Are buyers winning in today's Simcoe County real estate market? Yes, buyer and winning and here's why this shift matters if you're thinking about purchasing a home right now.
In this video, we break down why Simcoe County has officially moved from a seller's market into a buyer's market, and how that change creates real advantages for buyers. With increased inventory, buyers now have more choice, more negotiating power, and the ability to walk away if a deal doesn't make sense. When supply outweighs demand, the leverage shifts, and buyers benefit.
We explain how price adjustments mean buyers can often afford better-quality homes than they could in previous years, sometimes with upgraded features like newer furnaces, air conditioners, or overall improved finishes. You'll also learn why sellers are now more open to negotiations, including accepting lower offers, completing repairs after inspections, and addressing issues that previously would have been ignored.
This video also covers how inspections, repair requests, and refinancing opportunities factor into today's buyer-friendly environment. Even with higher interest rates, getting into the market now can position buyers well for future refinancing when rates drop.
If you're asking whether now is the right time to buy in Simcoe County, this video explains exactly why buyer and winning and here's why applies to today's market, and why waiting may not be necessary.
Thinking about buying a home? Watch to understand the real advantages buyers have right now and why action matters.
Buyers Have the Advantage in Simcoe County: True or False?
As of right now? True.
Let's break down exactly why buyers are in the driver's seat in Simcoe County's current real estate market and what that means for anyone thinking about purchasing a home.
More Inventory Means More Choice for Buyers
One of the first reasons buyers have the advantage right now is that there's more inventory. There's more choice for buyers out there right now. We've shifted from a seller's market back to a buyer's market.
So the buyers now have more choice. Does that mean they have an advantage? Absolutely.
Instead of falling in love with one place and having no other options, chances are there's going to be another place available that might not be as expensive. When there is more supply than there is demand, the people demanding have the advantage because they can take their pick of the litter.
Why Buyers Have Negotiating Power
Being in a buyer's market obviously means there's probably more negotiations from a seller's perspective.
Sellers have to be able to entertain a lower offer coming in. That's not to say that's where the offer will end up, but you end up in more negotiations and you try and find the middle ground between where the offer was and what you're listed at.
Sometimes it doesn't work out. A lot of the time it doesn't work out. But the fact that it is an option is just another point in the buyer's favour.
How Buyers Can Save Money Right Now
One of the opportunities buyers have is you can save some money and you end up buying probably a better quality home than what you could have in the past.
Why is that?
Buying a Better Quality Home for Less
Well, because if house prices have come down, that house that was $800,000 that's now $650,000 or $700,000 as an example, maybe you couldn't have afforded that level of house at the time when prices were higher.
There are a few more things in this house that now that prices have come down, you may not have gotten before. Whether it be an updated furnace, updated air conditioner, or better finishes overall, you're ultimately ending up with a better quality home than what you could have in the past.
Interest Rates vs. Getting Into the Market
While interest rates are higher right now, if you get in and purchase a home, and if interest rates happen to lower when you go to refinance in a couple years, you might be able to save yourself a bit of money that way.
But at the end of the day, getting into a property is more important than nickel and diming your interest rate at that point. It's just another tool that buyers have in their favour.
Why This Is a Buyer's Market in Simcoe County
So it is, in essence, a buyer's market in Simcoe County. Buyers do have the advantage at this time.
More selection, more choice, better quality, or an opportunity to get a better quality home. Ultimately, those are significant advantages.
Home Inspections Are Back
One of the other benefits you have in this market being a buyer's market is now the sellers may be more willing to do a few things.
You do a home inspection on your property. In the past, first of all, if you ever got a chance to do a home inspection, that would be great. But now, maybe there are some issues with the house that you need fixed.
For example, some windows where the seals are gone, or a problem with the furnace, fireplace, or some mould in the attic.
Sellers Must Fix Issues or Lose Buyers
Now sellers are in a position where they're more willing, or they may have to do some of this work, because there are four or five other properties that are similar to theirs.
We wouldn't say "more willing." We'd say you have to if you want to sell the home.
If you choose not to do the things that the buyer is asking for, the buyer can probably go next door and get a similar home. If you are genuinely trying to sell your home, you are almost at the buyer's whim.
It's obviously a negotiation and things do go both ways, but the buyer does have more power in the fact that they have options.
Why Buyers Have Options Again
Buyers can go next door to purchase a property. Whereas in a seller's market, that's not the case.
In a seller's market, a seller can say, "Well, I don't want to make any of these choices or these changes. What are you going to do? Go buy the same property across the street? No, you can't."
But right now they probably could. So sellers are kind of at the buyer's whim.
Simple Advice: If You're Thinking of Buying, Do It
So what would we tell someone right now that's thinking about buying a house in Simcoe County?
Do it.
Plain and simple.
If you're thinking about buying a house, buy a house. There's always people who are looking for tips or whatever, but here's the real advice: go talk to a mortgage broker, and buy a house. If you're thinking of buying a house, go buy a house.
The Bottom Line
The Simcoe County real estate market has shifted decisively in favour of buyers. With more inventory, more negotiating power, the ability to afford better quality homes, and sellers who are willing (or forced) to make repairs and accommodate requests, this is genuinely a buyer's market.
Yes, interest rates are higher than they were a few years ago. But waiting for perfect conditions means you're potentially missing out on:
- More choice and selection than we've seen in years
- Better negotiating power
- The ability to buy a higher quality home for less money
- Sellers who will actually fix issues found during inspections
- The opportunity to build equity now and refinance later when rates drop
If you've been sitting on the fence about buying in Barrie or Simcoe County, now is the time to act. The advantages are real, the inventory is there, and buyers are winning.
Ready to take advantage of this buyer's market? Watch our full video breakdown where we dive deeper into why buyers are winning in Simcoe County right now and what that means for your home purchase.
