Real Estate Talk:
Fall market preparation

How to prepare for when the wheels start turning again

By Joseph Marovitch

Updated August 7, 2025

There are certain months of the year when the real estate market wheels move quickly. Of these months, some are busier than others. People always buy or sell throughout the year due to circumstances, such as relocation due to a job, changed finances, downsizing due to kids moving out, and upsizing due to babies being on the way. Then, there are speculators/investors buying with cash when rates are high or buying on credit when rates are low.

Preparing a property to sell and showing before the Fall is the only way to get a running start.

However, the average buyer purchases either before or after the holidays. From mid-January to March, the market will be active. This is the time after Christmas and New Year’s when people return to work, review their assets, and purchase a property in mid-winter with a spring moving date.

May, June, and July are another bump in activity when spring is in the air and people come out of their homes and visit open houses, check the market, buy a property, and arrange a summer move, which is easier and less expensive than a mid-winter move. However, once the construction holiday commences between July and August, the market slows down.

Then there are September and October, which, in this broker’s opinion, appear to be the busiest. Buyers and sellers have had the whole summer to lounge by the pool and talk with their friends and family around the BBQ about moving after the holidays. They have been checking real estate in the local papers, driven by a few for-sale signs, and maybe attended a few open houses. They intend to put their plans into action when September comes.

The issue for sellers is that summer is the best time to show a property when homes show best with sunshine and greenery. So, even though the market is quieter in August, preparing a property to sell and showing it before the Fall is the only way to get a running start. Keys to prepping are cut grass, cared-for gardens, cosmetic repairs to fences, balconies, and windows, and a little paint here and there if needed. Finally, a “for sale” sign in front of what looks like a dollhouse. This will be the photo the broker uses for the listing on Centris during the Fall.

‘If you are not sure how to prepare your home, ask your broker, who may have experience in home décor or can refer you to an interior decorator.’

Fall is colourful and windy, with cold currents in the air. Knowing the Fall conditions helps in preparation. If Fall is cooler, then prepping the house to be as warm and inviting as possible is a good idea. Any property for sale should be kept tidy for showings and open houses.

To prepare in August for the September market, simply arrange the furniture to make the room appear bright and spacious. Place a few blankets on the couch. If you are going to create any aromas in the house, make sure it is baked bread, cookies (not peanut butter cookies), or coffee, not fish or cigarette smoke. Make cosmetic repairs if required. Turn on the electric or gas fireplace and keep the interior and exterior tidy. The seller wants the house to both wow the buyer and have the buyer feel as if they already own the home.

Professionals know what is best and most neutral to appeal to all tastes. We tend to arrange our lives according to our own tastes; however, buyers all have different tastes, so it is best to remain tasteful yet neutral. If you are not sure how to prepare your home, ask your broker, who may have experience in home décor or can refer you to an interior decorator.

The information in these articles is a summary. Should you have questions, comments or wish to discuss further, please refer to the comments section at the bottom of the page or contact me directly. As well, to view past articles, click here.

Next article: The perfect property

State of the market

According to a recent article in Global News by Sean Previl on August 5, buyers are feeling more confident in the real estate market since the Fed announced the overnight interest rates will remain at 2.75%. There appears to be a feeling that the hesitation to enter the market due to tariffs has abated. For buyers, if the newly introduced 35% tariffs cause inflation to rise, the Bank of Canada may reduce the interest rates further, which is a plus for buyers. Property prices may have risen, but borrowing costs have decreased.

‘Keep in mind, there are certain months when the real estate market spikes in terms of buying and selling, and September is one of those times, if not the most progressive of the year.’

There are still unstable variables that can affect the market, such as escalating war in Europe, the Gaza situation, and global and national politics. These variables, if they remain unstable or escalate, can slow down the supply chain, causing increased inflation and higher carrying costs, which may reduce borrowing costs, but expenses on maintaining a property may increase.

Keep in mind, there are certain months when the real estate market spikes in terms of buying and selling, and September is one of those times, if not the most progressive of the year. Currently, the market appears normal to many Canadians. Therefore, expect a sturdy market of supply and demand over the next few months.

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Joseph Marovitch has worked in the service industry for over 30 years. His first career was working with families from Westmount and surrounding areas, hosting children between the ages of 6 to 16 as the owner and director of Camp Maromac, a sports and arts sleep-away summer camp established in 1968. Joseph applies the same strengths of caring for the families, such as reliability, integrity, honesty, and a deep sense of protecting the interests of those he is responsible for, to his present real estate broker career. Should you have questions please feel free to contact Joseph Marovitch at 514 825-8771, or josephmarovitch@gmail.com