Key takeaways
- Average GTA prices ranged from about $605,000 for condos to $1.29 million for detached homes in September 2026.
- Ownership type matters: townhouses may be freehold or condominium.
- Have your lawyer review a resale condo’s status certificate.
- Check monthly fees and the reserve fund.
In this chapter
Visual guide · GTA buying guide
Average price by home type, GTA, September 2026
Detached Homes
A detached home stands on its own lot, with no shared walls. You get privacy, usually some outdoor space, and more freedom to renovate, subject to local rules.
You also carry all of the upkeep, from the roof to the driveway. Detached homes are generally the most expensive type in the GTA, averaging about $1.29 million in September 2026.
Styles range from bungalows to large two-storey homes. Think about how the layout fits your life now and later. Stairs may not bother you today, but they might in 20 years.
Before you buy, look at the age of the roof, furnace, wiring and plumbing. Older homes can have great character, but also bigger repair bills. Check local zoning if you’re hoping to add a suite or an addition.
Visual guide · GTA buying guide
Compare home types
| Type | Monthly fees | Exterior upkeep | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | Usually none | You | Highest |
| Semi-detached | Usually none | You | Shared wall |
| Townhouse | Depends on title | Depends on title | Shared walls |
| Condo | Yes | Corporation | Shared building |
Bungalow or two-storey?
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Zoning for additions
What it isRules on lot coverage, height and second units.
Why it mattersThey limit what you can build later.
What to doCheck them before you pay for potential.
Semi-Detached Homes
A semi-detached home shares one wall with its neighbour. It’s still a house, usually with its own yard and entrance, and it often costs less than a similar detached home nearby.
The shared wall is the main thing to check. Visit when the neighbours are likely to be home, and listen for noise. Ask your inspector to look at the shared wall, the roof where the two homes meet and any shared driveway.
Check the lot, parking and basement too. In older Toronto neighbourhoods, a semi may offer the location of a more expensive area at a lower price.
Common expense fees
What it isMonthly fees that condo owners pay for shared costs.
Why it mattersThey can change, and they affect what you can afford.
What to doAsk what’s included, and review fee history.
Freehold and condo townhouse
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Townhouses
A townhouse is joined to its neighbours along a row, often over several floors. The average GTA townhouse sold for about $820,000 in September 2026, compared with about $1.29 million for a detached home.
The key question is whether it’s freehold or condominium. With a freehold townhouse, you own the land and look after everything yourself. With a condo townhouse, you pay monthly fees, and shared items are managed by the condo corporation. Some freehold townhouses also pay a fee for shared roads or services, so ask.
Look at the stairs, parking and storage, and at how much of the upkeep is yours.
Condominiums
With a condo, you own your unit and a share of the common elements, such as lobbies, elevators and the roof. You pay monthly common expense fees, and the condo corporation looks after the shared parts of the building.
Condos are often the lowest-priced way to buy, and they’re often close to transit. Be sure to compare the full monthly cost, including fees.
For a resale unit, make your offer conditional on your lawyer’s review of the status certificate. It covers the corporation’s budget, reserve fund, rules, legal matters and any planned special assessments. A low reserve fund can mean higher fees or a large bill later.
Read the rules on pets, rentals and renovations too. Some projects are co-ownership or leasehold, which work very differently, so read the documents carefully.
