOUCH As your trusted resource for all things real estate, we would be more than happy to provide you with additional insight on how to best prepare for buying or selling real estate. If you have any questions about the market, please reach out anytime. Want a better real estate experience? Call the Giles Team, we are always happy to help. NOT RECEIVING OUR NEWSLETTER? Send us an email so we can add your name and address to our monthly mailout. We look forward to connecting DK and Amanda 

The Current State Of The Market

May 21, 2025
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The Power of Pricing: Why It Matters When Listing Your Home

By giles_donna • May 7, 2025
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Evaluate current competition – how does your home compare to what’s already on the market? Adjust for unique features (i.e. pool, view, upgrades) that add or subtract value Consider market trends – is it a buyer’s or seller’s market? Be mindful of other factors such as seasonality, interest rates, elections, political factors, and more Working with a trusted real estate professional who knows your local market and has a proven track record of successful pricing strategies is likely to result in an accurately priced listing that sells quickly. Selling a home is both an emotional and financial decision, and pricing it correctly is the cornerstone of a successful sale. Don’t let sentimental value or wishful thinking cloud your judgment. Instead, rely on data, expert guidance, and market insights to find the sweet spot that gets your home sold – quickly, confidently, and for the best possible price. Remember: you only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it count – with the right price. GET IN TOUCH As your trusted resource for all things real estate, we would be more than happy to provide you with additional insight on how to best prepare for buying or selling real estate. If you have any questions about the market, please reach out anytime. Want a better real estate experience? Call the Giles Team, we are always happy to help. NOT RECEIVING OUR NEWSLETTER? Send us an email so we can add your name and address to our monthly mailout. We look forward to connecting DK and Amanda
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