A Deeper Look at Market Trends, Prices, and Strategy
April brought a mixed bag to Burlington’s real estate market—one that signals shifting tides for both buyers and sellers. While overall sales volume remains below historical averages, we’re also seeing glimmers of strength and growing stability in certain pockets of the city. Whether you're thinking of listing your home, entering the market as a first-time buyer, or considering an investment opportunity, the story behind the numbers this month deserves your attention.
Here’s what you need to know.
Sales Activity: Recovery With Caution
Let’s start with the big picture. Burlington saw 152 residential sales in April, down a dramatic 46% year-over-year, and now sitting over 50% below the city’s long-term averages. These are not small shifts—they reflect the lingering impact of elevated interest rates, consumer hesitancy, and a market still recalibrating from the highs of the pandemic era.
However, looking at this data month-over-month tells a different story. Activity is beginning to rise off its winter lows, and more listings are entering the market—a sign that homeowners are regaining confidence and that buyers may be ready to act.
The sales-to-new listings ratio dropped to 38%, a strong indicator that buyers have more leverage. This figure is especially critical for interpreting market balance: anything below 40% typically signals a buyer’s market, where inventory exceeds demand and conditions favour negotiation.
Inventory and Time on Market: A Shift in Dynamics
Inventory climbed over 40% year-over-year, with 619 active listings, and the months of supply now at 4.07—a significant increase from the 1–2 month supply we saw in the ultra-competitive years of 2021 and 2022. In simple terms: there are more homes available, and they’re taking longer to sell.
The average days on market for April was 26, up more than 26% from the same time last year. This aligns with the narrative of a cooling market and speaks to the importance of strategic pricing. Gone are the days when simply listing a home would generate multiple offers. Today’s market rewards preparation, precision, and professional marketing.
Home Prices: Still Softening, But Stabilizing in Key Areas
Burlington’s benchmark home price in April was $960,300, marking a 3% drop from March and a 10% decline from April 2024. These price shifts underscore the impact of market uncertainty and affordability concerns, particularly among first-time buyers and downsizers.
Despite the overall dip, average residential prices came in at $1,178,724, actually up 2.4% year-over-year. This discrepancy highlights increased sales in the higher end of the market and the diversity of Burlington’s housing stock.
Let’s break this down by property type:
Detached homes averaged $1,459,387, down 6.8% year-over-year.
Semi-detached homes posted an average of $927,015, a 2.1% increase.
Row/townhomes declined 10% to $830,833.
Apartments saw a notable gain of 26%, reaching $846,506, although this is skewed by several higher-end condo sales.
What does this mean? While prices are adjusting downward overall, select categories—especially well-located condos and newer semis—are drawing increased attention as affordability pressures steer buyers toward lower-maintenance, smaller-footprint homes.
Spotlight on South Burlington Neighbourhoods
Despite the broader market cooling, Burlington 33 (Roseland) posted a 16.1% year-over-year increase in average price, climbing to $1,625,921. This is one of the strongest performances across the city and speaks to continued demand for luxury properties in walkable, well-established neighborhoods with top-rated schools and lake access.
Burlington 35 (Shoreacres) remained stable with an average price of $1,031,876—unchanged from last year—but saw a massive 121.9% increase in inventory, giving buyers more options than they’ve had in years.
Meanwhile, Burlington 30 (Aldershot) held steady, with average prices rising 4.1% to $1,098,447, and homes selling relatively quickly compared to other districts.
For sellers in these neighbourhoods, timing and presentation will be critical this season. For buyers, opportunities are emerging—especially in cases where homes have been sitting on the market and may be open to negotiation.
Strategic Insights for Buyers
Now is an excellent time to explore the Burlington market with greater confidence. Buyers have:
More choice: Inventory is up citywide, and some sellers are adjusting prices.
More time: The longer days on market give room to make thoughtful decisions.
More power: In many cases, the market has shifted to your favour.
However, with interest rates still high and competition heating up in certain segments (especially semis and condos), it’s important to be pre-approved and move swiftly when the right home appears
Advice for Sellers: It's Still a Market of Opportunity
If you're considering selling in Burlington this spring, understand that the market is price-sensitive but not dead. Sellers who approach the market with the right combination of preparation, pricing, and marketing are still finding success—particularly in South Burlington.
Your strategy should include:
Professional staging and photography
Accurate market pricing
Expert negotiation to maximize value
Homes in top-tier neighborhoods like Roseland, Shoreacres, and Aldershot continue to command attention, especially if they’re well-maintained and priced in line with current expectations.
The Bottom Line: The Market Is Rebalancing
April 2025 shows us a Burlington real estate market in transition. The post-pandemic frenzy has cooled, but demand hasn't disappeared. We’re seeing a more balanced environment—one that offers opportunities for buyers and a manageable path to success for sellers, provided they have the right guidance.
As always, real estate is local. If you want to make sense of the numbers and explore your next steps, let’s talk.
Thinking of Buying or Selling in Burlington?
We specialize in delivering luxury service at every price point, with deep expertise in Burlington’s most desirable neighborhoods, including Roseland, Shoreacres, and Aldershot. Let’s create a tailored plan that aligns with your goals—whether you're moving up, downsizing, or investing.
The statistics provided in this report are based on information from the ITSO MLS® System. Multiple MLS® Systems operate within Ontario, and while none can be guaranteed to include every property listed or sold within a given area, they effectively illustrate market trends.
