Let’s set the scene: it’s summer 2025, the air is thick with the scent of backyard barbecues, buyers’ remorse, and—most potent of all—REALTOR® business cards. In every Tim Hortons and curling rink, at every Pilates class, and on that “local Facebook group” with 143 admins, someone’s uncle, best friend, or dog walker seems to be an Ontario realtor hustling for your business. If you’re house-hunting or desperately trying to offload your three-bedroom “open concept” shoebox, you’re not imagining things—Ontario now boasts over 85,000 licensed real estate professionals, and many market watchers predict the number will break 98,000 before next year.
Let’s be honest: there are nearly as many agents as active listings these days, and a neck-and-neck race between the two is about as riveting as the Leafs’ annual playoff run.
Supply, Meet…More Supply
To put this into context, the Greater Toronto Area alone has over 70,000 realtors. That’s about one for every 93 residents and at least three for every hopeful first-time buyer downing Pepto-Bismol at their pre-approval appointment. Why so many? Because real estate in Ontario is still seen as the golden ticket, the career path that offers flexible hours, big commissions, and the chance to get your face on a bus bench—an aspiration previously reserved for B-list local politicians and radio hosts.
But this surging supply isn’t just an occupational curiosity. It’s a symptom of deeper structural weirdness in Ontario’s real estate markets—the product of low entry barriers, urban growth, and years of FOMO-fueled speculation.
Welcome to the Hunger Games: Ontario MLS® Edition
At first blush, an army of agents might sound great for consumers—competition breeds excellence, right? In theory, yes. In practice, it breeds desperation, discounting, and a sales pitch every time you step out to buy milk. With new listings surging to historic highs (over 78,000 active listings at the end of June 2025), but sales volumes stagnating for months, agents are forced into a Thunderdome where only the most creative survive. (Ask your neighbourhood agent about their latest TikTok dance video tours, or that home “aromatherapy staging package.”)
For buyers and sellers, this means:
- Choice overload: How do you separate the seasoned pros from the fresh graduates whose entire negotiation playbook comes from Selling Sunset reruns?
- Quality mismatch: Not all agents are equal. Some will navigate bidding wars and inspection nightmares with finesse; others might just leave you with a free calendar fridge magnet and existential regret.
- Pressure tactics: With so many agents vying for sparse deals, expect aggressive marketing, relentless follow-ups, and commission discounting that’s more cut-throat than Black Friday at Best Buy.
“But It’s Good for Buyers, Right?”
(Narrator: It Was Not)
The current market is, on paper, a “buyer’s market”—but only if you have the nerves of a blackjack dealer and a solid line of credit. House sales have dropped 26.7% year-over-year. The Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio sits at 39%, a clear sign that sellers outnumber buyers and homes are lingering on MLS® longer than most New Year’s resolutions. Inventory is up, prices are gently sliding, and there’s no shortage of agents promising you hidden gems and “massive price drops.”
So why isn’t this a buyer’s paradise? Here’s a taste:
- High interest rates are still casting a shadow; even recent Bank of Canada cuts haven’t made mortgage payments pain-free.
- Stagnant wages and economic uncertainty have meant that desire and ability to buy homes are two very different things.
- Many agents now specialize in not just selling homes, but in managing expectations—think less Selling Sunset and more Couples Therapy With a For Sale Sign.
“What’s Wrong With Too Many Agents?”
- Diminished Expertise, Lowered Standards: More agents does not mean more experience. In a mad dash for commission, some newcomers cut corners. From low-ball offers to “overly creative” pricing strategies, the sheer number of greenhorns dilutes quality. For buyers, this can mean missed red flags; for sellers, embarrassing open houses featuring lukewarm coffee and PowerPoint slides.
- Commission Wars & Devalued Service: In a crowded market, agents undercut each other, often slashing their commissions in a bid to secure business. While this lowers costs for some sellers, it can also mean less money for marketing, staging, and actual hands-on representation. You may get what you pay for—a “For Sale” sign and a prayer.
- Confused Consumers: The book of “How to Pick the Right Agent” has never been longer. With so much choice, analysis paralysis reigns. Some folks pick based on Instagram followers. Others, by who brought the biggest balloon arch to the open house.
- Market Volatility and Desperation: Tons of agents scrambling for a shrinking pie brings more questionable deals, “pocket listings,” and whispered promises of “off-market exclusives.” For the unscrupulous, regulations and ethics become, at best, “suggestions.”
Realtors for Every Occasion
Imagine if there were 85,000 dentists in Ontario and only 10,000 people with teeth pain at a time. Suddenly every walk down Queen Street would be a parade of people offering free check-ups, “gentle scaling packages,” and glossy pamphlets on the perils of gingivitis. That’s the Ontario real estate scene in 2025. A “realtor glut” means you could easily put together an all-agent curling team in your office and still have two left over for backup colour commentary.
“Why Don’t We Just Raise the Bar?”
Regulators have taken small steps: RECO has introduced slightly stricter licensing requirements and education programs. But the fundamental barriers—cost of entry, the lure of commission windfalls, and the dream of being the neighbourhood superstar—remain low. Until the culture around real estate as a career changes (and we stop rewarding “side hustle, hustle culture” with so many reality TV shows), the agent glut will persist.
What Can Buyers & Sellers Do?
- Shop for experience, not the lowest commission: Check reviews, ask for references, and demand specifics about marketing plans. Don’t be swayed by “free staging” or the promise to “get you over asking.” (In 2025, that’s basically code for “I own a ring light.”)
- Ask about local expertise: Your cousin’s friend’s son may have a license, but do they actually know the difference between Roncesvalles and Roncy? (Trick question: “Roncy” is Roncesvalles.)
- Insist on transparency: In a saturated market, some agents get sneaky with “exclusive” listings and commission splits. Insist on seeing the paperwork and all your offers.
The Punchline: Too Many Cooks, Not Enough Kitchens
Ontario’s real estate sector isn’t just oversupplied with houses—it’s oversupplied with those hoping to sell them, in a market already strained by affordability crises, declining sales, and record-high inventories. This isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a symptom of deeper trouble in how we manage careers, train professionals, and ultimately…trust expertise.
So next time you’re approached at your local farmers’ market (“Hey— are you looking to move soon?”), take a moment. Smile, be polite, and—if necessary—run. Not all heroes wear capes. Some carry glossy flyers and hand sanitizer.
And if you’re thinking of getting your real estate license in Ontario this year? Maybe—just maybe—“there’s never been a better time” should sound less like a call to action, and more like the start of a punchline.
PS: If you’ve read this far and you’re a licensed agent, relax. You’re already ahead of the curve—by virtue of reading things longer than a TikTok comment thread.
