The latest market stats for May are in, and they tell an interesting story. For the first time in several months, we’re seeing a noticeable uptick in sales volume. That’s encouraging news, especially after the sluggish start to the year. But alongside that, both the average and median sale prices have ticked down slightly, which may seem contradictory at first glance.

In our view, this doesn’t reflect a true decline in home values. Instead, we’re seeing a higher percentage of sales occurring in the lower price ranges. More affordable listings are moving, while many of the higher-priced or overpriced homes are being passed over. This shift skews the overall pricing stats and makes it appear as though prices are dropping more broadly than they really are.

The reality is that well-presented and appropriately priced homes are still in demand. We’re seeing strong interest in quality listings, especially those that show well and are move-in ready. In many cases, these are the homes that are still commanding attention and offers. On the flip side, a growing portion of the inventory is sitting on the market because it’s either priced too high, poorly presented, or simply doesn’t meet buyer expectations.

This is creating a bit of a disconnect. On paper, it may look like we have more inventory, but much of it isn’t salable in the current environment. Buyers today are cautious and focused. They’re looking for value and quality, and in many cases, they’re not afraid to walk away or attach conditions to their offers. That’s a shift from the ultra-competitive landscape we saw in previous years.

Despite these nuances, Windsor-Essex is still technically in a seller’s market. Months of inventory remain below the threshold for balance, sitting just under four. But the dynamics within that market are changing. Buyers are more selective, and success depends more than ever on pricing correctly and making a strong first impression.

If you’re interested in digging deeper into the numbers or exploring what this means for your buying or selling plans, we break it all down in our monthly Real Estate Insider newsletter. You can sign up on our website to get the full report delivered straight to your inbox.

As always, if you have questions or want to chat about the market, we are just a call or message away.