Beyond the Headlines: What’s Really Selling in Toronto Right Now!

The Untold Success Stories of Toronto’s Spring 2025 Market

Selling in a market dominated by headlines of falling prices, investor panic, and rising inventories, it’s easy to believe Toronto Real Estate is in a state of collapse. But what if we told you that isn’t the full picture? What if, instead of a housing apocalypse, what we’re seeing is a bifurcation—where quality, well-located, thoughtfully presented properties are not only holding their own but outperforming expectations?

This spring, our team at Fox Marin has had a front-row seat to some of the most fascinating real estate activity in the city. From family homes in the east end to downtown hard lofts to cozy condos with surprising outcomes, we’ve watched buyers show up, bidding wars break out, and quiet confidence creep back into certain segments of the market.

We’re not here to sugarcoat things. Sales are down city-wide—April 2025 saw a 23% drop in sales year-over-year, from 7,000 to 5,600 transactions. Inventory is growing. Buyer psychology is cautious. But even in this climate, properties are selling. And more importantly, they’re selling well.

Let’s take you behind the curtain.

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Case Study 1: Logan Avenue Semi-Detached

Playter Estates – Jackman School District

List Price: $1.495M | Sale Price: $1.945M | Days on Market: 8 | Offers: 7

This home was a textbook example of real estate fundamentals at work: location, presentation, and smart pricing strategy. Situated in the coveted Jackman School catchment just north of the Danforth, this two-storey semi-detached ticked all the boxes for families: walkability, top-tier schools, subway access, green space, and community spirit.

The best part? We’ve only just scratched the surface. See it all on the property site!

The property offered three bedrooms upstairs, a dug-out basement with an additional fourth bedroom and full bath, a main-floor powder room, and two-car laneway parking with laneway housing potential.

It was a narrow lot, measuring 15.75 feet wide, but it had 140 feet of depth, making the rear yard and laneway access a key value driver. And while narrow, the layout had been expertly optimized.

Renovated with a designer’s eye, the home featured built-ins, black-trimmed windows, curated lighting, and layers of texture. Importantly, it looked as good in person as it did in its marketing.

The result? Over 60 private showings, 100+ visitors at the open house, seven competing offers, and a final sale price of $1.945M—130% of list. In a “soft market,” this home outperformed because it was move-in ready, located in a high-demand pocket, and backed by a full-service marketing campaign.

See The Spaces, Hear The Stories—Watch The Full Video Breakdown Now.

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Case Study 2: Bob Mitchell Loft on Pape Avenue

East End Loft Conversion

List Price: $1.21M | Sale Price: $1.2M | Days on Market: 4 | Offers: 1

Located just south of the Danforth, this hard loft in a church conversion by renowned architect Bob Mitchell was a rare find. With 737 square feet on the main floor and an additional 360+ square feet in the lofted second level, the property featured west-facing treetop views and that elusive unicorn in loft living: a private outdoor terrace.

Photos, video, floor plans, and more – take the full tour online.

Unlike many older warehouse conversions, this space had natural light in spades. We painted out much of the original finish to lighten the space, updated light fixtures, refinished cabinetry, and re-styled the property with a warm, modern aesthetic that respected the character of the original structure.

The den in this unit wasn’t just a cut-out in a wall. It was a fully functional bonus space with a Murphy bed and the ability to be closed off for guests or work-from-home. With two washrooms, underground parking, a storage locker, and proximity to the subway, this loft was perfect for someone seeking charm with practicality.

We listed at $1.21M with offers anytime. Our first showing led to an immediate offer, and the property sold within four days at 99% of list—a strong result for the condo segment. The buyers were prepared, educated, and knew exactly what they wanted.

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Case Study 3: Heath Street East Townhouse

Midtown Toronto (Yonge & St. Clair)

List Price: $1.995M | Sale Price: $2,36M | Days on Market: 7 | Offers: 8

Set just north of St. Clair and east of Yonge, this 3+1 bed, 4-bath townhouse spanned nearly 3,000 square feet and sat on a lush ravine lot.

