If you're considering a newly built home in Kingston or the surrounding area, the process looks quite different from buying resale. New construction comes with its own contracts, its own warranty system, its own rebate programs — and its own rules around when (and whether) you can change your mind. Here's what you need to know before you sign.

Hire Your Agent Before You Visit the Showroom

This is one of the most overlooked — and most costly — mistakes new-build buyers make. The order of operations matters.

In most cases, the builder pays the buyer's agent commission, not you, so having your own representation typically costs you nothing extra. But here's the catch: many builders will only honour that commission if your agent registers you before you visit the sales centre or sign in at the showroom. If you walk in on your own, browse, and register your name and contact information first, some builders will treat you as their lead and refuse to pay a commission to an agent you bring in afterward.

The fix is simple: line up a buyer's agent first, and let them register you with the builder before your first visit. That way, you get independent advice on pricing, lot selection, and contract terms throughout the process — and in most cases, it doesn't cost you a thing, because the builder is covering the fee regardless.

Start With the Contract, Not the Showroom

The biggest mistake new-build buyers make is treating the builder's sales office like a resale showing. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) you'll be asked to sign is written by the builder's lawyer, and it's considerably more one-sided than the standard Ontario Real Estate Association agreement used in resale transactions. Before you sign anything, pay close attention to:

- Closing date flexibility. Builders often reserve the right to push back occupancy and final closing dates.

- Development levies and adjustments. Many of the costs that surprise buyers at closing — development charges, utility hookups, Tarion fees — are buried in the fine print, not the listed price.

- HST treatment. Make sure the contract is clear on how any rebate is being handled (more on this below).

- Upgrade pricing schedules. "Schedule A/B" pricing for finishes and options can add up fast.

Have your own real estate lawyer review the APS before you sign — not after. This matters even more on new construction than resale, for reasons we'll get into shortly.

Can You Negotiate With a Builder?

Often, yes — more than buyers expect, especially in a balanced or softer market. The most common areas of flexibility are:

- Price, particularly on unsold inventory homes or units later in a phase release

- Free upgrades (appliances, flooring, finished basements) — often easier for a builder to concede than a price cut, since it doesn't appear as a discounted comparable sale on record

- Closing date flexibility and deposit structure

- Lot premiums on less desirable lots

Your leverage is strongest when a builder has completed, unsold inventory sitting on the books, or when a phase has been slow to sell. It's weakest during a hot pre-construction launch with multiple buyers competing for the same unit.

The Tarion Warranty: What It Covers

Every new home built by a licensed Ontario builder is automatically enrolled in the Tarion New Home Warranty — there's no extra cost to you, as it's built into the builder's enrolment fee. Coverage breaks down into tiers:

- Year 1: Defects in work and materials, and that the home is fit for habitation

- Years 1–2: Water penetration, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and Ontario Building Code violations

- Years 1–7: Major structural defects

- Deposit protection: Up to $100,000 if the builder becomes insolvent before closing

- Delayed closing compensation: If the builder misses agreed-upon dates

The catch is timing. You need to register any defects through Tarion's portal within specific reporting windows (30-day, year-end, and second-year forms). Miss the window, and you may lose your right to claim on that issue — so mark your calendar the day you take possession.

Is There a Cooling-Off Period?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of buying new in Ontario, because the answer depends on what you're buying.

Pre-construction condominiums: Yes. Under the Ontario Condominium Act, buyers have a statutory 10-day rescission period from the date they receive a fully signed agreement (or the required disclosure documents, whichever is later). You can cancel for any reason during that window, no penalty, full deposit refunded — and the builder cannot remove this right from the contract.

Freehold new builds — detached, semi-detached, townhomes: No. There is no provincial cooling-off period for freehold construction. Once you sign, you're bound by the agreement unless the builder has voluntarily included a rescission clause (some do during competitive launches, but it's optional), or you've negotiated a financing or lawyer-review condition into the offer itself.

The practical takeaway: with a freehold new build, review before you sign — there's no built-in second chance once your signature is on the page.

Current Buyer Incentives: The HST Relief Window

As of 2026, there's a significant — and time-limited — opportunity for new home buyers in Ontario tied to HST relief on new construction:

- Federal First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate: Eliminates up to 100% of the federal GST/HST portion (up to $50,000) on new homes priced up to $1 million for first-time buyers, phasing out between $1M and $1.5M. Applies to agreements signed on or after March 20, 2025.

