10/12/2026
If you’re considering a larger home, a slower market can create an opportunity—even if your current home would sell for less than it once could have.
One number worth watching is the price difference between the home you own and the one you want to buy.
Consider this hypothetical example:
• Your current home was worth $1.2 million.
• The larger home you wanted was $1.8 million.
• The difference was $600,000.
If both properties declined by 10%, their values would become $1.08 million and $1.62 million. The difference would shrink to $540,000.
You’d receive $120,000 less on your sale, but pay $180,000 less on your purchase. That’s a $60,000 reduction in the price gap, before transaction costs.
But there are a few things to keep in mind.
Toronto neighbourhoods and property types don’t all move together. If your current home falls more than the home you want, the gap could actually widen.
A smaller gap also doesn’t automatically mean manageable monthly payments. Mortgage rates, available equity, land transfer taxes, selling costs, and the expenses of maintaining a larger home all need to fit your budget.
And while a slower market may give you more choice and negotiating room as a buyer, it can also make selling your current home more challenging. Coordinating both transactions matters.
The takeaway? A lower sale price alone doesn’t tell you whether moving is a good financial decision.
Look at realistic sale proceeds, the negotiated purchase price, the full cost of moving, and the ongoing payments.
For homeowners who need more space and plan to stay for years, a slower market may make the move more achievable. The opportunity depends on how both sides of the transaction work together.
Thinking of moving up to a larger home? Contact me with your questions and to receive a complimentary home evaluation on your home so you can make the right decision based on the current market.
www.bradenwhite.com
