Quick weekend trip to Ohio = great for my soul, not so much for my gas tank. I filled up at a mystery station and bam! my car started coughing like it had swallowed a bug. A full tank of quality fuel from a national chain later, and it was purring like a kitten again.

Lesson learned? What you put in matters.

That thought hit me again when I got back to work and noticed the flood of new listings pouring into the market—especially in Oshawa and Whitby. In just five days over the long weekend, 81 detached homes hit the market. Seemed like a frenzy… until I took a closer look. 🧐

Turns out, 37 homes were truly new, while 43 were “churned”—previously listed homes that were pulled off the market and then relaunched as fresh inventory. A common real estate trick known as… drumroll… churning. Imagine stirring soup: it looks like something’s happening, but it’s the same ingredients spinning around.

Some homes came back at the same price. A few dropped. A few even raised their price (bold move!). The end result? Buyers see a surge in listings and think, “Whoa, is it turning into a buyer’s market?” Meanwhile, sellers get nervous or confused. But in reality, not much has changed—just a little real estate sleight-of-hand.

This churn-fest peaks in May and June, right when the market usually starts slowing into summer. Homes that didn’t sell in spring get rebranded and relaunched in hopes of catching fresh eyes.

Why don’t homes sell the first time around? Usually a combo of location, condition, terms, and—yep, you guessed it—price. In my experience, if the price is on point, even a home with quirks can find a buyer.

Out of the 41 homes in Whitby that were relisted, 5 actually increased their asking price. Those relisted properties are the “imposters”—masquerading as brand-new listings when in fact, they’ve already had their shot.

So what does this have to do with my gas mishap? Just like your car runs better with premium fuel, real estate success depends on the quality of what you put in. And the highest-octane fuel you can get as a seller? A full-time, local, experienced agent who knows how to prep, market, and negotiate your sale with strategy—not guesswork.

In red-hot markets, homes might “sell themselves.” But right now? You need someone who can spot imposters, stir the pot strategically, and get your home seen for real.

Don’t let your listing go stale. Let’s make your move a smart one.
📧 lindsay@buyselllove.ca | 📞 905-743-5555

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