After a strong April in terms of home sales in Chatham-Kent, the real-estate roller coaster took a dip last month.
According to figures from the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors (CKAR), the number of residential properties to change hands – 123 – was down more than 17 per cent compared to May of 2025
That tally is 8.6 per cent below the five-year average for May home sales and 13.4 per cent down from the 10-year- average.
Through the first five months of 2026, overall numbers are not so grim. Sales are down just under four per cent from the same period in 2025.
Carrie Patrick, president of the CKAR, remains optimistic.
“Sales activity declined on a year-over-year basis but we’re still seeing strong monthly trends, especially after demand bottomed out at the beginning of the year,” she said in a media release.
Plus, it is certainly a buyer’s market.
“Sellers are out in greater force than ever, posting more than 300 new listings for the first time in any May. This was also the third highest new listings count on record behind last month and June 2025,” she said.
The number of new listings was up nearly 12 per cent from May 2025. There were 313 new residential listings in May 2026. This was also the largest number of new listings added in the month of May in history.
New listings were 11.6 per cent above the five-year average and 29.5 per cent above the 10-year average for the month of May.
And with home prices somewhat stagnant, now is the time to buy, Patrick added.
“Prices have been moving sideways for a few years now, with some volatility in between, and the market is tilted in favour of buyers, so this would be an excellent time to get into or re-enter the market for those seeking a new place to call home,” she said.
The average price of homes sold in May 2026 was $449,553, up by 3.5 per cent from May 2025.
