If you've been thinking about buying a home in Chatham, you may be wondering whether 2026 is the right time to make a move — or whether you should wait.
The truth is, there isn't a perfect time to buy a home. The right time depends on your finances, your goals and how long you plan to own the property.
That said, there are some encouraging signs for Chatham buyers right now.
🏡 Buyers Have More Choice
One of the biggest advantages for buyers in the current Chatham-Kent market is selection.
At the end of June, there were 605 active residential listings — 8.8% higher than the same time last year and more than 30% above the five-year average. Inventory was sitting at approximately 5.3 months, compared with 4.8 months a year earlier.
What does that mean for you as a buyer?
You're generally not facing the same level of competition and urgency that buyers experienced in a much hotter market. You can take your time, compare homes and focus on finding the right property rather than simply trying to win a bidding war.
💰 What About Home Prices?
Chatham-Kent's market isn't showing the kind of rapid price increases we saw during the pandemic-era boom.
The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for a composite/single-family home was $405,700 in June 2026, down 2.2% from June 2025. At the same time, the year-to-date average sale price was $446,368, up 2.9% from the first six months of 2025.
Those numbers might seem contradictory, but that's why it's important not to rely on one statistic when evaluating the market. Average sale prices can change depending on the types of homes that sell, while the MLS® HPI benchmark is designed to provide a better indication of price trends.
🔑 There's an Interesting Sweet Spot Around $400,000–$450,000
For buyers shopping for a single-family home, the $400,000–$450,000 range is worth watching.
CREA's Chatham-Kent market data shows that this price range had the strongest demand relative to supply for single detached homes in the second quarter of 2026. Homes in this range also spent the least amount of time on the market before selling.
So if you're shopping in this price range, having your financing in place and being prepared to act when the right home comes along can make a difference.
⏳ Should You Wait for Prices to Drop?
This is probably the biggest question buyers are asking.
And unfortunately, nobody can predict the market with certainty.
Waiting for the "perfect" bottom can be risky. If prices fall, you may save money on the purchase price — but if interest rates, competition or inventory change, the overall cost and availability of homes could look very different.
Instead of trying to perfectly time the market, it can be more helpful to ask:
Those numbers might seem contradictory, but that's why it's important not to rely on one statistic when evaluating the market. Average sale prices can change depending on the types of homes that sell, while the MLS® HPI benchmark is designed to provide a better indication of price trends.
🔑 There's an Interesting Sweet Spot Around $400,000–$450,000
For buyers shopping for a single-family home, the $400,000–$450,000 range is worth watching.
CREA's Chatham-Kent market data shows that this price range had the strongest demand relative to supply for single detached homes in the second quarter of 2026. Homes in this range also spent the least amount of time on the market before selling.
So if you're shopping in this price range, having your financing in place and being prepared to act when the right home comes along can make a difference.
⏳ Should You Wait for Prices to Drop?
This is probably the biggest question buyers are asking.
And unfortunately, nobody can predict the market with certainty.
Waiting for the "perfect" bottom can be risky. If prices fall, you may save money on the purchase price — but if interest rates, competition or inventory change, the overall cost and availability of homes could look very different.
Instead of trying to perfectly time the market, it can be more helpful to ask:
If you're thinking about buying in Chatham or Chatham-Kent in 2026, we'd be happy to help you understand what's available in your price range and what today's market could mean for you.
Not sure if now is the right time? Let's have a conversation — no pressure, just good local information to help you make an informed decision.