Home sales in the Windsor-Essex region experienced a significant downturn in May, declining by 18 percent compared to the same period last year. According to the latest data released by the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors, a total of 424 homes were sold in May, a sharp drop from the 517 transactions recorded in May 2025.
Declining Listings and Year-to-Date Trends
The number of new listings also saw a decrease, with 1,226 homes being put on the market last month, down from 1,394 in May of the previous year. This reduction in inventory contributed to the overall slowdown in sales activity. On a year-to-date basis, home sales have fallen by nearly seven percent, with 1,795 homes sold in the first five months of 2026, compared to 1,929 during the same timeframe in 2025.
Mixed Price Movements
Despite the decline in sales volume, home prices showed modest gains on a monthly basis. The average sale price in May rose by 1.6 percent to $565,000, up from $556,000 in May 2025. However, the overall trend for the year indicates a softening in prices. The year-to-date average sale price slipped by 2.27 percent to $556,463, down from $569,392 over the same period last year.
These figures highlight a complex market where reduced demand and lower inventory are influencing both sales and pricing dynamics. Local real estate experts suggest that affordability concerns and economic uncertainty may be contributing to the cautious behavior of buyers and sellers alike.
