December 2025 Market Report: A Quiet Finish to a Balanced Year
Team Olivieri
Friday, January 9, 2026
As 2025 drew to a close, the local real estate market across Brantford, Brant County, Paris, Cambridge, and Kitchener eased into a quieter but still steady December.
After two months of strong fall activity, we saw the usual cooldown take hold — fewer listings, slower sales, and a small dip in average prices. Yet even with that seasonal slowdown, the market stayed remarkably balanced, showing underlying strength as we step into 2026.
December’s stats confirmed what most local agents expected after an eventful autumn — activity tapered off as both buyers and sellers paused for the holidays.
Brantford, for instance, saw new listings fall nearly 50%, dropping from 172 in November to just 88 in December. Brant County and Cambridge followed suit with similar declines between 40% and 55%. It’s typical for this time of year, but the key takeaway is that prices didn’t crumble with the slowdown.
In fact, average sold prices across most areas remained solid. Brant County actually rose 4% month-over-month, climbing to just under $796,000, while Paris rebounded sharply, up about 16% from November’s dip. Kitchener continued its consistent run, with sales averaging just over $675,000 — nearly matching list price once again.
Brantford and Cambridge saw more modest adjustments, but nothing that suggests weakness. Instead, prices appear to be stabilizing after a busy fall that kept days on market relatively short.
Another trend worth noting? Homes are taking a bit longer to sell — but not by much.
In Brantford, properties spent an average of 42 days on market in December, up slightly from November. Kitchener mirrored that with 43 days. Only Brant County saw a more noticeable increase, reaching 57 days, which fits its higher price bracket and more specialty inventory. Cambridge, on the other hand, held steady at 34 days — impressive resilience given softer listing activity.
This signals a market that is not cooling, but recalibrating — moving away from the fast-paced fall into a more predictable, paced environment. It also reaffirms that well-prepared, well-priced listings are still drawing serious attention.
One of the biggest takeaways from December was the continued tightening of supply.
Even with fewer buyers on the hunt, the drop in listings outpaced the decline in demand — shrinking inventory numbers across all major markets. Kitchener saw active listings dip to 636, down from 833 in November, while Cambridge fell to 322, about a 21% drop. Brantford also closed the year with fewer than 305 active listings, roughly a 20% decline from the previous month.
That reduced availability sets the stage for early 2026. If buyer confidence holds steady and mortgage rates remain stable, competition could spark back up quickly in the first quarter.
As 2026 begins, the local real estate market looks poised for another year of cautious optimism. Prices have found firm footing, sellers have adjusted expectations, and buyers are becoming more strategic.
Lower inventory means sellers who list early in the year could attract qualified buyers ahead of the spring rush. For buyers, on the other hand, January and February are prime months to act — with fewer competing offers and still-plentiful pricing opportunities.
The message? 2026 is shaping up to reward preparation. Whether you’re planning to list or looking to buy, having the right information on hand will make all the difference.
If you want to keep tabs on your neighbourhood’s pricing and trends, our Free Neighbourhood Market Watch delivers hyper-local updates right to your inbox — so you’ll always know when it’s the perfect time to sell.
And for buyers, our Free Personalized Home Search sends you new listings that match your criteria instantly, so you never miss out on homes of value.
Reach out to Team OLIVIERI today to plan your move with confidence.
Let’s make 2026 your year to move forward, informed and prepared!
After two months of strong fall activity, we saw the usual cooldown take hold — fewer listings, slower sales, and a small dip in average prices. Yet even with that seasonal slowdown, the market stayed remarkably balanced, showing underlying strength as we step into 2026.
Seasonal Slowdown, Not a Slide
December’s stats confirmed what most local agents expected after an eventful autumn — activity tapered off as both buyers and sellers paused for the holidays.Brantford, for instance, saw new listings fall nearly 50%, dropping from 172 in November to just 88 in December. Brant County and Cambridge followed suit with similar declines between 40% and 55%. It’s typical for this time of year, but the key takeaway is that prices didn’t crumble with the slowdown.
In fact, average sold prices across most areas remained solid. Brant County actually rose 4% month-over-month, climbing to just under $796,000, while Paris rebounded sharply, up about 16% from November’s dip. Kitchener continued its consistent run, with sales averaging just over $675,000 — nearly matching list price once again.
Brantford and Cambridge saw more modest adjustments, but nothing that suggests weakness. Instead, prices appear to be stabilizing after a busy fall that kept days on market relatively short.
Days on Market Inch Up
Another trend worth noting? Homes are taking a bit longer to sell — but not by much.In Brantford, properties spent an average of 42 days on market in December, up slightly from November. Kitchener mirrored that with 43 days. Only Brant County saw a more noticeable increase, reaching 57 days, which fits its higher price bracket and more specialty inventory. Cambridge, on the other hand, held steady at 34 days — impressive resilience given softer listing activity.
This signals a market that is not cooling, but recalibrating — moving away from the fast-paced fall into a more predictable, paced environment. It also reaffirms that well-prepared, well-priced listings are still drawing serious attention.
Inventory Tightening Across the Board
One of the biggest takeaways from December was the continued tightening of supply.Even with fewer buyers on the hunt, the drop in listings outpaced the decline in demand — shrinking inventory numbers across all major markets. Kitchener saw active listings dip to 636, down from 833 in November, while Cambridge fell to 322, about a 21% drop. Brantford also closed the year with fewer than 305 active listings, roughly a 20% decline from the previous month.
That reduced availability sets the stage for early 2026. If buyer confidence holds steady and mortgage rates remain stable, competition could spark back up quickly in the first quarter.
What This Means for the Months Ahead
As 2026 begins, the local real estate market looks poised for another year of cautious optimism. Prices have found firm footing, sellers have adjusted expectations, and buyers are becoming more strategic.Lower inventory means sellers who list early in the year could attract qualified buyers ahead of the spring rush. For buyers, on the other hand, January and February are prime months to act — with fewer competing offers and still-plentiful pricing opportunities.
The message? 2026 is shaping up to reward preparation. Whether you’re planning to list or looking to buy, having the right information on hand will make all the difference.
Looking to Stay Ahead of the Market?
If you want to keep tabs on your neighbourhood’s pricing and trends, our Free Neighbourhood Market Watch delivers hyper-local updates right to your inbox — so you’ll always know when it’s the perfect time to sell.And for buyers, our Free Personalized Home Search sends you new listings that match your criteria instantly, so you never miss out on homes of value.
Reach out to Team OLIVIERI today to plan your move with confidence.
Let’s make 2026 your year to move forward, informed and prepared!
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