Rates, Real Estate, and What’s Next This Fall

What the HOWELL is Going On? – August 27th, 2025

What should we be expecting in our local real estate markets and from the Bank of Canada on September 17th?

📉 Bank of Canada Update
The Bank of Canada has held the overnight rate at 2.75% for the third consecutive time. With inflation, GDP, jobs, and U.S. trade all pulling in different directions, most economists now believe we’ll see rates hold steady this September, with possible cuts later this year.

�� What does this mean locally?
As we head into the fall market, stable interest rates may encourage more buyers to step off the sidelines, especially if they anticipate lower borrowing costs later in the year. For sellers, this could mean stronger demand in the months ahead.

📊 Market Activity
According to data from the RE/MAX Escarpment & RE/MAX Niagara Appointment Centre, August has historically been a market signal. This year, 2025 mirrors August 2020, with intense buyer activity and sales outpacing listings, a rare trend. In 2020, this momentum kicked off a powerful rebound after a slow spring. In 2025, it may be signaling the same: buyer confidence is back heading into fall.

📍 What’s Happening Locally:
Burlington:
New listings and sales both slightly down, but the sales-to-new-listings ratio climbed to 54.46%, shifting from balance toward a sellers’ market, with strong interest in detached and semi-detached homes.

Hamilton:
New listings and sales are slightly down, with 5.5 months of supply. The sales-to-new-listings ratio sits at around 40%, keeping Hamilton in a buyers’ market across all property types.

Oakville:
Slight decrease in new listings but a small increase in sales. Inventory is now around 5 months and falling, with a 38.68% absorption rate, still a buyers’ market but trending tighter.

With stable rates, strong August activity, and local markets shifting, this fall is shaping up to be a season of opportunity for both buyers and sellers. Strategy and timing will be everything.

👉 Thinking of making a move this fall? Let’s chat about how today’s market trends could work in your favour.

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