Hamilton’s housing market finished October 2026 with an interesting contrast: fewer homes available for sale than a year earlier, but lower average selling prices.

According to MLS® statistics retrieved through ITSO Matrix, 361 freehold residential properties sold in Hamilton during October, compared with 372 in October 2025, a decline of 3.0%. The average freehold selling price fell 7.6% year-over-year to $779,368, while the median declined 5.5% to $699,000.

Meanwhile, active freehold listings decreased 15.4% year-over-year, from 1,957 to 1,656. Months of inventory also declined, from 5.3 to 4.6 months.

These figures point to a market where supply has tightened compared with last autumn, yet that reduction has not translated into higher average selling prices.

For buyers, sellers and homeowners, the distinction matters. A smaller inventory does not automatically mean stronger prices, just as lower average prices do not necessarily mean every property has lost the same amount of value.

Hamilton Real Estate Market Statistics: October 2026

The following figures cover residential freehold properties in the Hamilton region, as defined by the supplied Matrix search criteria.

Source: ITSO Matrix residential freehold statistics, Hamilton region, October 2025 and October 2026. Percentage changes calculated from reported values. Months-of-inventory and marketing-time figures are reported at the precision supplied.

1. Hamilton Home Prices Are Lower Than a Year Ago

Perhaps the most significant development in October was the year-over-year decline in both average and median selling prices.

The average residential freehold sale price was $779,368, down $64,270 from October 2025. The median was $699,000, down $40,500.

The fact that both measures declined provides a broader indication of softer transaction prices than either figure would offer independently.

However, there is an important distinction between what homes sold for and what an individual property is worth.

Average selling prices are influenced by the mix of properties sold. A month containing a larger proportion of smaller, lower-priced homes can produce a lower average even without equivalent price reductions across comparable properties.

Median prices reduce the influence of unusually expensive transactions, but they are still affected by the composition of sales.

Neither statistic measures the change in value of the same home over time. That is one reason MLS® Home Price Index benchmarks, when available for a matching geography and property category, can provide additional perspective.

What happened compared with September?

October’s average freehold selling price increased from $763,482 in September to $779,368, a month-over-month gain of approximately 2.1%.

The median increased from $676,250 to $699,000, a gain of approximately 3.4%.

This is an important counterpoint to the annual decline. Transaction prices were higher than in September, even though they remained below October 2025 levels.

One month’s improvement does not establish a sustained recovery. It does, however, demonstrate why a balanced assessment should consider both annual and monthly comparisons.

For homeowners, these figures should not be interpreted as a direct estimate of their property’s appreciation or depreciation. That requires comparable sales involving similar homes in the same local market.

2. Inventory Has Declined, but Buyers Still Have Meaningful Choice

Hamilton ended October with 1,656 active residential freehold listings, compared with 1,957 one year earlier.

That represents 301 fewer properties on the market, or a 15.4% decline.

Inventory was also lower than September 2026, when 1,718 active listings were recorded.

At the same time, October sales increased from 316 in September to 361, a 14.2% monthly improvement.

Together, these movements contributed to a reduction in months of inventory from 5.4 in September to 4.6 in October.

What does 4.6 months of inventory mean?

Months of inventory estimates how long the available supply of homes would last at the current pace of sales if no additional properties were listed.

It is a measure of supply relative to transaction activity, rather than a prediction of how long an individual home will take to sell.

October’s 4.6 months of inventory is below both September 2026’s 5.4 months and October 2025’s 5.3 months.

This suggests a tighter supply-and-demand relationship than either comparison period.

Nevertheless, the simultaneous decline in annual average and median selling prices makes it difficult to characterize the market as broadly strengthening.

The O’Reilly Group’s interpretation: Hamilton’s freehold market became more active relative to available inventory in October, but the evidence does not yet establish renewed upward price pressure.

For buyers, reduced inventory can mean fewer suitable options, particularly when searching within a narrow neighbourhood, price range or property category.

