The waiting game has begun in Kingston. October's numbers show a market where buyers have plenty of choice and sellers are feeling it, and it's why I've been giving many of my sellers some unusual advice: step back, get ready, and wait for the right moment.
October by the numbers
According to the Kingston and Area Real Estate Association, 223 homes sold in October 2026, down 9.3% from October 2025. That's still 1.1% above the five-year average for the month, so buyers haven't disappeared, but they are taking their time.
Prices softened too. The average sale price was $571,928, down 7.6% from a year earlier. The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark, which smooths out the mix of homes that happen to sell in a given month, came in at $534,000, down 1.7%. Single-family homes had a benchmark of $556,200, down 2%.
Supply is still the story
There were 1,311 homes on the market at the end of October, up 6.8% from a year earlier and the highest October count in a decade. That works out to 5.9 months of inventory, well above the long-run average of 3.6 months for this time of year.
There is one small shift worth watching. Inventory came down from 6.5 months at the end of September, and 556 new listings came on in October, 8.7% fewer than last October. Some sellers are already pulling back.
Why I'm telling sellers to wait
At this point, many sellers are taking a step back from the market, and I've encouraged some of mine to pull their listings and wait to hear from me. Between now and mid-to-late January, I'll be watching closely to see how, or if, the market shapes up.
If you're planning to list, my advice is the same: use the winter to prepare your home and keep in touch. Agents feel the shift before it shows up in the monthly numbers, and when it comes, the homes that are ready will be the first ones buyers see.
If you're buying
More choice and softer prices mean more room to negotiate. One of my buyers recently secured a home for $40,000 under asking. If you know what you're looking for, this can be a good time to act.
Thinking about your next move?
If you'd like to know what your home is worth today, or which projects are worth doing before spring, I'm happy to help. Request a free home evaluation. There's no pressure to list, ever.
About the author
Kim Purcell is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Masters Realty in Kingston, Ontario, helping buyers and sellers across Kingston, Amherstview and Gananoque. Learn more about Kim.
