Canada Housing Market 2025: Rising Inventory and North Oakville Trends

We’re halfway through 2025, and the housing market is giving us a mixed picture. Not bad news, not crazy hot either—just different from what we saw the past few years. Canada-wide numbers are a good starting point because they set the tone for every local market, including North Oakville. And there’s some interesting movement worth talking about.

Listings Are Up—Finally Some Breathing Room

The big headline? Listings. Across Canada, there are about 202,500 properties on MLS® right now, which is 10.1% higher than last year. That might not sound huge, but for buyers who spent the last couple of years fighting for scraps, this feels like a relief.

In North Oakville, you can see it on the ground—more “For Sale” signs than last summer. Townhomes, detached, and even a few new-build options are popping back up. It’s not a flood of inventory, so don’t expect a bargain-hunting spree, but the choices are better.

If you’re a buyer, this means you might actually have time to think—maybe even sleep on a decision before you sign. Sellers, on the other hand, need to be a little sharper. You can’t just toss up a high price and expect a lineup at the door. The market is still competitive, but the edge sellers had before is no longer there. It’s softer now.

Inventory: More Listings in Play, Market Still Competitive

CREA says the national inventory level is sitting at 4.4 months of supply. A perfectly balanced market is around five months. So yes, more listings, but still leaning toward sellers overall.

In North Oakville, that’s exactly how it feels. Buyers are happy to see options, but they’re not spoiled for choice. The most desirable homes—newer builds near good schools, close to Trafalgar or Dundas—are still moving quickly. If you’re eyeing something like that, don’t assume it’ll sit around.

Sales: July Came Back Strong, But the Year’s Been Slow

Here’s the twist. July 2025 sales were up 6.6% compared to July last year. So, summer has some heat. But if we zoom out, from January through July, total sales hit 96,594, which is 7.1% lower than the same time in 2024.

What does that tell us? Early 2025 was sluggish. People were cautious—higher rates, economic chatter, maybe a little “wait and see.” Now things are waking up.

In North Oakville, you can sense it. Spring was quiet; summer feels different. Open houses have traffic again. Some buyers who sat out last year are finally stepping in, thinking this is their window before prices climb again.

If You’re Buying in North Oakville

This is a better time than last year. Not cheap, but better. You’re not walking into a 15-offer showdown every weekend. More listings, slightly calmer pace—but keep in mind, it’s not a buyer’s market yet.

The smart move? Have your pre-approval ready. Know what you want, but don’t freeze up over tiny details because good homes still move fast. And watch the ones near major upgrades—Oakville keeps growing, and North Oakville is one of the most in-demand spots because of that growth.

If You’re Selling in North Oakville

You’re still in a decent spot, but the tone has changed. Presentation matters a lot more now. Stage your home, get those pro photos, and don’t overprice. Overpricing will push buyers to the following listing because they have more to pick from.

That said, homes in the right pockets—close to top schools, with good layouts—are still hot. They’re not sitting around long. The difference is, instead of 10 offers, you might get two or three solid ones if you price realistically.

So, Who Has the Advantage Right Now?

Honestly? Nobody fully. It’s a tug-of-war that feels more balanced than it has in years. Sellers still have leverage, but not total control. Buyers have options, but not endless ones.

In North Oakville, it really depends on the segment. Detached homes over $2M? Still niche, so slower. Family townhomes? Those move if they’re clean and well-priced. Condos? Growing interest, especially from first-time buyers who were stuck renting through the pandemic boom.

What Happens Next?

That’s the big question. If rates drop later this year, which some people expect, activity could pick up again in the fall. That might tighten things up for buyers. For now, though, the trend is toward balance—and honestly, that’s healthy.

After a wild few years of crazy bidding wars and then a freeze, a more normal market feels like a breather. And in a place like North Oakville, with so much new development and family demand, stability is a good thing.

Final Word

Canada’s housing market isn’t boiling anymore, but it’s not cold either. July brought a nice rebound; listings are up, and inventory is creeping toward balance. If you’re in North Oakville, this is the kind of market where planning matters more than luck. Buyers get more breathing room. Sellers still have strength—but only if they play it smart.

FAQs

1. What are the months of inventory in Canada?

It’s the time it would take to sell all current listings if no new homes came on the market. For July 2025, Canada had 4.4 months of inventory, which is still slightly below the five-month level considered balanced.

2. What is inventory in Canada’s housing market?

Inventory means the total number of homes available for sale at a given time. Higher inventory usually means more choice for buyers and less pressure in the market.

3. How to calculate DPO?

In real estate terms, you calculate months of inventory by dividing active listings by the number of homes sold in a month. For example, if there are 10,000 listings and 2,000 homes sold in a month, that’s five months of inventory.

4. What is the average inventory?

A balanced market in Canada averages around five months of inventory. Anything below that tends to favor sellers, and anything above favors buyers.

5. Is North Oakville a buyer’s or seller’s market?

Right now, it’s leaning toward sellers, but the increase in listings means buyers have more breathing room than before.