Is the Market on Thin Ice, or Just Waiting for Spring?
The February numbers for the Kingston and area real estate market are starting to paint a picture for 2026, but it’s still early. With only two months of data so far this year, we need to be careful about drawing big conclusions from small samples.
What we can say is that the market is showing different trends in different communities. Kingston looks different from Napanee. Loyalist Township looks different from South Frontenac. And in smaller markets like Stone Mills or Gananoque, a handful of transactions can dramatically affect the statistics.
Across the region, a few themes are emerging.
Well-priced homes are selling. Homes that appeal to first-time buyers and entry-level buyers are moving right now. At the same time, the number of new listings is down in many areas, which suggests some sellers may be sitting on the sidelines waiting for a signal.
What signal? That’s the big question right now. Interest rates, buyer confidence, and the momentum of the spring market will likely all play a role.
One thing worth watching closely is supply. With fewer new listings coming to market, if buyers return in greater numbers later this spring, we could see price pressure re-emerge simply because there aren’t enough homes available.
February at a Glance
Here is a quick snapshot of what happened across the Kingston and area housing market in February 2026:
• Kingston: 94 homes sold with an average price of $573,006. New listings dropped significantly compared with last year. Kingston
• Greater Napanee: 21 homes sold with an average price of $505,545, almost unchanged from last year. Greater Napanee
• Loyalist Township: 15 homes sold with an average price of $548,560 across Bath, Amherstview, and Odessa. Loyalist
• South Frontenac: 9 homes sold with an average price of $511,889. South Frontenac
• Stone Mills: Only 2 homes sold, illustrating how statistics can shift dramatically in small rural markets. Stone Mills
• Gananoque: 5 homes sold with an average price of $377,980. Gananoque
Across most communities, new listings were lower than last year, while buyers continued to move forward on homes that were priced appropriately.
Kingston Real Estate Market – February 2026
The Kingston, Ontario real estate market remains the largest and most stable segment of the region.
February saw 94 homes sell, which is 8.7% fewer sales than the same month last year. Kingston
New listings totaled 204 properties, representing a 22% drop compared with February 2025. Year-to-date, listings are down 14.7%. Kingston
The average sale price was $573,006, down 3.3% year-over-year. The median price was $542,500. Kingston
About 83% of homes sold below asking price, while roughly 15% sold above list price. Kingston
That tells us buyers still have some negotiating room. At the same time, pricing strategy remains critical. Homes that are priced appropriately continue to attract buyers.
Days on market averaged 44 days, which is longer than last year. With only two months of data, however, it’s difficult to draw conclusions from that statistic alone. What we are seeing in practice is that well-priced homes are selling relatively quickly, while homes priced too high tend to sit.
Greater Napanee Real Estate Market – February 2026
The Greater Napanee real estate market shows a slightly different pattern.
Napanee recorded 21 home sales, which is 10.5% higher than the same month last year. Greater Napanee
At the same time, new listings dropped sharply to 31 properties, down 38% year-over-year. Greater Napanee
The average sale price was $505,545, essentially unchanged from last year. Greater Napanee
About 81% of homes sold below list price, and the average sale-to-list ratio was around 94.5%. Greater Napanee
This suggests that buyers are still cautious and price-sensitive. Sellers who price realistically are continuing to see activity.
Loyalist Township Real Estate Market – Bath, Amherstview, and Odessa
The Loyalist Township real estate market, including Bath, Amherstview, and Odessa, saw 15 homes sell in February, down 11.8% from last year. Loyalist
There were 40 new listings, which is 13% fewer than the same month last year. Loyalist
The average sale price was $548,560, down 6.7% year-over-year. Loyalist
Another factor affecting the Loyalist Township market is new construction activity. Building permits issued in the township have been significantly lower than in recent years, which suggests builders are slowing down and not putting as many shovels in the ground.
This may be due to several factors. The cost of financing construction remains high, and builders are also navigating uncertainty in global markets, including tariffs affecting building materials and shifting demand.
Within Loyalist Township, the smaller communities show different patterns.
Amherstview recorded four sales, with an average price of $577,250. Loyalist - Amherstview
Odessa saw three sales, with an average price of $548,333, slightly higher than last year. Loyalist - Odessa
Bath recorded four sales, with an average price of $523,875. Loyalist- Bath
Because the number of transactions is small, monthly percentages can shift dramatically. The key takeaway is that buyers are still active when homes are priced correctly.
South Frontenac Real Estate Market – February 2026
The South Frontenac real estate market saw nine homes sell, down 25% compared with last year. South Frontenac
There were 40 new listings, roughly the same as last year. South Frontenac
The average sale price was $511,889, a 2.4% decrease year-over-year. South Frontenac
Days on market declined compared with last year, but with a small number of sales and only two months of data, it’s difficult to interpret that statistic too strongly.
What we are seeing is that buyers looking for rural homes within commuting distance of Kingston remain active, particularly in price ranges that appeal to first-time buyers and move-up buyers.
Stone Mills Real Estate Market – February 2026
The Stone Mills real estate market illustrates how small sample sizes can distort statistics.
Only two homes sold in February, compared with 13 sales in February of last year. Stone Mills
The average price was $342,500, though the year-to-date price change is only slightly lower, showing how monthly averages can swing when there are very few transactions. Stone Mills
New listings dropped to seven properties, down significantly from last year. Stone Mills
Stone Mills continues to be a rural market where prices vary widely depending on property type, acreage, and location.
Gananoque Real Estate Market – February 2026
In the Gananoque real estate market, five homes sold in February, down 28.6% from last year. Gananoque
The average sale price was $377,980, though small sample sizes can exaggerate monthly percentage changes. Gananoque
About 80% of homes sold below asking price, with an average sale-to-list ratio of about 97%. Gananoque
Gananoque continues to attract buyers seeking small-town living near the Thousand Islands while remaining within commuting distance of Kingston.
What This Means for the Kingston and Area Housing Market
Across the Kingston and area real estate market, several themes are emerging early in 2026.
Inventory is lower in many communities, suggesting some homeowners may be waiting before listing their properties.
Buyers are active but selective. Homes priced appropriately are still attracting offers, especially in price ranges that appeal to first-time buyers.
The market also remains highly local, with different trends emerging in Kingston, Loyalist Township, Napanee, and the surrounding rural communities.
If buyer confidence increases this spring while listing inventory remains limited, we could begin to see renewed upward pressure on prices simply due to limited supply.
For now, however, it is still early in the year. The spring real estate market in Kingston and surrounding communities will likely provide a clearer picture of what 2026 may bring.
Thinking of Buying or Selling in Kingston and Area?
If you’re considering buying or selling real estate in Kingston, Greater Napanee, Loyalist Township, South Frontenac, Stone Mills, or Gananoque, it’s important to understand the conditions in your specific neighbourhood and price range.
Real estate is always local, and the right strategy can make a significant difference.
If you would like a custom market update for your home or neighbourhood, I would be happy to help.