Create Your Own Backyard Staycation

Summer has a way of making us dream about vacations, but you don't have to leave home to enjoy a relaxing getaway. With a few thoughtful touches, your backyard, deck or patio can become your own private retreat where you can unwind, entertain family and friends, or simply enjoy a quiet morning coffee.

Here are a few easy ways to create a backyard staycation you'll enjoy all season long.

Add Colour and Life

Nothing brightens up an outdoor space quite like colourful flowers. If your garden beds are already planted, freshen them up by removing spent blooms and adding a few new annuals in pots or hanging baskets. Bright reds, yellows, purples and whites instantly make any space feel more inviting.

Don't forget herbs! Basil, mint, rosemary and parsley not only look beautiful but can also be picked fresh for summer meals and drinks.

Create a Comfortable Seating Area

You don't need expensive patio furniture to create a relaxing space. A comfortable chair, a few colourful outdoor cushions and a small table are all you need for a cozy reading nook or morning coffee spot.

If you have a larger space, arrange seating so friends and family can easily gather for conversation on warm summer evenings.

Light Up the Night

Solar pathway lights, lanterns and string lights are inexpensive ways to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere after the sun goes down. Soft lighting transforms an ordinary backyard into a peaceful retreat and extends the time you can enjoy being outdoors.

Bring Nature Closer

Consider adding a bird bath or planting flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators. Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, bee balm and lavender not only add beauty but also help support local wildlife. Watching birds and butterflies visit your garden is one of summer's simple pleasures.

Keep Your Lawn and Garden Healthy

July heat can be hard on lawns and gardens. Water deeply in the early morning rather than giving your lawn frequent light watering. Adding mulch around flowers and shrubs helps the soil retain moisture and reduces weeds, meaning less work and healthier plants.

Enjoy Summer Meals Outdoors

Whether it's a weekend barbecue, a picnic on the patio or dessert under the stars, eating outside makes everyday meals feel special. Try adding fresh herbs or vegetables from your own garden to make the experience even more rewarding.

Make Time to Relax

Perhaps the most important part of any staycation is simply slowing down. Put away your phone for a while, pick up a good book, listen to the birds, or enjoy a conversation with loved ones. Summer passes quickly, so take time to appreciate the little moments.

A beautiful backyard isn't about having the biggest deck or the most elaborate landscaping. It's about creating a space where you feel comfortable, relaxed and happy. Sometimes the best summer memories are made just a few steps outside your back door.

A Note from Bunny

July is one of my favourite months of the year. Whether you're tending a garden, hosting a barbecue, or simply enjoying a quiet evening on the patio, I hope you find time to slow down and appreciate the little things that make summer special.

As always, if you have any questions about your home, your neighbourhood, or the real estate market, I'm only a phone call or email away.

Wishing you a wonderful July!

Market Update

Market Gains Traction with Strong Home Sales in June and First Half of the Year

07/02/2026

Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market conditions continued to improve in June, with sales growing quite strongly year-over-year while new listings declined over the same period. For the first half of 2026, sales have also edged higher compared to the first six months of 2025, with new listings down substantially.

"After a slow start in the first quarter, we saw a marked improvement in home sales in the second quarter of this year. This result followed TRREB's 2026 outlook, which called for a year of two halves. We expect accelerating transactions and more competition between buyers in the last six months of the year, helping to satisfy pent-up demand and ultimately resulting in renewed price growth," said TRREB President Daniel Steinfeld.

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TRREB June Market Watch stats

"While the average selling price was still down year-over-year in June, the annual rate of decline has receded over the past few months. If market conditions continue to tighten in the second half of 2026, selling prices could move in line with 2025 and eventually post some increases. This would give an increasing number of households the confidence to move back into the marketplace," said TRREB's Chief Information Officer Jason Mercer.

GTA REALTORS® reported 6,770 home sales through TRREB's MLS® System in June 2026 – an increase of 9.4 per cent compared to June 2025. New listings entered into the MLS® System amounted to 17,282 – down by 12.9 per cent year-over-year.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, June 2026 home sales were up month-over-month compared to May 2026, while new listings were down, suggesting that market conditions have tightened through the spring.

The MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) Composite benchmark was down by 5.4 per cent year-over-year in June 2026. The average selling price, at $1,058,658, was down by 3.9 per cent compared to June 2025.

On a month-over-month seasonally adjusted basis, both the average selling price and MLS® HPI Composite were up slightly compared to May 2026.

"Housing affordability remains a priority for the region. Development charges, while essential to funding local infrastructure, have substantially increased the upfront cost of housing delivery. This, in turn, contributes to higher purchase prices and rental costs as they can amount to up to 20 per cent of a home's purchase price. The Canada-Ontario DC Reduction Program presents a meaningful opportunity for municipalities to reduce these charges while accessing provincial funding to offset related fiscal impacts," said TRREB CEO John DiMichele.