Happy Holidays From The Johnson Team

Some years feel like a blur of calendars, keys, showings, and quick conversations at the front door. Others feel like a collection of small moments that stick with you, like handing keys to a first-time buyer who is equal parts excited and nervous, watching a seller exhale when the right offer finally comes together, or getting a referral from a past client who simply says, “You will take great care of them.”

Before the year wraps, we wanted to pause for a moment and say thank you.

Thank you for choosing The Johnson Team, for reading our weekly blogs, for sharing our newsletter with family and friends, and for trusting us with decisions that are never “just real estate.” They are big life choices, and we never take that trust lightly.

What we’re most grateful for this year

We are grateful for every client who invited us into their story, whether you bought, sold, leased, upsized, downsized, or asked questions while you figured out your next move.

We are also grateful for referrals. If you sent someone our way this year, thank you for putting your name beside ours. That means a lot, because referrals are personal, and they come with real trust attached.

And to everyone who has been following along with our blogs week after week, we see you. Real estate can feel loud online, but our goal has always been to make it feel clearer, calmer, and more practical, so you can make decisions with confidence.

A quick market snapshot, in plain language

If you felt like the market had more “thinking time” this year, you were not imagining it. We saw more buyers taking a breath before committing, more sellers asking sharper questions, and more conversations that started with, “We’re interested, but we want to be sure.”

That lines up with the data, too. TRREB reported the average selling price in the Greater Toronto Area in November 2025 at $1,039,458, and the MLS Home Price Index (HPI) Composite benchmark was down 5.8% year over year.

Borrowing costs stayed front and centre. The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on December 10, 2025, and rate expectations continued to shape buyer confidence, monthly payments, and seller strategy.

What it means in real life is simple: the right plan matters. The “set it and forget it” approach did not work as often this year. Pricing, presentation, timing, and negotiation still made the difference between a stressful experience and a smooth one.

What we’ll be watching as we head into 2026

No one can control the market, but we can pay close attention to the signals that affect your options, and help you make decisions with the full picture in mind.

One key date on our radar is January 28, 2026, when the Bank of Canada has a scheduled interest rate announcement that includes a Monetary Policy Report.

We are also watching the rental landscape closely. CMHC’s 2025 Rental Market Report notes that vacancy rates rose across major Canadian centres, and that the national purpose-built vacancy rate increased to 3.1% (from 2.2% in 2024).

The takeaway is not that every renter suddenly has the upper hand, or that every landlord has to panic. It is that there may be more choice, and a bit more negotiating room, in certain pockets, and strategy matters there, too.

Most importantly, we will keep translating what’s happening into real advice that fits real people, because your next move is not a headline.

A holiday reminder that has nothing to do with rates

The holidays are busy, and homes work hard this time of year. If you’re hosting, travelling, or doing both, a few small steps can prevent big headaches later.

Know where your main water shut-off is, and make sure someone can access it if you’re away. Keep walkways clear, and salt early, especially after freeze-thaw cycles. Replace furnace filters, and test smoke and CO alarms, particularly if you will have guests staying over. If you’re travelling, set lights on timers, and ask a neighbour to grab mail or flyers.

Small things, but they protect the place you’ve worked so hard to build.

Our promise going into the new year

In 2026, we are bringing the same focus we always bring: doing the work properly, telling the truth, and protecting your best interests.

Whether you’re ready to buy or sell now, or you’re planning for spring, summer, or even “not this year,” we will help you map a smart path forward, without pressure.

If a move is on your mind for the new year, here are a few conversations we are always happy to have:

• What your home could realistically sell for, and what you might net after typical costs

• Whether renting out your property makes sense, or if selling is the better play

• How to buy with a plan, not a rush, including what to watch in your target neighbourhood

• What simple upgrades actually matter, and which ones are rarely worth it

Happy Holidays, and thank you again

From all of us at The Johnson Team, we wish you a holiday season filled with peace, good food, and time with the people who matter most. However you celebrate, we hope it feels restful and hopeful.

And if a move is on your mind for 2026, we’d be honoured to help. Reach out to The Johnson Team anytime, and let’s start with a quick, clear conversation about your next step.