- Ontario's temporary expanded HST rebate: Rebates up to $80,000 of the provincial portion on homes up to $1 million, available to all buyers — not just first-time buyers — for agreements signed between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.

- Combined potential relief: Up to $130,000 for an eligible first-time buyer on a $1 million new home.

A few important notes:

- This applies to new construction only — resale homes aren't subject to HST, so there's no rebate to claim.

- The federal portion has Royal Assent and is currently claimable; the Ontario provincial portion is still moving through the legislative process as of this writing, so confirm exactly how a specific builder is structuring the rebate in your contract.

- Because the Ontario portion of this program is explicitly temporary, expect strong buyer activity through the window — and the possibility of a demand pullback once it closes.

Given how quickly the details here are evolving, I'd treat this as a starting point for a conversation rather than the final word — your lawyer or accountant should confirm the specifics before you rely on any number.

The Bottom Line

Buying new construction in Kingston can be a great option, but it rewards buyers who do their homework upfront: read the contract before you sign, bring your own representation, understand exactly what your Tarion warranty does and doesn't cover, and know whether (or whether not) you have a cooling-off period before you commit.

If you're weighing a new build against resale in the Kingston area — or want a second set of eyes on a builder's contract — I'm happy to help you think it through.

Contact Us

Do you crave vibrant, seasonal flavours while supporting hands-on growers in our region, like we do? I signed up for a 2nd year for a CSA from McClure Eats (which we are really enjoying!), but you’re in luck—Kingston and its neighbouring communities are home to fantastic farmers’ markets. Whether you’re strolling through the Kingston Public Market, exploring local finds at Napanee, Brockville, Gananoque, or Harrowsmith and beyond, there’s a market waiting for you. Shop for just-picked veggies, handmade soaps, fresh-cut flowers, artisan wares, fresh baked goodies and more! With markets happening 5 days a week from spring through fall, there’s always somewhere new to explore and something delicious to discover.

Find your guide to the top farmer's markets this season below, listed Kingston first, then alphabetical by town/city spanning from Brockville to the east and Napanee to the west.

Kingston Public Market – Kingston, Ontario

Founded: 1801
Location: Springer Market Square, 216 Ontario St, Kingston, ON
Season: Year round on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Summer Hours: April 1st – Oct 31st from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Winter Hours: Nov 1st – March 31st from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Social/Info: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Memorial Centre Farmers' Market – Kingston, Ontario

Location: 303 York St, Kingston, ON
Season: Year round on Sundays
Spring-Fall Hours: May–Dec: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Winter Hours: Jan–Apr: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Social/Info: Website, Facebook, Instagram

A. I. Agricultural Society Market – Amherst Island, Ontario

Location: A.I. Agricultural Pavilion, 5435 Front Road, Stella, ON
Season: Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving (?)
Days & Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–12  p.m.
Social/Info: Facebook

Sunday Market in Bath – Bath, Ontario

Location: Bath, ON
Season: Early May to October
Days & Hours: Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Social/Info: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Brockville Farmers Market – Brockville, Ontario

Founded: 1833
Location: Market Street West, Brockville, ON
Season: May–November
Days & Hours: Thursdays & Saturdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Social/Info: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Gananoque Farmers’ & Craft Markets – Gananoque, Ontario

Location: Town Hall Park, 30 King Street East, Gananoque, ON
Season: June-early October
Days & Hours: Farmers Thursdays, 4 p.m.–7 p.m., Craft Saturdays, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.
Social/Info: Website, Facebook

Frontenac Farmers’ Market – Harrowsmith, Ontario

Location: Centennial Park, 4500 Centennial Park Rd, Harrowsmith, ON
Season: May-October
Days & Hours: Fridays, 3 p.m.–7 p.m.
Social/Info: Website, Facebook

Market Saturdays – Napanee, Ontario

Location: 425 Main Street, Newburgh, ON
Season: mid-June to early-October
Days & Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Social/Info: Website

The Hollow Square Market – Newburgh, Ontario

Location: 425 Main Street, Newburgh, ON
Season: Bi-weekly Saturdays, mid-June to mid-October
Days & Hours: Saturdays (every other week), 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Social/Info: Facebook

Babcock Mill Maker’s Market – Odessa, Ontario

Location: Babcock Mill, 100 Bridge Street, Odessa, ON
Season: Sundays from end of May to mid-October
Days & Hours: Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Social/Info: Facebook

Yarker Farmers’ Market – Yarker, Ontario

Location: 2 Mill Street, Yarker, ON
Season: Bi-weekly Saturdays, opening late June to mid-September
Social/Info: Facebook (check here for dates)

Shopping local doesn’t just support our farmers and makers—it helps keep our region thriving, connected, and uniquely vibrant. So grab your reusable bags, bring a friend, and get to know your community one booth at a time.

