January 2026 Market Report: Winter Slowdown Reveals Buyer & Seller Opportunities

January delivered exactly what local real estate watchers expected—a pronounced seasonal slowdown across Brantford, Brant County, Paris, Cambridge, and Kitchener. New listings and sales volume dropped sharply from December's already quiet pace, while days on market stretched noticeably longer. Yet beneath the winter chill, prices showed remarkable stability and inventory continued its gradual tightening, signaling that Southern Ontario's housing market remains fundamentally healthy heading into spring.
 

The Seasonal Picture: Fewer Transactions, Steady Values

Anyone tracking the Brantford real estate market or Kitchener housing trends knows January typically sees reduced activity as buyers and sellers focus on New Year's resolutions rather than real estate transactions. This year proved no different.

New listings fell across all regions compared to December:

• Brantford dropped from 88 to 157 (-11% month-over-month, but +78% from October's low)
• Cambridge listings declined from 104 to 181 (-26%)
• Kitchener saw the strongest activity at 346 new listings, though still down from fall peaks

Sales volume followed suit, with transactions down 10–45% month-over-month as expected. The standout story, however, lies in pricing resilience and market timing.
 

Pricing Holds Firm Despite Low Activity

Average sold prices across most markets either held steady or adjusted minimally from December—remarkable stability given the sharp drop in transactions:

• Brantford: $592,993 (+5% from December's $564K low)
• Brant County: $799,186 (+0.4% month-over-month)
• Paris: $666,000 (-13% from December strength, but +1% from November)
• Cambridge: $672,912 (-3.5%)
• Kitchener: $694,635 (+3% and sold above list price at $694K vs $694K list)

This price consistency during the slowest month of the year suggests buyers remain willing to pay market value for well-positioned properties, even in winter conditions.
 

Days on Market Lengthen—Strategic Opportunity Emerges

Perhaps the most telling metric came in days on market, which expanded significantly:

• Brantford: 59 days (+17 days from December)
• Brant County: 87 days (+30 days)
• Paris: 61 days (+14 days)
• Cambridge: 48 days (+14 days)
• Kitchener: 38 days (-5 days, strongest performance)

Longer DOM doesn't signal weakness—it reflects seasonal reality. Fewer buyers actively shopping means properties take appropriate time to find the right match. For sellers, this creates a window to prepare thoroughly. For buyers, it offers negotiation leverage absent during peak spring competition.
 

Inventory Continues to Contract

Active listings shrank further across all markets, reinforcing the ongoing supply constraint:

• Brantford: 299 (-1.7% from Dec)
• Cambridge: 298 (-7.5%)
• Kitchener: 639 (+0.5%, most resilient)
• Brant County: 145 (-13%)
• Paris: 70 (-12.5%)

This tightening continues the multi-month trend, positioning early-spring listings for heightened attention as buyer demand traditionally rebounds.
 

What January Tells Us About Spring 2026

While transaction volume was low, the underlying signals point to a market poised for rebound:

• Stable pricing demonstrates sustained buyer confidence
• Longer DOM offers preparation time for both sides
• Shrinking inventory foreshadows spring competition

Sellers who invest in staging, pricing, and marketing now position themselves ahead of the seasonal rush. Buyers benefit from using this quiet period for pre-approvals, neighborhood research, and customized search alerts.
 

Ready for Your 2026 Real Estate Move?

January's numbers confirm what local experts have maintained throughout the winter: our Southern Ontario markets remain balanced and opportunity-rich for those who plan strategically.

Sellers: Track your neighborhood's activity with our Free Neighbourhood Market Watch—hyper-local insights delivered weekly to help you time your listing perfectly.
Buyers: Get instant alerts on new listings matching your criteria through our Free Personalized Home Search—see properties before they hit the general market.

Reach out to Team OLIVIERI today by calling or texting us at 226-407-7043 to get set up today!
Let's turn January's insights into your successful 2026 real estate strategy!
 

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