Something interesting happened in the GTA in September: 24% of homes sold above asking price, up from just 18% in August. That does not mean the bidding-war market of 2021 or 2022 is back, but it does suggest competition is starting to return for certain properties.
For buyers, this is important because the GTA is still generally offering more negotiating room than during the peak years. But desirable homes that are priced properly may now attract multiple buyers even while the broader market remains relatively soft. Waiting for the entire market to “recover” could mean missing the period when prices are still reasonable but competition is only beginning to return.
For sellers, this is encouraging — with one big condition. Buyers are not bidding aggressively on everything. Homes that show well, are priced correctly, and are located in desirable neighbourhoods are more likely to create competition. An overpriced home can still sit for weeks while another property nearby receives multiple offers.
For Realtors, the message to clients should be simple: there is no longer one GTA market. Some homes are still selling below asking, while the best properties are starting to attract stronger competition. Buyers need to know which type of property they are pursuing before deciding how aggressive to be.
The takeaway: buyers still have leverage, but the strongest properties may be becoming harder to buy. Sellers should not assume bidding wars are back everywhere — but the September numbers suggest the balance may slowly be changing.
Source: Wahi GTA September market analysis, October 5, 2026.