Have we missed your favourite market? Let us know—we’d love to add it to the list.

Thinking about a move to or from one of these amazing communities? Let’s chat.

Note: this blog was originally written in 2024 but has been updated in 2026. 

UPDATE 2026:

Unfortunately it looks like these markets have closed down…

• Amherstview Farmers’ Market – Amherstview, Ontario - Social/Info: Website, Facebook

• Beaver Lake Farmers’ & Artisan Market – Erinsville, Ontario - Social/Info: Facebook

A home inspection is a professional visual assessment of a property's condition — and one of the most important steps in the home buying process. You've found a home you love, your offer has been accepted, and now it's time for the home inspection. For many buyers — and sellers — this step stirs up anxiety. What will the inspector find? Will the deal fall apart? Should the seller fix everything on the list?

Let's take a deep breath and set some realistic expectations, because understanding what a home inspection actually is (and isn't) can make the entire process far less stressful.

What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a visual assessment of a property's condition at a specific point in time. A licensed home inspector walks through the property and evaluates the major systems and components of the home — not to assign a grade, but to give buyers and sellers an informed picture of what they're working with.

Think of it less like a pass/fail exam and more like a wellness check-up. The doctor isn't looking to declare you perfectly healthy — they're looking to flag anything that needs attention.

What's In the Inspector's Scope?

A standard home inspection typically covers the following:

Structural Components The inspector evaluates the visible foundation, walls, floors, ceilings, and roof structure for signs of movement, settlement, or damage.

Roofing This includes the condition of shingles or other roofing materials, flashing, gutters, downspouts, and visible signs of leaking or deterioration.

Exterior Siding, trim, windows, doors, decks, walkways, grading (how the ground slopes away from the house), and drainage are all assessed.

Electrical System The inspector looks at the main panel, visible wiring, outlets, switches, and fixtures to identify any safety concerns or outdated components.

Plumbing Supply lines, drains, water heaters, visible pipes, toilets, faucets, and fixtures are checked for leaks, corrosion, water pressure, and proper function.

Heating and Cooling (HVAC) The furnace, air conditioner, ductwork, and thermostats are tested to verify they operate as intended.

Insulation and Ventilation Accessible attic and crawlspace areas are inspected for adequate insulation and proper ventilation, which affect both energy efficiency and moisture control.

Interior Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors are examined for damage, moisture intrusion, and proper operation.

What's NOT In the Inspector's Scope?

This is equally important to understand. A home inspector is a generalist — a trained eye, not a specialist. There are many things a standard inspection does not include:

• Behind walls, under floors, or above ceilings — Inspectors assess what is visible and accessible. They are not destructive.

• Septic systems and wells — These typically require separate, specialized inspections.

• Swimming pools and hot tubs — Usually excluded unless specifically added to the inspection.

• Chimneys and fireplaces — A basic visual check may be done, but a full chimney inspection requires a certified chimney sweep.

• Pests and wood-destroying organisms — Termite or pest inspections are separate services.

• Mold and air quality — Unless visible mold is noted, testing for indoor air quality or hidden mold is a separate process.

• Underground oil tanks or environmental hazards — Radon, asbestos, lead paint, and similar concerns fall outside a standard inspection.

• Appliance warranties or product recalls — Inspectors may note whether appliances function, but they don't research recall status.

If any of these areas concern you, ask your real estate agent about arranging specialized inspections in addition to the standard one.

No House Gets a Perfect Score — And That's Okay

Here's one of the most important things to understand about home inspections: every house will have deficiencies noted. Every single one.

It doesn't matter if the home was built last year or 100 years ago. Whether it's a brand-new construction or a beloved family home that's been meticulously maintained for decades, the inspector will find items to flag. This is the nature of homes — they are living, breathing structures that age, settle, shift, and wear over time.

The goal of a home inspection is not to produce a perfect report. It's to produce an honest one.

The 1% Rule: A Practical Benchmark

So how do you know if what the inspector finds is "normal" or cause for real concern?

A useful benchmark that many experienced real estate professionals refer to is the 1% rule: if the total cost of repairs identified during an inspection comes to less than 1% of the purchase price of the home, the findings are generally within a reasonable range that you can expect to deal with in the next year or two.

