The truth: real estate is seasonal, but your life isn’t

It’s normal for real estate activity to follow seasonal patterns. Industry stats are often seasonally adjusted precisely because months behave differently across the year. CREA has even used Christmas as the simplest example of why seasonal adjustment exists: it removes “normal seasonal fluctuations” so month-to-month comparisons are meaningful.

Statistics Canada explains the same concept: seasonal adjustment removes the average effect of recurring seasonal factors from monthly or quarterly data. Statistics Canada

And real estate boards have long acknowledged the practical reality: more transactions often happen in spring than in other periods of the year.

So, yes, spring is typically more active. The better question is: what changes when more people show up at once?

If you’re a buyer: waiting can give you more choice, but also more competition

In a busier season, you often see:

• More new listings to pick from

• More buyers shopping at the same time

• Faster decision cycles on the best homes

In Windsor–Essex right now, the market has been described as balanced overall with different dynamics depending on price range.

That means “waiting for spring” doesn’t guarantee better pricing or an easier experience. It usually just changes the mix of options and competition.

If you’re a seller: waiting can bring more buyers, but also more competing listings

This is the part most homeowners ignore.

If spring brings a bigger wave of listings (which often happens in seasonal markets), you may get more buyers, but you also may face:

• More comparable listings stealing attention

• More pressure to price perfectly from day one

• Less room for “test the market” pricing

In October 2025, Windsor–Essex had 2,134 active listings and 3.9 months of inventory, already above the long-run October average per CREA’s local board stats commentary. CREA Stats

If supply is already elevated, adding more competition later can be a real factor for sellers.

A simple decision framework that beats “spring fever”

Instead of asking “Is spring better?” ask these three questions:

1. What problem am I trying to solve by waiting?
   More listings? More confidence? Better weather? More savings?

2. What is the cost of waiting?
   Extra rent or mortgage payments, missed school timing, delayed lifestyle change, or competition shifting.

3. What would make me feel confident buying or selling now?
   A firm budget, a clean plan, the right property type, or stronger sale prep.

If you can answer #3, you’re usually ready. If you can’t, waiting can be smart, but only if you use the time to prepare rather than just hope.

How we help clients make the call

At The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team, we don’t push a season. We run the numbers and the strategy:

• If you’re buying: we build a watchlist, comps, and a decision trigger.

• If you’re selling: we build a prep plan, pricing range, and launch strategy.

If you tell your Realtor your neighbourhood, price range, and whether you’re buying, selling, or both, ask them to outline the most practical “now vs. spring” plan for your situation.

At The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team Ltd., Brokerage, we help buyers and sellers across Windsor–Essex County make confident decisions with clear strategy, strong negotiation, and a calm, professional process from start to finish. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or planning a move for 2026, our team will give you straightforward advice, local market context, and a step-by-step plan that fits your timeline. We’ll make sure you feel informed before you feel pressured.  If you have questions about the buying or selling process in the Windsor and Essex County market, reach out to a team with a proven track record of success.

The blog is not intended to solicit those under contract with another brokerage nor is it intended to replace legal, accounting or financial advice.