For sellers, fewer competing listings can be helpful, but it does not remove the need to price appropriately against comparable properties.

3. Homes Are Selling Faster Than in September, but Not Every Listing Has a Short Marketing Period

Marketing time is another area where October’s statistics deserve closer examination.

The average time to sell a Hamilton freehold property was 36 days, unchanged from October 2025 but down from 43 days in September 2026.

The median was 23 days, compared with 25 days a year earlier and 27 days in September.

These figures indicate that properties sold during October generally spent less time on the market than those sold during September.

However, cumulative days on market tell a different part of the story.

Why cumulative days on market matter

Cumulative days on market, commonly abbreviated CDOM, account for marketing exposure across listing activity according to the MLS® system’s applicable rules.

For October 2026:

• Average cumulative days on market: 65 days.
• Median cumulative days on market: 36 days.
• Average ordinary days to sell: 36 days.
• Median ordinary days to sell: 23 days.

The gap between ordinary and cumulative marketing time suggests that listing history matters when evaluating how long properties have been exposed to the market.

It would be incorrect to conclude from these figures alone that a particular proportion of homes were cancelled, relisted or reduced in price. Those outcomes would require listing-level analysis.

Nevertheless, cumulative marketing time can provide useful context when a property has undergone more than one period of exposure.

For sellers, this reinforces the value of reviewing competing listings and their complete marketing histories before establishing an asking price.

For buyers, a property’s current days-on-market figure should not be treated as its entire history without further verification.

4. Sale-to-List Price Ratios Remain Consistent

Hamilton’s average residential freehold sale-to-list price ratio was 96.9% in October 2026, identical to October 2025.

It was also slightly below September’s 97.1%.

At the aggregate level, the October figure means the reported selling-price-to-list-price relationship averaged 96.9%.

For perspective, a property listed at $800,000 and sold at 96.9% of that amount would sell for $775,200.

That is an illustration of the ratio, not a prediction of what any specific property should sell for.

It is also important to distinguish the final asking price from a property’s original asking price. A property that undergoes a price adjustment before selling may have a very different relationship between its original price and its final selling price.

The consistency in this statistic is interesting because it occurred alongside lower year-over-year transaction prices and reduced inventory.

It suggests that the average relationship between selling prices and reported list prices has remained relatively stable, even while other market measures have changed.

It does not establish whether sellers are accepting larger concessions, whether buyers are negotiating more aggressively, or whether particular property types are attracting competing offers.

Those questions require more detailed transaction evidence.

Other related blogs:

• Hamilton Real Estate Market Update: September 2026 – Inventory Rises as Homes Take Longer to Sell
• Dundas Real Estate Market Update – September 2026
• Why Some Luxury Homes in Ancaster Struggle to Sell – And What Sellers Can Do Differently

5. Hamilton’s Condominium Market Requires a Separate Assessment

The distinction between freehold and condominium ownership is particularly important when discussing Hamilton’s housing market.

The supplied condominium statistics show that the average time to sell a residential condominium increased from 49 days in October 2025 to 56 days in October 2026.

That represents an increase of seven days, or approximately 14.3%.

By comparison, the average time to sell a freehold residential property remained unchanged at 36 days.

The difference between the two categories in October was therefore 20 days.

This does not prove that every condominium is more difficult to sell than every freehold property. Individual buildings, monthly fees, property condition, unit size, amenities and price positioning can all influence a purchase decision.

However, it does show why condominium sellers should not automatically apply freehold marketing-time expectations to their own properties.

The supplied condominium data does not establish condominium sales totals, prices or months of inventory for October. Those indicators would be necessary before drawing broader conclusions about condominium market conditions.

What October’s Market Means for Hamilton Buyers

Buyers entering the Hamilton market should pay attention to two developments: prices are lower than a year earlier on the reported transaction measures, while the supply of available freehold properties has decreased.

That combination requires a property-specific approach.

A buyer may find opportunities among homes that have experienced extended marketing periods, particularly where the asking price has not kept pace with comparable transactions.