For example, on a $500,000 home, that's $5,000 or less in repairs. On a $300,000 home, it's $3,000 or less.

That doesn't mean you ignore the report — far from it. It means you put it in perspective. Some of what gets flagged will be minor maintenance items that any homeowner deals with over time. Caulking around a tub. A slow drip under a sink. A missing weatherstrip on a door. These are normal findings, not red flags.

What You're Actually Looking For

The purpose of reviewing an inspection report is to identify the items that genuinely matter — the ones that affect safety, structural integrity, or involve significant cost. These might include:

• Evidence of active water intrusion or foundation movement

• Outdated or unsafe electrical systems (knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch wiring, overloaded panels)

• A failing roof that needs replacement in the near term

• A furnace or water heater at end of life

• Plumbing with significant leaks or code issues

• Structural issues

These are the items worth having a conversation about. Minor maintenance findings? Those are part of owning any home.

The Inspection Isn't a Shopping List for the Seller

One of the most common missteps in the inspection process is treating the report as a checklist of demands to send to the seller. This approach often backfires — it can create friction, derail negotiations, and frankly, it misses the point.

We go into every inspection knowing that all houses need some degree of repair and maintenance. That's not a surprise — it's the reality of homeownership. Asking a seller to fix every minor item flagged in the report is a bit like buying a used car and demanding the seller replace the wiper blades and touch up every stone chip before you'll take delivery.

The more productive approach is to focus your negotiation energy on the significant findings — the ones with real cost or safety implications — and let the routine maintenance items go. A seller who sees a list of 40 items is going to respond very differently than one presented with 3 specific concerns.

A Final Word

A home inspection is a great investment in the buying process. It gives you clarity, protects you from major surprises, and helps you plan for the years ahead as a homeowner.

Go into it expecting to find some things. Go into it knowing that's normal. And use what you learn to make smart decisions — not to chase a perfect score that no home has ever earned. 

Note: At time of writing, a home inspection in the Kingston area costs about $500 + HST. 

Ready to Find Your Perfect Home?

We would love to help you get there. Whether you're just starting your search or you're ready to make an offer, we are here to guide you through every step of the process — including the inspection.

And when the time comes, we can recommend some excellent local Kingston home inspectors who are thorough, professional, and great at helping buyers truly understand what they're looking at. Having the right inspector in your corner makes all the difference.

Reach out anytime — we'd love to hear from you.

The May 2026 real estate data is in for Kingston and the surrounding region — and if you've been watching the market closely, you'll recognize the theme: this is a market finding its footing.

Prices are softer than they were a year ago in most communities, inventory is up, and buyers are taking their time. But the picture isn't uniformly cautious. Some communities are showing genuine price resilience. Days on market have stretched, but sale-to-list ratios remain strong in the right neighbourhoods. The market isn't broken — it's rebalancing.

In this month's update, we dig into the numbers for six communities — Kingston, Loyalist Township, Greater Napanee, South Frontenac, Stone Mills, and Gananoque — and we address two significant local factors that are shaping buyer and seller behaviour in ways that go well beyond interest rates: the INVISTA layoffs and the Alto high-speed rail uncertainty.

What's Driving the Market Right Now

1. The INVISTA Layoffs

On June 5, 2026, MPP Ted Hsu confirmed that more than 100 workers had been let go at the INVISTA plant in Kingston — representing over 14% of the entire local workforce at the facility. INVISTA is Kingston's largest private sector employer, and Hsu noted that the impact of cuts at a facility of this size is felt "well beyond the plant gates — by families, suppliers, local businesses, and the broader community."

This is very recent news — it happened after the May data was collected — but it's directly relevant to anyone making a housing decision in Kingston right now. A loss of over 100 jobs at the city's largest employer introduces a degree of employment uncertainty that tends to show up in real estate activity within 60 to 90 days. We'll be watching the June and July numbers carefully.

To be clear: this does not mean the Kingston market is in trouble. Kingston's economy is diverse — the presence of Queen's University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, CFB Kingston, and a growing technology and government services sector means the city is not dependent on any single employer. But it is a factor, and informed buyers and sellers should have it on their radar.

2. The Alto High-Speed Rail Uncertainty

The federal government's Crown corporation Alto is developing a high-speed rail network linking Toronto and Quebec City — and Kingston is not currently on the official list of seven stations. The mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac have been publicly lobbying for a stop here, and Premier Doug Ford backed routing along the Highway 401 corridor in March 2026.

