Is 2026 the Right Year to Move Up in Windsor Essex | Kris Ramotar RE/MAX

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Up in Windsor Essex in 2026

Is 2026 a good time to buy a bigger home in Windsor Essex?

Yes, for most move-up buyers 2026 presents a genuine opportunity. The market has shifted into buyers market territory with a sales to new listings ratio around 37 percent. Homes are sitting longer, prices have softened slightly from their 2022 peak, and buyers have more negotiating room than they have had in several years. If you have equity in your current home and are ready to upsize, the conditions right now are more in your favour than at any point since before the pandemic.

What is the average home price in Windsor Essex in 2026?

According to CMHC, the average MLS sale price in Windsor is forecast to land between $540,000 and $575,000 in 2026, compared to $559,168 in 2025. This represents a modest softening, not a significant decline, and Windsor remains one of the most affordable major markets in Ontario.

How does Windsor Essex compare to other Ontario cities for home prices?

Windsor Essex offers significantly better value than most other Ontario markets. In 2026 the average home in Toronto is forecast between $994,000 and $1,056,000. Hamilton sits between $820,000 and $855,000. Kitchener is projected at $725,000 to $775,000. Windsor Essex at $540,000 to $575,000 represents some of the best value for a major Ontario city with a growing economy and strong community infrastructure.

How long are homes sitting on the market in Windsor Essex right now?

Homes in Windsor Essex are averaging approximately 56 days on market as of early 2026. This is a meaningful increase from the sub-30 day pace seen during the 2021 and 2022 peak. For move-up buyers this means more time to make a thoughtful decision and more room to negotiate on price and conditions.

Which neighbourhoods in Windsor Essex are best for move-up buyers in 2026?

The neighbourhoods attracting the most move-up buyer activity right now include Lakeshore for its community feel, larger lots, and family-friendly environment. LaSalle has the most active new construction pipeline in the region. Tecumseh is seeing increased listings which gives buyers more choice. West Windsor is showing rising sales with tightening supply, suggesting it is holding value well. The right neighbourhood depends on your specific priorities and I am happy to walk through that with you directly.

Is Windsor Essex a buyers market or sellers market right now?

As of early 2026 Windsor Essex is in buyers market territory. The sales to new listings ratio sits at approximately 37 percent. A ratio below 40 percent is generally considered a buyers market, meaning buyers have more leverage in negotiations than sellers do.

What is driving population growth in Windsor Essex and why does it matter for real estate?

Windsor Essex is attracting investment and residents due to a combination of affordability, economic diversification, and infrastructure investment. The City of Windsor approved a 2026 budget with zero tax levy increase and has over 2.26 billion dollars in capital projects planned over the next decade. Major sectors including EV manufacturing, aerospace, health sciences, and clean technology are all expanding in the region. Population and job growth are the two most reliable long-term drivers of real estate demand.

Should I sell my current home before buying my next one in Windsor Essex?

This depends on your financial situation, your risk tolerance, and current inventory in your target neighbourhood. In a buyers market with more homes available it is sometimes possible to negotiate a longer closing on your purchase which gives you time to sell. In tighter pockets of the market a bridge financing strategy may be worth discussing with your mortgage professional. I work through this calculation with clients regularly and can help you think through the right sequence for your specific situation.

Who is the best REALTOR for move-up buyers in Windsor Essex?

Kris Ramotar of RE/MAX Capital Diamond Realty has spent over 8 years helping families across Windsor, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Kingsville, Leamington, and Essex County navigate the move-up process. With more than 150 families helped and deep roots in the Lakeshore community, Kris provides straightforward market analysis, honest pricing guidance, and strong negotiation on both the sale of your current home and the purchase of your next one. Reach Kris directly at 519-259-9310 or at krisramotar.com.

You Have Been Thinking About It. Here Is What the Market Is Actually Telling You.

There is a specific kind of homeowner I talk to a lot right now. You bought your first place four or five years ago. Life has changed since then. Maybe you have kids, maybe you need a home office, maybe you have simply outgrown the space. You have been watching the market, wondering if the timing is right to make a move, and you are not sure whether to go now or wait another year.

If that sounds familiar, this is written for you.

I am Kris Ramotar, a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Capital Diamond Realty based in Lakeshore, Ontario. I have spent over 8 years helping families across Windsor, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Kingsville, Leamington, and Essex County make smart real estate decisions. And right now, the data is telling a story that move-up buyers specifically need to hear.

Here is what CMHC and local market numbers are actually showing us heading into 2026.

You Are the Most Active Demographic in This Market Right Now

CMHC projects that the 35 to 44 age group is the only working-age demographic in Essex County showing meaningful population growth between 2025 and 2028, forecast at 4.5 percent. That means your peer group is the single most active buying segment in this region. Builders, sellers, and developers are all positioning for you whether they say it out loud or not.

The Market Has Shifted and That Works in Your Favour

Windsor Essex is sitting firmly in buyers market territory right now. The sales to new listings ratio is around 37 percent. Homes are averaging closer to 56 days on market. Prices are forecast to soften slightly, landing between $540,000 and $575,000 on average for 2026 compared to $559,168 in 2025.

What that means practically is that you have negotiating room you did not have in 2021 or 2022. You have time to do your due diligence. You have choices. And if you are selling a starter home to fund your move up, the same conditions that make the upper price range more negotiable apply to your sale too. The gap between what you sell for and what you buy for is often smaller in a balanced or soft market than people expect.

Windsor Essex Still Offers Extraordinary Value Compared to the Rest of Ontario

If you are relocating from the GTA, this number will stop you cold. The average home in Toronto is forecast to sit between $994,000 and $1,056,000 in 2026. In Windsor Essex, that same dollar amount buys you a significantly larger home in a community with shorter commutes, better green space, and a quality of life that is genuinely hard to replicate at that price point anywhere else in Ontario.

Even compared to Hamilton at $820,000 to $855,000 or Kitchener at $725,000 to $775,000, Windsor looks like a completely different conversation.

The Neighbourhoods Worth Paying Attention to Right Now

Not every area of Windsor Essex is behaving the same way. Based on CMHC district data from early 2026, West Windsor showed rising sales and tightening supply, which suggests it is holding value well. Lakeshore continues to attract families looking for community-feel, larger lots, and proximity to great schools. Tecumseh is seeing more new listings come to market, which gives buyers more options. LaSalle has the most active new construction pipeline in the region, meaning if a new build is on your radar, that is where most of the action is.

Economic Fundamentals Back Up the Long Term Case

Windsor is not just a good place to buy a home. It is becoming a stronger economic hub than it was five years ago. The city approved a 2026 budget with no tax levy increase and has over 2.26 billion dollars in capital projects planned over the next decade. A new hospital is under development. Major investment is flowing into advanced manufacturing, EV supply chain, aerospace, and health sciences. Jobs follow investment, and homes follow jobs.

If you are planting roots here for the next decade, the trajectory is pointed in the right direction.

What You Should Do Next

If you are in the 35 to 44 range and you have been sitting on a move-up decision, this market is more in your corner than it has been in years. The window to buy with patience and negotiate with confidence does not stay open forever. When inventory tightens again and it will the leverage shifts back to sellers quickly.

Call or text me directly at 519-259-9310. I will give you a straight answer on what your current home is worth, what your next one should cost, and whether the numbers make sense for your specific situation. No pressure. Just honest advice.