Durham Region, like many parts of southern Ontario, Durham Region Experiences Drop in Home Sales in January 2026, as reported by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). fell 16.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, primarily due to the impact of a major winter storm that affected the region.
CREA’s report showed that the storm led to disruptions in the real estate market, especially across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and areas like Durham Region, where the storm caused issues with travel, visibility, and general accessibility. In total, 22,533 residential properties were sold across the country in January, with a 5.8 per cent decline in sales compared to December 2025 on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s senior economist, noted that despite the slow start to the year, the market is expected to rebound, with pent-up demand from first-time buyers expected to drive future activity in the spring.
In Durham Region, including cities like Oshawa, Pickering, and Whitby, the storm severely impacted property viewings and sales, but experts are optimistic that these conditions are temporary. “We expect the spring market to see significant activity as the weather improves, and buyers are ready to take advantage of the opportunities available,” said Cathcart.
BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic added that there is a notable backlog of listings from 2025 that were withdrawn due to a lack of interest, which may now be re-listed, adding to the upcoming market activity in Durham Region.
Despite the lower sales figures, there was an increase in new listings in January, with a 7.3 per cent rise compared to December 2025. The number of properties listed for sale in Durham Region also saw an uptick, with 140,680 properties available across all Canadian MLS systems by the end of January.
The average home sale price in Durham Region saw a slight decrease of 2.6 per cent in January compared to the same month last year, with the national average sitting at $652,941. CREA projects a 2.8 per cent increase in home prices for the year, with the national average expected to rise to $698,881.
As the winter storm’s impact fades, the real estate market in Durham Region is expected to recover with more listings, competitive prices, and a surge in demand as the spring season approaches.
