I joined CTV News Kitchener in studio on July 20 to talk about what is happening in our local housing market, along with a few tips for anyone buying or selling in Waterloo Region this summer. Below is a summary of what we covered, plus some practical notes for buyers and sellers in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. The full segment aired on CTV News Kitchener on July 20, 2026.
What trends are we seeing in Waterloo Region?
The first question was about trends, and the biggest one right now is inventory. A lot of inventory is increasing, which simply means we have more homes for sale. Because of that, things are taking a little bit longer to sell, and that creates some real opportunities for our buyers.
Advice for first time home buyers
For first time buyers, I look at this two different ways.
First, pricing has come down. The sellers that are actually selling are the ones priced in line with the market, and there is a lot to choose from. Buyers can go out, look at plenty of options, and take their time to find the right fit.
Second, new builds. That includes new build condo developments and new build single detached homes. The government has introduced an HST incentive where you get your HST money back, which is huge. It is a massive amount of money, roughly 13 percent. As I said on air, at no time in our industry have we had the government say we are going to give you this much money back. It works up to a million dollars, and it is not just for first time buyers. It affects any buyer, so it is a big opportunity.
Is now the time to buy?
The host asked about people who have been hemming and hawing. My answer: “Yesterday was always the best day to buy real estate.” That is what they say. But if I were back in the market as a buyer, yes, I would absolutely encourage people to get in. Many buyers have had a lot of time saving and waiting. Interest rates are still fairly low. Inflation is going up a little, but that is affected mainly by gas, not by real estate. Compared with what we have seen in the past, this is a solid foundation to get your footing in the market.
How long are homes staying on the market?
Right now we are in what is called a balanced market. That is interesting to me, because I got into real estate in 2012 and it was a balanced market then too. In 2015 we went into a seller’s market and pretty much stayed there until 2022, and we have been bouncing around since.
Today we have 4.1 months of inventory. In plain terms, if you put your home up for sale and no other homes like yours came on the market, it would take about 4.1 months to sell. That is where our market sits.
What is working for sellers right now
The sellers who are actually selling are the ones priced effectively the first shot out of the gate, not the ones relying on price reductions. If you are thinking about selling your home, you need to be priced right from the very beginning. You also have to show well.
The other homes that are selling are the ones with income potential: basement apartments, in law setups and other income helpers. If your home has one, make sure buyers understand that value.
Advice for frustrated sellers
When the host asked what I would tell sellers who are frustrated, my first answer was “Call me.” On a serious note, I said regauge and reset. Look at what you have. Look at the comparable homes you are competing against, and be objective. “Remove the emotion, put logic back into place, and see where you actually sit, because it’s probably going to be a little bit less than you thought.”
That can be hard to hear, but it is the fastest path to a sale in a balanced market.
What this means for you
If you are buying in Waterloo Region, there is more to choose from, prices have softened, and the HST incentive on new builds can make a real difference. If you are selling, price it right from day one, make sure your home shows well, and highlight any income potential.
Every neighbourhood is a little different, so general trends only tell part of the story. If you want to know where your home fits, find out what your home is worth or reach out to Shaw Realty Group directly. As I said on CTV, you can find all of our contact info at ShawRealtyGroup.com. Give us a call. I answer my phone on the first ring, and we are always happy to talk through your plans in Cambridge, Kitchener or Waterloo.