Who doesn’t love a little online shopping—especially when it helps build stronger communities?

The Cornerstone Charity Online Auction is officially open in support of Habitat for Humanity, and everyone is invited to participate. You do not need to be a REALTOR® or attend the golf tournament to bid.

Browse the available items, place your bids and perhaps score something fabulous while supporting an organization that helps local families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.

It is shopping with a purpose—which means adding one more item to your watchlist is practically community service. Right? 😉

Ready to Start Bidding?

The auction is online, easy to browse and open to everyone.

Visit the Charity Online Auction and place your bids

Please share the auction with your friends, family and colleagues. Every bid helps us raise more in support of Habitat for Humanity.

A three-bedroom home is Coming Soon to MLS® in Ingersoll this Friday for $500,000.

But a listing price is only one piece of the home-buying puzzle. What might purchasing a $500,000 home actually look like once we account for the down payment, mortgage default insurance and estimated monthly payment?

Let’s do the mortgage math.

Our Sample Calculation

To keep the comparison consistent, the estimates below use:

A $500,000 purchase price

A sample interest rate of 4.49%

A five-year fixed mortgage

A 25-year amortization

Monthly mortgage payments

The 4.49% rate is being used strictly as an educational example. Available rates and mortgage products depend on the borrower, property, lender and date of application.

Option One: A 5% Down Payment

For a home priced at $500,000, the minimum down payment is 5%, subject to lender and mortgage-insurer approval.

Purchase price: $500,000

Down payment: $25,000

Base mortgage: $475,000

Estimated mortgage-insurance premium: $19,000

Estimated total mortgage: $494,000

Estimated monthly payment: $2,731

Because the down payment is below 20%, mortgage default insurance would normally be required. The premium protects the lender—not the borrower—and is generally added to the mortgage.

In Ontario, provincial sales tax on the insurance premium cannot be added to the mortgage. In this example, the estimated tax would be approximately $1,520 and would need to be paid as part of the buyer’s closing costs.

Option Two: A 10% Down Payment

A larger down payment reduces both the amount borrowed and the applicable mortgage-insurance premium.

Purchase price: $500,000

Down payment: $50,000

Base mortgage: $450,000

Estimated mortgage-insurance premium: $13,950

Estimated total mortgage: $463,950

Estimated monthly payment: $2,565

The estimated monthly payment is approximately $166 lower than with a 5% down payment.

The estimated Ontario sales tax on the insurance premium would be approximately $1,116, payable at closing.

Option Three: A 20% Down Payment

With 20% down, mortgage default insurance is generally not required.

Purchase price: $500,000

Down payment: $100,000

Estimated mortgage amount: $400,000

Mortgage-insurance premium: $0

Estimated monthly payment: $2,212

This option produces the lowest estimated monthly mortgage payment, but it also requires significantly more money upfront.

Comparing the Three Options

A larger down payment can reduce your mortgage and monthly payment, but putting every available dollar into the down payment is not always the best strategy.

Buyers should also retain enough money for closing costs, moving expenses, immediate repairs and a comfortable emergency fund.

What About Land Transfer Tax?

The regular Ontario land transfer tax on a $500,000 purchase would be approximately $6,475.

An eligible first-time homebuyer may qualify for an Ontario land transfer tax refund of up to $4,000. If the full refund applies, the remaining provincial land transfer tax would be approximately $2,475.

Eligibility requirements apply, and your lawyer will confirm the actual tax and any available refund.

The Mortgage Payment Is Not the Entire Housing Payment

Your monthly ownership budget may also need to include:

Property taxes

Home insurance

Heating and utilities

Maintenance and repairs

Any applicable condominium or association fees

Existing loan, credit card or vehicle payments

This is why mortgage qualification and comfortable affordability are not necessarily the same number.

A lender may approve a particular purchase price, but your personal budget determines whether the resulting payment feels manageable.

How Much Income Would You Need?

There is no single income requirement that applies to every buyer.

Qualification depends on the interest rate used for the mortgage stress test, property taxes, heating costs, down payment, credit history and the applicant’s existing monthly debt obligations.

Two households earning the same income can qualify for very different mortgage amounts because their debts, credit profiles and down payments are different.

The most useful calculation is not, “What is the largest mortgage I can obtain?”

It is, “What purchase price gives me a payment I can comfortably carry while still living my life?”

Let’s Calculate Your Version

These numbers are examples—not a mortgage approval or rate commitment.

If this $500,000 Ingersoll home has caught your attention, I can calculate the numbers using your actual down payment, income, debts and preferred payment schedule.

Send me the word “MATH” for a personalized mortgage calculation before the property hits MLS® this Friday.

