Heaps Estrin's Blog

As much as the arrival of back-to-school ads can make it feel like summer is slipping away, we're not quite ready to let it go just yet. There are still cottage weekends to enjoy, patios to linger on, and – for the bold – perhaps an annual pilgrimage to the CNE. At the same time, August has always been a month of quiet preparation. Behind the scenes, many buyers and sellers are beginning to think about September, when many return from holidays and market activity typically accelerates.

For anyone considering a move this fall, now is the time to prepare. The strongest results rarely happen by chance. They are the product of thoughtful planning well before a property hits the market.

July's TRREB statistics point to a modest tightening in market conditions. New listings declined year over year while sales remained relatively steady, suggesting buyers may begin to face more competition than they have in recent months. On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales have now increased for five consecutive months while new listings have declined for three. Although activity remains below long-term averages, these are encouraging signs that the market is finding its footing.

One theme has emerged throughout the summer: buyers are active, but increasingly selective. They're taking a measured approach, carefully weighing value and quality before making a decision. While affordability continues to dominate many conversations, confidence remains equally important. Many buyers who have the financial ability to purchase have been waiting for greater confidence in the market and broader economy. The challenge with waiting for conditions to feel "perfect" is that markets often begin to improve before confidence fully returns. By the time everyone feels ready, the landscape has already become more competitive.

In today’s more balanced market, both buyers and sellers need to be strategic. For sellers, accurate pricing, thoughtful presentation and expert positioning are more important than ever. Buyers, meanwhile, have the leverage to negotiate more thoughtfully. The bottom line is that in a nuanced market like this one, strategy, preparation and expert guidance are the keys to achieving the best outcomes.

Throughout the summer, we've enjoyed connecting with so many of you at community events, open houses and neighbourhood gatherings. Those conversations are among the best parts of what we do and provide valuable insight into what's on the minds of Toronto buyers and sellers as we head into the fall market.

For now, we hope you'll make the most of what's left of summer. And if you're thinking about a new chapter this fall, there's no better time than now to begin the conversation. We're here, and we'd be delighted to help you prepare for what's next.

Warmly,

29 Maxwell Avenue

The Art of Living Well

Some homes impress with grand gestures. Others quietly make everyday life easier.

Set on a peaceful street in coveted Chaplin Estates, 29 Maxwell Avenue is a turnkey family home designed around the rhythms of frictionless modern living. Just ten years old, every space has been thoughtfully planned, from the open-concept main floor and ensuite bedrooms to the walk-out lower level that easily adapts to movie nights, playdates or a home office.

Outside, a private, low-maintenance backyard means weekends are spent enjoying your home rather than maintaining it. Beyond the front door, some of Toronto's most sought-after schools, parks, transit and neighbourhood amenities are all within easy reach, offering the rare balance of quiet residential living just moments from the energy of Yonge and Eglinton.

Because sometimes the greatest luxury isn't more. It's simply having life work a little more effortlessly.

MLS: C13583084
Price: $3,195,000
Beds / Baths: 4+1 / 5

For more information or to book your own personal showing, contact Amanda Gaskey.

Your Business Belongs in BEYOND
Reach Toronto's Most Influential Readers.

The Fall/Winter issue of BEYOND is almost here. Distributed to more than 40,000 homes across central Toronto and polybagged with Toronto Life plus a digital edition bringing our total readership to more than 80,000, it reaches one of the city's most engaged and affluent audiences.

The upcoming issue is shaping up to be one of our best yet, with features on TIFF, longevity and a multicultural perspective on interior design.

Interested in putting your business in front of our readers?
Contact marketing@heapsestrin.com today to learn more about the limited advertising opportunities still available.

Heaps Estrin Insiders enjoy 15% off in-store and online now through September 11, 2026. Code: INSIDER
*offer excludes art and consignment items

CALL CABOT HOME: WHERE THE FAIRWAY MEETS THE ATLANTIC
Real Estate Without Borders continues our journey beyond Toronto, spotlighting exceptional homes and destinations that capture our imagination. This month, we're heading to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where dramatic Atlantic views, world-renowned golf and timeless coastal architecture come together at Cabot.

FEATURED LISTING: CABOT CAPE BRETON CLIFFS RESIDENCE 11
BEDROOMS: 4   |   BATHROOMS: 4.5   |   3,082 SQUARE FEET
$3,700,000 CAD (turnkey, inclusive of furniture package)

Located along the renowned 11th hole of Cabot Cliffs, Canada's top-ranked golf course by SCOREGolf, this stunning four-bedroom residence pairs panoramic ocean views with some of the most captivating sunsets on the East Coast. Blending timeless coastal architecture with contemporary comfort, the home offers expansive living and entertaining spaces, spacious bedrooms, and an effortless indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Ownership at Cabot extends beyond the home, offering a vibrant coastal community centered around world-class golf, exceptional amenities, unforgettable experiences, and the relaxed luxury of coastal living.

Architect: FBM   |   Interior Design: Jill Greaves

Spot Us In The Community:
Movie Night
August 20, 2026
Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave

Doors Open at 6pm, Movie Starts at 7pm
We're proud to sponsor and pop-up at Evergreen Brick Works' Family Movie Night on August 20. Join us for a free screening of Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2, a heartwarming adventure the whole family will enjoy. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, arrive early to explore local food vendors, find the perfect spot, and be sure to stop by to say hello to our team before the movie begins at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

In case you missed it:
Blossoming by Rundi Phelan
The Lobby - 1120 Yonge Street

If you haven't yet visited Blossoming, the latest exhibition at The Lobby will be leaving August 25th. Stop by and experience the captivating work of Toronto artist Rundi Phelan. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design, Rundi has been creating bold, dreamlike paintings since 2001, blending contemporary and traditional influences into richly layered compositions that celebrate colour, texture, and imagination.

Opening Night:
Answers to Correspondents by Rebecca Wood
The Lobby - 1120 Yonge Street
September 17, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us as we introduce and celebrate artist Rebecca Wood at The Lobby. Answers to Correspondents is a new exhibition exploring memory, identity, care, and the stories we inherit. Bringing together photography, family archives, textiles, ecological imagery, and alternative photographic processes, the exhibition considers how histories can be revisited, reimagined, and transformed.