Derek Paquette Realty

09/09/2026

The August GTA numbers are out.

TRREB reported:

5,057 home sales, down 2.1% year over year
12,075 new listings, down 14.1%
Average selling price of $993,410, down 2.7%
MLS HPI Composite benchmark down 4.5%

One important distinction: average price and the HPI benchmark measure different things, and neither tells you what every property in the GTA did.

I broke down the August numbers in a simple GTA Market Watch here:

09/07/2026

Hamilton recorded 382 home sales in August, down 19.4% from the same month last year. The average sale price was $736,731, down 4.8%, and reported supply stood at 4.5 months.

That gives us useful context, but it does not mean every Hamilton property dropped 4.8% in value.

If I were helping a buyer decide what to offer, I would look at the recent comparable sales, the other homes they could buy instead, the condition of the property and the costs that come with owning it.

For a seller, I would be looking at how the home compares with the properties buyers are seeing right now, whether the asking price is supported by recent sales and what the showing feedback is actually telling us.

The monthly numbers help frame the questions. The property itself still determines the decision.

I put the full August update here: https://dprealty.ca/blog/bloghamilton-real-estate-market-update-august-2026

If you are trying to understand what the market means for a particular home, send me the address.

Hamilton's August 2026 housing figures, with practical context on sales, prices and supply for buyers and sellers.

09/03/2026

Ontario is adding a meaningful buyer protection for certain new-construction purchases.

Starting January 1, 2027, qualifying purchasers of new freehold homes will have a 10-day cooling-off period.

This new legislation now affords freehold buyers that qualify similar protections afforded to condominium buyers.

Here are some useful tips you can complete during that 10-day period:

have the lawyer review the full agreement;
confirm financing and deposit requirements;
review HST, development charges and builder adjustments;
check assignment and critical-date provisions;
compare the project with resale alternatives;
and
decide whether the purchase still makes sense once the sales-centre excitement wears off.

There are exclusions, and the clock does not start simply because you signed one page. The legislation ties it to the required information, signatures and fully executed agreement.

I wrote a practical explanation here:

https://dprealty.ca/blog/ontario-new-build-agreement-forms-2027

Legal interpretation and any rescission notice should be confirmed with the buyer's lawyer.

Ontario's new delayed-closing and occupancy forms apply to certain agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2027. Here's what buyers should know.

09/01/2026

Hamilton’s Special Planning Committee has decided to support staff’s recommendation to deny the Elfrida Secondary Plan proposal. That moves the municipal process forward but does not serve as a final decision marker.

City Council has not yet dealt with the recommendation, and there remains an outstanding urban-boundary appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal. So if you see anything saying “Elfrida is dead” or “Elfrida is a go”, such conclusions would be misleading.

Anyone thinking of leveraging this news to buy or sell in the current market should be cautious around the application of pricing strategies based on what might happen over what the market dictates today. There are still too many unresolved steps between today’s planning decision and actual development momentum.

I updated the article on my website with the August 25 committee decision and what comes next:

Hamilton Planning Committee backed staff's recommendation to deny the Elfrida Secondary Plan. Final Council disposition and the OLT appeal remain pending.

08/31/2026

Hamilton’s new $572 million housing announcement could be a pretty big deal for new construction, but I wouldn’t make a buying decision based on the headline numbers alone.

The funding is tied to a planned three-year elimination of residential development charges, and governments estimate that could reduce the cost of building some homes by as much as $100,442.

That does not mean every buyer gets $100,442 back.

As it stands, builders are still paying development charges under Hamilton’s current process while the City and Province complete their funding agreement. How much of the eventual savings reaches a buyer will depend on the project, builder pricing and the purchase agreement.

The timing is also interesting because qualifying new-home buyers may have access to substantial HST relief at the same time.

I went through the announcement, the infrastructure projects, the development-charge changes, the HST programs and the things I’d want to see in the agreement before assuming the numbers actually work in your favour.

Full breakdown:

https://dprealty.ca/blog/hamilton-development-charges-2026-buyers

If you’re comparing a Hamilton or Ancaster new build with resale, send me the project and price sheet. I’m happy to help you compare the real estate side.

Hamilton’s $572M housing deal could eliminate residential development charges for three years. Here’s what Hamilton and Ancaster buyers need to know.

08/25/2026

If you're thinking about moving, one of the first questions is whether you should buy the next home before selling your current one.