Charlotte Ferguson

Mortgage Agent Level 2, Licence M08009211

Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd. #12360

Calculations are estimates for educational purposes and may differ because of interest rates, insurer requirements, lender policies, payment frequency, rounding and individual qualification.

Ingersoll buyers, here is your official little heads-up. 👀

A three-bedroom home is Coming Soon to MLS® this Friday—and it will be listed at $500,000.

I am keeping the address and photographs tucked safely behind the curtain for just a little longer, but I can share enough to help interested buyers get ready.

What We Can Tell You So Far

This Ingersoll home offers:

• Three bedrooms

• One-and-a-half bathrooms

• A desirable corner lot

• Ample parking

• A $500,000 list price

It could be an excellent option for first-time buyers, downsizers, commuters or anyone searching for an attainable home with practical living space.

In other words, you may not need a secret lottery win to get into this one—which is always a refreshing feature in real estate.

Why Consider Living in Ingersoll?

Ingersoll offers a welcoming small-town atmosphere while keeping residents connected to several larger employment and service centres across Southwestern Ontario.

Its location provides convenient access to Highway 401, making it worth considering for buyers commuting toward Woodstock, London and surrounding communities.

Residents can enjoy established neighbourhoods, local shops, community facilities, parks and everyday amenities without giving up convenient highway access.

For buyers who have been searching in larger urban markets, Ingersoll may also offer an opportunity to explore more home for their budget.

Who Might This Home Suit?

With three bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, the home provides a flexible layout for a variety of needs.

One bedroom could become a home office, guest room, hobby space or—let’s be honest—the room where unfolded laundry goes to contemplate its future.

The corner lot adds outdoor presence, while ample parking is particularly helpful for multi-vehicle households, commuters and visiting family or friends.

Get Ready Before Friday

If this sounds like it could match your wish list, now is the time to speak with your mortgage professional and confirm your purchasing position.

Having a current pre-approval can help you understand:

• Your comfortable purchase budget

• The down payment you will require

• Estimated closing costs

• Your potential monthly mortgage payment

• Any conditions that may be needed in an offer

Preparation does not obligate you to purchase the home. It simply places you in a stronger position to make an informed decision once the full listing becomes available.

Want the Full Listing First?

The property officially hits MLS® this Friday. At that time, I will be able to share the address, photographs and complete listing details.

Want them delivered directly to you instead of repeatedly refreshing your screen like a tiny real estate detective?

Text me the word “INGERSOLL”, and I will send you the full listing as soon as it goes live.

Charlotte Ferguson
REALTOR®
Magnolia Group Realty
Powered by Royal LePage Wolle Realty

The Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate at 2.25% on September 2, 2026.

No increase. No decrease. Just a good old-fashioned “let’s wait and see.”

While a rate hold may not create the same headlines as a dramatic cut, it still matters if you are considering buying or selling a home in Waterloo Region.

Why Did the Bank of Canada Hold Its Rate?

The Bank is balancing several competing economic pressures.

The Canadian economy has performed more strongly than expected in some areas, but inflation, energy prices and uncertainty surrounding international trade remain concerns. Lowering the policy rate too quickly could add to inflation, while keeping borrowing costs elevated for too long could slow the economy.

For now, the Bank appears prepared to leave its policy rate unchanged while it waits for clearer economic information.

What Does the Rate Hold Mean for Home Buyers?

If you have been waiting for the Bank of Canada to lower rates before beginning your home search, today’s announcement did not deliver that reduction.

However, it did deliver something buyers can use: a little more stability.

An unchanged policy rate can make it easier to plan a budget because variable borrowing costs are not immediately moving higher or lower. It also gives buyers an opportunity to obtain a proper mortgage pre-approval, understand their comfortable monthly payment and shop according to their actual numbers.

It is important to remember that the Bank of Canada’s policy rate does not directly determine every mortgage rate. Variable-rate mortgages are closely connected to lender prime rates, while fixed mortgage rates are influenced more heavily by the bond market.

Translation? One announcement does not tell the whole mortgage story.

Should Buyers Wait for a Future Rate Cut?

Waiting can feel like the safe option, but it is not automatically the better one.

If rates eventually fall, more buyers may return to the market. That could increase competition for desirable homes and place upward pressure on prices. On the other hand, buying before you are financially prepared is never the answer either.

The right time to buy depends on your:

• Income and employment stability

• Down payment and closing costs

• Monthly comfort level

• Housing needs

• Expected time in the home

• Available mortgage options

The goal is not to perfectly time the Bank of Canada. The goal is to make a move that works for your life and your finances.

