MAY 2026 Market Stats

There were 1,657 home sales recorded via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone) in May 2026, representing a 7.2% increase month-over-month, and a 9.4% decline year-over-year.

“Real estate sales activity has consistently increased since the start of the year; however, May 2026 marks one of the slowest months on record across our market areas. While overall activity has not yet reached the levels we have seen in previous years, the monthly gains since January represent steady growth and signal a gradual return of buyer confidence,” says Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “Across many of our market areas, the Home Price Index (HPI) remains stable month-over-month, inventory sits at a balanced 4.7-month supply, and homes are selling quicker each month since January. The market is not where it was in previous spring seasons, but it is moving in the right direction, and a local REALTOR® is your best resource to navigate the local market.” 

The HPI composite benchmark declined year-over-year across Cornerstone’s major market areas, while many areas saw minimal month-over-month changes in many areas.

There were 3,781 new listings added to Cornerstone’s MLS® System last month, a decline of 18.6% year-over-year, and a decrease of 0.8% over April 2026. The total inventory across Cornerstone’s market areas increased 8.2% over the previous month and represents an 8.7% decrease year-over-year. There was a 4.7-month supply at the end of May, representing a 2.1% decrease year-over-year. The number of months of inventory represents the time it would take to sell the current inventory at the current sales rate.

In May, the average days on the market across all Cornerstone market areas was 32, compared to 34 days in April 2026.

Hamilton-Burlington-Haldimand-Niagara North Area Highlights: 

• Home sales increased 6.5% month-over-month. 
• The number of newly listed properties decreased by 3.5% on a month-over-month basis. 
• The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $744,000 in May 2026, an increase of 0.8% compared to a month ago, and down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. 
• Inventory across the market area decreased by 9.4% on a year-over-year basis, but due to an increase on a month-over-month basis, the months’ supply increased to 4.8 months for all property types by the end of May. 

SEE THE FULL STATS RELEASE AND HISTORICAL STATS HERE: https://cornerstone.inc/hamilton-burlington-housing-stats/