However, it would be a mistake to assume that every property is negotiable by the same percentage.

The most useful questions are whether the asking price is supported by recent comparable sales, how long the property has been exposed to the market, what competing alternatives exist and whether the home’s condition creates additional financial obligations.

Financing, inspections and long-term affordability should remain central to the decision.

What October’s Market Means for Hamilton Sellers

For sellers, October’s statistics provide some encouragement, but they also call for realistic expectations.

Sales improved compared with September, inventory declined, and marketing times shortened. Those are constructive developments.

Yet average and median selling prices remained below the levels recorded in October 2025.

This is why pricing should be based on current competing inventory and recent comparable sales rather than relying primarily on what similar properties achieved a year earlier.

A thoughtful listing strategy should consider the property’s condition, location, improvements, presentation, competing alternatives and likely buyer audience.

Sellers should also distinguish between the initial listing period and the complete marketing history of competing properties.

The goal is not simply to attract attention. It is to establish a credible position in the market that can support a successful transaction.

What Existing Hamilton Homeowners Should Understand

Homeowners who are not planning to move immediately may find the annual price declines concerning.

But regional averages are not individual property valuations.

Hamilton contains different neighbourhoods, housing styles, lot characteristics, property conditions and price segments. A change in the mix of homes sold can affect the reported average and median without representing an equivalent change for every homeowner.

For anyone considering refinancing, renovating, downsizing or purchasing another property, the relevant question is what their particular home would reasonably command under current conditions.

That assessment should consider comparable properties and the costs associated with the next decision, rather than relying on a single citywide statistic.

What to Watch in November 2026

The next reporting period should help clarify whether October’s improvement in transaction activity continues.

Three questions deserve particular attention.

First, will freehold sales remain stronger relative to available inventory, or was October’s improvement primarily a seasonal movement?

Second, will average and median prices maintain their month-over-month gains when November’s transactions are recorded?

Third, will cumulative marketing times continue to decline, or will properties requiring longer exposure remain a significant part of the market?

Additional condominium sales, inventory and pricing statistics would also help establish whether that segment is moving differently from freehold housing.

None of these questions can be answered confidently in advance. They are simply the indicators worth monitoring as new evidence becomes available.

A Market That Requires More Than One Headline

October’s Hamilton real estate statistics illustrate why market conditions cannot be reduced to a single number.

Prices were lower than a year earlier. Inventory was also lower. Sales improved from September, and the supply of available homes became tighter relative to the month’s sales activity.

These developments are not contradictory. They reflect different dimensions of the housing market, each measuring something important.

For buyers and sellers, the practical lesson is to understand the specific market in which a property competes.

A well-maintained detached home in an established neighbourhood, a condominium apartment downtown and a property requiring substantial renovations may face very different competitive conditions.

If you’re considering buying or selling in Hamilton, Ancaster or Dundas, Luke O’Reilly, Real Estate Broker with The O’Reilly Group at Royal LePage State Realty, can help you interpret current comparable sales, evaluate your options and develop a strategy suited to your property and circumstances.

Luke O’Reilly is a Royal LePage National Chairman’s Club award recipient, recognizing his 2025 production among the top 1% of Royal LePage REALTORS® nationally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hamilton’s October 2026 Real Estate Market

1. What was the average home price in Hamilton in October 2026?

The average selling price for residential freehold properties in the Hamilton region was $779,368 in October 2026, according to ITSO Matrix statistics. This was 7.6% lower than October 2025’s average of $843,638, but approximately 2.1% higher than September 2026. The figure applies to the specified freehold category, not every residential property type, and should not be interpreted as the value of a typical individual home.

2. Are Hamilton house prices falling in 2026?

Hamilton’s average and median freehold selling prices were lower in October 2026 than in October 2025. The average declined 7.6%, while the median declined 5.5%. Both measures increased compared with September 2026. These are transaction-price statistics, not constant-quality measures of property values. A fuller assessment of underlying price movements would benefit from matching MLS® HPI benchmark data and comparable-property analysis.

