If you’ve been watching the Windsor-Essex market and wondering whether things have shifted, the May 2026 numbers give you a pretty clear answer: yes, but not in the dramatic way some headlines might suggest.
Sales are down from last year. Inventory is up. But prices — at least for the month — are holding, and in some communities, actually rising. The story here is more nuanced than “the market is soft,” and if you’re thinking about buying or selling anywhere in Windsor-Essex this summer, the details matter.
Here’s a full breakdown of what happened in May, what’s driving it, and what it means for you.
Windsor-Essex Market Snapshot — May 2026
The Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS® reported 424 residential sales in May 2026, compared to 517 in May 2025 — a decline of about 18%. New listings also pulled back, with 1,226 homes hitting the market versus 1,394 a year ago.
Despite the slower volume, the average sale price for May came in at $565,000 — up from $556,062 in May 2025. The median sale price was $510,000, down slightly from $524,900 last year.
Here’s a quick summary of the key numbers:
| Metric | May 2026 | May 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 424 | 517 | -18.0% |
| New Listings | 1,226 | 1,394 | -12.1% |
| Avg Sale Price | $565,000 | $556,062 | +1.6% |
| Median Sale Price | $510,000 | $524,900 | -2.8% |
| Months of Inventory | 4.6 | 3.7 | ↑ |
| Median Days on Market | 16 | 14 | ↑ |
Source: Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS® / CREA MLS® Statistics, May 2026
The sale-to-list ratio has pulled back to about 101.5%, down from 104.2% a year ago. That means the era of properties routinely selling significantly over asking has faded in most price ranges. Buyers are negotiating. Sellers who price correctly are still getting good outcomes — but the market is no longer doing the heavy lifting for them.
If you want to see how May compares to where we were just a month ago, check out the Windsor-Essex April 2026 Market Update — and watch the video breakdown here: Windsor-Essex April Market Update on YouTube.
What Types of Homes Are Selling in Windsor-Essex?
One of the most useful things the May data tells us is what is actually moving. The bungalow continues to dominate Windsor-Essex sales, and that’s no surprise given the strong downsizer and retiree demand across the region.
Here are the top five home styles sold in May 2026:
| Style | Units Sold | Avg Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bungalow | 108 | $444,626 |
| Ranch | 67 | $613,859 |
| 2 Storey | 60 | $786,900 |
| Raised Ranch | 57 | $645,698 |
| 1½ Storey | 35 | $421,654 |
A few things stand out here. Bungalows are the volume leader by a wide margin — over a quarter of all sales — but they’re also the most affordable style on this list, which tells you something about where buyer demand is concentrated right now. The 2 Storey segment, while lower in volume, is commanding the highest average price at just under $787,000, reflecting the family home market in Windsor’s stronger suburban pockets.
If you own a bungalow in Leamington, Kingsville, Wheatley, or anywhere along the North Shore, there is consistent buyer demand for your property type. Downsizers from larger urban centres are actively looking in this region, and the bungalow is what they’re after.
Inventory and What It Means for Buyers
With 4.6 months of inventory, Windsor-Essex has crossed into balanced-to-buyer-friendly territory. For context, a balanced market is generally considered to sit between 4 and 6 months of supply. Below that, sellers have the edge. Above it, buyers do.
We’re sitting right at the edge of that range, and the trend has been climbing steadily. Active listings are up 3.7% from May 2025 and up nearly 25% from May 2024. That’s a meaningful shift for anyone who spent the last few years competing against multiple offers on every property.
If you’re a buyer, this is the most negotiating room you’ve had since before 2020. That doesn’t mean everything is a deal — well-priced homes are still moving in 16 days or less — but the frantic pace of 2021 and 2022 is not where we are.
Thinking about relocating to the region? The Windsor-Essex Complete Relocation Guide covers communities, cost of living, and what to expect as a newcomer to southwestern Ontario.
What This Means for Sellers in Windsor-Essex
The sellers who are doing well right now have one thing in common: they’re priced for the market that exists, not the one from two years ago.
With more inventory on the market and buyers taking more time to decide, presentation and pricing matter more than they have in years. Homes that are updated, well-staged, and listed at a realistic number are still getting solid offers. Homes that are overpriced are sitting — sometimes for weeks — and then either reducing or coming off the market entirely.
If you’re thinking about listing, 8 Questions to Ask a REALTOR® Before You List — Answered Honestly is worth a read before you have that first conversation. And if you’re specifically trying to figure out who to hire, Who Should I Hire to Sell My House in Windsor-Essex? walks through exactly what to look for in today’s market.
The good news is that demand hasn’t disappeared. Windsor-Essex continues to attract buyers from the GTA, Ottawa, and out of province who are looking for value, lifestyle, and proximity to the border. That underlying demand is real — and if you haven’t explored what this region has to offer beyond real estate, the Lake Erie North Shore Wine Country guide is a good reminder of why people keep choosing to move here.
Windsor-Essex Year-to-Date: January–May 2026
Looking at the first five months of 2026 combined, Windsor-Essex has seen 1,795 sales at an average price of $556,463. That compares to 1,929 sales at $569,392 for the same period in 2025 — so volume is down about 7% year-to-date, and prices are off roughly 2.3%.
Those are moderate corrections, not a crash. The market is recalibrating after a historically unusual few years, and what we’re seeing now looks a lot more like a normal functioning market than anything we experienced between 2020 and 2022.
FAQ
Is it a good time to sell a home in Windsor-Essex in 2026? Yes, with realistic expectations. The market has softened from the peak but prices in Windsor-Essex are still significantly higher than pre-2020 levels. Sellers who price accurately and present their homes well are still achieving good results — the key difference from two years ago is that overpriced homes are no longer getting bailed out by multiple offers.
How long does it take to sell a home in Windsor-Essex right now? The median days on market in Windsor-Essex in May 2026 was 16 days. Well-priced homes in desirable communities can still sell faster. Overpriced or poorly presented properties are taking considerably longer.
Are home prices dropping in Windsor-Essex? The median sale price in May 2026 was $510,000, down about 2.8% from May 2025. The average price was $565,000, up slightly year-over-year. Prices have moderated from 2022 peaks but have not experienced a sharp decline — they’ve been gradually adjusting for the past two years.
Ready to Know What Your Home Is Worth?
If you’re thinking about selling in Windsor-Essex this summer — or you just want to understand where your property sits in today’s market — I’m happy to run a full market analysis for you. No pressure, no obligation, just real numbers based on what’s actually happening on your street.
Linda Hakr, REALTOR® with Jump Realty Inc., serves Windsor, Leamington, Kingsville, Wheatley, and the surrounding communities with local expertise and a track record in the top 5% at Jump Realty. Reach out directly at lindahakrrealtor.ca or call 519-654-6695.
Data sourced from the Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS® MLS® Statistics Report and CREA MLS® Home Price Index, May 2026. Statistics are accurate at time of publication.