What Does This Mean for Sellers?

A rate hold provides sellers with a more predictable environment, but buyers are still careful and value-conscious.

Homes that are properly prepared, presented and priced can attract strong interest. Homes priced according to wishful thinking rather than current market evidence may struggle.

Today’s buyers are comparing value closely. Condition, location, presentation and pricing strategy all matter.

The Bottom Line

The Bank of Canada’s decision does not mean that the real estate market is standing still—and it does not mean your plans have to stand still either.

If you are thinking about buying, begin with a realistic budget and mortgage pre-approval. If you are considering selling, begin with an updated evaluation of your home and a strategy based on current Waterloo Region market conditions.

Want to know what today’s announcement may mean for your particular move? Let’s look at the numbers, the local market and your goals together.

Charlotte Ferguson
REALTOR®
Magnolia Group Realty, powered by Royal LePage Wolle Realty

The final week of August brought an interesting shift to the Kitchener, Waterloo, Woolwich and Wilmot real estate market. Buyers have fewer active listings to choose from than they did just one week ago, while pending sales moved in the opposite direction.

For the week ending August 31, 2026, there were 1,092 active resale listings, down from 1,174 the previous week. That’s a decline of roughly 7% in just one week.

At the same time, pending residential sales increased from 82 to 87.

So while inventory tightened, buyers were still making moves. 🏡

The Numbers Behind the Market

Here’s how active inventory looked at the end of the week:

• Single detached: 535 active listings, down from 563

• Semi-detached: 37, down from 38

• Freehold townhomes: 52, down from 57

• Condo townhomes: 172, unchanged

• Condo apartments: 296, down substantially from 342

The condo apartment category experienced the largest weekly change, with inventory dropping by approximately 13.5%.

But inventory alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Homes Are Still Selling Very Close to Asking Price

The average sold-price-to-list-price ratio was 98.54%, compared with 98.62% the previous week.

That tiny movement matters less than the bigger picture: collectively, properties that sold were still achieving very close to their asking prices.

However, that doesn’t mean every seller is receiving multiple offers or selling above list.

Quite the opposite.

Of this week’s reported sales:

73.6% sold below list price.
21.8% sold over list price.
4.6% sold at list price.

That is an important distinction for anyone thinking about selling.

Pricing a home artificially low in the hope of creating a bidding war is not automatically a winning strategy in today's market. Buyers have become more selective, and thoughtful pricing from day one matters.

What About Multiple Offers?

They haven't disappeared.

There were 19 properties sold over asking price this week, compared with 24 the previous week.

But the size of those over-asking sales is also worth watching.

Of the homes selling above list price, most sold for less than $100,000 above asking, and there were no reported sales $100,000 or more above list this week.

The market can absolutely still reward an exceptional property with strong presentation, location and pricing. But we're not in a market where sellers should simply assume a bidding war will do the heavy lifting.

A Different Market Depending on What You're Buying

One of the most useful numbers in this week's report is months of inventory.

Single-detached homes sat at approximately 3.3 months of inventory, while condo apartments were considerably higher at 9 months.

That's a pretty dramatic difference.

It also illustrates why broad headlines such as "It's a buyer's market" or "The market is heating up" rarely tell you enough.

Your market depends on what you're buying or selling, where it is, its price range and what you're competing against.

What This Means for Waterloo Region Buyers

For buyers, there is opportunity here.

You generally have more negotiating room than buyers experienced during the frenzy of previous markets, particularly in segments carrying higher inventory.

That can mean time to complete proper due diligence, compare properties and negotiate price or terms rather than feeling pressured to simply throw everything at an offer and hope for the best.

But good homes can still attract attention quickly.

The goal isn't necessarily to wait for a "perfect" market. It's to understand your particular piece of the market and build your strategy around it.

What This Means for Sellers

For sellers, this week's numbers send a fairly clear message:

Price matters.

With nearly three-quarters of reported sales occurring below asking price, launching too high and planning to "test the market" can work against you.

Buyers can see competing inventory, recent sales and price reductions. A strong launch strategy needs to consider all three.

Presentation, preparation, marketing and pricing need to work together from day one.

Thinking About Making a Move?

Whether you're wondering what your current home could sell for, trying to decide whether now is the right time to buy, or simply want to understand what's happening in your neighbourhood and price range, I'm happy to dig into the numbers with you.

Because the headline tells us what's happening across the market.

Your numbers tell us what your next move should be.

Market statistics based on the Royal LePage Wolle Realty Weekly Market Update for Kitchener/Waterloo/Woolwich/Wilmot, week ending August 31, 2026. Market conditions vary by property type, location and price range.