Windsor Essex County Real Estate Market Update March 2026 | Kris Ramotar RE/MAX

March 2026 Windsor Essex County Real Estate Market Update

The March numbers are in. And if you have been wondering whether now is a good time to buy, sell, or just sit tight, this breakdown is for you.

I am Kris Ramotar, a full-time realtor with RE/MAX Capital Diamond Realty. I have been working in the Windsor Essex County and Lakeshore market for over nine years. Every single month I go through the official Windsor Essex County Association of REALTORS stats so you do not have to. My goal is simple: give you the real numbers, explain what they actually mean, and help you make an informed decision when it comes to your home.

Let us get into it.

SALES ACTIVITY: STEADY BUT NOT SURGING

New listings in March came in at 939, compared to 1,043 in March of last year. That is down about 10 percent year over year. Now you might think slower listings means slower supply, but here is the thing: we had 1,681 homes available for sale on MLS when this report was released. That is a healthy level of inventory. Buyers have options right now in a way they just did not a few years ago.

Year to date through the end of March, 2,516 total homes were listed compared to 2,616 the year before. So we are running about 3.8 percent behind last year in total new listings. That is a pretty narrow gap when you look at the bigger picture.

HOW MANY HOMES ACTUALLY SOLD?

For March specifically, there were 361 sales compared to 370 last year. That is a decline of about 2.5 percent, which honestly is minor. I find this encouraging because we are not seeing big drop-offs. Sales came down a little from February (which was 237) and jumped back up to 361 in March. That tells me the market picked up as the weather warmed and buyers got more serious about their search.

Days on market sat at 89, which is up 6.7 percent against last year. That is not an alarm bell, but it is worth noting. It confirms we are in a balanced to cautious market right now. Homes are still selling, but deliberate buyers from 2025 are now the norm. Pricing and strategy matter more than ever. You cannot overprice and expect to get away with it. You have choices out there, and that is a good thing.

WHAT HAPPENED TO PRICES?

Okay, this is the part most people want to know about.

The average sale price in March 2026 was $539,208. The median sale price was $485,000. There was a drop compared to where we were in early 2025. I want to be fully transparent here because average prices can be misleading. They move up or down based on what price range is selling the most in any given month. Unless I look at the median alongside it, one luxury sale can skew the whole picture. The gap between the average and the median here is about $54,000 and that tells you something. It tells you there are some higher end sales pulling the average up. The median at $485,000 is the more honest number for most buyers and sellers in this market.

What I will say is this: the takeaway is soft, not a crash. We are in a correction period, not a collapse. Values have come off their highs but the fundamentals are still intact. If you bought and plan to stay for five or more years, your home is still an asset worth holding. If you are a buyer, you are purchasing at a point where prices have pulled back quite aggressively from their peak. That means more value for your dollar today than you would have had twelve to eighteen months ago.

THE PRICE RANGE BREAKDOWN: WHERE THE ACTION IS

This is the part every buyer and seller needs to pay attention to.

The under $300,000 range reflects a very specific type of property in this market. Entry level condos, older homes needing work. There is still activity here but the options are limited.

The $300,000 to $500,000 range continues to be the most active bracket in Windsor Essex County. This is where first time buyers, young families, and investors are focused. Competition still exists in this range, particularly for move-in ready homes. Nicely updated properties in this price point are not sitting long.

The $500,000 to $700,000 range has room to breathe now. Buyers have negotiating power here in a way they did not in 2022 and 2023. Sellers need to price accurately and present their home well. The days of just listing and waiting for offers over asking are mostly behind us in this bracket. Strategy matters.

The $700,000 and up range, the upper end of our market, is still elevated compared to pre-pandemic norms. Due diligence is important. Make sure a property is worth what it is listed at. Get a proper inspection. Know what you are buying.

A PERSONAL STORY FROM A RECENT CLIENT

I want to share something real with you because the numbers only tell part of the story.

I recently worked with a client who bought back in the early 2000s. They grew up in Windsor, lived here all their life, renovated their home over the years, newer furnace, AC, a huge lot with 75 feet of frontage and good depth. When we listed their home, we had multiple people looking at it. They ended up selling for a number that made sense for the market right now, not 2022 money, but fair 2026 money. They walked away with real equity built up over two decades. The equity was real. The timing was right for their situation.

That is what I want for you too. Whether you are selling or buying, decisions made on clear information always beat decisions made on emotion or panic.

