If that were entirely true, last week would have looked very different.

Instead, two of my Seller’s homes sold — and both told the same story.

There’s a lot of noise right now. Buyers are told they hold all the power. Sellers, over the past few months have been told to brace for low offers. Somewhere between those headlines and reality is where strategy lives. Let’s lead with 2 personal experiences from last week.

The first property was a bungalow with a fully above-ground in-law suite — large windows, island kitchen, two oversized bedrooms. It showed beautifully.

After the first showing, an offer came in $55,000 under asking. The agent explanation? “We’re in a buyer’s market.”

The sellers chose not to respond.

After two more showings, another offer arrived. With negotiation, it landed just under full price. The following day, at an open house we conducted due to advertising that was still active  an agent  brought buyers through and as she was leaving she  mentioned they would return once we reduced the price as it was “grossly” overpriced.

We didn’t need a price reduction, the home was already sold conditionally.

The second property had just been repositioned slightly over $1,000,000. We received five offers. The range between the least and most favourable was striking. One buyer offered over asking but made it conditional on selling a property. Another negotiated so aggressively that the seller chose not to work with them at any price.

The accepted offer came in close to asking with a perfect closing date.

Here’s what last week reinforced for me: there isn’t one “market.” There are prepared buyers, opportunistic buyers, confident sellers, and nervous sellers.

The buyers who succeeded recognized value and moved decisively.
The sellers who succeeded trusted pricing supported by data.

Before advising on price or offer strategy, I look at how similar homes are actually performing — weekly and monthly. On both of these properties, comparable homes were selling at or very close to full price. That matters.

For sellers, it prevents unnecessary panic.
For buyers, it prevents missed opportunities.

What doesn’t help is posturing — or trying to peel a tomato with a hammer. Cooperation, professionalism, and steady negotiation move transactions forward far more effectively than slogans ever will.

After the flurry of Buyers offering it crossed my mind how if any of them chose to follow the data rather than a win/lose strategy, how they may have been the ones cracking the champagne on offer night.

If you’re selling, the real question isn’t whether it’s a buyer’s market — it’s whether your home is positioned properly.

If you’re buying, it’s not whether you can negotiate hard — it’s whether you can recognize value when you see it.

That’s where outcomes are decided.

If you are curious about the market and would like a confidential strategy meeting for either buying or selling a property, I can be reached at lindsay@buyselllove.ca or 905-743-5555

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