February 25, 2026 | Real Estate Tips
Is It a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market in Guelph?
If you have been keeping an eye on the Guelph Real Estate Market, you have likely noticed that month-to-month, there is a variable change.
Some seasons feel fast and competitive because buyer demand for that property is high, while others feel slow and more balanced.
Before we break down what market we are in, let’s review the differences between a buyer’s market and a seller’s market.
What is a Buyer’s Market
Let’s start simple. A buyer’s market occurs when there are more homes for sale than consumer demand to purchase them. This means that inventory is high, and buyers have more options. In a buyer’s market, homes will sit on the market for an average timeline for that area. This is why, if you are planning to list in a market characterized by high inventory, you must price accurately.
In a buyer’s market, price reductions are not uncommon. Most Realtors will reduce the home’s price if there have been no showings or very little activity since it was listed. In a buyer’s market, home buyers can negotiate with more confidence because they don’t feel pressured by other competition over a property.
In a buyer’s market, conditions are likely added to offers. A conditional offer means that a property is sold on the condition that the buyer or seller fulfills the requirements set out in the contract. Common conditions buyers include in a buyer’s market are financing, a home inspection, or the sale of the buyer’s current property.
In a buyer’s market, the most important skills for your Realtor to hone in on are negotiation, strategy, and sales experience.
Looking to buy a house in today’s market? Check out these blog posts for more information!
- Is Buying a Home a Good Investment?
- Should You Buy or Sell First?
- Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a Home?
What is a Sellers Market?
Now let’s flip it. A seller’s market happens when more buyers are searching for a home than there are homes for sale on the market. The best example of a seller’s market was the market conditions seen during the pandemic. Inventory was so low that the price to purchase a home rose dramatically due to strong demand. Now, those homes are worth what the current market in Guelph/Wellington reflects.
In this kind of market, homes sell quickly, multiple offers are very common, and prices may increase. The market adjusts according to the general economic conditions and buyer demand. The market we saw during the pandemic was one of the most thriving seller’s markets in recent years because so many Guelph locals were looking to move and had outgrown/ fallen out of love with their current home.
A seller’s market gives sellers and Realtors more negotiating power. Working with a trusted, experienced professional/team is key in a seller’s market to protect your interests and get the best possible outcome, whether you are looking to sell or buy.
Preparing to sell your home? Find out why hiring the right Realtor is a game-changer.
Guelph’s Housing Market – What’s Happening Today?
The truth is, the Guelph housing market doesn’t always fit into one box because real estate isn’t specific; it often teeters on the purchase price and neighbourhood specifics, depending on the overall budget.
For example, entry-level homes in the $700-750K range are competitive to purchase because there is a lot of first-time homebuyer activity in Guelph. On the other hand, luxury homes in the 1.5-2.5M price range are part of a niche market and might take longer to sell. When you decide to work with a Realtor to purchase or sell a property, consider their experience in the community and their overall network. Good Realtors will leverage early access to listings, off-market opportunities, and work to find you the perfect home regardless of your price range.
Guelph is also interesting to study from because of its geographic layout. The majority of the city is surrounded by large rural properties, which make up a niche portion of the market. Rural homes might be larger in scale, have outbuildings, and include usable land attached to the property. Understand that the residential market in the innercity and the rural market, which operates outside Guelph, yield different data, regardless of whether it is a sellers’ or buyers’ market.
How We Approach a Buyer’s Market
We understand that pricing matters more than ever. Overpricing always leads to later reductions and risks your listing going “stale” on the market. In an effort to provide the best advice, we focus on:
- The recently sold properties in your neighbourhood that have similar criteria to your home
- Competing active listings in your area and the surrounding areas
- The average days on the market and overall market data for your area
- General buyer behaviour trends
We also focus on presenting your home to ensure it is as appealing as possible to buyers looking for a property like yours. With professional photography and 4K video, intentional decluttering and staging, a strong online presence, and overall social media exposure, you are in the best hands when you choose to work with us, no matter the market.
How We Approach a Sellers’ Market
Even in a market with high demand, strategy remains equally important. Here is how our team approaches a seller’s market in Guelph:
- Pricing accordingly
- Setting offer dates for particular properties
- Building strong anticipation through marketing efforts, internally and externally
- Using targeted advertising
When things get competitive, we are your trusted conduit. We help our buyers understand the real value, stay within their financial limits, write strong yet smart offers, and avoid hasty decisions under short timelines. When working with sellers, we break down offers accordingly, approach deals with experience and strategy, and ease concerns and questions as the selling process unfolds.
Need advice on selling a home? Explore these related readings.
- Do Open Houses Sell Homes?
- Can You Sell Your Home Fast In Today’s Market?
- How Many Showings Does it Take to Sell a House?
Strong Buying Strategies in the Guelph Real Estate Market
We want to leave you with some simple steps to prepare yourself to buy or sell in today’s market. First, you should get pre-approved with a mortgage agent before you shop, so you can establish a healthy price range for your financial circumstances. Next, define your non-negotiables by putting together a list of what you are looking for in a home if you’re buying, or what you are expecting if you are selling.
Finally, interview multiple agents with a clear concept of what you are looking for in a Realtor until you find the person who feels like the perfect agent for you. We recommend working with a local team that understands neighbourhood trends and will be there to support you throughout the transaction and beyond.
How to Make Decisions in Today’s Market
If you find yourself asking whether we are experiencing a buyer’s or seller’s market, you are already one step ahead of the average person. Instead of relying on information from friends, family, or colleagues, look to the numbers and a trusted Realtor.
If you are interested in finding out your home’s value through a no-obligation home evaluation, contact us at operations@capstonereps.com or call us at 519-824-9050.
Ready to Get Started?
Thinking about buying or selling a home in Guelph or Wellington County? Start the conversation with our team today.
