Plenty of options, not many buying: home sales drop in Waterloo Region
Posted Jan 8, 2026 04:38:41 AM.
Last Updated Jan 8, 2026 10:25:44 AM.
Fewer homeowners went to Waterloo Region in 2025, and those who did were first-time buyers.
That’s according to the latest figures from the Waterloo chapter of the Cornerstone Association of Realtors. Last year, just over 6,000 homes were sold across the region, a drop of 8.8 per cent compared to 2024.
Comparing December 2025 to December 2024, the holiday buyers were also not as active.
Last month, 306 homes were sold, a drop of 9.5 per cent year-over-year.
Christal Moura with Cornerstone said it wasn’t for a lack of options.
“In Waterloo Region, we observed an increase in new listings coming onto the market in 2025, accompanied by softening sales and longer selling times,” said Moura.
“This trend occurred during a year when affordability remained a challenge for many aspiring homebuyers, as global and economic uncertainty contributed to a weaker housing market.”
Those selling times were as high as 45 days on the market last year. In December 2024, the average selling time was around 36 days.
It was however, a bonus for first-time buyers.
“With the downward pressure on housing prices, and more options for buyers, it proved to be a good year for those first-time buyers who were able to get into the market,” said Moura.
“As we look ahead to 2026, we anticipate a more stable market, particularly with the introduction of new government incentives. Both the provincial and federal governments have announced plans to remove the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) from new homes up to $1 million for first-time buyers.”
As far as listing prices go, December 2025 saw a 5.9 per cent decrease in average sale figures year over year, ringing in around $717,000.
The average sale price of detached homes, which made up most of the properties sold, was $839,394.
