Boom, Bust, or Balance?
As 2025 comes to a close, buyers and sellers across Kingston and the surrounding area are asking a reasonable question:
Did the market slow too much — or did it finally normalize?
By looking at December 2025 results alongside full-year 2025 data, a clear picture emerges.
2025 was a year of stabilization and reset — not a downturn.
This update reviews the numbers, the year-over-year trends, and what they mean heading into 2026 for: Kingston; Greater Napanee; Loyalist Township; South Frontenac; Stone Mills, and Gananoque
Home Sales: December Slowdown, Year-End Resilience
December sales slowed across every community, which is typical seasonally. The year-end totals tell a more meaningful story.
Full-Year 2025 Sales (YTD):
Kingston: 1,669 sales (-0.8% YoY)
Greater Napanee: 245 sales (0.0% YoY)
Loyalist Township: 304 sales (-4.4% YoY)
South Frontenac: 302 sales (+11.4% YoY)
Stone Mills: 126 sales (+1.6% YoY)
Gananoque: 100 sales (+12.4% YoY)
December 2025 alone:
Kingston recorded 89 sales
Napanee recorded 13 sales
Loyalist Township recorded 14 sales
South Frontenac recorded 18 sales
Stone Mills recorded 7 sales
Gananoque recorded 5 sales
What this tells us:
Buyer demand did not disappear in 2025. In most communities, it either held steady or increased, with the strongest gains seen in South Frontenac and Gananoque, where lifestyle properties continue to attract interest.
New Listings: Inventory Returned — Selectively
Inventory growth was one of the defining features of 2025, but it was uneven by community.
Full-Year 2025 New Listings:
Kingston: 3,789 listings (+9.7% YoY)
Greater Napanee: 764 listings (+2.8% YoY)
Loyalist Township: 763 listings (+6.7% YoY)
South Frontenac: 740 listings (-9.5% YoY)
Stone Mills: 337 listings (-3.4% YoY)
Gananoque: 244 listings (+8.0% YoY)
December listing activity dropped sharply everywhere — a normal seasonal pattern — but the annual numbers show a clear rebalancing, especially in Kingston, Loyalist Township, and Napanee.
What this tells us:
Buyers gained more choice, while sellers faced more competition. This shift alone explains why price growth slowed, even though demand remained stable.
Prices: Stability After Volatility
Prices in 2025 moved within a narrow, controlled range, particularly compared to the volatility of previous years.
Average Sale Price — Full Year 2025:
Kingston: $630,373 (-0.1% YoY)
Greater Napanee: $522,445 (-4.8% YoY)
Loyalist Township: $589,809 (+2.2% YoY)
South Frontenac: $659,096 (-1.1% YoY)
Stone Mills: $639,586 (+17.5% YoY)
Gananoque: $501,365 (-0.7% YoY)
December 2025 averages were higher in some communities, but monthly numbers were influenced by small sample sizes and individual sales.
Important context: Stone Mills
In December, a farm property sold for approximately $5.5 million after 697 days on the market, significantly skewing December averages for both price and days on market. This highlights why full-year data is far more reliable in rural markets.
What this tells us:
2025 was not a year of appreciation. It was a year where prices found equilibrium.
Days on Market: A More Deliberate Pace
Homes generally took longer to sell in 2025 — but not dramatically so.
Average Days on Market — Full Year 2025:
Kingston: 34 days (+4.9% YoY)
Greater Napanee: 48 days (-12.2% YoY)
Loyalist Township: 42 days (essentially flat)
South Frontenac: 51 days (+6.9% YoY)
Stone Mills: 63 days (+27.8% YoY)
Gananoque: 47 days (-11.5% YoY)
December days on market increased across most communities, reflecting normal year-end slowdowns.
What this tells us:
Conditions, inspections, and negotiation returned — a hallmark of a healthier market.
2025 in Context: What the Numbers Really Say
When you combine sales, inventory, pricing, and market timing, 2025 stands out as a normalization year:
Sales were flat to higher in most communities
Inventory increased where it was needed
Prices stabilized within a tight range
Buyers regained leverage
Sellers had to price and prepare carefully
This was not a correction driven by distress — it was a reset driven by balance.
2026 Outlook: What Comes Next
According to the RE/MAX Canadian Housing Market Outlook forecast for Kingston and area, 2026 is expected to bring:
Approximately 2% price growth
About 3% growth in sales activity
Market conditions described as balanced to buyer-leaning
In practical terms, 2026 is shaping up as a year that rewards planning, preparation, and local expertise, rather than speculation or urgency.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in 2026
Buyers:
More choice, fewer bidding wars, and time to evaluate opportunities — particularly if you understand neighbourhood-level trends.
Sellers:
Pricing accuracy and presentation will matter more than timing the market. Buyers are informed and selective.
In this environment, strategy matters more than speed.
Watch the Video + Get Local Advice
This blog accompanies our December 2025 Kingston & Area Real Estate Market Update video, where we walk through these trends visually and explain what the numbers mean in real time.
If you’re planning to buy or sell and want advice grounded in local data and real context, reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.