Davids & DeLaat Team
Hey Niagara, here’s your Summer 2025 market update.
After a quiet start to the season, summer brought a mix of activity and caution across Niagara’s real estate market.
July Looked Strong – But It Wasn’t
July posted the highest sales numbers of the year, but context matters. The late spring market pushed listings and sales further into the summer than usual. By the end of July, inventory ballooned to nearly 3,800 active listings—a historic high for Niagara. With so many homes competing for attention and limited buyer demand, prices continued trending downward.
August Slowed Right Down
As expected, August cooled off. Vacations, back-to-school prep, and a seasonal lull meant fewer listings and fewer sales. Many sellers chose to wait for September, leaving the market quieter but still saturated with unsold properties.
What Buyers Should Know
This is a buyer’s market. Inventory is high, sellers are increasingly motivated, and some properties are being priced aggressively low. For those who are patient and watching closely, there are opportunities to secure strong deals.
What Sellers Need to Hear
Pricing is everything. Homes that are priced realistically—and present well—are selling. Homes priced with unrealistic expectations are simply sitting. Sellers need to be prepared to adjust expectations, especially as more inventory is likely to hit the market in fall and into 2026.
The Interest Rate Factor
There’s cautious optimism about rate cuts. A September drop is expected, with potential for further cuts into late 2025 and early 2026. But in the short term, lower rates are unlikely to spark demand. Many buyers are waiting on the sidelines to see where the economy and affordability go next.
The Bottom Line
Summer confirmed what we’ve been seeing all year: too much inventory, not enough buyers. Prices are softening, and sellers face an uphill climb. Buyers, however, are in a strong position to negotiate.
As we head into fall, expect more of the same: slow sales, motivated sellers, and buyers holding off for clarity. The real test will come in spring 2026, when pent-up inventory and slightly lower rates collide.