3. How many homes sold in Hamilton in October 2026?

There were 361 residential freehold sales in the Hamilton region during October 2026, compared with 372 in October 2025 and 316 in September 2026. That represents a 3.0% annual decline and a 14.2% monthly increase. These totals exclude condominium ownership properties under the supplied search criteria, so they should not be presented as the complete number of residential transactions across all ownership categories.

4. Is Hamilton a buyer’s market or a seller’s market?

Hamilton’s residential freehold market recorded 4.6 months of inventory in October 2026, compared with 5.4 months in September and 5.3 months a year earlier. This indicates tighter supply relative to sales activity, but it does not by itself establish a uniform buyer’s or seller’s market. Conditions can differ substantially by property type, neighbourhood, price range and the amount of direct competition facing an individual listing.

5. How long did it take to sell a house in Hamilton in October 2026?

The average residential freehold property sold in 36 days during October 2026, while the median was 23 days. Average cumulative days on market were higher, at 65 days, with a cumulative median of 36 days. These measures describe properties that sold and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of how quickly a new listing will sell. Pricing, condition, location and competition remain important considerations.

6. Are Hamilton condos taking longer to sell than freehold homes?

Yes, based on the supplied October 2026 averages. Residential condominiums recorded an average of 56 days to sell, compared with 36 days for freehold residential properties. Condominium marketing time was also seven days longer than in October 2025. These are category-wide averages, and the difference does not establish the expected selling time for any particular condominium building or unit.

7. Should I wait until 2027 to sell my home in Hamilton?

October’s statistics do not establish whether waiting until 2027 will produce a better result. The decision depends on your property’s current competitive position, financial circumstances, moving plans and the alternatives available to you. Lower year-over-year transaction prices are worth considering, but future prices cannot be reliably determined from one month’s data. A property-specific market evaluation is more useful than attempting to predict the ideal selling month.

8. How much below asking price are Hamilton homes selling for?

The reported average sale-to-list price ratio for Hamilton residential freehold properties was 96.9% in October 2026. This describes an aggregate relationship between reported selling and listing prices, not a universal negotiating discount. A property may have undergone earlier price adjustments, and some homes may sell above asking while others sell substantially below. Buyers and sellers should evaluate recent comparable transactions rather than applying the average ratio mechanically.

Sources and Methodology

This report was prepared using residential MLS® statistics retrieved from ITSO Matrix on November 2, 2026, covering October 2025 through October 2026.

The principal analysis uses the Matrix search criteria ‘Residential’, ownership type ‘Freehold/None’, and region ‘Hamilton‘. The condominium comparison uses ‘Residential’, ownership type ‘Condominium’, and the same regional designation.

Reported indicators include residential sales, active listings, average and median sale prices, months of inventory, ordinary and cumulative marketing times, and the close-price-to-list-price ratio.

Year-over-year and month-over-month percentage changes were calculated from the underlying values reported in the supplied tables. These statistics are not seasonally adjusted.

The data does not provide a matching MLS® HPI benchmark, complete new-listing figures, sales-to-new-listings ratios, or a full condominium pricing and inventory breakdown for this article. No separate conclusions are made for Ancaster, Dundas or Burlington.

This is an independent analysis prepared by The O’Reilly Group using MLS® system data. It is not an official market report issued by Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® or ITSO. MLS® information is subject to reporting revisions, data limitations and applicable usage rights.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in Hamilton, The O’Reilly Group can help you evaluate the market conditions relevant to your particular situation.

Contact Luke O’Reilly and The O’Reilly Group at Royal LePage State Realty for a personalized market evaluation or a conversation about your real estate plans.

Luke O’Reilly is the Founder & Real Estate Broker of The O’Reilly Group at Royal LePage State Realty. With more than 16 years of experience serving Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Burlington and surrounding communities, The O’Reilly Group are recipients of Royal LePage’s National Chairman’s Club recognition, placing them among the company’s top 1% of REALTORS® nationally for 2025.

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