🍁 OCTOBER REFLECTIONS: ANNIVERSARIES, MARKET MOVEMENTS & MEANINGFUL MOMENTS
September was one of those months where every day felt full. Real estate has kept us moving at full speed, and we would not have it any other way. Our team is busy organizing and preparing for our next listing in Stoney Creek, which hits the market on Tuesday, and we continue to work closely with a long list of active buyer clients. The pace is steady, the energy is high, and the fall market is showing plenty of opportunity for those ready to move.
In the middle of that busy schedule, we still took time to celebrate the moments that matter most. On September 15, we marked our wedding anniversary and were reminded how grateful we are for the years we have shared, both personally and professionally. We also celebrated our oldest son’s birthday with a day of intense paintballing, followed by a feast of pulled chicken, pulled pork, braised beef, and more cake than anyone needed. It was loud, joyful, and exactly the kind of day that makes memories.
There were other milestones too. Emese began a new role as the director of the high school choir at our kids’ school, bringing her passion for music into a space she deeply enjoys. Meanwhile, Henk spent part of the week at Winona Gospel Church, helping with the installation of a new organ that now includes a new console and speakers, refurbished chimes, and pipes repurposed from an old German pipe organ.
Through it all, real estate has remained our central focus. We prepared, listed, and sold a home in just three days, at full asking price and in competition. It was another reminder that strategy, preparation, and timing make all the difference.
🏡 REAL ESTATE IN MOTION: SIGNS BENEATH THE SURFACE
September’s market has quietly been telling a different story than what the headlines suggest.
Yes, there is talk of falling prices and slowing activity, but those headlines often miss the nuance. We track our local market data carefully and consistently. That includes median and average sale prices, inventory levels, days on market, and absorption rates. Most importantly, we look at the story behind the numbers.
In September, the median sale price remained almost flat, down just 0.68 percent from August. That kind of stability, especially after a sharper drop in August, suggests the market may be stabilizing. What stood out more was the average sale price, which jumped over 10 percent.
This tells us that more high-end homes sold in September. When buyers at the top of the market are confident enough to move, it often signals a shift in momentum.
Affluent buyers tend to sit back during uncertain periods. When they return to the market, it can be an early sign that confidence is beginning to return.
📊 SEPTEMBER BY THE NUMBERS
Here is what the data is showing:
💵 Median Price: $735,000 ▼ 0.68%
💰 Average Price: ▲ 10.13%
🏘️ Unit Sales: 404 ▲ (from 385)
⏱️ Median Days on Market: 48 ▲ (from 43)
📦 Inventory: 5.82 months (177 days) ▲ (from 5.71 / 174 days)
🆕 New Listings: 1,342, the most since May
What does this mean?
This fall market is not as active as in previous years, but it is far from slow. Well-prepared homes are still selling. Luxury activity is picking up. However, the broader political climate continues to weigh on confidence. Buyers and sellers are watching and waiting longer than usual. It is not just about prices. It is about uncertainty. And real estate is always affected by uncertainty.
Even so, many properties are moving, and the fundamentals in several segments remain solid.
🌾 RURAL REAL ESTATE: A QUIET RESILIENCE
Rural properties, especially those with acreage, are holding their value well. In many cases, they are outperforming comparable urban homes.
One reason is that more people are looking to simplify, grow their own food, gain privacy, and live with more independence. These lifestyle shifts continue to drive demand for rural real estate, even in a cautious market.
That said, location still matters. The closer a rural property is to the QEW or to major corridors, the better it tends to hold value. Properties farther out can be more vulnerable to shifts in market demand over time.
📌 WHY TALL REAL ESTATE’S ADVICE IS DIFFERENT
There is a lot of opinion in real estate right now, and a lot of guesswork. TALL Real Estate does not work that way.
Henk does not rely on gut feelings or headlines. He pulls his own data, looks for patterns, and interprets what is really happening in the local market. Every number he tracks is tied to real homes, real clients, and real stories.
That data, combined with more than a decade of hands-on experience, allows us to give our clients advice that is grounded, timely, and strategic. Whether someone is buying, selling, or simply seeking clarity, the guidance they receive is built on more than a hunch.
That is the TALL Advantage.
🙏 CLOSING THOUGHTS
As we step into October, with its crisp mornings and golden light, we’re reminded again of how good it is to live, work, and raise our family in this community. We’re thankful for the clients who trust us, the family and friends who support us, and God who continues to guide us in every season.
Whether someone is dreaming, downsizing, upsizing, or simply exploring what is next, we are here. Boots on the ground, sleeves rolled up, and ready to help.
As always, we are never too busy for your referrals