For most Kingston buyers and sellers, the HSR story is background noise. But for anyone considering rural or acreage properties in Frontenac, Stone Mills, or Lennox and Addington — it isn't.

The route through this region hasn't been defined. And that uncertainty is creating real hesitation among some buyers and landowners, particularly around the risk of expropriation. Until Alto provides clarity on the corridor, rural properties along potential route paths may face a discount that wouldn't otherwise exist — and some buyers are holding off entirely until the picture becomes clearer.

This uncertainty isn't a reason to panic or to wait indefinitely. But if you're buying or selling a larger-lot or rural property in South Frontenac, Stone Mills, or the Lennox and Addington area, it's a conversation worth having with your agent before you make your move.

3. Inventory Is Up — Significantly

Across nearly every community in this report, new listings are running ahead of last year. In Gananoque, new listings are up 34% year to date. In Kingston, new listings are up modestly but transaction volume is down — meaning more supply is sitting on the market longer. This is one of the biggest structural shifts in this market compared to 2024.

More inventory means more choice for buyers, more competition for sellers, and — when combined with softer demand — longer days on market. The median days on market in Kingston year to date is 23 days, up from 19 days last year. That's not alarming, but it's a meaningful change in the rhythm of the market.

4. Prices Are Softening — But Stabilizing

The Royal LePage Q1 2026 report for Kingston noted that the aggregate home price decreased 6.3% year over year to $727,000 — a meaningful correction from the peak. But the May data suggests that correction is moderating. Kingston's year-to-date average price is down only 2.0% from last year. Napanee's YTD average is up 6.0%. Gananoque is up 5.9% year to date. The free-fall some observers feared has not materialized. 

Community-by-Community Breakdown

Kingston

YTD Average Price: $620,299  |  YTD Change: −2.0%  |  676 sales year to date

Kingston remains the largest, most liquid, and most closely watched market in the region. With 191 sales in May and a median sale-to-list ratio of 97.7% year to date, well-priced properties are still moving and sellers are still getting close to what they're asking.

The year-to-date average of $620,299 is a mild correction from last year — not a collapse. Days on market have stretched to a median of 23 days YTD (up from 19), reflecting a more deliberate buyer pool rather than a distressed one.

The INVISTA news is the key watch item for Kingston heading into summer. We don't yet know how many of those 100-plus affected workers are homeowners, or how they'll respond. But it's a real factor and we'll be reporting on it as the data develops.

For buyers in Kingston: you have more time and more choice than you've had in years. Use it wisely — but don't assume the entire market is slow. Well-priced, well-presented homes in desirable neighbourhoods are still attracting real interest.

Loyalist Township

YTD Average Price: $568,096  |  YTD Change: −3.7%  |  118 sales year to date

Loyalist Township delivered one of the more interesting data points in this month's report: 20% of May sales closed above asking price — the highest rate in the region. The average sale-to-list ratio was 99.5%. Days on market dropped sharply from 41 in April to 28 in May.

What that says is that Loyalist isn't a slow market — it's a selective one. Buyers know what they want here, and when the right property comes along at the right price, competition is real. The YTD average of $568,096 is down 3.7% from last year, which represents a modest correction in a community that ran very hot during the pandemic years.

For buyers considering Loyalist: don't assume you have the upper hand on every property. Come prepared to move when the right one appears.

Greater Napanee

YTD Average Price: $527,300  |  YTD Change: +6.0%  |  78 sales year to date

Napanee is the standout on year-to-date price performance in this report. The YTD average of $527,300 is up 6% from the same period last year — the strongest sustained price growth of any community we cover.

May itself was softer, with average prices pulling back from April. But the YTD trend is unmistakably positive, and transaction volume bounced back strongly with 24 sales after a slow April. Napanee continues to attract buyers who want more home and more land for their dollar, and at just over half a million dollars for the average sale, it represents genuine value relative to Kingston and Loyalist.

The Alto rail route uncertainty is relevant here too. If the corridor runs through Lennox and Addington, larger rural properties could face expropriation concerns. If you're considering acreage in the Napanee area, that conversation is worth having with your agent.

Napanee's YTD price growth is the strongest signal in this report that value-conscious buyers have been paying attention — and acting on it.

South Frontenac

YTD Average Price: $594,957  |  YTD Change: −12.2%  |  84 sales year to date

South Frontenac has experienced the sharpest year-over-year price correction in our report — down 12.2% on the YTD average, with the YTD median down 13.8%. But context is everything here.