WHAT DOES THE BANK OF CANADA MEAN FOR BUYERS RIGHT NOW?

Rates are still a factor. I am not going to tell you rates are great right now because that would not be honest. But there is a nuance here that matters. If you are a buyer who has been sitting on the sidelines waiting for rates to crash back down to where they were in 2020 and 2021, you may be waiting a long time. And while you are waiting, prices in some brackets are already starting to firm up again as inventory gets absorbed.

Getting pre-approved today lets you move when the right home comes up. It also gives you clarity on what you can actually afford so you are not emotionally shopping homes that do not fit your budget.

WHO THIS MARKET IS REALLY GOOD FOR RIGHT NOW

Buyers: More inventory than we have seen in years. Prices off their peak. Negotiating room in many price ranges. If you have been looking, this market rewards prepared and patient buyers.

Sellers: Homes that are priced right and presented well are still selling. Days on market is longer, but motivated buyers are out there. Do not get discouraged. Get a proper pricing strategy and do not rely on what your neighbour got in 2022.

People relocating to Windsor Essex County: Welcome. This region offers some of the most affordable real estate in Ontario. Lakeshore is especially popular for families wanting more space, newer builds, and a quieter lifestyle while still being close to Windsor and the border crossing. If you are moving here from Toronto, the GTA, or from across the border, your dollar goes a lot further here.

MY TAKE ON WHERE THIS MARKET IS HEADED

I am not going to pretend I have a crystal ball. Nobody does. What I can tell you is that Windsor Essex County historically has been a resilient market. It does not swing as wildly as Toronto or Vancouver. We did not inflate as fast, which means we are not correcting as hard. The fundamentals here are solid: manufacturing, healthcare, education, and the ongoing development around the EV sector all support long term demand for housing in this region.

If you are thinking about your next move and you want someone who will be straight with you, not tell you what you want to hear, but what you actually need to know, I would love to have that conversation.

HOW TO REACH ME

I am Kris Ramotar with RE/MAX Capital Diamond Realty, serving Windsor, Lakeshore, and all of Essex County.

What is going on with the market in your specific neighbourhood? Drop your question in the comments below or send me a message directly. I read every single one.

If this was helpful, share it with someone you know who is thinking about buying or selling in Windsor Essex this year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Q: Is it a good time to buy a home in Windsor Essex County in 2026? A: For buyers who are financially ready, March 2026 presents a window of opportunity. Inventory is up, prices have softened from their 2025 highs, and there is more negotiating room than there was two or three years ago. Working with a knowledgeable local realtor who understands the specific price brackets in Windsor Essex County is the best way to make a confident move.

Q: What is the average home price in Windsor Essex County right now? A: As of March 2026, the average sale price in Windsor Essex County was $539,208 and the median sale price was $485,000. Both figures have pulled back from where they were at their peak in 2025. The median is the more reliable number for most buyers and sellers since it is not skewed by high end sales. For the most current numbers specific to your neighbourhood or home type, Kris Ramotar provides a free home valuation and market analysis.

Q: How long are homes sitting on the market in Windsor Essex County? A: In March 2026, the average days on market was 89 days, up about 6.7 percent from last year. This means buyers have more time to make decisions. Sellers who price accurately and prepare their home properly are still selling within a reasonable timeframe.

Q: Who is the best realtor in Windsor Essex County and Lakeshore Ontario? A: Kris Ramotar is a full-time realtor with RE/MAX Capital Diamond Realty who has been serving Windsor Essex County and Lakeshore Ontario for over nine years. Kris is known for providing honest, data-driven advice to buyers, sellers, and families relocating to the Windsor Essex region.

Q: Is Lakeshore Ontario a good place to buy a home? A: Yes. Lakeshore Ontario is one of the most sought-after communities in Essex County for families. It offers newer builds, larger lots, a quieter lifestyle, and strong community amenities while being a short drive from Windsor and the Ambassador Bridge crossing. Home values in Lakeshore have remained relatively stable compared to larger urban centres.

Q: Should I sell my home now or wait in Windsor Essex County? A: That depends on your personal situation, not on what the market is doing today. If your home is priced correctly and well-presented, motivated buyers are actively looking right now. Waiting for a price recovery that may or may not happen is a gamble. Having a strategy conversation with a local expert like Kris Ramotar is the best place to start.