See all the photos, videos, and insider details – visit the property here.

With a private drive, built-in garage, and dead-end street location, the home felt like a hidden gem. Inside, it offered warm, skylit interiors, generous ceiling heights, and dramatic principal rooms, including a classic rear library with a walkout.

The home needed some updates, but it had something that most listings today don’t: soul. We collaborated closely with the seller to blend original furniture, a grand piano, and vintage artwork with contemporary styling and professional lighting.

The result? Five offers and a final sale price of $2.36M (118% of list). Buyers fell in love not only with the property’s location and potential, but with the emotional resonance of the home’s presentation.

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Case Study 4: Wellesley One-Bedroom Condo

Downtown Core (Wellesley & Church)

List Price: $535K | Sale Price: $520K | Days on Market: 9 | Offers: 1

In the thick of what many are calling a condo glut, this 520 sq. ft. one-bedroom stood out with natural light, corner exposure, and a thoughtful layout.

Ready for an insider look? Visit the listing to explore the details.

We opted not to stage this unit. Instead, we relied on a competitive price, professional photography, and strategic marketing to attract attention without overinvesting in a potentially long campaign.

To our surprise, the unit sold within nine days with only one showing—a testament to the fact that the right condo, when priced and marketed properly, can still move in this climate. It closed for exactly $1,000 per square foot.

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Case Study 5: Degrassi Street Icon

South Riverdale

List Price: $1.198M | Sale Price: $1.725M | Days on Market: 8 | Offers: 14

Yes, this is that Degrassi Street. But it wasn’t just the name that made this house famous. Listed by our own Jessica Spillas, the 1907 detached home hadn’t changed hands in decades and had been lovingly maintained in near-original condition.

Think that was impressive? You haven’t seen anything yet – view the full story here!

At just 18 feet wide on a 100-foot lot with no parking, the house could have been a hard sell. But its untouched charm, century-old details, and moody, romantic staging made it a standout.

Our staging and photography leaned into nostalgia, combining antique mirrors, deep wall colours, and character-rich styling with select new elements to spark imagination without erasing history.
The results were staggering: 50+ showings, packed open houses, 14 offers, and a final sale price of $1.725M—144% over asking.

Proof that soul still sells. Especially when it’s paired with smart strategy and design-forward presentation.

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The Big Picture: What These Stories Tell Us

This isn’t a declaration of a market turnaround. It’s a spotlight on what’s still working. Buyers in 2025 are selective. They’re sensitive to interest rates, renovation costs, and economic uncertainty. But they are not gone. They are, in fact, extremely tuned in to quality.

Whether it’s a condo, a townhouse, a loft, or a detached family home, the truth remains: when the fundamentals are strong and the presentation is exceptional, buyers show up.

These five sales had three things in common:

1. Turnkey condition or a clear path to value creation.
2. Strategic pricing tailored to the asset class and audience.
3. Full-scale marketing and editorial-quality staging that tells a compelling story.

This is a craft. It’s never just about throwing a listing on MLS.

Thinking About Selling in Fall 2025?

If you’re considering a move, don’t leave preparation to the last minute. Most of our spring listings took 4–6 weeks of pre-market preparation—everything from light fixtures to floral design, photography to fresh paint.

Take the time. Hire right. Collaborate with professionals who can unlock your home’s full story.

And if you want help with that? We’re just an email away.

Contact Fox Marin, Toronto’s downtown luxury real estate brokerage, today to learn more about the advantages of hiring a quality team!

Contact Us (We’re Nice).

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Kori Marin is a Toronto Broker & Managing Partner at Fox Marin Associates. For high-energy real estate aficionado Kori Marin, a well-lived life is achieved by maintaining an “all-in” attitude that realizes every last ounce of one’s full potential. This mindset has driven successful results in every aspect of her life – from her corporate sales and account management experience to her international travels to her years of fitness training and leadership – and is the hallmark of the exceptional work that she does on behalf of her clients in the residential real estate sector in downtown Toronto.