February 2026 Brantford Real Estate Market Update

What’s really going on right now and what to expect this year

The local real estate market feels confusing right now.

Some homes are selling quickly. Others aren’t moving at all.

And depending on who you talk to, you’ll hear everything from “the market is fine” to “nothing is selling.”

The truth is simpler and more nuanced.

This isn’t a good market or a bad market.

It’s a highly segmented market, and whether it feels easy or brutal depends entirely on where you’re sitting.

This update breaks down what’s actually happening in Brantford as of February 2026, what changed recently, and what that means if you’re planning a move this year.

Where the market is right now

Demand is very low but starting to move

January recorded 59 sales, the lowest January demand in modern records.

It was slower than most Decembers, which is unusual.

That said, sales activity did pick up toward the end of the month. That tells us demand hasn’t disappeared, but it’s cautious and slow to act. February should be better than January, but still below what we would normally expect.

Historically, peak demand in Brantford shows up between April and June, and that pattern still looks intact.

Prices are stable, not collapsing

The January median sale price came in around $600,000, a level the market has been bouncing around since last spring.

Month to month price changes can be misleading right now because the number of sales is relatively small. One or two higher or lower sales can skew the average quickly.

Looking at the bigger picture, annual pricing shows the market levelling off, not falling apart. Most homeowners who bought before 2021 still have significant equity, and even some buyers from 2021 are still able to sell at a profit today if their home fits what buyers want.

Inventory is high but behaving differently than usual

There were 299 homes for sale in January, which is slightly down from December. That’s abnormal. Inventory typically starts building in January.

Weather likely played a role here. Deep snow, freezing temperatures, and constant negative headlines may have kept some sellers on the sidelines.

An important detail most people miss:

About half of the “new” listings aren’t new at all. They’re homes that were pulled off the market during the holidays and relisted in January.

In real terms, there were 79 genuinely new listings and 59 sales. Inventory is still elevated, but it isn’t exploding overnight.

What actually sold in the last 60 days

Looking at sold data gives a much clearer picture of buyer behaviour.

Older listings are doing the heavy lifting

About 75 percent of recent sales were homes that had been on the market before January. Only 25 percent were truly new 2026 listings.

This tells us buyers are rewarding homes that adjusted, repositioned, or stayed patient rather than rushing to buy whatever just came on the market.

Most sales are happening in the middle

The majority of sales are clustered between $500,000 and $700,000.

Lower priced options are scarce.

Higher priced homes are largely frozen.

That middle range is where demand still exists, but buyers are selective and value focused.

Detached homes dominate

Detached homes make up most of the sales, which makes sense. Many people move to Brantford specifically to get a detached house with a yard.

Condos and apartments have smaller buyer pools even when they’re more affordable, which slows them down in this environment.

Real time market conditions by segment

This is where the market really separates.

Detached homes

• Under $400,000: options are very limited and often compromised by condition or location

• $400,000 to $800,000: the strongest and healthiest segment

• $800,000 to $900,000: holding on but slower

• Over $900,000: largely frozen with very few sales

• There is very little activity between $900,000 and $1.25 million

• $1.25 million to $2.5 million is a niche mix of executive homes and luxury new build lots

By house style

Split level homes are performing best right now, followed by raised bungalows and bungalows.

Two storey homes are struggling. There are many more for sale than there are buyers, and these tend to be larger, more expensive properties where demand drops first when buyers get cautious.

Townhomes

Townhomes are having a tough time.

There have been only four sales with thirty nine currently for sale.

Older townhomes with condo fees are unattractive to many buyers. Newer townhomes are competing directly with value priced detached houses.

Freehold townhomes perform better than condo style units, and three storey layouts are particularly challenging right now. Buyers want space, not more density.

Most townhome sales are concentrated between $500,000 and $700,000.

Condos

Mid rise condos are also slow.

There have been four sales with thirty options to choose from, ranging from roughly $250,000 to $585,000.

The main challenges are condo fees and smaller unit sizes. Most of the recent sales were in established buildings, with very limited activity in newer projects.

Multi family properties

Investor demand is extremely thin.

There are twenty six multi family properties for sale and only one recent sale, a triplex under $700,000.

Most investors are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for clearer returns.

Who has it easier and who has it harder right now

Easier right now

• Selling a bungalow or split level under $800,000

• Buying over $800,000 with flexibility and patience

• Buying townhomes or condos if you’re selective

Harder right now

• Selling over $800,000

• Selling two storey homes

• Selling townhomes and condos

• Selling investment properties

• Buying under $500,000 due to limited choice and condo fees

One group in the middle

Buyers in the $600,000 to $800,000 range will find a faster paced market for the best homes. Preparation matters. The right properties can still attract multiple interested buyers.

What to expect for the rest of 2026

Demand is likely to remain lower through the first half of the year. We’re starting with high inventory and cautious buyers.

Spring will bring energy, but last year it only lasted about six weeks, mostly in May. Interest rates are not expected to change significantly in the short term.

Economists are generally more optimistic about broader conditions later in the year, which could bring increased demand. However, by that point inventory will also be at its highest levels.

That combination may help stabilize the market, but it’s unlikely to push prices higher. Prices are more likely to drift sideways or soften further, especially in the slowest segments.

The market won’t turn all at once. It will thaw in layers.

Final thoughts

Markets don’t make decisions. People do.

If you’re planning a move this year, understanding how your specific situation fits into this market is critical. The same conditions can feel manageable or overwhelming depending on timing, price range, and flexibility.

If you want to talk through your plans without pressure, I’m always available. My focus is helping people navigate this market with clear, honest, and transparent advice so they can make smart decisions, even when the market feels uncertain.