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Niagara’s Job Market and Housing Outlook
According to the CMHC Symposium data, the job market in St. Catharines–Niagara remains soft. On page 12, October 2025 unemployment sits at 7.2%, with declines in both labour force participation and employment levels since February 2024.
This labour softness affects the real estate market in two ways:
- Slower household formation, as buyers delay entering the market.
- More cautious investor sentiment, especially regarding rent growth.
Page 7 shows advertised rents trending downward across several Ontario cities, including St. Catharines–Niagara, where average listed rent decreased 4.9% year-over-year.
Meanwhile, on page 16, months of inventory remain elevated:
• Semi-detached: 10.6 months
• Townhomes: 6.8 months
• Single-detached: 6.9 months
This indicates a buyer’s market across all dwelling types.
Taken together, the region is experiencing softer employment, easing rent pressures, and increased supply. For buyers, this creates opportunity. For sellers, strategic pricing and condition remain important.
A unique advantage for sellers
A lot of sellers hit this point in the year and feel the tug to take their home off the market.
The holidays don’t exactly pair well with constant tidying and disappearing for every showing.
But here’s the advantage sellers have during the holiday slowdown…
A lot of people will take their home off the market and relist.
Which means the homes that stay active get a disproportionate share of buyer attention.
And buyers are out there.
Thought I’d share this because I see this a lot. It’s common for sellers to miss how much leverage they can have during a so-called “slow” season.
P.S. If you’re torn between listing before the end of the year or waiting until 2026, reply to this email and let’s talk through your options.
That happened to me last night.
Have you ever prepped a meal hours ahead,
only to reheat it later…
and it just didn’t have the same sparkle?
That happened to me last night.
I put in all the effort,
but by the time I served it,
the freshness was gone.
🏡 The same thing happens in real estate.
When a home sits on the market too long,
sellers wait for the “perfect” buyer —
but the longer it sits, the less appealing it becomes.
Here’s what many don’t realize 👇
Once a listing goes stale,
even a price drop can’t fully restore that freshness.
Buyers start to wonder what’s wrong,
and the property ends up chasing the market down.
✅ Just like in cooking, timing is everything.
Serve a meal at the right moment and people line up for it.
Price a home with today’s market — not yesterday’s —
and it sells faster, stronger, and with real excitement.
📲 Thinking about selling this fall?
Let’s make sure your timing is perfect.
#FortErieRealEstate #NiagaraHomes #SellerTips #MarketAdvice #BarbaraScarlettBroker #ScarlettRealEstateGroup #HomeSellingStrategy #NiagaraRealtor #FallMarket #ValueSeries
Niagara Housing Starts Rising: Key Insights from the CMHC Symposium
The CMHC “Growing Niagara Housing Symposium” illustrates how new construction across Niagara continues to shift. According to the chart on page 2, total housing starts for 2025 (January–September) reached 1,931 units, up from 1,524 units in 2024. The increase is driven by both new construction and more conversion projects.
One of the most significant trends is highlighted on page 4, showing a large share of today’s new construction coming from purpose-built rentals—586 units compared to 316 last year in the same period. This aligns with demand for rental supply and regional population changes.
Municipality-level data on page 5 highlights which areas are leading the surge:
• Welland: 506 starts (well above historical median)
• St. Catharines: 365 starts
• Lincoln: 327 starts
These three communities alone represent the largest share of new 2025 construction activity.
For buyers and investors, this signals an evolving supply landscape. For sellers, increased inventory may influence competition depending on dwelling type. Understanding these trends helps clients navigate pricing, timing, and long-term planning in the Niagara Region.
Ontario Land Transfer Tax: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know
First-time homebuyers in Ontario may qualify for a land transfer tax refund of up to $4,000, but the rules are very specific. According to the Criteria Under the Ontario Land Transfer Tax Act, eligibility requires that a buyer be at least 18 years old, have never owned a home anywhere in the world, and intend to live in the property within nine months of closing. The application must be submitted within 18 months of the transfer date.
Where many buyers get confused is in joint purchases. If two buyers are purchasing together and only one is a first-time buyer, the refund is pro-rated. For example, if each owns 50% of the home, the eligible buyer can claim 50% of the refund—up to $2,000. If the eligible buyer owns 70%, then they may claim up to $2,800.
Spouses have additional rules. If a spouse owned a home while they were married to the first-time buyer, neither spouse may qualify for the refund. But if the previous ownership occurred before the relationship, the true first-time buyer can still qualify for their proportional share.
For buyers entering today’s market—especially with affordability challenges—this rebate can meaningfully reduce upfront costs. Realtors should make sure clients understand how joint ownership and spousal history affect the final refund amount.
The last non-Christmas Thirsty Thursday…
The last non-Christmas Thirsty Thursday…
and it felt like the right day for one more purple drink. 
