House sales in the Greater Toronto Area decreased sharply during the first half of September, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board.

They're down 16 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.

Real estate agent Richard Silver says homes are simply taking longer to sell. While he won't call it a buyer's market, Silver says the field has levelled.

"We are dealing with a purchaser who has an option, whereas a year ago he had to buy anything that came on the market, because there would have been four or five bids on the property. Today he's in a situation where he can cherry pick," said Silver.

Paul Canning, who is trying to sell his house in Leslieville, has lowered his price by $20,000, but so far he has no takers.

"It's been on the market about two months now. Maybe about 30 showings, no offers."

Numbers released this week by the Toronto board show that in the city itself, transactions are down 23 per cent in the first half of September, compared to last year,

The numbers are the same in the 905 area-code region, where sales were down 11 per cent.

This shift is changing the way real estate is sold in the GTA.

Agent Rosanna Mastendrea says the days of bidding wars appear to be over.

"I make sure that I explain the market to the sellers and explain to them that we are not in the same market as were last year, so not to expect to get $40,000 or $50,000 over asking."

As for house seller Paul Canning, he says he'll wait a few more weeks and then he's taking down his for-sale sign.