Peterborough & Kawarthas Real Estate Market Report
(CHECK OUT HISTORICAL STATS HERE)
What the latest City, County, and waterfront statistics mean for buyers and sellers
The October 2026 real estate market across Peterborough & The Kawarthas showed a noticeable shift in inventory levels, sales activity, and market conditions. While the City of Peterborough moved back into seller's market territory, the County remained balanced, and the waterfront market continued to favour buyers.One of the more important developments in October was the decline in available listings across all three markets. However, fewer listings do not necessarily mean stronger demand. Sales activity, pricing, and months of inventory help provide a clearer picture of what buyers and sellers are experiencing.
City of Peterborough: Sales improve as inventory declines
The City of Peterborough recorded 94 sales in October, an increase of 28.8% from September, although sales remained 4.1% below October 2025. The median selling price increased slightly to $555,000, up 0.9% month-over-month and 2.3% year-over-year.Active listings declined to 330, a decrease of 12.2% from September. New listings also fell by 27.4%, indicating fewer properties entering the market as the fall season progressed.With 3.5 months of inventory, the City moved back into seller's market territory, compared with 5.2 months in September.
What this means for buyers: Inventory has tightened, and the increase in sales suggests that buyers remain active. Although the City is technically in a seller's market, that does not mean every property will attract multiple offers or sell quickly. Buyers should continue evaluating comparable sales and property condition rather than assuming that the overall market classification applies equally to every home.
What this means for sellers: The reduction in competing listings is encouraging, particularly for properties that are priced appropriately. However, the average sale-to-list ratio remained at 97%, and homes took an average of 40 days to sell. This suggests that buyers are still negotiating and carefully considering value. Proper pricing and presentation remain essential.
County of Peterborough: A balanced market with continued buyer choice
The County of Peterborough recorded 77 sales in October, down 2.5% from September and 6.1% from October 2025.The median selling price declined to $650,000, representing a 5.8% decrease from September and a 3.9% decrease year-over-year.Active listings fell to 431, down 21.2% from September, while new listings declined by 35.8%. Despite the substantial reduction in available inventory, sales activity also softened.Months of inventory declined from 6.9 in September to 5.6 in October, placing the County in balanced market territory.
What this means for buyers: There is still a reasonable selection of properties, although fewer new listings are coming onto the market. The average selling time increased to 62 days, and the sale-to-list ratio declined to 95%. These figures suggest that buyers continue to have negotiating opportunities, particularly with properties that have been on the market for an extended period.
What this means for sellers: The County remains competitive. While there are fewer listings to compete against, buyers are taking their time and comparing properties carefully. Rural homes, acreages, and residential properties can attract very different levels of interest depending on location, condition, amenities, and price.For sellers, understanding the current competition is just as important as reviewing recent sales. A property that is positioned correctly from the beginning is more likely to attract serious buyers than one that requires repeated price adjustments.
Waterfront: Buyers continue to hold the advantage
The waterfront market across Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes experienced a more pronounced seasonal slowdown in October.Sales declined to 43 properties, down 36.8% from September and 23.2% compared with October 2025.The median selling price was $762,000, a slight increase of 0.9% from September but 2.9% below October of last year.Active listings declined by 25% to 345, while new listings fell by 33.1%. Despite this reduction in inventory, the decrease in sales activity pushed months of inventory higher.At 8.0 months of inventory, waterfront remains firmly in buyer's market territory, compared with 6.8 months in September.
What this means for buyers: Buyers continue to have considerable choice and negotiating opportunities. The average selling time increased to 63 days, and the sale-to-list ratio remained at 95%.However, waterfront properties require careful evaluation. Lake quality, shoreline, frontage, exposure, privacy, road access, property condition, and year-round usability can all influence value. A lower asking price or extended time on market does not automatically make a property a good purchase.
What this means for sellers: The waterfront market remains challenging, particularly heading into the quieter fall and winter months. With fewer active buyers, properties need to stand out through accurate pricing, strong presentation, and a clear understanding of their competitive position.
It is also important to recognize that changes in median selling prices do not necessarily reflect equivalent changes in individual property values. The relatively small number of waterfront transactions, combined with significant differences between properties, can produce noticeable fluctuations in monthly statistics.
What the October numbers tell us about the broader market
October reinforces why the Peterborough & Kawarthas real estate market cannot be viewed as one single market.Based on months of inventory, the three segments finished October in distinctly different positions:
- City of Peterborough: 3.5 months, Seller's Market
- County of Peterborough: 5.6 months, Balanced Market
- Waterfront: 8.0 months, Buyer's Market
Looking ahead
As we move toward the end of 2026, inventory levels and buyer activity will be important indicators to watch. Seasonal declines in listings are common, but whether reduced inventory translates into stronger pricing will depend on how buyer demand holds up.
The City is showing relatively stronger activity, while the County and waterfront markets continue to provide buyers with more negotiating opportunities.
Ultimately, real estate decisions should be based on more than one month's statistics. Historical trends, comparable sales, current competition, and the characteristics of an individual property are all important in determining the right strategy.Whether buying or selling in Peterborough & The Kawarthas, understanding your specific segment of the market is the starting point for making informed decisions.
Tom Sangster | REALTOR®
Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, Brokerage
Making Real Estate Work For You...
In Peterborough & The Kawarthas
Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, Brokerage
Making Real Estate Work For You...
In Peterborough & The Kawarthas