A simple gin orange martini
with Indigo Gin,
dry vermouth,
a few drops of bitters,
and fresh citrus.
I’ve been seeing those big ice cubes all over Instagram…
so today felt like the day to start making my own.
Small things that make the glass feel a bit more fun.
It’s American Thanksgiving,
and living in Fort Erie means we feel that celebration too.
Caravan was quiet today…
everyone likely enjoying turkey across the border.
So I came home,
pulled out the shaker,
and made something bright before the Christmas recipes begin next week.
If you try it, let me know.
And if you turn it into a mocktail… that works too.
Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. 
#ThirstyThursday #FortErie #NiagaraLife #IndigoGin #HomeCocktails #FortErieLifestyle #BarbaraScarlettBroker #ScarlettRealEstateGroup #NiagaraRealtor #LocalLifeNiagara #KitchenMoments
✨ Something special at 397 Garrison Road #14
✨ Something special at 397 Garrison Road #14
A bright bungaloft townhome in The Mather by Ashton Homes — 1,482 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a practical main-floor layout.
Inside you’ll find:
• 9-ft ceilings with an open great room–dining–kitchen flow
• Arborite countertops, stainless-steel double sink, and ceramic flooring
• Main-floor primary suite with 4-piece ensuite + double closets
• In-suite laundry with direct garage access
• Two additional bedrooms upstairs + full 4-piece bath
• Full unfinished basement
• Single attached garage + private driveway
• Brick + vinyl exterior with a covered porch
Common element fee: $165/month.
Vacant and ready for occupancy.
Pet-friendly community (with restrictions).
📍 Close to shopping, parks, schools, QEW access, and the Peace Bridge — a connected location in Fort Erie.
💡 Builder incentive: Negotiable Terms and Mortgages as low as 1.58% for qualifying buyers in Phase III. ++++ All Units are discounted to $599,900!!!
Message me for details or to book a tour.
#FortErieRealEstate #TheMather #AshtonHomes #FortErie #NiagaraRealEstate #Bungaloft #TownhomeLiving #ScarlettRealEstateGroup #BarbaraScarlettBroker #NiagaraHomes
Do you ever walk into a shop and instantly feel the season? ✨🎄
Do you ever walk into a shop and instantly feel the season? ✨🎄
Last Friday, I stopped into @socialgracesridgeway Graces during their Christmas opening,
and it was absolutely beautiful.
The lights, the décor,
the warm, festive feeling in the air —
it all reminded me how close we are to the holidays.
Places like this make Fort Erie feel special…
local, cozy, and full of charm this time of year.
Have you started any of your holiday browsing yet?
👇 Tell me your favourite local spots to visit.
#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion #supportlocalniagara
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#holidayseason #slowlivingmovement #forterieshops #realestatelifestyle
#localbusinesslove #niagaraliving
It’s been a grind. For weeks.
It’s been a grind. For weeks.
But this morning… I felt it lift.
The past couple of weeks have felt like walking uphill in the dark — doing the work, but not always seeing the progress.
Then this week, something shifted.
✅ A few price reductions came together.
✅ A new listing sold in just over a week.
✅ A long-time seller finally aligned with the market — and now we’re moving forward.
All the hard conversations.
All the quiet effort.
It started clicking.
And on this morning’s walk, I just felt so grateful.
Because without the grind,
you don’t feel the breakthrough the same way.
If you’re in a season where it feels like nothing’s landing — hang in there.
It’s landing.
Maybe not today,
maybe not tomorrow…
but probably next week.
💬 Tell me — what’s finally clicking for you lately?
Follow for more reflections on the real work behind the scenes.
#GodMoment #RealEstateWithHeart #MomentumBuilding #GrindThenShine #FortErieRealtor #NiagaraRealEstate #ClientWins #HardWorkPaysOff #KeepGoing #BreakthroughComing #WomenInRealEstate #RealtorReflections #RealLifeRealEstate #WalkAndReflect #RootedLiving #DailyGratitude
Do you have a tradition that officially starts the season for you? 🌲✨
Do you have a tradition that officially starts the season for you? 🌲✨
Last week, we made our annual trip to the tree farm.
Cool air, rows of evergreens,
and that quiet feeling that the holidays are on their way.
Family was all hands in —
helping choose it, carry it,
and get it home in one piece.
And now it’s standing in the center of our home…
still bare, still fresh,
but already bringing that early holiday calm into the house.
There’s something about starting the season with a live tree —
simple, outdoors, and a little bit traditional.
Check out @the_mill_ridgeway this holiday season! took home some treasures myself!
Do you go real or artificial for your Christmas tree?
👇 I’d love to hear how you decorate.
#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion #lakeerielife
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#slowlivingmovement #holidayseason #christmastreefarm
#seasonaltraditions #realestatelifestyle #niagaraliving
