FEBRUARY, 2026 Central & North Hastings Market Insights

What’s Really Happening in the Spring 2026 Market

Anette Targowski, REALTOR® SRES®

12/2/20252 min read

Central & North Hastings Market Minute (Stirling, Madoc, Marmora & Tweed) – February 2026

If you’re wondering what’s happening in the real estate market right now in Stirling, Madoc, Marmora, and Tweed… you’re not alone.

And if you’re waiting for me to say, “It’s booming!” or “It’s crashing!” — sorry.
It’s neither.

It’s… complicated. (But in a very predictable way.)

Let’s break it down.

📊 Prices: A Bit of a Reality Check

The average price dropped 21% month-over-month to $457,584 — yes, that’s a big swing.
But zoom out for a second: year-over-year, average price is actually UP 6.2%.

Even more telling?
The median price jumped 21.8% year-over-year to $475,000.

👉 Translation:
The “typical” home is still strong. The average is just being pushed around by outliers.

🏡 Sales: Up… But Not Exactly a Party

Sales increased 35.7% month-over-month (19 vs. 14) — great news, right?

Well… compared to last year, sales are actually DOWN 13.6%.

👉 Translation:
More activity than January, but we’re still not back to last year’s pace.

Days on Market: Buyers Are Taking Their Time

Homes are taking longer to sell year-over-year:

  • Average days up 27.8% (68 vs. 53)

  • Median days up 89.6% (73 vs. 39)

👉 Translation:
Buyers are no longer rushing. They’re thinking. Comparing. Negotiating.

(Shocking, I know.)

📈 Listings & Competition: More Choices, More Pressure

New listings are up 13.3% month-over-month and 11.5% year-over-year.

At the same time:

  • 15.8% of homes are selling above asking (up 73.7% YoY)

  • But 78.9% are still selling below list price

👉 Translation:
Yes, bidding wars still exist… but only for homes that are priced right and show well.

🔮 So What Happens Next?

Here’s where things get interesting.

With ongoing political uncertainty and global tensions, buyers are cautious — but they’re still watching.

And now that inventory is building and spring is here?

👉 Expect:

  • More listings hitting the market

  • Buyers becoming more selective

  • Pricing becoming the deciding factor

  • And homes that are not prepared properly sitting longer

🚨 What This Means for Sellers

This is not the market to “test a high price and see what happens.”

That strategy?
👉 It will cost you time… and money.

The homes that are winning right now are:

  • Properly priced

  • Properly prepared

  • Properly marketed

🔥 Thinking About Selling? Read This.

If you’re even considering selling this year — especially if you’re downsizing or handling an estate — the decisions you make now will directly impact your final sale price.

👉 Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Get a strategy.

Having the right guidance early can save time, stress, and money.

👉 Let’s talk about your situation and build a plan that works for you.

📞 705-957-4177
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