South Frontenac was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the pandemic-era urban exodus. Buyers arrived from Toronto and Ottawa in significant numbers, pushing prices up fast and hard on rural properties, waterfront, and larger lots. The correction we're seeing now is largely a normalization of that run-up, not a sign of structural weakness in the community.

Days on market average 52 days — the longest in our report — and transaction volume is down significantly year over year. The Alto uncertainty is most acutely felt here: the mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac have been publicly lobbying for the 401 corridor route precisely because of what a rural routing through Frontenac could mean for land values and expropriation exposure.

For buyers with a long view and patience: South Frontenac offers the most significant opportunity in this report. Prices have come down, sellers are more motivated, and the lifestyle the area offers hasn't changed.

Stone Mills

YTD Average Price: $547,626  |  YTD Change: −2.7%  |  34 sales year to date

Stone Mills is a small market — 34 sales year to date — which means individual transactions move the averages meaningfully. Month-to-month volatility is high and should be interpreted with that in mind.

The YTD average of $547,626 is down only 2.7% from last year, a relatively mild correction. But days on market are long at 52 days on average, and terminations are rising — 29 year to date versus 20 in the same period last year. Some sellers are listing, not getting what they need, and withdrawing. That's a signal that pricing expectations and market reality aren't always aligned.

The Alto rail uncertainty applies here in the same way as South Frontenac and Napanee. For anyone considering a rural property purchase in Stone Mills, understanding the potential route paths — and what they might mean for specific parcels — is important due diligence.

Gananoque

YTD Average Price: $513,666  |  YTD Change: +5.9%  |  32 sales year to date

Gananoque had a strong May — 14 sales, double April's volume, with an average price of $582,536. The YTD average of $513,666 is up 5.9% from last year, making it one of only two communities in this report showing positive year-over-year price growth alongside Napanee.

What's driving Gananoque? The Thousand Islands lifestyle continues to attract buyers who made a decision about where they want to live and haven't changed their minds. Recreational and waterfront properties remain in demand. New listings are up 34% year to date, but demand has kept pace with that increased supply.

All May sales closed below asking, with an average SP/LP of 94.2% — so buyers do have room to negotiate. But the overall price trend is still moving upward, which tells you that motivated, informed buyers are still participating in this market.

What This Means for You

If You're Thinking About Buying

•       You have more negotiating room than you've had in years in most communities — but it isn't uniform. Loyalist Township is still competitive on the right properties. Kingston's core is still active. Know your target community before assuming you can lowball.

•       Rural and acreage buyers in South Frontenac, Stone Mills, and Lennox and Addington should factor Alto rail uncertainty into their due diligence. Not as a reason to avoid these areas — but as something to understand before you commit.

•       The INVISTA layoffs are brand new. If you're buying in Kingston and want to wait 60 days to see how that plays out in the market, that's a reasonable approach — though there's no guarantee conditions improve or prices soften further.

•       Interest rates have improved meaningfully from their peak. Buyers who've been sitting on the sidelines for affordability reasons should run the numbers again — the picture may have changed more than they realize.

If You're Thinking About Selling

•       Pricing accuracy is the single most important decision you'll make. Homes priced to reflect today's market are selling. Homes priced to reflect 2022 are sitting — and often terminating. The data on termination volumes across every community in this report makes that point clearly.

•       Presentation matters more than it did when the market was hot. Buyers are comparing more carefully, have more options, and are quicker to pass on homes that aren't showing well. First impressions — online and in person — are everything.

•       If you own a larger rural or acreage property in South Frontenac, Stone Mills, or Lennox and Addington, talk to your agent now about the Alto situation. You want to understand how to position your property and how to address buyer concerns before they come up in negotiation.

The Bottom Line

The Kingston area real estate market in May 2026 is a market in transition — softer than it was at the peak, but not in free-fall. Prices are moderating, inventory is growing, and buyers have more power than they've had in several years.

But this is not a market where you can afford to be uninformed. The INVISTA layoffs are a real near-term variable for Kingston. The Alto rail route is a real medium-term variable for rural communities. And pricing — always important — has never mattered more for sellers who want to actually close.

The good news is that for buyers who are ready to act, and sellers who are willing to price honestly, there is a functional market here. Deals are getting done. The right properties are finding the right buyers.

Have questions about what any of this means for your situation? We'd love to talk. Reach out at lwrealty.ca — no pressure, no obligation, just a honest conversation about where things stand.