Spring is here, and the GTA housing market is picking up speed—but not evenly. Depending on the type of home you’re looking at and where you’re shopping, your experience could range from a frantic bidding war to a leisurely search with plenty of room to negotiate.
Zoocasa analyzed the latest February 2026 data from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) to see how quickly different homes are flying off the market. By comparing detached houses, semi-detached houses, and condos in cities where all three are sold, we’ve identified a clear hierarchy across property types in the GTA, along with a few surprising exceptions.
Semi-Detached Homes Are the Fastest-Selling Property Type in the GTA
Across the board, semi-detached homes are outpacing every other property type. GTA-wide, semis sold in an average of 23 days, compared to 33 days for detached homes and 43 days for condos. In most of the 18 areas with complete data, semi-detached homes had the shortest time on the market.
Why? Semi-detached homes hit a sweet spot in pricing. They offer more space and privacy than a condo apartment while costing roughly 25 to 40% less than a fully detached home in most of the GTA markets we analyzed. In the 905, opting for a semi-detached home over a detached one saves buyers a staggering $376,379—a 43.6% discount. Interestingly, that price gap shrinks in the 416, where the same trade-off saves $338,690, or a more modest 27.5%.
For first-time buyers and young families stretching their budgets, that combination is hard to beat.
The market for semi-detached homes is moving incredibly fast. In February alone, 53 homes were sold across these four areas, often within just a few days of hitting the market.
- Toronto West*: 1 day on market (33 sales)
- Newmarket: 2 days on market (16 sales)
- Burlington: 3 days on market (3 sales)
- Aurora: 4 days on market (1 sale)
*Toronto West covers west-end neighbourhoods like High Park, Bloor West Village, the Junction, and parts of Etobicoke.
Condo Market: More Inventory, More Time to Decide
The condo apartment market is much slower. With an average of 43 days on the market GTA-wide, condos are sitting on the market nearly twice as long as semis. In some areas, the wait is even longer.
Halton Hills condos averaged a sluggish 92 days on the market, while Pickering condos sat for 86 days and Brampton condos, 62 days. Even in the City of Toronto, condos are taking over 40 days to sell across all three sub-regions.
The extended timelines reflect a broader trend of condo oversupply across the GTA. For buyers, this means more options and more negotiating power. For sellers, it means pricing competitively from day one is essential; overpricing a condo in this market will only add weeks to your listing.
The one notable exception? Vaughan, where condos sold in just 7 days on average, the fastest of any property type in any area. This outlier is worth watching to see whether it signals a pocket of condo strength or a one-month anomaly.
Detached Homes: Steady Demand, With One Standout
Detached homes are moving at a moderate pace across most of the GTA, with an average of 33 days on the market. In higher-end areas like Toronto Central ($2.2M average) and Oakville ($1.87M average), detached homes are selling in about 27–34 days.
Meanwhile, Oshawa is a standout for the detached home market. Detached homes here averaged just $778,655 and sold in only 7 days, the fastest detached market in the entire GTA. At nearly half the regional average price, Oshawa offers one of the best value propositions for buyers looking for a house with a yard and a garage.
This pattern is consistent with what we saw in the fall 2024 market: relative affordability drives faster sales. The more accessible the price point, the quicker homes move.
Quick Takeaways for Buyers
Looking for a semi-detached home? Be prepared to act quickly. In most GTA cities, semis are selling in under three weeks. Get your financing in order before you start viewing, and be ready to submit an offer the same day in hot markets like Toronto West, Newmarket, and Burlington.
Shopping for a condo? Take your time. With inventory sitting for 40–90+ days in many areas, you have the luxury of comparing options. Don’t be afraid to negotiate below asking, especially in Halton Hills, Pickering, and Brampton, where days on market are well above average.
Want the best value? Look east. The Durham Region, particularly Oshawa, Whitby, and Pickering, continues to offer some of the most affordable prices in the GTA. Oshawa’s detached homes at $779K and Newmarket’s semis at $639K represent standout entry points for first-time buyers.
What This Means For Sellers in Spring 2026
Spring 2026 is prime for selling semi-detached homes. High demand and rapid turnover mean well-priced listings move in days, not weeks. Consider strategic pricing to attract multiple offers.
Listing a condo? Manage your expectations on the timeline. Study comparable sold prices carefully, not just what other units are listed at, and price accordingly. A competitively priced condo will still sell, but expect the process to take four to six weeks or more in most markets.
Selling detached? Plan for about a month on the market in most areas. If you’re in a more affordable pocket like Oshawa or Clarington, you may see faster results. In premium markets like Toronto Central or Oakville, patience and strong staging will pay off.
Where Investors Should Look For Homes This Spring
The extended days-on-market for condos across the GTA may signal buying opportunities for long-term investors. With sellers feeling the pressure of longer listing periods, there’s room to negotiate, particularly in areas with strong rental demand, such as Toronto Central, Mississauga, and Brampton.
Semi-detached homes offer an attractive risk-reward profile for renovation or rental strategies. The combination of strong buyer demand, mid-range pricing ($800K–$1.1M in most areas), and fast turnover makes semis a compelling option. Markham, Pickering, and Aurora stand out as areas where investor demand and end-buyer demand overlap.
The Durham Region remains the GTA’s best-value corridor. As transit infrastructure continues to develop and Toronto prices push more buyers eastward, areas like Oshawa and Whitby are positioned for steady appreciation over the next several years.
The Bottom Line
The spring 2026 GTA market has a clear message: semi-detached homes are in the highest demand, condos are giving buyers the most leverage, and affordability continues to drive the fastest sales. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seller weighing your options, or an investor looking for your next move, understanding the pace of your local market is the first step to making a smart decision.
Ready to explore your options in the housing market this spring? Having the right data and the right team makes all the difference. Reach out to an agent today to talk about your real estate goals.
