We kick off our fall real estate market updates with Sebastian Clovis. A key member of the Post City Real Estate Roundtable live event every March, Clove is a well-known renovator as well as host of many top home renovation TV shows and has made numerous TV appearances on shows such as Marilyn Denis and The Good Stuff. Here, Clovis talks about the highs and lows of his career, as well as what he sees happening in the local real estate market this fall and into 2026.

As we head into the fall market, what trends or shifts are you anticipating in the Toronto real estate landscape, and how should buyers or sellers be preparing?

As we head into Toronto’s fall market, there are more homes up for grabs than we’ve seen in a while, and prices are getting a bit of a haircut. That means buyers can breathe a little easier and flex their negotiation muscles. Affordability is still tough, and interest rates, while sliding down a touch, aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet yet. If you’re selling, this is the time to price smart and like a first date, dress to impress. If you’re buying, slow down, shop around, and look for a home that’ll keep you happy long after the honeymoon phase. Focus on the long-term value because the right property, in the right location, will always pay you back in quality of life.

What’s your current take on the Toronto condo market — is it undervalued, still overheated, or finding a new balance? What should buyers and investors be watching for?

Toronto’s condo market isn’t exactly overheated these days. Prices have come down significantly, and inventory is stacked up like a half played Jenga tower. Investors are feeling the squeeze with cash flow turning negative across the board and that gives buyers and renters a rare upper hand. As I see it, it’s a great time to buy while sellers are motivated, but if you’re investing, double check your cash-flow math and be sure the numbers work beyond just hopes of appreciation.

Looking back at your career or recent projects, what has been your proudest moment or biggest “win” in Toronto real estate, and what made it stand out for you?

One of my proudest moments came in 2022, when a family in Leslieville asked me to take on what they thought was a straightforward “fix-it-up” renovation. The house was in rough shape, sloping floors, cracked drywall, etc. Once we started demo, the real story came out. Underneath all the patchwork repairs, we found what looked like a DIY underpinning job. It’s hard to describe how dangerous it was, and I hadn’t seen anything like it before or since. That botched work caused cracks in the brickwork running all the way from the basement right up to the attic. The whole structure was shifting and crumbling. To make things trickier, it was a semi-detached home, so we had to rebuild with extreme precision to protect both houses. It pushed our engineering and building skills to the limit, but ultimately, we pulled that home, and those homeowners out of a nightmare. If it’s not my proudest moment; it’s certainly one of my favourite war stories from the reno trenches.

Can you share a time when something didn’t go as planned and what happened in that situation?

I once stepped in on a job after the original contractor bailed on the homeowners halfway through the build. On paper, it looked straightforward, finish up what was started and get them moved in. Once we got started, we discovered the previous contractor had cut through eleven joists, leaving them at maybe 10 – 20% of their strength. Breaking that news to the homeowners was tough, they’d already paid for the work, and now they had to pay again to fix it. It was a rough lesson for them, but it’s a reality of renovations: surprises happen. That’s why it advisable for people to have a 15 – 20% contingency fund, because you never know what’s hiding behind the walls, or in this case, under the floors.

What’s one key lesson you’ve learned from a challenging or unexpected outcome — a situation that wasn’t quite a win or a loss — and how has it influenced your approach today?

One key lesson came from hiring a subcontractor I hadn’t worked with before but knew of through a loose association. Their online reviews looked good, and after an interview I felt confident, turns out I was wrong. What started as polite communication quickly derailed: they missed deadlines, delivered subpar work, and failed to communicate. The person in charge blamed everyone but themselves, putting the homeowners and our project at risk. We had to end the relationship and pay out of pocket to fix their mistakes. It was a costly, five-figure lesson. The experience taught me that even the tightest contract can’t protect you from someone with bad intentions. Since then, my approach to hiring subtrades has completely changed: all new trades now start on small jobs so I can personally vet their work before trusting them with larger projects. As for online reviews, I don’t rely on them, they’re too easy to manipulate. However, there is a silver lining to the story. The homeowner appreciated my transparency and proactive approach, and the project ended up stellar. That client has since sent several referrals our way, which makes the headache worth it.

Looking ahead to 2026, where do you see the Toronto real estate market heading in terms of pricing, inventory, and investor sentiment?

Looking into 2026, I think Toronto’s housing market will still be in a bit of a holding pattern, kind of like that friend who’s “just about” to start their renovation but has been saying that for years. Prices probably won’t be going up any time soon; in fact, they may stay flat or dip a bit, especially in condo-heavy areas where supply is piling up. I think investors and regular home buyers alike can play it safe and hold out for their choice picks. Shop smart, find a home that fits your life, your budget, and don’t rush.