Selling first usually gives you more certainty about your sale price, available equity and closing date. The tradeoff is that you may need a longer closing, temporary housing or two moves if the right home isn't available right away.

Buying first gives you more control over where you're going, but the financing and backup plan need to be real. What happens if your current home takes longer to sell or sells for less than expected?

I put together a full Ontario guide comparing both options, including sale conditions and matching closing dates:

https://dprealty.ca/blog/buy-first-or-sell-first-ontario

If you're planning a move in Hamilton or Ancaster, send me your current address and the type of home you're considering. I can help you compare the order and build the real estate side of the plan.

General information only. Your lender and lawyer should confirm the financing and legal details.

Should you buy your next Ontario home before selling? Compare financing, sale conditions, closing dates and the risks of each approach.

08/20/2026

Hamilton's Elfrida proposal saw a huge change this week.

City planning staff are now recommending that the proposed Secondary Plan be denied. They call the application premature and identify unresolved issues involving servicing, natural heritage, transportation, land-use compatibility, urban design and development phasing.

There is also a separate Ontario Land Tribunal process underway. The Tribunal found that Hamilton needs additional urban land, but it has not selected Elfrida or moved the urban boundary.

Planning Committee considers the Secondary Plan on August 25.

I've updated my Elfrida explainer with the staff recommendation, the revised population and employment figures, and what remains undecided:

Hamilton’s Elfrida Secondary Plan is a long-range growth proposal. Learn what the August 25 meeting means for buyers and nearby homeowners.

08/18/2026

Your offer was accepted. Great.

Now what?

This is where I sometimes have to remind buyers that getting the offer accepted is the beginning of the end, not the actual end.

There may still be conditions to satisfy, financing to finalize, a home inspection to complete, insurance to arrange and legal work happening behind the scenes. The dates and obligations come from the agreement you actually signed, so this isn't the point where we stop paying attention to the paperwork.

A mortgage pre-approval also doesn't mean every house is automatically approved. The lender still needs to be comfortable with the property and the transaction itself.

I wrote a practical guide explaining what buyers can expect between acceptance and actually getting the keys:

https://dprealty.ca/blog/offer-accepted-ontario-what-happens-next

If you're buying in Hamilton or Ancaster and you're unsure about part of the process, send me the property address and the question you're trying to figure out.

Your offer was accepted in Ontario. Learn what happens next with the deposit, conditions, financing, lawyer, insurance, closing costs and keys.

08/11/2026

Hamilton homes averaged 42 days on market in July.

Does that mean every older listing is overpriced or ready for a big discount? No.

Before making that assumption, look at the full picture:

• Original price and price changes
• Previous listings or relaunches
• Comparable recent sales
• Current competing homes
• Property condition and location
• The buyer pool for that specific type of home

The same applies to sellers. A slower market does not make pricing, photography, preparation or showing access less important. It makes them more important.

Ancaster also needs its own interpretation. A mature detached home and a Meadowlands townhouse should not be judged by one Hamilton-wide average.

I wrote a practical guide explaining what longer days on market actually means for buyers and sellers:

https://dprealty.ca/blog/longer-days-on-market-ancaster-hamilton

If you want help reviewing a specific property, send me the address.

Learn what longer days on market mean for Ancaster and Hamilton buyers and sellers, and which listing signals matter before you act.

08/10/2026

Falling behind on rent or utility payments can become a housing emergency quickly.

The City of Hamilton's Housing Emergency Fund may help eligible Ontario Works recipients, Ontario Disability Support Program recipients and people with low income maintain their current housing or establish a new permanent residence.

Depending on the applicant, support may include:
• Rent arrears
• Utility arrears
• Last month's rent for eligible Ontario Works or ODSP recipients

The City says maximum support over a 24-month period depends on household size. Its published maximums range from $3,000 for a single person to $7,000 for a household of five or more.

Eligibility is assessed by the appropriate agency. The City also states accommodation costs must not exceed 95% of household income and approved funds are paid directly to the third party where they are owed.

Contacts:
Ontario Works: City Housing Services, 905-546-4800
ODSP and other low-income residents: Hamilton Housing Help Centre, 905-526-8100
Indigenous community members: Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, 905-548-9593

Full information:
https://www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/housing-shelter/housing-supports/housing-emergency-fund

Please share this with someone who may need it. Eligibility and funding are determined by the administering organizations, not DPRealty.

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